Despite the city's size, it couldn't accommodate all the visitors at once. Consequently, all the traveler inns, taverns, and restaurants had been fully booked for days, with signs displaying "full" outside. Luckily, Michael didn't need to stay the night and had the lightning dash skill to return to Rivertown once he finished his business here quickly.
Many people hurried to the City Square in search of a good vantage point for the upcoming spectacle.
"Human, follow them. The longer we wait, the more people will crowd these streets," Gaya advised.
Michael followed the crowd as they made their way to City Square.
"This square is enormous. It spans over a dozen square miles," Michael remarked in amazement. It was the largest square he had ever seen, covering more than ten to fifteen miles in circumference. This square dwarfed even the largest football stadiums on Earth, making them look like small tennis courts in comparison.
Such a grand construction was surprising to Michael, given the medieval and technologically limited nature of this world.
In the center of the vast stadium, referred to simply as a square by the locals, there stood a grand fighting stage. Flanking the stage were towering stairs that seemed to reach up to the clouds. Additionally, there were platforms connected to the stairs, providing specific individuals with an unobstructed view of the fights.
"Heaven's Gate Square was constructed through the collective efforts of many kings and the big sects, all for the sole purpose of the competition. Could it work if it were smaller?"
"Let him be. He appears to be new to the city,"
"Hehehe," Gaya chuckled at some spiteful comments from the crowd. Michael, however, paid them no mind, choosing instead to marvel at the immense scale of the square, the largest stadium he had ever encountered.
As he took in the grandeur of the stadium, he also eavesdropped on the conversations around him, seeking to gather more information.
"Did you know the Heaven's Gate stairway is also called the Stairway to the Upper Realm?
"It's said that each step is as challenging as reaching the heavens. Imagine the difficulty of climbing to the top."
"The top? No one has ever reached the final step. My teacher told me the highest record was achieved by a mysterious young woman who reached the seventieth step."
"Wow, she must have been incredibly powerful to ascend so high while enduring the pressure created by Core Formation cultivators."
The atmosphere was filled with discussions about the competition and the challenges it presented. Many young participants were preparing for the first round, which involved ascending the Stairway. Those who excelled here would earn the chance to advance to the second round of the competition.
Some regarded the competition as a test of survival, where only the strongest would prevail.
"I heard that even those not affiliated with any sects can take part in the competition."
"There was a girl once who had no sect affiliation, and she set a new record. Many sects tried to recruit her, but she vanished before the second round."
"It's indeed a rare occurrence. The requirements set by the big sects are incredibly high. Participants must be under 29 years old and have reached the Body Refining stage. Normally, people can't achieve that level before the age of 39, let alone 29. To become a disciple of one of the big sects, you'd need to rank within the top 40 at least."
"Without the big sect disciples competing, many youngsters from powerful families could make it into the top 20. Since that's not the case, they should aim for rankings between 20 and 40. To reach the top 20 without any backing, you'd have to be a true genius. But such geniuses would have been taken in by a big sect long before this competition."
Michael gained a thorough understanding of the competition dynamics from these conversations. As Gaya had mentioned, participants from outside the big sects were allowed, but achieving good results would be exceptionally challenging due to the presence of kingdom's top talents, most of whom had already joined the big sects.
"Now, where can I find the Sunrise Sect?" Michael inquired.
"They should be near the stage on the other side of the square, human. Let's go before the competition starts," Gaya replied.
***********************
"Sect Leader Claire, we searched all over Rivertown. We couldn't find Riyan anywhere but-"
"But what, Elder Mark?"
A few middle-aged men, clad in dark red robes, stood before a striking young lady whose voice resonated like the harmonious chime of bells, a soothing melody to the ears. Behind her, the sect's younger disciples looked pallid, clenching their fists against their chests.
"Sect Leader Claire, it's the Blood and Bone sect."
The mere mention of that name sent shivers down the spines of the female disciples, and even Sect Leader Claire appeared unsettled.
"What about it?" The young lady furrowed her brow, inquiring further.
"The entire sect was wiped out overnight, Sect Leader."
The disciples and Sect Leader alike were struck by shock. Though the Sunrise sect had dwindled to a mere thirty disciples, much like the Blood and Bone sect, they paled in comparison in terms of power. Claire held the position of sect leader but was only at the Body Refining stage level 5. Furthermore, the four elders surpassed her in strength, all of them having reached the Body Refining stage level 10.
It was only due to her father's disappearance that she had assumed the role of sect leader. When the four main elders had selected her, a few of the older members had left the sect, joining others. This further weakened their already declining sect.
"Which sect was responsible for this, or was it the king's army?"
"It wasn't a sect or an army, Sect Leader. They were killed by a single man."
The two elders went on to recount the gruesome tale of how a young man known as Ghost had annihilated the entire sect and burned Ralphy at the stake outside the city gates. The young sect leader and her elders were left utterly stunned and bewildered.
"That..." The other pair of elders, as well as the sect leader, were left in disbelief. Never in their lives had they heard such an incredible story.
"It can't be. How could a young man at the first stage of body refining kill Ralphy, a cultivator at the body strengthening stage?" One of the two elders inquired.
"I had the same doubts, Elder Sandra, but the entire Rivertown witnessed him burning Ralphy alive."
As unbelievable as it sounded, it did nothing to change their current predicament. Without Riyan, their core disciple, they stood no chance of making it into the top 40 and securing the much-needed resources. The very survival of their sect hinged on the resources provided by the king. Should Riyan fail to participate and place within the top 40, they would receive nothing, and it would spell the end for their sect.
"If we can't find Riyan, our sect will meet the same fate as the Blood and Bone sect."
Hearing Elder Sandra's words, Claire felt as though she might collapse on the spot. Her father had entrusted her with the sect, and she couldn't bear the thought of it perishing under her leadership.
"It appears that this is the end of our sect."
Elder Sandra's voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes.
Decades ago, the Sunrise Sect had enjoyed an unprecedented era of prosperity. Their renown had extended to the neighboring kingdoms of Bredia, attracting numerous talented youths who aspired to join their ranks. Even accomplished cultivators sought positions as teachers within the sect.
During their golden age, they boasted over ten thousand disciples, a faculty of three hundred instructors, and a council of fifty elders. However, their current state was a far cry from those prosperous days, with only thirty remaining disciples and a mere four teachers, who also held the role of sect elders.
Elder Sandra had practically grown up within the sect, her mother being one of its elders. Her deep love for the sect mirrored Claire's own dedication, and it pained her to witness its current plight.
"Elder Sandra!"
Overwhelmed by the thought of their sect's imminent demise, Elder Sandra felt lightheaded and stumbled backward. Fortunately, Elder Mark reacted swiftly, catching her before she could fall.
"ELDER SANDRA!"
Claire's cry rang out as she watched Elder Sandra, now unconscious and cradled in Elder Mark's arms.
"Get some water!"
Claire directed her disciples, who hastily searched for water among themselves or ventured into the crowd to procure some.
"You all seem like you could use some help,"
Out of nowhere, a voice broke the tension, and everyone turned to see a young man clad in black robes approaching with a reassuring smile.