“Hmph! Stop adding fuel to the fire!” Cyrus glared at Alloy. “The Celestial Alliance has had its fair share of run- ins with the Mystic Arts Order over the years. If we’re talking enemies, your guild is the real thorn in their side.”
“It’s nothing but minor skirmishes. I’m sure Madam Penelope sees the bigger picture and isn’t bothered by it,” Alloy said with a subtle grin.
Cyrus might outmatch Alloy in brute strength, but when it came to quick- witted retorts, Alloy was the clear victor.
“Mr. Hadley, Mr. Marshall, you two seem to be in high spirits.”
The black sedan came to a stop in front of them. An elderly woman with silver hair and a slightly hunched back emerged slowly while leaning on a serpent-headed cane.
This was Penelope Solace, the leader of the Mystic Arts Order. She had risen to fame long before Alloy and Cyrus, earning her place as a revered senior figure.
Despite her years of seclusion and rare public appearances, her reputation was as fearsome and commanding as Alloy and Cyrus’. Her name evoked both awe and trepidation.
“Madam Penelope.” As the host, Kaden stood first and gave a respectful nod to her.
“It seems the Ancient Sage has passed the mantle to you. Good,” she acknowledged with a neutral expression.
“Madam Penelope, it’s been a while. How have you been?” Alloy stood, nodded in greeting, and smiled warmly.
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Marshall. I’m still in good health and plan to stick around for a few more years,” she replied calmly.
“That’s great,” Alloy said with a smile.
Penelope glanced at Cyrus, who remained impassive and made no move to greet her.
“Madam Penelope, please take a seat.” Kaden gestured politely while guiding her to the viewing seats.
With that, the leaders of the three major guilds were now assembled.
“Grandma!” Upon seeing Penelope, Abigail, who had been busy, immediately went to greet her.
Her betting ring was operating quietly in the corner. She kept a low profile because she was competing in the matches.
She didn’t want to attract too much attention since so many high-profile figures were in attendance. After all, being too conspicuous could lead to losses she couldn’t afford.
“Abigail, I heard you’ve been quite busy at Sacred Wrym Summit lately. You must have raked in quite a bit of money, right?” Penelope cracked a rare smile.
“Not much. It’s just a bit,” Abigail replied with a grin.
“Making money is great, but don’t let that distract you from today’s matches. We need to make sure the Mystic Arts Order shines,” Penelope said, still smiling.
“Don’t worry. I’ve trained hard, and I’m confident I’ll be in the top three,” Abigail said.
As long as she didn’t face Dustin in the early rounds, she knew the other minor challengers were no match for her.
“Great. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Penelope nodded with a smile.
Abigail had awakened the Phoenix bloodline and was now a rare Dark Phoenix. Combined with the Mystic Arts Order’s legacy, her combat strength was far superior to her peers.
So, Penelope expected Abigail to secure a top-three finish and had high hopes for her to win first place.
“Sage Foyer, now that everyone’s here, let’s not waste any more time. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can wrap up,” Cyrus said abruptly.
“Since everyone’s pumped up, let’s start the match,” Kaden said with a smile. After seeing Alloy and Penelope nod in agreement, he signaled to Oron.
Oron understood the cue and walked to the center of the battle ring. “Today, 32 contestants will compete for a spot in the top 8. To keep things fair, we’ll draw lots right here. All contestants, please come up to the battle ring!”
As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in raucous applause.
Amidst the roaring cheers, the top elites from various guilds took the stage. Most of the 32 finalists were grandmasters, with a few still halfway to becoming grandmasters. Each had been through intense screening and possessed extraordinary talent.
Simply put, any of these contestants would be a prized asset in any guild.
“Grandma, I’ll go up first,” Abigail said before leaping into the air. She soared gracefully over a hundred feet and landed lightly in the center of the battle ring.
The spectators erupted in applause at her graceful entrance.
She was stunning, but with her flowing white hair, she seemed almost otherworldly. Her appearance captivated many. If not for her identity as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, she would have likely driven countless admirers crazy.
“Glenn, you’re up.” Cyrus glanced at him.
Glenn, who had been meditating, nodded. In an instant, he launched himself a hundred feet into the air. Then, he landed in the battle ring with a thunderous impact, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.
The shockwave from his landing sent spectators struggling to keep their balance. The sheer force of his entrance was so overwhelming that the crowd scattered in fear. They were too stunned to voice their outrage.
“What a show-off!” Fenley sneered.
He shook his body, and a towering, thirty-foot-tall god-like figure appeared behind him. The figure was a blazing red, surrounded by a fiery, intense presence that radiated heat and fury.
The breathtaking sight instantly captured the attention of every spectator.
Fenley strode toward the ring with the Fire God figure looming behind him. His entrance was far more impressive than Glenn’s.
