Chapter 549 - Bets are Open (1/2)

With his arrival, while expected, Daniel had been able to attract the looks of the thousands of champions present within the ring-shaped pocket of space. In him they all saw the newcomer who had become notorious within the high circles as the one who was cared for by his lord, and as such, they did not dare to consider him a junior. Unfortunately, that very reputation seemed to have turned Daniel into someone who was better to avoid.

The only person who initially seemed to be willing to speak to Daniel, was a member of Horror's domain, who stood right in front of him, and after showing two rows of rotten and fetid teeth in what Daniel could only guess was a polite smile, asked in a low tone, ”Horror's domain welcomes the first champion of..” his already low voice trailed off into an inquisitive tone.

”Karma.” Daniel said, causing the repulsive grin to disappear from the monster's face.

While clearly disappointed that Daniel's lord was not someone naturally related to the aspect of Horror, the monstrous champion quickly resumed his task. He turned around, took a step to the side to reveal Daniel and his companions to the public, and with a louder tone that resounded throughout the entire ring-shaped pocket of space, he said, ”The first known champion of Lord Karma!”

Finally putting a name to his powerful backer created different reactions within the crowd. Looks of indifference, curiosity, and even elation reached Daniel one after another, making him forget what he was there for.

”Young one!” shouted a familiar tall and scrawny old man from the other side of the pocket of space while trying to make his way through the crowd and towards Daniel. Before he could approach him, however, two similarly dressed men who appeared to be in their late fifties stepped closer to Daniel. Their faces lacked the politeness reserved to him by the domains related to Daniel's, which were replaced by hostile gazes.

”I will leave you to mingle.” the monstrous champion of Horror said with indifference before walking away, and leaving Daniel in the presence of the two cultivators who, at the moment, appeared to be more interested about Lilith's presence, rather than Daniel's identity.

While Lilith could only look away uncomfortably to avoid these threatening gazes, Daniel had already guessed who these two men were. ”You were right, it did not take long.” He said to his fidgety companion.

Lilith's confusion deepened for a moment, then she finally understood. The champions of Competition had recognized her not by the presence of Competition's power, as by not being a champion yet, she did not possess any.. But by the nature of her cultivation, which had been forced into her body when she was just a baby. A method typically used by the domain of competition.

By the time any emotion could appear on her face, Lilith suddenly remembered what kind of entities were allowed to participate in an Exalted Assembly, as well as her extremely low position within her domain. The two middle aged men in front of her were likely to be leaders of first or second ranked families, which put them on an infinite number of steps above her on Competition's hierarchical ladder.

Her body straightened, and she immediately tried to put a few words together, but before she could say anything, the taller of the two men looked straight into her eyes, and ordered, ”I want to know whose family you belong to, how you got here, and what are you doing with a champion of another domain.”

These words were charged with the full extent of the man's domineering and commanding attitude, so much so that they left Lilith petrified, like a still breathing hare dangling from the wolf's jaw. Tears quickly formed just above her lower eyelids, accompanied by a series of hiccups and panicked gasps which, along with her nervousness, prevented her from uttering a single word.

”You might want to put a stop to that, if you want an answer.” Daniel said before brushing the back of his hand against Lilith's exposed arm, injecting her with a calming stream of mental power that completely negated the effect of the champion's domineering attitude.

Now calmer, Lilith took a deep breath, and began to answer her elder's questions. ”L-Lilith of the Gardenia fifth-ranked family. Recently studying at the Half Moon..”

Despite being quite concise, none of the information Lilith was presenting seemed to be of any interest to the two elders. It was only once she got to how her path crossed Daniel's, that the two cultivators began to pay attention.

Her story followed precisely the memories that Daniel had implanted into her mind. In them, he was only a wandering cultivator whom she and the others had encountered after being abandoned by the champion of Destiny. From them he had learned of the existence of the multiverse and of his own identity as a champion of Karma, and in exchange for this information, he had promised to escort them back to Competition's domain. It was only after reaching the Trigate that they had encountered other cultivators, and from them, they had learned about the Exalted Assembly.

”.. This is how we were able to come here. We were allowed here as his guests.” Lilith uttered while looking down in hope to avoid her elder's gaze.

Her explanation did not leave any question unanswered, and yet, Daniel could not see any trace of gratitude or relief in the faces of the two elders. It was clear to him that they had no interest in the lives of the lost girls, and that instead, they only cared about ascertaining what sort of connection a few small high immortals from their domain had with the mysterious champion of Karma.

This lack of interest was made clear the moment the taller of the two elders unfolded his arms, let them fall by his sides, and said to Daniel with a thankless tone, ”We appreciate you taking the time to guide a few lost ones back to the fold.” He then turned to look at Lilith, and added, ”You may stay with us until we go back.”

”Elder.. The others..” Lilith muttered, confused as to why the two old men had already forgotten that the people Daniel had escorted back to them were five young women, and not just one.

”We will find your friends later. For now, come to us.” Said the taller elder with a seemingly irritated tone, right before reaching for the girl's arm.