As Ria lay dying in the cave, the memories of her past spilled out like blood.
"My parents... they didn't even look back as they started walking away," Ria whispered.
"No! Please, don't go!" the young Ria and James had screamed. But James, already showing the steel in his blood showing image of elder brother, had grabbed his sister's hand. "Sister, let them go. we have to run. We have to hide and find the ruins."
Ria looked at Ryan with hollow eyes. "James was two years older than me. He had already started cultivating and was at the Stone Middle Stage, so he pulled me along easily and we fled our home. For an entire year, we were on the run, hiding from town to town while hearing rumors of our family vanishing into thin air."
Eventually, using the coordinates their parents had provided, they reached the ruins. Despite the ancient restrictions, they entered safely.
"It was an underground basement filled with abundant treasures and books," Ria continued. "I had to wait eight months before I could even begin cultivating, but my brother... he cultivated like a madman. He became my pillar of strength, heading out for news and food while I stayed hidden. There were Three Essence Crystals there. According to the books, he couldn't purify his bloodline yet; he had to consume one at each peak—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—before evolving to make his bloodline purer than a direct descendant's."
At that time, James was only at the Stone Peak Stage, so the crystals remained in the ruins. But then, tragedy struck.
"My brother fell in love with some girl on the outside," Ria sobbed, the memory breaking her voice. "After a life-and-death adventure, he shared our secret with her. But that bitch... she betrayed him. He was encircled and killed. His last act was to message me through a communication stone, telling me to run."
Ria's grip on Ryan's hand tightened. "I hadn't started cultivating, so I couldn't take the essence crystals. They were useless to me then, so I left them behind. Only I know where those ruins are located. That is my story, Ryan. Before I die, I want to ask... will you continue our legacy? Marry me here, take the Ragnor name, and I will tell you everything—the location and the method to refine the essence during evolution."
Ryan looked down at her, his face a mask of concern. "I'm not even confident we can survive the journey out of here. I won't leave you." Secretly, however, he was already messaging David to make his entrance.
Ria smiled weakly. "I don't even need the marriage vows... I know I can trust you." She whispered the location and the secret methods to his ear.
"Don't lose hope," Ryan whispered back. "I have one last trump card. If I burn my cultivation and my mana, I can unleash a Silver-stage attack. You just run."
Ria's eyes grew moist. She pulled Ryan closer until their lips touched. To Ryan's surprise, the kiss felt unexpectedly nice. When they separated, Ria whispered, "We will die together."
Suddenly, a massive commotion erupted outside. David burst into the cave, his clothes stained with monster blood. He gave Ryan a knowing look—this wasn't the first time they had performed such a show.
"Thank God, sir! You're safe!" David cried. "I came as soon as I knew you were in danger!"
"We're saved!" Ria cried, collapsing in relief.
Ryan watched her, contemplating whether to kill her now or wait. He decided to play the long game. Two days later, after Ria received treatment at a hospital, they were staying at an inn. They shared a room, though Ryan made sure nothing happened—they were still under eighteen, after all.
"Ryan, there is one more thing," Ria said, showing him a necklace. "You need this token to enter the ruins. It bears the Ragnor insignia."
I knew this bitch was hiding something, Ryan thought, his eyes narrowing for a split second before he smiled warmly at her. "We will go together, my darling."
Later that night, Ryan met David in private. "Kill her. And remember to take the token."
are you sure sir, don't you wanna have taste of that beauty first,says david
ryan was looking weirdly at david , wtf do i look like beast to you mf,says ryan
just GO!!
"Yes, sir," David replied.
Ryan sighs to calm his mood and stood by the window, staring into the night. If I want to stand at the pinnacle, I need to immerse myself in a conspiracy involving the big players. This is my best chance. I will become Ryan Ragnor. In every cliché story, there's a helping hand pushing the protagonist to the peak. This girl had the protagonist template... and now, I've taken it.
He knew the Ragnors must have arranged helpers in this realm and the ones above. His aura suddenly shifted, becoming as cold as an icy abyss. I will play the pawn, and I will be the mastermind.
Back to the Present
Ryan remembered how Ria had lied, claiming the ruins were easily scouted in the western jungle. They had searched for a month until the token in his hand suddenly grew searingly hot.
"Stop!" Ryan commanded.
They looked around until they spotted it—a miniature version of the Ragnor insignia carved into a boulder. if not observed carefully it will be overlooked ,They entered the basement finding that while the siblings had consumed many resources, the Three Essence Crystals remained and books also were in abundant.
"David, guard the door. I'm evolving here."
ryan seats in mat and clase his eyes to calm his mood and enters the peak state radiating peak icy aura "let the world feel some cold" thinks ryan and he starts the absorbing teachnique told by that bitch ria.
The process was grueling. As Ryan absorbed the first crystal, he screamed in agony. Changing the bloodline... the pain is unbelievable. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain conscious.
Wind howled in the basement like world was trying to stop the birth of monster...
By morning, the evolution was complete. A Silver Early-Stage aura exploded through the ruins.
"Woah," David gasped. "Sir, that's amazing."
Now back to the Arena
"Ryan Ragnor is my name," Ryan said, his voice echoing toward Alex.
Alex's eyes sharpened. "I thought it wouldn't be that simple... but don't expect sympathy. I'm still going to beat you."
"Cut the bullshit," Ryan replied. "Let's see it."
On the VIP stage, Principal Malvik watched with a deep, pensive gaze. Ragnor, huh? Let's see if he has the capability to shoulder that responsibility. This will be interesting.