The lively atmosphere of Azure Cloud suddenly became silent due to a very shocking event. Suheri, one of the genius disciples predicted to be the sect's representative for the grand tournament, was beaten up by a first-year student, Karman.
While people were distracted by the horror of the broken staff piercing Karman's heart, the collapsed Suheri felt for the jade at his waist, then crushed it into pieces.
Suddenly, a flash of light from the sky fell right onto Suheri's prostrate body. The energy explosion sent the disciples watching the fight flying in all directions. Dust and stone fragments flew everywhere. As the dust began to thin, two figures stood in the middle of the newly formed small crater.
An unknown person aimed his spear, about to stab the still weakly lying Suheri. However, his attack was blocked by the Sect Leader.
---
A moment earlier, far in the center of the Murim Alliance, two people were sitting in a luxurious gazebo surrounded by a lotus pond. Sengkuni and Warito, Spear King, sat facing each other in silence.
There was no direct conversation. They communicated through gestures, like faint smiles, subtle finger movements, blinks, or even the way they held their teacups.
The tea in their cups was almost cold, untouched since being served.
A second later, the Spear King's expression changed drastically. His brows furrowed, his jaw hardened.
Sengkuni broke the silence with one sentence."If you want to go there, go. But one piece of advice: don't be too reckless, or you will be killed."
"That small sect could never threaten me, especially after the death of the Fist King," answered the Spear King while taking the spear leaning against the gazebo pillar. The weapon vibrated softly when his hand touched it, as if recognizing its master.
"That useless child...it's time for me to discard him," continued the Spear King in a cold tone.
"May it go smoothly," Sengkuni answered briefly.
With precise steps and one stance, the Spear King leaped into the air. His body shot up so high it could not be followed by the eye; the ground he stepped on did not even shake the slightest bit.
"An interesting family, "Sengkuni muttered softly.
---
Back to Azure Cloud.
"Please don't block me," said Spear King Warito, who intended to kill Suheri, his own son. His spear was raised.
"Calm yourself, Brother," said the Sect Leader. "He is your child. Besides, he hasn't done anything wrong."
"No!" roared Warito. "This child is a disgrace! I can tolerate mistakes, but not weakness! Besides, he has already shamed me. How could a fight between disciples make him break the rescue jade at his waist? I don't know where to put my face anymore! Especially since this child is your daughter's fiancé!"
Every word from his mouth was filled with deep disappointment and anger.
"This child deserves to die!" he continued while releasing qi that pressed down on the entire arena.
The air became heavy. Disciples began to have difficulty breathing. Some of the weaker ones immediately fell, losing consciousness.
"Move aside!" ordered Warito with a thundering voice.
"No!" the Sect Leader answered with a voice just as loud. "As long as I am here!"
He released his qi, creating an energy wave that collided with Warito's. Two powerful auras clashed in the air, creating a visual distortion like heat waves.
The atmosphere changed completely. The clash of their qi caused several disciples to faint instantly. Even senior disciples who had reached intermediate cultivation levels could not withstand this dual pressure.
But not Karman.
With the wooden staff still stuck in his chest, he did not feel pressured at all. Even though he was not far from two titans who could easily destroy and level the entire place, his body remained upright.
With one deep breath, Karman pulled the wooden staff from his chest. Blood spurted, but then... his wound immediately closed.
His skin fused back as if nothing had happened. His heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
Amidst the clash of qi between the Sect Leader and Warito, something happened.
Suddenly, their qi vanished instantly, as if swept away by a far greater force. A momentary silence enveloped the arena before a thunderous roar tore through the air.
ROOOOAAAAARRRR!!!
The roar came from the Secret Realm, Kidang Alas.
Even though its location was very far, even in a different dimension, its pressure was able to make even the Sect Leader and Spear King fall to their knees.
The spiritual pressure from the mystical creature in that Secret Realm was not only felt around the Azure Cloud Sect. Its energy wave spread throughout the region.
In a magnificent palace thousands of kilometers away, a red-haired man sat relaxed on a golden throne. He grinned when he felt that pressure.
"It seems Brother has found something," said the red-haired man while swirling the wine glass in his hand.
Beside him sat a younger man with long black hair, his sixth brother.
"What do you think, Bro?" continued the red-haired man while glancing at his brother.
The sixth brother was silent for a moment, feeling the energy vibrations in the air. "I don't know, Bro. But it seems the day we've been waiting for is very near. Our hope to repay the favor will soon be achieved."
A mysterious smile appeared on both their faces.
---
Back to the Azure Cloud Sect.
The situation was very chaotic. This was the worst event since the founding of the Azure Cloud Sect. Buildings collapsed, disciples lay unconscious.
Amidst that chaos, at a time when everyone had fainted and fallen, unable to withstand the pressure from the mystical creature, Karman stood. His hair changed color, from pitch black to a shining golden yellow.
There was no fear at all on his face. On the contrary, his heart beat even faster, more excited. Every cell in his body vibrated with a strange enthusiasm, as if welcoming the coming challenge.
With heavy but steady steps, Karman began to walk. Little by little, stepping over the prostrate bodies.
He walked towards the Secret Realm, towards Kidang Alas.
Elder Hartono, still on his knees, tried to raise his hand. "Don't... don't go there..." he whispered weakly. But his voice did not reach.
Warito also tried to move, but his body felt as if it were chained by a supernatural force. "That child... why can he move?"
Karman paused for a moment in front of the gate. His golden yellow hair fluttered in the wind.
Then, with a calm but confident movement, he stepped into the horror of the Secret Realm.