Chapter 619: Heated Exchange
Chapter 619: Heated Exchange
Chapter 619: Heated Exchange
Chapter 619: Heated Exchange
Kenji really didn’t need to direct him around the place that much as the various students all poured towards a particular place like a large swarm of bees to their hives. The green grasslands of the sects that covered the entire area slowly faded away and were replaced by a desolate mountainside, with stretches of blade marks and scorched remnants of various strange creatures. The deeper they approached, he could finally see the so-called Arena.
It was a ginormous circular area, made of pitch-black crystals, and splashes of red, which looked like dried-up blood, could be seen on it.
“Those are the unwiped blood of past challengers. The sect left it there to remind anyone of the fates that cross those who dared to defy the sect, and an eternal staining on those whose blood are left thereon,” Kenji explained to him.
Zeras’s listless eyes looked at the dried patch of blood, and all he felt was anger. Those outer sects were just like him, confident in their potential and believing they deserved greater things. To be able to stand up and tell the world of their belief in themselves was something these cowardly bastards of the inner sects couldn’t do. What did they earn for their courage? Their blood getting splashed against the walls to remind those who will ever do the same that such is the fate of those who dared to believe in their courage? How is that supposed to strike reverence in the hearts of sect members? It only strikes hatred within him and anyone who had even a bit of courage in their heart.
“It will be the last time this arena will ever be used,” Zeras promised to himself as he arrived above the arena. Only now was he able to see the dried-up blood well. It littered above the battle stage in large amounts, imprinted on the dark crystals that formed the battle stage.
Dropping Kenji on one of the seats, Zeras landed at the center of the battle stage, watched by the eyes of thousands of the Ten Thousand Transformation Sect. Some had reverence and fear in their eyes, mainly belonging to the outer sect members, respectful but also worried for the fate of one of their own, while disdain clouded the faces of the inner sect disciples, which mainly consisted of the inner sect females. They raised their pompous noses, snorting coldly in disdain.
“His fate won’t be different…”
Bending to the ground, Zeras placed his hands on the dried blood before closing his eyes. He could almost sense the intent present in the people whose blood was drained on the stage. He could sense their roars of pain and anger as they were faced with opponents far beyond their level. Sharp blades brimming with ruinous power were roughly dipped into their bodies, drawing blood from them amidst the booing of the crowd and the dignified faces of the Elders who watched from above.
“This is no longer about joining the inner sect any longer,” Zeras whispered as he slowly raised his head. This place has lost its reasoning, disdaining true warriors’ courage and promoting the servitude of true men, who wanted nothing but a better prospect and equality in a way of life.“Everyone to your feet to pay respect for the revered Grand Elders…” The voice rang out through the arena as Zeras raised his head up and found a total of five grand elders on the dais raised above, and the line of elders just a few steps behind them. All of their eyes turned to look at Zeras, who stood at the battle stage. Their eyes were emotionless and dignified, almost like they were some sort of gods looking down on mortals. Some of them, Zeras was familiar with, but his eyes scanned them as equals. Every one of them was a bastard who watched men get destroyed and booed at without doing anything but sitting down and watching on, telling themselves it had nothing to do with them or with nothing but stupid pity in their eyes when they could have actually done something.
The arena was reduced to silence as the elders took their rightful places, waving to the students who all slowly sat back in their respective seats. The place became so quiet that even a pin drop would be heard loud and clear.
“You rang the bell for the challenge…” an Elder said, almost like a question, but Zeras simply kept looking at him as if he was a fool. And to Zeras, he truly was. If he didn’t ring the bell, why was he standing in the battle stage alone? How dumb can an elder really be?
“You believed you’re worthy of joining the inner sect members and taking your rightful place as one of them.
You believe their endless years of practice is one you’re capable of in just a single year and ready to prove that the elders who have been blessed with the work of picking out talents are blind for not recognizing your heavenly talent!? Hmmm,” a Grand Elder with flaming red eyes said as giggles erupted form the crowds, and Zeras slowly turned his attention to him.
“I disdain joining a group of spineless and blind cowards, nor is there a rightful place for me among a group of bastards.
Their endless years of practice have done nothing but water down the courage that lies in them as warriors and they turned into stupid servile boys.
The women think they are not only better but beyond men themselves, but of course they might really be better than spineless cowards…
As for the elders not recognizing my talent?
The facts that I stand on a battle stage stained with the blood of true men, with my back as straight as a spine, even in under the pressure of titans of yourself?
If they think such a type of person is still unworthy of joining, then do they really have their eyes where they should be?” Zeras replied, his tone as calm as an unsettled pond as the stage was sent into an absolute silence.