[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-87":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828624,2432,"Chapter 87: Blades Beneath the Setting Sun","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-87",87,"\u003Cp>Blades Beneath the Setting Sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel rang sharply in the quiet training ground outside Fantom City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The field where Victor and Videl once sparred together had become a battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl stood at the center of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long blonde hair swayed behind her like a banner as she stepped lightly across the grass. Her blue sapphire eyes remained calm, focused, almost cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several men lay scattered across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some groaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some too injured to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had come prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had underestimated the woman standing before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last opponent remaining was a middle-aged man, his expression tense as mana crackled around his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he was stronger than the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage capable of casting advanced spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana gathered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blazing spell circle appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames roared outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long sword cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous blade gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the flames collided with the weapon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic was swallowed whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weapon absorbed the spell as if devouring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl didn’t even slow down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body turned smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great sword spun with terrifying momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man barely managed to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact sent him staggering backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re strong,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You attacked me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So don’t complain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man gritted his teeth and launched another spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bolt of lightning surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade swallowed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic disappeared like water sinking into sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s confidence cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl stepped forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive sword moved with terrifying precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone wielding such a large weapon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were impossibly graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each strike drove the man backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flat side smashed into his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man flew across the ground and collapsed beside the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned to the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest rose gently with each breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a distant hillside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of furious eyes watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands clenched tightly as he observed the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commoner girl defeating trained killers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the elite mage he had hired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what stunned him most—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto the long sword in Videl’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade gleamed under the setting sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every spell thrown at it had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It absorbs magic...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albion’s breathing grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then greed slowly replaced his anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That weapon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a filthy commoner own something like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must have stolen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind immediately twisted the truth to justify his anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That must be it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only did the academy accept a commoner...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...but a thief as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he continued watching Videl—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thought crept into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, he truly looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden hair shining under the fading sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her graceful posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her slender waist beneath the training armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quiet strength in her movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albion’s eyes lingered longer than he intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s... beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That woman should be standing beside nobles...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...not that bastard Victor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice turned venomous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn’t deserve her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl wiped her blade slowly and looked around the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that everyone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the assassins groaned weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl pointed her sword at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still alive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-wait! Please—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only need one answer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sapphire eyes were cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who sent you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Albion... from the Saulon Family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl closed her eyes briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the hill, Albion clenched his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll regret this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was filled with resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enjoy your victory today, filthy commoner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes returned to the long sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But soon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll expose you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered into a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that sword...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...will belong to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one last greedy glance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albion turned and disappeared into the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far Away\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor ran across the open fields as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden light stretched across the vast plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind rippled through tall grass like waves across an ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor slowed his pace slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightfall was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his speed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The delay from earlier had cost him too much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching Mystery Woodland before sunset was impossible now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor exhaled quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess I’ll have to camp outside tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he did, his thoughts returned to the fight earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade of grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’m rusty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization irritated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His swordsmanship had ranked among the top five of his generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without mana—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have defeated those assassins easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had needed to reinforce the grass blade with mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skills had dulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His techniques slower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor flexed his fingers slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Pathetic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I need training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just fighting weak opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But rebuilding everything from the ground up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stopped walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had turned orange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightfall was minutes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land stretched endlessly in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wide open plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Great.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An open field like this made him an easy target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything roaming nearby could spot him easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleeping here would require constant alertness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor rubbed the back of his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This body is annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His past body as the Supreme Demon Emperor had been vastly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as a child—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A demon body could survive two full days without sleep, water, or food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this human body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day is already pushing it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled the map from his storage space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The parchment rustled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor examined it under the fading light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His finger traced the markings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So I’m here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area was labeled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silverwind Expanse\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive plain stretching across the land east of Fantom City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor folded the map slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked around the endless grasslands once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind whispered across the plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed quietly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he once again surveyed the area.\u003C\u002Fp>",1100,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","bfc1339d5d5db9b599e616fa5f783c3a386e9fb046d289c593aab66b70691dd7","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-88","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-86",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]