“Hmph.” The boy brings out a staff.
Raja Kint quickly takes out his old spear from the coliseum. The boy charges over, spinning the staff above his head. Raja Kint calmly walks over as he tightens his grip. Just as the two are almost within attacking range.
“This is enough. We don’t need blood spilled over a casual dinner,” says Emperor Bisuke.
The boy backs off and puts away his staff. The girl is just beginning to gather her breath again.
Raja Kint calmly walks back to his seat.
“You were way too lenient. You should’ve absolutely crushed them both. I would’ve had em in the first move.” Calanthe Cardinal smirks. “In the end I guess we can stay friends.”
“Young lad you really are quite strong. There’s surely to be a few fighting over you as a disciple,” says the boisterous man with a smile.
“Indeed, such a strong body technique is quite rare as well,” says a woman.
“Junior thanks seniors for your praises,” responds Raja Kint. He notices the princess smiling at him so he nods in return.
The other two defeatedly sit down. The food finally having been fully put together for the table.
Emperor Bisuke says, “Let’s enjoy ourselves a delicious feast for the night.” He reaches forward prompting everyone else to dig in. He looks toward his daughter and asks, “Between Raja and Josho who do you think is stronger?”
The princess finishes the food in her mouth. “I think Josho but I’m not sure how strong either of them really are.”
“Oh, my social daughter doesn’t know everyone?”
Conversations sound across the table. Raja Kint and Josho Fenix were stuck under Calanthe Cardinal’s ruthless teasing for a bit before she finally stopped. All of the elders asked Raja Kint various questions.
As Raja Kint talked with the elders they were quite surprised by his mannerism. He was capable of showing exemplary verbal and body communication. So well that some of them felt slightly inferior. The woman tried pressing to see how Raja Kint had such incredible manners. Yet he continuously reverted to reading many books. The men liked how loose Raja Kint was around them too. Even though he was clearly polite. His eyes let off the fact that he wasn’t scared or intimidated by them. Something that nearly every junior they meet would possess.
Emperor Bisuke chuckles. “Truly an incredible young man. You remind me of my one son. He’s now a sky devourer but when he was at your stage. He was a young man deserving of many praises. And has proved himself a top talent across the entire continent.”
Raja Kint asks, “How did he prove himself a top talent across the continent?”
“Haha, this story is a prideful one to share. He decided to compete in the competition even though he didn’t need to. He placed first at just 14 years old. He then went on to perform an incredible act. When he was an earth devourer he traveled across the continent and battled everyone he could. Forging a name for himself beyond the empire. It was these battles against those of his age and older cultivators who had reputations that propelled his status. Giving him the title of “Son of Heaven.” He even encountered someone from the Kunlun Continent on accident and won a grueling fight. With this fight even those that didn’t believe he deserved the title changed their minds. And it only went even further when he broke through to sky devourer within 100 years. Even today he’s still making new legends across the world.”
Sky smiles brightly. “The young man is truly indeed a fierce cultivator. He’s definitely one of the most likely candidates within the continent to reach immortality.”
Emperor Bisuke says, “He is indeed a fierce cultivator.” The entire table has quieted down at Emperor’s story. He looks toward Raja Kint. “You’re probably wondering what exactly I meant now. I simply see talent in you.”
Raja Kint says, “He sounds really remarkable. If you don’t mind Emperor I have two questions.”
“Go on.”
“You mentioned he fought someone from the Kunlun Continent. What exactly is the Kunlun Continent?”
“Ah, indeed you wouldn’t necessarily know of them.”
Raja Kint opens his mouth showing he wants to say something. The Emperor quiets so Raja Kint says, “This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of them. I happened to meet a young sky devourer who happens to fit the description of your son quite closely. Although, he said he was with a faction on Kunlun Continent.”
Another man says, “It would’ve been great had he recruited you.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Sky says, “With your talent you should’ve received an invitation. Also, there was an unknown young man recently looking for the prince wanting to test his skills. This is probably the very young man you crossed.”
Emperor Bisuke says, “You really should’ve gotten an invitation. Anyone at the sky devourer can tell you're a talented young man.”
The woman says, “With his pride and lack of knowledge. He might’ve very well declined such an invitation even if it’s from a sky devourer. Plus he mentioned the young man is from a faction. Why else would the young man relay such information.”
Raja Kint calmly responds, “Senior is truly wise as he did send me an invitation. I did decline it at the moment but he left it as an open invitation to join anytime.”
