Atticus found himself in a dimly lit hall, surrounded by elders. The cold chains held him in a kneeling position, triggering an unsettling wave of déjà vu. The stark resemblance to his past life, where betrayal led to his beheading, struck him with an intensity that made his breath erratic. Flashes of memories, both from his current and previous life, haunted him."Atticus, I would have to apologize for the chains and awkward position you are in, but we have to take precautions," Elder Chen said, feeling complicated with how Atticus was being treated as a criminal immediately, even though it was not voiced. He didn't know what happened, but it was certainly clear that his granddaughter was only alive due to Atticus's interference, as that was the only logical explanation."Unchain me!" Atticus, whose breathing had become erratic, screamed loudly. This caught everyone off guard as they did not expect Atticus to immediately take an aggressive stance. But the position Atticus found himse
"Stat"Name: Atticus BloodhoundBone age: 18 years oldCultivation level: late Foundation Establishment Bloodline: Abyssal Inferno (partially locked)Unknown ???Unknown ???Physique: Chaos Immortal (locked)Titan Inferno (locked)Meridian Vein: Divine Chaos MeridiansLegacy: Mark of AmsodeusUnknown ????Title: Void DiscipleAtticus now really surprise the increase in cultivation base, this wasn't something he had expected at all."Rhea, I thought you said the void energy wouldnt affect my cultivation in anyway."(It didn't, this was as a result of the energy absorbed from a low tier demon)"Hold up, what demon? Are speaking of that entity? Is that a demon? How the hell did I even absorb energy from it?" Atticus asked these questions in confusion as he tried to make sense of his situation.(The death of the other cultivators was due to the demon absorbing their vitality. The system activated your bloodline potential as a defense mechanism. This in return unlocked one of your bloodli
In the heart of the Blue Sword Academy, a bright room with intricate design served as the meeting ground for Master Lin and his soldiers to report their findings to the enigmatic Dean. The room was adorned with ancient tapestries and shelves lined with dusty tomes, creating an atmosphere of silent wisdom. This was the Dean of The blue sword academy's office.Dean Feng, a figure draped in unassuming robes, sat behind an intricately carved desk. His eyes, however, held a keen intelligence that transcended the mortal facade. The soldiers, attired in the academy's regal blue, filed into the room with disciplined precision.Master Lin stepped forward, a crisp salute accompanying his report. "Dean, we've thoroughly investigated the scene of the incident as per your instructions."The Dean gestured for him to continue, his eyes betraying a spark of interest beneath their calm exterior.Master Lin cleared his throat before delving into the details. "We discovered evidence of a spatial anomaly
Master Lin and Atticus left the dean's office and Atticus was escorted by one of the soldiers to an inn located in a town near the academy. There was were he was going to stay until the day of the 2nd phase Blue sword academy's entry exam, Which was in a weeks time.Having only a couple of clothings and nothing else there wasn't so much to unpack when he got to the room assigned to him.Mentally Atticus felt exhausted and at this point he thought it best to start mapping out his goals and plans, also reading up on information about the entry exams from the information scroll given to him by the soldier.There are 5 academies that hold the power over the Azure sky continent. They basically represent the position of a First grade on this continent but with there joint power there can be said to be many times more stronger, but of course with great power comes great politics. So while each academy has no monopoly over the power of resources in this continent, they are still on the exact
A week passed by in a flash and over this week nothing much happened as Atticus only focus of studying the new knowledge he had gained.There was a good reason why Atticus had asked for arcane studies from the system initially. It was the only branch of cultivation study that he had come in contact with regularly in his past life and it had always fascinated him.In this pugilistic world there isnt just one path to power. While the most common one was becoming an essence cultivator, which is basically the absorption of spirit qi to nourish the body and soul but mainly to increase a person sensation to qi and be able to manipulate it using different techniques.There are also different paths to power, and one of such is to become a mage.Some may say that there isn't much difference between a mage and cultivator as they both use spirit qi in their advance, others may argue that they weren't the same.In both school of thoughts there is an evidence of truth as mages do manipulate spirit
Entry exam in mind Atticus quickened his pace as he finally got near the academy, reaching the imposing gates of the Blue Sword Academy, Atticus was stopped by a pair of stoic guards clad in light blue armor. Their gazes were sharp, scrutinizing every applicant."Are you an applicant?" one guard asked, his voice gruff.Atticus held out the token , the polished metal glinting in the morning sun. "Yes, I am."The token had been given to him by one of the soldiers by the order of the dean. Everyone who passed the first phase of the exam or possess a slot will be give a token imprinted their aura for identification.The guard retrieved the token, his spirit sense sweeping over it. A curt nod confirmed its authenticity, and with a gesture, he ushered Atticus through the gates.Inside the academy grounds bustled with activity. Students, some older and some barely teenagers, hurried towards designated areas, their faces etched with determination. Atticus felt a surge of energy course through
