Chapter 308: Silent King (4)

Kyrian returned to the same high branch of the Ancestral Tree with a light and silent leap, as if he had never descended. He sat down again, his legs swaying casually in the empty air, the gentle wind slightly tousling his black hair. His expression remained calm, almost bored, as if the bloody massacre happening dozens of meters below him was merely background noise.

Outside, on the Central Plateau, the audience’s reaction was like a bucket of cold water thrown over a crowd in flames.

The enthusiasm that had exploded when Kyrian descended died almost instantly. Thousands of cultivators who had been standing, shouting, and cheering sat back down with expressions of frustration and discouragement.

“Heh… I thought I’d finally see him fight, but he just came down to say hi to his friends and went back to standing still.” Grumbled a young disciple from a lesser domain, crossing his arms with a disappointed look.

“That’s true.” Another beside him agreed.

“It doesn’t seem like he wants to participate in the battles. With his strength, he shouldn’t be afraid of anyone here. We can only conclude that he’s not interested in increasing his points right now. He probably thinks he’s already secured first place.”

Several discouraged comments echoed through the stands. They had spent weeks watching Kyrian hunt wooden beasts nonstop, accumulating points in an absurd manner. But what the audience really wanted was to see the monster of the Verdant Sword Sect fighting other human geniuses. They wanted to see his sword cutting through real cultivators, not just constructed creatures.

“He only came down to protect his friends… and went back to his throne.” Murmured a female cultivator, shaking her head.

“What a waste.”

“Maybe in the next phase we’ll see him fight for real.” Said another, trying to console himself.

“This is still just the first stage. The real spectacle should begin later.”

The discouragement was general. The holographic screens continued focusing on Kyrian, but now with an almost comical tone, the young man at the top of the tree swung his legs as if he were at a picnic, while hell unfolded below.

In the VIP sections, the leaders also commented.

“He really isn’t going to participate?” asked the Leader of the Flaming Sword, almost disappointed.

“I wanted to see how he would deal with my disciples.”

The Leader of the Ancient Forest chuckled softly.

“He has already done what he needed. He hunted enough to secure the top.”

Feng Yuan and Mei Ran watched in silence. Mei Ran had a slight smile on her lips.

“He has always been like this. He only acts when he thinks it’s necessary.”

Meanwhile, inside the Pocket Realm, after five minutes of Kyrian returning to his place at the top of the tree to observe, the chaos resumed with even greater intensity.

Disciples with few points continued arriving from all directions. They were easy targets, but also hungry hunters. If they did not obtain enough points, they might not pass to the next phase of the Gathering. So countless battles began happening at the same time. People hunted each other for points, while some hid in the shadows of the trees, waiting for the right moment to attack those weakened after a fight.

Those present had to focus on their own battles, but also on the surrounding environment. Betrayals happened every second. Alliances lasted less than the blink of an eye.

Kyrian was no longer completely bored. His sword-like eyes were focused on the five battles of his companions at the same time. He observed every movement, every enemy intention, ready to act if someone tried to eliminate Mo Tianhai, Mo Xia, Long Xue, Shen Yu, or Wu Jian in a way they could not perceive.

Mo Tianhai’s fights happened quickly. Despite his cultivation not being the highest, his sword intent was pure and destructive. In just a few brutal attacks, he could eliminate those with few points. Now he fought an opponent with 800 points, smiling as he exchanged heavy blows, his sword cutting through the air with controlled fury.

Mo Xia fought with calculated coldness, using her agility to dodge and counterattack. Shen Yu and Wu Jian also held their ground well, each with their own style.

But Long Xue was the one who most caught Kyrian’s attention.

She fought against a strong opponent, a young man who used fire-based punching techniques and possessed 900 points. Long Xue had been targeted by him and was struggling to continue fighting. Her defenses were constantly pressured, the fire burning her clothes and skin in some areas. But she did not give up. She continued fighting with strength and determination. She was no longer the timid and fearful girl who had lost her memories, now she was an independent cultivator, confident in herself.

She also had one-sided confidence in Kyrian. If he said he would protect them, she was certain she could fight with all her strength without worrying too much.

But then, suddenly, something happened.

Long Xue was so focused on her opponent that she did not notice the surroundings. Suddenly, two more people jumped from the shadows, attacking her from different directions at the same time, one from the left and the other from behind.

Her opponent was already strong enough to demand all her attention. Now, with two additional opponents, she was certain she was finished.

At the last second, she released all her cultivation into a Qi barrier to protect herself and closed her eyes, waiting for the fatal impact.

But the impact never came.

When she opened her eyes, something unbelievable had happened.

The two who had tried to ambush her were lying on the ground, coughing blood. On their chests, where their leaves were, there was a clean and deep cut. Their clothes and skin were also cut in the same place. In another second, they disappeared, being teleported out of the Pocket Realm, eliminated.

Long Xue was confused for a moment. Not only she, but her opponent also looked around in pure terror. He did not know who had helped the girl. His companions who came to assist him in the fight had been eliminated without him even realizing how.

He looked around in fear, searching for an invisible enemy, but found no one.

Meanwhile, Long Xue smiled and raised her sword again toward her opponent. The fight, which had been difficult before, began to become easier as the opponent also shifted his attention around, trying to find Long Xue’s invisible ally. But he found nothing. In a moment of distraction, Long Xue cut his leaf with a precise strike, completely eliminating him. His body disappeared as she took a deep breath, with a relieved and grateful smile on her face.

She then looked toward the top of the ancient tree with genuine gratitude. Her gaze met Kyrian’s eyes as she murmured softly.

“Thank you!”

Kyrian, from above, understood her words and only gave a slight nod.

Meanwhile, on his chest, his points rose to 4.650.

Previously, upon seeing those two men approaching Long Xue, he knew he had to act. The moment they tried to eliminate her, he moved. With a single glance, an invisible slash of his sword intent emerged from nowhere and eliminated both before they could even realize what had struck them.

Kyrian returned to observing calmly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep