"A tree that is taller than the forest will be blown over by the wind."
This was an easy quote to get behind especially for those jealous of another's talent, after all no one liked to be lesser than another. Especially when that other was someone like Isabella. Born with a golden spoon the child of two of the most powerful people in the world, and to top that all off she was also extremely talented.
Her existence was just unfair. However, if that was all this amounted to the powers wouldn't be a riled up as they were. It was one thing to assume that she had high talent. But it was something else entirely to have that assumption confirmed.
When the array shone with that kaleidoscopic luster, many of the delegates present didn't know how to react. A diamond level talent was unprecedented in modern history. When looking back through history, the last recorded diamond level talent lived more than 2000 years ago. Even the four kings, were only perceived to be at the gold level.
In fact, the diamond level was thought of as legend within the current generation. The revelation of Isabella as such a talent left many of the delegates at a loss.
One such delegate, went by the name of Orion Arcum. He had medium length black hair that was neatly slicked back, and grey eyes. He had an athletic build and was around average height. Truth be told he was an average looking man.
Orion was a member of the Celestial Sword Pavilion, a sect that focused mainly on the pursuit of swordsmanship. The sect was ranked third among the current continental powers (second among the sects).
When considering the sect's strength, they were equals to the Sage's Valley and empire in all facets. But were held back by one thing; their seeming inability to produce a single ascendant realm cultivator.
Because of this power, the Celestial Sword Pavilion was highly respected by all parties. But it was also this power that was their biggest insecurity.
If the sect was like the other powers in the sense that there was a disparity between their basic power alone then they would probably be content with their position. However, the Pavilion was so close to the peak but fell short by just a single cultivator.
In truth the Pavilion had more peak level sages at eight, than the Valley (which had four) and the empire (which had five). Unfortunately for them they lacked an ascendant so they couldn't be considered a hegemonic force.
***
Orion Arcum didn't know what he was feeling. He was angry, jealous, but most of all he was upset. Upset at the unfairness of life, upset that the Pavilion would never have a chance to close the gap if things stay as they are. But in truth he was just too prideful to admit that the Pavilion was in decline.
The Celestial Sword Pavilion, was the oldest currently active force on the continent. They had been in operation since before the 1000-year war and were the only power to survive the war. But they were in decline.
At its peak the sect's Pavilion leader was a transcendent realm cultivator (a level higher than even the four kings). In fact, before the 1000-year war, the worlds power balance was very much different to how it is now. Ascendants were as numerous as the sages are now (numbering in the thousands), and transcendents still existed and stood at the worlds peak. However, the war wiped out all of the peak cultivators (including those who hailed from the Pavilion).
In the end the last ascendant of the Celestial Sword Pavilion was killed in battle by Peter Invicta, marking the end of their golden era.
Thinking about his sect's history, Orion couldn't help but feel resentful. Truth be told, he hated the Four Ascending kings, and he hated Isabella. He wanted nothing more than their downfall. Soon his mind was filled by malice.
"One day I will destroy them" he declared to himself.
***
Orion's malice didn't go unnoticed by Charlotte. Picking up on his resentment she could help but sigh.
"This is the reason that the Celestial Sword Pavilion, haven't been able to produce an ascendant since the war. They're too obsessed with their past successes and refuse to self-reflect." She muttered.
Hearing what she said Zander responded.
"The Pavilion will collapse within a generation. The elders are obsessed with vengeance and the youth have been corrupted with jealousy and resentment." He lamented.
"I don't know why they're so obsessed with us, when it was Peter who ended their era" said Ira with annoyance in his tone.
"Sorry about that guys, I killed one crazy guy and created thousands." Joked Peter.
The group proceeded to laugh out loud clearly not taking the Pavilion seriously. It's not that the Pavilion lacked strength. The reason that they weren't concerned with the Pavilion was the fact that the Pavilion was stagnant and had been so since the war. On the other hand, the Four Ascending kings were still progressing at a steady pace. In layman's terms the gap was widening.
***
While the four kings were catching up and the powers were losing their minds in worry. Charles was having a hard time with Andrea's family.
Luther was a snake with a poisonous tongue, while Gillian was an over protective mama bear.
"So how long have you been seeing my daughter? How far have the two of you gone?" Charles was faltering under the barrage of questions he didn't know where to start, and Luther wasn't making things any easier.
"Who knows what they've been doing behind closed doors, Andrea could be pregnant for all we know." Joked Luther.
"Pregnant! No no this can't be happening, not my baby girl" Gillian was hysterical when she heard Luther.
The more hysterical Gillian was the more panicked Charles became. On the other hand, Luther had collapsed in to a puddle of laughter.
"Bahahaha! This never get old" Laughed Luther.
Seeing this interaction, Andrea could only release a weary sigh.
"This is why I kept it a secret" lamented Andrea.
Before the misunderstanding between Charles and Gillian could grow any bigger, the conversation was interrupted by the MC once again taking the stage.
"On behalf of all of us here at the Sage's Valley I want to thank you all for coming and celebrating the young miss's birthday with us. Though today's events have come to an end, I hope that you delegates will not be so quick to leave. Tomorrow many of our new disciples will be taking part in a tournament. You are all welcome to stay and view this tomorrow's event as spectators. Any and all, who wish to stay will be provided accommodation by the valley so no need to worry about that." Said the master of ceremonies.
This announcement piqued the interest of many delegates. After all a tournament will be a good chance to scout the valley's younger generation and infer their potential.
"Tomorrow's tournament might be just as important as today's ceremony" thought many to themselves.