Chapter 42: Beyond Everyone’s Expectations

This deep connection made it difficult for Aveline to dismiss the feeling in her heart that Veyron would succeed, even when reason told her otherwise.

And so, she had decided to attend the selection herself, hoping to witness her beloved baby’s arrival with her own eyes.

Everyone was waiting for Veyron to arrive, and as time continued to pass, the anticipation gradually turned into disappointment.

Only one minute remained before the deadline, yet Veyron was nowhere to be seen. Elder Leo glanced toward the entrance one last time before preparing to make the announcement.

"Looks like our time is ov—"

"WAIT!"

A domineering voice suddenly rang out, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Whoosh!

All eyes immediately turned toward the entrance of the Azure Battle Grounds, where a familiar figure had finally appeared.

It was Veyron Ignis.

However, the young man standing at the entrance looked somewhat different from the one they remembered.

His appearance hadn’t changed drastically, but there was something unmistakably different about him—his imposing aura, which carried a confidence and presence that he hadn’t possessed before.

He wore a flowing black robe with deep crimson inner layers and intricate dark red patterns woven across its sleeves and fabric.

The robe’s loose, layered design draped elegantly over his muscular frame, while its wide sleeves and flowing hem gave him a graceful yet imposing appearance.

The subtle crimson accents against the black fabric lent him a mysterious, almost devilish charm that perfectly complemented his striking crimson eyes.

Almost every female disciple present was left awestruck by his appearance. The sheer masculine charm radiating from him was enough to make countless hearts skip a beat, and many couldn’t help staring at the handsome young man who had just made such a dramatic entrance.

His long, jet-black hair fell loosely down his back, slightly tousled, with unruly strands framing his face and falling across his forehead.

The upper portion was loosely tied at the back with a dark crimson ribbon, while the remaining locks flowed freely over his shoulders, giving him a wild yet effortlessly elegant appearance.

A faint smile rested on his lips as he calmly surveyed the enormous arena. After all, he knew perfectly well that he had become the center of attention.

Seeing so many people staring at him, Veyron couldn’t help feeling satisfied. He had arrived at the very last moment, yet he made it in time.

Meanwhile, the male disciples couldn’t help feeling a tinge of jealousy as they watched his confident entrance.

His striking appearance alone was enough to make them feel inferior, and the admiration he received from the female disciples only made matters worse.

However, his appearance wasn’t the most shocking thing about him. It was his aura.

Veyron wasn’t concealing his cultivation, allowing everyone present to clearly sense his current realm.

Rank Two of the Spirit Adept Realm!

The moment they recognized his cultivation, countless jaws dropped throughout the Azure Battle Grounds.

"What?!"

"Spirit Adept Realm?!"

"How is that possible?!"

The arena erupted into an uproar as the disciples stared at Veyron in disbelief.

The very person they had assumed would miss the selection had not only arrived before the deadline but had also achieved the breakthrough everyone thought was nearly impossible.

And he hadn’t stopped at the first rank of the Spirit Adept Realm.

He had reached the second rank!

For a moment, the entire Azure Battle Grounds seemed to fall silent beneath the weight of their shock. Then, a wave of astonished exclamations swept through the crowd.

Veyron Ignis had returned, and he had just turned everyone’s expectations upside down.

Veyron disregarded the countless gazes fixed upon him as he walked toward the center of the Azure Battle Grounds.

Once there, he raised his head and looked toward the highest elevated seats, where his beloved aunt, Grand Elder Aveline, and Grand Elder Eleanor were seated.

The moment his eyes met Aveline’s, he revealed his most charming smile.

It was a smile filled with everything he wanted to convey to her—his love, his apology for making her miss him so desperately, his regret for causing her so much anxiety and worry, and, above all, how much he loved her.

Aveline’s face showed no surprise at his sudden appearance. Instead, her beautiful eyes were filled with overflowing affection for her beloved baby, who had kept his word and returned just as he had promised.

As she looked at his smile, she understood the feelings he was trying to convey without him needing to say a single word.

"I’m sorry for making you so anxious, my beautiful, lovely aunt. I love you so much." Aveline’s eyes widened slightly as she heard his voice directly in her mind.

She was shocked. Mind transmission? How has my Vey learned mind transmission already? He’s only just broken through to the Spirit Adept Realm!

She had never expected him to master such an ability so quickly. However, before she could dwell on the matter any further, Veyron’s smiling face appeared in her mind once again.

"It’s alright. I’ll tell you everything later."

Hearing his reassuring words, Aveline gradually calmed down. The worry that had weighed heavily upon her heart finally began to fade, and the elegant, charming smile she was known for returned to her face.

Beside her, Eleanor was equally surprised.

She had been almost completely convinced that the boy would fail. After all, advancing from the fourth rank of the Spirit Initiate Realm to the Spirit Adept Realm within three months was an almost impossible feat, especially for someone who had only recently repaired his Spirit Veins.

Yet somehow, Veyron had accomplished what everyone had thought impossible.

She didn’t know how he had managed it, but one thing was certain: he had proven nearly everyone wrong, demonstrating that his words were never to be taken lightly.

And that was precisely what a truly domineering man did.

Ding!

[ Eleanor’s Bonding has increased by 15%! ]

[ Eleanor’s Current Bonding: 25% ]

Veyron glanced at the notification that appeared before his eyes before looking back at Grand Elder Eleanor. A faint smile crept onto his lips as he understood exactly what had caused her Bonding to increase.

He knew very well what kind of man Grand Elder Eleanor respected. Strength, confidence, and the ability to accomplish what others deemed impossible were qualities she admired.

And by achieving his goal despite the overwhelming odds, he had demonstrated precisely those qualities before her. If he continued showing her that side of himself, it wouldn’t be long before he won the cold and formidable Grand Elder’s heart as well.

Veyron then turned his head toward another section of the audience, where he spotted his beloved senior sister staring at him with a stunned expression.

Xialyn was still struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. Her Little Vey had not only appeared at the very last moment but had also successfully broken through to the Spirit Adept Realm, completely shattering her expectations.

For a moment, she could only stare at him in disbelief, wondering whether the handsome young man standing in the middle of the Azure Battle Grounds was truly her beloved junior brother.

Just then, their gazes met. A familiar voice suddenly echoed inside her mind.

"I’m sorry for making you worry so much, my lovely senior sister."

Xialyn’s beautiful purple eyes widened in surprise. She recognized Veyron’s voice immediately, but the fact that he could communicate with her through mind transmission left her momentarily speechless.

**

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