Chapter 28: The Weight of a Thousand Competitors
Dahlia stepped into the waiting room and froze.
The hall was really big, but it was quickly filled with a lot of young cultivators.
Boys and girls mixed together and their chattering echoed off the stone walls for all ot hear.
From what she could see, there had to be at least a thousand competitors gathered.
Dahlia tugged her robe tighter around her body, her eyes scanning the room.
Some sat cross-legged in meditation, looking peaceful and calm, and others boasted loudly, laughing with their sectmates.
Dahlia could see that they were from a sect from their uniforms, which looked the same but still had some differences, which indicated different sects.
The only difference was the uniforms’ colours and crests, and all the ones who wore them looked proud and arrogant.
Dahlia then let out a slow breath, steadying herself.
So many... how will this tournament even work with this many people?
Not far from her, a group of boys was talking excitedly, attracting her.
"I heard the strongest this year is Adriel of the Silver Flame Sect. He broke through the Saturation stage before sixteen."
"Don’t forget Larris from the Stone Fang Clan. They say he can punch through a wall without even using mana."
"There’s also Elira of the Dawnspire. Her light arts are impossible to counter once she gets serious."
Dahlia listened silently, her eyes narrowing.
The names mean nothing to her, but she could tell these competitions were considered monstrous among their peers.
Another group spoke nearby, and they were also quite excited.
"Whoever wins this year will gain treasures strong enough to reach Mana Core Realm."
"Just imagine... the resources... and also the fame from winning this."
"And the sects that had them will rise. It’s not just about glory. It’s survival."
Dahlia sat down in a quiet corner.
No one looked at her or even questioned her about the name of her sect.
There were just too many competitors to bother with her or even with every face here.
Still, she could feel the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on her.
This wasn’t just a fight. It was a war of pride between sects, clans, and families.
She closed her eyes, settling her breath.
Focus. Calm the lungs, steady the heart, guide the muscles.
For a moment, she imagined Garion’s voice beside her.
"Don’t look at their clothes, don’t look at their names. In the arena, none of that matters."
"All that matters is form, balance, and discipline. Remember your training."
Dahlia clenched her fists on her knees, her confidence building.
Yes. I don’t care if they’re called Adriel, Larris, or Elira. I don’t care what sect they come from. I trained harder than any of them, and I’ll win.
The noise of a thousand voices filled the hall, but Dahlia blocked it out, keeping her mind clear.
No matter how many competitors stood in her way, she swore she would make them all remember her name.
---
Garion sat down in the common seats, folding his arms as he glanced around.
"There are way more people here than I expected."
The stands stretched all the way around the arena, packed with spectators, and all of them buzzed with excitement.
As expected of a once-in-a-decade competition. Everyone’s here to watch the young lions tear each other apart.
His eyes went higher, past his section. A special section was across the stadium, separated by walls and guards.
It was filled with people wearing elaborate robes with perfect posture.
Their robes gleamed with a silken crest with a mark uniquely belonging to their own sect.
Garion quickly smirked, crossing his arms.
"Those must be the big shots, elders, and clan patriarchs. They must be at least Mana Core Realm... maybe higher."
Garion rubbed his chin, his smirk widened.
"Let’s see how powerful their disciple are. Is my Dahlia or theirs stronger?"
Garion then turned back to the arena, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
Suddenly, a booming voice rang out, silencing the crowd.
The announcer appeared at the center platform, his robe flaring dramatically.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Genius Youth Tournament!"
The stands erupted in cheers. Thousands of voices merged into a single roar.
"As you all know, this event gathers the brightest youths for just one mission. It’s to battle for glory and bring resources and fame back to their affiliations!"
The announcer looked around, smirking, and he continued.
"And this year, we have thousands of competitors. There are far too many for a simple duel-based opening."
Garion quickly raised a brow.
"Thousand, huh? No wonder all the stands looked so packed despite the wide area."
The announcer’s smile widened.
"Therefore, like tradition, the opening stage will be... a battle royale!"
The crowd roared again, but Garion frowned slightly.
Battle Royale? That’ll be messy. Dahlia will have to fight in the middle of the chaos.
But then, the announcer raised his and, turning his smile slyly.
"However! This year’s battle royale will be... different."
Everyone leaned forward, listening.
"Not far from here, a Treasure Realm has recently appeared!"
The audience gasped. Even Garion’s eyes widened.
What?! A Treasure Realm? Again? Why didn’t the system warn me this time?
The announcer continued.
"This particular realm has a special restriction. Only those below eighteen years of age may enter."
"In other words, exactly the same as our competitors today."
Shouts and whispers filled the arena.
Garion quickly glanced at the elder’s section. Most of them sat calmly. It seems that they already knew it.
A bold voice then came from the stands.
"Isn’t that dangerous? Throwing thousands of youths into a Treasure Realm?!"
The announcer chuckled, raising his hand for silence.
"Worry not. Each competitor will be given a jade token. If you crush it, you will be instantly teleported out of the realm for safety. However..."
He paused, grin widening.
"The points will be cut in half."
Another voice cried out.
"What about deaths?!"
The announcer spread his arms.
"This is a prestigious tournament. A little blood is inevitable. That is the way of cultivation."
The audience erupted.
Some were cheering wildly, others grimacing, as this was the real truth of the cultivation world.