Grand Return System

The Sword That Drew Every Eye

At this moment, outside the Martial Emperor Tomb.

The ancient entrance suspended in the sky let out a final rumble before its radiance began to fade. One after another, streams of light shot out from within the collapsing pocket dimension. Because the entrance had already started closing, those from the lower Domains were the first to be expelled.

A graceful figure landed steadily on the broken earth.

It was Selena.

For a brief moment, she stood silently, her silver-white hair fluttering in the wind as she tried to regain her bearings. Having been forcefully teleported out so suddenly, she was momentarily at a loss.

Before she could understand what had happened, the weapon in her hand immediately became the center of everyone’s attention.

The Abyss Sword.

Dark crimson patterns crawled across its ancient blade like veins, while a terrifying murderous aura quietly spread through the surroundings. Wisps of black mist lingered around the edge of the sword as if countless resentful souls were whispering from within.

Many cultivators instinctively took several steps backward.

Others stared with burning greed.

Everyone recognized it immediately.

A Martial Emperor weapon.

This sword was the greatest treasure Selena had obtained after risking her life within the Death Abyss. Buried beneath endless years of resentment, the blade had absorbed countless vengeful spirits. Any cultivator with an unstable mind would quickly lose themselves after wielding it, eventually falling into the demonic path.

Fortunately, Selena was different.

Having cultivated the Hell Blizzard Technique and possessing extraordinary determination, her mind remained as calm as frozen water. Not only was she completely unaffected by the sword’s malicious aura, but she could also unleash its true strength.

With the Red Abyss Sword in hand...

Her combat power had increased dramatically.

Even against an opponent with a higher cultivation realm, she possessed absolute confidence.

If she drew the blade and unleashed the Hell Maw Strike...

Victory could very well be decided in a single exchange.

As the oppressive aura spread farther, whispers immediately erupted among the gathered cultivators.

"A Martial Emperor weapon..."

"That young woman actually possesses a Martial Emperor weapon."

"Where did she obtain such a treasure?"

"The Martial Emperor Tomb truly lives up to its reputation."

Countless pairs of eyes filled with greed locked onto the sword.

Among the crowd, an elderly cultivator slowly stepped forward.

His old eyes no longer concealed the desire within them.

He stared fixedly at the weapon before forcing a kind smile onto his wrinkled face.

"Little girl."

His voice sounded gentle, but the greed in his eyes betrayed his true intentions.

"That Martial Emperor sword possesses overwhelming murderous intent."

"If someone lacks sufficient strength, it can easily consume their mind."

He slowly extended one hand.

"Why don’t you allow this old man to safeguard it for you?"

"I’ll keep it safe until your cultivation becomes sufficient."

His smile grew wider.

Anyone could tell his so-called kindness was nothing more than an excuse to seize the treasure.

Selena’s beautiful blue eyes instantly turned cold.

Her fingers tightened around the sword’s hilt.

She remained silent.

If the old man dared move another step...

She would not hesitate to draw her blade.

However—

Before she even needed to act...

A cold voice echoed across the sky.

"Get lost."

Boom!

A powerful palm strike descended like a crashing tide.

Before the old man could even react, a graceful figure flashed past him.

Bang!

The palm landed squarely on his chest.

The old man’s expression changed dramatically as he spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying hundreds of meters before crashing heavily into the ground.

The entire area instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned toward the newcomer.

Standing proudly in the air was none other than Maya.

Her long blue hair danced in the wind as the sleeves of her flowing sky-blue robes fluttered gracefully around her. Her beautiful face was calm, yet an invisible pressure radiated from her body, causing many nearby cultivators to instinctively lower their heads.

No one dared underestimate her.

She slowly descended beside Selena.

Only after confirming Selena was unharmed did the coldness in her eyes lessen slightly.

At the same time...

Several familiar figures hurried forward.

"Teacher!"

Amaya and the others could no longer hide their excitement.

After worrying for so many days, seeing Maya safely return finally allowed them to breathe easily.

One after another, they respectfully bowed.

"We greet Teacher."

Maya merely nodded gently.

"I’m fine."

Only then did Selena quietly let out the breath she had been holding.

She had been engaged in a fierce battle inside the tomb moments earlier and had just prepared to end the fight with the Abyss Sword.

Unexpectedly, the collapsing pocket dimension had forcefully teleported everyone out before she could even sheath her weapon.

She naturally understood the principle that valuable treasures attracted disaster.

Revealing a Martial Emperor weapon before so many experts was never a wise decision.

Unfortunately...

She simply hadn’t been given enough time to hide it.

Had Maya not arrived when she did...

Things could have become troublesome.

Thinking this, Selena respectfully bowed.

"Teacher."

"Thank you."

Maya looked at her student and gave a small nod.

"There is no need to thank me."

"As your Teacher, protecting you is only natural."

Those simple words filled Selena’s heart with warmth.

She silently vowed that one day, she would become strong enough that Maya and Leon would never have to stand before her again.

After comforting Selena, Maya slowly turned toward the elderly man she had sent flying.

Her expression immediately became ice-cold.

The surrounding temperature seemed to drop with her gaze.

She stared directly at him before speaking in a calm yet imposing voice.

"It’s your Sky Breaker Academy again."

"Do you truly believe..."

"...that my Celestis Academy is so easy to bully?"

This person was an ordinary elder of Sky Breaker Academy, and his cultivation was only at 1-Star King Realm.

The old man’s face instantly turned pale when he saw Maya’s icy gaze settle upon him.

Only now did the excitement from seeing the Red Abyss Sword fade, replaced by overwhelming panic.

He had originally believed this would be an easy opportunity.