Emperor's Reckoning

Ivy. The cold woman suddenly become the center of attention as she took on the ninth step. Though she was slightly hunched and her legs were giving up, she was still desperately holding on.

"Her tenacity shouldering that pressure," one of the crowd shook his head, "Amazing."

Cherie furrowed her eyebrows, "She is going to the ninth step on purpose."

"Spot on," said Wanda as she smiled. "She veiled her presence until she is at the ninth step because Folcre is already occupying the eighth step, however, how long will she last? That's the question all of us eager to know."

"Avoiding conflict," said Cherie before she shook her head, "After what happened last time, can't blame her."

"Ivy!" Felicia glared at the woman that was on the ninth step. A mortal once again prevail and covered the highest step of them all. She left her brother before she entered the eighth step.

The moment her feet landed, the atmospheric pressure immediately rained her down. Lifting her finger becomes heavier than before and she felt sluggish. She looked at Folcre who was having the same problem.

Though the fighting was possible, the people knew it won't happen. Their eyes share the same gaze, that was toward Ivy.

Altre clicked his tongue, he already felt uneasy on the seventh step already, he could imagine how it would be on the eighth step. However, his main concern was not Ivy, it was the young man that was still standing on the ground without any intention of moving.

Meanwhile, the man that was on the eighth step was not so keen at looking at the woman one-upped him in secret.

"Tch!" Folcre didn't even notice that Felicia was on the same step as him. He leaped for the ninth step.

"He jumps!"

"He is not going to let it go!"

"Go Young Noble Folcre!"

Whether they want Folcre to win or not, he must get to the ninth step. The pride of the heaven cultivator rests on his shoulder now. The tournament this year was not as fierce as the last one but that didn't mean that they didn't produce any talent.

*Tap!

Ivy raised her eyebrows as she took a glance against Folcre.

Both of them had their back hunched as they both panted at the same rhythm. There was no one conquering the other in terms of calmness. Lifting their muscle felt as heavy as lifting a mountain.

Ivy looked at Folcre. He was eager to fight her but the environment reduced their agility to such degree that it was almost impossible to deal massive damage.

"Hah... hah... hah..."

Ivy opened her eyes wide as she saw Felicia also get on the ninth step. The crowd went wild as the three of them looked at one another. One from Mortal World while the other two were from First Heaven.

The Pala King smirked as he watched how the situation had developed.

"I think this is it for the mortal cultivator," he commented.

Felicia and Folcre, two were the most powerful participants from First Heaven. There was no telling what they could do if they were to work together in getting rid of Ivy.

"Tch!" Ivy straightened her back as she gritted her teeth. She knew that begging was not the answer. She had come this far, better than last time. (I won't give in!).

"Ivy..." the matriarch of the Yuki Clan couldn't help but get nervous for her disciple.

Altre looked at the three on the ninth step with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Forget about it."

Altre furrowed his eyebrows before finding Porealus was already standing on the same step as him. "Heh, it's you, do I need to redo what I did to you then?"

"Can you?" said Zet as he landed right beside Porealus.

The crowd immediately noticed the three on the seventh step. It was the total reverse of the situation on the ninth. Two mortal cultivators against one First Heaven.

"You think the two of you can defeat me? The others are eager to eliminate you two as well."

"Heh," Porealus smirked. "It would seem so."

The seventh step was the most coveted step by the minimalistic. It was the minimum requirement and the safest bet. Battling in this place would naturally happen often. With the numbers of the participant thinning down. There was no telling how long do they need to maintain their stand.

Altre crossed his arm as he welcomed the other First Heaven cultivator on the seventh step. He grinned as he looked at the two as if cornered rabbits. They would bite, but it would be a meaningless struggle. The sense of helplessness got him ecstatic.

"Ha!" Porealus let out a warcry before he plunged forward. "Zet, let's go!"

"Yes!"

"Ivy!" Felicia shouted as she clawed forward with Folcre aiding the attack

Ivy glared before she make a stance (I need to see her!).

Suddenly it was a faction battle between the Mortal World and the First Heaven. Only four represent the former and the rest represent the latter.

The epic battle flared out as ice cubicles immediately sparked on the ninth floor and blood sprayed on the seventh floor.

The hectic battle was hard to follow by the amateurs, but the experts were rooting for their champion.

"Heh."

The past ten winners were eager to enjoy the battles, but that soft smirk could be heard from miles away.

All attention immediately shifted. He was the one that reigned over the first round and left the rest in the dust. The only mortal cultivator dares enough to offend two of the four kingdoms of First Heaven.

The four kings immediately furrowed their eyebrows as they looked down to the base of the ground. There stood the young man with his arms crossed the whole time.

Wanda grinned as she gripped her armrest to a crack.

"You guys look like you're having fun, but I guess I should play my part now, huh."

Cecile smiled as she shook her head. "Do it."