When the city announcement came, all teams willing or unwilling headed towards the Founder's Castle to receive their awards. Lilia and her sect members had already sent word of their success and their sect was rejoicing.

In the Castle, there were some who were content with their ranks as they had achieved a satisfactory performance. There were some who were proud at reaching a rank higher than they anticipated.

But others were grieving. They fell from their ranks and failed to get the honors they should have.

The 11th team is among them. Formerly a top 10 contender but forced off it's stage so easily like this.

As they were all gathered, the City Lord and a group of elders came.

Serra could see Lezner as well as the other proctors who held the tests appear there.

Lezner was wearing a large elders robe which strangely didn't seem to fit him.

But it just didn't suit him...

Seeing a musclehead wear a gentleman's clothes which didn't suit him given his character would be a good comparison.

No, isn't that exactly what this is?

Not paying attention to such trifles, the City Lord began his speech.

"Welcome, to the top 50 teams who stand before me now. You have attained great glory as the most talented youths in the entire world. As the City Lord, I offer my congratulations to all of you who have passed rigorous trials and defeated numerous foes to be in where you stand today."

He started.

"There are some who rejoice and some who grieve. The rules of the tournament are fair and monitored by us. Therefore, do you feel that you did not reach the rank you were supposed to gain? Then save your tears. Do not lament your fate. Be hungry. The next tournament will soon commence within 3 years. At that time, some of you would not be able to participate but quite a number of you will definitely do. Therefore... Be hungry!"

He shouted.

"Don't be satisfied with what you have. Continue to aim for a higher goal. Do not slacken your efforts to become the strongest. The world is a cruel one. Where the strong shall live and the weak shall perish. A world where one must continue to step on others to succeed. History remembers the victors and not the vanquished."

He took a deep breath.

"Just like you all, I too, once fought in the tournament. I once reached the greatest honor. However, I slacked off believing I was the strongest. In the next tournament, my crown was claimed from me by one even stronger. Never be complacent. For when you do, the countless others beneath you shall claim your throne from behind."

He warned them.

After that, he spoke a few more words then started the awards ceremony.

They started from calling the ranked 50th team and gave them lavish rewards.

As they called one team after another, they gave rewards better than the last.

But when they reached the 10th team, Serra's team, they stopped.

The City Lord came forward once more.

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"I give my earnest praise to the youths who achieved the top 50. However, the awards the top 10 shall receive shall not be granted here."

He spoke.

With that, he led the top 10 teams inside the castle while the other teams looked on with envy towards them.

Envy and praise.

The top 10 teams would receive rewards that couldn't be compared to the top 50 teams.

Lilia's team and the rest passed through many lavish halls and many powerful experts before reaching the grand hall.

There, the Founder awaited them.

Wearing an amiable and humble smile while wearing gray robes, Ren Winterclaw, founder of the empire stood.

Upon reaching the site, the 10 teams all bowed respectfully. Their eyes filled with awe and worship.

They all revered the great leader who led their empire to prosper for countless years.

"Well done. All of you."

He spoke in an ancient voice.

"You have earned my praise for prevailing over all the trials you've faced. As a reward for your victory, I will personally give your rewards."

He swept his gaze towards all of them before stopping on one boy.

His gaze landed on Serra.

Serra merely smiled as the former was extremely shocked.

Within that moment, Serra acted.

A blue light enveloped the world without them realizing it.

Everything within that light, be it people, magical beasts and other races were frozen entirely.

Rather, frozen in time.

"It has been a while. My old disciple."

Serra spoke with nostalgia.

At once, the old man felt tears dripping in his eyes.

He could never forget even with the passage of time through countless years.

His teacher's face, his aura nor his voice.

Those clear blue eyes shone with a strong light just as they had thousands of years ago.

Ren bowed.

"It has been a long time. Teacher."

Serra laughed.

"I'm proud of you. My old disciple. I did not expect you to conquer this world given your strength back then. Your potential is truly tremendous."

Serra praised.

"Not at all."

Ren spoke humbly.

He was delighted to see his master once more after countless years.

"I have already attained the pinnacle of cultivation. In the countless worlds, I have met only three who could be called my equal. And in that great amount of time, I have met many wonderful individuals. Many of whom I took on as my disciples. You number among them."

Ren nodded.

"I'd have liked to meet you sson, but I was interested in seeing the abilities of the cultivators of this world. I'm quite satisfied with their ability."

Ren laughed.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Serra smiled.

"This is a beautiful world. You've done well to secure it's a place I can return to at anytime. You've put an end to the chaos and doused the flames of war. It's a wonderful place."

Serra praised.

"It was my dream. I only wished to realize it. To make a place you could return to at anytime... Was merely something I wished to accomplish alongside my dream."

Ren spoke.

"A dream? Ah yes... You've always spoke about how you'd make a peaceful world one day. That you'll put an end to all the wars and suffering. You've always dreamt of a peaceful world. I'm proud to see that you've realized your fondest wish."

Serra spoke with praise and pride.

He was proud to have a disciple who achieved so much. Someone who realized his dreams was worthy of admiration.

Especially so with a dream of realizing a peaceful world.

"Now then... I'd like you to arrange a meeting between my current companions. I'll take you all with me to visit my homeworld."

Serra said.

Ren was surprised.

"Your world?"

His master's world?

He'd gladly go.

"While we're at it, I'll teach you further. With your current level of cultivation, you should one day go and see the Higher Realms. To the place where the strongest cultivators of countless worlds gather to one day seek the pinnacle of cultivation just I have."

As Serra spoke, a flame within Ren's heart resurfaced.

"The Higher Realms...? I''ve heard much about this from you before..."

Ren spoke.

"That's right. I did tell you about it, didn't I? Still, perhaps it would be for the best that you reach that realm on your strength."

But would Ren head to such a world despite living as the strongest in this world?

He is living a life of luxury here.

Revered as the world's strongest.

To head there and start over and aim for the pinnacle of cultivation?

"Please guide me master. I wish to reach that realm on my own."

Ren answered without hesitation.

Serra's words lit a flame within his heart.

As a cultivator, Ren hoped to one day reach the pinnacle and stand on the same summit as his master.

Life here has become quite dull.

Ren would gladly leave it after making the proper preparations and head to a wider world.

Serra nodded his head in praise.

He was proud to have such a disciple.

After that, Serra and Ren discussed many things and many stories were shared.

Serra shared his stories regarding the Higher Realms and his companions.