Meanwhile in Swallowston, at the Paraiso Group.Seven years ago, Paraiso was the biggest enterprise and ranked first all throughout Swallowston. It was on par with the Cowell Group at the time and both companies were extremely influential.But after Henry’s passing, Harold forcefully took control of Paraiso. Ever since then, the company had suffered a disastrous decline.The company went from being the first-ranked company in Swallowston to a small, unpopular company.Meanwhile, at Paraiso, in the general manager’s office, Cedric, who had on a suit, was going through the accounts while another young man sat next to him.The young man was named Jacob and he was Wilfred’s son.Cedric and Jacob were cousins and they were the highest management personnel of Paraiso at the current moment.Harold held seventy percent of Paraiso’s shares while the other thirty percent was equally divided between his two sons and two grandchildren. Cedric and Jacob were given the posts of general manage
The truth was, Cedric had no idea where this large sum of money would come from.He was a deadbeat and was clueless about running a company. Yet, Harold regarded him as one of his best grandsons. Harold thought very highly of him.Riley was furious beyond comparison upon hearing Cedric’s remark.‘Receive a large sum of money?’Riley said, “Cedric, you don’t even go out to secure business deals and spend all day flirting with women and drinking here. Everyone in the company knows that.“Didn’t you sleep with a married employee once? The woman’s husband came seeking justice from the company.“You’re going to inflict great damage sooner or later if you keep doing this.”Riley appeared worried.Cedric raised his head and burst out laughing. “You think too much, Riley. I’ve never yielded to anyone in Swallowston. No one in the city dares to claim that they’re more capable than me.“I believe that I deserve to enjoy the process before I succeed in my career.”Cedric leaned back int
Upon saying that, Adrian looked around the place once again.The place evoked past memories for him. When he was younger, he would frequently visit Paraiso with Henry and played in the office while Henry worked.At the time, the employees of the company addressed him as Mr. Adrian. He thought about how everything was so wonderful when Henry was still alive.Yet, one could not always get what one wanted. Henry had already been gone for seven years without Adrian’s notice.He got down on one knee and grabbed a handful of earth from the ground. It felt as if every plant and every bit of earth was telling him “I hope you’re well” after not coming here for seven years.“It’s been seven years,” Adrian murmured to himself.Time seemed to have passed quickly yet slowly. Rue and Adaline had been living difficult lives, and so had he.Meanwhile, Adrian suddenly looked to the ground level of the building. A woman was standing there and watching him quietly from afar.He recognized the wom
Adrian turned around and his gaze landed on Cedric. “Your mouth is as foul as ever. Trust me when I say that I can beat your mouth into a pulp!”“Hah-hah-hah!” Cedric raised his head and burst out laughing.Paraiso was his territory. Why should he be afraid of a deadbeat when he was on home ground?Cedric chuckled and said, “F*ck you. You really are bold to speak to me in that manner in my company. Trust me when I say that I can make you incapable of walking out of here.“Adrian, do you still think that Paraiso belongs to your father? Hahaha! I’ll let you know that Paraiso isn’t affiliated with you in any way.”“Are you trying to get yourself killed by coming here?” said Jacob as he sneered.“Cut the crap. Let’s break his legs first before anything else,” scolded Cedric.Upon saying that, Cedric pulled out his phone and made a call, “Hello, security. Gather all the guards and send them to the ground level of the building at once. Remember to get everyone to come with a baton.“
Several of the company’s employees were alerted by the MPVs driving into the building.Soon after, the cars stopped and a large group of people swiftly got out of the cars. There were a total of more than a hundred people.These people worked for the Dean family.They surrounded the security guards of Cedric’s company upon their arrival.At this very moment, Cedric was stunned.Jacob’s jaw dropped and he appeared to be caught in a daze.It was apparent that they were startled by the group of people who suddenly showed up.“Wh-What the heck is going on?” Cedric was stunned.Meanwhile, his arrogant, wildly conceited mannerism vanished and in its place was astoundment.Cedric began to panic. He had not expected so many people would suddenly show up. And he was not the only panic-stricken one.The company security guards dropped their batons in succession. They behaved as if they were not part of the situation.Noticing that the guards began to back away, Cedric panicked.“A-Ad
Mya nodded upon hearing this. She waved her hand and said, “Take them and send them to the Xanders's home.”“Yes, ma’am!”Mya’s subordinates dragged them into the car.After handling Cedric and Jacob, Adrian left Paraiso.***Meanwhile, Harold, Leonard, Wilfred, and the other Xanders were having a meeting at home.Riley was present as well. The main content of the meeting was regarding her decision to resign from the family business. Harold was furious regarding this matter.Harold said, “Riley, you’re a woman of our family so it’s only right for you to work for the family business. Yet, you’re telling me that you wish to resign?“The Xanders have raised you for so many years. Are our efforts for nothing?”Harold had always practiced patriarchy, and his favorite grandsons were Cedric and Jacob. He treated Riley the same as Adaline and refused to regard her as his grandsons’ equal.Meanwhile, Leonard said, “Riley, your grandfather is right. You’re a Xander. Where else will you
