Hours passed in the blink of an eye. And all the way to the direct center of Azure Lightning City, a massive gathering was happening.
If one were to see this event from a bird's eyes view, they would bear witness to a sea of thousands upon thousands of Martial cultivators!
For dozens of miles, people alike filled the enormous grand Spirit Plaza. And despite the volume of people, nothing was crowded in the slightest. The Spirit Plaza was extensive enough to fit everyone, stretching on for at least a diameter of hundreds of miles!
Moreover, not only was the Spirit Plaza massive, it was the most luxuriously designed of the entire Azure Lightning City. Here, all buildings were crafted from unique materials forged from Spirit stones.
Spirit stones held similar properties to Qi stones and materials. That is to provide a far better structure and defense for any unexpected situations.
Compared to Qi Stones, Spirit Stones had more finesse in their designs.
All structures here had a multitude of bright rainbow colors that glossed over the Spirit Plaza in a radiant shine. Even the ground covering the Spirit Plaza was made up entirely of multicolored Spirit Stones.
Such a beautiful scene did not go to waste to the Martial cultivators here. Each and everyone appreciated this virtually otherworldly beauty.
Some even sigh, comparing the Spirit Plaza to other organizations and realizing they all fell short.
What was especially shocking about the Spirit Plaza was the fact that it's not readily available to anyone but World Spirit Masters.
Covering this massive area was an unbreakable Spirit barrier that no Sage Core Master could ever force through.
Because of how inaccessible it is, seeing the Spirit Plaza for an annual event was the highlight for many Martial cultivators. Even down to the Aura, the Martial cultivator was immersed.
The Spirit Aura may not be able to benefit their cultivation. But it was able to soothe their minds and bodies, akin to taking a deep in a hot, relaxing spring pool.
At the center of the Spirit Plaza was the main attraction for today.
There was an enormous white-color Spirit stone platform that was suspended in mid-air. The Spirit stone platform stretched on for around 800 meters, and below it was a large gathering of World Spirit Masters.
In this area, there were no other Martial cultivators, only World Spirit Masters.
The distance separating the citizens and World Spirit Masters had to be at least a mile.
But even at such a sizable distance, the more powerful Martial cultivators can easily peer over this distance. In fact, all Profound Soul cultivators can cover this distance on foot in just a few seconds.
As for the weaker Martial cultivators, there were numerous Spirit energy projections that floated above the massive crowd of people, allowing everyone to see everything on stage.
As of now, the Spirit Annual Exchange event has officially begun! And the excitement running through the audience couldn't be higher.
"I can just feel it; this year will be far intenser than last! Those World Spirit Masters all looked more ferocious and determined than usual."
One group of Senior Martial cultivators recounted their experiences as they watched the first group of World Spirit Masters appear on stage.
"Well, they have to be more ferocious after all. Young Spirit Master Cain and Kali are confirmed to be participating. If their talent is so true, then they practically have the whole event in their palms!"
The other Martial cultivators had the same general agreement. But as they thought more about it, doubts started to flash in others' minds.
"I mean…I wonder about that. I remember dozens of years ago when a rare 3rd Class Spirit talent participated here. That talent far surpassed his generation. Yet, his result was that courageous. He only managed to get to the top 20 within weeks of practice. Spirit Master Cain and Kali had even less time…"
The virtue of hard work stayed consistent no matter the Martial or Spiritual Road. For sure, these and any other Martial cultivators recognized that great talent doesn't equate to instantaneous power. Hard training would be required to fully realize any great potential.
And just as these Senior Martial cultivators thought of this, one of them suddenly perked up.
"Hey, let's not forget that Great Spirit Master Bellax is personally guiding them. Perhaps with that, they can achieve far better results. In any case, I'll place some of my best on the young Spirit Master siblings. Maybe I can get lucky."
All throughout the crowd, everyone merely remained cautiously optimistic for Cain and Kali's performance.
Without seeing any Spirit feat themselves, it was hard to believe they could perform something outrageous.
This holds true for their Martial Prowess. Many were beginning to doubt if the sibling duo were as powerful as the rumors make them out to be. Although, nobody dared to voice these opinions out loud.
It was simply impossible to speak out on people with such extreme statuses.
