Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3321

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3321

A violent surge of energy erupted from the mountain behind the Umbral Peak Sect, tearing through the air and streaking toward the battlefield in an instant.

The Eastern Wanderer—Byron Ashby—had arrived.

Andrew stood atop a withered tree, his greatsword glinting faintly as he watched the approaching figure.

The man who emerged had long salt-and-pepper hair and wore a scholar’s robe similar to Monty’s. His features were refined, almost elegant. But beneath that polished exterior lurked something dark—something deeply malicious.

“To think such prime offerings would walk right up the mountain,” Byron murmured, lips tinged with an unnatural shade of purple. “Breaking seclusion was absolutely worth it.”

He wasn’t even looking at Andrew.

His gaze was fixed on Nyx, Valerie, and Rowan. A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Andrew’s blood ran cold.

He knew exactly what Byron meant by “offerings.”

Byron was infamous in the world of dual cultivation—a pioneer of forbidden arts that most wouldn’t dare touch. His reputation alone was enough to make entire sects uneasy.

Andrew had once considered tracking him down through the Reyes family.

Now, there was no need.

The hunger in Byron’s eyes as he stared at the three women was reason enough to kill him.

Monty barked urgently, “Kill Andrew first! Stop wasting time and strike with us!”

Byron let out a low, mocking laugh. “You’ve really fallen this far? If I’d ever wanted the sect leader’s seat, I would’ve buried you and taken it years ago. The two of you couldn’t even handle one man.

“You’ve dragged the Umbral Peak Sect’s fearsome name straight into the mud.”

Monty’s face twisted with rage. “This isn’t the time! Just kill Andrew. The women he brought are yours—do whatever you want with them!”

That caught Byron’s full attention.

The dark aura around him thickened. His eyes finally shifted to Andrew—and his pupils shrank sharply.

“Your strength… you’ve actually stepped Beyond Mortal?”

Andrew slowly raised his greatsword and pointed it at him.

“I didn’t come to the Umbral Peak Sect looking for a massacre,” he said calmly. “But if this sect insists on one, then the Eight Ancient Sects will become seven.”

Byron burst into laughter. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year. You want to wipe out the Umbral Peak Sect? Be my guest. I couldn’t care less about this place.

“But those ladies? I want them. Hand them over, and I’ll stay out of your business. Refuse, and I’ll gut you first and take them anyway.

“Your choice.”

Andrew’s voice was flat. Cold.

“I’ll take option three—your head.”

Byron’s aura detonated behind him, turning savage and violent.

“You really do have a death wish.”

He let out a guttural shriek. The corners of his mouth tore wider into a twisted grin. His body warped, distorting into something between man and demon—monstrous, unstable, teetering on the edge of madness.

The power radiating from him spiked wildly.

In an instant, he reached the peak of martial god.

Then he broke through it.

His aura climbed until it stood on the same level as Andrew’s.

“You think you’re the only one who’s reached this height?” Byron sneered. “I am the true number one among Holtrien’s Eight Ancient Sects.”

His monstrous presence swept across the battlefield.

Byron’s body dissolved into the black mist behind him. A stream of dark energy shot outward, twisting midair into a ferocious shadow beast that lunged at Andrew.

Andrew swung once.

A single devastating arc from his greatsword cleaved the beast apart, scattering it into nothing.

He pressed forward, a massive wave of crimson sword energy ripping through the sky.

From within the black mist, Byron smirked.

He raised one hand.

A gigantic black palm materialized and caught Andrew’s strike head-on.

Below, Nyx and the others watched, their expressions grim.

They hadn’t expected the Umbral Peak Sect to be hiding such a reclusive monster.

Rowan spoke quickly, tension lacing her voice. “Something’s wrong… Byron is on the Titan List. He shouldn’t be this strong.”

Valerie shook her head slowly. “The Umbral Peak Sect has been distant from my family for years. My father never liked how they acted like they were above us—always issuing orders.

“But Byron was always at this sect’s core. Until rumors spread that something went wrong with the forbidden technique he was cultivating.”

Her eyes darkened.

“I’m starting to think his real power was never reflected in that ranking. He must have surpassed everyone on that list long ago. It was only because of that cultivation accident that his level dropped—and that’s why he was placed there.”

In the sky, Andrew’s greatsword hammered into the black mist again and again.

Each strike bent and distorted the darkness—

Only for it to contract sharply and swallow the sword energy whole.

Monty snarled and shot back into the fray, joining Byron’s assault.

Together, they unleashed another massive black palm strike, crashing down toward Andrew with crushing force.