[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-157":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},1080227,1397,"Chapter 157: Blades Beneath Silence","grand-return-system-chapter-157",157,"\u003Cp>Blades Beneath Silence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena did not show even the slightest ripple of emotion in the face of Shan’s provocation. Her gaze remained steady, her posture relaxed yet unyielding, like a frozen lake hiding unfathomable depth beneath its surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only spoke once—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You talk too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice wasn’t loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it cut clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp enough to leave a mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when she saw Shan swallow the Recovery Pill, Selena wasn’t surprised in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, this was expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secret Sword Summit...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place that would do anything to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rules bent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Methods twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing about this was shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did surprise her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think... a single pill is enough to defeat me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint chill deepened in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was underestimation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand tightened around the Amethyst Mist Sword, lifting it with calm precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her fingers settled—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft hum echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep amethyst glow flowed along the blade, like liquid starlight running across steel. The air around her shifted instantly, temperature dropping as a thin veil of frost crept across the ground beneath her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was no longer subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pressed outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows twitched slightly, fingers tightening around his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cold...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slipped past the skin, brushing against something deeper—something instinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body reacted before his mind did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it vanished just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have my own methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph...\" he let out a short, dismissive breath, lips curling slightly. \"Little girl... you’re quite arrogant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a hint of irritation now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And something else—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sudden movement—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword appeared in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t drawn in the usual way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it had always been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade shimmered faintly, its light subtle—restrained—but not inferior in the slightest to the brilliance of Selena’s Amethyst Mist Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it appeared—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sword...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait—don’t tell me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaths caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All attention snapped toward Shera in the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"False Sword!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s actually the Secret Sword Summit’s inheritance weapon... the False Sword...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name alone carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>History.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither moved for a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting. Amethyst Mist Sword versus False Sword. They are both legacy swords.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Doesn’t that mean... this is the first real clash between the future Division heads of the Amethyst Summit Division and the Secret Sword Summit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whispers turned into a wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the atmosphere reached a climax again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan moved first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No buildup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword swept across in a smooth arc—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deceptively gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sharp whistle, no explosive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade didn’t scream—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath that softness...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layer upon layer of killing intent unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting to strike at the perfect moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is their style...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to demand attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grip tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Amethyst Mist Sword turned in her hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body lifted lightly, almost weightless, as she stepped into the attack. The sword descended in a clean, decisive arc, carrying a vast and steady force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movement technique was free and valiant—simple, direct, yet impossible to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two philosophies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two styles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colliding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their swords met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound rang sharp and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy rippled outward, their Mana clashing like opposing tides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both techniques—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rooted in legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refined over generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither yielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible to tell who held the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera watched silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint laugh echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haha... good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well done, Shan... press her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outwardly, however, his expression didn’t change at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the result was decided—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would not celebrate early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would not risk being humiliated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back on the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena slid back slightly after the clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her feet landed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing remained steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something in her gaze shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all you’ve got?\" she said, voice calm, but edged with quiet pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan’s eyes darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena continued, her tone unchanged—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this is all... then the Secret Sword Summit’s path ends here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no anger in her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Amethyst Mist Sword flashed, her fingers forming a precise sword seal mid-motion. Her aura condensed instantly, gathering into a single point—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight Flicker strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unforgiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just an attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a probe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan saw through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile touched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve only just begun...\" he said coldly, his sword resting briefly behind his back. \"And you’re already rushing to use your ultimate move?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you’d be more impressive...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess... you’re just so-so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The False Sword was drawn in a single fluid motion, slicing forward with a surge of concealed power. A stream of sword energy rose—not explosive, but dense, layered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And collided head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Selena’s strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact swallowed the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a split second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light consumed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two forces canceled each other out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent shockwave erupted from the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground beneath them shattered, fragments lifting into the air before being torn apart by the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire arena trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A calm, controlled motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collapsing foundation stabilized under his power, the trembling ground forced back into place. At the same time, he flicked his wrist—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A compass flew out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barrier formed, sealing the arena within a protective layer of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The destruction stopped at its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonlight Flicker strike... was neutralized!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s voice trembled slightly as she watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been Selena’s strongest move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan had blocked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even that didn’t work...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then... doesn’t that mean... Amethyst Summit Division will lose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze fell on Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat there calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His purple eyes remained steady, focused—but not anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s not worried at all...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange thought surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does he still have something hidden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does he simply not care about the outcome?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsettled her more than the battle itself.\u003C\u002Fp>",1150,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","bfa0a3ac9f2ffabb0be32308c9b97eee96dab543ad798e4bf535e341f55fe04c","grand-return-system-chapter-158","grand-return-system-chapter-156",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]