The floating island shattered into pieces. All 27 groups of the Second Heaven were forced to bring out their own flying treasures.
Ryu did have such a thing thanks to the Frost Clan, but he obviously couldn't bring it out. It was too high level and it would likely expose some things.
The rage winds quickly picked up and the screams of the geniuses falling to their deaths was blood curdling.
At that moment, though, the other Sects and Clans that were trying to decide whether they should participate or not, realized that their top priority should be saving their disciples. They were nothing but small fry in the face of these behemoths. How could they throw their precious Sky Gods into the fray?
However, many who had watched their disciples die one by one at Ryu's hands couldn't help but sweep their senses over him. If they had a casual opportunity to kill this murderous brat, they definitely would. There was no doubt that Ryu's kill count was far higher than anyone else's.
Despite feeling these senses sweeping over him, Ryu put his bow away and clasped his hands behind his back, a calm expression on his face as he felt the raging winds.
All things considered, this fall was actually easier than the previous one as it was only a kilometer in the skies as opposed to ten. On top of that, it was above water instead of earth. Plus, he was far stronger than he had been in the past, so even if it was a 10 kilometer fall, he wouldn't be afraid. His Northern Heavenly Wind had been fueled to a much greater extent.
Right now, he wasn't worried about the fall. Instead, he was primed and prepared to deal with those individuals who seemed to be much too invested in him. And, there was one person in particular that his senses were quite primed against.
As expected, after shattering her talisman, Jenneless entered a flying treasure pike of ice with her junior brothers and shot right for Ryu. Her gaze flickered with a murderous intent. How could she possibly miss this opportunity?
However, just as she had crossed a small distance, a streak of lightning crossed her path.
Jenneless ground her flying treasure to a halt and her eyes widened with fury when she saw that it was the members of the Thunder Blaze Sect that had appeared in her path.
"Oh? Jenneless? What a coincidence."
"Get out of my way!" Jenneless screeched.
Varnon blinked as though he was confused. "Get out of your way? In that direction is a battle of Sky Gods, why would you need to go that way?"
Jenneless grit her teeth so hard that one of them cracked. However, the sudden pain in comparison to what she had been experiencing with her soul was actually a slight relief, making her head clearer for a moment.
"Varnon, if you insist on this path, I promise you that the moment—."
"Haven't you already said something like this before? I don't fear you even at full power, let alone in this state," Varnon said lightly.
Jenneless' gaze flashed, her chest heaving. But in her state, she really didn't dare to fight Varnon right now.
"Alright…" she said with a surprising calm. "Once the elders learn of the mockery the Radiant Star Sect has made of the selection, I really want to see how you'll be able to continue to protect him."
A mere youth of the Immortal Ring Realm wasn't worth trading their face away no matter how talented he was. The road of cultivation was simply far too long. Maybe he would be worth it if he was in the Cosmic Seed Realm, but in this state, he was absolutely worthless.
Once they got here, the Radiant Star Sect would be slaughtered down to the final member as a warning to everyone else.
"That would still be a decision they made, and not the likes of you," Varnon replied cooly. But it was clear by the extra tinge of cold that Jenneless' words hit the mark.
…
Ryu watched this scene from below, but neither group was aware that his Spiritual Sense could stretch so far, nor that he could observe them without their knowledge. However, he was only amused by this matter and nothing more.
Something told him that the Radiant Star Sect was a bit tired of hiding. What a coincidence, so he was.
At that moment, a black robed figure shot into the air from one of the many pieces of the falling floating island. On his back there was a pair of black wings formed of metal tubes, pipes and gears. It looked as though it was leaking black oil, but if one smelt the pungent smell near him, it would be possible to notice immediately that this was none other than poison.
This individual was none other than Ysemros of the Hidden Blade Sect and the third individual to receive a Chosen Rune.
His gaze was immediately locked onto Ryu, a sinister light flashing beneath his robes.
At that moment, three pillars of blinding golden light shot into the skies around Ryu, Ysemros and the third Chosen, but that only made the imminent clash between the former two all the more prominent.
The sleeve of Ysemros flared and several black needles shot through the air toward Ryu.
One could fly and the other could not. The absolute advantage was all too easy to spot.
Ryu continued falling through the skies. However, with a single tap of his foot, his body flickered and vanished.
He hopped from falling piece of island to falling piece, his movements incomparably fast.
In one moment, he was absolutely still, and in the next, he had touched upon an explosive speed that left not even the slightest ripple in the air.
He soared in the air, causing the final island he stepped upon to plummet to the ground even faster.
He seemed to be jumping into thin air, but right at the moment, an Earth Grade scaled flying beast appeared from thin air.
Ryu's gaze flashed, an overwhelming soul pressure crashing down upon the beast and directly shattering its intelligence to nothing.
At that moment, Ysmeros' black daggers finally collided with the piece of tree Ryu had been falling from, blasting it into a rain of ash.
The gap in speed was glaring.