The day of the tournament had finally arrived. Ni Tian, his master Yun Seraphis, and the five inner disciples of their sect departed early in the morning. Their journey was silent but filled with anticipation. When they arrived at the Eternal Heaven Divine Palace, the sheer scale of the event became clear. Disciples, sect leaders, elders, and emperors from across the realms were gathered, their excitement electrifying the air. Tens of thousands of spectators filled the grand coliseum, waiting to witness the battles between the strongest young cultivators.
As the Yun Sect approached the entrance, murmurs spread through the crowd. Soon, open mockery followed.
"Hahaha! They only have one direct disciple! What a joke!"
Laughter erupted among the disciples of the larger sects.
One of Yun Sect's inner disciples clenched his fists, his face burning with anger. "They dare insult our sect like this?" he growled, stepping forward.
Another disciple quickly restrained him. "Ignore them. We can't afford to lose face now."
Ni Tian, standing calmly in the middle of his group, showed no reaction. His expression remained indifferent as he surveyed the other sects. Their arrogance was expected. He didn't need to respond with words—his actions would be enough.
Then, without warning, a weapon—a sharp dagger—shot through the air, aimed straight at Ni Tian's chest.
Gasps rang out.
Ni Tian didn't even blink. One of his own daggers shot forward, intercepting the incoming blade with effortless precision. The two weapons clashed, and the opponent's dagger was deflected harmlessly to the ground.
A disciple from the Nine Hells Ghost Sect smirked, stepping forward. "Not bad. But I hope you last long on the stage." His voice was filled with mockery as he turned and walked away, his laughter echoing behind him.
The onlookers quickly lost interest, assuming it was just a minor display of weapon control. But Yun Seraphis, watching carefully, asked, "Are you alright?"
Ni Tian nodded. "Yes, Master."
At that moment, the Emperor of Aerium Continent, seated on his golden throne, raised his hand, signaling for silence. The sect leaders stepped forward one by one to introduce their disciples.
The leader of Skyveil Immortal Pavilion spoke first. "I am the sect leader of Skyveil. I have brought 48 direct disciples to compete in this tournament."
Each sect followed, declaring their numbers with pride. Some had over forty disciples, others had around twenty. Then, it was Yun Sect's turn.
Yun Seraphis stepped forward, her face expressionless. "I am Yun Seraphis, leader of Yun Sect. I have only one direct disciple."
The reaction was immediate—booming laughter spread throughout the coliseum. Even some of the tournament elders chuckled.
"Is this some kind of joke?" one elder sneered. "A sect with just one disciple? This is a waste of time!"
The Yun Sect disciples clenched their fists, humiliated but silent. But Ni Tian stood unfazed. He had been preparing for this moment for too long to let mockery shake him.
The Emperor of Aerium raised his hand again, instantly silencing the crowd. His voice carried power as he spoke: "Enough. Let the tournament proceed."
With that, the rules were announced:
First Round: One-on-one battles. Each sect could send a maximum of 16 disciples. Any technique was allowed, but killing was forbidden.
Second Round: A beast hunt. Disciples would enter a separate realm and hunt spirit beasts. The one who hunted the strongest beast would win.
Third Round: A test of worthiness before an immortal weapon. No one could force the weapons to acknowledge them—they had to prove their worth.
The prizes were then revealed:
1st Place: The right to make a request of the Emperor, along with divine herbs, rare treasures, and a fortune in currency.
2nd Place: A lesser portion of divine herbs and treasures but no audience with the Emperor.
3rd Place: A smaller reward of cultivation resources.
Other participants would receive weapons, scrolls, or mortal-tier herbs as compensation.
Then, the matchups for the first round were announced:
Skyveil vs. Nine Hells Ghost Sect
Ethereal Cloud Monastery vs. Verdant Spirit Sect
Empyrean Thunder Hall vs. Moonshadow Silent Pavilion
Azure Dragon War Sect vs. Ironheart Vajra Sect
Blazing Sun Tyrant Sect vs. Samsara Lotus Sect
Everfrost Sect vs. Netherfiend Blood Sect
Tideflow Mystic Hall vs. Celestial Rune Sect
Voidshatter Abyss Sect vs. Golden Fate Scripture Hall
Nightmare Phantom Sect vs. Yun Sect
One by one, the matches began.
Skyveil Immortal Pavilion emerged victorious over Nine Hells Ghost Sect.
Verdant Spirit Sect defeated Ethereal Cloud Monastery.
Moonshadow Silent Pavilion triumphed over Empyrean Thunder Hall.
Azure Dragon War Sect overwhelmed Ironheart Vajra Sect.
Samsara Lotus Sect narrowly won against Blazing Sun Tyrant Sect.
Everfrost Sect outmatched Netherfiend Blood Sect.
Celestial Rune Sect crushed Tideflow Mystic Hall.
Golden Fate Scripture Hall triumphed over Voidshatter Abyss Sect.
Then, it was the final match for this day—Nightmare Phantom Sect vs. Yun Sect.
All eyes turned to Ni Tian, the lone disciple standing against sixteen opponents.
Mocking laughter rippled through the crowd.
All the audience's said"Hahaha! This isn't a match—this is an execution!"
The disciples of Nightmare Phantom Sect smirked. One of them chuckled, "No need to be serious. Just make him tired, and Everything will be over."
His companions nodded in agreement, their confidence overwhelming.
Ni Tian, however, showed no fear. His gaze burned with silent intensity. He had trained for this moment.
And he had no intention to lose this time.
End of chapter 10...