53 Tes (1/2)

”What is the meaning of this? At the doorstep of the Holy Flame Temple, under the watchful gaze of the Divine Flame Lord, you dare act unruly?!”

The bishop's words carried formless holy force that further oppressed both Koloman and Konrad.

The illusory winged serpent at Koloman's back vanished, and he fell onto his knees. As for Konrad, the level of strength used was only enough to make him tremble, however, to avoid provoking the Semi-Saint any more, he feigned weakness and knelt.

”Bishop Alto, this…”

”Silence!”

Bishop Alto cut Koloman in his attempt to justify himself. He was relatively short, standing only at a modest 1.65 meters. However, his aura refined through a thousand years of cultivation caused most to be unable to look down on him.

”Your reasons are irrelevant, and I will warn you all only once. Regardless of your background, when you reach the temple's staircase, the only things in you should be humility and reverence. Otherwise, no matter how mighty, your elders cannot save you. Now, follow me!”

Bishop Alto spat, flung his sleeves and led the way toward the temple's inside. Without hesitation, the contestants followed him, crossed the stairs and walked into the Holy Flame Temple.

Marble white walls painted with humanoid flame winged creatures awaited them within. Some couldn't help but let their gaze drift onto the paintings, representations of the elemental beings serving the Divine Flame Lord's will, while others cared very little and remained focused on the road ahead.

”The spiritual energy here is hundreds of times purer than in the outside.”

Konrad appraised, and soon, they reached an altar surrounded by four fifteen feet tall pedestals each lighted by bright white flames. Above the altar floated a white orb alike the one hovering above the temple's roof.

”This is where the chosen of the winning team will receive the Holy Flame Baptism.”

Bishop Alto flatly said before leading the way toward another location. This time, he brought the troop across a corridor through which they reached a spacious room where another bishop awaited by the side of a human-sized blue prism.

”And this is where the first part of the competition will be conducted.”

Alto's index aimed at the human-sized prism floating by his fellow bishop's side. Incomprehension flashed within some of the contestant's eyes, but soon, it was replaced by enlightenment.

”It should be a space treasure.”

Konrad explained toward Daphne and Iliana.

Even among the nobility, space treasures were few and far between. The main reason was that they were not produced within the Holy Flame Empire, but mostly came from the Space Temple within the Great Void Empire. Therefore, many of the gathered individuals had never been exposed to one beforehand.

”First, we will register your names, assess your age, number of teammates and cultivation levels to make sure you fit the requirements before officially starting the competition. By the way, in case you possess one, you're not allowed to bring in space treasures or anything besides what we provide you with.

Another team is already waiting at the testing location. Follow me.”

The bishop standing by the floating prism's side never said a word, and his gaze also never seemed to fall onto the contestants as if none of this had anything to do with him.

Clearly, he'd rather be someplace else.

Alto brought his troop through another corridor and reached the testing hall where the team he mentioned was standing in front of a sky-blue tower. Alto stepped toward a nearby desk and sat while pulling out a paper list and ink.

Meanwhile, all the contestants he brought with him stared at the present team with dread.

There were nine of them in total, and all were contestants. Such a quota was reserved solely for the imperial family!

Each possessed the textbook translucent skin, silky silver hairs, and eyes of the paragon spirit race.

Each brimmed with power and confidence.

At their helm were two people dressed in the golden robes reserved for the imperial princes. Seeing them, Konrad's eyes shone with confusion.

”Who are those two?”

”The fifth prince, Holger von Jurgen and the ninth prince Nils von Jurgen.”

Iliana replied to Konrad's inquiry.

Konrad's eyes ignored the fifth prince to focus on the ninth. A slender youth with a piercing, sword-like gaze, he held himself with a military discipline that seemed out of place on one so young.

In fact, was it not for the long silver hairs that fell below his waist and the enchanting face whose beauty rivaled that of Iliana's, he would have given the impression of a young military general.

But the more Konrad looked at him, the more he felt something amiss, so he used his Origin Sight to clarify the ninth prince's characteristics.

”Are you sure he's a prince?”

”Of course, he is well known as the most outstanding imperial prince with talent rivaling the current Crown Prince. Why such a question?”

Konrad turned a confused glare toward Iliana, a glare that made her wonder if there was something wrong with her face.

”What's wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?”

”Why? What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you! This is obviously a princess. How does such beauty pass off as a prince?! Are you all blind or retarded?!”

”Huh?”

Iliana stared blankly for an instant, then switched her gaze toward the ”ninth prince” to observe him more closely.