The dizziness from spatial displacement faded, and Silas's boots landed heavily on solid ground. As the light receded, he found himself back in the temporary camp outside the Scale-Split Mine, the "Fortitude" spear still gripped tightly in his hand.
He immediately lowered his gaze, letting the signature look of faint alarm and exhaustion belonging to Finn Cole settle back onto his face. A quick scan of his surroundings confirmed he wasn't the only one to return. A small crowd had gathered near the mine entrance, and among them, he saw Karen, Lya, and Buck. They all looked like they'd been through a brutal fight—clothes torn, stained with blood and dirt, but their eyes were sharper, like honed blades.
Before anyone could approach him, Karen stepped onto a large rock, his voice, amplified by spiritual energy, ringing out across the camp.
"Listen up,all who made it back! We faced a trial of life and death deep in the mine. Only those who successfully slew a Second Rank magical beast while being a full rank below were chosen by the relic and granted this information!"
His words caused another wave of murmurs to sweep through the camp. Slaying a beast a full rank higher? That meant every one of these survivors possessed strength far beyond their peers!
Karen surveyed the crowd and continued, "This relic was created by an Ancient powerhouse before his fall, its purpose to find a true successor. In three days, the relic will officially open! Anyone who believes they have the strength may enter and face the challenge!"
Silas stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, understanding dawning. Having slain a mid-Second Rank beast, he naturally qualified. Karen was deliberately making the information public to draw all the geniuses of Essence Grace City here, to muddy the waters.
Just then, a heavy pressure descended upon the camp, and the crowd parted automatically. An elder in fine Wood family robes approached slowly, surrounded by attendants.
"Who is that?" Silas heard someone whisper nearby.
"Lord Balor Wood," another voice answered with awe. "A Third Rank elder of the family. He arrived on a griffon a few days ago. I didn't think he'd come personally..."
Silas's internal alarms blared. A Third Rank expert, a core figure of the Wood family.
Elder Balor's gaze swept over the survivors, finally settling on Silas. A genial smile appeared on his face.
"You,you are Finn Cole?"
"Y... yes, my Lord," Silas said, bowing his head, his voice tinged with the perfect amount of nervousness.
"To slay a Second Rank beast while being outranked..." Elder Balor nodded approvingly. "To think another talent like this has emerged from our Wood family's subsidiary line. Good, very good."
He reached out and clapped Silas on the shoulder. A subtle, hidden strand of spiritual energy attempted to probe inward. Silas immediately circulated his cultivation art, revealing just the right level of First Rank peak strength—displaying talent without being overly astonishing.
"Seize this opportunity well," Elder Balor said, withdrawing his hand, his tone meaningful. "The family will be watching your performance."
Silas bowed respectfully, a cold laugh echoing in his heart. The old fox was clearly playing a long game, fattening the pig for slaughter.
---
On the morning of the third day, the area before the Scale-Split Mine was packed. All the major forces of Essence Grace City were present, the air thick with tension.
The banners of the City Lord's mansion fluttered in the morning breeze. A squad of well-equipped guards stood at attention. A middle-aged man in silver-grey armor sat steadily among them—Commander Rex, a Third Rank expert under the City Lord.
The Wood family's encampment was the most prominent. Elder Balor sat in the central position, several family elites standing nearby. Silas stood inconspicuously at the rear of the group, but he could feel the weight of scrutinizing gazes from all directions.
Powerful experts from the other five great families had also appeared:
In the Ironrock family's camp, a brawny man with bulging muscles stood with his arms crossed—Elder Ironrock Stonefist, a Third Rank expert. Standing beside him was Buck, the talented youth who had survived the mine.
"Stonefist, your Ironrock family has produced a decent lad this year," came a voice from the Windspire family's camp. A noblewoman with an elegant demeanor fanned herself lightly with a feathered fan—Lady Leandra Windspire, a Third Rank expert. Behind her stood a young woman with a lithe figure, clearly a genius the family was focusing on.
Elder Stonefist snorted. "Better than some families who only know how to flap their lips."
The elder from the Blazeheart family, a red-haired old man with a fiery temper, laughed uproariously. "Well said! How about a little warm-up for the youngsters before they go in?"
"Enough," a cold voice, seeming to emanate from the shadows surrounding the Shadowscale family's camp, cut through the chatter. "If you want to fight, do it inside the relic. Don't waste time here."
Silas noted that Lya was standing within the Shadowscale family's ranks, her expression cold and stern. Karen, however, stood alone in the center of the clearing, seemingly unaffiliated with any major power.
The Streamwood family's contingent was the quietest. A kindly-looking old woman observed the scene with a gentle smile, several mild-mannered youths accompanying her.
Beyond the six great families, numerous smaller forces and independent cultivators formed a periphery around the main gathering, some radiating notably powerful auras.
"It seems everyone is here," Elder Balor said, slowly rising to his feet, his voice carrying across the entire area. "As agreed, the relic will open at sunrise. Prepare yourselves, all of you, to meet your destinies."