As soon as Headmaster Leopold's voice fell, three amused Elders flew through the skies leisurely, each carrying a sealed black box formed as cylindrical pillars. They found it funny that they as Spiritual Severing realm experts were following the orders of a mere mortal, but for the sake of their Sect Masters, they allowed it. If things went well today, their dreams of one day entering the Divine Vessel realm and lording over this Highest Mortal Plane were in sight.
The Headmaster frowned, his already wrinkled face forming more peaks and crevices. There were meant to be four totems, so why were only three being brought out now? When he thought of a possibility, his expression became incomparably unsightly. To think that they'd dare blatantly disrespect him like this.
At that moment, the Headmaster felt the slight smirk on Ryu's handsome features. It only appeared for a moment before disappearing, but the old man felt as though a severe slap had resounded across the arena. In fact, his cheeks even reddened.
The crowd didn't seem to notice any of this, instead, they were completely enraptured by the display of these cultivators. Some ignorant individuals even excitedly explained to their children about how these experts were true immortals, holding the Fate of the world in their palms. Of course, the three experts didn't bother to correct them, enjoying the attention they were receiving.
Soon, the three of them touched down soundlessly.
The structure of the trial was simple. All eight Princes stood on an elevated circular platform. These platforms were arranged in a circle, leaving each an equidistance from the next. The last feature of this trial was the path toward the center where the three Spiritual Severing realm experts stood. Obviously, this trial was related to their ability to work toward this center platform.
Of the three experts, two were exceptionally elderly, looking even older than the Headmaster. However, one of them was relatively young, looking like a man who was at most fifty years old. This man was none other than Ryu's supposed grandfather, Amell Tor – a man with half a foot in the Divine Vessel realm.
Amell's eyes flashed with a complicated light when he looked toward this Fourth Grandson of his. He had been there when Ryu's ceremony was sabotaged, but he had done nothing. In the end, Ryu assigned him just as much blame for the pain he endured in this life as anyone else despite him being the most absent.
"Haha, Brother Amell, your Tor Clan certainly has a strong seed. To think you'd birth four talents of this caliber in just one generation." One of the older men from Nature's Emblem Sect spoke leisurely as he removed the seals from his cylinder.
The old men chatted as though they couldn't sense the angered expressions of the Opes Clan. Prince Kalmin and Kwan gripped their fists so tightly that the almost imperceptible sound of dripping blood could be heard by those whose perceptions were sharp enough.
Amell said nothing. Their Tor Clan was so blessed, yet they had courted disaster. In less than two years, this Fourth Grandson of his had cultivated to the Peak of the Pulse Opening realm and could enter the Qi Refinement realm any moment. On top of that, it was clear that his Body Realm cultivation was already more profound that Cayden's even without using a Body Refinement technique. That can only mean that his talent far outstripped that of his Third Brother.
But, now, there was no regaining Ryu's favor. The fact he had appeared here with his true hair, yet no one had reacted at all showed just how foolish King Tor had been. Still, while others might not be aware, Amell understood why King Tor made the decision he did. The matters of the White Devils weren't over.
Soon, three blinding auras shot up into the skies as the Clan Totems were revealed to the world.
Two of the older gentlemen shamelessly bowed toward the Opes Clan and their Pillar Families. "We old men apologize for not being able to bring the Opes Clan Totem here. Only someone above the Qi Refinement realm can ignore the pressure these Totems exude but we do not have such experts to spare."
King Opes' veins bulged, rage building up in his heart. But there was nothing he could do.
Normally, the Coronation Games would take place within one's own Kingdom, as such, the Totems wouldn't have to be moved. Unfortunately for the Opes Kingdom, the three Sects that had been commissioned to handle this had used it as an opportunity to suppress the two Opes Princes. One can imagine the kind of disadvantage they'd be at facing the auras of these Kingdom Ancestors without the support of their own… It would be shocking if they could take even one step!
In the skies, Headmaster Leopold's already aged features turned green. He had promised absolute fairness just moments ago… In fact, he had lectured Ryu on the propriety a Ruler should have. Yet, in just seconds, he learned exactly why there was no recourse in the martial world. He could do nothing about this because he was a mortal, his fists were not large enough!
Calming himself as the Spiritual Severing realm experts flew away, the old Headmaster smiled bitterly. It seemed that he had also become too used to wielding power. To think he had allowed himself to feel so noble. His Mental Realm still needed tempering.
"My apologies." This was all the Headmaster could say. His reputation had taken an untenable blemish today. He could only continue as though nothing had happened. "Young Princes, during this Trial you will have to face the auras of your Ancestors. In the past, this trial would occur last as the chance of injury is very high. However, I have decided to place it first.
"As I've said, a King must know when to advance and when to retreat. Your mind is just as important as your strength. Never forget this. Those who understand their limits will benefit in future tests. Begin!"
In that moment, Ryu's grandfather was the last to leave the central platform. He gave Ryu a deep look before turning. With his aura no longer protecting the Princes, they were suddenly assaulted by a wave of unending Pressure. It felt as though they were facing the vicissitudes of hundreds of generations.
Prince Kwan and Kalmin immediately paled, the younger Prince Kwan coughing up blood and flying backward. Tears streamed down his face, but there was nothing he could do. He was too weak. Without the protection of his Ancestors, he couldn't last even a second.
The sounds of jeering from citizens of other Kingdoms filled the ears of the two brothers. A cruel reality overwhelmed them… There were only three trials to this Co-Coronation Game… By placing last now, they had already lessened their chances of protecting their Sect's Legacy to near zero…