[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-184":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},1080254,1397,"Chapter 184: A Blade That Never Fell","grand-return-system-chapter-184",184,"\u003Cp>A Blade That Never Fell\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\" Tommy was so angry that he almost vomited blood. If the old man beside him hadn’t stopped him, he would have raised his saber and killed Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest rose and fell sharply, each breath heavier than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just anger—it was insult carved straight into his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who dared to speak to him like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who dared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other than his father...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other than the crown prince...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolutely no one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this forsaken stretch of land beneath a burning sky—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nobody had mocked him openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t immediately cut him down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened around the hilt of his saber, knuckles whitening, veins faintly bulging under the strain. The urge to strike was overwhelming—raw, instinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand on his wrist didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nephew, don’t be angry!\" the gray-robed elder said, his tone calm but carrying quiet authority. \"We’re here on behalf of the Blue Empire. It’s not appropriate to have a conflict with a household from the Drake Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never once left the figure in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Floating there without a ripple of movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dominated everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder’s gaze deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill crawled up his spine—subtle, but undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had lived long enough, seen enough battles, stood before countless experts. As a sage Realm powerhouse, very few things could shake him anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This quiet pressure...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This invisible weight pressing against his senses...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t aggressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it felt like standing at the edge of a cliff—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step forward, and you fall into death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder’s fingers twitched slightly inside his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This person...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s stronger than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization hit quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it hit hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed it down, keeping his expression steady, but inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock rippled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many monsters does the Drake Empire hide?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is every young master followed by someone like this...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought alone made his chest tighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy forced himself to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Painfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dragged his rage back down, burying it under layers of forced control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filled with a promise that hadn’t yet been fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very good...\" he said, his voice low, almost hoarse from restraint. \"I’ll remember you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me your name—if you have the guts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air grew heavy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t even blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk... a coward,\" he said, clicking his tongue with open disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he straightened slightly, crossing his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grin returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Harry Taylor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words landed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy’s restraint shattered like thin glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t care about you!\" he roared, his voice echoing across the desert. \"You’re dead today!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saber left its sheath in a flash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp metallic ring slicing through the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana surged violently from his body, erupting outward like a storm breaking free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An eighth-star Astral Realm aura exploded into the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sand lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind spiraled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger fighters staggered back instinctively, their faces paling as the pressure crashed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade arced through the air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A killing strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unhesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could fall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world... shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A presence descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword intent—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locked onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body refused to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind—blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that single heartbeat—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not guessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade never reached its target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision filled with darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own body collapsing into the sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like he had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suffocating chill wrapped around his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saber trembled violently in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat burst from his pores instantly, soaking his robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned pale—almost gray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reality snapped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The desert returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tommy—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand shook uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing became uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They slowly lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward that figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like he hadn’t just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decided life and death in a single thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Tommy—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword that pierced straight through fear itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This... is why that man dared to speak like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this person stands behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Peak of the sage Realm...\" the elder whispered, unable to hide his shock this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was low—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his last trace of arrogance shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Peak of the sage Realm... how is this possible...\" he muttered, his lips trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the wasteland—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this chaotic battlefield—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To casually encounter someone at that level?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His confidence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foundation he stood on—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Came from the man beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his Uncle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the strength that had always protected him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that pillar showed fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that steady presence... had shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This person—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was someone they could not afford to offend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bitter realization settled into his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father... was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Drake Empire... is not a place to act freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy lowered his saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because he had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice came out quieter now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle... what should we do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he had crossed a line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the atmosphere had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent earlier—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had not been an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had stepped too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His uncle didn’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze remained fixed on Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decision made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering his posture—just a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am the Prince of the Blue Empire,\" he said, his tone respectful, controlled. \"May I know your name... and which immortal mountain you cultivate on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind born from understanding danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The desert fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames crackled faintly in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t heard anything at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time stretched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows furrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of dissatisfaction passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is how the experts of the Drake Empire behave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring others like this...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply didn’t have the right to demand anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a drawn bowstring ready to snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound broke it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rhythmic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creaking of wheels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the sea of flames—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A carriage slowly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its form outlined by firelight, its structure elegant, unmistakably refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh... it’s the royal carriage of the Drake Empire...\" Harry said, his eyes narrowing slightly in recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of surprise flickered across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen it before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something ordinary people could ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the royal family had that privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A memory surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias had ridden in a carriage just like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had crossed dangerous lands without harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same carriage appeared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rolling slowly through fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>",1279,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","4efc6006a75e8ec5d5ad0b04bf2c445c326281cce41cdc3a08d7f7f4c6732bc1","grand-return-system-chapter-185","grand-return-system-chapter-183",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]