Today, the Arantara Alliance envoy arrives. The headmaster of Crimson Dragon Academy, Kelos, arranged a big banquet, featuring whoever he considered had noteworthy potential amongst the students.
Amongst these students, there were naturally the top ten of the Student Ranking along with other newer students that Kelos felt didn't have time to shine bright enough before the envoy arrived.
The headmaster and a few of the more influential instructors gathered around a middle-aged man dressed in pure white robes, he was the envoy. Surprisingly enough, beside him also stood a young woman of about twenty years old. She was giving off clear Nascent Soul fluctuations.
After some more conversation, the headmaster announced the beginning of the banquet. The envoy immediately took to the podium, prepared to make a speech.
"Good evening, I am named Haren. What I would like to tell you is that I won't be accepting more than two talents this time. The first who I would like to accept is the one named Acheron, as for the second spot, feel free to resolve this amongst yourselves.
Acheron stood up and walked towards the young woman that came with the envoy. After giving a brief greeting, he took a sit to the side, not waiting to let her answer. After looking around he's slightly shocked. He noticed Anna, the person he fought alongside with over a year ago.
Apparently she was about to challenge the one who took the second spot on the Student Ranking. Since more than a year and a half has passed since she was peak of Foundation Establishment, she was now in the intermediate Revolving Core realm, though still weaker than the one she was challenging, at least in terms of cultivation.
As for the person she challenged, he was called Parvis. He was actually not supposed to be here even, as he has already graduated. His family probably pulled some strings so he could get the opportunity to receive the envoy's attention.
From the face of the envoy, he clearly approved of Anna's actions, while slightly disdaining Parvis for using his family connections to get a second chance. After all, Haren has already glanced through the files of the candidates.
Haren figured Parvis's combat power was weaker than Anna's, which is why he decided to only give two spots. That way, he wouldn't have to take Parvis with him. It is to be noted that Parvis was a descendant of one of the oligarchs, so Haren couldn't outright reject him, he had to do it in a roundabout manner for the sake of good relations.
His combat power was a joke. His cultivation built on natural treasures and alchemic concoctions. Haren wouldn't take it upon himself to take garbage back to the alliance.
Anna simply decided to beat Parvis up, without allowing him to put up any resistance. She didn't even bother drawing the sword at her waist. It was shocking to the crowd. After all, Parvis was a whole two minor realms stronger than her.
Anna throws a quick punch straight in the middle of Parvis's face, breaking his nose and showcasing her ruthlessness. She follows up with a kick, right between his legs. The kick was even paired with the sound of something breaking.
Seeing this, Haren chuckled a little.
Acheron felt strange watching her kick. It made him remember his own combat style.
The fight was over pretty quickly. Anna's opponent laying on the ground gasping for air while showing a furious expression. Regardless, he was incapacitated in more ways than one now.
The reason she's been waiting for this moment was for the protection of the envoy. Otherwise, she would be at the mercy of the oligarchs. They might've even blackmailed her with her family's safety.
After she was done, she bowed towards the envoy before taking a seat just besides Acheron.
Haren didn't want to stay around for the rest of the banquet. After motioning Acheron, Anna and the other young lady to follow him, he directly left, much to the dissatisfaction of headmaster Kelos.
As they walked at a leisurely pace towards the academy's private spaceport, Anna wanted to ask something, but before she could utter a word, Haren stopped her.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to either of your families. You are now members of the Arantara Alliance. Your families possess diplomatic protection and immunity. This coalition can't even hurt them, much less put them on trial for crimes they didn't commit. If anything happens to them, they will have to face the wrath of the alliance." he told her, while also giving a glance to Acheron.
"Is there anyway to take my spaceship with me?" asks Acheron.
"Don't worry, you'll receive your own spaceship that uses the alliance's advanced technology. You won't be needing your old spaceship anymore. I'll have someone send your old spaceship to Red Gaia. This arrangement should do it." laughed Haren.
Soon after, all four of them boarded Haren's spaceship. It was clearly much more advanced compared to the spaceships of the Human Coalition. On the way, Haren also explained the inner workings of the Arantara Alliance.
Apparently, the alliance consisted of the union of various forces, including but not limited to, cultivation sects, human nations, and a few alien nations and cultivation sects.
The Arantara Alliance was one of the strongest few forces present in the Mona Galaxy, having a total of five Galactic Travel stage powerhouses, with a countless number of Planetary Subduing stage cultivators.
After they reach the alliance main base, they will be allowed to join the sects to be nurtured.
Joining the alliance also means they will have to go out on yearly missions. Every year, they have to complete at least one mission of their choice. The higher their position in their sects, the longer they can wait before completing a mission.
Needless to say, Acheron and Anna were astounded by the power of the alliance. The other young lady seemed to have already been briefed though, so she didn't show much of a reaction.
The five greatest sects of the alliance, also coined as the five behemoths, were called Heavenly Sword Sect, Demonic Path Sect, Cherry Blossom Sect, Banyan Sect, and Astral Divination Sect.
Each sect had its own terms, quirks and benefits. While the Heavenly Sword Sect preached righteousness, it wasn't necessarily against underhanded methods. The Demonic Path Sect was more open about its unwillingness to follow the rules, but powerful enough to back up this belief.
The Cherry Blossom Sect only allowed women, no matter the race. It was still composed of mostly humans though.
As for the Banyan Sect and Astral Divination Sect, they were more mysterious, the former more than the latter. While the Astral Divination Sect wasn't as mysterious, it allowed much fewer members inside of it. They usually required their members to possess a specific talent.
Haren along with many other envoys, were supposed to bring all of the seedlings they gathered to the Arantara Gaia planet, where the envoys of the five behemoths and other smaller sects would meet and assess them.
After listening to Haren's explanation, Acheron was most interested in the Banyan Sect and the Demonic Path Sect. Though he felt they were similar in nature, with the Demonic Path Sect seeming a bit foolish to expose their alignment so obviously. Joining it might even cause one to be viewed with animosity by others, causing endless trouble.
On the other hand, the mysterious image of the Banyan Sect wouldn't be so annoying to deal with. The reputation of the sect is inherited by its disciples. Before joining a sect one must first wonder whether they can deal with the consequences or not.
Heavenly Sword Sect also seemed appealing to Acheron, as he would gladly learn the sword.
There must be some details he was missing about the five behemoths. What he has been told up till now wasn't enough to push him to make a clear decision. As for the smaller sects, he wasn't interested in them.
Unfortunately, Haren wasn't willing to explain the sects in greater detail. All three of them would have to wait until they reach Arantara Gaia.
As he was laying on the bed, Acheron felt a bit overwhelmed. Everything up till now seemed to have been smooth-sailing, with no great conflict in sight. The last time he's felt things were a bit difficult was when he decided to hunt down Edward Chreka, over four years ago.
Finally, Acheron was entering a stage where he could properly shine, unleashing his mental and martial prowess to their limits. This was the beginning of his ascent in the universe.