“What?”Harold’s expression changed drastically upon hearing Mya’s words.‘Adrian did this?’ Harold’s eyes widened in surprise while Leonard and Wilfred were furious.Leonard roared, “Father, how dare Adrian beat up Cedric and Jacob to this extent! He’s insolent!”“I’ll kill him!” Wilfred roared, his eyes bloodshot.The Xanders had not expected Adrian to beat up Cedric and Jacob till their current state. They were furious.Harold inhaled a deep breath and said, “This is unforgivable. How dare Adrian do this. I will never let him off.”He clenched his fist tightly.Cedric and Jacob were his two favorite grandchildren and he was heartbroken to see their broken legs.“What’s your relationship with Adrian? Do you think that you can still walk away from here after hurting my grandsons?” Harold looked toward Mya and said in rage.“B*tch, you work for Adrian and you’ve come to our house. You’re doomed!” Leonard roared angrily as he pointed at Mya.“Leonard, call someone. Quick,” sa
“M-Ms. Mya, may I know how you’re related to Adrian? Why would you want to help him?” Harold nervously asked as he looked at Mya.Mya loosened her hair and replied, “I’ll say it again. If you don’t do as Adrian said within the given time, I’ll personally come to Xander Manor and end every single person here.”Mya turned around and left the manor, leaving Harold to fall limp into his sofa.Leonard, Wilfred, and the rest were confused and panicking.“What’s the matter, Father? Who was that woman? Why do you seem so afraid of her?”“Who is she?“Who else could she be? She’s Jason Dean’s granddaughter. I just can’t figure out how Adrian had gotten her to help him!” Harold said in shock.Everyone was stunned when they heard this. They, of course, know who Jason Dean was.The Deans were a top-tier family in Southrive, so much so that the Xander household could not compare to them.Still stunned, Leonard asked, “Are you sure, Father? How could that deadbeat possibly be acquainted wit
Adrian pondered his situation, his cold gaze reflecting simmering frustration. Yet deep down, he recognized that whoever had designed the staircase was far from ordinary.Creating such a formidable trial required unimaginable power.Even a pinnacle Void Stage expert—or perhaps someone of the Multiply Stage—might bow in reverence before the ladder's creator."He won't last much longer. The divine lightning in this void is utterly destructive. In moments, he'll be reduced to ashes," sneered the Holy Son, his sharp eyes gleaming with malice.To the Holy Son, Adrian's demise was inevitable. Adrian had dared to offend him, and he was certain such audacity could only lead to death.Adrian caught the Holy Son's words and cast him a frosty glare. His intent to kill was unmistakable, though now wasn't the time.The staircase was no place for personal vendettas—eliminating him here would require careful planning.He also knew the Holy Son carried seals of immense power. A reckless move co
Finnian's sharp gaze reflected a hint of admiration. "Kid, you owe me a big favor this time. You'd better treasure this opportunity."Adrian remained silent, unsure how to respond. His cold eyes revealed no emotion, though he fully grasped the challenges ahead.Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford—he'd come too far to back down now.Suddenly, a streak of red light surged from the void, hurtling toward Adrian with terrifying speed. His eyes widened in shock as the crimson beam struck him, slamming him against the staircase.Caught off guard, Adrian collapsed, sprawled helplessly on the steps.The crowd below watched in astonishment. No one had expected his seemingly indestructible body to be overwhelmed so easily.The Holy Son sneered. "Haha! It seems he's triggered some kind of taboo. Let's see how arrogant he is now!"His voice dripped with schadenfreude, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction as he relished Adrian's struggle.Despite the crushing force, Adrian refused
"What exactly is up there pulling me so strongly?" Adrian's expression hardened as he pondered the mysterious force drawing him upward.A surge of violent energy erupted across the sky, crashing down like a raging storm.Adrian advanced cautiously, each step deliberate and precise.Gone were the reckless strides of before—now he moved with steely determination, fully aware of the lurking dangers.He'd learned that the void's formidable forces seemed to target him directly, compelling him to proceed step by step. Any attempt to bypass its unseen barriers would provoke a devastating strike."Ridiculous," Adrian muttered. "If I've chosen to climb, nothing will stop me."The void's relentless power intensified.Bolts of thunder hammered down mercilessly, battering Adrian's body. Yet fear never crossed his mind.What was there to be afraid of?To him, the divine thunder wasn't an obstacle—it was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A