At this time, below the Spirit stone platform, the World Spirit Masters had gathered onto a considerably large stage.
Hundreds were here and banded together. Many had gone to form groups to discuss their plans and to destress themselves.
But out of all talks, there was one consistent bout of whisperings spreading from group to group.
"So those three really decided to show up, huh? Even with Great Spirit Master guidance, just how can they really improve? And for that matter…why did that Vampire girl even bother to show up?"
"Of course, she would show up. She's practically attached to Cain more than his sister. And since she follows under him, I won't be surprised if she is a decent enough Spirit talent."
"Birds of a feather, eh? But even so, I have my own high hopes to completely take this competition."
The center of these World Spirit Masters whispers was a trio of youths standing near the end of the waiting stage.
This trio, of course, included Cain, Kali, and Amber.
These three took their distance away from everyone else and didn't bother with coming closer. They appeared to be isolated, but it was that really nobody wanted to converse with them.
Before this event, neither Cain, Kali, or Amber went out of their way to form any friendship with their fellow World Spirit Masters. Thus, it was inevitable that they would become a bit secluded.
Though, nobody had the slightest thoughts of genuinely messing with them. They all just stick to lower whispers and murmurs.
But even as they were speaking among themselves within a large crowd, both Cain and Kali heard them all.
The sibling duo's greatly sensitive senses allowed them to see their competitor's true hearts. And out of the two, only Kali visibly reacted.
Her eyes narrowed as she audibly clicked her teeth. "Just listen to these guys; they're running their mouths as if they'll experience zero consequences. To think they don't even know that they're not only far from being able to compare to us but also that Vampire girl is leagues ahead."
Though she didn't place such high importance on her Spiritual Road, Kali still took great pride in the Spirit energy that she managed to refine so far. In terms of progress, she considers themselves to be the difference between cloud and mud.
As she so causally spoke as if she was stating a fact, Kali naturally didn't notice the amused smirk curling Cain and Amber's lips. Hearing such words of praise from her, truly an unprecedented anomaly.
Amber couldn't help herself. She smilingly said, "Well, well? Are you finally willing to admit this Vampire girl has some skills?"
"Hm?" Kali merely curled her brows, recognizing her brother and Amber's teasing look.
She nearly sneered as she said, "I would recognize you more if you want so scared of going into public. Our Martial and Spiritual Roads doesn't allow us to keep our head down, you know?"
"That's just your brazen ideals, stuffy girl. Me? Well, studying is much better than all the glory." Amber lazily waved off her accusation.
Even after getting pressured so many times by her, Amber's answer never changed.
And when thinking back on it, Cain found it was much better to let her Spirit talent remain a secret.
When it was revealed that she is officially a World Spirit Master, the amount of stir she caused wasn't small. It wasn't on either his or Kali's level, but it was something to take notice of.
But beyond the general populace having far more respect and reverence for Amber, they weren't anything to worry about for them.
However, what was genuinely worrying was the Hiyashi estate reaction.
Cain expected them all to be elated with joy and have the drive to worship the ground she walks on.
And while he undoubtedly saw awe and respect in many young and Elder Vampires' eyes, there were other discerning ones.
They mainly came from the supreme Elder Bai's faction.
There was something he couldn't quite put his hand on about them. But the likes of Elder Bai, Wang, and Gao's eyes reminded him of something. Deep within the depths of their pupils, he could see a calculating glint.
Towards everyone else, they may have fooled them. But Cain could recognize that glint considering he sensed when he first met them, and he experienced it during his brief time in his Imperial Palace.
Thankfully, all Elder Bai, Wang, and Gao had been mere thoughts, nothing more.
No matter their plans, they are all evidently aware of the status imbalance when concerning Amber.
It wasn't an exaggeration at all to say Amber is virtually invincible in her estate and the Crimson Sea Academy.
But still, Cain made sure to pay extra attention to Elder Bai's faction. He didn't fear them at all. But, just like how that black robe man taught him, anything unexpected could always happen.
"Haah~. Really, I should stop bothering." Kali lightly sighed before shifting focus onto Cain.
"So? Besides suppressing these World Spirit Masters, are you really serious about forming some sort of business connections here? Putting it bluntly, I don't any see true reasons for doing so."