[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-128":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grand Return System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1080298,1397,"Chapter 128: A Single Kick to End It","grand-return-system-chapter-128",128,"\u003Cp>A Single Kick to End It\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Secret Sword Summit student erupted in rage, humiliation burning through his chest like wildfire. Without hesitation, he drew his sword with a sharp metallic hiss that echoed across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his flames were inferior to hers, there was only one option left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overpower her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he crushed her with sheer strength, he could still salvage his dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body shot forward like a streak of fire, the blade slashing down with ferocious speed. The air itself shrieked under the force of the strike. The distance between them vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome of the battle seemed as if it would be decided in a single breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many spectators instinctively tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Rias had shocked everyone with the Inferno Lotus Art, people still couldn’t help worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had only entered Celestis Academy a month ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much could her cultivation have improved in such a short time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone in the crowd shouted instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the warning fell on deaf ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the girl on the stage didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias stood quietly where she was, like a crimson flower blooming in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long red hair fluttered gently behind her, shimmering beneath the sunlight. The red silk robes wrapped around her slender waist swayed softly, the golden sash catching flashes of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her posture remained relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sword came crashing down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply lifted her right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful Astral aura surged from her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana erupted like a rising tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, two slender fingers moved forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those delicate fingers clamped precisely onto the descending sword blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone’s voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Astral...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice followed in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is that possible?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock spread across the arena like a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The violent sword strike had been stopped—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera suddenly shot to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legs of his seat dragged across the floor with a sharp sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something caught his eye on the stage - his gaze snapped wide. After a pause, he shifted to look at Leon, still sitting there without moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She actually reached the Astral Realm after a single month?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What came out of his mouth felt tight, like words were hard to push through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of talent is this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Cultivator Tobias could not hide his astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows rose sharply as he stared at Rias with new interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking into the Astral Realm in one month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That level of talent was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Mike remained comparatively calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers stroked his beard thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already suspected something similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impression Selena had left on him previously was still vivid in his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to that shocking breakthrough, Rias’s performance was less surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena stage, the battle had already lost its suspense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Rias revealed her Astral Realm cultivation, the outcome was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Secret Sword Summit student realized it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face went pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to pull his sword back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the blade wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias’s two fingers held it firmly, as if the weapon had been caught in an iron clamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bright red eyes looked at him calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just quiet composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind that made his heart sink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re too tense,\" she said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers released the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body shifted forward lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Secret Sword Summit student could react—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her right leg swept upward in a clean, elegant motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kick landed squarely on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t flashy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just perfectly timed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the power behind it was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s body lifted straight off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W–What—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words never finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body flew backward like a broken kite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crashed outside the arena boundary, rolling across the ground before finally stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence swallowed the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past month, Rias had sparred countless times with Selena under Leon’s guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those battles had sharpened her instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her combat experience had grown rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to ordinary students—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reactions were far more refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood quietly in the center of the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind fluttered her red robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long hair swayed behind her like flowing flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned her gaze toward the Referee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle smile appeared on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Referee cleared his throat, still slightly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he announced loudly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First match of the Martial Meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amethyst Summit Division’s Rias versus Secret Sword Summit student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rias wins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s over?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stunned murmur spread across the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people hadn’t even finished processing the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they realized what had happened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match had already ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unbelievable...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did she reach the Astral Realm in just one month?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone whispered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that Amethyst Summit Division has countless heavenly treasures?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe they gave her some rare medicine...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious gazes gradually turned toward Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he simply sat there calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered no explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the result was announced, Rias stepped down from the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her steps were light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her red robes swayed with each movement as she returned to Leon’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve accomplished my mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon felt extremely satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard every whisper in the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amazement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But outwardly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face remained completely calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the victory meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Rias with a stern expression and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t I tell you to show mercy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And not embarrass your Guardian Elder Shera?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire arena fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned toward Shera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face had turned pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lethality of that sentence was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More lethal than a full-powered strike from a Sage Realm expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias immediately understood Leon’s intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression changed into one of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her head slightly and turned toward Shera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guardian Elder... I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t think it through.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s chair shattered beneath his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest rose and fell violently as he glared at the Teacher and student before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were doing this on purpose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon spoke again with a calm voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s still young and doesn’t understand etiquette.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please forgive her this once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s face twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists clenched tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, it seemed as if he might explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flung his sleeves violently and sat back down without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation burned inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he had thought victory was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been ready to humiliate Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become the one being humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, murderous thoughts were already forming in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the surrounding students, suppressed laughter spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people struggled to hold it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Martial Uncle Leon is ruthless...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sentence was deadly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another student grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve decided. From today onward, I’m Martial Uncle Leon’s most loyal fan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear I’ll support him forever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone else snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bet Guardian Elder Shera wants to kill someone right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But for some reason...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t stop smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I feel really satisfied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera had served as disciplinary elder for many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had offended countless people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him suffer like this brought quiet joy to many hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Secret Sword Summit students lowered their heads in shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrogance they once carried had vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too embarrassed to meet anyone’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>",1295,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.787Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","6fe93d573182233e5920da61ae5fae507da6b12941c46d036b28a97965864a86","grand-return-system-chapter-129","grand-return-system-chapter-127",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]