Days passed until, in an isolated region, thousands of young people gathered at the center of some hills and peaks close to one another. The place looked like a stone world, with a large altar at the end, protected by two peaks in the back, seemingly guarding it from the elements.
A stone staircase climbed up to the summit of the peaks, culminating in a raised platform with a throne. The tables, chairs, and even the steps nearby seemed to have been carved directly from the peaks, forming a single piece of stone.
On both sides of the staircase, several statues resembled guards holding spears. They seemed to protect something, lined up along the steps like imposing sentinels.
Normally, the place was extremely quiet, with no visitors. But today, a large gathering was happening there. Young disciples from seven of the eight major clans, along with a battalion of youths from several powerful sects, had gathered. They were all prodigies of the empire.
