Grand Return System-Chapter 36: Ruins Beneath a Grey Sky

Ruins Beneath a Grey Sky

Leon faintly smiled and said, "Let’s go..."

His voice was calm, almost gentle — as though they were heading toward a stroll rather than a battlefield.

This time, the Seven Division had dispatched a large number of students, each led personally by their Division Masters. Sword lights streaked across the sky like shooting stars tearing through dawn.

As for Amethyst Summit Division—

Only two figures rose from its peak.

Yet somehow, it did not feel small.

The entire Amethyst Summit Division was mobilized. Though there were only two of them, the word all still carried weight. It was complete. It was enough.

Across the Eastern territories, Powerful Sects and immortal Acedmies had all mobilized to eliminate the vicious beasts. The gathering felt less like a rescue and more like an impending collision of forces — pride, ambition, power, and blood all converging upon the same battlefield.

Leon casually drew a sword and said softly, "Let’s go..."

He did not summon the First Mist Immortal Sword.

That blade was far too domineering. Too radiant. Too arrogant.

It did not suit the low profile he preferred to maintain.

Beside him, Selena responded in kind. She summoned the Amethyst Mist Sword, the blade glimmering faintly in her grasp.

Over the past few days, Leon had also taught her the Imperial Sword Technique. Her comprehension was astonishingly high; she had mastered it with fluid grace in a fraction of the time it once took him.

Unlike Leon, who had struggled for nearly a year before fully grasping its rhythm.

He glanced at her briefly.

Talented... and hardworking.

Ten minutes later, they descended upon the Hundred Mile Wasteland.

The moment their feet touched the ground, the air changed.

Smoke lingered thick and bitter. The scent of charred wood mixed with the metallic tang of blood. Once-vibrant homes were now reduced to collapsed beams and blackened rubble. The earth itself seemed scorched in grief.

This had once been a bustling town.

Now it was silence.

Broken only by the crackle of dying embers.

Corpses lay scattered among the ruins — twisted forms, unmoving. Some half-buried under debris. Others exposed beneath the merciless sky.

Selena’s steps slowed.

Her fingers tightened around her sword.

Her stomach churned.

She swallowed hard.

"Teacher..."

Her voice wavered.

She forced herself not to look away, but when her gaze fell upon a child’s small body beneath shattered timber, she felt bile rise to her throat.

Leon’s expression hardened.

"From the looks of it," he murmured thoughtfully, "the impact of this vicious beast riot is indeed massive. A small town destroyed so completely..."

His eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.

"Is someone orchestrating this... or is there another cause?"

The Eastern lands were human territory — governed by Powerful Sects and great empires like the Drake Empire. For something like this to happen unchecked...

It was unsettling.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Footsteps echoed from behind them.

Selena turned sharply.

A group of men walked casually over the ruins as if touring a garden.

At their head stood a man in green robes — black hair, sharp green eyes, arrogance etched plainly across his face.

He surveyed the devastation with exaggerated pity.

"Tsk tsk... how tragic! How tragic indeed," he drawled. "They’re all dead. Sigh... what a pity. This beautiful little beauty didn’t receive my blessing and ended up dying at the feet of ferocious beasts."

He reached a female corpse and, with a stick, casually nudged at the torn fabric of her clothing — grinning as if amused by his own theatrics.

Selena’s grip on her sword tightened.

Disgust surged through her veins.

"Young Master," one of the henchmen behind him suddenly pointed toward Selena. "Look... isn’t there another beauty there?"

The man in green lifted his head.

The moment his gaze fell upon Selena — white robes fluttering softly against the grey sky, silver hair shimmering against ash-darkened ruins — his expression shifted.

Interest.

Raw and undisguised.

He stepped forward leisurely.

"As a direct descendant of the Taylor family," he mused to himself, "I’ve seen countless beauties. But one like this..."

He stopped a few steps away. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Hmm, interesting. I didn’t expect to encounter such a peerless beauty in this tiny wasteland town. Seems my luck with women hasn’t abandoned me."

He gave a slight bow — mockingly refined.

"Fairy, I am Harry Taylor of Ashford City’s Taylor family. May I know your name? Would you be interested in getting to know me?"

Selena’s eyes turned icy.

"Get lost."

The words were sharp as frost.

Harry blinked — then smiled wider.

Behind him, one of the henchmen bristled.

"Wild girl! Do you know who you’re speaking to? How dare you address my Young Master like that? Are you courting death?"

The man moved as if to step forward.

Harry raised a hand lazily.

"Don’t."

His gaze never left Selena.

"It would be unfortunate if you hurt the fairy."

The henchman immediately retreated.

"Hehe... Young Master is right. My mistake."

They had completely ignored Leon.

As if he were invisible.

As if Selena were already theirs.

Selena’s chest rose and fell steadily.

She had witnessed Harry’s earlier actions.

In her mind, men of status were supposed to resemble her Teacher — reserved, composed, righteous.

This man...

Was nothing more than a beast in human skin.

She felt anger burn within her — but when she heard Taylor family of Ashford City, she hesitated.

A powerful household.

If she acted rashly...

Would it bring trouble upon her Teacher?

Her nails bit into her palm as she restrained her killing intent.

Just then—

Leon turned slightly.

"Taylor family of Ashford City?"

His tone was mild.

Harry finally seemed to notice him.

His eyes flicked over Leon briefly.

Young. Unremarkable sword. No visible arrogance.

Probably not from any great household.

He relaxed again.

"Oh? You’ve heard of us?"

Leon tilted his head slightly and replied sincerely,

"Hmm... I don’t know."

Silence fell.

Harry’s smile froze.

For a brief second, his green eyes darkened.

Was this man ignorant—

Or mocking him?

His expression shifted, pride wounded.

"Are you provoking me," he said slowly, "or provoking my Taylor family?"