Evander let out a faint, contemptuous laugh and raised his hand. A streak of golden light shot forward, arriving a split second ahead of Karos to block his path.The golden light collided with the incoming violet lightning, and the impact detonated with a deafening roar. The shockwave swept outward in all directions, rattling the treasures perched atop the surrounding stone pillars.Karos was forced back several steps, his expression turning grim as he steadied himself. "Evander, you may have your family behind you. But if you think you're taking the Ascendant Pill for yourself, you'd better ask the rest of us first."Before he could finish speaking, several leaders from the rogue cultivator alliance closed in. They were not coordinated, but at that moment, they all turned their focus toward the Quinton family."Mr. Quinton, treasures should go to those with the right to claim them. Surely your family doesn't intend to take everything for yourselves," a bald, burly man said with a

In Scarlet's Test of Resolve, she saw Dustin marrying Natasha. They stood at the altar, embracing each other, while she watched from the crowd. She could only offer her blessing in silence."Are you okay with that?" a voice whispered in her ear. "You risked your life for him, and what did you get in return? To him, you're nothing more than a younger sister. You're really fine with that?"Scarlet clenched her fists, tears welling in her eyes. She took a deep breath and steadied herself."I am," she replied. "As long as he's happy, that's enough for me. He's my brother, and he always will be."After saying that, the illusion shattered.Then, she found herself standing in a training ground. Before her, a long spear hovered in the air, its entire body a deep crimson, its presence stronger than the weapon she had obtained before."Your path is to protect," the voice said. "You've chosen what matters, and you stand by it without regret. Take the Crimson Skybreaker Spear. Stay true to w

"Albus, remember why you use your sword," Dustin said quietly. "You fight to protect your sister and your family. Hold on to that. It matters more than anything else."Albus froze, then slowly closed his eyes. Blanche's smile, his family's faces, and the companions who had fought beside him these past days all surfaced in his mind. When he opened them again, his gaze was clear, and the pressure weighing on him had eased."Thank you, Dustin," he said, his voice steady as he straightened up and continued upward.…Evander stepped onto the 99th step and reached the top of the stairway, with Elowen right behind him. Ahead of them hung a massive structure suspended in empty space. Its gates were shut, their surfaces carved with intricate runes that exuded a heavy, unsettling presence."Aethermoor Palace…" he said, his gaze fixed on it. "The Immortal Legacy is finally within my reach."At that moment, footsteps sounded behind him as Karos staggered onto the final step, covered in blood

Anders quietly approached the hovering Ascendant Pill. He had been hiding the entire time, waiting for an opening. With Evander and Severin locked in combat and everyone else's attention fixed on the fight, Anders finally made his move. He burst forward in a sudden sprint and reached the pill in an instant, snatching it out of the air."I've got it!" he exclaimed, already turning to run.Just then, Evander broke away from Severin and struck Anders with a palm strike. Even in the middle of the fight, he had kept his attention on the Ascendant Pill.Caught off guard, Anders tried to block, but he was no match for Evander. The strike broke through his defense, and he coughed up blood. He was thrown backward, and the Ascendant Pill slipped from his grasp.It spun through the air before dropping near the edge of the crowd, landing right at Dustin's feet. For a moment, no one reacted. He glanced at the violet-glowing pill on the floor, then looked up.Every gaze was fixed on him, shar

After returning to Oakvale, Dustin went into seclusion for a full month. He had absorbed less than 30% of the Ascendant Pill's energy. The remaining 70% had settled within his body and would require time to refine. The Aethermoor Immortal Art also demanded careful study.When he stepped out of seclusion a month later, he was like a completely different person. His energy waves were restrained, almost indistinguishable from those of an ordinary person. Yet at times, a flicker of gold would pass through his eyes, and no one who saw it could meet his gaze for long. It was the mark of someone who had reached the Ascendant realm."Dustin!" Scarlet was the first to rush over. She looked him up and down and asked, "You… You really made it?"He smiled faintly. "You could say that.""What do you mean by that?" she asked with a frown. "I saw what happened that day. You smashed the bolt with a single punch. That was incredible."Dustin chuckled and ruffled her hair. "That was just the be