Grand Return System

Chapter 253: Hidden Echoes Beneath the Cave

Hidden Echoes Beneath the Cave

However, after thinking about it carefully, Maya shook her head and said, "Forget it. That fruit is useless to me. You should save your energy."

The cave grew quiet for a moment.

A faint breeze drifted through the ancient stone passage, causing a few loose strands of Maya’s long blue hair to sway gently across her shoulder. The soft glow of the surrounding crystals reflected in her blue eyes as she looked at Leon.

She knew very well what kind of person he was.

The moment he heard that a treasure existed, especially one guarded by powerful experts, his interest would immediately rise.

Still, she didn’t want him taking unnecessary risks.

After everything that had happened inside the Martial Emperor Tomb, she had already witnessed enough danger.

Leon raised an eyebrow.

"Save my energy?" Leon’s expression became strange as he asked, "Save my energy for what?"

His tone sounded genuinely curious.

Or at least it sounded that way.

Maya immediately felt that familiar urge to hit him.

This fellow was definitely pretending.

"For something important, obviously," Maya replied with a serious face.

Then she added softly,

"The Martial Emperor Tomb is filled with unknown dangers. You don’t need to challenge every powerful expert you see."

Leon blinked.

"So Senior Sister is worried about me again?"

Maya’s expression stiffened.

"I didn’t say that."

"You didn’t deny it either."

"I don’t need to deny nonsense."

Leon laughed.

The sound echoed through the cave.

Maya looked away, refusing to continue that topic.

After a moment, she spoke again.

"Of course it’s to use it where it should be used."

This time her voice carried a little more authority.

Like an elder sister lecturing an irresponsible junior.

Leon nodded thoughtfully.

He folded his arms and looked upward as if contemplating some profound truth.

"Yes, I think what you said makes sense. Alright, I’ll listen to Senior Sister and use my strength where it should be used."

Maya’s eyelids twitched.

Why did that sentence sound so strange?

Especially when Leon said it with that innocent expression.

The more she thought about it, the stranger it sounded.

"You’d better not be thinking about something weird."

Leon immediately looked offended.

"Senior Sister, how can you think that way about me?"

"You brought it upon yourself."

"I’ve always been an honest person."

Maya stared at him.

Leon stared back.

Several seconds later—

Both of them knew he was lying.

Maya almost laughed despite herself.

Fortunately, she managed to maintain her calm expression.

Seeing her reaction, Leon smiled.

The atmosphere between them gradually became relaxed.

The awkwardness from earlier had already faded.

Maya secretly felt relieved.

For some reason, talking with Leon always made it difficult to maintain her usual cold composure.

Sometimes he was mature beyond his years.

Other times he acted like a mischievous child.

The contrast was exhausting.

And strangely enjoyable.

Seeing her expression soften, Leon chuckled before turning around.

"Let’s continue."

Without waiting for a response, he walked deeper into the cave.

Maya immediately followed.

"Wait."

Leon glanced back.

"What?"

Maya pointed toward the entrance.

"Where are you going now? The exit is that way."

Her finger indicated the distant cave entrance.

Leon smiled mysteriously.

"Senior Sister, when have you ever seen me leave a place without thoroughly searching it first?"

Maya sighed.

That answer was exactly what she expected.

"Should I even ask?"

"Probably not."

"Thought so."

The two continued forward.

The deeper they walked, the colder the cave became.

Ancient stone walls stretched endlessly into darkness.

Faint traces of Mana drifted through the air.

The concentration was surprisingly high.

Leon lightly touched one of the walls.

His eyes narrowed.

"Senior Sister, the Mana in this blessed land is extremely dense. At first, I thought it was caused by this Mana Lake."

He paused.

Then continued calmly.

"However, after I absorbed all the Mana inside that lake, I discovered something strange."

Maya listened attentively.

"The Mana didn’t disappear completely."

"Exactly."

Leon nodded.

"The source wasn’t the lake itself."

He looked deeper into the darkness.

"There must be some kind of spirit treasure hidden inside this cave."

Maya’s expression became serious.

Now that Leon mentioned it, she had noticed something similar.

Even after the Mana Lake had been drained, traces of dense energy still lingered throughout the cave.

It didn’t make sense.

Unless another source existed.

"That explanation makes sense."

Maya nodded.

"Then let’s find out what’s hidden here."

Leon grinned.

"That’s what I like to hear."

The two advanced cautiously.

Their footsteps echoed through the silent passage.

Time passed.

Suddenly—

A cold wind emerged from the darkness ahead.

It arrived without warning.

The temperature instantly dropped.

Maya’s instincts screamed.

"Be careful!"

Almost simultaneously—

Several black spikes shot toward them from hidden holes within the walls.

The attack was incredibly fast.

Like arrows released from point-blank range.

Maya’s eyes widened.

She was already preparing to intercept them.

Water Mana instantly gathered around her fingertips.

Ripples appeared in the air.

But before she could act—

Leon casually waved his hand.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The incoming spikes shattered instantly.

Fragments scattered across the ground.

The entire process lasted less than a second.

Maya froze.

Her eyes widened slightly.

That casual strike...

It looked effortless.

Too effortless.

A strange pressure had appeared for the briefest moment.

Like a sleeping dragon opening one eye.

Maya’s heart trembled.

"This... You have actually broken through to the Pinnacle Realm?"

The question escaped before she could stop herself.

Silence followed.

Leon blinked.

Then he laughed.

"Senior Sister, your perception is getting sharper."

Maya didn’t respond.

Instead, she carefully observed him.

When she first entered the Spiritual Mana Powered Cave, she had already sensed that Leon’s cultivation had increased again.

At that time, she guessed he had reached the peak of the Sage Realm.

That alone would have been shocking enough.

But now—

She realized she had underestimated him.

Terribly underestimated him.

Although the aura Leon displayed remained suppressed around the peak Sage Realm level, she had clearly sensed something deeper.

Something transcendent.

Something beyond ordinary cultivation.

A faint immortal-like presence lingered around him.

His existence seemed strangely merged with the surrounding world.

Even her divine perception struggled to lock onto him.

As if he naturally belonged to heaven and earth.

Only one explanation existed.

Leon had already stepped into the Pinnacle Realm.

And successfully forged his Supreme Body.

Maya felt her breathing become uneven.

How long had it been?

Just a few days ago he was still competing with the younger generation.

Now he had already crossed a boundary countless cultivators spent entire lifetimes pursuing.

A Pinnacle Realm expert.

Even throughout the entire Forsaken Domain, such figures stood at the summit.

They were legends.

People capable of influencing kingdoms, academies, and entire regions with a single decision.

After Guardian Elder Zeon passed away, Celestis Academy had lacked another true pillar.

Now—

Leon had become one.

And he was still so young.

Ridiculous.

Simply ridiculous.

Maya suddenly understood why Dario hated him so much.

Any genius standing beside Leon would inevitably be overshadowed.

Yet instead of jealousy—

She felt proud.

Genuinely proud.

A warm smile almost appeared on her face.

Fortunately, she controlled herself.

Leon noticed her standing silently behind him.

"Senior Sister, what’s wrong?"

His voice pulled her back to reality.

Leon was already standing several steps ahead.

The darkness stretched behind him.

His black hair moved gently in the underground wind.

His purple eyes shone calmly.

Maya looked at him for a long moment.

Then she buried all her shock deep inside her heart.

If Leon wished to conceal his true cultivation, she would respect that choice.

There was no need to expose him.

Not yet.

Especially not inside the dangerous Martial Emperor Tomb.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Nothing, let’s go."