Ryu, who had already become the very center of attention, had his movement scrutinized by everyone in attendance. How could they miss his gaze shifting so obviously toward Pascal Sai?
The indifference on Ryu's face was palpable. In the wake of the silence that held the arena hostage, it was amplified to the point beating hearts suddenly resonated all around. It was as though everyone in attendance was suddenly collectively feeling the very same thing.
Ryu suddenly frowned as he felt he caught onto something faint. But just as he did, the feeling slipped away like a fresh fragrant breeze.
Unable to find that feeling again, Ryu relaxed his heart, his indifferent appearance returning as he stepped down from the arena, passing by Raolin's unconscious body laying just outside of the stage as though it had nothing to do with him.
A deep rage simmered within Pascal's chest. For a member of the Sai Clan to be defeated so soundly and so embarrassingly, it was most definitely a stain on their prestige. This Ryu didn't hesitate for even a moment to make an enemy out of him.
He could tell very clearly that from the depths of his soul, Ryu didn't think much of him at all.
What kind of strength did it take to slap a Half-Step Connecting Heaven Realm expert so casually? What level of power was he hiding?
'I should have known. Anyone who doesn't care for Crown Grade Spiritual Herbs enough to sell them can't possibly be a simple person.' Pascal calmed himself, his slowly reddening face reverting to a neutral expression. 'There's still time to deal with him. Even if I fail to monopolize his treasures for myself, there are several Connecting Heaven Realm experts amidst the Apostles… Since he actually dares flaunt Crown Earth Grade Spiritual Herbs, I wonder what he'll do when he realizes his so-called 'protection' is nothing but a fa?ade.'
News of the Sai Clan's humiliation spread rapidly. This completely doused the previous nonchalance about the Wild Card Tournament. It seemed very certain that there was at least one dark horse rising up that may very well cause waves in the Final Selection Tournament.
The third and final day of the Wild Card Tournament, however, was uneventful. The only thing of note for Ryu was that he found Granny Miriam's little sister, Melody. She had come to watch the third day's events just like everyone else, only to be surprised that the Ryu who had caused such a stir was actually the very same Ryu she had come to know.
However, Ryu was surprised as well. When he left Melody almost a year and a half ago, she had only been in the Spiritual Severing Realm. Yet, currently, she was already on the verge of entering the Half-Step Connecting Heaven Realm.
Ryu's first reaction was cold and distant. The only way for someone to show such vast improvement in such a short amount of time was by taboo means. Blood and Soul Sacrifices really did seem like the only way. It was only after Ailsa began to whisper in his ear that he understood.
'The Causal Gate Bone Structure isn't as simple as you think.' Ailsa said softly. 'This year, Melody is already nearing two hundred years old. Yet, for the Outer Ring's standards, it was already impressive that she was at the Spiritual Severing Realm.'
Since youths of the Shrine Plane entered the Spiritual Severing Realm at ten years old, one could see how slow this was. But, it was very impressive for the Outer Ring.
'That Bone Structure functions just like your Ice Jade Crystal Body does. It has stages.
'The first stage is in its incomplete form, where the constitution's abilities mostly lay dormant. However, even then it's the equivalent of an Earth Grade Bone Structure. A bone of that caliber is already enough to be a genius of the Pedestal Plane. If it wasn't for the fact Melody was born on the Middle Mortal Plane, causing her cultivation foundation to be lacking, she wouldn't have been stuck in the Outer Ring.'
Ryu nodded. The very first steps of cultivation were very important. Everything from your Rites to your Qi Pulses, every step was crucial.
Despite being born in the strongest Clan of the Higher Mortal Plane, Ryu only had access to the methods in opening four Qi Pulses. Aside from that, they weren't even aware that there were Rites past the ninth either. If the knowledge of the highest Mortal Plane was so limited, what about one Plane below it?
'However, once one twin dies, the constitution becomes whole and can finally begin its evolutionary process. It immediately became a Heaven Grade Bone Structure, and will evolve into one of the very best Sovereign Grade Bone Structures when its transformation is complete.'
The Sovereign Grade was directly above the Heaven Grade and right below the Ancestral Grade. Constitutions of this level were incredibly rare, even on the Shrine Plane!
'But this alone isn't enough to explain her cultivation speed.' Ryu thought skeptically. 'I have a Great Ancestral Circle, not to mention you by my side, yet her speed of improvement matches mine.'
'Remember when I mentioned her age? It wasn't without reason. I wouldn't divulge a lady's prized secret so easily.' Ailsa said with a teasing expression. 'This is the special ability of the Causal Gate Bone Structure. It is able to compensate its wielder for the years spent with lesser talent as if they relived their lives completely and redid every step of their cultivation perfectly.'
Ryu's brows raised. 'There's really such a thing?'
'Yes. The current Melody seems like she's had unfair improvement, but the truth is that she's simply being repaid all of the karma she's built up in her nearly two hundred years of life.
'The Bone Structure redoes her Rites for her, allowing her to open the Tenth Rite, the Rite of Limitations. It opens all of her Qi and Body Pulses, as well as all of her Qi and Body Vessels. It's essentially as though she cultivated perfectly for the last two hundred years.'
'Wait, her Body Vessels as well?' Ryu's pupils constricted.
Opening all of one's Body Vessels… That was the Peak Vessel Tempering Realm which was equivalent of the Peak Immortal Ring Realm! Ryu had been so stunned by Melody's Qi Realm Cultivation that he hadn't even took notice of her bodily strength.
'This is the power of the Causal Gate Bone Structure. What you give, you receive in return… I'm sure that if Melody could have her big sister back, she would care about this measly strength.'
Ryu sighed. Ailsa was correct. The price was simply too high.
But, this still took a load off of his shoulders. Now he wouldn't have to worry about protecting Melody so he could continue his plans for the Core Region in a carefree manner.
'If it wasn't for the fact it was only two hundred years that passed before Granny Miriam died, Melody's constitution would have likely connected all of her meridians as well, allowing her to be a single step from the Immortal Ring Realm.'
'So does that mean all of the benefits from her constitution are over now?'
'Well, the most obvious, potent and short-term ones, yes. She won't experience anything more so drastic after entering the Connecting Heaven Realm. However, as her Bone Structure slowly enters the Sovereign Realms, her cultivation speed will naturally increase. But, this isn't the true strength of the Causal Gate Bone Structure.
'Much like your Heavenly Pupils, it can peer into the ties of Karmic Strings. In addition to this, her comprehension will naturally be higher than most at her cultivation Realm.'
Ryu nodded. 'If that's the case, I'll provide her what she needs. I owe her and Granny Miriam at least this much. You can choose which cultivation manuals from the Zu Palace most suit her…'
"Hello…?"
Melody waved a dainty hand before Ryu's face. After reaching the Peak of the Vessel Tempering Realm, much of the imperfections in her body had been purged and she too gained an Immortal Body. She was far more breathtaking than she had been in the past.
"Sorry." Ryu said lightly. "Would you like to go and get something to eat?"
Though Ryu's question was very obviously innocent, it left Melody feeling flustered. She had come to the Core Region alone, so she hadn't been anticipating company. Hearing Ryu's question, she easily overthought things, being a woman who was currently all alone in the world.
A moment later though, she felt ashamed. This was a young man who called her own sister 'Granny', what was she thinking? He obviously didn't see her that way.
Of course, Melody didn't have feelings for Ryu either. It was just the situation that caught her off guard.
With a smile that caused many to look over with star struck expressions, Melody nodded.
"Sure, let's go get something to eat."