Everyone froze. The sound of Darian Wyric’s slap tore through the tense air like thunder.Jaren Shanley’s aged face bore five vivid finger marks, red and swollen across half of it. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. For a moment, it looked as though his teeth might have loosened from the sheer force. His body trembled, numb from shock—a living testament to the power behind Darian’s strike.This was no ordinary slap. Twice as forceful as the one Jaren had delivered to Little Baiya. For a long heartbeat, the old city lord could do nothing but register the burning, searing pain, the disbelief gnawing at him. A junior—a far younger, far less established junior—had dared to strike him.Rage came next. Veins bulged across his wrinkled face, eyes narrowing into glints of venomous fury. He scoured the void, searching for the audacious junior.But Darian was already safely behind Valtor Grimspire, calm, almost innocent, eyes meeting Jaren’s with icy clarity.“Am I seeing this correctl

Darian Kaelthorn held the two scrolls with trembling fingers, each pulse of his heart echoing through his chest. One contained the Riven Gaesirion Technique, the other the Moon-Lacking Treasure Mirror. He let the words of Aric Sunspire Legacy roll through his mind, each syllable a guiding thread, as he prepared for what would come next.Moon-Lacking Treasure Mirror.A Yellow-Grade Lower Mastery technique. The final gift Aric had left him before departing. One that had turned the tide of his battles against Harvik. During that fight, the techniques Full Moon with a Gap and Shadow Moon with Clear Skies had flowed directly from this mirror, moving through him as naturally as his own breath.Without it… Darian knew he would never have claimed a flawless victory. Even with the Warborn Covenant Method activated, facing Harvik directly would have been a gamble bordering on suicide. The odds were stacked far against him. Yet the Moon-Lacking Treasure Mirror had bridged the chasm. It had turne

Darian Kaelthorn eased himself onto the stone bench. His eyes immediately landed on the soft jade-green glow of the wine jug sitting on the table. Four cups, perfectly arranged, gleamed in the moonlight. Each was filled with the same shimmering liquid, waiting quietly.Seraphina Moire’s slender fingers slipped from her sleeve, drawing another cup from her storage ring. She placed it in front of Darian with a faint, knowing smile. The jug itself was stunning—polished jade, flawless body, slender handle, precise spout. Just looking at it, Darian thought, it must be worth a fortune.Clink… clink…As the liquid poured into his cup, a delicate aroma reached him, fresh and clean. Not even the terrace’s flower gardens could compete. The jade-green wine sparkled, crystal-clear, flawless. Darian, who had never really tasted wine before, felt an irresistible pull.He lifted the cup. Took a sip.“Huh?”No burn. None at all. Just smooth sweetness and clarity, gliding down his throat. The scent li

Vzzz… vzzz…Eight spheres of radiant light hovered above the six companions, humming softly, yet vibrating with a raw, astonishing power. Each orb seemed alive, pulsing with energy that could rival even the most seasoned cultivators. The air around them shimmered, as if space itself quivered under their presence.“What… what are these?”Little Baiya’s voice trembled. Awe, confusion—her senses almost buckling under the sheer energy radiating from the spheres.“High-grade mortal artifacts! All eight… high-grade mortal artifacts!”Seraphina Moire’s eyes widened in shock, disbelief flickering across her exquisite features. The Mo sisters, Aelara, Seraphina Vale, and Selene, mirrored the same stunned expressions. None of them had ever imagined that Darian Kaelthorn could summon eight of the most powerful mortal artifacts with just a gesture.Darian’s lips curved into a faint smile as he extended his right hand toward the hovering treasures.“Everyone, choose freely. Pick whichever one call

The moment Darius appeared above the arena, every eye snapped toward him. Sharp. Piercing. His gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on each competitor like a blade. Slowly, deliberately, he descended from the void. Hands clasped behind his back, aura vast and controlled, as if he were holding the very weight of the sky in his palms.“In the past three days and nights,” Darius’s voice rang out, calm but commanding, “fifty-one young prodigies have been selected from three hundred candidates across the Hundred Main Cities. Listen carefully…”Darian Kaelthorn narrowed his eyes. Every muscle in his body tensed as he stood on the fighting stage, every inch radiating focus and authority.“Each of you holds a Celestial Jade Sigil. Now, take them out.”“Hum hum…”In perfect unison, fifty-one Jade Sigils shimmered into existence, casting a soft, mesmerizing purple glow. Each prodigy gripped one tightly, fingers brushing over the smooth, cold surface.Darian’s own seal caught his eye. Back: “L