In the imperial palace, a sea of people had collected at the huge square of the garden. Thrilled, they stood there, waiting eagerly.
It was the day when the cultivators would come back from the Mysterious Nether World. The representatives of the five biggest sects and other small sects whose disciples had broken into the top 50 in the Outstanding Talents Exchange Games were present. They were anxious to see what the outcome would be.
Even the leaders of the five biggest sects had shown up. Their presence marked the importance of the day.
There was a stage on the east side of the square, and the emperor was seated on it. He was in a pleasant mood, yet there was a little nervousness and excitement in him.
The person standing at the left of the emperor was an elder dressed in a robe with the pattern of mountains and rivers on it, while an armed middle-aged man stood on the emperor's right. The former was Randy, the Hand and the latter was Lord Protector General. Both of them were the most senior officers and the most powerful people, after the emperor.
Besides the emperor, the Hand and the Lord Protector General, the leaders of the five biggest sects also sat on the stage. Being the sect leaders, each of them also enjoyed a high status in the Violet Orchid Empire.
The five sect leaders whispered to each other, eager and thrilled to know the outcome.
The topic of their conversation was about the outstanding disciples who had entered the Mysterious Nether World. Each one believed their disciples were better than the rest.
"Davis, as far as I can tell, Leo Lv from your sect seems to have the highest cultivation base among the cultivators who entered the Mysterious Nether World. I bet he must have a lot of harvests this time," the leader of the Bloody Hero Gang said with a smile.
He shared good terms with the leader of the Peripatetic Sect. That was the reason why he praised Leo. Besides, Leo was one of the best cultivators among the young generation of Violet Orchid Empire. After all, he had reached the medium stage of the Mysterious Realm.
Davis laughed and responded, "He caught my attention when he was a kid. He is smart and has exceptional talent in martial arts.
Apart from him, more than ten principal disciples of mine have also entered the Mysterious Nether World. I'm sure they'll not disappoint me.
In fact, Caden from your sect is also strong. Although he is not as good as Leo, he is also one of the elite cultivators of our kingdom. I bet he'll not let you down."
When he spoke of Leo, his mood lit up. He touched his long beard, with pleasure and pride written all over his face.
Suddenly it occurred to him that Austin had taken the first place in the Outstanding Talents Exchange Games. As a result, Leo won the second prize. This had kept troubling Davis.
At the thought of Austin, he couldn't help but catch a glimpse of Theon, the leader of Sun Sect. After all, Austin used to be a disciple of Sun Sect. Therefore, he was upset with Theon.
Among all the disciples of the five biggest sects who had entered the Mysterious Nether World, the disciples from the Sun Sect were the weakest because Braxton who had been the strongest disciple of the sect had been killed.
While the other four sect leaders talked to each other excitedly, Theon remained silent with a dejected expression. During the Outstanding Talents Exchange Games, apart from Braxton, the Sun Sect had also lost several principal disciples with high cultivation base.
Fully aware that the disciples of his sect were weaker than those from the other four sects, he didn't expect them to have great harvest. All he wanted was their return from the Mysterious Nether World, safe and sound.
The leader of the Peripatetic Sect smirked as he spoke to Theon, "What's up, Theon? You look sour. Oh! I see. It's because of the fact that your sect disciples who had entered the Mysterious Nether World are too weak.
I can understand how you feel."
Theon realized that Davis was provoking him deliberately.
"What're you trying to say, Davis?"
Theon asked furiously.
The leader of the Peripatetic Sect said, "Nothing. I'm just telling the truth. Please don't get angry."
He started laughing sarcastically. There was haughtiness and pride in his demeanor.
Theon let out a loud snort and then kept silent.
.. .
There was another stage set up on the other side of the square. The ten princes were seated there.
All of them were excited and expectantly glanced at the altar in the center of the square from time to time.
If the cultivator could get the soul-recovering fruit from the Mysterious Nether World, then the prince he or she was loyal to was likely to accede to the throne.
That was what overwhelmed the ten princes with thrill and hope.
Surprisingly, one of them looked composed. His calmness made him look confident as if he would be victorious.
It was the grand prince.
"Take it easy, guys. You have no chance to take the throne. Just give up. The victory is going to be mine," he declared smugly before bursting into a haughty laughter.
His voice showed how much he despised all his younger brothers.
"Huh! Don't be so assertive. The result isn't out yet."
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