After enduring a long and painful night under his mother's absolute authority, Danial finally fell asleep—his body aching, his soul humbled.
The next morning, Danial woke up with a calm yet heavy expression.There was something he needed to settle.
Adren.
Without wasting time, Danial headed straight to the academy.
Inside Bright Light Academy, Adren was far from calm.
He looked restless—pacing back and forth inside the Combat Hall on the second floor, his face gloomy and tense. The goons he had hired the previous night hadn't reported back. No calls. No messages. Nothing.
That silence gnawed at his nerves.
Adren pulled out his phone again and dialed one number after another.
No answer.
He clenched his fist and muttered angrily,"I hope that bastard Danial is dead… otherwise, I'll kill him myself."
Just as the words left his mouth—
Danial walked into the hall.
Adren froze.
How is that possible?I sent nearly twenty people after him… and he's still alive?Were the goons weak? No—impossible.
Adren's expression twisted with fury.
Dammit… that bastard.
Danial didn't hesitate. He walked straight toward Adren.
Adren sneered, masking his panic with arrogance."Well, well… look who's here. I didn't think you'd actually show up after I threatened you. Either you're fearless… or just stupid."
Danial didn't reply.
He simply raised his hand—
Slap.
The sound echoed throughout the Combat Hall.
Adren was sent tumbling across the floor, crashing hard before finally coming to a stop.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The entire Combat Hall froze. Even the sound of breathing felt loud.
Adren slowly stood up, his face burning—not just from pain, but from humiliation. The same humiliation he had suffered before.
His eyes turned blood-red.
Rage consumed him.
Without thinking, Adren charged toward Danial, his fist clenched—
Before he could reach him, a cold voice rang out:
"Who dares cause trouble in my Master's academy?"
Adren stopped instantly.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A young man descended the stairs calmly.
His name was Leonard—the personal disciple of Master Bowan.
His status alone placed him above most students. Becoming a personal disciple of the academy's Master was a dream countless cultivators chased. It meant direct guidance, access to superior resources, and the possibility—however slim—of reaching Master-level cultivation one day.
Leonard approached, his gaze sharp.
He looked at Adren and frowned."What's going on here?"Then he added bluntly,"And why the hell is your face swollen?"
Danial glanced at Leonard with mild amusement.So these are personal disciples… interesting.
Bright Light Academy consisted of six floors, each representing a cultivation tier. The higher the floor, the stronger the student.
Leonard had descended from the fifth floor—only one step away from the sixth, the pinnacle.
The sixth floor was special.
Those who reached it were given two choices:
Challenge the Master and attempt to take his position.
Serve under the Master and become part of the academy's inner core.
Master Bowan had deliberately created this rule.
Because almost no one dared challenge him.
The cultivation gap was simply too vast.
Adren hurriedly explained, trying to twist the situation in his favor.
Leonard's gaze shifted to Danial.
Danial studied Leonard calmly. Peak of the First Stage… and he walks like he owns the place.
From a distant corner, Maria observed silently.
Her expression was unreadable as she whispered to herself,"He blocked my grandfather's technique… If he can't defeat Leonard, then I'll assume it was my mistake—and that he isn't worth my time."
Danial and Leonard stood face-to-face.
Their gazes locked.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Leonard suddenly vanished from his spot and reappeared in front of Danial, his fist flying toward Danial's face.
Danial anticipated the attack and dodged left.
Leonard followed up instantly, twisting his body and delivering a powerful kick to Danial's chest.
Danial raised his arm and blocked it.
The impact echoed loudly.
Leonard's eyes widened.
Pain shot through his leg—as if he had kicked solid steel.
Adren stared in disbelief."Is he even human? I've never seen anyone block Leonard's kick since he became Master Bowan's personal disciple!"
Danial remained calm.
He swung his arm outward casually.
A burst of compressed air exploded from the motion, sending Leonard and Adren flying backward like pebbles.
Leonard crashed to the ground, completely stunned.
Danial placed his hands behind his back and spoke calmly,"Anything else you want to talk about?"
Leonard's anger erupted.
"Who do you think you are?!" he shouted."Do you know who I am? I'm Master Bowan's personal disciple! When he finds out about this, he won't let you go!"
Danial found it almost laughable.
Using Master Bowan's name again… even threats come wrapped in begging.
Danial looked at Leonard coldly.
Then said mockingly,"You claim to be Master Bowan's personal disciple, yet you hide behind his name every time you're about to be beaten."
He tilted his head slightly."Isn't that disgraceful? Acting like a dog that barks only when its owner's name is mentioned?"
Leonard exploded.
"You fuk off, motherfcker!""I'll show you what happens when you disrespect me!"
Leonard planted his feet firmly.
One hand grabbed his elbow.The other pointed straight at Danial.
A ripple of tension spread through the crowd.
"Isn't that—""The One Arm Hell Technique!""That's Master Bowan's signature move!""If he uses that, the other guy is finished!""He should apologize now if he values his life!"
Danial narrowed his eyes.
One Arm Hell?If he's using a technique… then I should use one too.
Danial began circulating his energy.
The atmosphere shifted.
The air around him vibrated.
"Look—he's charging an attack!""Is he serious? Can he block One Arm Hell?""Just watch…"
Danial's aura slowly rose—steady, controlled, and terrifying.
The Combat Hall held its breath.