[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-42":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},1080212,1397,"Chapter 42: The Roar Beneath the Burning Sky","grand-return-system-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>The Roar Beneath the Burning Sky\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena took one final look at the ruins of her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind moved softly through broken beams and scattered ash. A fragment of charred wood creaked somewhere in the silence, like a tired memory refusing to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" she said firmly, though her fingers trembled slightly at her sides. \"Father and Mother are gone. This home is gone too. No matter how long I stand here... they won’t return. It only makes me sad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon studied her quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could respond, she suddenly stepped closer and lowered her voice — softer now, vulnerable in a way she rarely allowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My family... from now on... is you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were not dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they struck harder than any sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, Leon felt something tighten in his chest. His usual playful composure thinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out instinctively and placed a hand gently on her head, fingers brushing through her silver hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Foolish girl,\" he said softly. \"Family is not so easily replaced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not deny her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he did not remove his hand immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warmth of her presence lingered between them — quiet, steady, unspoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" he finally said. \"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon did not say more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation was a path that demanded severance from the mortal world. Time, vast and merciless, diluted even the deepest emotions. Attachments faded. Grief became distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least... that was what cultivators told themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, Maya’s group was preparing to depart as well. Leon had half a mind to ask where they were headed next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never got the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chaotic wave of shouting broke across the ruined streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of refugees burst from the far end of Wasteland Old Town, faces pale, eyes wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move! Move!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Run!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon stepped forward and grabbed an elderly man by the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t ask!\" the old man cried, voice shaking. \"Just run! There’s a beast behind us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin was ashen. Terror radiated from him so strongly it almost felt tangible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon released him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man bolted away with shocking speed — faster than many younger men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon raised a brow faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When death approaches,\" he murmured, \"even the weak awaken hidden strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust surged into the sky like a rising storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon closed his eyes briefly and extended his perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana fluctuations rippled violently through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heartbeat later, his eyes snapped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"King Realm,\" he said calmly. \"Judging from the aura... it’s an Ancient Descendant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya, who had just approached to inquire about the disturbance, froze mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her students stared at her in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher... what is an Ancient Descendant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s expression turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In The Forsaken Domain,\" she began, voice steady but grave, \"the world we know — the Eastern Wasteland — is merely the edge of something far greater. In the deep wilderness, countless ancient races still slumber or roam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked toward the rising smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ancient Descendants are beasts that carry remnants of primordial bloodlines — blood inherited from terrifying ancient existences that once dominated the heavens and earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even diluted,\" she continued, \"that bloodline grants overwhelming physical strength, terrifying resilience, and innate Sacred Arts beyond human comparison.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the same realm, human cultivators hold no advantage against them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in the air thickened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several beams of light streaked across the sky — experts already rushing toward the disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon did not hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seized Selena’s hand and launched forward, robes fluttering like midnight wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To encounter an Ancient Descendant is rare,\" she said quickly. \"We cannot miss this opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to Amaya and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she and Sana soared into the sky, Amaya and the remaining students close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hundred Miles Wasteland burned beneath a crimson sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames roared upward in spiraling pillars. The ground was cracked and blackened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center stood it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a giant ape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a towering beast wreathed in fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire Kong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its body was massive, muscles coiled like forged iron. Burning patterns traced across its crimson fur, and molten veins pulsed beneath its skin. Each breath it exhaled carried sparks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slammed its fists against its chest and roared toward the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound shattered the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the power of Ancient bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not merely strength — but inherited authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient bloodlines carried fragments of primordial will. Some could manipulate elements. Some could distort space. Some possessed bones that crystallized into sacred relics after death — treasures known as precious bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Fire Kong, hundreds of cultivators hovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experts from Powerful Sects. Wandering practitioners. Students training beyond the Academy Premises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All drawn by the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! An Ancient Descendant! I finally found one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry Taylor stood at the edge of the battlefield, eyes burning with greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder White. Elder Black. Stay alert. Once the beast is surrounded and heavily injured, seize the precious bone immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, he had been humiliated by Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For safety, he had immediately sent word home. Now, Elder White — the Taylor household’s only King Realm expert besides his father — had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence returned to him like a second skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Elder White replied calmly, though his gaze scanned the sky cautiously. \"There are many experts here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressure lingered in his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Afraid?\" Harry scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder White did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Isn’t this Young Master Taylor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mocking voice drifted through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry’s jaw tightened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freddy Lavahound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sworn enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lavahound household’s heir stood with arms crossed, two elders beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freddy’s lips curled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I haven’t seen you for a few days,\" he said lazily. \"And you already look this miserable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes were torn from Leon’s sword aura. His face still bore faint grime from his earlier escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked... pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the two elders beside Freddy — both powerful presences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little impatience spoils great plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not stoop to his level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He inhaled slowly and turned away, ignoring the taunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freddy chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still arrogant,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them, Fire Kong roared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>",1047,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.506Z","2026-06-03T10:40:16.814Z",1,"novelbin.me","d22816636669344949bd7d8fbaf411b7b09e9eae0931e1fa38e60441baf87181","grand-return-system-chapter-43","grand-return-system-chapter-41",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]