“Mhm.” Tapio nodded.The elder from the Blithes stomped on a stone slab, walked another three steps, and repeated his actions.The second stone slab sank, and the previous one rose back up.The elder ignored the first slab’s movement and continued on to the next stone slab.About ten minutes passed.Click!A small click echoed.The stone slabs in the center area suddenly receded into the floor, and a 5-meter wide passage appeared.Seeing the passage, Donovan walked over ecstatically.James followed closely behind him.They reached the passage entrance and peered down into it.There were stairs leading underground inside the passage’s entrance.Donovan took the lead.James was the next to enter, followed by Tapio and the other Blithe family members.After traveling for a short while, they eventually reached a dead end.James looked at Donovan and asked, “How do we proceed?”Donovan looked at the floor plan. As soon as he took it out, Tapio snatched it away.“W-What’re

The two decided to return to the starting point.However, they failed to reach the labyrinth’s starting point even after passing through several stone chambers.“This is strange. I don’t remember going past so many stone chambers when we first entered this place. I’m following the direction we traveled earlier, so how is this happening?”Tapio said solemnly, “The labyrinth seems to be playing tricks with our psyche. It only seemed like we were returning through the same path, but we’re actually going deeper inside.”“Then, which stone chamber are we at right now?”James took out the floor plan and tried to identify their location.Tapio shrugged and said, “How would I know?”“What should we do?”Tapio racked his brains for a plan.“I know!” Tapio shouted out of the blue.“Hmm?”James looked at him in confusion.Tapio walked toward James.Then, he whispered, “James…”James paid close attention to his words.Suddenly, Tapio thrust his palm at James’ chest.Tapio had asc

“Is that all you’re capable of?”While James was upset about the situation, a voice spoke out, and the stone door behind him was pushed open.Tapio walked over.While walking over, he stopped and said, “Don’t attack me, James. I have no ill intentions. I was simply using it as an opportunity to teach you not to trust others. If I was really set on killing you, I’d have done it while you were still injured. Why would I leave you there? Don’t you agree?” He explained with a smile.However, he was greeted with another lash of powerful Sword Energy.Tapio quickly clung to the stone wall to dodge James’ attacks.The stone walls were robust. James' current strength was not enough to break the walls and could only leave deep cuts on it at most.“James, calm down! I can lead you out of this underground labyrinth. Stop attacking and listen to me first,” Tapio tried to reason with him while dodging the attacks.After James let off some steam, he felt much of his anger subside. He stop

Sky was narcissistic and arrogant.He ascended the Sixth Stair of the Skyward Stairway and was the closest one among everyone present to becoming a ninth-rank grandmaster.Thomas was the only person on par with him.The others were no match for him.If it were not for Thomas restraining him, everyone present would be unable to beat him, even with their combined might.Sky fought fiercely against three opponents—Donovan, Tanner, and Simon.Meanwhile, Thomas was also locked in battle against two opponents—Maha of the Sylvan Sect and Waylon, the owner of Divine Sword Villa.Despite fighting against multiple opponents, Sky and Thomas both had the upper hand.Apart from Sky and Thomas, everyone else was injured.Donovan sustained the most and was in a miserable state since he was only in the middle phase of the eighth rank. Blood dribbled from his lips, and one of his arms was barely attached to his shoulder.Sky quickly made his move and thrust his palm at Simon.Simon was well

James walked over to Simon and stopped before him.He looked at the injured Simon.When he was in Mount Thunder Sect, Simon had given him their sect’s Sacred Wine, which allowed his strength to skyrocket.Back when Lucjan was hunting him down, Simon defended James and protected him with his life.It stood to reason that James still had a good impression of Simon.When he saw Simon injured, he wanted to treat him.Immediately, a steel wire slipped out of James’ sleeve.The steel wire disintegrated into needles.James held onto Crucifier and attempted to treat Simon’s injuries.“W-What’re you trying to do?”Simon stared at James warily.James replied, “No matter what kind of person you’ve become, you’ve saved me in the past. Today, I’ll treat your injuries to repay your kindness.”After speaking, James began preparations to use Crucifier.Simon believed in James’ character, so he did not refuse or have other significant concerns about the treatment.James inserted a needle