The beast vanished from the sky without a final scream, its demise sudden and gruesome. The sight left everyone stunned and bewildered.The remaining beast roared in fury, its blood-red eyes blazing with rage and emitting a palpable aura of terror.Crimson light pulsed from its massive claws, spreading an ominous glow.The beast's deafening cries filled the air.Alarmed, Adrian muttered, "Damn it! It's going for mutual destruction!"The beast was preparing to self-destruct—unleashing its full power would annihilate the entire small world.Realizing the impending disaster, Adrian turned and fled, reinforcing his protective barrier as he raced away. He had no other choice. The beast's self-destruction was inevitable, beyond anything he could stop.As he sped into the distance, Adrian felt the beast's furious intent pursuing him. Amid its wrath, faint echoes of despair and unwillingness seemed to resonate.A blinding red light erupted from the beast, shooting skyward and staining
As Adrian battled on, a wave of blood-red energy spread across the sky, forming an enormous formation.With a cold smile, Adrian's eyes glinted with icy resolve. The blood-red energy in his hand trembled and expanded.The chaotic power erupted, and everything fell into place. All that remained was the final spark.Adrian sneered as he faced the two approaching beasts. His cold voice echoed. "It's my turn now."At that, the world seemed to fall silent.The two beasts found themselves trapped within the vast blood-red formation, which loomed overhead like a colossal barrier.Adrian remained calm and composed, drifting into the void as he observed the beasts. "I don't know who's behind this, but let me make it clear: don't push your luck."No sooner had the words left his mouth than Adrian waved his hand, releasing an overwhelming pressure. A series of blood-red divine lightning bolts shot toward the two beasts, crashing into their bodies with devastating force.The divine lightni
Adrian appeared almost insane, with each of his reckless attacks sending shockwaves of terrifying power through the air.The Soul Devouring Sword in his hand resembled a blood-red instrument of slaughter, painting the world with its violent energy.Each strike seemed to amplify Adrian's emotions. Though the beasts at the peak of the Void Stage were formidable, they would never force Adrian to submit.Even if he had to die lying down, he would never kneel to survive. The blood-red power he wielded radiated outward, illuminating everything in its path.Violent surges of power rampaged across the area, each one seemingly capable of shattering the very fabric of existence.Adrian exuded a terrifying, unyielding aura. The coldness and killing intent in his gaze revealed that he had no choice but to slay these two beasts. If he didn't, he would never escape this place.Adrian understood that the celestial ladder was testing him, and only by overcoming it could he gain the strength to b
Suspended in the void, Adrian watched as three ferocious beasts charged toward him.It seemed they had received a command, their eyes burning with murderous intent. Determined to kill him on the spot, they closed in.Adrian couldn't help but wonder what he had gotten himself into.Why had he insisted on climbing this celestial ladder? Entering here felt like a death wish.At that moment, helplessness filled him. He hadn't anticipated these demonic beasts would be so formidable. There was no way he could fight them.But regret was futile now. He was already inside.Adrian had no choice but to face the inevitable. His only option was to fight for survival, even if that meant death in this strange space."Hmph! You want me dead? It won't be that easy," Adrian remarked coldly. "If I've stirred up these monstrous creatures, then I'll show some respect. Let's see who's stronger."Without hesitation, Adrian hurled a punch toward the Red Feather Divine Bird, targeting the weakest oppon
What had initially appeared to be a dense swarm of beasts now seemed far less daunting.Adrian smiled slightly, satisfied. This was the result he had hoped for.At that moment, the Soul Devouring Sword glowed even more intensely.Adrian smiled faintly again. The sword was growing stronger, and that worked in his favor.He let out a cold chuckle. "Now, let's see what can stop me."As his words fell, a powerful, terrifying roar reverberated in the distance.A violent sound, full of rage, tore through the air. It seemed an even more fearsome beast was approaching.Adrian's eyes gleamed coldly as he sensed the change.From the distant horizon, a massive creature emerged from the void.It was an ancient beast—a bird, to be precise.Adrian's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected it to be an ancient beast, let alone one as powerful as the Red Feather Divine Bird.The bird's greatest strength lay in its wings, forged from mystic iron. A single blow from those wings could infl
As soon as Adrian spoke, he made his move. The terrifying beast at the peak of the Void Stage posed a serious challenge.Adrian, currently an intermediate Void Stage warrion, faced a formidable opponent in the beast's immense size and power.Without any command from Adrian, the Soul Devouring Sword charged into the swarm of beasts, cutting down everything in its path with ruthless ferocity.Each time Adrian killed a beast, the sword rapidly consumed its blood and soul energy.In the blink of an eye, Adrian and his sword wreaked havoc across the battlefield, showing no signs of slowing down.Despite the bloodthirsty beasts surrounding him, Adrian remained calm.His fierce struggle only intensified their madness, and they relentlessly tried to kill him. It was clear they wouldn't stop until Adrian was destroyed.The battle had become frenzied.Adrian's movements grew faster and fiercer, while the air around him shook violently, as if the world itself quaked under the battle's int