Grand Return System

Banners Before the Hunt

"So, Senior Brother, why did you call us here?" Shera roughly understood, but he still asked, wanting to hear Mike’s specific thoughts.

The question lingered in the great hall after his voice faded.

Outside, mountain wind moved through old cypress branches, their shadows swaying over the stone courtyard like silent specters.

Inside, no one shifted.

No one broke the stillness.

All eyes rested on Mike.

The old Headmaster slowly exhaled, as though laying down hesitation with that breath.

Then he calmed down, put down his hands, and said, "I’m afraid the foot of the mountain is already a mess. We cultivators are blessed by the heavens and enjoy the providence of the world. We shouldn’t sit back and watch.

"Back then, Guardian Elder Zeon once shouldered the heavy responsibility of the survival of the Eastern Wasteland’s human race alone and blocked the myriad races from the Black Rift.

"Now that Guardian Elder Zeon has passed away, we should shoulder this heavy responsibility.

"Junior Brothers and Sisters, what do you think?"

The words were not loud.

Yet they struck harder than thunder.

For a moment, the hall seemed to expand into memory.

Ancient battlefields.

Blood on broken earth.

Swords raised against impossible odds.

Their hearts trembled when everyone heard this.

It was as if they had returned to the war between the Infinite Clan back then, and their blood surged.

Though many of them had never fought in that ancient war, they had grown up hearing those stories whispered like scripture.

Stories of men who stood while kingdoms burned.

Stories where defeat meant extinction.

Those old legends were no longer legends tonight.

They had become duty.

Shera suddenly laughed.

Not mockery.

Not arrogance.

A warrior’s laugh.

He stood.

Robes rustled.

Eyes burning.

"We can’t say no. What’s there to fear? What Guardian Elder could do back then, we can also do it."

The hall stirred.

For perhaps the first time in years, no one saw Shera as a difficult rival.

Only as a brother speaking from the marrow.

"Well said."

This was the first time Yaman acknowledged Shera from the bottom of his heart.

He slapped the armrest and rose with booming laughter.

"Isn’t it just an Inferno Swift Bird? Let’s do it."

His voice shook the hall.

Even the incense smoke trembled.

Maya smiled.

But there was steel in that smile.

"Senior Brother, give the order. As long as you give the order, the entire Academy will be at your disposal."

One after another, intent surged.

Mana pulsed faintly.

Like sleeping blades awakening.

At this moment, Mike truly felt the unity of Celestis Academy.

Before anything happened, they fought until their heads were bleeding.

No one was willing to submit to another.

They argued.

Competed.

Clashed over pride.

Yet when they encountered threats from the outside world...

They were brothers and sisters.

That was the invisible root of Celestis Academy.

Not towers.

Not inheritances.

But this.

Shared fire.

This was one of the reasons why the Celestis Academy could stand tall for so many years without falling and maintain its peak state.

Mike looked at them with relief.

Age lined his face, but in that moment, he seemed younger.

Stronger.

He subconsciously glanced at the corner and looked at his junior brother who had not spoken.

"Junior Brother Leon, what do you think?"

Leon was stunned.

A faint smile touched his lips.

This was the first time he had heard Mike take the initiative to ask for his opinion.

He was a little surprised.

All along, he had been the one overlooked.

Dismissed.

The silent peak master no one expected much from.

He had long grown used to it.

Because strength had once not justified recognition.

But things were different now.

His strength now was already on par with Mike.

Perhaps beyond.

Gradually... there was a place for Leon in the hearts of the various division masters.

They began to ask for his opinion.

Well.

That was a good start.

Even Shera had gradually started to let go after the previous incident.

His old thorns had dulled.

Leon noticed it.

And remembered.

Power could make others fear you.

But only character made them trust you.

Leon finally spoke.

His voice was calm.

Almost casual.

Yet every ear sharpened.

"Senior Brother, you can decide. I have no objections."

He paused.

Purple eyes gleamed faintly.

"That Inferno Swift Bird seemed to be quite fated with my Amethyst Summit Division."

A trace of amusement entered his tone.

"Hmm... Perhaps it’s fate. Since it’s here, I’ll personally go and meet it since my Teacher didn’t fulfill his wish back then."

Silence.

Then a subtle chill.

Not fear.

Awe.

Everyone’s hearts trembled and their eyes were filled with admiration upon hearing Leon’s words.

He had spoken of meeting an ancient calamity...

As though speaking of visiting an old acquaintance.

No boasting.

No dramatics.

Just certainty.

And somehow that certainty was more terrifying than bravado.

Everyone knew how powerful the Inferno Swift Bird was.

Yet their youngest junior brother did not seem simple at all.

From beginning to end, none of them had truly seen his true strength.

Nor did they know his limit.

Even Mike himself did not have confidence in defeating Leon.

And Leon knew it.

Though he said nothing.

Inside, another thought moved.

If the Inferno Swift Bird was tied to the Black Rift disturbances...

Then perhaps the old turtle, the hidden tomb, the crack in the wasteland—

all threads were drawing together.

His blood stirred.

Danger had a scent.

And he could almost smell it.

His words could be said to have stabilized the morale of the army.

Mike suddenly laughed.

A real laugh.

Old and bright.

"Haha, alright... I was waiting for you to say that."

Then his tone sharpened.

Command replaced sentiment.

"Same old rules. You guys act separately and investigate the whereabouts of the Inferno Swift Bird.

"Remember, the Inferno Swift Bird is powerful. Unless there was no other choice, you should not rashly advance and must send out a signal immediately.

"We aren’t the only ones besieging the Inferno Swift Bird this time. There were also experts from the other famous Powerful Sects. They would rush over when they saw the signal.

"At that time, everyone will attack together and suppress it. The chances of success will be higher."

The room carried the feel of war council now.

Not discussion.

Preparation.

Routes.

Signals.

Lives entrusted.

Yaman grinned fiercely.

"Then let the bird see whether the old world still belongs to beasts."

Maya added softly, though her eyes were cold,

"And let those villages be avenged."

Shera folded his arms.

"This time... I’d like to see what a true ancient terror looks like."

Leon only gave a faint smile.

Almost wolfish.

His thoughts drifted toward his students.

Selena in secluded cultivation.

Rias stubbornly trying to close the gap.

For a brief second, a strange thought surfaced.

Women truly did see farther in some matters of heart.

More delicate.

More perceptive.

Perhaps softer to the eye—

yet often stronger where it mattered.

He said nothing of it.

Only tucked the thought away.

Everyone responded in unison.

"Understood."

Their voices shook the hall.

Like banners snapping before battle.

Mike nodded.

Satisfied.

Resolved.

Then at last he gave the final order.

"Alright, go back and prepare."