In the outer space of the Sirius Titan Realm, several hundred heavenly cultivators floated silently. They were spread out in groups of fives and tens, but the largest group was about thirty.
Each group belonged to the gigantus race forces within the Xiuhei Earthly Moon. They had the backing of fifth, sixth or seventh-level forces, but shockingly, each person present were a part of the younger generation.
In the myriad realms, it was hard to classify younger generation due to the vast lifespans cultivators have, but for heavenly cultivators, there was a universally accepted rule: All those below 33,000 years were in the younger generation.
They were in their early years of development and one's potential and talent in the heavenly path can generally be surmised by this.
Yun Baili stood proudly amongst his group of six men. His eyes seemed to contain profound thoughts and sky-like brightness. The other six men were calmly surrounding him with respectful and calm expressions.
In a group of eight not too far away, a young woman with auburn hair, willowy physique, and pale skin looked impatient. Her hands were folded across her sizable chest. She seemed to have worry in the depths of her gaze as she looked at other groups. The other men and women in her group also had cautious expressions.
Finally, the girl spoke, "After forcing him out, how shall we do this?" When those words sounded, everyone's gaze honed onto her. There were quite a few who seemed relieved that she spoke and some who had mocking expressions. Particularly, Yun Baili's group was sneering.
In another group, an elegantly dressed young man with emerald-green eyes stepped forward. He was handsome and radiated a very odd aura. It was as if the world was intense but calm at the same time.
When he took his step, all those who sneered suddenly had solemn expressions. When the auburn-haired girl saw this, her eyes flickered with admiring emotion. It was borderline infatuation.
This young man was called Hei Long, a member of the Xiuhei Sovereign's direct force. Amongst the gigantus race, Hei Long was considered in the top ten in terms of talent and potential. Ma Xiuren and Yun Xuli were within that list as well. However, he was widely considered the top talent! Unfortunately, he was too young.
In truth, all of those on the list were below ten thousand years in age.
"I suggest, to avoid further conflict due to competition, we establish a set of rules and methods." When he spoke, everyone listened. There were many sixth-level forces who were hesitant, but unwilling to give up their chance. They feared going into conflict with seventh-level forces.
"What do you have in mind?" Yun Baili asked. To him, this was only a familiarity. This token was his! Fair or not.
Hei Long smiled slightly, tracing his eyes on all those who came, "Our Elders say that whoever can obtain the token, it is theirs to do as they wish. This is an agreement even the Heavenly Commanders consented to. Therefore, we shouldn't fight amongst ourselves and give an opening for others to exploit it while worsening our relations."
"We can do this fairly. I have two solutions: One, each person takes a step forward to fight for the token. Whoever can claim the token from the previous owner's hands, it will be theirs. Two, we obtain the token, then ask our seniors to host a fair competition amongst ourselves after joining together." His voice was clear and his intention clearer. The one worthy enough to obtain it is the one who keeps it.
"..." The crowd was silenced. The sixth-level forces were a little skeptical of this method but also couldn't really argue against it. After all, the current owner is confirmed to have a second-level Heavenly Genesis equivalent body cultivation. To them, to these talented members of the young generation, they had the confidence in fighting some nobody.
"How will we make the competition fair?" Yun Baili interjected. There were too many people with different levels of cultivation base and comprehension. There were methods around it, but comprehension and time to cultivate arts can't be erased.
"We will make it fair. However, only if its agreed upon." Hei Long slightly smiled. There were ways to even out a competition, for example, don't measure based on cultivation base but an array or obstacle. The tournament could be a competition of who can get further than the rest.
It was quite similar to the Slaughter Array or 33 Heavenly Steps in the Xiantu Realm. However, that takes talent into a heavy factor. No one wanted to do this.
"I say we take a different method. We fight in groups of three. We choose three amongst every group, send them to fight. If unable to obtain victory in a certain time limit, then they lose their qualifications. We reset, another group tries." A rough, deep voice spoke. It was a man garbed in deep-black. He had a hood on that prevented his features from being recognized, but everyone knew who he was.
When they heard his words, everyone went silent. This was far more beneficial, and many agreed with it. Only those who barely had any chance, to begin with, were disgruntled.
"I agree." Yun Baili and Hei Long nodded their heads nearly simultaneously. They agreed with this method greatly and since only those who were a part of the younger generation would participate, they were a hundred percent confident in winning.
"However, there need to be two more rules," the hooded man spoke once more, "if you win, you must defend against the next two groups before being declared the winner. The order of groups is random. This will continue until a group can defend twice."
"..." With these rules, it took in group strength, strategy, and luck. For the defending group, all they had to do was last a certain time-limit twice. This gave everyone a chance. If they were lucky, they could be first and get two considerably weaker teams. This was something they could willingly accept.
Yun Baili's eyes flickered with faint disdain, "How will we dec-" Suddenly, Yun Baili fell silent. His eyes traced towards an area with a hint of mild surprise. His sudden pause caused others to follow his gaze in curiosity. Few were surprised, others were confused, and a few had many had expressions of questioning.
