[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-182":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},1080252,1397,"Chapter 182: Echoes Beneath Burning Sands","grand-return-system-chapter-182",182,"\u003Cp>Echoes Beneath Burning Sands\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... It smells so good. The smell of roasted meat.\" Harry suddenly had a brain fade and said as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words slipped out so naturally, so casually—like he was strolling through a marketplace instead of a graveyard of scorched flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a split second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon didn’t even hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His palm struck the back of Harry’s head with clean precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not overly forceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sharp enough to sting—and to remind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry’s entire body stiffened. His eyes widened slightly as realization slammed into him a heartbeat later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the charred remains half-buried in flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the blackened limbs and twisted shapes that no longer resembled anything human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell he had just praised—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was not meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry instantly covered his mouth, his fingers pressing tightly against his lips as if trying to shove the words back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned stiff, awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I messed up again,\" he muttered inwardly, his ears heating slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t dare speak anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t dare joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t even dare breathe too loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, he followed behind Leon, footsteps quieter now, more careful, as they moved deeper into the wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The further they walked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worse it became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames stretched endlessly across the land, dancing in violent bursts. The ground was cracked and scorched, blackened by countless battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broken weapons lay scattered like forgotten memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corpses—both human and beast—littered the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were half-consumed by fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some still clutched weapons in rigid fingers, frozen in their final moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick with the smell of blood and burning flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry swallowed slightly, his earlier lighthearted mood completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was merciless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through all of this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon walked as if none of it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His midnight robes swayed lightly in the heat, untouched by the chaos around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew what Leon was looking for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Harry—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was right behind him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only knew one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon wasn’t wandering aimlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step had purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every pause had reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They soon reached a cluster of fallen beasts—massive creatures, their bodies still radiating faint heat, their scales cracked and torn from battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, he crouched down beside one of the corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers brushed across the remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And pulled out a bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t emitting any strange aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a plain, ordinary bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion flickered across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer, leaning slightly as he tried to understand what was so special about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior... what is this?\" he asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon didn’t look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply held the bone in his hand, examining it carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a bone,\" Leon replied seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last time I was speechless... was the last time,\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course I know it’s a bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resisted the urge to say it out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t suicidal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if Leon didn’t say it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry already recognized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belonged to a striped unicorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not some random creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a precious bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The valuable part had already been taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Leon staring at it like it held some hidden secret?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry frowned slightly, curiosity growing deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lingered on the bone longer than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes slowly lifted—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A connection forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bone...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marks...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way it was broken...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low rumble rolled across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth beneath their feet trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small stones vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A distant roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explosions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unmistakable sound of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned toward the source of the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There seems to be a battle ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up slowly, the bone still in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go take a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His figure blurred—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And shot toward the distance like a streak of dark light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait for me—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry snapped out of his thoughts and hurried after him, his body surging forward as he chased Leon’s fading silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two figures cut across the burning land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the lingering scent of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrain shifted suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From cracked earth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To endless dunes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden Sand desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves of golden dust stretched as far as the eye could see, shimmering under the harsh light. The heat here was even more intense, the air distorted by rising currents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From above—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of people had surrounded a massive creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Two Fang Reptile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its body was enormous, scales thick like layered armor, reflecting a dull metallic sheen under the sun. Its jaws were wide, revealing two massive fangs that curved outward like blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tail lashed violently, sending sand flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every movement carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its strength—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least at the GrandMaster Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle raged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of young fighters circled it, attacking in coordinated bursts. Their movements were quick, sharp, but cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knew that one mistake—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would mean death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every strike they landed barely left a mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every counterattack from the beast forced them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were already injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood stained the sand beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what caught Leon’s attention—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was not the battle itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the people who hadn’t moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the edge of the battlefield—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several old men stood calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their auras were restrained—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least King Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon’s eyes flickered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guardians...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A training exercise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a desperate fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A controlled danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing their younger generation out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To temper them through battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, hovering beside him, squinted down at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something clicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh, Senior...\" he said, leaning slightly closer, lowering his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at their clothes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They don’t look like they’re from the Drake Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying the patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of realization passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is more like...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The style of the Blue Empire tribes in the north.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried a hint of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a trace of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if that was true—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then this wasn’t just a random encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders had entered this battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was never simple.\u003C\u002Fp>",1155,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","857fb144ff10f44a9eed10bc040014f7fc450f934f8984549590e40071fa6cda","grand-return-system-chapter-183","grand-return-system-chapter-181",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]