Grand Return System

Chapter 226: Neither Student nor Companion

Neither Student nor Companion

Fiona carefully stood behind Hektor and secretly sized up Leon from the corner of her eye, her eyes filled with admiration.

The aftermath of the battle still lingered in the air.

Broken mountains stretched across the distance like scars left behind by heaven itself. Sword intent still drifted through the wind, sharp enough to make ordinary cultivators shiver unconsciously. The golden light of the setting sun poured across the ruined battlefield, bathing Leon’s figure in a faint divine glow.

Only now did Fiona truly understand just how terrifying Leon was.

Before today, she had merely heard rumors about the young master of Amethyst Summit Division. Some called him mysterious, others called him unfathomable, while many simply praised his extraordinary swordsmanship.

But rumors were only rumors.

Seeing it personally was completely different.

That sword earlier...

Even now, when she recalled it, her breathing became slightly uneven.

It was hard to believe that this young division master, who looked barely older than her, possessed such monstrous strength.

Everyone admired the strong.

She was no exception.

More importantly...

Leon wasn’t one of those old monsters who cultivated for hundreds of years and hid themselves in ancient caves. He was young, handsome, elegant, and frighteningly calm.

His personality only made him more attractive.

Gentle.

Refined.

Casual.

Even after defeating Dario, he showed no arrogance whatsoever. It was as if overwhelming a half-step Pinnacle Realm expert was merely an ordinary matter.

That composure unconsciously pulled people toward him.

Fiona secretly observed him again from the corner of her eye.

The breeze brushed through Leon’s shoulder-length black hair, causing a few loose strands to sway gently beside his face. His purple eyes remained calm and deep, almost like a starry abyss hidden beneath the night sky.

Then suddenly—

Leon casually glanced in her direction.

Their eyes met for only a brief instant.

Yet Fiona’s heart skipped violently.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously around her sleeve as she quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.

Like a thief caught red-handed.

She didn’t dare let anyone notice the strange panic in her heart.

Especially Hektor.

Leon, meanwhile, remained completely calm as he continued the previous conversation.

"Everyone says that my swordsmanship is divine," Leon said with a faint smile. "Actually, that’s not the case. I’ve only barely comprehended a thing or two about this sword technique."

"What?"

For a moment, the entire group fell silent.

Everyone stared at Leon as if they had just heard something absurd.

"You’ve only comprehended a little?"

Harry Taylor’s mouth twitched violently.

Even Hektor’s usually calm expression stiffened slightly.

The surrounding cultivators looked at one another in disbelief.

Was this even human language?

That terrifying sword strike from earlier had nearly split heaven and earth apart. Even the Inferno Swift Bird had once been chased across the sky by that sword intent.

And Leon was saying he had only comprehended a little?

If this was merely "a little," then what would happen after fully mastering it?

Would he split apart the heavens themselves?

"F*ck, he’s too boastful!"

Harry suddenly slapped his thigh dramatically, looking like he had just discovered the truth of the universe.

"I’ve followed Senior for so long, but I never realized that he’s the one and only pretentious expert."

The young man’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"He says it so seriously too! It sounds like he’s humbly belittling himself, but he’s actually boasting beautifully without anyone noticing."

Harry looked increasingly excited the more he spoke.

"He caught everyone completely off guard."

Harrier Taylor nearly choked hearing his son openly say such nonsense.

Yet strangely enough...

Nobody could refute it.

Because Leon truly sounded sincere while saying outrageous things.

Harry suddenly looked enlightened.

"Hehe... I need to learn this move."

He silently memorized the essence of Leon’s "humble boasting" deep inside his heart like some supreme cultivation technique.

Leon nearly laughed hearing that.

Meanwhile, the surrounding cultivators remained deeply shaken.

"Comprehend a thing or two?"

"If merely scratching the surface is already this terrifying, then wouldn’t this sword art truly qualify as a Sacred Art?"

