From the elevated platform, Elder Liam shot forward like a cot, robes flapping, beard bouncing with each leap. He landed in the middle of the mob with a glowing jade token in hand—and then imdiately froze in place.
For sitting there, surrounded by dozens of puffed-up, red-faced disciples, was Kent Clark—calm as still water, casually offering the elder a half-eaten spring roll.
"Greetings, Master Liam…" Kent said in a muffled tone as he munched on the spring roll.
The elder stared.
"You—What—Kent?! What are you doing here!?" Elder Liam blurted, lowering his voice imdiately.
Kent gestured lazily to the arena. "Watching the show. Wind girl was pretty. Sword guy was alright. But seriously, that one fellow's movent felt like a duck waddling through syrup."
"Not that. You… You left the Immortal Living Pool?" Elder Liam looked as if his beard was about to combust.
Kent shrugged. "Yeah… I completed the task and reached the lady at the centre of the pool. The goddess lady passed a divine technique and said I'll know everything in ti. So I took her advice and left to kill ti. Found spring rolls on the way. Tasted like enlightennt."
"But you—! You—!" Elder Liam looked like he was swallowing ten emotions at once. "You're supposed to et after inheriting divine techniques! Do you know what kind of competition is going on in this arena right now?"
"Not really," Kent said, licking spicy sauce off his finger. "But they're not watching , are they?"
The crowd was silent now. Silent… and confused.
One disciple finally dared to whisper, "Elder Liam… who is he?"
Liam turned slowly, eyes wild, as if he couldn't believe no one recognized this rogue in white robes.
"This… is Kent King. The young man who was supposed to fight as my disciple!"
Gasps rang out like firecrackers.
"What?!"
"He is Kent King!"
"He's the one who healed the Naga ancestor?"
Kent stood up slowly, brushing crumbs from his sleeve, looking sheepish but still carrying his last spring roll like a weapon of mass satisfaction.
"Ah, you're making blush."
Elder Liam turned serious. "Kent. We're about to begin the official challenge matches for Pri Disciple Status. Many top talents from all realms are competing. I was going to wait… but now that you're here…"
He paused dramatically. Then pointed at the center of the arena.
"I want you to participate."
Kent raised a brow. "?"
"Yes. No more hiding. You have the cultivation of a Mid earth immortal wizard. It's ti they knew your na. If you win this, the academy will support you with all great resources and special training for the Golden heir tournant."
The entire crowd now stared at Kent like he was a divine beast in disguise.
Kent looked up at the sun, then down at his spring roll.
"Alright," he said, finishing the last bite. "But only if you let finish lunch afterward. I hate fighting on an empty stomach."
Elder Liam laughed. "Deal."
The crowd parted as Kent walked toward the edge of the arena, still chewing, looking more like a lazy noble on vacation than the prodigy about to face hundreds of elite contenders.
A young disciple whispered, "He doesn't even have a weapon…"
Another replied, "Yes, he is not even wearing a storage ring."
As Kent stepped into the arena floor, the wind seed to shift. Even the sky felt quieter.
And sowhere in the highest viewing pavilion, an ancient figure watching from behind a screen whispered to his attendant—
"Inform the Naga Princess. The one we've been waiting for… has entered the stage."
-
The arena was buzzing, the stands alive with murmurs and growing anticipation. Kent stood alone at the edge of the combat ring, looking more like a guest on holiday than a participant in one of the most elite challenge bouts in the Immortal World.
His robes were still slightly wrinkled, as if he had just woken from a nap, and he yawned into his palm without care.
That was when Elder Hua stepped forward.
A tall figure in violet silk robes with a stern, elegant expression, Elder Hua was fad not only for his mastery over Ice Law but also for being the one who personally trained Lady Mu Yang, the Ice Mage of Heart Lotus Scripture.
With eyes like frost and voice as sharp as an icicle, he pointed at Kent from the edge of the arena platform.
"This is unacceptable!" Elder Hua declared. "This boy has not arrived at the ti of announcent. The rules were clear—anyone arriving late forfeits the chance to challenge for Pri Disciple!"
Several other elders nodded in support, stepping beside Elder Hua.
Elder Jin of the Bronze Mountain Sect, Elder Wu of Earth Do Sect, and Elder Tai from Sun Fire Pavilion each gave disapproving snorts. Their disciples had been preparing for this day with all their hard work. This was their mont.
"We cannot allow favoritism!" Elder Wu declared.
"Late is late," added Elder Jin. "This isn't a street show where so snack vendor walks in and gets a stage."
A few disciples in the crowd laughed cruelly.
Kent, still in the middle of the arena, raised a brow, chewing the last bite of sothing he'd pulled from his sleeve—perhaps a dried fruit.
"Snack vendor? You flatter ," Kent said with a lazy grin.
The crowd laughed.
Elder Hua's face grew even colder. "This is no place for jokes."
"Exactly," bood a deeper, regal voice.
Silence fell.
For the first ti since the start of the challenge bouts, a figure descended from the skies with the weight of a falling star. His robes flowed like rivers of liquid crystal, and a celestial lotus blood in the air as he landed gently upon the central platform.
His presence silenced not only the crowd but even the wind.
"The Immortal Pool Master…" soone whispered.
He was rarely seen. Rumors said he was at the edge of heavenly immortal wizard and Soon, he would step on Heavenly immortal realm which is above. His gaze alone could quiet a raging sea.
Everyone bowed in silence. Even the elders stepped back with awe and respect.
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