Chapter 1440 Second Reward. "Oh? You are back already? That was fast. Well, I guess that should be expected from her student." Nux froze as he heard an extremely familiar voice, a voice that induced a feeling of fear and longing in him at the same time. "Hmm? What is it? Do you not feel well? Or is it because of your new blood?" Vyriana frowned as she noticed Nux's odd action, soon however, a knowing smile appeared on her face and, "It is quite an addictive feeling, isn't it? Mana entering your body without you having to do anything. With this, reaching the Divine Stage is only a matter of time. You can now sleep for the next 7 to 8 thousand years and boom, you will wake up as a Divine. If you are willing to settle as an average Divine Stage Cultivator that is." "…Lady Vyriana." Nux called out. "You know me?" Vyriana narrowed her eyes. She didn't think this boy would recognize her, it was their first time meeting each other… Right…? Yes, the Dragon was sure. She would never forget if she met a monstrous genius like him. Not to mention that the child was only 40-something years old, for the past 40 years, she was in a place where she couldn't have met him even if she wanted to. "I have done my research. I can't possibly not know who the strongest Divine Stage Cultivator is." Nux replied and Vyriana nodded in realization. Right… she had that title… She didn't really car- "You need to at least know your target if you wish to surpass her, no?" The instant those words reached Vyriana's ears, something changed. Nux, who was already expecting that change smiled widely and seeing the boy smile at her, "Heh." A very familiar smile appeared on Vyriana's face. "Your dreams are quite big, boy." "I would have agreed with your words if it was before but… The Cultivators here didn't exactly manage to impress me." "Are you comparing me to the Cultivators you fought in that little tournament of yours?" "Is that not a correct comparison? They were called the best Emperors throughout the Ancestral Order, aren't you the same? The strongest Divine Stage Cultivator in the Ancestral Order. Or are you saying the truly strong Emperors didn't bother appearing because being my Master's disciple was something insignificant for their great selves?" Nux questioned with a playful smile on his face. He knew exactly what his provocations would entail but… He missed teasing Vyriana like this. How could he miss it now that he had the opportunity? Even if the woman wasn't real, her attitude was very much the same and it was very tease-worthy. "You are truly comparing me with children huh…" "Weren't you once a child as well? They would be the ones to grow up and replace you one day, no?" "Going with that logic, you must think that your master is easily replaceable as well, no? You must feel that she isn't anyone special and you will one day surpass her as well, isn't that right?" Hearing that question, Nux narrowed his eyes. He didn't think Vyriana would ask something like that. She was the sort of woman who dealt with these problems with her fists. Honestly, he was fully prepared to get punched in his guts because of how he acted but seeing her acting like that, Nux couldn't help but shake his head. "Well, I plan on surpassing her as well. Not that this means I am looking down on her, I simply believe that as a disciple, surpassing my master is the least I should aim for." "Heh." Vyriana laughed. "You are making me more and more curious about you, boy." She spoke up. "I guess that's a good thing?" "I doubt many would say those words." "It is not like I care about what others would say." "…" Vyriana turned silent. She observed the boy in front of her for a while, then, she started thinking to herself. "How long would Aeliana be angry at me if I stole her disciple?" Nux felt goosebumps all over his body when he heard those words, then suddenly, Vyriana glanced at him and, "Boy, Aeliana sent me here to ask whether you need some personal training. She is quite busy with her work, but since I just returned, I have some free time on my hands so she sent me here. How about it? Do you want me to train you? You can also use this chance to take a better look at your 'target'. What do you think?" Vyriana questioned and Nux, who looked into the Dragon's hopeful eyes, smiled inwardly and then, "I refuse." Vyriana frowned, but before she could say anything, "I have my own goals to achieve, I do not require any training, the resources Master provides me are more than enough." Saying those words, Nux took out an Artifact and, "Since you said Master is busy, I will be returning to Waranal and continuing my training." "Wai-" Before the Dragon could stop him, Nux disappeared. Vyriana wanted to follow him, but suddenly, she sensed something and took out an orb that was shining intensely. '…' A deadpan look appeared on her face. 