She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother Chapter 426: Beyond Limits

The terrace had fallen silent, with only Alex and Viktor remaining by the grand marble railing. Below them, the city sprawled, illuminated by a myriad of lights against the stunning night canvas. A gentle breeze swept past, carrying the faint hum of distant traffic.

Alex broke the quiet, a playful smirk gracing his lips as he turned to his companion. "So, you do have a special someone after all," he remarked casually. "I honestly believed you to be completely devoid of romantic entanglement. Not even a whisper."

Viktor slowly rotated his head, a rare, genuine smile softening his typically stoic expression. "I encountered her during an expedition," he responded, his voice imbued with a touch of nostalgia. "It was a collaborative mission between two prominent families. I was merely a junior then... newly appointed and seeking to establish my worth."

Alex's eyebrows arched, surprise registering on his features. "A junior?" he echoed, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. "You're quite the ladies' man, Viktor. From what I've observed of her character, she doesn't easily grant her approval, especially to someone younger and of lesser standing."

A soft, fond chuckle escaped Viktor. His gaze drifted, lost in the echoes of past memories. "Indeed, it wasn't simple," he conceded with a slight smile. "She was exceptionally discerning even back then. Every word required effort; every action was meticulously assessed and judged."

He paused, the wind rustling his dark hair. When he resumed speaking, his voice softened considerably, carrying a tender quality. "But she is a truly wonderful person once you get to know her. Genuinely... kind."

A warm moment settled between them, defying the cool night air. Then, Viktor’s attention shifted downward, his eyes fixing on the blood-splattered bathrobe loosely covering Alex’s shoulders—dark crimson stains, now dry and stiff against the light fabric.

A faint furrow appeared on Viktor’s brow. He subtly shifted his stance, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face as if the sight itself unsettled him. "You truly sustained no injuries?" he inquired, genuine concern lacing his words. "You should not have prevented me from intervening. That assault was lethally potent."

Alex turned, meeting Viktor’s worried gaze directly. "How could someone at the Enhanced realm emerge unscathed from the full might of a Peak Apex?" he stated with remarkable nonchalance. "However, I am not ordinary. My body possesses unique properties."

He let this sink in before continuing in the same even tone. "It simply healed itself. Furthermore, I derived benefits from the experience. Should I face an attack of similar magnitude again, the resulting injuries will be significantly lesser. These wounds... they train my body to adapt."

Alex wasn't exaggerating. He had intentionally sought to ascertain if he could withstand a direct, full-power strike from a cultivator at the Peak Apex realm. To ensure his safety, he had acquired a potent defensive artifact from the system, costing 10,000 CP.

[Absolute Null Talisman]

[Description: An enigmatic black talisman etched with primordial void symbols. Upon activation, it erects an impenetrable defensive barrier, capable of completely negating any single assault, irrespective of the assailant's cultivation prowess.]

[Activation Requirement: Automatically engages when the user is on the verge of succumbing to a fatal, life-threatening attack.]

[Limitation: Usable only once.]

[Cost: 10,000 CP]

When Elyria's attack connected, Alex experienced a fleeting sensation of impending doom. Yet, he endured. The defensive artifact remained dormant, its purpose unfulfilled. His body commenced its innate healing process, albeit at a painstakingly slow rate, necessitating the subsequent use of medicinal aids to accelerate recovery.

Even more astonishing was the resultant surge in his combat intuition, a full 1% increase stemming from that singular encounter. Viktor observed him, his expression one of utter astonishment. His eyes widened, rendering him speechless for several long moments. The wind swirled around them, yet Viktor seemed oblivious.

"What manner of principle is this...?" he murmured, almost to himself. "I am unfamiliar with any entity possessing such a capability. Not within ancient chronicles, nor any hidden clan techniques... nothing."

Alex met his gaze calmly, the city lights reflecting softly in his eyes. "My understanding is also limited," he admitted. "I am still in the process of exploration and determining its boundaries." He held Viktor’s stare. "And from this point forward... I will require your assistance in this endeavor."

He paused, then smoothly pivoted the conversation, granting Viktor a moment to process. "Incidentally... what is your assessment of your own performance? How did you fare against a Peak Apex realm opponent?"

Viktor contemplated for a few seconds, his jaw tightening slightly as he mentally replayed the confrontation.

"I stand no chance against her if we go all out," he admitted without a hint of shame. "However, she can’t defeat me either. My victory was only possible because she allowed it... or perhaps, she was simply too stunned to react to my presence there."

He met Alex’s gaze directly. "You understand, Alex... the gulf between cultivation stages becomes immense once you surpass the Apex realm. Each advancement is akin to entering an entirely new world. Bridging such a divide is nearly impossible. Most individuals dedicate decades merely to brush against the threshold of the next level."

A soft chuckle escaped Viktor as he shook his head, a look of lingering disbelief on his face.

"But the elixirs you provided... they were truly extraordinary. I can now contend with her experience. You should have witnessed the sheer astonishment on her features when I revealed my cultivation was merely at the Middle Apex realm. It was beyond her comprehension."

Alex regarded Viktor with a placid, self-assured grin... the signature expression that hinted at the impossible, yet somehow made it feel attainable.

"Excellent," he affirmed concisely. "My expectation is that by the time you reach her current standing, you will be capable of confronting an opponent an entire realm above you. And do not be overly taken aback... I am not short of resources. Should you dedicate genuine effort, this can become reality."

Viktor’s expression was one of utter astonishment, rendered speechless yet again. His eyes widened considerably, his mouth forming a slight O as the full implication of Alex’s declaration settled in.

Throughout his life, he had encountered countless gifted cultivators... prodigies, formidable powerhouses, inheritors of ancient lineages... yet none had ever articulated such casual, unwavering confidence in circumventing the natural laws of cultivation, treating them as mere trivial inconveniences.

The breeze stirred anew, cool and constant, carrying their shared silence into the deepening night.