Grand Return System

A Teacher’s Gamble

Leon’s expression changed again and he said gently, "Although this Mana Guidance Fruit is a supreme-grade spirit medicine, it’s not very useful to me. Student, I have always been at ease with you. I look forward to the future when you can make our Amethyst Summit Division famous and shake the Forsaken Domain. You can’t disappoint me."

Those words entered Selena’s heart more sharply than any sword.

The training hall had gone quiet.

Outside, mountain wind stirred bamboo leaves in long whispering waves. A faint fragrance of old pine drifted through the carved lattice windows. Somewhere far below, water struck stone in a slow, rhythmic echo.

But within Selena’s chest, all was unrest.

Her blue eyes trembled.

Those touching words made Selena’s eyes tear up.

Her teacher was still the same teacher.

The same man who had lifted her from ridicule.

The same man who had treated her as his own.

The same man who, when the whole world doubted her, simply believed.

And that simple belief had remade her life.

Yet because of that, she felt even more unwilling.

She really did not want her teacher to waste any more treasures for her.

Ever since she entered the Academy, she had already received so many blessings that others could only envy them with red eyes.

Sacred Arts.

Treasures.

Protection.

Guidance.

Affection.

What more could a student ask?

She was already more than satisfied.

Her fingers tightened around the glowing Mana Guidance Fruit.

Its spiritual radiance shimmered over her porcelain skin.

And yet...

Looking at Leon’s determined gaze, she knew something.

If she did not accept this fruit today—

He would be hurt.

Not angry.

Hurt.

That sadness and pain would come from her rejection.

And perhaps—

As her heart painfully imagined—

He might even doubt himself.

Doubt whether he had failed as a teacher.

Regret not giving enough.

Regret not being enough.

That thought alone made Selena’s breath tremble.

She bit her lower lip.

Her lashes lowered.

Then slowly rose again, wet with emotion.

And with affection filling her eyes, she said softly,

"Alright, Teacher. I’ll accept it."

The moment those words left her lips, the tension in the hall seemed to dissolve.

Leon finally heaved a sigh of relief when she was finally willing to accept the Mana Guidance Fruit.

Outwardly, he merely nodded in grave approval.

Inwardly—

He nearly collapsed in relief.

Sigh... It’s getting harder and harder to fleece now. This tested my acting skills.

Fortunately, I ran a few minor roles back then and learned acting for a few years.

He almost laughed at himself.

That serious face.

That wounded teacher act.

Flawless.

Absolutely flawless.

His conscience pricked him for half a breath.

Then the thought of Grand Return System rewards soothed it immediately.

Still... beneath the scheming amusement, there was something genuine.

He really did want her stronger.

He really did want her to shake the Forsaken Domain one day.

The calculation and sincerity were not contradictions.

Strangely—

They coexisted.

Leon sighed in his heart, but the ending was still perfect.

After a while, Leon continued,

"Okay... Go back and rest first. It’s just nice. Take this time to cultivate in seclusion and strive to break through the GrandMaster Realm as soon as possible."

Selena nodded.

But before leaving, she lingered.

As if unwilling.

As if wanting to memorize this moment.

Then she bowed deeply.

Far deeper than usual.

"Teacher... I won’t disappoint you."

Only then did she turn.

Her silver-white hair swayed lightly as she walked out of the training hall reluctantly, returning to her room.

Her footsteps faded.

Silence returned.

And then—

Everything changed.

After she left, Leon’s expressionless face gradually revealed an evil smile.

It spread slowly.

Dangerously.

Like a fox who had just stolen a celestial peach.

He leaned back.

Eyes shining.

And called in his heart,

"System..."

Immediately—

The familiar cold voice resounded.

[Ding! You have given your student a supreme-grade treasure, Ariel Blossom Pin. You have triggered a Critical Hit Return.]

[Ding! You have given your student a supreme-grade Mana Guidance fruit, triggering a critical strike.]

[Activate?]

Was it finally here?

Leon had been waiting for this moment since the first day of the Martial Meeting.

All the performance.

All the emotional manipulation.

All the wool...

Was for now.

His purple eyes lit up.

"Activate."

The response came instantly.

[Congratulations, you have triggered ten thousand times critical strike and obtained the Connate numinous treasure, Thunder Floral Pins.]

[Congratulations, you have triggered ten thousand times critical strike and obtained one Mana Principal Condense Fruit.]

For a moment—

Silence.

Then—

"F*ck... Good, good. This wave of wool is worth it."

Leon was instantly amused.

He almost slapped the table laughing.

His touching performance just now wasn’t in vain.

No wonder ancient sages said sincerity moved heaven.

Apparently shamelessness moved systems too.

The hall suddenly seemed brighter.

Even the candle flame looked celebratory.

Then the system explained.

[A Connate numinous treasure is nurtured by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It belongs to a Dharma treasure other than the immortal grade. In terms of power, it is not inferior to immortal artifacts.]

Leon’s breathing slowed.

Then sharpened.

Excitement rose.

Thunder Floral Pins.

Even the name carried killing intent.

He imagined storms of floral needles blotting out sky.

Silent death.

Elegant slaughter.

Perfect.

Leon was excited after reading the description of the Thunder Floral Pins.

After the First Mist Immortal Sword, he obtained a Connate numinous treasure that was not inferior to the Immortal Sword.

Two supreme killing treasures.

One open and domineering.

One hidden and lethal.

His arsenal was becoming monstrous.

Then his attention turned toward the second reward.

The Mana Principal Condense Fruit.

His heartbeat actually quickened.

This was no ordinary fortune.

The Mana Principal Condense Fruit was also nurtured by Connate Mana and was not inferior to immortal fruits.

The only flaw was that it did not have immortal energy like immortal fruits.

However—

This Connate Mana was also extremely pure.

Pure enough to wash foundations.

Pure enough to break shackles.

Pure enough...

To touch a higher realm.

His mind instantly raced.

Pinnacle Realm.

A realm countless cultivators dreamed of and died without touching.

Even many old monsters in the Forsaken Domain were trapped beneath that threshold.

Yet now—

A path had appeared.

It could help him break through his shackles and reach the legendary Pinnacle Realm.

Leon stared into empty space.

And for once, even his usual teasing thoughts quieted.

Power.

True power.

It was getting closer.

His fingers tapped the table once.

Twice.

Then he chuckled low.

"Selena..." he muttered to himself.

"You little lucky star."

The more he raised her—

The richer he became.

The richer he became—

The more he could raise her.

A perfect cycle.

Beautiful.

And absurd.

He suddenly understood why his mood had been so good lately.

Taking only female students...

He had once half-joked inwardly that they were gentler to the eyes than men.

But the truth ran deeper.

The girls around him—Selena, Rias, even their stubborn tempers—

They brought warmth to this lonely summit.

Without them, cultivation would be nothing but cold stone.

With them... It felt almost like life.