After arriving at the stands, Lumine and Paimon found a good spot to stand. A short wait later, a host named Balam appeared on the highest platform of the Arena.
"The Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame has a long and storied history. Everyone knows it, everyone understands it, and everyone eagerly anticipates achieving exceptional results in the Pilgrimage to earn the right to participate in the Night Warden Wars!"
"Though it's a familiar refrain, let me briefly outline the general rules: Following the opening ceremony, the competitors will proceed with the Team Competition followed by the Individual Competition."
"In the Team Competition, each team will board a hot air balloon and descend randomly to different locations. Within the competition area, teams must locate Sacred Fire Altars and gather Contending Fire nearby through combat. The goal is to bring back a sufficient amount of fire to the Arena."
"Losing a battle means elimination; leaving the battlefield means elimination; running out of time means elimination! After a series of relentless skirmishes, only the strongest teams will be able to return with the blazing Contending Fire."
"Only those who participate in the team competition are eligible for the Individual Competition. In these one-on-one duels, the outcome not only affects individual points but also determines the next round's opponent."
"Based on the required number of participants, after multiple rounds, the top five point-holders will emerge and earn the chance to participate in the Night Warden Wars!"
"Now, let's welcome the Pyro Archon to deliver the opening address!"
As Balam finished speaking, the entire arena erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers. Amidst the uproar, flames and heat currents from around the arena converged toward a high platform.
A colossal pyrotechnic display, saturated with Pyro Element, engulfed the platform, completely enveloping it.
When the flames dissipated, the Pyro Archon Mavuika emerged on the platform, her crimson hair cascading over her black-and-red leather attire. With a casual sweep of her left hand through her hair, the fiery locks ignited instantly, burning like living flames.
-
[ Player World. ]
Chen Xiyao's game character surged into the Stadium of the Sacred Flame with the crowd. At the center of the massive circular arena, the Sacred Flame blazed fiercely, filling the air with a solemn yet fervent atmosphere.
Suddenly, a rousing horn call pierced the sky, and all light seemed to converge instantly upon the high platform.
Is she coming? Chen Xiyao instinctively held her breath.
A resolute crimson figure rose like the morning sun. The Pyro Archon, Mavuika, strode to the front of the platform, her hair billowing with the Sacred Flame's flickering dance.
Her gaze, sharp as burning embers, swept across every warrior and dragon present. Even through the screen, her majestic voice seemed to shake the very soul:
[ "Sister's so cool! No wonder she sits like the Geo Archon on the Statue of The Seven!" ]
The chat exploded with comments:
[ "Holy shit! This aura!!" ]
[ "Sister, step on me!!" ]
[ "The real Sun has risen!!" ]
[ "That crimson hair! Those sculpted muscles! I'm in love!!" ]
-
On the high platform overlooking the Arena:
Mavuika stood with her hands on her hips, surveying the Arena with regal authority.
"Strength, condition, luck, strategy... many factors determine victory or defeat, but the outcome never lies," she declared.
"The Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame is not merely a trial to determine 'The Strongest One'; it is also the ultimate stage to showcase your growth and progress."
"Today's triumph will mark the beginning of another legendary tale. I announce—the competition begins!"
Flames erupted around the Arena as thunderous horns sounded, signaling the start of the games.
Paimon: "Wow, that's the Pyro Archon?! She's so... imposing! Kachina's evaluation of her as a 'warmhearted and hospitable person'—how did she even deduce that?"
Lumine: "She does seem quite majestic. I'd like to talk to her."
Paimon: "Me too! But the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame is still underway. Rushing over now would be rude. Let's wait until the competition ends. Wow, look, it's starting!"
"Traveler, look! Isn't that Chasca?!"
Their gazes turned toward the center of the Arena.
Lumine: "Mm-hmm, it's Chasca."
Balam: "As we can see, the competitors are already eager to begin. They will now board hot air balloons to reach the competition grounds."
At the center of the Arena, which was many times larger than its in-game counterpart, hundreds of teams were assembled. Behind each team stood a hot air balloon.
Because Ishkab had only decided to participate in the Pilgrimage recently, she wasn't on the same team as Kinich.
She could have formed her own team immediately—many would have gladly joined her—but to save trouble, Ishkab ultimately decided to team up with Mualani and Kachina.
As team members, they managed to register just before the registration deadline.
"Chasca! Chasca!!!"
"Itzna, you have to win—!"
"Go, Mualani!"
"Good luck, Ishkab!!"
The Arena roared with cheers. Lumine and Paimon strained their voices, shouting, "Kachina—go for it—!!"
Balam: "The crowd's excitement is reaching fever pitch! The hot air balloons are about to ascend. All competitors, prepare for liftoff!"
"Remember the rules: the balloons will take you to random locations. The moment you land, the competition begins. Fight relentlessly to gather Sacred Flame and bring it back to the Arena."
"Good luck to all of you!"
One by one, the hot air balloons rose into the sky, drifting in all directions.
The hot air balloon carrying Ishkab, Mualani, and Kachina ascended and drifted eastward for about ten minutes before slowly descending.
As the trio disembarked, Kachina surveyed their surroundings.
"Ah, we've landed here this time."
Mualani: "Let me see... There's no one nearby. We don't have to worry about a chaotic battle right away. Let's head in that direction. When we encounter other competitors, we'll crush them all."
After finalizing their plan, Mualani turned back to Ishkab.
"Ishkab, what do you think?"
Ishkab: "Yeah, let's follow Mualani's lead. Team battles are meant to be wild! Let's go!"
The trio hadn't walked far before encountering the Sacred Fire Altar and their first wave of opponents.
Mualani: "Wait, be careful! There's an ambush."
A swarm of competitors emerged from the surrounding area.
"Oh? Kachina? Ha ha! Looks like we've squeezed the softest fruit this time."
"Hey, Captain, look!"
The man who had just called Kachina a soft target now saw the figure behind her and immediately changed his plan.
"Ishkab? Damn it! Prepare for battle! Everyone, stay sharp!"
Combat was about to erupt. Ishkab produced a strange, conical tool. With a gentle flick of her right hand, the cone levitated into the air and began spinning wildly.
Though primarily a healer, underestimating Ishkab's combat capabilities would be a grave mistake.