Chapter 613: No Time
Orin stabilized his body. To his credit, he recovered quickly. He was likely the only disciple in the Sect that could have stood so close to such a breakthrough and come out unscathed—all of the others having had the protection of their elders.
Even so, he couldn’t help but give Lyrah a gloomy expression.
He cupped his fists.
"Congratulations, Third Elder. Other than my master, you are the youngest of our esteemed Hall to reach the Quasi Dome of Heaven Realm. I wish I had known. I would have certainly prepared a gift."
"Little of that matters." Lyrah waved off his bow. "Again, what was it that you were saying?"
Orin shook his head. "Just small, insignificant matters. No need to worry about this any longer."
"I see. Then we should begin the process of opening up the Forest of Ice. I’m sure our subordinate Sects and powers have been waiting for this moment for a very long while now."
"Yes, of course."
"Oh, one more thing," Lyrah suddenly said.
"Hm? Yes, of course." Orin paused his steps.
"I have a disciple that I have taken a liking to. I can inform you of the details later, but should he perform as I expect in this first round, I would like for him to receive the same treatment as you Core Disciples come the Trial of Heart."
Orin blinked and then frowned. "Third Elder—"
"This is highly inappropriate," the First Elder immediately interjected.
"What is inappropriate about it?" Lyrah asked, her expression still calm.
"This is an outsider."
"An outsider? Did I not just say that this is a disciple I’ve taken a liking to? Or are you hard of hearing?"
"What did you just say to me?!" the First Elder’s voice boomed, his rat-like face twisting in a grimace.
"Apologies," Lyrah replied. But before the First Elder could sneer in acceptance, she continued, "It’s my fault for phrasing this as though I was asking. I am well within my rights to accept a disciple. The identity of this disciple is also well known, being of a subordinate Sect close to our own. I have no other disciples to receive this treatment, so I will be taking this quota.
"If you want to dispute this, feel free to issue me a challenge. We are now of the same Realm—I do not mind giving you a fight."
The First Elder’s expression only twisted all the more.
Which of them didn’t know of Lyrah’s talent? The only thing holding her back was her Realm. She was well documented as having the ability to fight beyond her cultivation level.
In terms of talent, below the Matriarch, the only one comparable to her was the Second Elder.
As for why Ilzan was the Second and not the Third, it was because he knew how to play the game of politics—something Lyrah seemed to always refuse to play.
In strict adherence to the rules... maybe Ilzan should be the First, or even the Grand Elder. But he never fought for these titles.
Lyrah, though... just might.
Despite the fact she had only just broken through, they all instantly had a healthy fear of her.
"I will... report this to Master, then," Orin said slowly, as though making sure Lyrah wouldn’t fly off the handle.
"That’s of course not a problem. I’m sure the Matriarch will side with me. After all, these are just the rules of the Sect."
Lilac and Violet both clenched their fists.
Each Quasi Dome of Heaven Elder only had one such quota, though they could try to negotiate for more or exchange for more with resources.
If they were still under Lyrah... at least one of them would get this treatment. But because they were under the First Elder...
That opportunity would go to Little Third without the slightest doubt...
And they would get nothing.
"Then I hope Third Elder also understands that according to these very same rules, the disciple you have taken a liking to can only receive such rewards if they can achieve a top ten placing on the rankings."
"That’s not a problem," Lyrah said casually. "With that settled, let’s begin."
The Elders all looked toward one another.
A disciple that came from a subordinate Sect, and yet had such strength? How was that possible?
Rose’s eyes twinkled. She had more information than the others... so she was quite well aware that Theron was a mere Silver Mancer. But it was because she had more information that she was so curious.
A Silver Mancer who defeated a Gold Mancer of their Sect with a single move... a Silver Mancer a talent like Lyrah thought could reach the top ten? Was that a joke?
Even being of the First Cloud Resonance didn’t guarantee you top 100 in this gathering. How could a Silver Mancer possibly achieve top ten?
Rose felt that the coming moments were going to be very interesting. She actually had quite a bit of respect for Lyrah and little fondness for her father, the Grand Elder. However, her most important interests were those of herself.
Suddenly, she couldn’t help but wonder how she could take advantage of this.
At that moment, all of the Elders raised their palms, the skies churning with light, stirring and shaking as the barriers around the Forest of Ice began to slowly melt away.
**
Theron stood amidst the disciples of the Nightingale Sect. Or, rather, their corpses. The only exception was Lyra herself.
Lyra looked at the dead Blackmaul and Kaelen, her mouth covered.
"Theron, you... why did you do that...?" she sobbed.
"They’re liabilities. I don’t have the time to be stabbed in the back by dead weight. You can take the others and leave. Go to Third Elder Lyrah—she will protect you. I’ll take everything from here."
"But Matriarch Macie..."
"Third Elder Lyrah won’t let anything happen to you. Plus, she won’t have anything to be angry about after I place far better than anything she could imagine."
"I... okay..." Lyra nodded slowly. Deep inside, a trust in Theron had already long taken strong hold.
The barrier of ice around them began to tremble.