Orion's gaze shifted towards Lily, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and confidence. He knew that for Lily to truly shine and demonstrate her abilities, she needed to face the tournament alone.
With a steady voice, he spoke, "Lily, this is your moment. You will enter the tournament alone, and I have no doubt that you will emerge as the victor."
Lily's heart swelled with a combination of pride and responsibility. Orion's belief in her abilities ignited a fire within her, fueling her determination to succeed. She nodded in acknowledgment, a silent promise to herself and her brother.
Leaving the teahouse behind, Orion and Lily embarked on their journey toward the arena, the epicenter of the highly anticipated tournament. The streets bustled with activity as people hurried along, their excitement palpable in the air.
The city itself seemed to be transformed, adorned with colorful banners and flags, each representing a different sect participating in the tournament.
The sound of chatter and anticipation reverberated through the crowded streets as martial artists from far and wide made their way to the arena.
While Orion and his sister were going to the arena to register, the disciples of the Blazing Sun sect that were beaten by Orion and Lily were now back to report to their boss.
The disciples, bruised and humiliated, stood before their boss, their faces a reflection of their resentment and frustration. "Boss, please avenge us," they pleaded, their voices tinged with desperation.
The boss listened to their plea in silence. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, wondering who could have bested his disciples. "Who are they?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and irritation.
The disciples exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "I don't know," one of them admitted hesitantly, "but one of them is Orion, and they both looked young."
The boss's lips curled into a smirk, his interest piqued by the mention of Orion's name. "It seems that they are also going to enter the tournament," he remarked, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and anticipation.
In his mind, a fire of indignation burned within the boss. "How dare they disrespect us," he thought, his pride wounded by the defeat of his disciples. He was not one to tolerate such audacity, and he vowed to make them pay for their insolence.
With a decisive nod, the boss issued his command to his disciples. "Prepare yourselves. We shall confront Orion and Lily in the tournament and show them the true power of the Blazing Sun sect."
His disciples, emboldened by their boss's resolve, nodded in unison. Their eyes gleamed with a renewed sense of purpose as they prepared to seek their revenge.
Meanwhile, as Orion and Lily arrived at the registration area of the arena, they noticed the presence of the disciples, their eyes locked in a tense gaze.
The air crackled with the weight of their unspoken rivalry, each party fully aware of the confrontation that awaited them in the upcoming matches.
Orion and Lily exchanged a glance, their senses heightened by the charged atmosphere surrounding them.
As they approached the registration station, a staff member greeted them with a polite smile. "Hello, welcome to the tournament," the staff member said. "Before you can join, please be aware that participants are not allowed to have any contracted beasts."
Orion and Lily nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the rules that governed the competition. They had anticipated this requirement, knowing that their success depended solely on their own abilities.
The staff member pointed towards a small orb placed on the table. "This device will check if you have any contracted beasts," they explained. "Please place your hands on the orb, and it will determine if you meet the eligibility criteria."
Lily's heart pounded with anticipation as she stepped forward, knowing that she was the one who would be representing them in the tournament. She glanced at Orion, his supportive presence giving her the strength she needed.
With determination etched on her face, Lily placed her hands on the orb, her palms slightly trembling. The device hummed softly, emitting a faint glow as it connected with her spiritual energy.
She closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on the task at hand, hoping that her unwavering commitment to the competition would be enough to pass the test.
Seconds felt like an eternity as the orb conducted its assessment. Lily's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions and anticipation mingled with a hint of anxiety.
She had trained tirelessly for this moment, honing her skills to perfection, and she was ready to prove herself on the grand stage of the tournament.
The glow of the orb gradually subsided, and the staff member's gaze turned toward Lily with a reassuring smile. "Congratulations," they announced.
Their voice then filled with approval. "You have successfully met the eligibility criteria. You are cleared to participate in the tournament."
Relief surged through Lily's body, washing away any lingering doubts. She had passed the test and earned her place among the participants.
He knew that his sister possessed extraordinary talent and that she would give her all in the upcoming battles. They had trained together, pushing each other to the limits, and now it was time for Lily to shine.
With their registration complete, Lily received her participant badge, a tangible symbol of her entry into the tournament. She fastened it securely to her clothing.
The staff member gestured towards a designated entrance, indicating the path that Lily was to take. "The participants will enter from this side," they explained, pointing towards a grand archway adorned with intricate designs and symbols.
The archway loomed ahead, marking the threshold of the arena where the battles would unfold. It stood as a gateway between ordinary life and the realm of martial prowess.
As Lily approached the entrance, a surge of excitement coursed through her veins. The air crackled with energy, echoing the anticipation that filled her heart.
She glanced back at Orion, a reassuring smile on her face. "Wish me luck," she said softly, her voice filled with determination.
Orion nodded, his eyes brimming with an unwavering belief in her abilities. "You've got this," he replied, his voice infused with confidence.
With renewed determination, Lily stepped through the archway, crossing the threshold into the realm of the tournament.
The sight that greeted her was awe-inspiring. The arena stretched out before her, vast and magnificent. The stands were filled with spectators, their excited murmurs creating a symphony of anticipation.