Grand Return System

Chapter 316: A Declaration Before the World [Part- 2]

A Declaration Before the World [Part- 2]

"Leon?"

Caelan Everwind froze for a moment.

His brows knitted together as he searched through every notable genius he had ever encountered. No matter how hard he thought, that name simply didn’t exist in his memory.

When he heard Leon mention Celestis Academy, the tension in his heart eased slightly.

So that was the reason.

Since they belonged to the same academy, standing together wasn’t unusual.

That had to be it.

A polite smile slowly returned to his face, although it looked slightly forced.

"So it’s a fellow Principle cultivator from Celestis Academy. Nice to meet you..."

The atmosphere softened for only an instant.

Then Anna spoke.

"He’s my man."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The smile on Caelan’s face froze as though time itself had stopped.

The air around him grew heavy.

A terrifying killing intent erupted without warning, rolling outward like a storm. Even nearby cultivators instinctively stepped backward, sensing the sudden change.

"What did you say?"

His voice trembled.

It was not from fear.

It was disbelief.

It felt as though a bolt of heavenly lightning had crashed directly into his soul.

Impossible.

How could Anna possibly have a Pathbound Companion?

No...

Even if she truly accepted someone...

It shouldn’t be an unknown man standing before him.

His breathing became uneven.

Inside, he desperately searched for another explanation.

She must be lying.

Yes.

She was only saying those words to make him give up.

That had to be the truth.

There was simply no way Anna would reject someone like him—someone acknowledged throughout Celestial Mist Mountain as a peerless genius—and instead choose an ordinary cultivator whose name nobody had ever heard.

He refused to believe it.

Seeing the disbelief in his eyes, a playful light flickered across Anna’s usually cold expression.

It was fleeting.

Almost impossible to notice.

She slowly turned toward Leon.

Without any hesitation, she stepped closer until their shoulders touched.

Then, before Leon could react, she wrapped both hands around his arm naturally, leaning against him with an intimacy that made everyone’s expressions change.

Her soft pink hair brushed lightly against his shoulder.

Her voice remained cold, elegant, and unwavering.

"I’ll say it again. He’s my man. Is that clear?"

Every single word landed like a hammer striking Caelan’s heart.

She didn’t stop there.

Looking directly into his eyes, she continued,

"Caelan Everwind, I told you long ago that it’s impossible between us. Don’t talk to me anymore, and don’t call me by my nickname."

She paused deliberately before adding,

"I’m afraid my Leon will misunderstand..."

Leon felt every muscle in his body stiffen.

His heartbeat skipped.

Damn...

I was careless.

This woman... she’s throwing me straight into a pit of fire.

Only now did he understand the ominous feeling he’d sensed moments earlier.

She wasn’t simply rejecting Caelan.

She was using him as the perfect shield.

Isn’t she afraid he’ll try to kill me?

No... scratch that.

He’s definitely going to try to kill me.

Leon forced himself to maintain his smile, but inwardly he sighed.

This girl’s two-faced personality is hidden even deeper than mine.

I really walked right into her trap.

Still...

When he felt Anna’s hands tightening around his arm, he noticed something unexpected.

Although her expression remained cold and indifferent, her grip wasn’t acting.

Her fingers were slightly tense.

She wasn’t merely performing.

She had consciously chosen to stand beside him.

That realization surprised Leon more than anything else.

Even Anna herself didn’t fully understand why she’d instinctively moved closer.

Perhaps...

Because standing beside Leon simply felt natural.

Safe.

Reliable.

She quickly suppressed that thought before it could grow any further.

Meanwhile...

How could Caelan possibly ignore what was unfolding before him?

Every small movement between them stabbed directly into his heart.

His expression darkened completely.

The warmth in his eyes disappeared.

Only icy killing intent remained.

His gaze settled firmly upon Leon.

He simply couldn’t understand.

Where...

Exactly...

Was he inferior?

His status.

His talent.

His appearance.

His cultivation.

Which of them lost to this unknown cultivator?

Why?

Why would Anna reject him...

...and choose Leon instead?

"No..."

The roar echoed silently inside his heart.

His confidence collapsed piece by piece.

Years of persistence.

Years of waiting.

Years of believing that one day he would melt her icy heart.

Everything shattered within a single sentence.

Love gradually transformed into bitterness.

Bitterness became unwillingness.

Unwillingness slowly turned into hatred.

The devotion that had supported him for so many years disappeared almost instantly.

He laughed.

But there wasn’t a trace of joy inside it.

"Haha... Ridiculous... ridiculous..."

His laughter sounded hollow.

"I was infatuated, but I didn’t expect this outcome."

He slowly shook his head, smiling bitterly.

"Good... very good..."

Anyone watching could feel the pain hidden beneath those words.

Even the surrounding cultivators remained silent.

No one dared interrupt.

Leon looked at the devastated expression before him and couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

Brother...

I honestly feel sorry for you.

His previous life suddenly flashed through his mind.

Back then...

Hadn’t he been exactly like this?

Always chasing after someone who never looked back.

Giving everything.

Receiving nothing.

For a brief moment, genuine sympathy appeared in his heart.

Then another thought surfaced.

Since ancient times, bootlickers have always been lonely.

The woman you couldn’t obtain after countless years...

...was persuaded by another man with only a few words.

Such is fate.

If it’s meant to be yours, no one can take it away.

If it isn’t... no matter how tightly you hold on, it’ll still slip through your fingers.

Brother... my heart aches for you.

But... I’ll be taking her with me.

The thought nearly made him laugh.

What a strange twist of destiny.

In his previous life, he had spent years chasing after someone else’s affection.

Now...

Without even trying...

Someone was openly declaring him to be her man before countless experts.

The difference was almost unbelievable.

For the first time, Leon truly understood why the so-called "winners" in love always looked so relaxed.

It wasn’t because they tried harder.

Sometimes...

Things simply happened.

Still, beneath the amusement, another emotion quietly surfaced.