The woman replies, “To leave the invitation open as well. Truly interesting.”
Emperor Bisuke cuts in, “No need to pester him over these trifles. He can be said to already have strong backing in the cultivation world. He’ll soon have a strong master and an invitation to a powerful force on the Kunlun Continent.”
Raja Kint asks, “I was curious about this before. How strong must one be to reach the Kunlun Continent?”
Sky says, “You have to be a sky devourer at minimum. The sea monsters are very territorial over that sea. Disliking any who cross, but as anywhere in the world of cultivation. Strength automatically garners respect and caution. They don’t usually bother sky devourers. Therefore, any who wants to make the journey should at least be accompanied by a sky devourer. Not to mention the prices are very steep if you want to cross with the boatmen over there.”
The man next to Calanthe Cardinal scowls. “Those damn boatmen charge prices that empty the pockets of any who board. Although they are truly powerful beings that the sea monsters don’t dare even be near.”
Raja Kint asks, “How strong are these men?”
The man continues, “Money-grubbing sea devourers.”
Calanthe Cardinal says, “How can they be money-grubbing when they’re so strong. Shouldn’t they be fighting for their chance at immortality?”
The woman responds, “Dear, the distance between sea devourer to immortality is more vast than a mortal reaching sea devourer. Cultivation is much more difficult once you reach the devourer stages. For the prince to achieve sky devourer in under a hundred years is already a grand achievement. As such those men probably realize they have no chance at immortality.”
The boisterous man says, “They could be scheming something to attempt a shot at immortality.”
Josho Fenix asks, “What’s the youngest someone has ever reached sky devourer?”
The woman says, “That would be a figure before anyone at this table was born. Supposedly he reached sky devourer at 31 years old.”
“Did he become an immortal?” asks Josho Fenix.
“Sadly he didn’t. He accrued many enemies to cultivate so fast. He was surrounded by his enemies who plotted against him. And they went on to kill him. Even in such a situation he was able to kill multiple sky devourers showcasing his remarkable talent,” says the woman.
Emperor Bisuke says, “He was in an age where talents were popping up like roots. Even with his disappearance there were over ten who ascended to immortals during those times.”
Raja Kint says, “Sounds like an amazing era.”
Josho Fenix says, “You’ve said quite a bit and even invited young cultivators over. I know Calanthe was being quite lowkey too.” He glances at the few other kids. “Disregarding those without talent.” Looking back toward the Emperor. “It seems this casual meeting isn’t as casual as you make it seem.”
The boisterous man chuckles as he chooses some meat to bite into. “Seems your scheme is up my Emperor.”
Emperor Bisuke smirks. “It would appear so. I only wanted to extend good graces to you all. It would also seem my daughter has been quite social with you three. I trust her good judge of character that her mother passed down.”
“Eh, judge of character and yet she spoke to Josho and Raja. I might have to question that statement if you don’t mind Emperor Bisuke,” says Calanthe Cardinal.
Adonia Bisuke raises her eyebrow. “Does that question naturally extend to you as well?”
“Not exactly… I think.” Calanthe Cardinal furrows her brows.
Soon the dinner officially ends and everyone is preparing to leave. Raja Kint and Calanthe Cardinal meet outside to talk.
“Why’d you drag me out here?” asks Raja Kint.
“I think I know the person who can get you into the event. It’s some weird old dude who is super strong. All I know is that his family name is Mythos.”
“Sounds like a good enough clue. Would he even bother with recruiting me?”
“Well, he has another disciple although nobody knows where he got her. So he should be fine with choosing you. You should have options anyhow, just find a way to get a name and remember he’s old. Sea devourer too so he might have the body of a middle-aged man but you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah. You want me to train under some random old dude who’s known to be weird for some random event. Gotcha.”
Calanthe Cardinal stands up. “I’m leaving tonight Raja so you gotta find him if you wanna go. Also, there might be some from the kunlun place over there.”
Raja Kint stands up. “I heard you already. To think you’d miss me this much.”
Calanthe Cardinal looks back. “I’m just very picky with my friends and you're one of the select few. So I’d like to see you whenever possible. Depending on what happens this event could be the only chance to meet again. Someone once told me that the world is a big place unless you’re a sea devourer.”
Raja Kint didn’t say anything as she led the way inside. Shortly after, Raja Kint and Sky hopped in the carriage and traveled back to his place. Raja Kint thanked Sky and Sky wished him luck for the future. Raja Kint enters to find Master A and Empros Kint talking.