Chapter 65- True trial of the Grand Ascension realm
The thunderous voice of the realm spirit echoed across the skies.
"Only one hundred participants remain."
As the words faded, the ground beneath the arena trembled violently. The black stone tower that had emerged after Jin's earlier match began to rumble with newfound energy. A vortex of dark essence formed at its base, and in the blink of an eye, a massive burst of spatial energy erupted from it, enveloping the entire arena.
Before anyone could react, the remaining one hundred cultivators vanished from the grounds, leaving the audience and watching sect elders stunned. Everyone else—the eliminated participants, medics, array masters, and even some elder projections—were forcibly ejected from the Grand Ascension Realm.
Jin felt a jolt through his body as space distorted around him. In an instant, he appeared inside a massive obsidian chamber, carved with ancient runes glowing dimly. The atmosphere here was heavy, drenched in power so ancient it felt like time itself moved differently.
The hundred cultivators materialized at various points inside the chamber, all glancing around with tense expressions. They stood atop separate platforms arranged in a wide circle, suspended high above a glowing abyss. At the center, a black monolith hovered, and from it, a spectral figure formed.
An ancient remnant will, cloaked in shadow and fire, stared down at them with glowing eyes.
"You have survived thus far. But this is where the true trial begins," it declared. Its voice carried no emotion, yet its presence was suffocating.
"This tower was built to temper the finest warriors of an era. What you have done until now means nothing. Henceforth, this will be an elimination tournament, and only one shall stand at the top."
The cultivators stood silent, listening intently.
"First, you shall be paired based on your current rankings. First place shall face second, third shall face fourth, and so on. After this round, fifty shall remain. Then, twenty-five. Then twelve, with one selected by fate to fight only twice. That will leave six. Then three. One more fight will leave two. And then, the final battle."
Gasps echoed throughout the chamber. The pace was brutal. The margins for error? Nonexistent.
"There are only two ways to survive each round: either accept defeat, or be rendered unconscious. Or you die."
The remnant will slowly vanished into the monolith, its parting words a decree.
"You have one hour to rest and review your rankings. Prepare yourselves. The matches begin when the hour ends."
A radiant glow filled the chamber as an illusory leaderboard appeared in the air, showing the rankings of all one hundred participants.
Jin's eyes scanned the list.
Thorne. Rank One. Blessed Child of the Howling Storm Sect.
Selene. Rank Two. Blessed Child of the Luminous Peak Sect.
Third place was a golden-haired youth named Ravon, a known prodigy from the Celestial Blade Hall.
Fourth was a stoic woman named Mirai from the Veiled Glacier Valley, her dual elements of ice and wind infamous for their synergy.
Fifth was Kaelun from the Stormlight Monastery, wielding lightning and metal.
Sixth was Arden of the Red Lotus Temple, an expert in fire and poison fusion.
Seventh was Vael, the Spirit-Eyed Monk, whose mysterious techniques left many baffled.
Eighth was Dreya of the Obsidian Claw Clan, known for her shadow and blood arts.
Ninth was Helio, an earth and light user from the Crystal Fortress.
Tenth was fugros — a rogue cultivator shrouded in robes, not affiliated to any clan, sect or family. No information accompanied the name.
Eleventh place was Ignis of the Blazing Phoenix Sect, flames always dancing behind his confident smile.
Then Jin saw his own name. Rank Thirty-One.
His opponent: Diane.
He glanced up to see a slender girl standing calmly on one of the far platforms. Her aura was faint, but beneath it, Jin felt a pulse of focused sharpness. She would not be easy prey.
Jin clenched his fists slightly. He could feel it—the weight of what was to come.
The hourglass in the center began to turn, and sand started to fall slowly.
He took a deep breath and sat down cross-legged.
Across the chamber, everyone was already moving to meditate, heal, or review techniques. No one wanted to be caught off-guard. The black stone beneath him hummed softly, resonating with his suppressed elements.
He noticed something else.
There were only three methods of defeat allowed. And among the remaining participants, nearly all of them were deadly in one way or another. The system said that only the first match would be based on rank, and that future matches would be chosen by the system, likely balancing power and performance.
Which meant it would only get harder.
Jin's blood boiled slightly, but not from fear.
From anticipation.
He would face Diane soon.
And then the rest.
He would climb this tower of death, one step at a time, until he stood alone at the peak.
Because nothing less than first place was acceptable.
Thirty minutes passed, and Jin's eyes were shut as his essence circulated, sharpening his focus. Around him, the atmosphere had turned still.
The countdown had begun.
He opened his eyes, calm and razor-sharp.
Soon, the matches would begin.
And the tower would burn with the fire of battle.