About 600 participants had failed the test and got disqualified as they got 0 points which put them behind others.106 participants got a perfect score of 10 points with Atticus being one of them. 293 of them got less than that for not meeting the quota set by the mission but at the same time having a decent performance on the test, enough to keep them from disqualification.But on the Ranking board one name stood out and that name was at the very top as it had 15 points!Xu hua's name glowed brightly in first place out of a 1000 students but not much reaction could be seen from her as she just had a cold expression on her face waiting for the next test to commence.The other participants on the other hand could remain so apathetic and expressed their shock when they saw a participant earning 15 points!"I am sure most of you are wondering how the person in first place managed to get 15 points" Supervisor Wang lin said as his gaze fell on the participants."Well its simple, she ended
Amidst the chaotic battlefield of the test, additional figures appeared on the scene. Teachers from the Blue Sword Academy arrived to observe the participants and assess their performances. These seasoned educators focused on evaluating the participants' combat prowess.Xu Hua engaged a perfected stage Foundation Establishment beast, its aura daunting. With swift and calculated strikes, she expertly maneuvered through its attacks, aiming for lethal blows. Her movements were not a dance but a relentless onslaught, leaving no room for finesse.Xu Hua's sword cut through the air with deadly intent. Each swing had a purpose which was to dismantle the beast before her. Blood spattered as her strikes connected, a testament to the raw brutality of her slashes. There was no elegance in the clash, only the ruthless efficiency of a skilled fighter.The ferocity of the wounded Foundation Establishment beast increased as it lunged at Xu Hua once again but her agility was nothing to scoff at. She
As Atticus left the underground ring, the cheers and bloodthirsty roars of the crowd still echoed in his ears. His steps were steady, his expression calm, but beneath the surface, his body thrummed with a strange energy. The soul essence of the Bone Crusher, the life force of his defeated opponent, lingered within him, fueling his every step. The system was doing its work, absorbing the essence and converting it into raw power. His mind was flooded with the sensation of strength—a heavy, suffocating weight that both thrilled and disturbed him. The Reaper Points tally flashed in his vision, now at a staggering 50,000."All that from one fight," Atticus muttered to himself as he crossed through the dark, winding corridors. The weight of the negative emotions he had absorbed—the fear, the hatred, the malice of the crowd and the Bone Crusher—pressed down on him like a suffocating cloak. It had fueled his victory, his current profit. It was a dark, addictive power, one that came at the co
The next day came by with a flash and tonight was the night his request would be answered. He spent the days leading up to this moment in a haze of fights, each victory further solidifying his dominance in the Bloodfist Arena. But it wasn’t enough. The thrill of victory, once intoxicating, had dulled. He craved more—something darker, more dangerous. He needed it...he needed to kill.That desire led him here, to the bowels of the Bloodfist Arena, where Grimlock had agreed to take him to the underground ring. The hidden arena was a myth whispered among fighters—a place where death was certain, but the rewards were even greater.As the evening began, Grimlock appeared in the training hall, his face grim and set as always. "You ready, kid?" he asked, his voice rough with experience.Atticus wiped the sweat from his brow and gave a curt nod. "Lead the way."Without another word, Grimlock motioned for Atticus to follow. They descended into the depths of the arena, passing through dimly lit
Atticus could barely feel the thrum of his pulse through the haze of exhaustion as he emerged from the arena. The demon’s death had bought him the Reaper Points he needed, but it had also left him with a gnawing emptiness. The shadows of the arena’s blood-soaked ground seemed to cling to him as he made his way through the labyrinthine corridors to Grimlock’s office.The arena manager’s quarters were a stark contrast to the brutal spectacle of the arena. Lined with opulent furnishings and trinkets from across the realms, the room was a testament to Grimlock’s status. It was here that Atticus found him, hunched over a desk cluttered with papers and gambling receipts.“Grimlock,” Atticus began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.Grimlock looked up, his eyes narrowing. “Atticus. You look like hell. But that's the point uhn. Gunning for more fights?”“Actually,” Atticus said, leaning against the doorframe, “I’m here to talk about something similar.”Grimlock’s interest piqued. He
