Half-Step Pinnacle vs Peak Sage

The moment Harry saw Magnus, his expression immediately changed.

"That old bastard came too..." he muttered nervously.

His voice was low, but the fear inside it was impossible to hide. The memories of humiliation from before still lingered vividly in his mind. Even now, merely seeing Magnus’s face made his stomach tighten instinctively.

Meanwhile, Hektor’s previously warm expression slowly faded.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The atmosphere around the battlefield quietly changed.

The violent winds sweeping across the Land of Silence suddenly felt colder. Above the heavens, flames and lightning still collided endlessly as the four terrifying pinnacle beasts tore into each other like ancient calamities incarnate. Every roar shook the earth beneath everyone’s feet.

Yet compared to the battle in the sky...

The invisible clash between the old monsters below had become even more suffocating.

Leon remained calm.

His midnight robe fluttered softly in the heated wind while his long black hair swayed behind him. Those purple eyes carried neither fear nor arrogance. They were simply quiet.

However, the moment his gaze landed on Dario, Leon paused slightly.

He could sense it immediately.

Peak sage Realm.

No...

Even stronger than that.

There was already a faint aura of transcendence hidden within the old man’s mana fluctuations. It was clear this was someone who had already placed one foot into the pinnacle Realm.

A half-step pinnacle expert.

Leon’s eyes narrowed faintly.

Interesting.

At the same time, Dario teleported over from several kilometers away.

The moment he arrived, space distorted violently around him. A ripple spread through the air like shattered water, and his figure appeared instantly before the crowd.

As soon as he arrived, he heard Hektor praising Leon endlessly.

Naturally, his expression became unpleasant.

"Haha, the most stunning genius in history?" Dario sneered coldly. "You people from the Soft Water Divine Sect really know how to exaggerate."

His gaze slowly shifted toward Leon. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Sharp.

Oppressive.

Like a poisonous serpent sizing up prey.

"You’re the new Division Master of the Amethyst Summit Division, Leon, right?"

His tone was cold and mocking, carrying obvious hostility without the slightest intention of hiding it.

The moment his voice fell—

Boom!

A terrifying pressure instantly exploded outward.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Countless cultivators turned pale immediately as the horrifying aura descended like a mountain upon their shoulders. Several weaker cultivators even staggered backward, nearly kneeling.

"What terrifying pressure..."

"Who exactly is this person?"

"His strength is actually this frightening?"

The surrounding crowd became restless instantly.

Even the experts brought by Harrier Taylor changed expressions dramatically.

Harry’s face turned pale.

The pressure alone made breathing difficult.

He subconsciously grabbed his father’s sleeve.

"Father..." Harry whispered anxiously, looking toward Leon. "Is Senior Leon in danger?"

His voice carried genuine worry.

Although Leon always looked invincible in his eyes, this old man before them felt completely different from previous opponents.

Harrier Taylor frowned deeply.

Truthfully, even he did not recognize Dario.

After all, this old monster had disappeared from the world for over a hundred years. Most people had only heard rumors of his reputation but had never actually seen him.

Harrier slowly shook his head.

"I don’t know," he admitted honestly.

He was merely a King Realm cultivator. Compared to these old monsters standing at the peak of the Forsaken Domain, the gap was too enormous.

How could he possibly determine who was stronger?

However—

Harrier’s eyes unconsciously landed on Leon.

For some reason...

He still believed in him completely.

Because Leon had never disappointed anyone.

Not once.

At this moment, Dario’s terrifying pressure continued to rise.

The surrounding mana twisted violently as a massive invisible vortex formed around Leon. Sand and stones floated into the air while cracks spread across the ground beneath everyone’s feet.

It was as though the heavens themselves were pressing down upon him.

Many people subconsciously retreated several steps.

But Leon merely stood there quietly.

Then—

He smiled.

Interesting.

Is he testing me?

Leon slowly raised one hand.

No flashy movement.

No overwhelming display.

He merely waved his sleeve lightly.

Boom!

In an instant, a terrifying aura erupted from Leon’s body.

Peak sage Realm.

The surrounding pressure shattered instantly like fragile glass.

The violent mana vortex disappeared completely.

Leon did not even move a single step.

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone stared at him with widened eyes.

"Peak sage Realm!"

"How is this possible?!"

The crowd erupted immediately.

Even Max and the others from the sky breaker Acedmy looked horrified.

Especially Max.

His expression froze completely.

The last time they met Leon, he had only shown early sage Realm strength.

But now—

Peak sage Realm?

In barely a month?

That was impossible.

Even monsters could not break through two minor realms consecutively within such a short time.

Unless...

Max’s pupils contracted violently.

He hid his cultivation last time.

That was the only explanation.

Magnus’s face turned pale.

His fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged across his arms.

At this moment, the gap between him and Leon no longer felt measurable.

It was despair.

The kind of despair that made people unable to even think about catching up.

Meanwhile, Dario stared deeply at Leon.

A trace of surprise flashed across his old eyes.

So young...

Yet already standing at the peak of the sage Realm.

Even within the ancient eras of the Forsaken Domain, such talent would still be monstrous.

However, the surprise quickly faded.

Because he was different.

He was already half a step into the pinnacle Realm.

A mere peak sage Realm cultivator was still insignificant before him.

Still...

The killing intent in his heart deepened slightly.

Such a genius absolutely could not be allowed to continue growing.

Dario silently suppressed the murderous thoughts in his heart.

Not now.

Too many people were watching.

"You’re quite bold," Dario finally said slowly, his voice cold yet calm. "As expected of Zeon’s successor. Extraordinary talent indeed."

Leon smiled faintly.

He said nothing.

His calmness only made his demeanor appear even more unfathomable.

Faced against the pressure of a half-step pinnacle expert, he looked as relaxed as someone strolling through his own courtyard.

Carefree.

Calm.

Untouchable.

Even Hektor could not help feeling shocked internally after witnessing this scene.

This Leon...

The more one looked at him, the more terrifying he became.

At this moment, Hektor’s determination strengthened completely.

No matter what—

The Soft Water Divine Sect had to establish a deeper bond with the Amethyst Summit Division.

Even if their Sect Leader opposed it, he would personally persuade her after returning.

His gaze briefly swept toward Fiona again.

The young woman was currently staring quietly at Leon, her teal eyes carrying faint ripples of admiration she herself had not noticed.

Hektor stroked his beard silently.

Good.

Very good.

Then, he slowly turned toward Dario.

A faint smile appeared on his face once more, though his eyes remained sharp.

"Fellow cultivator Dario," Hektor said calmly, "did you doubt my words just now?"

The atmosphere instantly became even heavier.