A Thousand Year Blessing  

A flash of light.

And then…

Raphael's team materialized on the Black Wind platform.

They stumbled, disoriented. They looked around.

"Huh?"

"Where are the others?"

They were the ONLY team present!

The other platforms were empty!

"Big Brother, I… I think we're the FIRST!" Lu Jade hissed excitedly. "We're the FIRST team to defeat our Emperor Calamity! WE conquered Might Sky!"

"Really?!" Raphael couldn't believe it. They'd won? Already? He glanced towards the center platform, where Muburt hovered with the Red Ant Emperor's banner.

"Could it be true?"

And then…

Muburt's voice boomed.

"Congratulations to the Breath Takers! The FIRST victors of the 'Might Sky' stage!"

The crowd erupted!

"They did it!"

"Black Wind! Black Wind! BLACK WIND!"

They cheered, amazed by their victory.

"Those cheers… they're for US?" Raphael looked up at the massive screens above. They showcased his team, their battered forms, but triumphant smiles.

He felt a burst of pride swell within his monstrous chest.

They had defied the odds!

"It's unheard of! A team conquering Might Sky in less than an hour! What an ACHIEVEMENT!

The Void Emperor Sindoll herself must be impressed with your skill and tenacity, Breath Takers!" Muburt's mandibles clicked excitedly. He gestured towards them with his staff.

"Let the celebrations BEGIN!"

…

High above, on the Emperor's platform, Lu Ignis was seething. He watched the celebrations unfold below with a venomous fury that had his scales practically dripping lava.

"This… This is RIGGED! There's NO WAY that team could have defeated Wu Gurang so EASILY! That Emperor Calamity… She's STRONG! Cunning!

I KNOW it! They CHEATED! It was that damned bull's doing!"

He slammed his tail against the platform, the impact sent a tremor that had those delicate fairies fluttering away in fright.

"I bet that fox went SOFT on them!"

"Lu Ignis, SHUT UP!"

Silk Yune's icy voice cut through his rant.

"We ALL watched the screens. They fought a FAIR battle. Wu Gurang is my TRUSTED sister. She would never desecrate the Great Divine Tribulation! Nor Yunyin Territory!"

Her words were laced with a chilling finality that had the other emperors nodding in agreement.

"She's right! That bull's strategy… it was ingenious. And that tree woman's technique? I've never witnessed anything like it. Even at 1st Layer Calamity, she was able to deflect Wu Gurang's attacks and injure her! Her origin is truly potent." Mermaid Merlando commented.

"Indeed. To think a 1st Layer Calamity, a tree at that, could stand against an Emperor's might…" Elux Badger shook his head, impressed.

Even Anakin Vader, who rarely spoke, uttered a single word.

"Cunning."

"Boboboboho! A BULL that has MIGHT and BRAINS? How rare!" Julian Ringtail laughed. He glanced at Qi Hawk with a mischievous grin. "Brother Hawk, you're one LUCKY bird. Where did you find such a talent? Do you mind TRADING? Hmmm… I have a beautiful disciple back in Kongming Mountain. She's quite… flexible… And I'm sure she can show you a good time, what do you SAY?"

"Ringtail, you're speaking NONSENSE! Be QUIET!" Qi Hawk glared at the lemur.

But just as Julian was about to retort…

WHOOSH!

A blue beam descended from the heavens above. It settled upon the Black Wind platform.

"Another blessing!?"

The crowd watched, mesmerized, as Raphael's team bathed in the divine light.

Their wounds vanished.

Their Solar Essence replenished and amplified.

Lu Jade's scales flashed! He hissed in surprise. "YES! I've broken through to the 6th Layer Saint Ruler!"

His euphoria had him coiling around Gastaroid's leg and then impulsively planting a kiss on Qi Fenwei's wing, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is amazing!"

Thienika's ancient eyes softened. She felt a warmth spread through her weakened core.

"Hmm… still at 1st Layer Calamity… But I feel stronger! More stable…"

Raphael stretched his limbs, savoring the rush of power. He was at peak condition!

Gastaroid laughed. "Muwahahaha! YES! Another Bull Demon Pillar has formed! My strength is returning! With another blessing, I'll reach the PEAK of Nightmare Calamity! The 9th Layer will be MINE!"

He was truly a monstrous sight. His mountain glowed even brighter now.

"BLACK WIND!"

"BLACK WIND!"

"BLACK WIND!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once more.

They had witnessed something truly special.

…

Hours later…

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

Brilliant beams of light hit the platforms, materializing the victorious teams from the 'Might Sky' stage.

Lu Ruby's team reappeared with a collective groan. Their battle against a particularly grumpy, stone Emperor Calamity had left them bruised and battered, but they'd triumphed.

"Hmmm… Where is that BULL?" Lu Ruby slithered towards the edge of the platform as she scanned the Black Wind platform for a familiar golden form.

But it was empty.

"Hmph. Those LOSERS haven't returned yet."

"They've probably lost already, Princess. That could have been US if Lord Lingshi hadn't been on our TEAM." Hellphet commented with a shudder. He'd barely survived that encounter.

