Ryu's descent from above seemed like a man asking for death. However, the vision of splattered blood and gore never occurred. In fact, the sound of Ryu's feet touching the ground was so soft that many almost doubted their ears. Was it possible to fall from such a height soundlessly?
In that moment hundreds of thousands of gazes focused on the visage of a young man that seemed carved of heavenly gems. His sharp jaw, his high cheek bones, his boundless aura, each felt otherworldly to an unimaginable level. Unfortunately, Ryu hadn't reached a realm where he was capable of withdrawing his strength, so every step he took made it feel as though he was orchestrating the beating hearts of those watching him.
The black leather robes Ryu forged for himself only refined his aura all the more so. The presence of the Third Order beast he forged his clothes from hadn't dissipated, making him seem particularly wild despite the calm expression on his features.
Without a single word, his eyes still closed, he made his way to the seven Princes.
"Grandfather, grandfather!" Yaana pulled on the old General's sleeve, an expression of pure excitement on her slightly immature features. By now, she had grown into a one of the femme fatales on the Higher Mortal Plane. The men who wished to claim her heart could extend from the Gates of the Garis Clan to the edge of the Plane itself! Yet, no one had seen her bright brown eyes light up so fiercely in the last two years… Until today that is.
Old Man Garis smiled bitterly. Didn't this little girl know that he could see just fine? Did you also not notice his white hair? Do you not know what that means?
Suddenly, years of confusion were instantly washed away not just for the old General, but the other family Heads as well. They had wondered why the Tor Clan would be so foolish in suppressing such a talent, but now they understood. It seemed the Heavens had been cruel when they created Ryu. They gave him everything a person could ask for except for one. The irony was uncanny.
Old Man Agnes froze when he saw Ryu. After he lashed out against King Tor, he had become a cripple due to Death Guard Bhishak's vicious beating. In the end, a mighty Qi Refinement realm expert had become nothing more than a normal old man. If it hadn't been for Third Concubine Leilani leaving the Palace to care for him, he likely would have died under the schemes of his younger brothers already.
Even seeing his grandson now, he couldn't bring himself to feel any hope or happiness. In fact, he didn't even feel anger or hatred. He simply felt deflated. These feelings could only be said to be triply true for Leilani who had a half head of gray hair now. Seeing her son only made her sink into her chair further, tears falling from her wrinkled cheeks.
"How audacious!" Elder Adorjan's fists clenched. Both his wife and the Second Princess had fainted in horror the moment the saw Ryu descend from the skies. The weight they had been carrying for years erupted in full force once more, causing them both to cough up blood and lose consciousness. This sort of Heart Demon was the most vicious. Even the mere appearance of Ryu forced them into such a state.
Mai and Hagan paled when they saw the state of their mothers. Unlike their fathers who understood the repercussions of acting rashly now, they were two immature children at just barely eleven years old. How could they control themselves after seeing such a thing?
"RYU! It's all your fault! You hurt my mother!" Hagan's immature voice spread across the battle arena. Although they were only eleven, both had broken into the Pulse Opening realm just a few weeks ago, making them some of the better talents of the Sect. He and Mai both believed that the two of them together were enough to deal with Ryu.
They were merely children. Their thought processes were too simple. They had long since forgotten about the strength of the beast Ryu used to come here. All they remembered was the pain of their mothers and the fact they had been cultivating for longer than Ryu.
Neither King Tor nor the two Elders moved to stop them. According to Clan Texts, it was the right of every young man of the Tor main bloodline to participate in the Coronation Games. If King Tor directly acted against Ryu, it would affect the Fate of his Kingdom. Ryu knew this well, which was why he dared to appear. However, none of this meant that they couldn't rely on others.
Unfortunately for them, despite crossing the several hundred meters that separated them from Ryu in just a few seconds, the two children suddenly stopped when they were just ten meters away from him.
When they were further away, their senses as mere Pulse Opening realm experts couldn't see through him, but the moment they entered his range, they felt an unquenchable fear. Not only was Ryu's own aura too domineering after slaughter beasts for months on end, the Third Order beast fur and leather he wore bore down upon his little niece and nephew, making them plop to the ground in a heap. Fear shook their small faces as the putrid scent of urine wafted from them.
Ryu, however, never paused his steps. He claimed the last and empty eighth platform, completing the circle of the Princes without a single change to his expression. It was as though he didn't notice the gazes of his three brothers land boring holes through him, nor the amused expressions of Prince Atticus and Silas.
With a subtle signal from Headmaster Leopold, the Visual Memory Jades tactfully missed the scene of the two children, focusing entirely on Ryu's entrance. Aside from a small minority of individuals, no one could see far enough to realize what had happened, and even less people noticed the quick movements of the two Elders in retrieving their children. But, how could Ryu not feel the two sharp points of killing intent pierce his back?
After giving Ryu a deep look, the Headmaster shook his head. He had already been warned about the possible reappearance of the Fourth Prince and had used his influence to partially understand the hidden story of the Tor Clan. However, while he understood this Fourth Prince's plight, he felt that he was too young and far too rash.
"The first trial is a test of disposition and endurance. To be King, one must be bold, but they must also be patient and enduring. To move based on emotion and revenge is not the way of the King and will only bring about the early destruction of an Empire." Headmaster Leopold sent a small glance toward Ryu before looking away. "This trial will not only put your perseverance to the test, it will also reward those who understand their limits and know when to take a step back. Bring the Royal Clan Totems!"
Ryu's expression didn't change in the face of the old man's seemingly private lecture. To him, it was this old man who didn't understand his limits.. To use his hundred years of experience to mentor Ryu's thousand years? What an absolute joke.
