Death... and me

Before the battle started, the king spoke a few words. "Whether you lose or win, I won't allow any deaths. Talents like yours are the future of our Kamos Kingdom, and it's not worth losing it here. Understood?"

"Yes, your majesty!" Natal and Respen agreed to it, already expecting to hear something like that. It had also been the case during the previous gathering before the travel to the Sacred Land. They weren't here last time as they weren't born, but they heard it from the others.

The battle immediately started after that. Natal and Respen didn't hold back at all, using all their skills to the fullest. Natal and Respen were both in the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm and were both talented people when considering the Kamos Kingdom's rank. However, the difference between a true Royal Family member and someone not showed itself after a few minutes.

Respen was indeed a legacy disciple of the Yustral Sect. However, one must remember that 200 slots were given to the other powers of the country for them to choose who would head to the Sacred Land. In the end, Respen took part in the fight for the slots and ultimately lost. He could be considered lucky that Naevys took him in after that and obtained one of the Royal Family slots.

Unfortunately, Respen let down his guard for a moment after an exchange and was knocked against the wall. From that moment onwards, he was always on the backfoot. The result was confirmed sometime later as he received an attack that drove him unconscious.

"Winner, Natal Kamos."

The formation deactivated, and Natal came out with pride written on his face. Arun was also satisfied with his son's performance. "Very good. Now go back and rest."

"Yes, father." Natal retreated to the back as he knew he wouldn't fight today anymore.

Arun then looked at Naevys. "You see, little sister? A real Royal Family member is always the best choice."

Naevys didn't look angry, though. "Indeed, older brother. Still, Respen was a member of the Yustral Sect that failed to get a slot on his own. To think that your child took this long to defeat him. I wonder if he was feeling bad or something."

Arun's eyes narrowed in response, but he didn't answer. Instead, the king asked back, "So, how will you deal with the slot that Respen held?"

It was at this point that the main event of the gathering was starting. Naevys looked at Arun before saying, "Of course. Since Respen lost, the slot is big brother Arun's now." Soon after, she looked at her own son. "Lito, come here. Get that slot for your mom, will you?"

"Yes, mother." Lito then jumped forward and looked at his uncle. "Uncle Arun, do you have anyone else?"

Arun couldn't show weakness, but he already used his son, so he could only choose someone else. The difference was that he still had more family members. It's just that they were not his children but some more distant branch members. "Javeu, you're not a direct descendant, but you're still a Royal Family Member. You should be able to put a decent fight. Don't let me lose face."

"Yes, Granduncle."

And just like that, fights were exchanged back and forth. In the end, that was all it was, a fight for more slots. The son or daughter to end up with the highest numbers would be considered to have the best supporters for the future. As one could expect, it didn't take long before Fabio's group got his first challenge, and the one who put up the challenge was Fabio himself. "Brother Trian, what about a small match. I'll send Gulia to fight for me this time."

Trian smiled back and nodded in response. "Since my little brother wants to give me a slot, how could I refuse?" Trian then looked at one of his members. "Lahabrea, you go there."

Fabio was surprised to hear that Trian would send Lahabrea straight away. After all, Lahabrea was supposed to be his strongest cultivator. Gulia was definitely not at his level. 'What will he do if someone strong challenges his group later?' Fabio thought, but he could only go forward with the arrangement.

Roan then glanced at Gulia before telling her with a Divine Sense Message, 'I find it hard for you to come out on top against that guy.'

Gulia wasn't surprised to hear that from Roan. 'I think so as well. First of all, I didn't expect to fight someone of his level. However, I can't possibly just deliver him the victory. If he wants this slot, he will have to earn it.'

Roan then offered Gulia. 'If you want, I can guide you through this fight. I won't say you'll win, but you will have a much better chance. You should know that I'm better at reading the opponent than you.'

Gulia knew that Roan was telling the truth. However, she refused. 'No can do. If I win with someone's help, then it's not my victory. I know you don't care about things like pride, but I do. Don't intervene.'

Roan nodded after hearing that and didn't say anything else.

Lahabrea did win after that. However, Gulia fulfilled her word. It was a very tiresome fight that made Lahabrea gasp for air in the end. Unfortunately, Gulia wasn't quite his match. As Lahabrea came out of the arena, he could see his father's unsatisfied expression. Gulia wasn't part of any big power. She was just some random girl Fabio found somewhere. However, he took that long to win, which, in fact, gave Fabio the social win in this exchange.

Well, even Fabio was surprised by Gulia's performance. 'She improved a lot more than I expected since I saw her last time. It seems like I made a good choice here.' Fabio then smiled at his brother. "Big Brother Trian, this slot is yours." Fabio then threw Gulia's slot token without caring at all.

Trian, on the other hand, had an ugly expression on his face. "Thank you, little brother." However, his ugly face changed right after as it was his time to challenge his younger brother back. "Clihol, come here."

"Yes, Senior Trian."

Trian nodded before he looked at Fabio. "This is my challenger for the next fight. Will you accept it?"

Fabio narrowed his eyes in response. Clihol was the cultivator that Fabio first expected to accept fighting Gulia, not Lahabrea. He just so happened to be at the same level of cultivation as Gulia. 'If it had been him from the start, Gulia would have probably won after the improvement she showed me.'

Fabio pondered whether he should give up on this fight. After all, Roan, Rean, and Regio were still in the Soul Transformation Realm. No one would find it weird either, as they could see the difference in cultivation. However, just as he was about to do so, he received a Divine Sense Message from Roan. 'Let me go. I'm more than enough against that guy.'

Fabio looked at Roan in the back in surprise. 'Are you sure? If you lose this fight, you will lose your Sacred Land Recruitment slot.'

Roan nodded in response. 'I'm certain.'