The scent of blood still fresh in the air when Kevin Ten stepped out of the Arena ground.

Each step felt heavier than the last. His body was drenched in sweat and blood, his clothes torn, his breathing uneven, yet his eyes... his eyes were calm. Something inside him had finally been resolved.

Revenge won’t come free... Kevin place his life on the line to offer peace to Sonia’s soul. Kavin thought about his promise on Sonia’s dead body.

’I will kill that bastard...’

He walked forward until he saw Tony Clark.

Tony sat casually under a tree, feeding pieces of meat to his snow leopard as if nothing significant had happened.

Kevin stopped a few steps away. For a moment, he just watched Tony in silence.

Then, slowly, he stretched his hand forward and presented the golden sword. "This is yours."

Tony didn’t even look at the blade. "Keep it... I don’t have the habit of taking back what is given out," Tony said calmly, tossing another piece of meat toward the leopard.

Kevin’s hand froze mid-air. He never expected Tony to give away an Earth rank sword so casually. But even after thinking for a long time, Kevin did not understand why Tony helped him.

"Why?" Kevin asked in a horse tone.

Tony finally glanced at him. "I felt pity... I don’t want to let a sword genius die unfairly."

Kevin stood still in daze. No one know about his innate sword intent... Not even Peak master. Because of lack of proper martial technique, he has now way to show off his sword intent. But... But Kevin did not understand how Tony saw though him.

"How can I repay?" Kevin asked directly. He knew Tony’s reputation... Nothing came free in this world. Not power... Not help... Not mercy.

Tony leaned back slightly against the tree, completely relaxed.

"I don’t want anything from you at this moment," he said casually. "But I may need your help in future when you become a powerful sword saint. Consider it as I am investing on you. Who knows... the world is strange and time changes. So, be my friend. Lend a helping hand when I’m in need."

Kevin blinked. For the first time since stepping into the academy— He was stunned.

The heir of the Clark family.. The man who could crush entire families with a word. Was asking— For friendship?

Kevin who is decisive didn’t think much. He clearly understood Tony’s intent. He directly knelt on one knee and slowly drove the sword into the ground beside him.

The sound of metal piercing earth echoed softly.

"Today... I survived because of you. But more than my life... you helped me get my revenge." He lifted his head, meeting Tony’s eyes directly. "This life belongs to you. I, Kevin Ten, will be forever indebted to you. I promise on my life— I will put my life before you."

The words were not exaggerated... They were not emotional outbursts. They were a vow.

Tony watched him for a few seconds... Then sighed lightly.

"I don’t want you to waste your talent with useless conditions," he said. "Go, live free and get stronger. Become a sword saint of this world... then only my help gets meaningful."

Kevin clenched his fists slightly. For a moment, he didn’t speak. Because for the first time— Someone wasn’t trying to bind him or use him.

Tony stood up casually. Before leaving, he tossed a few small bottles toward Kevin.

"Don’t die before you get stronger."

Kevin caught them instinctively.. Healing medicine... Life energy pills.

He looked up again— But Tony was already walking away.

Kevin stood there silently, gripping the bottles tightly.

"Sword Saint..." A determination filled in his thoughts.

***

By the time Tony returned to Sword Peak... The news had already spread.

’Tony Clark tossing a earth rank sword in death trail...’

Nothing stayed hidden inside the academy as people recorded everything and posted in martial channels.

Lily was waiting for Tony... The moment she saw him, her expression darkened.

"Why the hell is there always drama when you step out?" she snapped. "Can’t you live one day normally?!"

Tony rubbed his ear slightly. "That’s not entirely my fault..."

"Shut up," Lily cut him off instantly.

Before he could say anything else, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along.

Tony didn’t resist... He simply followed as he got used to Lily dragging him away.

"Where are we going...?"

"You’ll see."

After a long walk, they stopped in front of a massive chamber carved deep into the mountain.

Lotus Chamaber of Volcano pool...

It was academy’s expensive life energy chamber which used for cultivation breakthrough.

It was actually a Lava Pool... Heat radiated from within, the air itself shimmering with dense life energy mixed with violent fire essence.

Lily stepped forward and handed over her think bundle of Academy Cash to the old lady elder who silently practicing calligraphy.

"Three days straight..." Lily said as she spent all the saved up Academy money at once.

The attendant looked shocked. "Three thousand tokens... all of it?"

"Yes." Lily said firmly.

The elder stared at Tony for a second like a scapegoat. Because staying inside Lava Pool chamber is not so easy feet.

The lady turned few iron wheels to open the door.

Lily turned toward Tony with a serious look. "Go inside and cultivate," she said. "For three days, you are not allowed to come out."

Tony stepped inside with a casual smile thinking that Lily will let him loose after few hours.

The heavy door closed behind him with a deep metallic sound.

The Lava Pool stretched before him like a burning sea. Molten energy surged beneath the surface, releasing waves of heat that could crush ordinary disciples within minutes.

Tony stood at the edge for a moment.

"Good... at least I can attempt another breakthrough..." Tony directly sat in Lotus position and closed his eyes.

This was the perfect place for cultivating. Without hesitation, he activated the system reward.

Two 10x Body Refinement Cards (1 Day) ... Both glowing faintly in his mind.

"Use."

The moment he activated the first— His body trembled.

Life energy surged... The Lava Pool reacted instantly.

The surrounding energy rushed toward him like a storm, drawn by the amplification of the Body Refinement Card.

Tony inhaled deeply... The Heaven Devouring Origin Scripture activated automatically.

Energy flooded into his spinal tree.

His body trembled under the pressure as his muscles tightened, his bones creaked, his blood surged like boiling water.

"More..."

He didn’t stop... He absorbed everything.The lava energy... The life energy... The surrounding pressure. Everything pulled into his body.

Hours passed Or maybe minutes. Time lost meaning.

The first breakthrough came like a crack... A sharp internal explosion... His aura surged outward.

’Peak Master Warrior...’

Tony opened his eyes briefly. "Not enough."

The first card— Expired. Without hesitation— He activated the second.

The energy surged again... Stronger... Faster... More violent.

This time, his body screamed... His spinal tree stretched. Hours passed and Tony completely lose the sense of time. It only feels like minutes when attempting breakthrough... but in outside world, the day changes.

His muscles tore and reformed... His bones hardened further.

The pressure doubled... Then tripled. Tony gritted his teeth. "Come on..."

The barrier appeared... Grand Master Warrior. Right in front of him.

He pushed... Again... And again. Energy surged violently, crashing against the barrier like waves against a cliff.

His body trembled... Blood seeped from the corners of his lips.

"Break...!"

Outside the chamber... Lily sat quietly without leaving. She was thinking Tony might be playing video games, wasting all the life energy.

But still, she decided to do it, as she wants Tony to stay away from outside activities.