The commotion these two caused was not small, and their rivalry couldn't have been anymore obvious. However, other than a small smile and nod, the Inner Disciples didn't do or say much else. It was clear that while this result was impressive, it wasn't enough to make them lose their composure.
The groups continued and the commotion seemed to die down. After Rolfin and Terron butted heads, there wasn't much to raise an uproar about and things fell into a lull. Many more managed to pass, increasing the number of hopefuls from a few, to dozens, and soon the number even crossed a hundred.
But, considering the number that had failed, this number was much too small.
Suddenly, another pillar of light soared into the skies, tearing past the 23 foot mark and not stopping until it crossed 25 before it slowed down.
The young woman who stood beneath the light didn't even pause her steps. While others had feared they might fail and had waited outside for fear of embarrassment, she directly continued through, the light above her head only barely flickering away after she took her place.
She looked like a queen of ice, her demeanor frosty and unapproachable. But, even from his spot, Ryu could feel the oppressive fire affinity wafting from her. It was an odd combination that made one narrow their eyes, only to be lost in her beauty a moment after.
However, this woman's nose could practically pierce the veil of the Heavens. The arrogance exuding from her made it so that no one even dared to approach her. Rolfin and Terron only gave her a glance before looking away, worried she might get the wrong idea if they stared for too long.
This woman was Silva Ziltris, yet another well known talent.
Not long after her, several more who broke the 20 foot mark appeared, each dripping with their own level of arrogance. Though none surpassed Silva, they had their own reasons for seeming so arrogant. When compared to their counterparts, many were indeed worthy of carrying such haughtiness. But, Ryu could only shake his head.
He couldn't see the light, so he was just everyone by the reaction of his bloodlines.
While his Bloodlines couldn't exactly be suppressed by the likes of these people, they could make it stir since he had yet to fully unshackle himself. Ryu judged them by how much his Bloodlines stirred.
Still, despite the fact his Bloodlines were technically only at the Lower Black Grade currently, there was hardly any stirring at all. Even if his Bloodlines were suppressed, how could they not be far beyond other bloodlines of equivalent level?
In Ryu's estimation, his current Bloodlines were probably about as powerful as a Middle or Higher Black Grade Bloodline in this world, at the very least. As for what it would take to make it stir? It would take at least an Earth Grade Bloodline.
The people continued and the numbers began to dwindle. Ryu rose up, thinking that he should probably go soon. The only reason he hadn't gone before was because he hadn't felt like jostling with the crowd when he would still have to stand up for hours regardless. But, since things had cleared up, it was about time.
What Ryu didn't seem to realize was that all the big wigs had also waited for this moment. Well, it wasn't exactly accurate to say that he hadn't realized, it was more accurate to say that he didn't care enough to realize.
These people were like dancing clowns to him, puffing their chests out and peacocking because they had Black Grade talents. If he had been in the mood to do so, he would have probably been laughing.
However, Ryu didn't laugh. Instead, he drilled into his mind again and again that this was the kind of ant-like existence he was now. Until he could hold real power, what right did he have to laugh at these people? Wasn't he more laughable since he couldn't even display the kind of power he should be able to with his talent?
Ryu clasped his hands to his back, slowly walking forward. His mind wondered as he calculated something.
The best talent of a True One Star Sect like this one should probably be a Quasi Earth Grade or barely Earth Grade Talent. In that case…
"Get the fuck out of my way, blind boy."
A rush of wind passed by Ryu's side. Whoever had spoken had likely expected for Ryu to be knocked over by the wind, in fact, they hadn't even physically touched Ryu at all. However, aside from his robes rustling, Ryu only continued to walk forward as though nothing had happened.
His Northern Heavenly Wind might not be able to protect him from a ten kilometer fall, but this much wasn't nearly enough to force it into a difficult situation.
The hulking beast of a man who had rushed by, wanting to slide into one of the final two slots of this batch couldn't help but look back, his brow arching up.
"Oh?"
Seeing that Ryu was completely unaffected by him, the hulking man didn't bother to turn back. He hadn't been picking on Ryu, he just didn't feel like changing his direction mid sprint. But, it seemed that he had found an interesting character.
Ryu didn't say a word as he crossed the threshold, taking the final slot.
"Nich, what are you rushing for? Stones for brains."
"If you're scared of losing to me, just say so!"
"You're such an annoying flea. You even left your Stone Edge Sect just to follow me all the way here, don't you know you'll never defeat me?"
"Watch me. There's no genius in the First Heaven better at body refinement than me!"
Nich was none other than the hulking man who had rushed by Ryu. The one who spoke to him, though, was known as Tobril.
These two weren't the only ones who were bickering back and forth, but as they were fighting, their pillars of light had already broken 30 feet, their talent shimmering with a blinding light.
"HA! I beat you by an inch!"
"Look again you—!"
The two seemed to realize that the atmosphere was oddly quiet at this moment.
When they looked over, their eyes couldn't help but widen.