Chapter 227: Rewards Beneath the Storm
Chapter 227: Rewards Beneath the Storm
Rewards Beneath the Storm
"Since he’s targeting me, I’ll handle it and won’t let you get involved."
Julian D’Aurelius’s calm voice echoed through the battered martial arts hall.
The night wind swept across the shattered arena, carrying with it the heavy scent of blood, medicine, and broken stone. Torn banners fluttered weakly in the cold air while injured Old Martial Arts experts sat scattered across the ground, many still pale from their near-death injuries.
Yet when they looked at Julian now, their eyes no longer held suspicion.
Only respect remained.
After healing everyone, Julian promised loudly.
His black hair swayed slightly in the night breeze, golden eyes calm and unwavering beneath the flickering lights overhead. Even after facing Evan, Lucas, and now that terrifying masked expert called Steffan, he still stood there without panic.
As if nothing in this world could truly shake him.
"Yes, trust him! The herbal tea you drank earlier was prepared by Brother Julian; he’s here to help you."
Amara Ravenswood quickly shouted from beside him.
Her long brown hair was slightly messy from the chaos earlier, and exhaustion lingered on her delicate face, yet her hazel eyes remained bright with admiration.
When she looked at Julian, her chest tightened slightly.
(He really carried everything alone again...)
That familiar inner voice drifted into her ears once more.
(At least they’re finally cooperating. Otherwise I’d have to waste even more energy cleaning up this disaster.)
Amara blinked softly.
A faint smile appeared on her lips without her noticing.
He still sounded arrogant inside his head... but somehow, it made her feel strangely reassured.
Seeing Young Master Julian save them multiple times and take responsibility for solving the problem.
The crowd looked at Julian with more admiration and respect, thanking him one after another.
"As expected of Young Master Julian, truly worthy of the D’Aurelius household!"
"Young Master Julian saved my life today. I will never forget this debt."
"The younger generation of Valemont has someone extraordinary at last."
"Such responsibility... unmatched!"
Voices rose one after another.
Some clasped their fists respectfully despite their injuries. Others bowed their heads deeply. Even several proud Silver Realm experts showed sincere gratitude in their eyes.
Earlier, they had nearly died.
Yet Julian not only healed them personally, he even promised to shoulder Steffan’s threat alone.
That kind of courage was rare in today’s martial world.
Julian smiled without saying a word, maintaining the demeanor of a true expert.
Outwardly, he looked calm and composed.
Internally—
(Yes, yes, keep praising me. Praise harder. This young master almost died tonight.)
Lina Ashford nearly choked hearing his thoughts.
She quickly turned her face away, pretending to cough.
Liza Voss lowered her head silently, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Only female leads could hear his inner thoughts.
And every single time, the contrast between his majestic appearance and shameless internal complaints nearly destroyed the serious atmosphere.
Julian himself remained completely unaware.
He was still waiting for the plot to conclude and receive the Tyrant System’s reward.
Given the system’s usual nature.
Although Lucas managed to escape today.
Evan died here.
Having killed the Obsidian King directly, the reward... oh, shouldn’t it be substantial?
Julian narrowed his eyes slightly.
(If this trash system dares give me another useless reward, I swear I’ll smash it if I ever find where it lives.)
If not a Platinum Realm cultivation reward, at least a peak Gold Realm one, right?
What nonsense Steffan? Once I level up, I’ll use him to farm rewards!
With confidence in his heart, acting cool comes naturally!
The night breeze brushed across his clothes as he stood with his hands behind his back, looking every bit like an unfathomable young master.
Several younger disciples nearby stared at him with worship.
One even whispered softly, "This... this is what a true expert looks like."
Yana Tyson silently watched Julian from afar.
Her bright orange eyes flickered gently.
The more she looked at him tonight, the harder it became to pull her gaze away.
Strong.
Calm.
Reliable.
And yet...
For some reason, he always carried a loneliness around him she could not understand.
