Chapter 305: Silent King

The stalemate finally broke.

No one dared to challenge Kyrian at the top of the tree. His presence was like a blade suspended over everyone, silent, sharp, and lethal. The 4,012 points shining on his leaf served as a clear warning, whoever tried to steal them would be signing their own elimination.

But greed and pressure could not be contained forever.

The first move came from a disciple of the Six Venoms Sect. He was at the 1° stage of Core Formation, with 1,240 points displayed openly. His red eyes gleamed with greed as he targeted a solitary youth from the Golden Mountain, who possessed only 980 points.

Without warning, he attacked.

A poisonous purple mist exploded from his hands, transforming into toxic blades that sliced through the air. The youth from the Golden Mountain reacted too late. He was struck in the shoulder and arm, screaming as the poison corroded his flesh.

And just like that, chaos began.

Like a lit powder keg, the clearing around the Ancestral Tree exploded into violence. Temporary alliances dissolved in an instant. Screams, flashes of colored Qi, and the metallic sound of clashing swords echoed everywhere. Thirty of the most talented youths from the fifty domains fought mercilessly for the chance to steal points and secure their place in the Gathering.

Huo Ling, in second place with 1,392 points, was one of the first to act. His flaming sword cut through the air, releasing a wave of red fire that engulfed two disciples from a lesser domain. He did not hesitate to destroy their leaves, absorbing their points instantly.

Mu Qing, from the Ancient Forest Sect, fought with deadly elegance. Spiritual vines emerged from his sleeves, binding opponents before piercing them with sharp thorns. His leaf shone with 1,287 points, he had no intention of losing his position.

Kyrian watched everything from above, sitting calmly on the high branch. His green eyes with sword-shaped pupils recorded every movement, every intention, and every weakness. He did not descend. He did not interfere. He simply watched, as if he were observing an interesting play, but not enough to capture his full attention.

Outside, on the Central Plateau, the audience went wild.

The holographic screens broadcast the chaos in high definition. Millions of cultivators shouted, cheered, or cursed as they watched their representatives fight.

“Look at Huo Ling! He’s massacring everyone!”

“Mu Qing too! His vines are terrifying!”

“But where’s Kyrian? He’s just… watching?”

In the VIP sections, the domain leaders watched with varied expressions, some proud, others frustrated, many calculating.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect, seated on his floating throne of living wood, watched the scene with eyes shining with genuine excitement. He leaned forward, a wide smile spreading across his normally serene face. His fingers tapped on the arm of the throne, clearly entertained by the bloody spectacle unfolding below.

“It’s obvious that Kyrian is in first place.” He declared aloud, for the other leaders to hear. His voice carried a tone of clear amusement and deep satisfaction.

“Only one hundred youths will advance to the next and final phase. Let’s see who will continue in the next positions.”

He chuckled softly, his eyes fixed on the screen showing Kyrian sitting calmly at the top of the tree, like a king watching his subjects fight over scraps.

“That boy… he understands the true spirit of the trial. No need to dirty his hands now. Let the others eliminate themselves for him. Smart. Very smart.”

The Leader of the Flaming Sword let out a rough laugh, striking the arm of his chair with force.

“My Huo Ling is doing well, but this Kyrian… he doesn’t even need to move. He’s treating the trial like a casual stroll. Impressive.”

Other leaders murmured among themselves, casting frequent, meaningful glances toward Feng Yuan. The admiration mixed with envy was evident. A talent like that emerging from a mid-rank sect was something rare, almost offensive to many.

“How did a sect like Verdant Sword produce a monster like that?” Asked an elder from the Celestial Clouds Domain, narrowing his eyes.

Feng Yuan merely smiled calmly, offering no further explanation. Mei Ran, beside him, maintained a serene expression, but her eyes shone with restrained and deep pride. She leaned slightly toward Feng Yuan and murmured only to him.

“He hasn’t even moved. He’s letting the others eliminate themselves.”

“Exactly as he would.” Feng Yuan replied softly.

“Kyrian never wastes effort on something unnecessary.”

Back in the Pocket Realm, the chaos at the base of the tree only intensified.

A disciple from the Golden Mountain was surrounded by three opponents. His golden defenses held for a few seconds before being shattered. His leaf was destroyed, and he disappeared in a green light, eliminated from the Gathering.

Huo Ling advanced like a living flame, burning everything in his path. Mu Qing controlled the battlefield with vines and plant-based illusions. Others formed quick alliances only to betray them moments later. Cries of pain and rage echoed through the clearing as leaves were destroyed one after another, sending participants out of the Pocket Realm in flashes of green light.

Kyrian remained seated, his legs swaying lightly in the empty air. He saw everything. He saw the killing intent, saw the weaknesses exposed by exhaustion, saw who truly possessed talent, and saw who had only been lucky until now.

’It’s still early.’ He thought calmly.

’They are getting tired. Now would be a good time for Mo Tianhai and the others to arrive, most are already exhausted, and they could hunt more points with relative ease…’

He felt no urgency whatsoever. His advantage was far too great. 4,012 points against a maximum of 1,800 from the others. Even if the others gained a few more points, he would still be comfortably at the top.

As the massacre continued below, Kyrian simply watched the forest horizon, waiting for Mo Tianhai and the others to finally appear.

The first phase was entering its bloodiest stage.

And Kyrian, at the top of the Ancestral Tree, was the silent king who watched it all.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep