After Todd spat out his final words, he quickly turned around and strode off with his group. The crowd of onlookers began to disperse as well, their attention returning to their own training. Since no fight had broken out, none of them were interested in lingering any longer.
"Young Master Finn, is there anything you need?" Leo asked respectfully.
"Could you just call me by my name?" Finn said with a strained smile. "I'm not used to being addressed like that."
"Ah… I'll try… Young—Finn," Leo replied, looking awkward.
His father had firmly instructed him to show the utmost respect to Finn. If not for this young man, their Golden Lion Family might have remained stuck as an Aristocrat Clan forever, always at risk of being surpassed and suppressed by the rival Black Tiger Family.
"That sounds much better," Finn said with a soft smile. He scratched his head, his tone turning more serious. "Leo, to be honest, I do need your help this time. I'm new here, and I was hoping you might have a spare map of the entire Cloud Soaring Sect."
"Is that all? I believe I have an extra." Leo reached into his interspatial ring, producing a rolled-up scroll.
He handed it over, and Finn accepted it gratefully. Unrolling it, he found a vast, detailed map depicting every building within the Cloud Soaring Sect's domain.
Finn looked up at Leo, smiling sincerely. "Thank you, Leo. Back at the Sacred Dragon Institute, Isake often spoke about you. Now I understand why."
Leo's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly asked, "You know my younger brother? It's been three years since I last saw him."
"Even if Isake's talent can't quite compare to mine," Leo continued with a faint trace of longing in his gaze, "he's always been an exceptionally kind brother."
Finn's expression softened. Leo was right. Isake might not have matched his brother in talent, but that would soon change—thanks to the treasures Finn had gifted him. In another nine months, Isake would likely arrive here himself, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his older brother.
Finn deeply valued their friendship. Isake had been the first to approach him without any hidden motives—his one true friend. As for the young adventurers from Finn's own clan, he could never call them real friends. From the beginning, none of them had ever truly cared about each other.
"Don't worry," Finn said reassuringly. "Isake will be joining the Cloud Soaring Sect soon. You'll see each other again."
Leo didn't react much at first, but then realization flickered in his eyes. He remembered the rumors—that Finn had distributed rare treasures to various clans. If his guess was right, Isake must have been one of the recipients.
He bowed low to Finn, his voice solemn. "Then…thank you, Young Master Finn."
Finn shifted uncomfortably. Leo was no older than twenty, and having someone so close to his own age bow to him felt strange. The deference and formality made him uneasy.
"I should get going," Finn said after a pause. "I still need to familiarize myself with the Core Division. And I'd like to visit the Adventurers' Skill Pavilion to choose a new skill."
That was, in fact, the real reason he'd stepped out of the Myriad World Mirror: to explore the Sect and pick out a skill that suited him.
"I could come with you," Leo offered eagerly. "It would make everything easier!"
But Finn shook his head firmly. "No need. I'd rather look around alone." He simply wasn't comfortable having such a polite, formal escort by his side.
"I understand," Leo said with a respectful nod. "In that case, I wish you safe travels. I don't think Todd will bother you again. But if you ever need help, you can find me among the Aristocrat Clan residences."
Leo saluted one last time before leaving with his silent companions.
Once they were gone, Finn opened the map again, carefully scanning for the location of the Adventurers' Skill Pavilion. As he traced the intricate layout, he noticed how similar the entire Core Division was to the Sacred Dragon Institute: there was a Contribution Hall for taking on missions in exchange for points that could be redeemed for treasures; a Disciplinary Hall where punishments were administered to members who broke the sect's rules.
When he finally pinpointed the pavilion, Finn set off straightaway. As he walked, he received little more than a few hostile glares, but no one dared to step in his way. No one challenged him or tried to provoke him further.
--
Months passed swiftly. Today was the day the Cloud Soaring Sect would select the seven members who would represent them at the Seven Great Faction Games.
During all this time, Todd had never troubled Finn again. The Sect Master himself—Noah—had declared that all members must remain in their residences and focus entirely on cultivation.
It was typical of the leadership to issue such orders. They valued harmony and the growth of every core member above all else.
In those months, Finn had learned a great deal about the Sect and had continued training inside the Myriad World Mirror. Yet despite his diligence, his level and rank had stubbornly refused to rise. No matter how many pills he swallowed, they seemed to have no effect on his soulforce coil. Puzzled, he finally abandoned that method, returning to the most natural way: meditation and slowly absorbing natural energy within the Myriad World Mirror.
