13. Competition starts, an Injury, and a Fleeing Soul

Emerald Gem Sect

Time has passed and the time has come to head to the royal capital. All the leaders and elders of the sect have gone to the lobby level of the pagoda. There Orval placed his hand over the Infinite Legacy Scripture. With a thought the entire sect, which was apart of the scripture began to glow. The entire sect then began to rise from the ground, leaving an empty plain below as it rose higher and higher.

After it reached an altitude higher than a medium sized mountain, it stopped rising. Orval then flew into the air above the vast plain. He circulated his qi and used his technique 'Infinite Art: Universal God of All Chapter: Life Creation and Artifact Manifestation.'

A mass of power surged below him. It began to take form, creating a massive marble gate in the center. The surrounding ground turned from grass and dirt to a golden marble like surface, changing the ground around the gate for a mile in all directions. At the edge of the new ground, erupted massive walls made of gold. They towered above the ground like a small mountain. Then from the gate, a massive array erupted to cover the entire area.

Orval then called his grandfather over and spoke "Grandfather, it is now time"

He again circulated his qi and used another technique 'Infinite Art: Cycle of Life and Death Chapter: Soul Reform'

Darren's body began to glow a golden divine light. His body was surrounded by pressure as his body began to dissolve until nothing was left but his soul. His soul then moved to the gate and began fusing with it. It was a comforting feeling for him as he merged with the artifact. The entire process only seemed to take a few minutes. After he successfully merged there was no reaction from the gate.

After the glowing of the gate stopped, the onlookers, especially Luke and June, looked worried as if it had failed. Then suddenly, Darren reappeared in front of Orval. He looked youthful once again and had an amazing amount of power surging from him. This made everyone sigh in relief. Orval and Darren returned to the flying sect. Orval connected the gate to the sect gate before they left for the royal capital.

Royal Capital Tempest Void City

As the time for the competition here many sects are starting to arrive. There are tons of flying artifacts arriving in splendid fashions. The Glacier Manor arrived on a huge airship looking to be made of ice. The Thunder God Sect, which is considered a first rate sect, arrived like a flash of lightning on a dark cloud emitting electricity through out it. Another first rate sect, Void Sword Temple, flew in on a giant sword. The last first rate sect to show up was the Primordial Flame Sect, who appeared on an airship spewing flames.

There were also numerous second and third rate sects that showed up in less spectacular ways, typically by small airship or even on foot for some. Everyone that chose to participate was here with the exception of one sect, the Emerald Gem Sect. With the exception of Glacier Manor and even the Royal Family, all the other sects thought this was disrespectful since they did not realize the growth it had underwent.

After awhile, in the distance they saw a small dot in the distance. As everyone watched it approach, the dot began to get bigger and bigger. Until it arrived just out side the city. Everyone was shocked that the Emerald Gem Sect, not only showed up but somehow brought the entire sect. The various sect masters, where shocked that this was a capable feat, especially the masters of the first rate sects.

As the Emerald Gem Sect came to a halt in the air just outside the royal capital, Orval and the other leaders of the sect went to the entrance of the sect. They bowed and greeted in the direction of the Royal Family, who were the hosts of the competition.

With all the competitors having arrived it was time to start the competition. The Emperor spoke "I would like to thank everyone for coming today. I realize it's not easy for everyone to make it to the capital. With the greetings out of the way we will now begin the competition." With a wave of his hand, the massive courtyard in front of the palace transformed into a giant arena.

Before the competition began Orval decided it would be good to use the 'Infinite Celestial Mirror' to allow everyone in the sect to watch the competition better. This can help them potentially gain enlightenment.

As the competition started one just had to wait until their token was selected. Iris had personally delivered Orval's token to him at the start. When the princess flew up to the Emerald Gem Sect there were many eyes of envy. As the battles began, Iris decided to explain some of the norms of how these competitions usually work.

"Typically, those of us in the first rate sects do not typically fight in the early rounds. This is to prevent those who are in second and third class from wasting there time in coming here. And to keep it fair." explained Iris.

"Oh, so does this mean that the Emerald Gem Sect is being considered a first rate sect now?" asked Orval in a teasing tone.

"Very funny! If you are not considered first rate, then I am afraid nobody is." said Iris in a lovely and sweet tone. She was enjoying this banter between the two of them. "After, this competition I have something to say to you."

"Why don't you say it now?" asked Orval rather confused as to why wait to speak when they were talking now.

"It has to wait as I want nothing to get in the way should we face each other. By the way do you mind if I stay the whole competition and watch from here" Iris spoke sweetly.

"Feel free" informed Orval.

So, they watched the beginning rounds of the competition together. Orval honestly thought the fights were very lacking. While, he knew that these fights were between second and third rates, but it feels more like mortals fighting.

Unknown Location on Glass Planet

The fiends are steadily working on the tunnel making significant progress, as they are about three quarters of the way to the planets core. The Rot Fiend Lord looking very satisfied began to speak "It is time to begin. Rot Fiends, begin to rot. Destroy this planet and make it ours. Devouring Fiends, eat and devour everything. Fiends and Blood Fiends, continue to mine. Protect the tunnel at the cost of your lives." His voice became more and more murderous as he spoke.

The rot fiends nodded in agreement to the order. Suddenly, a vile black-purple liquid energy began to seep out of the rot fiends. As it touched the stone, it began to rot the the stones until the dissolved.

The Lord took a deep breath and said "I love the smell of rotting in the morning" He smiled with an evil grin, his teeth black from his rot aura. "I hope you enjoy my gift, Vitrum, my old friend. HAHA!"

Glass Peak

The Ancient Elf awakened with a sudden jolt. Blood began to flow from the corner of his mouth. He could sense the sinister and vile aura of rot. He could tell it was beginning to damage the planet. No, it was beginning to damage his planet.

"You bastards dare! I have worked so hard to get to this point and I will never allow you to kill me!" shouted the Elf angrily. He gritted his teeth as he tried to find out where they hiding.

Suddenly, he felt his body being restrained. He looked down at his body only to find blood red chains covering his body.

"You thought we would give you a chance to stop us. You are a fool." Spoke a suddenly murderous voice hidden in the shadows.

"Who are you!" asked the Elf angrily, spewing blood and spit as he yelled.

"Oh my, World Creator Vitrum, you don't remember my voice?" asked the voice before stepping out of the shadow. It was the Blood Fiend Lord.

After seeing who it was Vitrum, was furious. He thought he had killed all of them but now they are appearing here.

"Looks like I will need to teach you guys another lesson, not to mess with us gods!"raged Vitrum.

The vile lord laughed and said "Well you can try but it might take you a bit to regain your power." Bloody qi began to seep out of his body and began to cover Vitrum, as he screamed and yelled. It continued to cover him until it formed a thick hard shell of blood around his body.

Just before the shell fully closed Vitrum was able to shoot his soul out of the body, sending it back to the Heavens Realm. It was a slow ascent due to him being not only heavily damaged, but his cultivation was being blocked by the shell. He swore he would get them and kill them all.