Someone swallowed nervously.

"That’s impossible..."

"Sword Sacred Arts are supreme secret techniques capable of suppressing entire eras. Even if someone handed you the manual directly, you still might not be able to cultivate it."

"It requires terrifying comprehension."

"Even an Instinct Supreme Body might struggle to grasp the profundities hidden within."

Suddenly, another thought surfaced in everyone’s minds simultaneously.

"Could it be..."

"His physique is even more terrifying than an Instinct Supreme Body?"

The atmosphere quietly changed.

Everyone looked at Leon with increasing awe.

Even Hektor’s eyes became unusually solemn.

He couldn’t determine Leon’s true physique.

But if Leon genuinely managed to cultivate such a terrifying Sacred Art...

Then his body constitution was definitely no ordinary physique.

Perhaps...

It was truly one of those legendary perfect physics capable of suppressing an era.

Hektor’s heart trembled faintly.

The more he observed Leon, the more terrifying the latter seemed.

Leon, however, nearly burst out laughing inside.

He had only casually said those words to sound mysterious.

Who would’ve thought these people would scare themselves this badly?

After hesitating for a long moment, Fiona finally gathered enough courage to speak.

"Senior... you’re too humble."

Her voice was soft and pleasant like flowing water.

Everyone subconsciously turned toward her.

Fiona’s beautiful azure hair swayed gently behind her as the evening breeze passed through the battlefield ruins. Her dark-blue robes fluttered lightly around her graceful figure, and the silver embroidery near her waist reflected faint sunlight.

Her cheeks carried a slight blush, though she tried her best to remain composed.

"I’ve seen many experts in my life," she continued softly, her eyes unconsciously drifting toward Leon again, "but I’ve never seen someone like you."

The surrounding air quieted slightly.

Even Hektor silently listened.

"Earlier... when Senior’s sword rose above the clouds..."

Fiona paused briefly, as if trying to find the right words.

"It truly felt like a Sword Monarch descending into the mortal world."

Her eyes brightened unconsciously while recalling that scene.

"You were carefree and casual... yet overwhelmingly domineering at the same time."

"It felt as though heaven and earth itself moved according to your thoughts."

"One sword..."

"One thought..."

"And ten thousand transformations appeared."

Her voice became softer near the end.

"It was dazzling."

Fiona looked at Leon seriously.

"How could such a sword art only be comprehended a little?"

"I think Senior has already mastered it completely... right?"

Leon looked at her in surprise.

This girl really was clever.

Unlike the others blindly worshipping him, Fiona had actually noticed certain deeper things within that sword strike.

Leon suddenly smiled warmly.

"Haha..."

"Girl, you’re quite smart."

The praise instantly caused Fiona’s heartbeat to accelerate again.

"In some aspects, you seem even better than my two students."

Leon nodded thoughtfully.

"I have high hopes for you."

"Your future achievements will definitely be limitless."

A trace of joy immediately flashed across Fiona’s beautiful eyes.

Her fingers tightened slightly beneath her sleeves.

Did...

Did she just receive Leon’s approval?

For some reason, that thought alone made her inexplicably happy.

"Thank you for your praise, Senior."

Fiona smiled gently.

The setting sun reflected against her delicate face as a soft breeze brushed past her azure hair. A faint blush quietly spread across her fair cheeks, making her appear even more charming.

Leon stared at her briefly.

A trace of desire flickered deep within his eyes.

This woman truly was beautiful.

Not merely in appearance...

But in temperament as well.

She was intelligent, composed, elegant, and perceptive.

Leon suddenly sighed emotionally.

"Unfortunately..."

"You’re neither my student..."

"Nor my Pathbound Companion."

The surrounding atmosphere became strangely quiet.

Leon shook his head slightly with genuine regret.

"Otherwise..."

"I would definitely teach you the strongest technique."

He sighed again.

"What a pity... what a pity..."