Chapter 40 - Rumblings of Giants
The air was thick with essence, pure and invigorating. The scent of competition and unyielding ambition lingered in the atmosphere. Before Jin could even take in the surroundings, a powerful gust of wind blew his long hair back. He looked around and found himself standing on a massive floating platform carved out of essence-tempered stone, suspended above a mountain range so vast it seemed endless.
Dozens of other platforms hovered in the sky around them, each containing different delegations. Sect banners fluttered like war standards. Roaring phoenixes, snarling wolves, and radiant peaks were etched onto the flags—symbols of pride, strength, and dominance. This was the southern gathering of powerhouses.
His master, the old man, stood beside him, arms behind his back and robe gently flapping in the high-altitude wind. A strange yet controlled glint flickered in his eyes as he watched the activity unfolding across the horizon.
"Observe well, Jin," the old man said in a rare serious tone. "These are the future lords of Detrox. And perhaps, a few who might leave this world behind."
He then turned slightly, pointing at a distant platform with a crimson banner.
"That one belongs to the Blazing Phoenix Sect. That young man at the center, with the short hair and blazing golden armor, is Theodore's disciple—Ignis. Early Adept Realm, fire affinity, and a freak of a combatant. He killed an early-stage Adept beast when he was still at the late-stage Initiate Realm."
Jin's eyes narrowed. Ignis exuded a sharp and radiant pressure even from afar, and for a brief moment, their gazes locked. Jin felt a spark of rivalry ignite.
The old man continued, shifting his finger to the next floating platform.
"There, the Howling Storm Sect. The tall one with grey robes and blue eyes—Thorne. Mid-stage Adept, lightning and wind dual affinity. He's known for his brutal efficiency in battle. Doesn't say much, but he's rumored to have a bloodline from the Storm Elementals."
Another platform floated nearby, its aura calm and serene.
"And that is the Luminous Peak Sect. The girl in white robes, sitting with her eyes closed—Selene. She's a soul cultivator primarily, early Adept Realm, but her actual combat strength is difficult to gauge. Her illusions have made more than one promising genius give up cultivation entirely."
Jin swallowed hard. This wasn't just some tournament—this was a battlefield of monsters.
The old man didn't stop.
"There are others you should note. That masked swordsman—he's not from any known sect, but he's reached the Adept Realm and wields a spatial-elemental sword. No one knows his name, only that he goes by 'Void Fang.'"
Jin frowned. "Why is he allowed to participate?"
The old man smirked. "Because the Grand Ascension Tournament doesn't discriminate. Talent is all that matters."
Jin took a deep breath, soaking in the atmosphere. Each of these individuals carried themselves like legends. Even without fighting, their presence threatened to overwhelm anyone lesser.
But Jin was not lesser.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing with all he'd endured—the sabotage in the Aegis Sect, the assassination, the forest trials, and his evolution. He had not crawled through hell to be overshadowed.
A gong rang out, ancient and thunderous, reverberating through the very sky.
"The tournament begins," the old man said with a slight smile.
And just like that, the opening chapter of Jin's rise to power began.