Chapter 68: The Immortals Descend

Chapter 68: The Immortals Descend

Suddenly, there was confusion in the arena. Jack shot a last, angry glance at the head judge before looking around, finding everyone puzzled. Even the alien merchants on the stands were whispering at each other, wondering what was going on.

His anger gave way to curiosity.

Thats odd.

These merchants knew how things worked. Was something different this time?

Gather on that side, the head judge said, pointing at one side of the arena, the one furthest away from the Overseer Tower. Jack complied. Shard Presht did, too, though keeping his distance from Jack.

Gradually, more finalists jumped down from the stands. Vivi was the first. She landed next to Jack and said, I saw what happened. They suck.

I know, he replied.

Edgar, Dorman Whistles, and even the Sage jumped down from the stands to land on the sand beside Jack. Another member of Flame River, the man named Sadaka who had lost on the first day, joined themhe was Level 49 now and had barely clinched his way through.

Up on the stands, another member of Flame River kept Brock company.

Alexander Petrovicthe leader of Ice Peaklanded close to Shard Presht, followed by a woman of his factionElena Richter.

Vanderdeckenthe metal guylanded between the two groups. Soon after, Li Xiang and Brother Taothe monk that Jack had fought beforelanded beside him.

The crowds confusion was mounting, but so was their excitement. All finalists were coming on stage; whatever happened would be big, and doubly so since it apparently hadnt happened before.

The finalists themselves were confused too, as well as wary. Only Presht seemed calmer, though still shooting malicious glances at Jack, who only snorted his way once or twice. Both of them were still bleeding, but djinn healers at the peak of the E-Grade quickly arrived and made them good as new, then departed again.

The curtain at the top of the stands parted. Rufus Emberheart walked out, followed by Gan Salin, and regally floated his way down to the sands, taking position in front of Shard Presht. The eagler and elefthe eagle-like man and the elephant-like womanappeared a few seconds later and landed close to the Ice Peak and the other scions, though not too close. Even within the noble families of the Animal Kingdom, there were different groups.

Jack, Edgar, Vivi, Dorman, the Sage, and Sadaka.

Vanderdecken, Li Xiang, and Brother Tao.

The five scions, Alexander Petrovic, and Elena Richter.

Sixteen people. Sixteen finalists. And all were standing on one half of the sandy arena. The crowd could barely contain their excitement. This was the absolute peak of Earth!

A rough breeze descended from the arenas roof. The sand swirled, and the clothes of the finalists fluttered. Jack felt the sand specks land on his bare skin like bitter kisses, while his bare feet could feel the hard, jagged rock under them. Presumably, there was hard metal below thatthe hull of the Integration City starship.

Whats happening? he asked in a whisper.

No idea. Vivi shook her head.

Karvahul didnt know either, Edgar said.

Everyone turned to look at the Sage, who turned his head the other way and observed the swirling sands.

Even the scions seemed confused, with only Rufus Emberhearts maned head staring ahead like everything was under control.

This was the first time Jack got close to him. He could feel the raw power emanating from his body, and the aura of a supreme Dao leaking from his skin. His paws were clasped behind his back, and he stood straight like a ramrod, not staring at anyone in particular, but nobody could deny the threat that oozed off him.

The blob of jelly disappeared without a word. A bearded old lizardman wearing blue robes pointed at Edgar and smiled. You, he said. Jack could swear he heard Edgar squealing in joy.

A slim, bare-chested person who looked like an ascetic smiled and pointed at the Sage.

I am most honored, the Sage replied, bowing deeply. For once, his voice was deeply serious, and it didnt carry its usual aloof tint.

Only three mentors remained by now: a short, pudgy woman, a bear-man, and a bald, bearded, muscular man in orange monk attire.

On the other hand, there were plenty of mentor-less people: Jack, Vivi, Sadaka, Alexander Petrovic, Elena Richter, Vanderdecken, Li Xiang, and Brother Tao. Brother Tao, especially, looked at the mentor in monk attire with hope.

Him, all mentors said at the same time, raising a finger. And they all pointed at Jack.

Everyone fell silent for a moment, then erupted into whispers that werent even hushed. The remaining finalists looked at Jack in disbelief. The lioness raised a brow. The three mentors glanced at each other, while every other mentor that hadnt disappeared looked on with mild amusement.

The Sage, for the first time ever, looked surprised. His ascetic mentor only nodded with a small smile.

And Jack was just lost.

What? he said. Why would all three of them choose him? Was this even supposed to happen?

He carries a strong soul, the pudgy woman said.

The bear-man snorted. He clearly belongs to my people.

I ask my fellow cultivators to give me face, the monk said. Under his beard and hard eyes, his voice was steady. This child has the Dao of my factions ancestor. Honor demands I take him in.

He doesnt even use the fire arts. The bear-man snorted.

My faction focuses on raw power, too.

This is not even your Constellation, the pudgy woman retorted with a frown. You are stealing from anothers plate.

This planet is near the border, and we have received a formal invitation, the monk replied evenly. I want this boy as my disciple.

Both others frowned. They clearly had more things to say, but in the end, publicly arguing over a disciple didnt fit their statures. There were a million other planets to choose from.

Very well. The Ursus Mountain will do you this favor, the bear-man said, disappearing immediately after.

So will the Belarian Outpost, the pudgy woman said, disappearing too. Even if there were more people below they fancied, they couldnt possibly go to their second choices now.

Of the three, only the monk remained, and he looked at Jack with a deep smile. For the first time, Jack dared to inspect him.

Human (Earth-44), Level ??? (D-Grade)

Faction: Exploding Sun (B-Grade)

Title: Fifth Ring Conqueror

You are the monk started saying, but this time, it was the C-Grade lioness that cut him off.

Wait. I was just informed that there was a mistake, she said, looking straight at the monk, then turning her heavy stare at Jack. He almost buckled. This participant received a loss for attempting to harm another participant after they had surrendered. He received another loss for submitting false information to the tournament officials. Therefore, with two losses, he is disqualified. Please depart the arena.