Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

Ryu remained in his seated position as his pillar moved back. The chains around him flickered into and out of existence, and it almost felt like his entire body was an open wound. They were akin to searing alcohol, pouring into his organs.

However, he remained calm. He could sense the gazes, most of which were marred by ridicule, but he didn't mind it. Normally, he would directly strike to kill these people, at least his former self would, but given the state of the round, he doubted that such an outside interference would be allowed.

Instead, he began to inwardly meditate, not minding the world around him... for the moment.

The second chosen to move forward was Selheira. She gave Ryu a glance but didn't say much afterward.

The good news was that no one could challenge Ryu in this state and he would be able to protect himself by relying on the large influx of Heavenly Favor that he had from the start, but it was hard to tell how long this would last.

The problem wasn't even just whether or not the Heavenly Path would allow it to continue or if there might be penalties to consider, but there was also Rvu himself. Knowing him, would he allow himself to rest here in mediocrity?

Of course not. She knew with absolute certainty that if he couldn't succeed in clearing these challenges, he would choose another path instead, even if it meant putting his life on the line.

Selheira looked away and picked out a challenge. Everyone watched as she entered a world of tranquility not much different from Ryu's. The difference was that the moment she appeared, the world around her began to shift and change, moving forward with great speed as though she didn't need to move because the world itself would move forward.

The seconds ticked by and before even a minute had passed, Selheira exited, her steps as calm as her expression. Her pillar moved into place and everything clicked. The square of the Domain Board she stood within flickered and lit up as though a piece had been placed.

"Who decided to let this bimbo go before me? Absolutely ridiculous," Jojo muttered as her pillar began to move.

She soon appeared in a world of fallen golden spheres. Each one was polished to perfection and reflected like a blinding star. At the same time, they were enormous, dwarfing mountains in size. If just a single one landed on the earth below, it would be obliterated, let alone Jojo who stood upon it.

However, she simply punched out and the world seemed to crumble. It could only be said that she was a monster in sheep's clothing, if a sheep was a radiant golden armor even grown men would struggle to pick up a single piece of

She walked out with a snort, looking at an imaginary watch.

"I beat you by at least three seconds."

Selheira looked over. "It wasn't the same challenge, what is the point in comparing?"

"Sounds like the words of a loser to me." Jojo sneered.

A laughter came from the side as Litaor stepped forward. "There's only really one loser here, no ladies? Someone who couldn't even complete his first. chosen challenge doesn't really deserve to be among us."

Many gazes fell onto Ryu, but he was still in a silent state of meditation. It was a thought he hadn't heard anything at all, his mind completely focused.

Litaor might have very well focused on Ryu even regardless of what happened last round but now that what had happened had spread, he had even more reason to do so. Ryu might not remember what occurred when he was fusing with the Diamond Protector Spirit, but how could everyone else not as well?

Litaor had never suffered such humiliation in his life. For him to not only team up with others, and yet still barely escape with his life...

The worst part of it was that if Ryu had been conscious of all his actions, he might not have had a chance to escape at all. Back then, Ryu's senses only reacted purely on instinct, and he changed his target many times over. So long as you weren't foolish enough to continue attacking him, or unlucky enough to be locked onto him for pursuit, your chances of surviving were actually quite high.

And yet, even with all of that said there wasn't a single person here aside from Selheira, Jojo and Adlael who hadn't suffered at his hands, and the grudge they all possessed as a result was quite deep.

Which of them wasn't a genius amongst geniuses? How many of them had never faced adversity in their lives, let alone have such a close shave with death? It was unacceptable.

Selheira unconsciously almost said something, but when she remembered she was supposed to be made at Ryu, her lips pouted slightly. Not that anyone had a chance to see it beneath her veil.

"Trash." Litaor said coldly, his pillar finally locking in place as he made his choice.

However, just when he was about to enter his challenge, his pillar rumbled and a pressure descended.

At that moment, Ryu's pillar shot forward even though he stayed in silent meditation. He didn't even open his eyes as his pillar and Litter's faced off.

"You..."

Litaor's expression darkened, his gaze flashing with a dangerous light. Ryu didn't attack Selheira or Jojo, but he actually dared to attack him in this state?

"... Are you angry about my words?" Litaor said with a laugh. "Just die with that anger, then."

He suddenly punched forward, his might descending in an endless torrent.

"Idiot." Ryu said lightly, his eyes still closed.

Litaor was blasted back and his pillar glowed red as he was forced into a retreat. He gazed around confused, but could do nothing as his pillar was pushed back to the starting line, and then even further back than that as though a punishment had been calculated.