Just as everyone was worshiping, a system notification suddenly sounded in Julian’s ear.
"Ding, the host successfully survived the plot, rewarded with a Nine Way Cleansing Exilir formula."
Hearing this reward, Julian was slightly stunned.
Nine Way Cleansing Exilir formula?
That was a top-tier treasure.
His heartbeat quickened slightly.
Last time, after taking a Nine Way Cleansing Exilir, he jumped from the initial Iron Realm to the initial Silver Realm.
If he takes two or three more, wouldn’t he ascend on the spot?
With this, he could even use money to create a few Gold Realm experts!
Julian’s breathing became slightly uneven.
This thing was priceless.
Forget ordinary martial artists—even the top households of Valemont would go mad fighting over such a formula.
But the problem now was—
In a few days, Steffan was coming to beat him up!
With such a complex list of herbs on the formula, how could he gather them in just a few days?
Julian’s expression remained calm outside.
Inside—
(What’s the point of giving me legendary medicine if I get beaten into a hospital bed before I can even make it?)
"Shitty System, this reward is too stingy, doesn’t match your status."
Julian complained in his heart.
This time, he managed to kill Obsidian King Evan and almost got Lucas.
How could one reward be enough?
"Don’t worry, we’re brothers, aren’t we? How could I shortchange you?"
The Tyrant System’s voice sounded leisurely.
Julian suddenly felt suspicious.
Whenever this stupid system sounded friendly, disaster usually followed.
"Rewarding the host with mid-Gold Realm cultivation..."
Hearing the first half, Julian was quite satisfied.
Though it wasn’t a Platinum Realm cultivation, Gold Realm wasn’t bad.
After all, Obsidian King Evan and his junior Lucas weren’t even at the Gold Realm.
By then, with a few more Nine Way Cleansing Exilirs, his cultivation would soar!
His eyes brightened instantly.
(Hahaha! Finally! This daddy is about to rise!)
Hey, a Platinum Realm master is a master!
Besides eating, it’s all about beating the Obsidian King, nothing else!
"A one-minute experience card."
When the system finished the second half.
Julian experienced what it meant to be utterly speechless.
The smile on his face froze instantly.
"...One minute?"
Even the air around him seemed awkwardly silent.
"One minute? Shitty System, can’t you be more humane?"
"Believe in yourself, a real man only needs one minute."
Julian’s mouth twitched violently.
Lina heard that line inside his thoughts and almost burst out laughing on the spot.
Liza immediately looked away, pretending to check injuries nearby.
Amara’s cheeks flushed slightly red.
None of them dared expose themselves.
Julian cursed in his heart, but the system ignored him, clearly not willing to give him more.
(One minute my ass. Even instant noodles take longer.)
He nearly lost composure right there.
Fortunately, years of acting as Valemont’s number one young master helped him maintain his expression.
"Then, Young Master Julian, we’ll take our leave."
One of the older Silver Realm experts clasped his fists respectfully.
His face remained pale, but gratitude filled his eyes.
"Handling that expert is up to you, Young Master Julian. We’re too injured to help."
Another sighed bitterly.
Steffan’s terrifying strength had shattered their confidence tonight.
"Young Master Julian, feel free to visit our martial arts hall for tea."
"Yes, the doors of our household will always remain open to Young Master Julian."
At this point, the Old Martial Arts forces from Valemont began retreating to recuperate.
Some supported injured companions.
Others carried corpses silently away beneath the cold moonlight.
The atmosphere became heavy once more.
Tonight had changed too many things.
Evan died.
Lucas escaped.
And a terrifying Gold Realm monster had appeared.
Hearing their farewells.
Julian felt a bit troubled.
His confident expression nearly cracked again.
(Wait... are they seriously leaving everything to me?)
He suddenly realized something terrifying.
Should he just treat his earlier words as a fart and let them go?
This one-minute real man, he couldn’t quite handle it.
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