Jason didn't get to sleep last night. He couldn't. He wanted to sneak out and find Sarah, but he doubted he could sneak around in a sect full of shadow assassins. It would stupid of him to even think of that.
He may have formation knowledge. Being able to identify and even dismantle it. But he didn't have the skill to bypass. It was more practical knowledge that he lacked, not theoretical.
In the end he could only lay back and meditate.
'I can't even meditate properly while thinking of Sarah…'
As the rays of the sun shone upon the room a plenty. Jason got up, had a quick shower and dressed in another extravagant black robe with silver accent.
He went down to find Olne sitting where he found her, sipping her tea as usual
"Good morning, Olne." Jason said with small smile. Olne gave a side glance and greeted back.
"Some Inner core disciples came by and brought food for you, they even asked if they could see you. But I brushed them off." Olne said, pointing to the trays full of delicious food. From beast meat to spirit fruit. All of the sky grade and above.
"Good, thank you for that. It would be too troublesome dealing with all the girls here who wants a piece of this fine young master." I said shamelessly, earning me a glare from Olne.
"I-I'm only joking by the way…" I smiled wryly as I took my seat opposite Olne.
"Don't worry about me. I will never hurt you as long as you respect me and know your limits." Olne smiled faintly as she took another sip of her tea.
I relaxed as I made myself comfortably on the couch. Eyeing the food that was on plates that had simple formations on them to keep the food fresh and hot enough for us
"You can eat. The food isn't poisonous. I checked." I looked at Olne still immersed in her tea. I sighed in relief and dug in.
Sure, food isn't a priority for me anymore, but eating delicious food will never be a privilege I take for granted.
After eating my fill, which is most of the food, I got up with Olne following along. We exited the lodging to find Elder Mia waiting for us.
"Greetings, Young master Kyle. I hope the lodging was to your satisfaction?" Mia said as she smiled beneath her veil.
"It was alright, I guess." I said as I was picking my ear, earning me a scornful gaze from her. While Olne kept her distance from me like a good bodyguard. I could swear I heard her chuckle.
Must be my imagination.
"Well, be that as it may, I came to escort you to the arena where we will hold the competition for our most sought after and the most talented disciple. So if you would please follow me." Mia said nothing else as she began walking in a certain direction.
Following behind her, I noticed other young masters being escorted by servants, making me believe that I was treated with special care.
I smiled smugly as I strut along with Elder Mia. Other young masters noticed the special treatment and gave me scorching eyes of jealousy and envy, to which my smug mug grew even wider.
Some time later, we arrived at a huge colosseum like structure. It was huge. Almost five hundred meters tall.
There was a huge like at the gate, to which we skipped thanks to Elder Mia guiding us. I couldn't care less about the eyes of hatred aimed at us, I just wanted to find Sarah as soon as possible.
Jason entered the massive colosseum, its sheer size and grandeur striking him with awe as he passed through the towering arches. The roar of the crowd grew louder with each step, a thunderous blend of cheers, chants, and conversations. The energy was electric, a palpable wave of excitement.
Jason followed Elder Mia to a private suite intended for distinguished guests. Seeing as it was lavishly decorated, it was safe to assume that the sect sees value in him. How they came to that conclusion could in part to his mysterious appearance and his total domination of that random young master he beat up.
As he looked out from the window, the vastness of the space took his breath away. Thousands of people filled the stands, a sea of faces animated with anticipation. the buzz of the crowd enveloping him. He looked around, taking in the sweeping views of the ancient structure, its history and magnificence overwhelming him. The anticipation was infectious, and he could feel the collective heartbeat of the spectators, all eagerly waiting for the spectacle to unfold.
Jason sat on a luxurious couch as Mia excused herself. Promising that someone will bring him refreshments. Jason only flicked his hand to dismiss her, Mia could only bite her lip in frustration as Olne kept staring at her, daring her to do something.
Olne closed the door and sat on a chair near me, her floral scent hit my nose, making me flinch and look away from her.
'Remember Jason, she can flick you away like a fly.' Jason kept repeating these thoughts in his mind to keep himself from doing something self destructive.
Jason closed his eyes, intending to wait patiently for something to happen.
And it did.
"Welcome, Everyone! To this grand banquet!" The booming voice of a Rune Infusion Realm expert echoed in the colosseum.
Jason looked up at the elevated platform on top of the colosseum. There, he saw a mature beauty wearing a grand robe of extravagant design. Her pale white skin contrasting with the ebony black of her robes. Her black hair cascading down like waterfalls. Eyes as black as the abyss.
"I am the sect master of the Shadowheart Sect, Lyra. Thank you all for answering our invitation." The crowd erupted in cheers, In part due to Lyra commanding presence and sheer charisma. I couldn't help but click my tongue in annoyance.
'Why does she have to be so pretty… I can't hate her as hard as I did.'
"As you all know, we hold this banquet every time a black star graces us with her presence. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her eyes sweeping across the vast audience, "it is my great honor to present to you a truly remarkable talent. A cultivator of extraordinary skill and dedication, whose abilities have surpassed all expectations."
She gestured to the side, and the spotlight shifted to illuminate the Sarah as she stepped forward. The crowd erupted into applause, the energy in the colosseum surging with excitement and admiration.
Sarah stood gracefully, her voluptuous figure accentuated yet elegantly concealed by conservative black robes that flowed around her. Her long, jet-black hair framed her face in soft waves, contrasting beautifully with the fabric's deep hue. Her eyes, a striking honeyed gold, glowed with a warmth and depth that seemed to draw people in, captivating those who met her gaze. Despite the modesty of her attire, there was an undeniable aura of allure and mystery about her, a quiet confidence that commanded attention without needing to reveal more than she chose.
The cultivator, poised and confident, walked to the center of the platform, her presence radiating strength and grace. The Sect Master continued, her voice filled with pride, "Please join me in welcoming someone who embodies the true spirit of perseverance and excellence. Our Darkest Star who has ever graced us! Sarah, The Abyssal Queen!"
The crowd's applause grew even louder, a thunderous ovation for the talented cultivator woman now standing before them.
Jason stood from his seat, looking flabbergasted.
"She's so beautiful… my little Sarah has grown so much, huh…" Jason uttered in a whisper as he placed his hand on the glass.
Jason gazed at the expressionless face of Sarah, her countenance cold, her demeanor arrogant. She didn't even spare the crowd a glance as she stared into the distance with her head held high.
Jason couldn't believe how someone can grow to be such a celestial beauty. The small mole under her left eye only graced her lovely face.
'She's as beautiful as Olivia… maybe more…'
Jason was love-struck once again.