Atticus stood alone in his quarters, the heavy silence pressing in around him. His thoughts churned as the system’s cold voice echoed in his mind. 'Two choices. Both deadly.'Facing Xar'gath, a 'Nascent Soul-level demon', was as good as a death sentence. The demon lord’s power was unrivaled in this realm, and Atticus knew he wasn’t strong enough to take him on. But the alternative was just as dangerous. The **Gate of Oblivion**—a forbidden technique that could tear open space itself, allowing him to escape. Yet the system’s demand for more death, more souls, was a price Atticus wasn’t sure he could pay.His chest felt tight as the weight of the decision bore down on him. The system was relentless, pushing him to act. But what would be left of him after? His chaos meridian was already fragile, weakened by the demonic qi that coursed through him. If he used the Reaper System too much, if he harvested too many souls, he risked losing control—risked losing everythingBut he couldn’t stay
Days turned into weeks, each one bleeding into the next as Atticus fought battle after battle in the Blood Fist Arena. Every day, the same routine: wake, fight, survive. The dim corridors and oppressive heat had become his world, and the echoes of the roaring crowd were a constant reminder of his captivity. For Atticus, time had lost all meaning, every fight just another step in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.Each day felt heavier, his muscles aching more as the constant combat began to take its toll. But it wasn’t just his body that suffered—the stagnant energy in his cultivation gnawed at him. He was stuck, unable to break through to the next realm, and the weight of his situation began to settle in like an immovable burden.Weeks had passed since he last thought of his purpose, of the Reaper System and the mission that had brought him here. His days had become a haze of blood and battle, and his nights were haunted by restless dreams of a life he barely remembered. It was a
Atticus returned to the arena lodge with Kraul's words still echoing in his mind. 'I will just have to find an alternative I guess'Tomorrow's fight loomed ahead, but his thoughts were consumed by the plan Kraul had laid out. Allowing Xar'gath to breach the veil and invade his world was a prospect that gnawed at him, yet he knew he had to stay focused. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions as he entered the lodge. The familiar scent of sweat, blood, and metal filled his senses, grounding him in the reality of the moment. The arena was where he had honed his skills, where he had survived against all odds. But now, it felt like a distraction from the larger conflict, a cruel reminder that his true battle lay far beyond these walls.A few fellow fighters nodded in acknowledgment as he passed, their respect for him evident. He had earned his place among them through sheer dominance in the arena, his reputation growing with each victory. But there was no camaraderie here, only a sha
As night fell over the Bloodfist Arena, Atticus felt a tension building within him. The day had been grueling, with hours spent preparing for tomorrow's fight, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that something pivotal was about to happen, something that would change the course of his journey in this cursed realm. As the shadows deepened, he heard a familiar rustling outside his quarters. Before he could react, Vex slipped into the room like a wraith. The wiry man’s sharp eyes glinted in the dim light, his usual cautious demeanor even more pronounced."It’s time," Vex whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the arena. "The meeting's happening tonight. We need to leave now."Atticus nodded, already prepared. He had been expecting this, though he hadn’t anticipated the urgency in Vex’s voice. They left the arena under the cover of darkness, navigating the winding streets of the demon city with practiced ease. The tension in the air was palpabl
Atticus pressed onward, the towering monolith before him radiating an ominous energy. As he approached, the pressure around him intensified, like invisible hands gripping at his very essence, trying to squeeze the life from him. He gritted his teeth, every step becoming harder as the weight on his soul grew unbearable.When he reached the base of the monolith, a deep vibration coursed through the ground, and the ancient runes etched into the stone glowed a fierce crimson. Without warning, a pulse of energy shot out from the monolith, slamming into Atticus and sending him staggering backward.His breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to remain on his feet. The pressure was no longer just physical—it was attacking his soul, probing for weaknesses, for any crack in his resolve. His vision blurred, and his knees buckled as the crushing force intensified, threatening to tear his spirit apart.But Atticus was no stranger to pain. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, defying the
The air was heavy with anticipation as Atticus stepped into the heart of the forest, the shadows deepening around him as if the very trees were conspiring to trap him. The memory of the voice still echoed in his mind, a grim reminder that Haven was far from finished with him. He knew that another trial awaited, one that would test the very core of his being.As he walked, the forest seemed to close in around him, the trees twisting and gnarling into unnatural shapes. The path beneath his feet became uneven, roots curling up to trip him, forcing him to remain vigilant with every step. The melody in his mind had grown softer, a distant hum that was barely perceptible over the rustle of leaves and the occasional creak of branches.Ahead, the trees parted to reveal a narrow pathway, lined with stones that glowed faintly in the dim light. There was something deliberate about the path, as if it had been placed there for him, guiding him deeper into the heart of Haven. He hesitated for a mom