"Thank you for your hard work,"
the gray-haired man said once again, expressing his gratitude to the white-haired man.
"No need,"
the white-haired man's smile gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"The fate of the southern magic beasts is in your hands now. You mustn't get injured again."
After saying this, he stood up and patted the gray-haired man on the shoulder.
Though the gesture was light, its significance was heavy. The white-haired man sighed softly.
"My cave must have gone uncleaned for a long time; I'd better go back and tidy up."
He walked away step by step, slowly disappearing from sight, leaving the gray-haired man sitting alone.
The gray-haired man watched the white-haired man's retreating figure with a calm and collected expression.
Once the white-haired man was completely out of sight, he slowly sat cross-legged and carefully placed the Sickly Beauty of the Abyss flower in his palm.
This legendary flower, said to bloom only once every ten thousand years, seemed to emanate a faint chill.
As the gray-haired man clasped his hands around it, a cold sensation spread throughout his entire body.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to slowly guide the energy within the flower.
With each breath, he attuned himself to the flower, resonating with its mysterious power.
The intense cold seeped into his blood, bones, and even his soul, gradually but relentlessly invading his body.
Yet the gray-haired man remained unflinching, as steady as a mountain.
He had endured far too many hardships; the current pain was insignificant compared to his ultimate goal.
After an entire night of absorption, the power of the Sickly Beauty of the Abyss fully merged with his own, healing his old wounds and leaving him feeling lighter than ever, as if he had returned to his prime.
Slowly, he opened his gray eyes, now gleaming with an unmistakable coldness and confidence.
He raised his hand slightly, feeling the flow of newfound power within him.
The old injuries that had once tormented him were now completely gone.
"At last..."
The gray-haired man murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He exhaled deeply, as if releasing all the pain and suppression of the past.
He stood up, feeling the surging power within him, as if he could move mountains and rivers with ease.
"This is the power I deserve."
He muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
At that moment, all the magic beasts within the Celestoria Mountain Range seemed to sense an unseen call.
They stopped in their tracks and turned their gaze toward the depths of the mountains.
A tremendous force swept out from within, enveloping the entire range.
It was cold, fierce, and seemingly invincible, striking a deep sense of oppression into the hearts of all the magic beasts.
Their lord had finally returned.
One by one, the magic beasts lowered their heads and knelt, bowing toward the depths of the mountains.
At the foot of the Celestoria Mountain Range, Father Raphael suddenly opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.
He had sensed something unusual and immediately stood from his chair, quickly stepping outside his tent.
Looking toward the depths of the mountain range, his sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
Just now, he had felt an incredibly powerful force, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the quiet sky.
But strangely, that force had appeared for only a brief moment before disappearing without a trace.
"The depths of the Celestoria Mountain Range… was it an illusion?"
He muttered to himself, his brows furrowing deeper.
The energy Raphael had sensed was fleeting but undeniable.
Meanwhile, the white-haired man's eye snapped open, and a flash of ecstatic joy passed through them.
He jumped up from his stone bed in the cave, an excited smile spreading across his face.
"Haha, the heavens haven't forsaken us!"
He laughed out loud, his voice echoing in the dark cave.
He had waited too long for this moment.
For this instant, he had sacrificed everything, even risking his life.
"Finally... finally, it's here!"
He murmured softly, his eyes ablaze with fiery anticipation.
In their respective caves, the Fat Man and the Bald Man had also been startled awake by the surge of powerful energy, their hearts pounding with indescribable excitement.
They weren't the only ones.
Many people throughout the Celestoria Mountain Range had sensed this mighty presence.
In various caves, long-dormant individuals began to awaken, each with a different expression.
Some laughed manically, seeing hope for the first time.
Others broke into tears, their long-suppressed emotions finally erupting.
Among them were those who had sacrificed everything for this day, their bodies and souls nearing exhaustion.
Shadows moved swiftly through the mountains, all heading toward one direction—toward the gray-haired man.
The wind in the valley stirred up dust and dead leaves, but nothing could slow their steps.
Each person clutched carefully prepared gifts—precious offerings and treasures symbolizing years of waiting.
Their faces were a mix of jubilation and reverence.
They knew that today, their destinies would change forever.
"We can't be late! We must not miss this!"
A middle-aged man, his eyes full of longing, spoke breathlessly as he ran.
"This moment... it's finally here!"
A gaunt woman murmured, tears welling in her eyes, unable to suppress her emotions any longer.
All of them headed toward the same place, fearing they might miss the long-awaited moment by even a second.
A large crowd had already gathered.
Each face was filled with fervor.
They had waited too long, and now every person was eager to witness the return of their lord.
"He's finally returned, our Lord."
Someone murmured softly in the crowd, and those words ignited the passion in everyone's hearts.
The gray-haired man stood on a high platform overlooking the gathered masses below.
One by one, they knelt, presenting the gifts they had long prepared—rare treasures and offerings piled high, each symbolizing their undying loyalty and anticipation.
"Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!"
The crowd chanted in unison, their voices shaking the mountains and valleys.
The gray-haired man raised his hand slightly, basking in the cheers and reverence.
He looked out over the scene, having waited far too long for this day.
All the waiting, all the sacrifices, had culminated in this moment.
With a wave of his hand, he signaled for silence.
The bustling valley instantly grew quiet, with only the wind howling in their ears.
Every gaze was fixed on him, waiting for his next words.
"From this day forward, this mountain range shall once again be under my control."
The gray-haired man's voice was not loud, but it resonated like thunder in their hearts.
"Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in fervent cheers once more.