Whoosh!
Origin force rippled through the air. Darian's figure blurred into motion as he left the Valeblue clan's disciples' courtyard, streaking swiftly toward a destination only he knew.
"Heh… that Aeris girl seems to be carrying quite a bit of resentment toward you," Riven's voice echoed lightly in Darian's mind, tinged with amusement. He had, of course, witnessed everything earlier. As for Darian sending Kaelen flying with only three punches— Riven wasn't the least bit surprised.
After all, the night before, Darian's golden-red qi and blood had finally returned to his body. The Holy Law origin had been successfully condensed, and after ten long years of stagnation, his cultivation had surged forward again.
Ironbody Tier Sixth Stage Peak—Tendon Refinement Great Completion.
That was his current realm. But it was only the beginning.
The earlier fight had already proven the might of Holy Dao Battle Qi. To leap two entire realms and crush Kaelen—there could be no better evidence.
Without that confidence, Darian would never have dared to challenge Lucian in the martial arena yesterday. In a single month, he would reclaim what was his.
Of course, a month was not long. Lucian had stepped into the first stage of the Mortal Purification Stage—the Valor Soul Stage—and condensed the Soul Moon. His cultivation far surpassed Kaelen's. Beating him would not be easy.
But that was exactly what Darian sought. Without immense pressure, there could be no boundless drive.
After ten years of silence, he was like a piece of fine jade, polished to perfection by time—now, at last, ready to shine again.
"It was nothing but a childhood joke," Darian replied calmly to Riven as he raced ahead. "The engagement's dissolved now. She's Uncle Theron's daughter—naturally, I won't harm her."
The matter dropped from his mind. His gaze narrowed as a vast, primeval forest appeared in the distance.
He had been here once before—ten years ago.
"Riven, it's been a decade. I wonder if the Sun Moon Star Seal has been discovered by anyone."
"The cave where it lies is extremely well hidden," Riven said confidently. "Ordinary people couldn't find it. Back then, if you hadn't accidentally fallen in, you'd never have discovered it yourself."
"Enough—no point guessing. I'll know when I get there. I just hope the remaining Moon Seal and Star Seal hold something that can raise my cultivation."
Ten years ago, in the Sun Seal, Darian had met Riven. Perhaps the Moon Seal and Star Seal also hid treasures of equal worth. And with only one month before his duel with Lucian, he needed such fortune. Without it, even his talent wouldn't be enough to close the gap.
Whoosh!
He accelerated again. Jagged rocks blurred past, the path winding like a serpent. It wouldn't be long before he reached the hidden cave.
Suddenly—
"Huh?"
He slowed, sensing a familiar energy ahead. A faint smile crossed his lips.
"Brother Darian."
A clear, melodious voice drifted from beyond a massive boulder.
There she stood—a slender figure in a flawless white dress, black hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders, skin as smooth as jade with the faintest blush. Her eyes shone with joy.
Fourteen, maybe fifteen years old—dainty, pure, and utterly enchanting. Her rosy lips curved in a sweet smile, eyes bending like crescent moons as she looked at him.
Whoosh!
In a single light step, she leapt, her dress billowing like a cloud. In the blink of an eye, she landed gracefully before him.
Darian's smile deepened. Stepping forward, he reached out and ruffled her silky hair.
"Liora, wandering around again? This forest isn't safe—careful, or a big tiger might gobble you up."
She wasn't the least bit annoyed. Feeling the warmth of his hand, her bright eyes sparkled.
"Brother Darian, you're one to talk. I haven't seen you for so long."
Her voice was like a spring bubbling over stone—clear, fresh, washing away all weariness.
To Darian, this slightly mysterious girl was like a little sister—cute and kind.
Liora—one of the Valeblue Twin Beauties.
Like him, she was a foster child of the Valeblue family, but her origins were a mystery. Even Theron treated her with rare affection—and beneath that affection, Darian had once glimpsed a trace of… respect.
Everyone in the Valeblue family knew—this "useless" Darian was the only one who could freely joke with and tease Liora. It was a fact that drew both envy and jealousy.
"Brother Darian, I'll go back first. Remember to visit me."
She smiled sweetly, a hint of fragrance lingering as she leapt away, leaving only her graceful silhouette behind.
Darian chuckled. "This little lass… clever as ever."
He knew she must have sensed his breakthrough and sought him out here for a reason. Her departure now was just her way of not disturbing him.
"This girl's not simple," Riven remarked. "The Valeblue family having you… and her—it's strange."
Whoosh!
Putting the thought aside, Darian surged forward, Holy Dao Battle Qi roaring in his veins.
A quarter of an hour later—
Hualala!
The roar of water filled the air. From a high ledge, Darian gazed down at a waterfall plunging more than ten paces into a misty pool, its force shaking the earth.
Hidden deep within the forest, this was the place where, ten years ago, he had found the cave of the Sun Moon Star Seal.
Without hesitation, he stepped onto the river's surface, qi and blood surging, and leapt straight into the cascade.
Splash!
The pounding water hammered against him, but he pushed through, vanishing behind the curtain.
Inside was a vast cavern, the waterfall sealing its entrance like a veil.
He followed the narrow passage, memories of the past flashing in his mind. Soon, a bend opened into a wide chamber—
Shua!
Three radiant lights floated ahead.
Five paces away stood an ancient stone platform, weathered and gray-blue. At its center hovered three massive orbs of light.
On the left, a deep blue orb pulsed like a distant star.
On the right, a silver orb shone like an ancient crescent moon.
Above them, dimmed but still majestic, hung the golden Sun Seal—its fading brilliance like the last light of a proud sun.
Riven sighed softly. "The Sun Moon Star Seal… ten years, and we're back."
Darian's gaze lingered on the Sun Seal. "Back then, I was only five. Uncle Faelan had just left. Chasing after him, I stumbled into this place… met you, and gained the Holy Law origin. Looking back—it was fate."
"The strongest Sun Seal held me," Riven murmured. "Then surely the Moon and Star Seals hold treasures as well."
Darian's voice was quiet, but resolute. "Riven, for ten years, our lives have been as one. That won't change. One day, I'll uncover the truth of both our pasts. That's my promise."
A warm chuckle answered him.
"I don't know why you could open the Sun Seal back then, but with the Holy Law origin now in your body, opening the Moon and Star Seals will be effortless."
Buzz! Boom!
Golden-red qi and blood erupted. Holy Dao Battle Qi surged as Darian stepped forward, fists wrapped in power.
Boom! Boom!
Twin explosions shook the chamber. The Moon and Star Seals shattered, scattering light like falling stars.
From within emerged—
A long, pitch-black rectangular box…
And a fire-red orb, glowing softly, exuding a faint, intoxicating fragrance.