A few days after arriving at the Death Knights' domain, a group of young geniuses gathered at a lavish restaurant. The mood was relaxed, but curiosity filled the air as Shin Keilan, joined by Xue Lan, Yan Xifeng, Shin Suyin, and Bai Yue, turned their attention to Raikai and Shinryu.
"Shinryu," Shin Keilan began, his eyes fixed on them. "I've noticed you and Raikai have benefited a lot from that last battle. You both went into closed-door cultivation as soon as we got here and came out at the same time. Spill the beans! What happened?"
His question was met with eager looks from Bai Yue and Shin Suyin. Raikai laughed and replied, "Ever the observant one, aren't you? That explains your odd way of wanting to hang out with us."
Shinryu chimed in, "You even invited these two beauties to set the mood. Keilan, it seems you have more of my old patriarch in you than your own. Raikai, are you sure he's a part of your clan?"
"Knowing those old-timers, anything is possible," Raikai said with a laugh. The girls' faces turned bright red as Raikai and Shinryu tried to change the subject.
Not to be sidetracked, Shin Keilan pressed on. "We all benefited from that trial, but none of us knew it was 'death-free' and only came with benefits. I want to know how strong that general was compared to us, and why we don't know about them like we do other geniuses from other regions?"
A new voice cut in, "Ahaha, that's because unlike you, we aren't geniuses." Gou Ren, Wu Feng, and Xian Lihua appeared at their table.
Shin Keilan tensed up, but Xian Lihua, seeing the two girls, sat down beside them as if they were old friends. "You two really share company with such tough-looking guys, especially that one with the scales on his arms," she said with a warm smile that instantly eased the tension. Wu Feng and Gou Ren joined them, and Wu Feng generously offered to pay for everyone's food.
Shin Keilan, still focused on his question, asked Xian Lihua, "What did you mean, you're not geniuses?"
Xian Lihua answered softly, "You all know about the earlier cultivation levels. While age doesn't affect how far you go on your path, the age at which you reach certain stages shows your potential. This is a rule for humanoids. Spiritual beasts, on the other hand, get stronger the longer they live, which is why they take longer to grow. Most of us Sentinels are four to seven years older than you, yet our cultivation isn't much higher, and we all lost on the Chains of Calamity. Compared to your talents, we are weeds in a garden of fine crops."
A quiet fell over the table until Raikai spoke up. "This world isn't equal and will never be. Fate is cruel, but it's the essence of cultivation to fight against what is fated. I'm sure we aren't the most talented in these worlds, but I'll welcome all hurdles thrown in my way as a chance to conquer them, no matter my limits." He declared, laughing as his aura began to leak out.
"You'll have to beat me in a fight first," Shinryu said with a joking smile.
"Oh, shut it, fur ball, our rematch ain't far," Raikai retorted, and the playful banter brought laughter back to the table.
On the sixth day, Ling Chen's voice boomed from the heavens, echoing across the domain of the Death Knights. "All participants who plan on entering the Death Nights realm, make your final preparations. The formations will be opened at midnight."
The announcement, though a surprise, caused no commotion. Those who had qualified for such a place were already prepared. In a giant pagoda surrounded by a lush garden, Hei Xiu, Muraki Jin, and Yan Mei were in a serious discussion.
"I'm conflicted," Hei Xiu said, her gaze distant. "This trial ground is the perfect place to battle the Phoenix Empire and perhaps wipe them out. However, those two are outliers. If I were to fight either of them one-on-one, I don't know the outcome."
"Hmph," Muraki Jin scoffed coldly. "There will hardly be any single combat between us anyway, so I don't see the problem, especially when we outnumber them."
Yan Mei interjected, "You seem to forget that even though they were the last to finish the entry trial, Jin, they suffered no deaths. The Chains of Calamity probably rewarded them in some ways for not suffering any casualties. We have no idea what their breakthroughs or insights will be like, but one thing's for sure: they are skilled. Underestimating them will have big consequences."
Hei Xiu sighed. "Regardless, we are mortal enemies in the great reset. Our empires are already past the point of no return, where major battles should have already taken place. We had planned on striking after the Phoenix Empire had wiped out the other two clans. We would then wipe out their geniuses in the trials since we're in the same generation. These battles would boost our empire's morale. Defeats on both fronts would have given us a huge boost in the upcoming battles. These are clans that have stalled our progress. Now, I don't know if we should just focus on cultivating and wait until we rejoin the empire, or sacrifice great members to wipe them out completely."
"You seem confident that we can wipe them out, you just don't want to pay the price, huh?" Muraki Jin said. "Well, opportunities will arise in the upcoming grounds. I think we should just negotiate with Feng Lieren not to intervene. The good thing is, we won't have to worry about an alliance between them. For now, we watch for the opportunity but don't act without absolute victory in sight. Our main goal in coming here was to return stronger. A big sacrifice in those grounds isn't worth the overall glory."
Hei Xiu and Yan Mei nodded in agreement.
"Then make sure everyone understands this," Hei Xiu commanded. "Do not provoke any fighting unless it's over treasures that require such acts."A week had passed in the Death Knights' domain, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. As midnight approached, a colossal, swirling vortex of energy began to coalesce in the sky. The air grew heavy, crackling with power as the formation to the Death Nights realm began to open.
Below, the elders of the Death Knights, led by Ling Chen, gathered at the heart of the domain. Ling Chen, his form radiating an ancient, serene energy, raised his hands. In response, eight figures emerged from the shadows, each a pinnacle of power. They took their positions around the formation, their bodies glowing with a different colored aura, a vibrant spectrum of red, blue, green, yellow, orange, violet, indigo, and white.
"The time has come," Ling Chen announced, his voice echoing with the authority of a sovereign. "Elders, pour your will into the formation. Let the path to the Death Nights be opened!"
The eight elders nodded in unison. With a collective roar, they channeled their cultivation, sending torrents of energy into the formation. The vortex in the sky stabilized, its chaotic energy now contained and focused. It began to spin faster, creating a deafening hum that resonated across the entire domain. The colors of the elders' auras swirled into the vortex, painting a mesmerizing, vibrant gate in the night sky.
Ling Chen then turned to the assembled geniuses. "The gate to the Death Nights is open. Remember our rules: only those who have proven themselves worthy may enter. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but it is also a path to immeasurable opportunity. Go forth, and may your cultivation reach new heights!"
With his final words, the gate solidified, revealing a dark, starless void beyond. One by one, the geniuses stepped forward, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension, ready to enter a world of endless night and unknown dangers.