"Nobody has the right to issue any further challenges. THIS IS OVER, THE DEADLY COUPLE, KEN SUE AND KARA FROM THE SERENE LOTUS SECT WIN THIS ROUND!" Steve announced the end of the competition, Ken and Tiara's figures were projected in the sky along with a few selected scenes from their fights. The sect provided an alias for Tiara so her family wouldn't identify her.
The pillar underneath Ken and Tiara's feet grew, soaring far above the other pillars. Next to them, two more pillars rose but lower, carrying those who won the second and third ranks.
"According to the agreement of the twenty sects, the Serene Lotus Sect wins this year three high Qi Stone mines!"
The crowd cheered for Ken and Tiara, shaking the valley with their voice. The prize was merely the official one; outside the official prizes, the sects engaged in many other bets among themselves, including all the top 512 ranks. The winning team did not gain a specific prize, and rewarding them was up to their sect.
"In the second place, we have Lioz and Clint from the Jade Sky Sect, earning their sect one high Qi Stone mine!"
"In the third place, we have Monica and Shira from the unranked Mysterious Mountain Sect. They earn a challenge token, allowing their elders to challenge one of the great twenty sects for their status!"
Murmurs spread throughout the audience, making the excitement everyone felt from the last prize palpable.
"Must unranked sects have their juniors secure a top three position to challenge the ranked ones?" Alaric questioned, turning to George beside him.
"No, that's just the only way to gain a challenge token quickly. The ranking is set according to the strength of the elders of the sect, but to prove a sect deserves to be called a top sect, they need to show they have the ability to maintain their prowess in the long run, namely by having powerful disciples."
"What other ways exist to prove the worth of their younger generation?"
"Instead of being among the top three, the unranked sects can gain a challenge token by occupying at least 3% of the top 512 spots."
"Hmm, I guess it doesn't have anything to do with us. No unranked sect would try to duel with our elders," Alaric shrugged.
As if to confirm George's word, Steve talked again, this time about another unranked sect.
"I just got exciting news! Another unranked sect had met the conditions to gain one challenge token! The Loving Mist Sect, which specializes in illusions and generating confusion among their opponents, has the right to challenge another sect! Are we watching history in the make?!"
Mostly there were no fights between elders in the Martial Arts Summit, so the revelation of a possible fight made everyone eager to watch it. But for now, it was time to continue the tournament and move on to the next bracket.
"Say goodbye to our fighters, they have all done splendidly!" Steve said, and the participants started being teleported outside starting with the lowest rank, leaving Ken and Tiara last. When they were teleported to the outskirts of the arena, many eyes were laid on them, many of which were filled with hatred and anger. Ken was already popular before, but his high kill count during the competition only increased it.
"Good job, Team Leader! You were okay too, Tiara," Alaric greeted them, prompting a dissatisfied snort from the icy princess.
"Congratulations on winning," George echoed while Henry only offered a short nod.
"Are you prepared? It will be our turn to fight as a group soon," Ken reminded them. They were registered to the 5v5 bracket, which was planned as the last one after the 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3. Other than that, they still had to wait for the rest of the brackets of the 20-29 age group to finish.
"There's some time, I'm going to get some rest," Tiara replied and left the group, walking to her tent.
Since each tournament lasted between five to seven days, they still had some time until then. Even the audience themselves would consist of different spectators when Ken next goes up.
"No problem," the remaining two men answered confidently. The four passed the next few weeks busy in their cultivation, not bothering to watch the matches. Real cultivators did not spend much time on entertainment during their youth, and the time they spent on Ken's bracket was enough for them.
As for George, he preferred to spend his time losing his Qi Stones in gambling over the next few brackets.
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While Ken and his friends left the platform, the disciples of the various sects were talking about the future of the Martial Arts Summit:
"That kid sure did a number on us, but Serene Lotus Sect is not going to be so lucky in the next battles," a man with red hair said in disdain.
A group of young men and women sat around a large round table, filled with delicacies and top-quality wine. They all wore white robes with the symbol of a cloud, sun, leaf, and flower on their shoulders.
"You said it, Big Brother Felix. We will crush them in the next matches, having a fifth-stage cultivator in that bracket was just lucky." A man with long dark brown hair commented as he placed a cooked clam in his mouth.
"Indeed, they cannot win against all the other sects. My father told me that out of the great sects, 14 agreed to do their best to kill Serene Lotus Sect's disciples in the tournament in return for rewards," Felix shared.
The group, consisting of five men and three women, conversed a bit more before one dared to broach the glaring subject.
"Good to see you, Vivienne, it's rare to have you sit with us. Did you come with Brother Felix?" He hinted that she was not part of their group and had nothing to do there unless she was Felix's guest.
"It's truly rare, I normally don't like to play with dirty hints and subtle insults, but dear Felix insisted I come with him," Vivienne said with a fake smile as she returned to her silence. Her gaze drifted, imagining the comfort of her bed compared to the stifling atmosphere here. She held back a yawn when she thought of sleeping rather than listening to the yapping young masters around her.
"Little Sister, our ranks and traditions matter, so you shouldn't be too rude. He was merely inquiring, given your usual... distance," Felix's voice was soft, but his arm around her shoulder tightened, hinting at an underlying threat.
Her fingers twitched for a moment in annoyance, but she fought the urge to hit it away from her and let it slide, understanding Felix wanted to assert their status. She did not want to be sent to fight dozens of battles in the tournament and ended up putting up with Felix's touch with the condition he wouldn't bother her all day long.
"I see, you're right. Although Senior Brother Kuro is weak, he is still my senior brother and I should show him basic respect for his old age," Vivienne's smile was sugary, clearly mocking. Even if she temporarily let Felix have some control, her wild nature was harder to tame.
"I'm only 52 years old, and I'm one of the best in my age group!" Kuro clenched his teeth in anger and spat his words.
"Haha, Junior Sister, you cannot expect normal people to be as talented as you. More than speed, it matters how far we get in the future," a woman with black hair chuckled, reminding everyone that Vivienne might only be allowed to get a certain amount of strength. Some sect seeds were not supposed to become too strong to control and the sect wanted them to serve as weapons until the day they died.
"Enough with the teasing, everyone. Since she is here as my guest, I hope you can give me some face and act respectfully to each other. Cheers, let's drink!" Felix broke the tension and raised a glass.
"Right, right. Cheers, to our victory in the tournament and to the downfall of the Serene Lotus Sect's new generation!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses and gulped down their wine before signaling to the waitress to pour more. One would be surprised to find out she had a decoration on her black robes, showing she was a ranked inner disciple.
'Hmph, I will get out of this sect soon enough. I'm sure I will have an opportunity soon,' Vivienne thought to herself bitterly. She recalled the individual who had exposed the harsh realities of her position within the sect. The collar he had placed on her neck was no longer feeling as heavy compared to the shackles she felt on her limbs.
If her plans go well, she will get a chance to try her luck in a different place, a place where those strong flourish, and there are no elite families.
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