Heavenly Lotus Sect – Grand Competition Arena
The arena of the Heavenly Lotus Sect had transformed into something ethereal today. Pink lotus petals floated freely in the wind, gleaming bridges arched over spiritual rivers, and at the center — a sky-floating platform revealed the heavens above… and reflected the faces of all the gathered sects.
Today, not a single sect remained behind.
Every ledge, every corner, every sky-bridge — packed with disciples, elders, and powerful observers. StormHeaven Sect, Dark Metal Fortress, Blazing Sparrow Hall, Frost Mind Tower — all were present. Some came to witness, some to compete… and some, to uncover hidden truths.
Special thrones had been arranged for those holding the Token pieces — golden halos above cloud-soft seats, surrounded by the essence of blooming lotus energy.
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Mist Veil Sect – Arrival
The first arrival announced: Mist Veil Sect.
Their leader, Ye Fan, appeared clad in silver-ash robes. Beside him stood two elders, their eyes glimmering with a fog-like glow. Two disciples — Mira Xue and Bao Ren — followed silently behind. Mira glanced at the arena's pulse from the corner of her eyes and muttered:
> "The energy… fragrant, yet volatile."
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Dome of Heaven Sect – Grand Entry
Then, a colossal shadow circled above.
An Ancestral Dragon descended — and atop its back sat Lian Ye, leader of the Dome of Heaven Sect.
With every spiral of the dragon's wings, the skies trembled. The crowd felt a silent wave of energy ripple through them.
Behind Lian Ye came his son, Lian Tianyu, along with a dozen elders. All of them wore fiery golden robes etched with ancient symbols — known only to the highest-ranking sects.
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Obsidian Moon Sect – Silent Arrival
But the most chilling arrival… came in complete silence.
No dragon. No announcement.
A black-cloaked figure simply appeared, walking mid-air — with every step, the space cracked open, and from each crack, a glowing moon glyph emerged.
This was Mu Shenyue — the leader of the Obsidian Moon Sect.
The entire arena fell into dead silence.
The two mighty sects — Dome of Heaven and Obsidian Moon — took their seats.
Yun Xiao, leader of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, rose to acknowledge them. Her expression was calm — no fear, just a composed gaze. She gave them a respectful nod.
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Conversations Between Giants
Lian Ye looked at Yun Xiao and spoke:
> "Has the bearer of the seventh piece arrived?"
Yun Xiao replied, her tone cold but steady:
> "Not yet. We will begin regardless. If he doesn't arrive by the end… the rule is simple. Whoever wins — claims all Tokens."
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Jinyao Mei – Whispered Concern
In a distant corner, StormHeaven Sect's elder, Jinyao Mei, sat quietly.
One thought echoed in her heart:
> "Where are you, Zeravon…? The competition is about to begin…"
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Outside – The Arrival of Shadows
Outside the arena… stood a lone figure in a black robe — Zeravon.
His eyes calm… but deep within, his core vibrated, as if an ancient melody was calling him back.
He glanced down.
The architecture of the Heavenly Lotus Sect was infused with the essence of rivers and blooming flowers — white-lotus bridges, floating gardens, streams glowing with energy.
> "So much energy flows here… especially through the lotus rivers… it's like the entire Sect is a living flower."
At the gates, dozens of low-tier guards stood watch — all in the early Mystic Core Formation realm. But Zeravon activated a distortion invisibility — Voidtrace Phantom Step.
His presence shimmered like a soft ripple, fading into the wind. None sensed him.
> "If there were high-realm guards here… they might've caught on. So far, so good."
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Floating Tokens – The Sign of Fate
Inside the arena, seven token pieces hovered in the air. All disciples had claimed theirs…
Except one.
One final token floated alone, untouched.
Whispers rippled through the crowd:
> "Why is that token still unclaimed?"
"Is someone else supposed to arrive?"
"Did a Sect send a hidden participant?"
The leader of StormHeaven Sect murmured to an elder:
> "Yesterday, I sensed a forbidden energy fluctuation… I couldn't identify it, but something was there — and then gone."
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Boom. The Entry of the Unknown
Suddenly… a shadow appeared in front of the last token.
A black-cloaked boy.
His speed — near light itself. No one saw his face.
The entire arena froze.
Just then, Lian Tianyu's Astral Core pulsed violently — a sudden jolt, like an ancient memory had struck him.
> "That feeling… again!" Tianyu shouted.
Lian Ye looked at him sharply.
> "You're feeling it again?"
Tianyu leaned in and whispered:
> "Since that black-cloaked guy arrived… my Core is reacting."
Lian Ye's eyes widened.
> "You think… someone else was born with an Astral Core?"
Tianyu: "Feels like he's… a missing piece of my own memory."
Lian Ye, clenching his jaw:
> "Impossible. The Astral Core only awakens in one. But if this boy truly carries it… you'll have to confirm it yourself."
> "During battle — make contact. If he holds the Core… you'll know."
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Zeravon – Calm Before the Storm
Zeravon took the token. His robe fluttered in the wind.
He slowly descended, landing on the arena floor. All eyes turned toward him — some confused, some suspicious.
Just then, a single black feather floated down from the sky.
Only Zeravon saw it. It landed in his hand.
> As he touched it, a faint jolt surged through him — as if something ancient brushed against his soul.
No one sensed the storm within him.
His steps were silent. But something else had awakened in his eyes.
> "It has begun. I won't shatter them with my presence… but with my absence of fear."
Mu Shenyue, the Obsidian Moon leader, narrowed his eyes at the boy.
> "Do you carry that final Token… or not?"
Zeravon said nothing. He raised his hand — revealing the token.
That single gesture was so calm… so confident… it pressed like thunder across the arena.
As he revealed it, the air pressure dropped around him — petals froze mid-air. A drop of sweat rolled down a high-tier elder's temple… without him knowing why.
Mu Shenyue muttered under his breath:
> "Hmph… silence is a weapon too. But boy — remember… silence can also invite death."
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The Eyes That Met
In that suspended moment, a soft breeze drifted across the field.
Everyone focused on their disciples… but a girl standing beside Yun Xiao caught Zeravon's eyes.
She wore royal white robes. Her long, silky hair floated lightly in the wind. There was a strange peace in her eyes… and yet, an elegance that made her stand apart from everyone.
Her name — Yueyin.
She wasn't here to compete. She had come only to watch.
Zeravon slightly lifted his head… and their eyes met.
For a moment — the world faded.
Yueyin whispered:
> "Who are you…? Eyes filled with pain… and destiny?
It feels like… we've met before."
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Flash of the Forgotten
As the first round was announced…
Zeravon's mind went blank — a sudden flash of another world surged into him:
> "A dark throne… shattered realms… and a voice calling —
'Zeravon… when will you return?'"
Again:
> "A shattered realm… blood-red skies…
and a trembling voice, familiar yet distant —
'Zeravon… save us…'"
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To Be Continued…