Grand Return System

Beneath a Wider Sky

"Senior, I understand! From now on, I will definitely cultivate diligently to make up for my shortcomings and not disappoint my father and Senior’s teachings."

Harry Taylor said it from the bottom of his heart.

No hesitation.

No youthful arrogance.

No empty bravado.

His voice carried a weight it had lacked before.

Since he had sincerely changed, he would definitely do as he said, no matter how bitter or tiring it was.

The breeze moved through the academy path, carrying the fading echoes of the Martial Meeting. Around them, the crowd had mostly dispersed, but the emotional aftershocks of the day still lingered in the air.

Leon looked at Harry for a long moment.

Really looked at him.

Not as a troublesome junior.

Not as Harrier Taylor’s son.

But as a boy standing at the edge of becoming something more.

And then—

His expression softened almost imperceptibly.

Leon finally felt much more relieved after hearing his words.

In truth, he had seen through Harrier Taylor’s intentions long ago.

From the very beginning.

He had guessed it.

Harrier Taylor had sent Harry up the mountain for far more than surface-level reconciliation.

He wanted to use Leon’s deterrence to make Harry correct his previous profligate behavior.

At the same time—

Pressure could temper iron.

Under a powerful example, perhaps Harry would learn discipline.

Learn humility.

Learn how vast the heavens truly were.

Leon understood all of that.

And perhaps—

There had been another hidden intention.

Of course, this was only one of the deeper meanings.

Perhaps Harrier Taylor wanted Leon to take him in as a student and let him enter Amethyst Summit Division.

That thought had crossed Leon’s mind more than once.

And it was not unusual.

Things like this happened in the Seven Division.

In the mortal world, many descendants had acknowledged the various division masters as their teachers to establish good relationships.

Politics and cultivation were often more intertwined than people admitted.

Leon naturally had the same thought.

But—

The time was not right.

Leon had the same intention, but he felt that the time wasn’t right yet, so he didn’t accept it.

What kind of timing does he need to take in a student?

Even Leon himself could not fully answer.

It was not about talent.

Not entirely.

It might be a knot in his heart.

A caution born from experience.

Previously, when he had no student, many things could be approached casually.

But now—

That had changed.

Previously, he lacked consideration in many aspects when he didn’t have a student.

Now that he had a student, his requirements for future students would definitely be stricter.

Because a teacher did not merely pass down techniques.

A teacher shaped destiny.

And not everyone deserved that.

The most important thing was to test a student’s character and see if he was worth teaching.

Talent without heart—

Was dangerous.

Power without integrity—

Disaster.

Leon’s gaze drifted briefly toward Selena walking beside him.

Silver-white hair glimmered under evening light, blue eyes quiet, posture graceful even in silence.

There was a reason she had become his first student.

Not merely because she was gifted.

But because of what lay beneath.

Resolve.

Loyalty.

Purity of intent.

And though Leon never said it aloud—

He thought it often.

His female students... they were not merely pleasing to the eye, though even he could admit they carried a rare elegance that turned heads.

It was something deeper.

They were kind.

Fierce in quiet ways.

Able to endure suffering without complaint.

Their hearts were often finer than many men boasting of heroism.

He found himself trusting such qualities.

Perhaps more than brute talent.

That thought passed only for a breath—

Then vanished.

Because Leon did not dwell on sentiment for long.

Leon was good at winning people over with kindness.

It would be best if he could make Harry submit completely.

Not through fear.

Through conviction.

Only then would a foundation be stable.

At last, Leon nodded once.

"Good."

One word.

But Harry’s eyes brightened as if given treasure.

Then Leon said calmly,

"Alright, let’s go back!"

With that, he turned.

The matter was closed.

The group left the martial arts arena and returned toward Amethyst Summit Division.

The road back wound through ancient pines and mist-touched stone paths.

Sunset painted the sky gold and crimson.

The academy seemed quieter after the storm of the tournament.

Peaceful.

Almost unreal.

Selena walked at Leon’s side, occasionally glancing at him, still carrying the afterglow of victory.

Harry trailed behind, muttering under his breath about training harder, occasionally clenching his fist as if already swearing war against his future weaknesses.

Leon heard it.

Pretended not to.

A faint smile almost appeared.

But while the others enjoyed the calm—

His mind was elsewhere.

There were still many things waiting for Leon after the Seven Division Martial Meeting ended.

Far too many.

The strange crack in the depths of the uninhabited region—

The Black Rift.

Even thinking of it made his instincts stir.

Then—

The ancient Martial Emperor’s tomb hidden in those depths.

An inheritance?

A trap?

Or both?

And...

The old turtle carrying a coffin Harry had mentioned earlier.

That image lingered strangely in his mind.

An ancient turtle.

A coffin on its back.

Something about it felt wrong.

Too mysterious.

Too heavy with omen.

His fingers folded behind his back as he walked.

Thoughts turned over one after another.

Should he investigate?

Wait?

Prepare first?

His Grand Return System gave him confidence—

But not recklessness.

"Hmm, forget it. I’ll wait and see first."

Leon decided to put it aside for now after thinking about it seriously.

Some opportunities ripened only when left untouched.

Some dangers revealed themselves only when allowed to move first.

For now—

Observation.

Not action.

The group returned to Amethyst Summit Division and the place became peaceful.

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Grand Return System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scoturn777

Creator of Grand Return System

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