Chapter 488: The Fallen Academy and the Silent Girl

The Fallen Academy and the Silent Girl

Guardian Elder Smith studied him for a moment.

Then he slowly nodded.

There was satisfaction in his eyes.

"Good."

His voice softened.

"You still remember your roots."

Mike smiled faintly from the side.

"That is exactly why I have always trusted him."

Leon looked at Mike.

Mike continued.

"Power can change a person. But if the heart remains unchanged, then power becomes something worth having."

Leon was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"I understand."

Guardian Elder Smith looked between the two of them.

A peaceful atmosphere briefly settled over the group.

The battlefield was still ruined.

The Sky Breaker Academy had already fallen.

Yet amid all that destruction, the elders of the Celestis Academy were discussing the future as though they could already see the road ahead.

After a short while, Guardian Elder Smith turned around.

His expression became serious again.

He looked toward Mike.

"Alright, Mike, this matter is over."

He paused.

"Sky Breaker Academy has also been destroyed. If there’s nothing else, I’ll bring these elders back first."

Mike nodded.

There was no reason to remain here any longer.

The battle had already been decided.

The remaining matters could be handled later.

Mike looked toward the surrounding elders.

"Everyone, return to the Celestis Academy."

The elders nodded.

Some looked exhausted.

Others were still visibly shaken by everything that had happened.

But none of them questioned the order.

Guardian Elder Smith glanced toward Leon one final time.

His eyes contained a faint smile.

The young man before him was no longer merely a promising student.

He was already someone capable of carrying an entire Powerful Sect on his shoulders.

Perhaps the old generation could finally begin stepping back.

Perhaps it was time for the younger generation to take the stage.

Leon returned the old man’s gaze respectfully.

"Guardian Elder, take care."

Soon, Guardian Elder Smith brought the group of elders back to the Celestis Academy.

---------------------------

On this side, the battle at the Sky Breaker Academy had also ended.

The entire Powerful Sect was annihilated.

The once-majestic Academy Premises had fallen completely silent.

Buildings that had stood for countless years had collapsed into ruins. Broken stone pillars lay scattered across the ground, while cracks spread through the ancient paths like dried rivers. Smoke still drifted lazily through the air, carrying the faint smell of dust and blood.

The battle was over.

But the aftermath had only just begun.

Many disciples of the Celestis Academy rushed into the land of inheritance.

Their figures flashed through the ruins as they searched through ancient halls, secret chambers, and collapsed treasure vaults.

Soon, the sounds of excitement began to echo through the battlefield.

"Over here! I found a treasure!"

"There’s a storage ring!"

"Quick, look at this!"

"Careful! There might still be formations!"

The disciples who had fought desperately only moments ago were now scrambling through the ruins.

The atmosphere gradually became livelier.

They had entered the stage of dividing the spoils.

After all, no matter what, the Sky Breaker Academy had been an ancient orthodoxy that had been passed down for generations.

It had accumulated an enormous amount of wealth.

There was no way such an ancient Powerful Sect could lack treasures.

Ancient weapons.

Cultivation Scriptures.

Mana crystals.

Rare herbs.

Treasures left behind by previous generations.

Everything was gathered and divided among the surviving disciples.

Some disciples emerged from the ruins with bright smiles.

Others could barely contain their excitement.

It seemed that everyone had suddenly become rich.

Leon, however, wasn’t very interested in those things.

He stood quietly outside the ruined inheritance grounds.

His long, shoulder-length black hair moved gently in the breeze.

His midnight-black robes fluttered around his body, the thin amethyst embroidery catching the afternoon sunlight.

He had seen too many treasures during his journey.

Compared with the things hidden inside the Grand Return System, these treasures were not particularly attractive to him.

His attention was elsewhere.

A short distance away, Selena slowly walked toward him.

Her steps were quiet.

Too quiet.

Her long white-silver hair flowed behind her like moonlight.

Her blue eyes were still red around the edges.

The fitted snow-white robe around her body was stained with dust from the battle, and the pale blue sash around her waist had loosened slightly.

She had gotten her revenge.

Gareth was dead.

The enemy who had destroyed her household had finally paid the price.

Yet Selena did not look happy.

She looked almost lost.

Her eyes remained distant.

As though a part of her had been left behind in the past.

Leon immediately noticed.

His expression softened.

He had known this would happen.

Revenge could end hatred.

But it could not bring the dead back.

Gareth was indeed dead.

But Selena’s innocent parents could not be revived.

So what if she had gotten her revenge?

The people she had wanted to protect were still gone.

Leon watched her approach.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

Then Selena stopped in front of him.

She looked at him.

Her lips moved slightly.

But no words came out.

Leon could see the moisture gathering in her blue eyes.

"Selena..."

She lowered her head.

"I thought..."

Her voice trembled.

"I thought that after he died, I would feel relieved."

Leon remained silent.

Selena clenched her fingers.

"But I don’t."

Her voice became quieter.

"I should be happy, shouldn’t I?"

She gave a small, broken smile.

"I finally avenged them."

Leon shook his head.

"You don’t have to force yourself to feel anything."

Selena looked up.

Her eyes met his.

Leon continued gently.

"Revenge doesn’t erase grief."

Those words struck something inside her.

Her eyes trembled.

She quickly turned her face away.

But one tear still escaped from the corner of her eye.

Leon sighed softly.

He raised his hand and gently wiped it away.

"Alright, you still have to let go in the end."

His voice was calm.

"The Immortal Dao is vast and boundless. Your path in the future is still very long."