Hundreds of individuals seemed frozen within the tundra-like landscape. They truly couldn't grasp whether Ryu was a fool, or if he was really capable of doing such a thing. The birth of a Throne wasn't something one spoken about candidly. Even if the requirements for becoming a Throne here was much lower than the Inner Ring or the Core Region, a Throne was still a Throne.
To put matters into perspective, no one would dare to guarantee that if the greatest geniuses of the Core Region came that they'd lay claim to a Throne title. Even if their positions were ones that usually looked down upon a mere Fifth Order Sect, even in all their arrogance, they wouldn't dare to say such a thing.
Yet here was Ryu, a man donned in black robes with white hair seemingly disappearing within the fallen snow, confidently smiling as though it was just another day.
'In the entirety of our Pedestal Plane… There are only two other Thrones… Tens of billions of individuals, whittled down to just two…' Mae bit her lower lip. 'Even then, before those two, it had been several hundred thousand years since the last Throne appeared on our Plane. Now, suddenly, a third wants to lay claim to the title? Is it coincidence? Or is it that the tale of those two emboldened others to risk their lives…?
Becoming a Throne didn't just represent unmatched talent and battle prowess, it also represented an unyielding spirit. Thrones were loners, individuals who would rather stand above the world than hold hands with it. There was no doubt that a Throne here could easily enter some of the best Sects and Clans on the higher Blossom Plane, yet they turned down such a path.
"A challenger to our Sect's Throne?"
In that moment, a voice as soft as clouds, yet as powerful as a mountain, cut through the quiet atmosphere. Mae and Amie were shaken out of their thoughts, their necks practically snapping in the direction the voice came from.
"Heiress!" The two core disciples lowered their heads and all but knelt to the ground. They knew that their Sect's Inheritor often oversaw the disciple trials, mostly as a precaution against the rowdy men and as a warning to those who deemed to cross a line they shouldn't, but she never appeared. However, the moment she did, everyone lost their breaths for a completely different reason… Beauty.
Her hair was a long black that sank to just above her waist, but it sparkled with a silver light that made her feel ethereal. Her neck was long and slender, leading to a delicate face lined by gentle, soft slopes. She wasn't very tall, more than a head shorter than Ryu, but her presence and demeanor made her seem larger than life.
A blue gown graced her curves, following the contours of her body and giddily clinging to her with the help of the whipping cold winds. Those of weaker will couldn't help but swallow dryly whenever a particularly strong gust forced her dress to press firmly against her.
This woman was Heiress Melody, the sole Inheritor of the Awoken Moon Sect and… Granny Miriam's younger sister.
Ryu knew this the moment he laid eyes on her. The faint pang of a guilty conscience weighed on him. If it wasn't for him, would she have lost a sister?... Probably not. Granny Miriam was beloved by all, if it hadn't been for him, she would have lived for much longer… She wouldn't have died like a criminal, with her name slandered and thrown in the mud…
Ryu knew that Heiress Melody was most definitely already aware about her sister's death. This wasn't because of some arbitrary power like a sixth sense, but rather due to their special Bone Structure.
Granny Miriam, before her death, told Ryu about the constitution she shared with her younger, twin sister. It was called the Causal Gate Bone Structure. Essentially, the Fates of the two sisters were tied as one, but not in any obvious way.
Both twins were born with an Earth Grade Bone Structure and Bloodline, but Granny Miriam ended up losing her talent to her young sister because she had no interest in cultivation. As a result, Heiress Melody, through their shared Bone Structure, became a Dual Heaven Grade talent.
"Yes." Ryu recollected himself. "I would like to challenge your Sect's Throne."
"You are aware that we are a female-only Sect, correct?"
"Thrones aren't restricted by such rules."
"This much is correct, however I tell you this not to turn you away, but for your own sake. Our Sect's Legacies are difficult to grasp, but it is still true that it is far easier for women to comprehend them than for men to. If you have the talent to become a Throne, there are… better options for you."
A person could become a Throne of as many Sects as they pleased. But, doing so became far more difficult with each subsequent attempt. The point of a Throne was to accumulate Faith, but if that Faith was split between Sects, the value of a Throne plummeted. Therefore, one had to prove they could support the Faith growth of multiple Sects at once. Since Melody knew this… She wanted Ryu to choose his first Sect wisely because he may never get a second.
Ryu paused. He seemed oblivious to the fact that many were shocked he could so easily converse with Melody. It was clear they had no idea he had a beauty far surpassing her on his shoulder. Instead, he was focused on the Heiress' words… It seemed she was pitying Ryu, as though telling him not to feel guilty. She likely believed that Ryu had come here to pay back a debt he felt he owed to her elder sister.
'That is in part true…' Ryu thought silently. '… I will make sure that you raise up and succeed in your goals because I owe your sister my life... However, that is not my sole goal in coming to your Sect either. Your Awoken Moon Sect will be of great help to me.'
"I believe that I am… Very compatible with your Sect. I would like to try my luck, Heiress Melody."
Melody did her best to hide her trembling. She knew that this young man was tied to her elder sister's death in some way, but she didn't feel that her sister had any animosity toward him. In fact, Ryu was wrapped endlessly with Miriam's love and affection.
Granny Miriam spent her life helping others, so she never had a chance to make a family of her own. But, she had taken Ryu to be her very own grandson, a young man she saw as her kin.
This was why Melody wasn't hostile to Ryu despite seeing a ring she so very clearly recognized on his finger. The connection she shared with her elder sister was very strong. Since her sister wanted to protect this little boy, she would protect him too. She had no idea that Ryu had come to uplift her and not the other way around.
"If that is your choice… Follow me."