Old Monster’s Dark History

"Hmm... Dario?"

"He’s here too?"

Hektor and Tobias froze momentarily as they stared at the old man descending slowly from the distant sky.

For a brief second, even the chaotic battlefield below seemed quieter.

The burning mountains.

The roars of the pinnacle beasts.

The collapsing earth.

Everything appeared to fade into the background beneath the pressure carried by the newly arrived elder.

The two old experts exchanged shocked looks.

Clearly—

Neither of them had expected Dario to appear here personally.

The old man stepped through the air calmly, his gray robes fluttering in the scorching wind. Strange ancient patterns glimmered faintly along his sleeves as if containing hidden heavenly secrets.

His eyes were deep and unreadable.

Like a still lake hiding countless storms beneath the surface.

They were extremely familiar with this old man.

This person was the First Elder of Sky Breaker Acedmy, Dario, a half-step pinnacle realm expert.

Many years ago, his reputation had already shaken the Forsaken domain .

Countless younger cultivators feared him.

Many older cultivators avoided provoking him.

Not only because of his cultivation—

But because of his terrifying schemes and unreadable methods.

"That’s strange..." Tobias muttered softly while narrowing his eyes. "Didn’t they say he had already comprehended the pinnacle realm and entered seclusion? Why would he suddenly leave the mountain..."

The wind around them carried burning ash through the air.

Tobias frowned slightly as he continued observing Dario.

Many years ago, rumors had spread across the Forsaken domain that Dario had already touched the gate toward the pinnacle realm. It was said he had entered forbidden seclusion to attempt his breakthrough.

Some believed he had failed.

Others believed he had already succeeded but continued hiding his strength.

No one knew the truth.

And that uncertainty was precisely what made him dangerous.

Now that he had suddenly appeared here, Tobias could not help wondering—

Had he already crossed that final gate?

Even Hektor’s expression became slightly serious.

Though neither openly admitted it, both felt faint pressure from Dario’s appearance.

Meanwhile—

The moment Dario descended near the outer region of the Land of Silence, several figures immediately approached respectfully.

Magnus.

Max.

And the other elders of Sky Breaker Acedmy quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, First Elder."

Their voices carried obvious respect.

Especially Magnus.

After the humiliation earlier caused by Leon, his expression had remained dark and ugly the entire time.

But now—

Seeing Dario arrive personally gave him confidence once more.

Dario merely waved his hand lightly.

Then—

His sharp eyes swept across the battlefield briefly before landing on Hektor and Tobias nearby.

A strange smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Haha, Fellow Cultivators, long time no see. So you’re still alive?"

The moment those words came out, several nearby cultivators nearly choked.

Some younger disciples looked horrified.

Others desperately lowered their heads, trying not to laugh.

Only old monsters like them could greet each other like this.

As people of the same generation, they had fought endlessly throughout their youth.

Competition.

Battles.

Schemes.

Pride.

Back then, none of them were willing to bow their heads.

Yet now—

Hundreds of years had passed like flowing water.

Many old friends had already turned into dust beneath forgotten graves.

Very few of their generation still remained alive.

Thus, when old rivals like them reunited, they often mocked each other out of habit.

Hektor immediately snorted after hearing Dario’s greeting.

"You’re not dead yet. How can I leave before you?"

He blew lightly at his beard, pretending annoyance, though amusement flickered in his old eyes.

"Old man, I heard you’ve been in seclusion for decades and already comprehended the pinnacle realm. Have you crossed that Life Gate?"

The surrounding crowd instantly quieted after hearing that question.

Everyone stared toward Dario nervously.

Pinnacle realm.

Those two words alone were enough to make countless cultivators tremble.

That was a realm standing near the peak of the Forsaken domain .

Even half-step experts were already legendary figures.

If Dario had truly succeeded—

Then the balance between the major powers might completely change.

Even Tobias silently focused on him.

However—

Dario did not answer directly.

Instead, he merely smiled mysteriously.

The corners of his lips lifted faintly while his eyes narrowed slightly.

The answer remained ambiguous.

No one could read his true thoughts.

