Silence pervaded the arena. It was shocking enough for just one to choose not to kneel, but the fact four decided on this choice at once was something completely unprecedented. However, there were two the audience immediately recognized.
One was a handsome young man with dirty blond hair and warm brown eyes. Though his eyes were lowered not daring to push his luck too far, there was a confident smile on face.
This young man was Byrin Lao, Throne of the Ember Clan and Scion of the Lao Clan!
The second was a petite beauty with a reserved aura. She wasn't exactly cold and distant, but she wasn't warm and inviting either. She tiptoed a delicate balance difficult for many.
Her eyes were lowered as well, her glistening black hair falling over much of her face. This beauty was Alote Till, Throne of a recluse Sect that didn't take part in the mundane world of the Core Region. They were simply known as the Night Terror Sect and very little was known about them.
Seeing who two of these four individuals were, the crowd came to an understanding. Thrones could not easily kneel as they represented the Faith of a Clan or Sect. Their actions directly impacted the prestige of the powers they were tied to. The act of kneeling would directly diminish this strength.
However, even though Byrin and Alote had this excuse, just who were the other two young men?
Since the Ember Clan had a powerful Path Extinction Realm expert behind them, and this man was even currently present, Byrin not kneeling wouldn't put him in any danger. How could Ancestor Ember allow his Clan's Faith to be impacted over such a matter? Even if the Apostles were high in status, their representer was a little girl in his eyes still.
As for Alote, even Ancestor Ember didn't dare to casually offend the Night Terror Sect. So, it was only right that she too was safe.
Seeing that Ryu remained standing along with those two, Pascal felt both excited and worried. He had plans to deal with Ryu, but if he was punished first, wouldn't all of his things be snatched? How then would he gain Ryu's wealth?
As for who the last person was… Who else if not Matheus? However, those three were completely ignored by Apostle Fidroha.
Originally, she hadn't paid much attention to these thirty-two geniuses. She had had a hunch years ago that Ryu would appear here, but it hadn't been at the forefront of her mind recently. This was mostly because the Ryu of back then was too weak, even if it was the Outer Ring, it should have been too difficult for him to gain a spot here.
But, not only was he here, his position proved that he was among the Wild Card Tournament participants!
Calculating Ryu's cultivation back then, her eyes sharpened with a fierce light. Even if it was only a conjecture previously, she was now absolutely certain that Ryu was the one to gain the Faerie's approval. How else could his strength grow so quickly?!
However, what Fidroha never expected was that Ryu would have been looking at her from start to finish. His cold, expressionless eyes bore into her soul and sent a shiver down her spine. The message was clear. Even if it wasn't today, there'd be a day where he killed her.
Remembering all those months back… That moment when Ryu disappeared into the pile of rubble… She had felt a gaze so cold that it shook her soul with fear.
Today, that gaze was glaring at her boldly. Not only that, but its pressure was several times what it had been in the past. She suddenly found it incredibly difficult to even breathe.
Of all four who remained standing, only his gaze wasn't aimed toward the ground. His back was straight and his momentum was overbearing. He hardly seemed to react when Ancestor Ember's gaze swept over him, he had ignored him completely, staring at Fidroha with a look that gave away nothing.
"Him…" Edwin who stood behind Fidroha's Throne took a step forward, his eyes reddening.
He had been viciously whipped by Fidroha in punishment for failing to apprehend Ryu many times. But, how could he aim his anger toward her? All of the rage he had been pushing down in this over year came bubbling forth ready to implode.
"Calm yourself."
This cold voice was akin to a bucket of ice water pouring over his head. Fidroha turned her gaze back to her subordinate, taking advantage of the crowd being entirely focused on the four below to reprimand him. They couldn't do anything with so many eyes on them right now, especially when they had promised protection of these thirty-two.
"Did you not hear me? Pay your respects!"
The acting host who had taken a kneel first suddenly had a change of expression when he noticed that four hadn't kneeled. He had been prepared for Alote and Byrin to not kneel, but where had these two nameless individuals come from.
Ryu closed his eyes, pretending as though he hadn't heard a single thing. However, Matheus had a completely different approach.
His aura suddenly surged, a black Throne adorned in dark jewels appearing in the skies.
Alote's and Byrin's expressions instantly changed, their knees buckling. In that moment, they felt the need to kneel down, that they weren't worthy of remaining upright.
Of all those who were the most surprised, none was more than Byrin. It was he who had harassed the Loom Clan to the point of having to rely on Ryu. He recognized Matheus very easily, he knew in an instant that this was Tae's cousin.
His expression flickered several times, but he eventually calmed himself, replacing his nervous air with that confident smile once more. He didn't see this as a threat to his life, what he saw was a chance to evolve his Throne!
The host's visage wavered in embarrassment. This young man's identity… Maybe it was something even Ancestor Ember didn't dare to casually offend. This was the Throne of Sect or Clan with an existence even above Ancestor Ember in strength!
Like many others before him, to cover up his failure in hopes Matheus would forget this ordeal, he turned his ire toward Ryu.
"This young master has a valid reason, I apologize for my ignorance. But what about you?" He sneered to hide his reddened face. "Don't tell me you're a Throne as well?"
There was a mild laughter through the crowd. Since when did Thrones become something you could run into so frequently? For the longest time, their Pedestal Plane didn't have a single one until Byrin and Alote suddenly appeared in the same generation.
However, Ryu didn't respond, it was as though he hadn't heard the host's question at all.
Just as the host was about to blow his top, a cold voice stopped him in his tracks.
"That's enough. I'm a martial warrior, not a King. Move on."
This stifling voice was none other than Ancestor Ember himself. He didn't seem to have any anger in his gaze, instead, he looked toward Ryu curiously. Just who was capable of making Fidroha stiffen to this extent?