The atmosphere at the Azure Cloud Sect was more bustling than usual today. Because this was the final day for registration for the inter-sect tournament selection. Only 9 chosen individuals would determine the future fate of Azure Cloud.
Tono, Putri, and Bonar had just finished their preliminary training almost simultaneously, as if arranged and intentional.
They arrived, yet all eyes were drawn to them.
"Putri, do you feel it too?" Tono whispered to Putri.
"Yes, I'm not used to all these stares. What about you, Bonar?" Putri whispered back.
"Who knows. It seems they're looking at you two. You are weird," Bonar whispered in reply.
"You!" Putri snapped at Bonar, hitting him on the head.
There was nothing outwardly wrong. That's what the three of them felt. But in the eyes of every disciple present, it was as if they were watching three people walking with precision, perfect posture, and more than that, a slightly oppressive aura.
"Ahem... Greetings, Senior. The three of us wish to register," Putri said to the senior disciple manning the registration desk.
"R-right.Write your names here," the tasked senior replied.
"Thank you, Senior. May I ask a question?" Putri continued after registering.
"Go ahead."
"I-is Karman registered?"
"Karman...Hold on, let me check," the senior said, opening the registration book. "You must mean Elder Hartono's disciple. He has not registered yet," the senior continued.
"Thank you, Senior. Sorry for the trouble."
"It's no problem. Anything else?"
"Nothing.Thank you again. We'll take our leave now."
The trio left the registration desk but remained seated inside the hall, waiting.
They didn't speak, as if they already understood they shared the same hope.
Karman. That was a name they could not possibly forget. Though reckless and rash, it did not change the fact that he had saved them twice. Worry and longing began to stir. Because the registration time was almost over, and Karman still hadn't appeared.
The sun was nearly set. But Karman had yet to appear. Their minds said Karman was fine. But their hearts could not be lied to; they were worried.
The senior disciples began tidying up and closing the registration desk.
"Senior! Could you wait just a moment longer?" Tono pleaded, running towards the registration desk.
"I understand your concern. But there are only 5 minutes left. It's practically over. Who would register this late in the evening anyway?" the senior replied while organizing papers on the desk.
"Hahaha!" A loud laugh came from a corner.
"Putri, look at those country bumpkins. You'd better not be friends with them anymore," the voice said, approaching Putri.
The three of them instantly turned to look. To see who dared to talk nonsense in front of them.
"Suheri!"Putri said, turning her head. "How dare you! If your uncle weren't my father's friend, I would have hit you already!" Putri continued angrily.
"Wow...After meeting those country bumpkins, you've changed a bit now. Because of Karman, isn't it?"
Bhamm!
Putri's slap landed squarely on Suheri's face. It was so loud that it echoed inside the entire hall.
Suheri merely spat out a little blood, as if Putri's strike didn't mean much.
Everyone in the room fell silent. Shocked and bewildered. Meanwhile, Suheri just laughed. But just as they hadn't fully processed what was happening, a piercing aura came from the entrance.
---
A moment earlier...
Karman was immersed in his training. He was performing strange movements. His stances and subsequent motions were completely uncoordinated. Yet, everything seemed to have meaning because once you looked, you couldn't look away.
"Karman, "Elder Hartono called out to me. But I was completely unaware and didn't hear him.
"Karman, wake up," Elder Hartono said while shaking my body.
My eyes opened. I became aware, caught in the middle of performing a strange movement.
"Master! How long have you been here? Wasn't I training?"
"Do you realize how much time has passed?"
I fell silent, trying to remember what had happened. All I recalled was starting meditation, then I began to hear the weeping of the world. Then suddenly, I met the Void Man.
"Wasn't it just half an hour?"I answered Elder Hartono's question.
"No, you have been training continuously for over 30 days without rest," Elder Hartono said.
WHAT?!! I screamed in my heart. I was utterly confused. My body didn't even feel tired.
"Look," Elder Hartono said, pointing towards a water puddle in the cave, telling me to look at my reflection.
"My irises have turned golden-yellow, even without activating Golden Body mode?" I said, shocked.
"Yes, you have mastered the initial stage of the Golden Body. You are talented. However, now that you have reached this stage, you cannot stop. You must advance to the next level. Or..."
"Or what, Master?"
"You will go mad," Elder Hartono answered in a flat tone, full of worry.
"How do I advance to the next level?"I asked curiously.
"Combat. You must keep fighting while maintaining your consciousness."
I fell silent. Because it seemed impossible for me to do that.
"And I have found the perfect place for you:the tournament," the Sect Head said.
"But what if I hurt..."My words weren't finished before Elder Hartono cut in.
"Never underestimate your opponent, "Elder Hartono continued.
"Alright, Master. Wish me luck," I said resolutely, preparing myself to register for the inter-sect tournament selection.
---
Kriieeekkk...
The sound of the registration hall door. Someone entered just as the tension reached its peak.
"Karman???"The entire hall was stunned. Even Tono, who wanted to run to him, held back. They realized the one who had arrived was Karman. But at the same time, they were afraid.
It was like mice before a lion. No one dared to speak. Even Tono questioned himself.
Is this the Karman I know?... From the way he walks, from the way he moves. So dominating. Especially his gaze.
"I want to register," Karman said, heading towards the registration desk.
But a second later, a hand grabbed his shoulder from behind. "Hey, country bumpkin, registration is closed," Suheri said arrogantly.
Karman did not respond. He continued walking towards the registration desk, as if Suheri wasn't there.
"How dare a bumpkin ignore me!"Suheri said, unleashing a pressuring Qi that made the room feel heavy. Even a few disciples stumbled and fell to the ground.
Karman stopped, then turned to look Suheri in the eye. As if it were a joke, Karman's gaze instantly shattered the Qi pressure from Suheri.
Calmly, Karman spoke. "Don't cause a disturbance here."