Grand Return System

Chapter 245: A Sword Against Pride

A Sword Against Pride

"Hmm?" Shera frowned, but he quickly recovered and sneered.

"I was wondering who it was."

"So it’s the First Elder of the Prison Holy Sect, Respected Sirius."

"Why are you here?"

"Do you want to avenge your student like this useless elder of yours?"

The sky gradually calmed after the previous battle, but the air still carried remnants of violent sword intent. Cracks spread across the earth beneath them, and scattered rocks floated briefly before dropping back down.

Respected Sirius slowly descended from the sky.

He wore gray robes embroidered with dark golden patterns. His eyes swept across the battlefield once before landing on Ronan, who was still coughing blood on the ground.

His brows instantly tightened.

Disappointment.

Cold anger.

And embarrassment.

He had already learned what happened through spiritual perception before arriving.

The root of everything had started with his beloved student.

A spar.

A defeat.

That alone meant nothing.

Winning and losing were common on a cultivator’s path.

Only by tasting defeat could one discover flaws and sharpen oneself further.

Sirius understood that principle better than most.

But what truly made his expression darken was Ronan’s actions afterward.

Helping a junior vent anger was not uncommon among large factions.

Everyone knew such things happened.

But they happened in shadows.

Not in front of the entire world.

Not in front of countless witnesses.

Today...

The Prison Holy Sect had completely lost face.

His gaze turned toward Ronan.

Ronan lowered his head slightly.

He did not dare speak.

After a long silence—

"Hmph."

His sharp gaze shifted toward Shera.

For a few moments, he simply stared at him before speaking.

"Fine."

"We lost."

The admission sounded reluctant, as if every word tasted bitter in his mouth.

"But there’s something I still don’t understand."

His eyes narrowed.

"You publicly accused the Prison Holy Sect."

"You insulted our reputation in front of countless people."

"And now that the duel is over, you intend to pretend none of that happened?"

His voice grew colder.

"Shouldn’t you at least give us an explanation?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense again.

Many people thought the matter was finally over.

Apparently, Sirius wasn’t willing to let it end so easily.

Shera looked at him for a moment.

Then he laughed.

Not a nervous laugh.

Not an awkward laugh.

A genuine laugh, as if he had just heard something ridiculous.

"Hahaha..."

He shook his head.

"An explanation?"

His smile slowly widened.

"Sirius, tell me something."

"Why would I need to explain myself to you?"

The crowd immediately fell silent.

Shera took a step forward.

His expression remained relaxed, but his eyes had become noticeably sharper.

"Since when did Celestis Academy need permission to speak?"

"Since when did we need approval before saying what we believe is true?"

He spread his hands casually.

"We’ve always acted according to our own convictions."

"We don’t hide behind politics."

"We don’t bow our heads because someone has a famous name."

"We say what we want to say."

"We do what we believe is right."

His voice gradually turned colder.

"And we’ve never needed anyone’s approval."

"Not before."

"Not now."

"Not ever."

A heavy pressure filled the air.

Even some of the spectators subconsciously straightened their backs.

Shera’s gaze locked onto Sirius.

"As for the Prison Holy Sect..."

He chuckled.

"If your sect hadn’t done questionable things, people wouldn’t be questioning it in the first place."

"The truth is simple."

"If someone throws mud into a river, don’t blame others for noticing the water has become dirty."

The faces of several Prison Holy Sect members immediately darkened.

Sirius’s expression became even uglier.

"So you’re refusing to explain?"

Shera shrugged.

"Believe whatever you want."

Then his smile returned.

Bright.

Confident.

Provocative.

"If you’re dissatisfied..."

He slowly raised a finger and pointed toward himself.

"Then come."

The crowd froze.

Shera’s voice echoed across the battlefield.

"Any challenge."

"Any disciple."

"Any elder."

"Any genius."

"I’ll accept them all."

The entire audience exploded into whispers.

What arrogance.

No.

At this point, it was outright provocation.

Yet somehow, hearing it from Shera felt completely natural.

Then Shera suddenly turned his head.

His finger shifted.

This time, it pointed directly at Ronan.

A grin appeared on his face.

"Oh, right."

"Speaking of challenges..."

His words caused Ronan’s eyelid to twitch.

"Years ago, your generation challenged my senior brother."

Shera’s smile widened.

"And you lost."

The spectators instantly became excited.

Everyone knew that story.

It was one of the biggest humiliations the Prison Holy Sect had ever suffered.

Shera didn’t stop.

"Today, history repeated itself."

He pointed toward the defeated disciple lying in the distance.

"Your student lost to my junior brother’s student."

He paused deliberately.

Then he tilted his head.

A puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"Which makes me curious."

"Honestly..."

"What exactly are you so proud of?"

The battlefield went completely silent.

Nobody dared breathe.

Then— BOOM!

The entire crowd erupted.

"What the hell?!"

"Did he really just say that?!"

"He’s completely ruthless!"

"That’s not a slap to the face anymore!"

"That’s burying them alive!"

"Holy shit!"

Even many elders were staring at Shera in disbelief.

Harry Taylor nearly jumped.

"That’s too ruthless."

His eyes almost sparkled.

"I admit it."

"I spoke too loudly before."

"Big shot... protect me in the future."

Nearby, Amaya stared blankly.

Rias also widened her eyes.

Even Selena looked surprised.

None of them expected Shera to stand before outsiders like this.

For years they had only heard stories.

Cold.

Scheming.

Unpleasant.

Yet today...

He stood before them like a mountain.

Unmoving.

Unyielding.

Many Celestis Academy students unconsciously straightened their backs.

A strange warmth rose inside them.

"So this is our Guardian Elder..."

"He actually protected us."

"I suddenly feel proud to be part of Celestis Academy."

Sirius’s face darkened completely.

Shera’s words had struck directly into old wounds.

His fingers tightened.

Veins surfaced along his arm.

"Good."

"Very good."

"I’ll remember this day."

"Shera, I hope you don’t regret your arrogance."

"My Prison Holy Sect is not to be trifled with."

Shera burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"I really don’t know how to write regret."

Then he casually pointed his sword.

"Old Man Sirius."

"If you’re unconvinced, exchange a few moves with me."

"What ability is there in bullying juniors?"

"You’re old already."

"Do you not want face anymore?"

"What immortality are you cultivating?"

Sirius nearly coughed blood.

His chest rose violently.

"Damn it!"

Knowing he was already on the losing side, he finally turned around.

"Let’s go."

Ronan and Lavish immediately lowered their heads and followed.

No one dared speak.

No one dared stay.

The Prison Holy Sect had already lost enough face today.

Watching their retreating figures disappear into the distance, Shera snorted.

"Ridiculous."

As if brushing dust from his sleeves, he put away his sword casually.

The atmosphere finally relaxed.

The crisis had ended.

Selena looked toward Shera with a complicated expression.

Many emotions passed through her eyes.

Gratitude.

Confusion.

Respect.

She stepped forward slowly and bowed.

"Thank you for your help, Guardian Elder."

Rias also walked forward and echoed—