The audience cheered wildly again, but they quickly grew confused, as they didn't see Bai Jingshen. Only a few seconds later the young main ascended the stage with a calm smile on his face. Major Dressl followed behind him, constantly surveying his surroundings. The other candidates sitting on stage exchanged hushed whispers, realizing that Bai Jingshen needed additional security. A lot of gossip quickly spread, but no one knew the real reason.
Bai Jingshen looked easy going, but in reality he was also on high alert. However, as he arrived at the stage, he realized that with Titus Gaian here, no one would be able to harm him. Mayor Gaian was the strongest cultivator here, even slightly stronger than Julia's master.
The former emperor still wouldn't let down his guard, but he was definitely more relaxed, as he went up to the senior waiting for him. Titus Gaian showed him an approving look, as he handed over two passes under the crowd's cheers. Bai Jingshen thanked the older man while smiling at his friends, clapping for him on the main stage. Afterwards without anything happening, he arrived back at the checkpoint under Major Dressl's lead.
The RSS team led out the breath they were holding after seeing Bai Jingshen safely arrive back at their stand. However, Bai Jingshen as well as Bennet knew, that the best time for an attack would definitely be before they crossed the portal to the New World. In order to arrive closely to Thobar Bionics' basecamp in the New World, someone in their group, most likely their guide, would have to hold a receiver. This device would create a field around them. However, no one who stayed in New Haven City was allowed into this field. Therefore, this would be the most opportune moment for an attack.
After a few more words the award ceremony finally came to a close. Mayor Gaian sat back down again, as multiple New Haven City Guards took over the main stage. Very much to the audiences confusion some more soldiers placed devices on the ground before the grandstand. Those machines started to resonate with each other, quickly building a big Mana shield.
The voice of those guard's leader suddenly sounded through the Place of Advancement:
"I apologize for the inconvenience. For certain reasons the New Haven City Guards have decided to implement increased security measures today. I hope these won't stop you from sending our young talents off. Guards, begin!"
On the newly arrived major's order, the guards separated everyone into their respective groups in which they would travel towards the New World. This wasn't unusual, after all a receiver's field was only so big. However, the tight observation this time around made some teams uneasy. They couldn't complain though, so they gritted their teeth and locked towards the monument leading them into the New World.
"Thank you all for your cooperation. Like always, all teams will travel towards the new World in alphabetical order. So please make your way towards the monument Aaron's Aviations"
Bai Jingshen watched with curiosity as three teams of six young men and women carefully stepped forward. Guided by their elders and protected by guards, they slowly neared the monument. A look of awe and excitement crept on their faces, as the finally neared their dreams.
A drop of sweat could be seen rolling down one of the elders faces, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. Their groups came to a stop in front of the monument. The elders quickly gave their younger generation some last-minute tips, before stepping back. The groups' respective guide now took a few steps forward. They took out small, round devices which Bai Jingshen recognized as receivers by now. The guides held up their hands at the same time, probably wanting to look theatrical, and put them up against the monument together with the receivers.
Suddenly a wave of some energy spread through the place. Bai Jingshen felt his heart throb, as he seemed to feel an instinctual longing for this energy. He was certain now, that this was his long sought after Immortal Qi. His excitement shot up for a second, before reminding himself of his situation. However, he couldn't stay as calm anymore as watched three massive portals appear on the monument's base.
With excitement and nervousness, the first newcomers finally took this life defining step and vanished into the mix of black and blue. The three guides waited until everyone left, before letting go of the receiver and crossing the portals as well. A few seconds later, those receivers suddenly lost their power and fell of, leading to the monument's portals closing again.
After the elders and guards went back to their positions, Bai Jingshen watched with curiosity as one by one the organizations sent their teams to the New World. As the newcomers slowly left without anything happening, the audience grew slightly confused about the security measures. However, since it was mostly their relatives who got protected, no one would complain.
Bai Jingshen also tried to make out from which angle Spike might attack if he was here. He looked around for a bit and suddenly detected something strange. Spike Jr. and his SFT were led by an instructor he had never seen before. Not that he had seen many employees of Thobar Bionics in the first place.
However, this instructor was calmly waiting with anyone else while having significantly more guards in his vicinity. Therefore, Bai Jingshen realized, that the New Haven City Guards seemed to have their suspicions as well. Since this man dared to stand with Spike's team, he probably already got thoroughly checked.
Bai Jingshen couldn't find other suspicious points, so he watched the proceedings again. He was surprised when Julia entered the portal together with her master. This young woman looked supremely confident compared to the newcomers before her. The former emperor smirked slightly, certain that he hadn't heard the last time from this woman. Especially as he noticed the look in Ra's eyes, which spoke of a strong interest he probably didn't even realize himself.
When it was Dragon's Tail's turn, Bai Jingshen was shocked at how many people they sent. With seven teams of ten newcomers they were definitely the strongest faction so far. The former emperor was once again reminded about how they borrowed an immortal beast's name. For now, they would enjoy prosperity, but their tribulation will came soon. Bai Jingshen could only hope his best friend made it out alive. Thinking about it, he should probably give Ra a heads up.
Sending of all newcomers took a few hours. Bai Jingshen inwardly nodded to himself as he realized the New Haven City Guards skipped Thobar Bionics. This way, they would only go up on stage after all the others already left. Finally in the afternoon their time had come. Major Dressl reminded them to follow him, as the RSS team slowly recollected with the other Thobar Bionics teams.
Bai Jingshen wasn't sure if he saw correctly, but it felt like the Major was baiting Spike Sr. to attack. Nothing out of the ordinary happened however, only serving to make the RSS team even more uneasy. Contrary to the proceedings so far, this time the RSS team even stayed behind, letting the other teams enter first. Their guide named Bloodsaber complained quietly about his 'shit luck' of having to be in a dangerous position.
Observing his surroundings, Bai Jingshen also couldn't feel any irregularities. However, were there really none? Wasn't this in itself already an irregularity? Bai Jingshen focused his senses on the one, who should show some anger or frustration. Although he tried to act a bit, but the former emperor noticed how Spike Jr. behaved just way to calm all things considered. Bai Jingshen took another look at the new instructor before slightly shifting himself behind Major Dressl.
Slowly the Thobar Bionics teams made their way towards the monument. Once again the elders said goodbye to their juniors, as the guides took out their receivers. Thobar only sent five teams, which was still a lot. But amongst those there were also non-combatants like Kayleen's team.
Speaking of her, the young woman also threw a few worried looks around before being comforted by her boyfriend. Seeing Thomas' acting even more dramatically than other guides, Bai Jingshen could only wish the red-haired woman the best.
Under high tension four portals opened in front of the respective teams. It felt like time slowed to a crawl as everyone crossed those portals to the New World. Major Dressl didn't drop his guard when nothing happened. His one order was to make sure, that Bai Jingshen would make it into the New World unscathed.
Suddenly what everything was waiting for happened. While the four teams had already left for the New World and only the receivers held open those portals for a few more seconds, the new SFT instructor rapidly turned around. With a weirdly sinister smile, he threw something to the ground. All around him the New Haven City Guards were suddenly thrown back, some even entering portals involuntarily.
High up on one of the smaller platforms for VIPs a certain Gene Activation Realm cultivator furrowed his brows. He didn't understand why his puppet would attack so early. He observed as Spike took out a special weapon provided by him. This weapon was their trump card for this assassination attempt. It wasn't especially powerful; however, its projectiles flew unusually fast. Even a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator wouldn't be able to protect Bai Jingshen if he wasn't standing close enough. Getting this weapon in cost a hefty sum of bribes.
Spike Sr. finally saw his chance. He used a repulsion grenade to gain some space before taking out the preparade pistol. He winked at Bai Jingshen while cackling weirdly, before rapidly emptying his magazine. Sadly a lot of energy was needed for this weapon to reach such a high speed, therefore Spike Sr. could only fire three shots.
It proved to be enough however, as Major Dressl quickly had to block those shots which were respectively aimed at Bai Jingshen, Bloodsaber and Ryan. To everyone's astonishment the new instructor laughed madly and vanished through a portal at the last moment.
Only his last words still lingered:
"See you soon!"
Unbeknownst to everyone, a small shadow stuck to the monument after the portals closed.
Major Dressl showed a frown for the first time. He was probably just as confused as the RSS members about what had happened. Was Spike really only using this opportunity to travel to the new world?
Somewhere among the VIPs the Gene Activation Realm cultivator was also stupefied. Why would his puppet just through his live away? Why even act in the first place if you commit suicide after? All of this sonly made sense if Spike somehow could cure his poison!
After the chaos settled, Major Dressl didn't want to wait for any new surprises. He signaled at the RSS team, prompting them to quickly activate their portal. They jogged towards the monument, as Bloodsaber took the lead, growing impatient already.
As soon as they stood before the monument their guide didn't delay for even a second. He quickly activated his receiver and opened the portal. Without giving the RSS team any time to say goodbye he urged them to step forward.
Bai Jingshen nodded at Bennet and decided to take the lead, fearlessly vanishing into the portal. Seeing this, the other RSS members entered as well. Bloodsaber watched everyone leave under high tension. Only as the RSS team vanished from the Rising Force World, did he let out the breath he held. He took one last look around, before finally returning to the New World as well.
Suddenly Major Dressl's eyes went wide. With a load "Stop right there!", he dashed towards the monument. However, he was to slow and could only watch, as a sinister shadow glided over the monument towards the last receiver. At the last moment, the shadowy figure clawed at the receiver, destroying it, before hurriedly vanishing into the portal. The audience could only watch with shock, as the last portal suddenly grew violent, twisting and turning, before suddenly imploding. Fortunately a tall, earthen wall shot into the air, deflecting the ensuing Mana Wave.