The blinding lights faded from the entrance as silence ensued.
The vassals who were outside watched on as they waited for their people to be done.
" Elder Shivan, all of our disciples and the elder who was with them have died, I have just been informed that their Life jades back at our base have all shattered," a man in Brown robes reported but before the said Elder could reply another messenger came running towards the Ayala
" Elder Duran, all of our participants have died we have just been notified that their Life jades shattered."
The vassals all fell into silence as they waited to see if any other family lost their people, but after minutes of waiting no other messenger came.
"It would seem someone has targeted the families of the Everest Empire," Elder Shivan stated calmly as he rubbed his long goatee of grey hair.
" Indeed, I wonder who is foolish enough to do so," Elder Duran added his hands clasped behind his back.
" Ohh well seeing that there's no way for us to know, we'll just have to wait until this Trial is over and question everyone of them," Shivan nodded while closing his deep brown eyes.
" Indeed, who do you think it might be, a sect or those arrogant Great families?" Duran asked lightly.
" That I'm not sure, hostility has been on the low for the past decades I see no point in them starting skirmishes like this," Shivan analyzed
" So your implying it might be an unknown ehh," he chuckled as his bike eyes shimmered " it's been a while since my blade tasted blood, I wouldn't mind dealing with this unknown attacker," he said as his Aura flourished.
" Indeed I feel the same but let's wait it out, for now let's subdue anyone who might oppose our actions once the trial ends," Shivan said before vanishing.
Within the Vassals area a commotion broke that could be heard throughout the Emerald forest, Martial artists, Cultivators a blood bath streaked forward and yet none died
" What is the meaning of this Shivan, Duran?! Does the Ayala and Ramon Family dare to declare war on all the sects present?!" a woman with light blue hair roared her blue robes fluttering in the wind as she took an offensive stance.
" It wouldn't have come to this of you all cooperated," Shivan stated lightly.
" Where were to cooperate but you started attacking everyone without a word!" she shouted as she scanned her people.
Despite not dying they were all severely injured
" Oohh I didn't?! My apologies," Shivan bowed lightly before sheathing his blade " We of the Ramon Family would request all sects to allow us to question all you disciples once the trial ends, will you cooperate High Elder Su Yan?" Shivan asked to which Su Yan gritted her teeth.
She could not refuse his demand now that three quarters of the sects forces were injured, ' What a cunning man, is this supposed to be his olive branch' she cursed internally as she agreed to comply.
' Who the fuck messed with Everest's Dukedom's for them to be this aggressive?' Su Yan questioned inwardly as she stood on guard.
On the other side where the Noble and Great Families gathered Duran was in brawl with teo great family's Elders.
A man with brown hair with blue tips, Sapphire blue eyes, dressed in a leather coat and brown pants stood calmly. He had a sharp jawline with a beardless face, tall and with a wide build.
His eyes filled with unbridled rage that by some means was being suppressed from rampaging.
" It would seem out Keriv Family has gone blunt over the years, for some nobody Dukedom to actually think of attacking us," he stated but his voice traced with unhidden disdain.
" Aahh well it seems this nobody was still able to push you oohh so Great families Abit far...don't you think," Duran replied with a sly grin as his Silver Core Aura flourished.
" So being in the mid level of the third grand realm makes you so stupidly confident in taking me? Then you'll be in for a surprise" The Elder of the Keriv Family spoke as his Aura vanished entirely.
" Calm yourself Erlic, the actions of the Duke houses are unwarranted, despite their actions none from our Great families have been drawed blood, if you move it will bear more consequences than they would," another man advised.
He was dressed in a black half coat, with black trousers and boots, underneath his coat was a white tunic early tucked in, he wore a pair of glasses which reflected his orange firey eyes, His hair was blazing red with a few strands of silver.
In his hand was a brown wooden cane which he grasped firmly as he assessed his people.
" Don't give me your civilized bullshit right now Jacob, they attacked first and we should tuck tail just because of reprecursions, I refuse!" Erlic roared before diving forward his arm coated in dense mana as he punched forward meeting Duran's fist that had already shot out.
The air trembled as the two exchanged blow for blow with Erlic dodging most if not all and Duran tanking the latter's.
' Did the Keriv dogs grow this much I. strength! I'll need to take it up a notch, I can't have the Dukes loose face because of me,' Duran assessed internally before he begin drawing in the elements.
His body was coated with gales of winds as they followed his lead.
Erlic however continued with his onslaught as if nothing changed, with the only difference being than mana fully enclosed his entire being.
His strikes grew sharper his kicks far stronger and punches more lethal, with every exchange Duran's could feel himself losing more and more until...
He leapt back and sent out an attack towards the people of Keriv Family.
" Do have some self respect Duran, just because things aren't going your way doesn't mean you have to be so irrational," Jacob advised as he tapped his Cane in the ground.
Duran's attack which had been rushing forward suddenly meet a walk of flame that engulfed it to destruction.
" That should be enough now right?" Jacob asked while wiping of the pecks of dust that had fallen in his coat, Erlic walked back clicking "your lucky Jacob's here I would have preferred plucking your core out we're you stand."
" Now then," Jacob cleared his throat " Why are you attacking the families Duran? And please don't play games with me, I might not have Erlic's temper but my force doesn't lack in regard, so choose your words rightly before I burn you to ash," he said unhurriedly but his eyes sparkled in flame as both his hands held his Cane while staring at Duran.
' Well fuck...'