Grand Return System

The Fall of Sky Breaker Academy [Part- 2]

"Damn it!"

His furious roar echoed across the battlefield.

"Take my sword!"

Boom!

Mana erupted from Gideon’s body like a volcanic eruption.

Breaking free from Guardian Elder Smith’s sword pressure, he transformed into a streak of golden light and shot directly toward Leon.

His killing intent shook the heavens.

The sword in his hand shone brilliantly as he poured every ounce of Mana into the attack.

This strike carried all his grief.

All his hatred.

All his despair.

He knew he was no longer fighting to win.

He was fighting for the honor of Sky Breaker Academy.

The dazzling sword tore through the heavens, arriving before Leon in the blink of an eye.

Leon merely glanced at him.

There wasn’t the slightest ripple in his expression.

He slowly raised his right hand.

Two fingers extended casually.

Clang!

A crisp metallic sound echoed throughout heaven and earth.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

The terrifying sword capable of splitting mountains had been caught effortlessly between Leon’s fingers.

It couldn’t advance even a single inch.

Gideon’s pupils shrank.

Impossible...

His full-powered strike...

Had been stopped with two fingers?

Leon looked at the trembling sword with complete indifference.

Then...

His fingers twisted gently.

Crack!

The divine sword shattered into countless fragments that scattered across the sky like falling stars.

The broken pieces rained onto the battlefield below.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Even the sounds of war seemed to vanish for a brief moment.

Nobody could believe what they had just witnessed.

Leon hadn’t used a Sacred Art.

He hadn’t drawn a weapon.

He had simply caught the attack...

And broken the sword with his bare hand.

At his current level, Gideon’s attacks no longer posed any threat.

Even if Leon stood still and allowed Gideon to strike him with all his strength...

His defense would remain unbroken.

The gap between them had become absolute.

Leon slowly lowered his hand.

His calm voice echoed across the battlefield.

"Sky Breaker Academy’s ancient inheritance..."

"Ends here."

The next instant...

He casually thrust out his palm.

There were no dazzling lights.

No overwhelming display of power.

Only a simple palm strike.

Yet the space before him instantly collapsed.

Boom!

The invisible force struck Gideon head-on.

His protective Mana shattered instantly.

His ribs cracked one after another.

Blood sprayed from his mouth.

His body shot backward like a broken kite, smashing through several distant mountains before crashing into the ruined earth.

The impact created a gigantic crater.

Dust filled the sky.

The surrounding battlefield shook violently.

Every cultivator stared blankly.

One casual palm...

Had nearly killed an early Pinnacle Realm expert.

Gideon struggled to his feet, coughing blood continuously.

His aura had become chaotic.

His internal organs felt as though they had been crushed.

Only now...

Only after facing Leon directly...

Did he truly understand the terrifying difference between them.

This wasn’t a battle between equals.

It was complete domination.

Fear crept into Gideon’s heart.

His survival instinct screamed at him.

Run.

Leave.

As long as he escaped...

Sky Breaker Academy might still preserve a final spark of hope.

Without hesitation, he borrowed the force of Leon’s attack to flee toward the distant horizon.

Just as he was about to escape—

Whoosh!

A brilliant sword light descended before him.

Guardian Elder Smith calmly blocked his path.

His old face wore a meaningful smile.

"Little old man..."

"Where do you think you’re going?"

He gently stroked his beard before continuing,

"Back to Sky Breaker Academy?"

A faint chuckle escaped his lips.

"I advise you not to entertain that thought."

His eyes turned cold.

"I’m afraid..."

"Sky Breaker Academy has already fallen."

"What?"

Gideon’s face instantly lost all color.

His body froze in place.

Guardian Elder Smith’s words struck him harder than Leon’s palm.

Already...

Fallen?

His mind became completely blank.

Could it be...

While all of them had gathered here...

Celestis Academy had already dispatched another force toward Sky Breaker Academy?

Cold sweat streamed down Gideon’s forehead.

His breathing became increasingly erratic.

This time...

He had brought nearly every powerful expert from Sky Breaker Academy to this battlefield.

The academy’s headquarters had been left almost defenseless.

If Celestis Academy had truly launched another assault...

Then...

Everything was over.

Their inheritance, which had endured for countless years...

Would disappear today.

Guardian Elder Smith looked at the despair on Gideon’s face and sneered.

"Our Celestis Academy has never sought trouble."

"But that has never meant we fear any Powerful Sect."

His voice grew colder with every word.

"Since your Sky Breaker Academy insisted on starting this war..."

"Then don’t blame us for being ruthless."

He slowly raised his sword.

"Our Celestis Academy has always followed one tradition."

"If we can avoid making a move..."

"We will."

"But once we do..."

"We eliminate the enemy completely."

"We leave no future trouble behind."

Those words echoed across the devastated battlefield.

Everyone who heard them instinctively inhaled sharply.

A chilling silence spread among the watching cultivators.

Many Powerful Sect elders exchanged uneasy glances.

For countless years...

People had believed Celestis Academy to be gentle and peace-loving.

Only today did they realize...

Its kindness existed only until someone crossed its bottom line.

Once that line was crossed...

Its retaliation was absolute.

"My heavens..."

"That’s far too ruthless..."

One spectator swallowed nervously.

"They aren’t simply defeating Sky Breaker Academy..."

"They’re wiping it out completely."

Another elder nodded solemnly.

"This is total annihilation."

"Their academy’s name may vanish from history after today."

Fear quietly settled into everyone’s hearts.

Many secretly thanked fate that their own sects had never provoked Celestis Academy.

Otherwise...

Today’s tragedy might have become theirs.

Gideon’s face turned completely ashen.

Every remaining hope disappeared.

His fists clenched until blood trickled from his palms.

Inside his heart, he cursed Dario countless times.

As the First Elder...

Every decision Dario made should have protected Sky Breaker Academy.

Instead...

His arrogance had led their entire inheritance onto the road to destruction.

Now...

There was no retreat.

No negotiation.

No hope.

Only one final battle remained.

A fierce light flashed through Gideon’s eyes.

He slowly steadied his breathing.

If Sky Breaker Academy was destined to perish...

Then he would die fighting.

He raised his remaining hand and looked directly at Guardian Elder Smith.

"Hmph!"

"Old Man Guardian Elder Smith..."

"Enough nonsense."

His fighting spirit erupted once more despite his heavy injuries.

"Let’s fight!"

"Let me see..."

"How much you’ve improved over the years."