"This sounds like a fun game, but…" A voice resounded that echoed with faint mockery, "you didn't ask me if I wanted to play." This voice originated from a figure garbed in dark-amber, a head full of black hair, amber-gold eyes that seemed to contain endless vitality, and a physique that was perfection itself.
With a smile, this figure stood calmly in space a few hundred meters away from the other groups. In his hand, he wielded a warhammer that had beautiful inscriptions and a hammer head with ripples. It faced upwards as if declaring to the world of its superior existence.
Yan Zaizen had exited out of chaotic space before their formations could force him out. In this way, he took the initiative. He had to.
"So, according to this game, who's up first?" A slight shake of his hammer caused space to ripple, the hearts of all the onlookers shook with it. There were very few elites in the Sirius Titan Realm that didn't recognize that forbidden, red-trial unnamed warhammer! It had never been claimed and even the top elites had fallen to its trial.
This was even clearer for the gigantus race! After all, they were the only race that knew a little more about its history. In truth, it's nearly impossible to even wield properly! That's because the real hammer had the weight of an actual continent.
Lifting it typically required people to use their true-essence or vital energy. To even swing without it slipping, the feat was nearly impossible without it. However, no matter the strength of one's vital energy or true-essence, they all failed the trial upon attempt.
There was a wide-known saying in the Sirius Titan Realm: "The Unnamed Warhammer is only for the suicidal." This was known by all!
Yet, Yan Zaizen wielded the warhammer without any trace of vital energy or true-essence fluctuation. When the younger generation recognized the warhammer, their eyes that originally held varying emotions synced up to a singular one: shock!
Yan Zaizen had shattered the limits of the physique when he refined a regalia of the heavens into his body, then a third, then a fourth. When he truly removed the restrictions of his physical body by opening up the first Celestial Gate, absorbing the fragments, and distributing that energy to his physique, the power of his fleshy body was extraordinary.
At the moment, Yan Zaizen wanted to see the limits of his abilities, and what better way than these foolish kids?
"Be careful, Brother Zai." Tao's voice transmitted from the Meteor Ring. He was currently connected to Yan Zaizen's sensory perception to bear witness to the upcoming battle and developments. If need be, he will advise.
Pinaka was silent. Yan Zaizen's new hammer exceeded her, she knew this instinctively. She may be a True Spirit with an armament body that could rival a third-floor Heavenly Genesis expert, but her true powers come out with collaboration, not solo fighting. Unfortunately, Yan Zaizen hasn't constructed an archery-type Heavenly Shrine. Even if his cultivation ascended to the mid-stage of the True Essence Realm, he didn't have enough power to fully utilize her.
However, the warhammer was different. Somehow, it fit Yan Zaizen like a glove. It was as if it was made for him. She decided to take a role similar to Tao, to advise and watch.
Bai Lufeng exited seclusion. Yan Zaizen pulled him out. If he could experience this upcoming battle, it should be vastly beneficial to his cultivation.
When he did exit, Yan Zaizen was shocked. Bai Lufeng had taken a myriad of resources for the soul, body, and essence cultivation with him, but when he came out, his essence cultivation base only reached the half-step True Essence Realm.
To anyone, this was extraordinary but not too much with the resources given. The truly shocking fact was Bai Lufeng's soul cultivation; he reached the Perfect Aurora Soul Realm! His cultivation base seemed close to condensing his own Astral Star!
Even Tao only reached the Aurora Soul Realm thanks to the Astral Manifestation Pill, but to progress any further required actual enlightenment! Deep enlightenment into the self!
It seems Bai Lufeng's tragic event left him comprehending his true self. With Yan Zaizen's pills, elixirs, and soul crystals, Bai Lufeng made breathtaking strides.
He felt proud. To him, buying Lang Xue helped not only Bai Lufeng, Tao, and himself but so much more! Because of a faint instinctual feeling back then eluding benefits and Bai Lufeng's plea, he bought Lang Xue and was pulled into a myriad of events.
The profits from the Deluge Realm, the unnamed warhammer, and his companions mental states were improving.
The benefits were inestimable!
"Be careful, Young Lord Zai," Bai Lufeng warned but his voice was filled with encouragement and excitement. To him, Yan Zaizen was capable of doing anything and achieving everything.
"No takers?" Yan Zaizen's smirk was suffused with contempt at this group of younger generations that treated his possessions and likely his life as a joke.
The burly, bronze man from Yun Baili's group had his eyes blaze with fighting intent. He stepped forward, not caring about their predefined rules. To him, he wanted that warhammer! He had to take the initiative!
"Good! Come!" Yan Zaizen laughed with a tyrannical flavor. With a warhammer in hand, amber-gold eyes that seemed to contain life itself, and fighting intent that soared into the skies, he stepped forward.