As Leonard continued charging One Arm Hell, Danial was also gathering his strength—his palms sinking as energy surged through his meridians.
Earth Spirit Palm.
At the same moment, both techniques were unleashed.
Leonard's attack erupted first.
A spiraling vortex of dark energy burst forward, filled with deathly howls, as if Hell itself was clawing its way into the mortal world. The screams echoed through the Combat Hall, chilling everyone to the bone. Several students were lifted off their feet and thrown aside, unable to withstand the corrosive pressure.
The vortex devoured everything in its path—air, sound, even the reinforced flooring—before racing straight toward Danial.
For the first time, Danial panicked.
The attack reached him faster than he anticipated. He had never fought someone unleashing a technique of this magnitude head-on. His inexperience showed—he hadn't fully synchronized the Earth Spirit Palm yet.
Too fast…!
In desperation, Danial released all his remaining energy and forced it into the technique.
"Earth Spirit Palm!"
The Combat Hall exploded with blinding white and blue light.
Cracks spread across the walls like spiderwebs as the hall trembled violently. A massive palm—as large as the floor itself—manifested from pure energy and slammed forward.
The deathly howls were instantly drowned out.
Light devoured darkness.
The One Arm Hell technique resisted for one single second—
—and was completely vaporized.
The remaining force of the Earth Spirit Palm surged forward, roaring toward Leonard.
Though One Arm Hell was comparable in grade, the cultivation gap made the difference absolute.
Danial stood at the Peak of the Third Stage Mortal Level.Leonard was only at the Peak of the First Stage.
Leonard's eyes widened in horror.
He turned and ran.
Too late.
Just as the palm was about to engulf him—
A figure appeared.
The man stepped calmly in front of the attack and raised his hand.
Palm strike.
In less than five seconds, the remaining energy dispersed completely. Smoke and shattered fragments settled slowly.
The one who intervened was—
Master Bowan.
Danial narrowed his eyes.
He came to save his disciple… who would've thought.
Master Bowan looked at his hand briefly, then clenched it into a fist.
Every student in the Combat Hall immediately bowed.
Not out of respect.
Out of fear.
Everyone bowed—except Danial.
Danial didn't even glance at Master Bowan. His eyes remained fixed on Leonard.
Master Bowan spoke calmly,"Are you Danial?"
"Yes," Danial replied flatly.
"Why are you fighting with Leonard?"
"Because Leonard attacked me without reason."
Master Bowan turned his gaze toward Leonard."Did you attack first?"
Leonard stammered,"Master, he was fighting Adren, so I—"
"Did you attack first?"
Master Bowan repeated, his voice heavier.
Leonard trembled."Y-Yes."
Master Bowan sighed.
"It seems I failed to discipline you."
He grabbed Leonard by the collar and turned to the crowd."At ease."
The students straightened, their gazes drifting toward Danial—filled with shock, curiosity, and unease.
Danial felt their stares and decided he'd had enough for the day.
He turned to leave.
On his way out, Maya approached him.
"You really beat the hell out of Leonard," she said lightly.
"He deserved it," Danial replied.
Maya smiled faintly."I want you to meet someone. Are you free?"
Danial stopped."And why should I listen to you?"
"Because it'll help you become stronger."
Danial raised an eyebrow."How do you know that?"
"Isn't that what everyone wants?" she replied calmly."Who doesn't want power?"
"I don't trust you," Danial said.
"And why is that?"
"The first day we met, you tried inspecting my cultivation without permission. I blocked your technique. That alone tells me it wasn't ordinary. High-grade techniques are rare—and harder to master. That means you're not a simple person. You're here for a reason."
Maya was stunned.
She hadn't expected him to piece everything together so quickly.
For the first time, she took a step back.
Danial waved his hand casually."Relax. If you wanted to hurt or kill me, you would've done it already. I don't bite unless bitten."
Danial wasn't insightful because of cultivation—
—but because of habit.
Years of reading stories, analyzing plots, predicting twists.
A useless skill.
Until now.
"You wanted me to meet someone," Danial said.
Maya shook her head."I did. But I've already gotten what I needed."
She turned and left.
Danial headed home.
Midway, he suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
From the nearby forest, he sensed something—a thread of energy, far stronger than anything he had encountered before.
Cautiously, he approached.
Deep within the forest, he found a strange rock, covered in unfamiliar markings.
The moment he touched it—
His world flipped upside down.
A terrifying suction force pulled at every part of his body, stretching him beyond limits. Danial tried to resist, but it was futile.
The pressure overwhelmed him.
Darkness claimed his vision.
The last thing he heard was the System's voice:
"The Host has arrived at the Plane of the Three Musketeers."