[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-138":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},1080308,1397,"Chapter 138: The Weight of Pride","grand-return-system-chapter-138",138,"\u003Cp>The Weight of Pride\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan finally let out a long breath the moment he saw Shera sitting upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a split second, the tension in his chest loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father... are you alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried both urgency and restraint. He stepped closer, eyes scanning Shera’s face, searching for any hidden weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s old face seemed to age even more in that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wrinkles on his forehead deepened, his eyes dimmed—not from injury, but from something far worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shan...\" he spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, bitter. \"I’ve been embarrassed today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened against his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t see Leon’s smug expression.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes darkened, as if that image was carved into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve never suffered such humiliation in my life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each word came heavier than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the future... my Secret Sword Summit will probably never be able to raise our heads in the academy again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the air felt heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan’s expression sharpened immediately. He stepped forward without hesitation, his voice firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, don’t worry!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried a force that cut through the gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We haven’t lost yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fist tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We only lost two rounds today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just you wait. I will repay the humiliation our Secret Sword Summit suffered today... a hundredfold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned with cold determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since waking up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of relief appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the critical moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only blood could be trusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These so-called students...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his son—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can rest assured after hearing your words...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera exhaled slowly, the tightness in his chest easing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, my Secret Sword Summit has suffered consecutive defeats and lost our reputation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze hardened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether we can regain our dignity... will depend on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan nodded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, Father. I know what to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But behind that calm answer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something darker moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father’s humiliation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter in the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The looks from others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t been there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he could imagine it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amethyst Summit Division...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold sneer formed at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph... just you wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera watched him, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the student he was proud of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just a student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, slowly, his gaze shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere instantly turned cold again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Face the wall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes swept across them like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think carefully about what you’re inferior in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think carefully before coming out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one resisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned quietly, one by one, facing the cold stone wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shoulders stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heads lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punishment wasn’t physical—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it cut deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the room emptied—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Shera and Shan remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More focused now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s expression slowly tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shan...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone became low, measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although you’ve already reached eight stars of the Astral Realm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused slightly, choosing his words carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You cannot let your guard down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today... I felt something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leon’s eldest student...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...her cultivation is not low.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned slightly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t even use her full strength when facing the second Secret Sword Summit student, who is at three stars of the Astral Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of unease passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a vague feeling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...her cultivation has already reached six stars of the Astral Realm... or higher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words lingered in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan’s expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind flashed back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had been provoked earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his temper had flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been a presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, he ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father... are you saying...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...that her cultivation is higher than mine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She only entered the academy three months ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disbelief in his tone was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s hard to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Amethyst Summit Division has few people...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They have many treasures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint bitterness slipped into his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before Guardian Elder Zeon passed away, he accumulated a lot of resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He might have passed them all to Leon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet, almost unwilling admission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That kid... doesn’t hide anything from his students.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He gave his second student a precious bone of a King Realm beast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This eldest student...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...might also have one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he spoke—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavier his heart became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if even Shan failed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made his chest tighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I provoke him...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I make that bet...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was like a bottomless abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You couldn’t see through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You couldn’t predict him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too late to step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s eyes dimmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All this time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought Leon was nothing more than a useless man who happened to inherit Amethyst Summit Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real clown...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan stood in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was real now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That secret method his father had taught him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow smile crept onto his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father... you worry too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice steadied again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what if she has reached nine stars of the Astral Realm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as she hasn’t stepped into the GrandMaster Realm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can still take her down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confidence was absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unshaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera didn’t respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous humiliation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was still fresh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fresh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had learned something today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Painfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When spoken too early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could become a slap to his own face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that slap...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t repeat that mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he trusted his son—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s good to be confident.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more bold claims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not until victory was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if... he loses too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That possibility—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if small—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was enough to make him cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better safe than sorry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera slowly stood up from the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were steady now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted his robe, straightening the folds, restoring some of his usual composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anger was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But buried deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he prepared to leave—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve just finished your first match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go back and rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We fight the second match tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was... sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered with something calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before the finals...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will make sure you remain in perfect condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...and suffer no damage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning behind those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was not simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera turned and walked toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lantern light flickered behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the shadow he cast—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemed darker than before.\u003C\u002Fp>",1249,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.787Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","20bd548fd140ab800f01da6f11e8b86c06e6470b7a07e860e9ad31457a868938","grand-return-system-chapter-139","grand-return-system-chapter-137",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]