Chapter Nine: A Decision Amidst Chaos
For a moment, Twilight was stunned into silence. Deep hatred seeped into his bones as soon as he saw Earth's Ruler listed among the sponsors.
But he had to suppress the surge of emotion—he couldn't do anything to the Ruler right now.
Suddenly, dozens of figures appeared in the air, their powerful auras pressing down like an unrelenting storm. Many of the youths struggled to breathe under the sheer weight of it.
Twilight's gaze darkened as he looked at the newcomers. It was obvious they were all here for him.
Yet, he knew he had messed up big time.
'Dammit! I underestimated the commotion an M-grade potential could cause,' Twilight thought, his fists clenched tightly.
Upon entering the Astral Realm, one would gain the status of a 'player', granting various privileges such as access to drops, techniques, and other rewards from slaying lifeforms.
However, being sponsored elevated this status to something far greater: a 'Seeker'.
The privileges of Seekers were shrouded in mystery, but one thing was clear—Seekers were tens, if not hundreds, of times stronger than players of the same cultivation level.
For this reason, gaining a sponsor was the dream of every potential awakener.
Yet now, dozens of individuals wanted to sponsor Twilight. Accepting one and rejecting the others would inevitably make him their enemy.
He was in a deadlock. His goal had only been to draw the emperor's attention and escape the city lord's influence, but he had severely underestimated his own worth.
The last thing Twilight wanted was for these individuals to fight over him. Such a conflict would waste valuable time—time he needed to enter the Astral Realm.
As Twilight contemplated his options, his eyes landed on the list of sponsors. Among them, one name stood out:
[Immortal Rain has chosen to sponsor you. Do you accept?]
Immortal Rain — the Emperor of the Red Dragon Empire.
It was common knowledge that the emperor was one of the few individuals granted an innate name by the Sovereign System, a mark of unparalleled power and influence.
Twilight was on the verge of accepting when a young woman appeared before him, her azure eyes glowing with an intense, almost suffocating pressure.
"Twilight Nightfall, is it? I'm Lillian, a representative of the Fiery Phoenix Sect. I'm here to discuss business with you," she said, her charming smile failing to mask the authority in her tone.
Before Twilight could respond, another figure stepped forward, his massive build casting a long shadow over Twilight's slight frame.
"Young man, I believe you've heard of Lord Daniel, the ruler of the White District. If you want a powerful and wealthy sponsor, Lord Daniel is your best choice," the man said with a confident nod.
"Shut up, Elroc! Wealth? Power? Can it even compare to the Crystal Barrier Sect?" another figure interjected, taunting the large man with a sneer.
"Hah! Crystal Barrier? Pathetic. Who can compare to my Eternal Heart Sect? Back off, peasants. The shadow legion has arrived!"
"Shadow legion? Can you even hold a candle to Lord Heavenly Bamboo?"
"You all better back off—he belongs to me!"
"Are you shopping for groceries, old man? He's not yours!"
"My Red Hell Sect wants him. Who dares challenge us?"
"Red Hell Sect? Do you think any of us are lacking a powerful backing?"
…
Twilight and the other awakeners broke out into cold sweats as the representatives of so many powerful factions bickered like children.
The majority of the crowd watched with envy. For most of them, having just two major powers vying for their recruitment would be enough to brag about for a lifetime.
Yet here was Twilight, with dozens of experts ready to fight over him. It was an inconceivable sight.
Twilight, however, had no time for envy. His concerns were entirely different.
The situation was spiraling out of control. If he accepted Immortal Rain's sponsorship, the gathered factions might kill him on the spot. He couldn't risk betting on the emperor's protection arriving in time.
Then there was the Fiery Phoenix Sect.
Its leader, the Flame Empress, was infamous for her ruthless methods. Anyone who defied her wishes met a miserable end. To make matters worse, she was the twin sister of Immortal Rain.
Angering her would undoubtedly anger the emperor as well.
Twilight sighed bitterly. Every representative present came from a powerful faction. Offending even one of them would be suicidal—offending several would be a death sentence.
He needed to choose carefully.
To survive, he needed a sponsor strong enough to deter all the others. But among all these names, only one fit that description: Earth's Ruler.
Earth's Ruler was the strongest being on the planet, commanding a force so destructive that ruin followed wherever they went.
Yet despite their immense power, Twilight couldn't bring himself to accept their sponsorship. The Ruler was tied to the tragedy that had befallen his family. Still, if he wanted to find his sister, he had to survive today.
'Dammit, dammit, dammit!' Twilight cursed inwardly, struggling to suppress his rage and helplessness.
"Young man, make your choice," a voice boomed, snapping Twilight out of his thoughts.
The representatives fell silent, their gazes locking onto him. The pressure of their combined focus made his blood run cold.
'What to do, what to do, what to do…' Twilight chanted inwardly, his mind racing for a solution.
And then, in the next moment, something shifted within him.
His heart calmed. His rapid breathing steadied. His racing thoughts stilled.
'Why should I care what they think or what they'll do?' he thought, a faint smile crossing his lips.
These representatives were just that—representatives. Why should he fear them? They had no authority over him. Their power didn't matter.
All he needed was to grow stronger, and that strength would come in time.
With newfound clarity, he straightened his posture and declared, "I've made my decision."
The eager, cut-throat expressions of the representatives intensified as they leaned closer, awaiting his answer.
Twilight chuckled softly at their desperation before continuing, his tone calm and resolute:
"Call your superiors. If they don't show up personally to recruit me, then I can only say this—none of you are worthy."
***
A/N: To all those who read the previous chapter before 28th January 2025, I had a small amendment. I changed the 'Fiery Snake Sect' to 'Fiery Phoenix Sect'.
Sorry for the inconvenience.