7. A Competition and Another Continent

After deciding to hold an inter sect competition, Orval began to explain the details of his idea.

With his hands clasped behind his back he looked at everyone and explained "We will have all the disciples of each area, outer, inner, and core, fight against their peers. The top 3 disciples of each section will receive the right to one week in the training hall of the section one level above them. For instance, the outer sect disciples will get a weeks worth of time in the inner sect training hall. In addition to that the winner will receive an artifact I have personally crafted, which I will tailor specifically to them. So, now I need you to inform the outer and inner leaders to begin the process. I expect to start in two days and be completed in two days after that."

"Yes, we shall head out now and complete this task." all the elders said in unison.

As the elders turned to leave suddenly, Orval spoke "Oh, and I will be participating in the Leaders portion of the sect competition, since it would be truly unfair for me to take away opportunities of our disciples." He was smiling a very mischievous smile. As the elders heard this there was a look of horror on their faces and with out turning around the just vanished on the spot to handle their mission.

After speaking with his mother and father for a few moments he left with Susie back to the palace. He sent Burlesque to oversee the whole process of the competition.

When Orval and Susie arrived in the palace only then did Orval turn to her and speak "Susie, you have been making great progress. If you win, since you already have an artifact, I will teach you a special method to break through to Soul Formation. While, you will be able to break through with out it, due to the current power of your core it will take an unreasonable amount of time, but I also don't want to spoil you to much. So, make sure you win." Then he left. Susie went to her personal training room to begin practicing her combat skills, determined to win.

Unknown Location on Glass Planet

In the lower levels of the dreary mansion, the coffin continues to absorb an obscene amount of bloody qi. As the eerie shadow watched on, he continued to send out more and more blood red wisps of energy.

'Soon, My Lord, shall be ready to take over this entire world and overturn the heavens' thought the fiendish shadow. He could feel the time was near after spending many, many years supplying energy to his master.

Glacier Manor

Duke Glacier, was sitting in his cultivation chamber, he was using his perception to keep an eye on his son's cavern to ensure he did not leave. He was relieved that his son has not put up a fuss during this time and practiced diligently. This son of his has never been the type to work hard, so maybe this was a blessing in disguise.

Abel, who has been in seclusion this entire time, has almost fully absorbed all the energy from the wisp. He successfully entered the Rebirth Realm. His eyes had a bloody murderous intent to them, as he continued to cultivate further.

Royal Capital Tempest Void City

During this time, Iris has broken through to the entry level of Rebirth Realm. So, she decided to go on a small journey to experience some opportunities. She bid her father farewell and informed him that she will be back before the competitions began.

The Emperor, caring for his daughters safety, bid her farewell but secretly sent a wisp of energy along with her just in case she ran into some truly dangerous beings.

Emerald Gem Sect

It has been officially two days since the announcement of the inter sect competition. Everyone is excited, especially the mortals in the city portion of the sect. Burlesque, by the order of Orval, had put viewing mirrors in all areas of the sect so everyone could watch the competition. This caused there to be a festival like atmosphere in the city, it was a grand time that some would compare to a festival of a kingdoms founding day. There were many mortals and cultivators who visited during this time, with several very interesting guests also being in attendance.

After Burlesque announced the start of the competition, everyone turned their attention to the viewing mirrors. Cheering and bets were being placed all over the sect, especially in the city.

All sections of the sect had officially begun the competition, with the leaders being the exception since there was far fewer of them compared to the rest of the areas. The outer sect portion, which consisted of only those in Foundation Establishment Realm, was relatively lacking in entertainment to those whose cultivation was above that realm but the mortals watching found plenty of enjoyment in it, since its not often mortals get to see these battles.

In the inner sect portion, the disciples are more experienced and the minimum realm was Qi Manifestation and the maximum was Core Manifestation, so it was far more entertaining. The cultivators who had come to visit incognito, were very surprised by the growth of the sect that was once at the bottom the barrel on the entire continent.

The core sect portion, was amazing to say the least since the lowest realm was Golden Core and the highest was Peak Soul Formation. There was a lot of attention draw to these battles due to Susie, she was after all the direct disciple of Orval, who was to reason for the sects growth. There were also several other notable disciples that caught the eyes of the sect leaders.

