Chapter 13: First Challenge

The morning mist of Bloodforge City parted as Malikai Doom and Iris walked through the ancient stone pathways leading to the Arena of Ascension's towering gates. Every step echoed with the footsteps of history—thousands of prodigies had walked this same path, either to ascend into legend or vanish into dust.

The Reception Hall was a massive structure carved into the coliseum's base, bustling with cultivators and clan representatives. A towering jade pillar stood at its center, glowing with inscriptions—a living monument of the current top 1,000 ranked geniuses in Bloodforge.

As Malikai and Iris approached, the names shimmered into focus.

Rankings List – Top 10

1. Uriel Seraphiel – Celestial Hall.

Realm: Mid Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Late Dao Foundation

2. Agiel Doom – Doom Clan.

Realm: Peak Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Late Dao Foundation

3. Kaelrith Vael'thyr – Vael'thyr Dragon Clan, Divine Beast Alliance

Realm: Peak Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Mid Dao Foundation

4. Solis Cael'Aeris – Cael'Aeris Phoenix Clan, Divine Beast Alliance

Realm: Peak Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Mid Dao Foundation

5. Zerion Sylorin – Sylorin Qilin Clan, Divine Beast Alliance.

Realm: Peak Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Early Dao Foundation

6. Vaelion Solcrane – Solcrane Royal Clan, Sacrum Empire.

Realm: Peak Spirit Folding

Battle Prowess: Early Dao Foundation

(The rest continued, fluctuating names from Holy lands and Supreme Land, a couple dozen from greater domain lands, and a few names from lesser domain lands…)

Iris frowned. "Almost every name here is from Holy Lands and Supreme Lands."

"Strength gathers where the blood runs thickest," Malikai murmured. "But blood isn't fate."

They approached the obsidian reception desk where a receptionist—a pale man in silver robes—sat behind a runic terminal. He glanced up, his gaze flickering briefly at Iris before settling on Malikai.

"New registrant?" he asked.

Malikai nodded.

"Name?"

"Malikai Doom."

The man blinked, then typed a few runes into his jade console. A glow passed over Malikai as his information was inscribed into a personal jade slip.

Name: Malikai Doom

Affiliation: Doom Clan

Rank: None

Points: 0

Wins: 0

Losses: 0

"Very well," the receptionist said. "Do you understand the rules?"

"Say them anyway."

He nodded, reciting with practiced efficiency:

"All matches are death matches. Only mercy from your opponent can spare your life. But few offer it. Your opponent automatically takes all the points on your jade slip once you are dead. To gain a rank, you must challenge someone on the list and win. If you pick an unranked opponent for your first match, you'll need to accumulate 1,000 points to become eligible to challenge someone in the lower rankings. If you lose a match but still survive after that, you will lose half your points to your opponent."

Malikai raised an eyebrow. "And what are the rewards?"

"Points earn you access to rare treasures, secret cultivation manuals, and most importantly—entry to the Sacred Realms: the Obsidian Crucible, Celestial Cascade, Silent Void, and more."

"How many points per kill?"

"Unranked kills earn two points each," the man replied, "Ranked kills earn much more, based on position and difficulty. But challenging anyone above your power is usually suicide. Most choose an unranked genius for their first fight. Only the current top five did otherwise. Even then, none of them went higher than the 950s."

Malikai smiled faintly.

"I'll challenge the genius ranked 900."

The receptionist froze mid-breath. Iris's eyes widened.

"You… you're serious?" the man stammered, then immediately calmed down. There have been some foolish young geniuses from holy lands and supreme lands who have challenged higher-ranked geniuses to a match and died in one strike in the past. Though such scenarios haven't happened in a century or more, he believed Malikai's end wouldn't be any different. His voice was calm and slightly mocking, "The 900th rank is held by Virell of the Nagarajin Clan—a mid Core Formation Realm Void Serpent. His battle prowess is said to touch the peak of the Core Formation Realm. He's no joke."

Malikai's gaze was calm. "Send the challenge."

With a nod, the receptionist tapped the jade terminal. "Challenge issued… notification sent. If he accepts, the battle will be scheduled within the next 24 hours."

He handed Malikai his branded jade slip. "You've got guts, Kid. Or a death wish. Either way… it'll be entertaining."

Malikai tucked the slip away, turned, and walked out.

Iris followed in silence until they reached the stronghold gates.

She suddenly said, her voice tinged with slight worry and concern, "Are you confident?" Malikai suddenly stopped walking and said, his voice indifferent, "Not really, but that's why I'm here, to challenge myself."