The participants, still reeling from the earlier announcement of joining the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, felt the air shift once again.

At first, their minds had been consumed with the exhilarating thought of finally breaking into the powerful world of the Phoenix Cry Pavilion. They had been imagining the rewards and the fame, the recognition that awaited them. Their excitement reached a fever pitch, but just as quickly as the chatter began, a single sentence from Cedric silenced them all.

“There’s something you don’t know about the Phoenix Cry Pavilion.”

The words cut through the buzz like a sharp blade. The excited murmurs fell silent, and every single cultivator’s eyes snapped toward Cedric, their curiosity now piqued.

Something they didn’t know? How could that be? Wasn’t the Phoenix Cry Pavilion based in the Ember Empire? It had been common knowledge for as long as any of them could remember.

The group exchanged puzzled glances, their minds racing as they tried to process what Cedric was about to say. Was there something secret about the Pavilion? Was it a trick? Perhaps, they wondered, it was just a test to see how well they could hold their composure, like one of those trials that cultivators often faced in various sects.

Cedric looked at them with an inscrutable expression, savoring the tension. He didn’t speak immediately, letting the silence hang in the air, thick with anticipation. Finally, after a dramatic pause, he spoke again.

“The Phoenix Cry Pavilion isn’t from the Ember Empire, nor is it from the Inner Region. We, the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, are from the Central Region.”

The words rang out like a thunderclap in a still sky, leaving every participant stunned. They stood frozen, their minds trying to process what they had just heard. Their mouths hung open, some with their eyes wide in disbelief. The Central Region? The place that was considered the very heart of the world? The core of all power, wealth, and cultivation? That was a place only the most powerful or privileged could even dream of reaching.

The participants couldn’t believe their ears. The Central Region was a land of legends, a place so mysterious and dangerous that cultivators could only enter with an invitation from one of the great factions there, or if they were powerful enough—at least at the Will Refinement level. Even then, traveling to the Central Region without proper backing or protection was tantamount to suicide. It was a land where only the most powerful dared to tread, where only those with extraordinary strength or connections could survive.

And now, Cedric was telling them that the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, the very sect they were about to join, was based there. How could that be? Was this some sort of joke?

Cedric saw the confusion spread across the crowd, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and awe. He couldn’t help but smirk at the reaction. It was exactly what he had expected. They had no idea. They had no understanding of the scope of the Phoenix Cry Pavilion’s power. To them, the Ember Empire was the pinnacle, the peak of everything they had ever known. But now, they were being told that the sect they were about to join was far beyond that, belonging to a realm few could even imagine.

With a confident smile, Cedric continued, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. “We are from one of the four biggest empires in the Central Region. The Crimson Phoenix Empire.”

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The name of the Crimson Phoenix Empire echoed in the minds of every participant, but for some, it didn’t register at first. The Central Region was a land of legends, filled with powerful empires, ancient sects, and creatures so mighty that even the greatest cultivators of the Inner Region would tremble at their name. To think that the Phoenix Cry Pavilion was part of this terrifying landscape was almost too much to bear.

Cedric, seeing their shock, didn’t stop. He knew this revelation would shake them to the core. The Central Region was a world apart, and for most of these cultivators, it was a place they would never even dream of stepping foot in. But for them, that dream was about to become a reality.

“The Phoenix Cry Pavilion is one of the two sects that control the Crimson Phoenix Empire” Cedric continued, his voice steady and calm despite the obvious shock on the faces of those gathered. “The other sect is the Ember Phoenix Sect.”

The words hung in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of centuries of power and history. The participants, still trying to wrap their minds around the first bombshell, now faced another. Two sects controlled the entire Crimson Phoenix Empire? How could that be? And how could they, just a group of young cultivators from distant lands, be now joining such a faction?

Cedric could see the growing confusion and awe in their eyes, and he let the moment stretch for just a bit longer. He could feel the excitement bubbling beneath the surface of their shock. The promise of joining such an empire, of gaining access to its incredible power, was too great a temptation to ignore. It was like they had been given a glimpse of something far beyond their current lives.

Finally, he dropped the last bomb. “Go pack your bags, we’re setting off for the Central Region tomorrow at dawn.”

The words hit like a wave crashing onto the shore, sending ripples of panic, excitement, and disbelief through the group. Tomorrow? They were leaving tomorrow? To the Central Region? They could hardly believe it. Everything had changed so quickly. Just moments ago, they had been imagining their future in the Ember Empire, but now… now they were going to the heart of cultivation, to the very center of power.

Questions swirled in their minds like a whirlwind. How could they prepare for such a journey? What dangers lay in wait for them in the Central Region? What kind of challenges would they face once they arrived? Would they be prepared? Would they survive?

But despite the anxiety and uncertainty, there was an undeniable excitement, a thrill that surged through each of them. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. This was a chance to reach heights they had never even dreamed of. They could barely hold back their excitement, but they did their best to remain composed, their minds racing with possibilities.

Cedric allowed them a few moments to process the information, watching as they whispered amongst themselves, their voices a mix of disbelief and awe. They spoke in hushed tones about the power of the Central Region, about the legendary cultivators that came from that land, and about the impossible feats that could be achieved with such backing. It was clear to Cedric that they were already imagining the glory and riches that awaited them.

As the crowd calmed down, Cedric’s gaze swept over them once more, his expression unreadable. “I know this is a lot to take in. But understand this: the Central Region is not a place for the weak. It is a place where only the strong survive. If you are not prepared to fight for your place, to prove your worth, you will not last long. The Phoenix Cry Pavilion will give you the tools, the resources, and the opportunity to rise, but the path ahead is not easy. Be ready for what lies ahead.”

With those final words, Cedric turned and began to walk toward the edge of the arena, signaling for them to follow. It was time to prepare for the journey that would change their lives forever. The participants, still in a daze from the bombshells Cedric had dropped on them, began to gather their belongings, their minds racing with the overwhelming new reality they had just been thrust into.

It was time for them to step into the wider world.

Hope’s eyes shone with a tint of purple.

End Arc 1 – Destruction.