During this time of the competition, in the seclusion caves there was movement. An old man with a long white hair and an even longer white beard, emerged from the caves. 'I was still unable to break through even after so many years' thought the weary old man. Then as he began to head towards to center of the sect he noticed many changes and the current commotion. He thought maybe the sect had been taken over and rushed to where the pagoda was.

All the leaders of the sect naturally noticed the old mans presence and stepped out of the pagoda to greet him. When the worried old man arrived he noticed them, stopped and began speaking "Luke, my boy, what exactly is happening to the sect?"

Then Luke began to explain what happened over the years in detail. After all his father was the Founder of the Emerald Gem Sect, Darren Emerald. He was once thought of as a powerhouse with great potential until, one day he suddenly could no longer break through no matter how hard he tried, causing the sect to lower in the ranks of the continent. During the explanation Orval was observing his grandfather, with his eyes being able to see the essence of everything, he no longer needed the Infinite Legacy Scripture to see peoples information and could even see more details.

[Name: Darren Emerald

Current Cultivation: Golden Core Realm

Current Art: 100 Emerald Sword Method

Talent: Poor

Potential: Core Manifestation

Recommended Art: Due to already exceeding potential no art will allow for growth.

Details: Darren Emerald, potential was only Core Manifestation, but was able to break through to Golden Core 100 years ago. This was due to a drop of blood from the Heavens Realm, from an injured World Creator. This allowed him to break through past his potential, but also caused his talent to drop from high to poor.]

As Orval was reading the information, he had a look of disappointment on his face. His mother and father noticed this and asked what was wrong. He then considered, if he should tell them or not, but then decided he should inform them. As he explained what he saw, his parents began to look disheartened, but his grandfather looked relieved.

"Alas, I finally have some answers." said Darren with a relieved look.

"Father, aren't you disappointed?" asked Luke and June looking confused.

"Well, of course I can't say I am not a little disappointed. But now that I know what the reason is I am more relieved. I have already surpassed what I was originally supposed to be able to achieve, and that is exactly what cultivating is about." explained Darren, with a look of satisfaction.

With this conversation out of the way they all returned to the pagoda and continued to watch the competitions. After this first day had finished half of the combatants had been eliminated. Going into the second and final day was were the real competition and entertainment was, since not only would there be winners, but now the sect leaders where going to compete.

In the evening of the first day, a hooded figure sat in one of the restaurants in the city. One could tell even through the hooded robe that the person under it was a female, that was well proportioned. The lady was enjoying the food and wine very much. She was thinking about the last time she was here and it was not this nice at that time. In fact it had grown to this extent in only a few years. Especially, the disciples, it was crazy how they had went to being the bottom of the barrel to what most people would consider a powerhouse.

As the lady was deep in thought, another hooded figure appeared at the table and sat across from her. She looked up and saw a large imposing figure she recognized. She smiled and said "Well, I never expected to see you here, Duke Glacier."

"Haha. But of course I had to see the young man that you talked so very highly of. Princess Iris." exclaimed Duke Glacier. He then ordered some food and drinks from the server. "I hear that tomorrow the leaders will be fighting. I'm curious to see just how powerful they have become, if the sect has grown to this extent."

"Same here. I can't wait to gauge exactly how powerful he has become" Iris said with a smile. They continued to eat and drink into the night, before going there separate ways.

Heavens Realm

A being of great power was sitting and cultivating. 'Hmmm, it looks like my little hero has advance to Rebirth. Looks like it's about time I went to see her.' Thought the being. In another moment with a single thought he separated his consciousness into a wisp. The wisp left the Heavens Realm and descended down to Glass Planet, like a feather, it floated elegantly. Until it reached the largest continent of the planet, covering a third of the entire planet. The wisp continued to the largest mountain peak, this mountain was called Glass Peak, it was the tallest point in the entire world that stood 15 miles high. At peak was a small, but grand, open air pavilion. Sitting in the center of this pavilion is what looks like a young elf. This young elf was actually the oldest being in existence, being over 10 trillion years old. The wisp fell on to the head of the elf, who then opened his eyes.

"It has been too long since I last entered my proxy body." the elf said as he stretched out his limbs. He would need a few years to get used to this body before he did anything.