Today, with the selection about to begin, Finn stepped out from his training realm. He headed straight to the Assembly Hall where all the core members were gathering. Taking his place according to his residence number, he looked to the front of the hall and spotted a familiar face: Marcus, the Core Elder who had fetched him from Heavenly Sky City.
Beside Marcus sat a composed man who looked about Kiden's age. Finn couldn't sense even a hint of the man's rank or strength, which only confirmed his suspicion: this had to be the Sect Master, Noah Vildar—a Sky Rank Adventurer.
All murmuring ceased the moment Noah rose to his feet. Silence fell across the entire hall as every young adventurer turned their undivided attention forward. If there was anyone they respected as much as their parents or clans, it was the leaders of the Cloud Soaring Sect. Without them, none of the gathered members would have reached their current heights.
"Listen well," Noah began in a firm voice. He swept his gaze over them all before continuing, "Today marks the beginning of the selection for the seven participants in the Seven Great Faction Games. The competition will be held one month from now. I want to thank you for your dedication and training—and I expect each of you to give your full effort in the trials ahead. You are the pride and future of the Cloud Soaring Sect. We elders are placing all our hopes in you."
"If you are chosen," he said, his tone intensifying, "show the other factions that the Cloud Soaring Sect is no place for weaklings! Prove to them that you are warriors worthy of respect! Understood?!"
"Understood!" the entire assembly shouted back, Finn included.
Determination burned in every eye. To be selected meant earning the Sect's recognition and the chance to meet—and challenge—the most talented young adventurers of other factions. For many, it was a dream come true.
Noah nodded with visible satisfaction. "There is one more announcement you'll want to hear," he said, his voice carrying a note of intrigue. "You already know that the Seven Great Faction Games gather the most gifted young adventurers of this generation. But beyond that, every participant will be granted entry to the Mystic Treasure Realm—an extraordinary opportunity."
A murmur rippled through the assembly, confusion mixing with excitement.
"You may not know what the Mystic Treasure Realm is," Noah continued. "So listen carefully—every detail matters. The Mystic Treasure Realm is a unique world located on a Floating Island owned by the Royal Clan. It only opens once every ten years. Legend says it was the site of an ancient war between adventurers and countless creatures—leaving treasures scattered across its lands."
"Of course, those treasures won't come easily. Great dangers await any who dare to enter. Many have never returned alive. The realm teems with Vicious Beasts, but the riches inside are worth any risk."
"Only sixty adventurers can enter. Since there are forty-nine competitors in the Games, the remaining eleven spots will be filled by the Royal Clan's own candidates. But don't worry—whatever you obtain within will belong to you alone."
Hearing this, the core members' eyes lit up with barely restrained eagerness. Who wouldn't covet such treasure? Even knowing the risks, they were ready to face them. This could be the chance to transform their fates forever.
Yet as the excitement swelled, some felt a creeping unease. There was still the matter of being selected—and they all knew how fierce the competition would be. Still, determination blazed in their hearts. No matter the odds, they would try.
"Now that you understand the rewards," Noah went on, "it's time to explain how we will choose you. The selection has two parts: first, the measurement of talent, and second, actual combat."
"For the first part, we will use a treasure belonging to the Sect—the Stairway to Heaven. It measures talent, not rank or level. The staircase has one hundred steps, and the higher you climb, the more difficult it becomes. But the truly gifted will ascend with ease."
"Only the fourteen who reach the highest steps will proceed to the second phase," Noah finished.
A stunned hush fell over the crowd. Everyone had heard of the Stairway to Heaven, but no one had expected that only fourteen would advance to the next round. Hundreds of them stood here—but only fourteen spots?
Some quietly fumed, thinking it unfair, while others understood the logic. The sect was not seeking the merely strong—they wanted those with true potential.
Noah stepped forward, placing a hand on his interspatial ring. A towering staircase appeared beside him, ten yards wide and twenty feet tall, gleaming gold beneath the morning sun.
"Now that everything is clear," Noah declared, his voice echoing across the Assembly Hall, "let us begin."
"The selection for the seven representatives of the Cloud Soaring Sect…officially begins!"