The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

As Felix turned to the next page, an overwhelming force emerged. He could not move. Though his body remained intact, he felt something draining away.

"No! The book is absorbing my soul energy."

Just as everything began to spin, something struck the book and stopped the drain. New text appeared on the second page. "Bearer of the Destiny Crystal, you are worthy to learn my techniques."

The Destiny Crystal! Felix was stunned. Was this book alive? How could it detect the crystal in his soul?

The pages turned themselves. By the final page, Felix felt his soul trembling, almost unable to process everything. His eyes snapped open to find the book back in the statue's hands.noveldrama

Everything felt dreamlike, but Felix knew it wasn't a dream. The Phaeron Codex was now imprinted in his soul, ready for him to practice at any time.

Time passed as Felix sat in the ruined hall, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "So, Lumen belonged to this book's owner, too. Who were they? Why leave their legacy in Martial City?"

He realized now that even without the Destiny Crystal, he wouldn't have died. His soul was strong enough to learn the techniques. The crystal had simply been too dominant to allow anything else to drain its vessel.

Three days had passed. Felix immersed himself in practicing the Codex. He did not want to waste a moment before Deborah's promised delivery of materials in seven days.

Meanwhile, dozens of people hid in a huge mansion at the edge of Corpse Town. A faint blue light enveloped the building, keeping the wraiths at bay.

"Elder Dean, are you certain Felix didn't enter the town?"

Even after three days, Atlas couldn't believe Dean had spotted Felix during his rare venture outside.

Dean nodded. "He wouldn't.

Surviving Echo Cavern was luck. Why would he willingly enter another Forbidden Land? Besides, if he could enter, why did he try to ambush me outside?"

The Maximus family possessed a blue crystal. It had a unique function that

allowed them to safely hide in Corpse Town during mortal danger.

Atlas asked bitterly, "When can we leave? Our people are going mad."

Glancing at one room, Dean replied, "That depends on Tyler's progress. If we can

control these creatures, ruling Martial City would be simple."

They had found a blank book in the mansion. Being from a Forbidden Land, it had to be special, though

they couldn't discover how. It wan et

not until Tyler Maximus, a

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20-year-old with average martial talent, took it and revealed its secrets.

Atlas turned excitedly as the tightly closed door opened.

"Elder Dean, I've succeeded!"