If there were no such restrictions, participants would number in the millions.
One man who had been leaning against the wall, eyeing a board with a skeptical expression, straightened up and leaned forward with interest. "They said you could earn up to fifty gold pieces just for making it through one round of fights!"
Meanwhile, in the Black Market, information was already being gathered, exchanging rumors and theories about the tournament's purpose and the potential rewards.
Merchant guilds, always eager to capitalize on lucrative opportunities, saw the tournament as a chance to forge new business connections and expand their customer bases.
In the Crafters' Pavilion, artisans and crafters eagerly awaited the opportunity to showcase their wares and demonstrate their skills, hoping to secure commissions from the royal family or attract valuable patrons with potential.
Who didn't want to see a youngster dominate the tournament with a weapon commissioned from them?
The Alchemist Association, meanwhile, was abuzz with activity as its members pored over refilling their stocks from the impending influx of customers.
Meanwhile, the Sects received their own individual invitations, sent by the royal family itself.
These messages were usually delivered by personal messengers, adding an air of exclusivity and prestige to the recipients.
The special invitations received by the sect masters with caps limiting the number of disciples they could bring along.
Sects tended to dominate in the martial tournaments, and every time, an individual from a major sect would win the martial tournament in a final against a person of similar standing.
So the exclusive invites were warranted.
...
In a small, dimly lit chamber deep within the Twilight Sect's temple, Sect Master Kaito stood tall, his piercing gaze fixed intently on the figure seated before him - Elder Akira.
The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft glow of lanterns cast shadows on the walls as the two conversed in hushed tones.
"Master Kaito," Elder Akira bowed respectfully, her hands clasped together in front of her white-gold robes. "I have received the information about our participation in the martial tournament. I accept the honor of attending as a representative of our sect."
Master Kaito nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Your diligence is commendable, Elder Akira. I charge you with selecting five of our best disciples to join you in this endeavor. We will need all the strength we can muster to stand any chance against the other competitors."
Elder Akira bowed again, his expression set in a determined line. "As always, Master Kaito, I am prepared to serve the sect to the best of my abilities. I will personally oversee the selection process and ensure that our representatives are among the most skilled and capable."
Master Kaito's gaze intensified, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
"Very well, Elder Akira. But let us not forget the true purpose behind this competition," Master Kaito said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned forward. "I suspect there may be diamonds in the rough, individuals among the unaffiliated participants who possess remarkable potential. If such a person shows themselves during the tournament, we must make every effort to recruit them to our sect before any of our rivals scoop them up."
Elder Akira's expression turned thoughtful, her fingers drumming a staccato rhythm on her thighs. "A sound strategy, Master Kaito. I will keep an eye out for any exceptional talent, should it arise. But I must admit, the prospect of facing cultivators from other sects is daunting - how do you intend to approach the competition?"
Master Kaito leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Elder Akira's face. "We will employ every tactic at our disposal, Elder. Our own unique techniques, combined with the strengths of our disciples, should allow us to hold our own against the other sects. And if fortune smiles upon us, perhaps we might even discover a new ally for our Twilight Sect."
A pondering expression appeared on his face as he thought.
"And our new disciples, have they set foot in the sect yet?"
"Three promising candidates are already here, ready to join their brothers and sisters. Their potential precedes them. We should expect great things from them, sect master. The other two are yet to arrive."
She handed him a report of some sort, which he quickly read through in a second.
Master Kaito nodded approvingly at Elder Akira's report.
"Excellent news, Elder Akira. Their skills might not be sufficient to be useful immediately, and they most likely won't make the cut, but they will undoubtedly prove invaluable to our success in the future."
He straightened his robes, then gestured to the entrance to the temple. "Very well, your mission is clear. In the coming weeks, I charge you with putting our recruits through their paces. Ensure that they are prepared to face any challenge that comes their way."
Elder Akira bowed respectfully and took her leave. Master Kaito allowed himself a small smile.
The Twilight Sect might be a relatively new sect compared to the others that had been established for millions of years, but they had always been known for their strength and resilience, and this martial tournament presented an opportunity to once again demonstrate their prowess.
With skilled disciples and cunning strategies, the sect stood a good chance of claiming victory among the other sects.
However, he knew that such an accomplishment would not come easily. He had high expectations for his disciples and would be watching their progress closely.
If any of them showed exceptional promise, the sect's leadership would likely consider offering them a place within the inner circle of Twilight Sect elders - an honor reserved only for the very best and brightest of the sect's members.
However, becoming an elder meant lifelong dedication to a sect. As expected, drawing nobles to that kind of commitment was nearly impossible.
There were a few who chose such a path, however, such as elder Akira here. She had faced substantial backlash for leaving her position in her family, a duchy, to become an elder of the Twilight sect.
And Kaito respected her for that. If anything, her loyalty and dedication were commendable.
As things stood, she was most likely the one in pole position to become the next sect master, and he would vouch for her when the time came.
For now, their undivided attention would be on this martial tournament, and the excitement that came with it.
Their goal, to make the most out of it.