'What is with her timing?' She couldn't believe Aeliana was calling her at this moment. And this time, she didn't have the option to not pick up her call like she usually did. [Vyriana.] Aeliana called out. [Don't change the topic and answer my question. Where is he? Why is he not here? Where are you?] Unwillingly, she picked up the call and, [I received the reports, he should be out, why have you not brought him here yet?] Aeliana's voice was heard from the orb. "Quite a rude brat you have there," Vyriana replied in a dissatisfied tone. [Vyriana.] Aeliana called out. [Don't change the topic and answer my question. Where is he? Why is he not here? Where are you?] Knowing that there was no escape, Vyriana could only be honest as she told the entire story and after she did, a huge silence fell all over the place. [So… not only did you lie to him about me being busy and not being able to train me, but you also made my disciple return to Waranal without meeting me? Is this how you repay me when I let you meet him on the grounds of our friendship?] "I didn't send him away, that brat ran away before I could stop away! He is too impatient and that is not a good trait!" [You are still too young to hide things from me, Vyriana. I have known you since you were a little child, don't think I don't know you were trying to steal him. You ever wondered how long I would stay angry at you if you did it, didn't you?] Aeliana questioned and suddenly, Vyriana tried looking around with a frown on her face, wondering if the darn bloodsucker had ordered someone to spy on her. [Stop looking around, there is no one. I just know you that well, Vyriana.] "…" Vyriana didn't know how to react. [Come back.] Suddenly, she heard Aeliana's voice. "Aeliana…" Vyriana wanted to say something, but seeing that the woman had cut off the connection, Vyriana knew she was in trouble. … While the Vampire and Dragon were busy with their own game, Nux continued his training. The goal didn't change, he continued to Master Zenith Flow, breaking through the Sage stage wasn't the priority right now. Time passed quickly, years after years went by and soon, 25 more Waranal years passed by. It was time for another tournament. "You are back." Nux returned to Aeliana's office and was greeted with a smile. "Are you ready for the tournament?" Aeliana questioned with a playful smile on her face. "Is that even a question?" Nux chuckled. "Heh." The Vampire just laughed. Then, she grabbed Nux and took him to the Tournament Arena, it was the day of the finales where the finalists would be fighting each other, who knew? Nux might crash the tournament and end it early today as well. "Hmm, the difference isn't that big…" Nux, who noticed that 6 out of the previous 8 finalists were the same, didn't seem very interested. Aeliana, who was observing the two new Emperors had a similar reaction, "The new ones aren't much different." She commented. "Should I end it today?" Nux questioned and Aeliana just shrugged. "Do as you please, it makes no difference." Since he got the green flag, Nux's smile widened as he then jumped into the middle of the arena, in an instant, the entire arena lit up. Once again, the tournament turned into an 8v1 battle and ended in Nux's victory. This time, however, the people took it better than before. Heck, even the Emperors seemed like they already knew the result of the battle. Seeing that, Nux didn't say anything and returned to Aeliana. "Should we leave?" Aeliana questioned. "What about my reward?" Nux was greedy. "What reward?" "I won, didn't I?" "You think I would give you a reward every year?" "You will not…?" "I will reward you if you win for 10 consecutive years." Aeliana offered and, "Consider it done." Nux replied. 10 Yrniel years later, Nux sat in front of Aeliana and, "I can get my reward now, can I not?" "What do you want?" Aeliana questioned. She wasn't even surprised that this monster won. Despite him recently becoming a Sage, he still defeated the strongest Sages who challenged him. Honestly, Aeliana highly doubted if her people had what it took to defeat this monster, even her own people, despite trying their hardest, seemed to have lost all hope. No matter how she thought about it, the sight was quite depressing. Soon, the Vampire stopped thinking about it and focused on her disciple, "I want to take Vampire Trials." "What…?" Aeliana frowned in confusion.