Chapter 82: Chapter 82: A Failed Romance
"Junior brother Damien, we’re going to participate in the Seven Saintesses Competition. Would you like to come along?"
As soon as Kimon said this, Vahn came out of the cave at once.
His skin and his masculine build felt different today, making Kimon momentarily dazed. He was definitely stronger than he was two days before, that much Kimon was sure of.
"Ah, my junior brother is handsome and talented... how will I keep my Dao heart steady from now?" she thought inwardly, feeling a flush creep onto her cheeks.
"Senior sister, shouldn’t we go now?" Vahn asked, his tone calm as water.
"Ah, yes, yes...!" she stammered, pulling herself together.
Afterward, they gathered together with Drunken Master and Veerion, then headed toward the Imperial City.
Their speed was extreme, breaking the sound barrier, as they were supported by the Drunken Master’s internal energy, which felt vast and bottomless.
Vahn’s pupils shrank, instantly understanding the true, terrifying power of a Void Shattering Realm Cultivator. Still, it was incredible to think that even this profound expert couldn’t see through his disguise.
’Lilith was truly awesome...,’ he thought,
They arrived at the Imperial Colosseum just as the battles between the Outer Court Prodigies had begun.
The group was quickly ushered to their reserved Sky Viewing Box, a privileged vantage point high above the chaotic arena. Vahn watched as Veerion and Kimon immediately sought the Drunken Master’s permission to join the competition below.
With a dismissive wave and the sound of gurgling wine, the Drunken Master allowed them to leave, settling back to his business of drinking.
Kimon, her cheeks flushed with excitement, turned to Vahn, asking for his good wishes. Receiving a calm nod and affirmation, she left jovially.
Vahn then focused his attention on the battles unfolding below.
The Colosseum floor was a staggering display of ancient power: it was lined with almost 100 mechanized battle platforms, each one lifted and stabilized by some powerful Array formation. This setup meant the arena held the capability to conduct 100 matches in a single session.
The number of participants was huge, as everyone wanted to prove themselves. But of course, only disciples of the Seven Great Holy Lands were allowed to participate. This rule was a clear and cynical move: they didn’t want their valuable resources and recognition to go to the weaker Sects and Kingdoms outside their control.
Vahn watched the chaos, his calm exterior hiding the torrent of strategic calculations racing through his mind. These initial, brutal skirmishes were a perfect way to size up the competition.
Very soon, Vahn noticed a familiar sight on one of the platforms: a chubby young man walked onto the stage with determined footsteps.
Vahn instantly recognized him. This was Fatty Liam, the person who had helped Vahn multiple times without ever asking for anything in return. Liam was matched against a pretty boy who was condescending as he looked down upon Liam. Liam, meanwhile, appeared mature and calm.
Vahn already knew who would win.
Bang!
Liam blasted his opponent off the platform with a single swipe of his sword. The handsome young man had clearly never expected Liam to be so fast and powerful.
In the end, Liam left the platform with calm strides, but his eye turned briefly to one of the VIP boxes where a gorgeous young woman was clinging to another young man.
Liam’s eyes held a deep sorrow he never wanted to show to the world.
Vahn, who was already aware of Liam’s romantic life, instantly understood everything.
"So, she chose another man, huh..."
Vahn couldn’t help but feel sad for Liam. He mentally made a note: after the competition was over, he would definitely meet him.
His eyes also caught vague images of 5 other Saintesses.
They rested on the grand thrones set just beside the Imperial Family on the topmost platform. The Supreme Elders, proud and haughty, were also seated there.
He couldn’t see their faces clearly through the haze of distance and prestige, but he could sense the immense power radiating from them.
A cold realization settled over him. He had been incredibly lucky with the bondings of Seraphina, Lilith, and Flama. The other four, however, were hostile; taming them wouldn’t be easy.
His attention then shifted to the Imperial platform. He noticed the New Emperor, Tristan, seated on his throne, watching everything with regal elegance. Beside him, the Second Prince, Tyrion Light, sat watching the proceedings with his signature, unsettlingly amused smile. Something about Tyrion felt deeply unsettling to Vahn, but for the moment, he could do nothing.
His senses, sharpened by the bond, searched for Lilith. Though others couldn’t see her real face, Vahn could sense her easily. She sat amidst the commoners’ seats, perfectly blending in with the millions of excited spectators.
Nevertheless, for now, he focused on the competition. Although Seraphina had committed to choosing him as her follower after the competition, he still had to show some undeniable talent to convince those Top Dogs that "Damien Infernos" was worthy to enter the Secret Realm.
In the blink of an eye, six hours passed.
The battles had been swift but largely unexciting, as these were the matches between Outer Court disciples. The top powerhouses found no joy in watching these small skirmishes. To them they still learning to crawl on path of immortality.
The final victors of the Outer Court Division were:
1: Liam Marvin from White Lotus Sanctuary. Vahn smiled faintly, glad to see his friend advance.
2: Prince Helix from Darkness Creed.
3 & 4: One male and one female disciple from Divine Forge Valley (the place where the Saintess of War, Aria, resided).
5 & 6: Two young women from Gorgonia (the Holy Land of Charm and Seduction, where the Saintess of Nature, Valeria Rosethorn, resided).
"Damn, what’s with this result? Our Holy Land just got one seat in the Outer Court Division... What a disappointment." A gruff voice from a nearby viewing box grated across the excited murmurs of the crowd.
"You’re right, brother," another voice chimed in, equally vexed. "But how the hell did those Seductresses from Gorgonia manage to secure two seats? They’re supposed to rely on charm, not pure combat!"
"Sigh, this year’s result is really weird. Divine Forge Valley also secured two seats, while The Zenith Spires and The Frostgate Bastion got none."
(Vahn instantly connected the names: The Zenith Spires, the Holy Land of Stars and Divination, and The Frostgate Bastion for the Holy Land Of Ice and Purity. Their absence from the Outer Court victors meant their power was probably concentrated in the Inner Court Division.)
That meant, Vahn was going get hell of a competition.
The speaker continued, "It’s going to be an unpredictable year. Now we wait for the Inner Court. That’s where the real talent, and the real slaughter, begins."