Lord Lingshi laughed softly, "It was a team effort, young Hellphet. There's no need for such flattery. Though I dare say, my 'World Canvas' techniques did prove to be quite effective against that Emperor Calamity."

"Oh it was very impressive, Master Lingshi. Thank you for saving us!" Even Splinter Roc had to admit the ancient turtle's power was terrifying. "Those 'Nihilistic Strokes'… they were truly a magnificent sight to behold."

They all settled into their designated positions.

…

An hour passed.

The lights stopped flashing.

Muburt hovered before the crowd, "All teams who claimed victory in Might Sky… are now present! Less than ONE THOUSAND participants have made it this far in this grand event."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in as those who'd been betting on the losing teams now cursed their poor choices and lack of insight.

"The Great Divine Tribulation is a crucible, a test not only of strength and cunning, but also… LUCK! Those who've lost today, do not despair! There will be another opportunity to claim those years! Another chance to prove your worth, ten thousand years from now!"

He then gestured toward those screens above that showcased the carnage-ridden scenes. "And for those still standing, I say, savor those moments while you can, because the journey ahead… It'll be even more treacherous!

Now! The Might Sky stage… It's behind us. Time to move on…"

Lu Ruby, seeing this as her opportunity to boast, stood up. She glanced at the Black Wind platform. It was still lacking a certain team.

"Seems like someone else has already carried out vengeance for me." She grinned. "Those bastards couldn't even surmount a 1st Layer Emperor Calamity! What a disgrace to Black Wind!"

"Hmmm…" Lord Lingshi, however, was frowning as he scanned the platforms.

He noticed a few scorpions had returned, they looked sullen, but Gastaroid… he wasn't among them.

"Has he… truly been ELIMINATED? Hmmm…"

Muburt ignored their whispers and side comments and continued:

"Before we commence the THIRD stage… All victorious teams shall be bestowed with Void Emperor Sindoll's ONE THOUSAND year BLESSING!"

WHOOSH!

A blue ray descended from the heavens. It bathed all the platforms in a radiant light.

The contestants gasped as they felt a soothing energy course through them.

"Ah! My wounds… They're healing!"

"Such potent Solar Essence!"

"I feel… stronger!"

Lu Ruby shrieked with delight as she felt a surge of power flow through her! Her cultivation had increased! "Yes! 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity! Finally!"

Even Lord Lingshi felt a flicker of warmth spread through his ancient core. "Hmmm… I haven't tasted such potent essences in millennia. To think a thousand years' worth of Solar Essence could have this much effect on me? Truly… something…"

…

"Congratulations, my friends! Enjoy this moment of reprieve, for your next challenge will truly push you to your limits! Prepare yourselves… for the THIRD stage!

LIGHTNING VEIL!"

Muburt's announcement had the screens shifting. They now displayed a horrifying yet captivating scene.

Multiple platforms hovered amidst a turbulent sky. The ground beneath those platforms was covered in patches of bubbling magma. Steam hissed and rose, obscuring parts of the scene.

And then…

WHOOSH! CRACK! BOOM!

…from those tumultuous skies, a never-ending barrage of lightning rained down!

It was a terrifying display of raw power, and those unfortunate creatures who weren't standing upon the special team platforms… they were fried to a crisp!

"Yikes… that place looks dreadful."

"Good thing we're not going there alone!"

"Damn those lightning strikes!"

Even those confident contenders watched with a hint of fear.

Only those platforms were safe. They were shielded by a faint, translucent dome that seemed to repel those lightning strikes effortlessly.

And upon each platform…

Five enormous, transparent tubes, connected to a central spherical device stood in an organized formation.

"Each team will be teleported to a designated platform." Muburt explained.

He then elaborated on the rules:

"Your mission is to capture a 'Liu Fuuyi' and place them within the crystal tubes. ONCE all FIVE tubes are filled, the central node will light up, and you will have PASSED the third stage. Simple, isn't it?

The rules are… collect. Contain. Conquer!

Oh… and the timer? It's set at SIX HOURS."

"Liu Fuuyi?"

"What the hell are those?"

Many participants were puzzled. They'd never heard of such a creature, but those whose lineage was a bit more… scholarly, they knew, and their hearts sank.

"Oh… no."

"This… This is going to be… BAD!"

"What is a Liu Fuuyi, brother do you know?" Clamper, whose knowledge of ancient lore was limited, asked.

Pincer responded, "A Liu Fuuyi is a type of spirit. A being of pure electricity! They resemble wild wisps, but with a consciousness. They are drawn to powerful energy sources, such as those lightning strikes.

It is said that they are quite mischievous. Elusive. And to capture one… well… It requires a deft touch, a skill that we… are LACKING."

His words had Clamper gulping.

"This is NOT going to be EASY!"

Muburt laughed, "Enjoy the hunt, champions! You'll have to work together if you want to succeed!"

BOOM!

He slammed his staff onto the platform.

And with a blinding flash…

The 891 remaining participants vanished!