Grand Return System

Chapter 126: The Flame That Devours Flame

The Flame That Devours Flame

As Rias’s gorgeous red figure appeared upon the arena, Shera slowly smiled.

That smile carried a deeper meaning.

Anyone with sharp eyes could see it clearly—this was not simple courtesy.

Shera turned slightly and gestured to the student standing behind him.

"Go."

"Perform well."

His gaze flickered briefly toward Leon before he added with deliberate emphasis—

"Don’t disappoint your Guardian Elder Leon."

The student stepped forward.

"Teacher, don’t worry."

"I will definitely perform well and not disappoint Guardian Elder Leon."

A faint smile curled across his lips as he glanced toward Leon.

Then, with a sudden burst of motion—

He leapt down from the spectator platform.

A streak of fiery red light followed his descent.

Boom.

His boots struck the arena stone, and a ripple of heat spread through the air.

For a moment—

The atmosphere surged to its peak.

The surrounding disciples gasped in excitement.

Above the arena seats, Cultivator Tobias raised his brows slightly.

"Oh?"

"Fellow cultivator Shera..."

"Does your student cultivate a fire Sacred Art as well?"

Shera forced down the excitement building in his chest and answered modestly,

"That’s right."

"This useless student of mine was born with a somewhat unusual flame."

"He has trained in the Flame Technique for several years."

He waved a hand dismissively.

"It’s still far from impressive."

Cultivator Tobias chuckled warmly.

"Haha, you are far too modest."

"To be born with an extraordinary flame and possess such a physique already makes him a rare genius."

"If such a person is merely a useless student in your eyes..."

"Does that mean every student under you is born with divine bones?"

Shera laughed politely.

But inside—

He was extremely pleased.

His student had entered the stage exactly the way he hoped.

Powerful.

Dominating.

Perfect for crushing Leon’s student.

He could already imagine Leon’s face when the battle ended.

Meanwhile, Cultivator Tobias quietly shifted his gaze toward Leon.

Leon remained completely still.

His posture was relaxed, his expression calm.

He looked as steady as a mountain.

That calmness made Tobias even more curious.

What exactly is special about Leon’s student?

-------

Shera continued speaking, unable to resist adding more fuel to the conversation.

"Cultivator Tobias..."

"Although my student was born with an unusual flame..."

He smiled faintly.

"It’s still nothing compared to Junior Brother Leon’s student."

"Junior Brother Leon’s second student possesses true divine bones."

"Her talent is astonishing."

"She is the real genius."

Shera’s words sounded like praise.

But the intention behind them was clear.

He wanted to humiliate Leon once Rias lost.

Unfortunately for him—

Reality rarely followed imagination.

Leon glanced at him calmly before replying.

"Senior Brother..."

"My student indeed has some talent."

"But she has only entered the cultivation world for one month."

"How could she compare to Senior Brother’s student?"

Leon’s tone remained relaxed.

"Your student has been in Celestis Academy for three or four years already, correct?"

"His cultivation should have already reached the Astral Realm."

Shera’s face stiffened slightly.

He instantly understood Leon’s hidden meaning.

Leon had deliberately mentioned the difference in training time.

If Rias lost later—

It would simply be because she was inexperienced.

Shera clenched his jaw slightly.

That sly bastard.

----

Cultivator Tobias observed the two men quietly.

A faint smile crept across his face.

He clearly enjoyed the subtle tension.

Behind him, Rex Vine stared intently at Rias.

His instincts had always been sharp.

And right now—

Something felt wrong.

Leon claimed she had only cultivated for a month.

Yet his intuition kept whispering the same thought.

She is not simple.

----------

On the arena stage—

The Secret Sword Summit student stepped forward confidently.

He raised his sword and bowed.

"Secret Sword Summit student."

"Junior Sister..."

"Accept my challenge."

Rias returned the greeting gracefully.

"Amethyst Summit Division."

"Rias."

Her voice was calm.

"Accept my challenge."

Between them stood the referee.

Referee stepped forward and glanced between the two.

"Are you ready?"

"I’m ready."

Both voices answered simultaneously.

Referee nodded.

Then raised his hand.

"I announce..."

"The first match of the Seven Divisions Martial Meeting."

"Amethyst Summit Division’s Rias versus Secret Sword Summit’s student."

"Begin."

The moment the announcement ended—

The arena erupted with excitement.

The students leaned forward eagerly.

The two fighters on the arena were already ready to clash.

The Secret Sword Summit student slowly drew his sword.

The blade shimmered under the sun.

Then—

He released his aura without restraint.

Boom.

A powerful surge of Mana exploded outward.

The pressure of a nine-star Onyx Realm cultivator swept across the arena.

Gasps immediately rose from the crowd.

"So strong!"

"Nine stars of the Onyx Realm!"

"His cultivation is incredible!"

Many disciples sighed in admiration.

But across from him—

Rias didn’t move.

She stood quietly where she was.

The wind stirred gently across the arena.

Her bright red robes fluttered softly around her slender figure.

Under her flowing crimson hair, her red eyes remained calm.

A faint smile hid within them.

At that moment—

She looked like a celestial fairy who had descended into the mortal world.

Elegant.

Radiant.

Untouchable.

Her calmness drew countless heated gazes from the surrounding male disciples.

But to her opponent—

Her stillness felt like humiliation.

His brows twisted with anger.

"Junior Sister..."

"Here I come!"

With a furious shout—

He swung his sword.

Mana surged.

A roaring ball of flames burst from the blade and shot straight toward Rias.

The blazing fire tore through the air like a hungry beast.

The crowd gasped.

"Why isn’t she dodging?!"

"She’s not moving!"

Everyone stared in disbelief.

Rias stood there without the slightest intention of avoiding the attack.

Was she unable to react?

Or did she simply not want to dodge?

Below the arena—

Shera’s lips slowly curved upward.

Victory already seemed within reach.

He turned slightly toward Leon, ready to speak.

But before he could—

The scene on the arena changed.

The moment the fireball reached Rias—

Her body suddenly erupted with crimson flames.

A terrifying aura burst forth.

The flames surrounding her were darker...

Heavier...

Ancient.

Like something born from karma itself.

The incoming fireball struck those flames—

And vanished.

Just like that.

Absorbed completely.

From beginning to end—

Rias never moved.

Not even a single step.

Silence fell across the arena.

"This..."

"How is that possible?!"

Even the elders were stunned.

Mike leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"Inferno Lotus Art..."

Cultivator Tobias’s pupils shrank.

"What?!"

As a peak Sage Realm expert, he knew this flame well.

This was no ordinary fire.

It was the Inferno Lotus Art—

One of the most terrifying flames in the world.

And yet—

This student of Amethyst Summit Division carried such power within her body.

Cultivator Tobias slowly turned his head toward Leon.

Leon remained completely calm.

As if this outcome had been obvious from the start.

Tobias sighed quietly.

"No wonder he wasn’t worried at all..."

"So that’s the reason."

Smack!

A loud sound echoed.

Shera had slammed his palm against the armrest of his chair.

His face had turned extremely ugly.