———————
The ponytail girl named Neah, dashed into the blind area while pulling out a pair of dual sabers, and chopped out multiple times. Too bad it was a useless against Kyle. His Phantom Skill allowed him to get an eagle eye view of the arena. Kyle knew he was at an advantage as he took this chance to pull out his katana. After about three breaths of time of defending against Neah's barrage of attacks, he gave a loud battle cry "Volcanic Uppercut!" and the chi that he had been storing up was unleashed from his katana. The huge chi wave that accurately targeted Neah, caught her off guard, and she could only use "Yoga Flash" as she dodged at a weird angle. Her shoulder had a cut across it, where it skimmed across.
Neah was sweating bullets. She knew her overconfidence got the best of her in that confrontation. She noticed the Skyhawk flying in the air above and quickly realized how he was able to counterattack her. She needed to target both him and the eagle's eyesight. The glass flood dragon and its reflective decoys were summoned back into one and arrived next to her. She instantly charged forward with a plan in mind.
Kyle tightened his grip and entered into an unusual defensive stance.
"Samurai Brutal Harbinger"
His katana seemed more like a shield than a blade. When their weapons collided, Neahs face frowned. Her momentum was pushed back and Kyle didn't even take one step back. She could only aim for his weakness. Her Glass Flood dragon split into two decoys again. One was used to blind his eagle while the other was used to blind him. The real one charged at Kyle who was still in his defensive stance. Instead of trying to push him back she knocked his hands in the air with her phantom, breaking his stance. Kyle felt a cold blade slowly rest on his neck and his brows twitched knowing this match was over.
This was her ultimate plan. When Kyle discovered this, it was already too late to react.
"I concede."
Kyle said with a depressed attitude. At first he thought his plan had worked perfectly but he didn't expect to fall into Neahs trap at the last second. it seemed Neahs reflective outburst was stronger then he had anticipated.
They both bowed and stepped off the stage. The Myriad Illusion Temple Envoy had a slight smile on her face as she praised Neah once she returned back to her spot. Many of the battles later were interesting to Devlin, but that none of them were more unpredictable and versatile as the first match. The only other match that caught his eye was the last match. Two youths between the Sky Monarch Temple and Immortal King Guild faced one another. The Sky Monarch Temple competitor had white silky hair and pointy ears indicating he was an elf. His cultivation was a step above the others in the Blood Lord 2 Star. His eyelids were white as well resembling a winter snow.
Sadly his opponent was only a Blood Lord 1 Star. The white-haired youth easily overpowered the Immortal King competitor without even moving. His Celestial Phantom, ThunderIce Vine didn't even give his opponent the chance to retaliate. This was the shortest match but also the most powerful match. Nobody else decided to step up on the stage when the white-haired youth was the last one. Just like that the Destiny Awakening Ceremony had finally come to a conclusion.
The white-haired youth was awarded ten low-grade Nova Essence.
Everyone began to leave the Dome with a different expression. Many were disappointed, while others felt satisfied about their performance. Devlin was one of the unlucky ones. The pressure he felt outweighed all the others. His lungs were slowly constricting by the mere thought of failing this huge hurdle.
Selena could tell by Devlin's silence that he was having trouble comprehending how he was gonna get through these next 10 years. She gave him a nudge and said with a mocking grin,
"What's wrong? Getting cold feet when you haven't crossed the starting line"
Devlin was speechless by this little girl, but she actually made a good point. He wouldn't make it even close to the end unless he tried his best. Determination flashed through his eyes as he glanced over.
"Now that I have my Little Enchantress supporting me how can I give up so easily. It's only a little Curse."
"...."
Selena rolled her eyes as a sly grin came across her face. Nick who was in front of the two was wondering whether or not he made the right choice of picking these two, but also had high expectations for both, especially Devlin. If he could overcome this challenge then maybe he can break through the Heretic Curse.
As Nick's mind wandered, Calvin and Leo came to give their goodbyes to Devlin before they left for their own sects.
"Bro cheer up! If it worst comes worst you always got me and this little brat to spare some resources and ladies for you if you get kicked out"
"Hehe big bro, I'm not sure Leo will be much help but I'll definitely do the best I can to help you", Calvin said while grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright alright guys I'm not planning on committing suicide anytime soon. It's nothing to worry about. I'm more worried about Dylan then anything else"
Once he said that, all three of their expressions went gloomy and Serena smile couldn't help but stiffen by the atmosphere.
"He should be fine. As far as I know those who are taken by the Reaper of Destiny are treated as precious jewels nurtured by the demonic sects. As long as his mind isn't clouded, his cultivation may even surpass all of yours" Nick said from the side to ease the tension.
Devlin's dim eyes lit up a bit when he heard this but his mind still couldn't get rid of the thought of his brother falling to the demonic ways.
'I guess we can only hope..'
—————
Along the way out, a fight was occurring between the Armament Sovereign Temple and Crystal Waterfall Temple again.
The Envoy Maiden was riled up before the Ceremony when she first heard the news about her nephew Jin. She planned to get even after this event.
"Phil, Hand over the grade-3 blood crystal and we'll pretend it never happened otherwise don't blame me if your son becomes crippled."
Her face was stone cold but a murderous intent leaked out making the audience heart tighten.
"You are still too naive, little girl. That was a farce between the younger generation. My son wasn't even the one who challenged him so who is really in right or wrong here?" James father, Phil, rebuked in a disdainful manner.
"Then we shall leave it to the younger generation just as you said"
It was if she was waiting for this moment.
"I, Guu, would like to challenge James to a spar in order to exchange pointers."
Phil was caught off-guard by this provocation, and couldn't help but feel he was led by the nose. Nonetheless, he gave James a glance and nodded with 100% assurance. That was because the only people that could come to the Ceremony Competition to fight were those below 18 yrs of age, meaning only 3 years of cultivation.
James walked out of the crowd to the center where a young man with a pale face and white tunic with a trident symbol was standing. Guu released his phantom android aura as a Blood Lord 1 Star. A Scythe made out of pure water appeared in his hand.
"Make your move"
"All I needs one!"
James rushed in with his Silver Rapier already in hand. His speed as a Blood Lord 1 Star could be at the top as he was already in front of Gu. He stabbed at Guu with incredible piercing power. Guu's face was calm as he swung his scythe in front of him preparing to parry the rapier, but something unusual occurred in the next second. The contact that was supposed to occur didn't. Guu's water scythe instantly changed positions to the side as it let James Rapier pass through it. James momentum offset but he quickly adjusted and blocked Guu's weird angle.
Guu struck with his right foot in a follow up. It landed on James left side causing him to slide back 3 steps. In the next moment Guu swung his scythe from above hoping to sever James hand. If he did this, the Envoy maiden promised him a grade-3 blood crystal as well.
A grade-3 blood crystal wasn't something that could be found anywhere. The only way was by killing a grade-3 Spectral Beast and even then its chances of having a grade-3 blood crystal was minuscule. Their power was equal to a Blood Ancestor. That was the peak of the Blood Realm before the Avatar Realm. Not only was it difficult to get, but it's usefulness was ten times better. It would enlarge his veins and strengthen his muscles to prepare to breakthrough into Avatar Realm.