At the entrance of the cave where the disciples of the Paradyne Academy were trapped. The figures of the disciples could be seen sitting across the wide area. Their expressions pale and their cultivation bases inhibited due to exhaustion.

Since cultivators consumed more food than mortals. The rations that they predicted to last at least several weeks dwindled. Left with little water and food along with the urgings of his fellow disciples. Senior Brother Kwydin concentrated all of his focus on cultivation.

These past days, cultivation should be done in a serene and tranquil environment. Seldom could cultivators make their breakthroughs in a stress-filled environment. Without proper preparations, Senior Brother Kwydin couldn't even take a glimpse of the Divine Way.

"It's okay, we'll be fine, a Heaven Grade Formation needs a constant source of energy, it will definitely run out of energy soon!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't be so anxious, if it doesn't run out of energy, Senior Brother will make his breakthrough and release us all from this hell."

"When that time comes, I'll definitely treat you guys in a drink..."

"Don't forget about what you said today when we return or else I'll smack you down..."

"Of course, of course..."

The casual conversations of the disciples made it feel like they were on a picnic. Their expressions looked calm with a hint of teasing as they dished out their proposals when they come out of this barrier.

"I can't let them down..."

Senior Brother Kwydin mumbled under his breath. Clenching his fists, complicated emotions roused from his heart. Though he had the highest cultivation among this batch of disciples. He felt guilty that he couldn't even liberate them.

Closing his eyes, he calmed his nerves and adjusted his breathing. His cultivation base slowly rotated, pulling the laws from the heavens for him to perceive. A heatwave manifested in the air around him, distorting space itself as a terrifying energy fluctuation encompassed his body.

"It's coming from Senior Brother Kwydin!"

"Come here and take a look! Senior Brother is attempting a breakthrough in his Fire Laws!"

Inside Kwydin's sea of memories, huge fountains of fire could be seen in the scenery before him. The land was scorched and everything was searing hot.

Strangely, he could freely move within this strange space and could feel a faint connection in his heart when he stared at this scenery.

Looking up, the sun inside the fire world looked like a blazing hot ball of fire, it faintly shone in a bluish light and around the edges of the sunlight, the air itself twisted from the heat, making it seem like the sun was a huge illusionary image.

Darting his gaze to the ground. The soil was littered with numerous potholes and what seemed like a fiery mud, intermittently sprouted from these holes. Kwydin's expression turned solemn, the scene before him, was the condensation of his understandings about the Laws of Fire and right now, he had to solidify everything that he could learn in this strange scene so that he could break through the next realm.

Sitting cross-legged on the fiery soil of this blazing world. Kwydin closed off his senses and started his inner ramblings about the concept of Fire.historical

On the outside world, Captain Demonic Dragon stared at Kwydin with a small amused smile on his face. The subordinate that stood beside him looked concerned, "Boss, are we gonna let that brat make a breakthrough under our watch?"

Captain Demonic Dragon shook his head, "Do you really think that breaking through the Divine Soul Realm is something that could easily be done whenever you want it?" As a Peak Spirit Tempering Realm Cultivator, Captain Demonic Dragon had his fair share of experience about the threshold of the Divine Way.

He understood the sufferings that one needed to suffer and knew that it wasn't that easy to break through.

And if the brat managed to break through by luck? A vicious smile lifted on his lips.

A cultivation breakthrough meant that a cultivator's body and soul were undergoing a qualitative reconstruction and the process shouldn't be interrupted. That's the reason why most cultivators would find a cave or an abode where their enemies couldn't possibly interrupt them in a critical juncture.

But in this case, under the pressure of his peers and the sense of imminent death. Senior Brother Kwydin didn't have any chance but to attempt a breakthrough under his enemies' watch.

Captain Demonic Dragon crossed his arms together. Staring at the scene with amusement on his face.

Meanwhile at another location near the place where the Demonic Dragon Group camped. The figures of Dan and Natalie could be seen approaching the vicinity.

"Stop, crouch down!" Dan instructed and Grace hurriedly ducked along with Dan whose expression turned solemn. Grace lifted her head and frowned, "That's the same group of people that chased after us earlier..."

"Yeah, they are, and not only that, they're quite strong..." Dan shook his head in a wry gesture. Staring at the compass above his palm that constantly flickered in resplendent lights. Dan instructed the system.

"System, create a three-dimensional map of the area around us and mark those hostile with a red dot! Convert all of your findings into a mini-map and place it in my peripheral vision."

[System Function Initiating: 50%]

[System Function Completed!]

Dismissing the system notifications, Dan glanced at the mini-map and saw numerous green dots at the direction where the compass pointed. Lifting his head, Dan mumbled, "So that's the place where the distress signal originated? Judging from the formation of these red dots, it seems like they're surrounding the greens..."

Dan darted his gaze at Grace, and the latter's expression flickered, as a mortal, she could easily become a casualty if she stood around a fight between cultivators.

Dan thought for a moment, witnessing her complicated expression, he lightly chuckled before withdrawing all of the defensive and offensive talismans that he acquired from the Merchant Town of Kalur. He even gave her the Heaven Grade Defensive Artifact from the ghastly apparition so that he could ensure his safety.

He infused the Artifact with his Spiritual Qi before instructing her about the talisman's activation sequence. Carrying the bunch of yellow papers in her arms, her expression turned tender when she saw the concern on his face, "No, don't give me everything, a dozen is enough..." She spoke up forcefully shoved dozens of talismans back at Dan.

The latter lightly chuckled, "I have my own methods, just receive this for now and take care of yourself, I'll go help these guys..." He waved his hand and before Grace could object, his figure disappeared from her line of sight.

At the distance, Dan sat atop a tree branch, observing everything down below.

Holding his dagger in his right hand, his expression turned serious with a hint of excitement when he saw the system notification that floated in the air before him.

[Quest Name: Flawless Assassination]

[Quest Difficulty: S+ Rank]

[Quest Description: Destroy the Demonic Dragon Group by assassinating their core members!]

[Quest Reward: Activation of the Assassin Skill Tree]

[Note: The host shouldn't be detected! Stealth is recommended in this mission.]

[Do you want to accept? Y/N]