This was perfectly in line with his personality.

Shrewd.

Cautious.

Always hiding his true cards.

Seeing his reaction, many people became even more curious.

"Did he break through or not?"

"Why won’t he answer directly?"

"His aura feels terrifying..."

Several cultivators whispered nervously.

But no one dared question him openly.

At that moment—

Tobias suddenly seemed to think of something amusing.

A strange smile slowly appeared on his face.

Then—

He unexpectedly laughed out loud.

"Hahaha..."

The laughter sounded abrupt amidst the tense atmosphere.

Everyone nearby looked confused.

Even Dario frowned slightly.

Behind Tobias stood Rex Vine, who immediately asked softly,

"Teacher, why are you laughing?"

Rex Vine looked genuinely puzzled.

He had rarely seen Tobias laugh like this.

Tobias glanced toward Dario mischievously before explaining with a grin,

"Student, you probably don’t know this, but back then... this First Elder of Sky Breaker Acedmy had a very dark history."

The moment those words appeared—

Dario’s eyelids twitched violently.

An ominous feeling rose inside him instantly.

"Oh?"

Rex Vine immediately became interested.

Even the surrounding crowd perked up.

"What dark history?"

Rex Vine quickly asked curiously.

Tobias clearly had no intention of hiding his voice.

In fact—

It almost seemed deliberate.

His voice spread clearly across the surrounding area so everyone could hear.

Even many distant cultivators turned toward them curiously.

Tobias coughed lightly before continuing dramatically,

"Back then, when Dario first entered the peak stage of the sage realm, his confidence suddenly exploded."

"He claimed he was invincible beneath heaven."

"He challenged everyone he saw and acted outrageously arrogant."

Several nearby old cultivators immediately started smiling knowingly.

Clearly—

They remembered those days too.

Tobias continued mercilessly.

"And among all the great factions in the Forsaken domain ..."

"He just had to choose Celestis Academy as his first target."

The surrounding crowd instantly became interested.

Even Hektor nearly burst out laughing already.

"The results are obvious..."

Tobias sighed exaggeratedly.

"As soon as he climbed the mountain, he got beaten by Cultivator Zeon of Celestis Academy until he ran around the entire academy premises like a headless chicken."

Silence.

Then—

"PFFT!"

"Hahahaha!"

The entire area exploded into laughter instantly.

Several younger cultivators nearly fell over laughing.

Even some elders struggled to maintain serious expressions.

One disciple covered his mouth desperately.

Another muttered between laughs,

"Why did he choose the most ruthless monster among all the great powers?"

Someone else added,

"He really knew how to brag back then..."

"Invincible beneath heaven? That’s bold..."

The atmosphere instantly became lively.

Even the oppressive tension from the battlefield eased slightly because of the story.

Only one person looked absolutely terrible.

Dario.

His face darkened visibly.

Veins bulged slightly at his temples.

That humiliating defeat had become a shadow haunting him for hundreds of years.

Even now—

He still remembered that terrifying sword from Cultivator Zeon.

Back then, he had truly believed himself invincible among his peers.

Then he challenged Celestis Academy proudly.

And the result...

He was beaten so badly he nearly lost his cultivation heart.

Thinking about it now still hurt his pride.

Originally, Dario had intended to appear majestic before the younger generation today.

Yet Tobias directly exposed his darkest history the moment he arrived.

Not even a little face was spared.

"Hmph!"

Dario’s sleeves trembled violently from suppressed anger.

His old face twitched slightly while murderous intent briefly flickered through his eyes.

He truly wanted to strangle Tobias immediately.

Unfortunately—

The surrounding laughter only grew louder.

Even Hektor shamelessly turned away while shaking from laughter.

Clearly trying—and failing—not to laugh openly.

Dario’s expression became uglier and uglier.

Finally—

Unable to tolerate it anymore—

He snorted furiously, flung his sleeves, and stepped directly toward the Land of Silence without another word.

Dario flew into a rage out of humiliation. He flung his sleeves angrily and felt that he had lost all face. He turned around and entered the Land of Silence.