Grand Return System-Chapter 42: The Roar Beneath the Burning Sky

The Roar Beneath the Burning Sky

Selena took one final look at the ruins of her home.

The wind moved softly through broken beams and scattered ash. A fragment of charred wood creaked somewhere in the silence, like a tired memory refusing to disappear.

"No," she said firmly, though her fingers trembled slightly at her sides. "Father and Mother are gone. This home is gone too. No matter how long I stand here... they won’t return. It only makes me sad."

Leon studied her quietly.

Before he could respond, she suddenly stepped closer and lowered her voice — softer now, vulnerable in a way she rarely allowed.

"My family... from now on... is you."

The words were not dramatic.

Not loud.

But they struck harder than any sword.

For a brief moment, Leon felt something tighten in his chest. His usual playful composure thinned.

He reached out instinctively and placed a hand gently on her head, fingers brushing through her silver hair.

"Foolish girl," he said softly. "Family is not so easily replaced."

But he did not deny her.

And he did not remove his hand immediately.

The warmth of her presence lingered between them — quiet, steady, unspoken.

"Yeah," he finally said. "Let’s go."

Leon did not say more.

Cultivation was a path that demanded severance from the mortal world. Time, vast and merciless, diluted even the deepest emotions. Attachments faded. Grief became distant.

At least... that was what cultivators told themselves.

In the distance, Maya’s group was preparing to depart as well. Leon had half a mind to ask where they were headed next.

He never got the chance.

Suddenly—

A chaotic wave of shouting broke across the ruined streets.

A group of refugees burst from the far end of Wasteland Old Town, faces pale, eyes wild.

"Move! Move!"

"Run!"

Leon stepped forward and grabbed an elderly man by the shoulder.

"What happened?"

"Don’t ask!" the old man cried, voice shaking. "Just run! There’s a beast behind us!"

His skin was ashen. Terror radiated from him so strongly it almost felt tangible.

Leon released him.

The old man bolted away with shocking speed — faster than many younger men.

Leon raised a brow faintly.

"When death approaches," he murmured, "even the weak awaken hidden strength."

Behind them—

The earth began to tremble.

Dust surged into the sky like a rising storm.

Leon closed his eyes briefly and extended his perception.

Mana fluctuations rippled violently through the air.

A heartbeat later, his eyes snapped open.

"King Realm," he said calmly. "Judging from the aura... it’s an Ancient Descendant."

"What?!"

Maya, who had just approached to inquire about the disturbance, froze mid-step.

Her students stared at her in confusion.

"Teacher... what is an Ancient Descendant?"

Maya’s expression turned serious.

"In The Forsaken Domain," she began, voice steady but grave, "the world we know — the Eastern Wasteland — is merely the edge of something far greater. In the deep wilderness, countless ancient races still slumber or roam."

She looked toward the rising smoke.

"Ancient Descendants are beasts that carry remnants of primordial bloodlines — blood inherited from terrifying ancient existences that once dominated the heavens and earth."

"Even diluted," she continued, "that bloodline grants overwhelming physical strength, terrifying resilience, and innate Sacred Arts beyond human comparison."

"In the same realm, human cultivators hold no advantage against them."

The tension in the air thickened instantly.

Several beams of light streaked across the sky — experts already rushing toward the disturbance.

Leon did not hesitate.

"Let’s go."

He seized Selena’s hand and launched forward, robes fluttering like midnight wings.

Maya’s eyes sharpened.

"To encounter an Ancient Descendant is rare," she said quickly. "We cannot miss this opportunity."

She turned to Amaya and the others.

"Follow us!"

With that, she and Sana soared into the sky, Amaya and the remaining students close behind.

Moments later.

The Hundred Miles Wasteland burned beneath a crimson sky.

Flames roared upward in spiraling pillars. The ground was cracked and blackened.

At the center stood it.

Not a giant ape.

But a towering beast wreathed in fire.

Fire Kong.

Its body was massive, muscles coiled like forged iron. Burning patterns traced across its crimson fur, and molten veins pulsed beneath its skin. Each breath it exhaled carried sparks.

It slammed its fists against its chest and roared toward the heavens.

The sound shattered the clouds.

This was the power of Ancient bloodline.

Not merely strength — but inherited authority.

Ancient bloodlines carried fragments of primordial will. Some could manipulate elements. Some could distort space. Some possessed bones that crystallized into sacred relics after death — treasures known as precious bones.

Around Fire Kong, hundreds of cultivators hovered.

Experts from Powerful Sects. Wandering practitioners. Students training beyond the Academy Premises.

All drawn by the same thing.

Opportunity.

"Haha! An Ancient Descendant! I finally found one."

Harry Taylor stood at the edge of the battlefield, eyes burning with greed.

"Elder White. Elder Black. Stay alert. Once the beast is surrounded and heavily injured, seize the precious bone immediately."

Earlier, he had been humiliated by Leon.

For safety, he had immediately sent word home. Now, Elder White — the Taylor household’s only King Realm expert besides his father — had arrived.

Confidence returned to him like a second skin.

"Yes," Elder White replied calmly, though his gaze scanned the sky cautiously. "There are many experts here."

Pressure lingered in his tone.

"Afraid?" Harry scoffed.

Elder White did not answer.

At that moment—

"Oh? Isn’t this Young Master Taylor?"

A mocking voice drifted through the air.

Harry’s jaw tightened instantly.

He turned coldly.

Freddy Lavahound.

His sworn enemy.

The Lavahound household’s heir stood with arms crossed, two elders beside him.

Freddy’s lips curled.

"I haven’t seen you for a few days," he said lazily. "And you already look this miserable?"

Harry’s face darkened.

His clothes were torn from Leon’s sword aura. His face still bore faint grime from his earlier escape.

He looked... pathetic. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

His fists clenched.

He glanced at the two elders beside Freddy — both powerful presences.

Endure.

A little impatience spoils great plans.

Do not stoop to his level.

He inhaled slowly and turned away, ignoring the taunt.

Freddy chuckled.

"Still arrogant," he muttered.

Above them, Fire Kong roared again.

The battle was about to begin.