As the weeks flew by, the buzz surrounding the Three Dao Tournament grew swiftly, becoming the focus on almost every cultivator's mind. It was a tournament that only happened every three years, and was where the foremost geniuses of the human race were able to display their talents, and make a world-shaking name for themselves.
Those who did well received both fame and rewards beyond their comprehensions, while those who did not faded into obscurity. A high placement from a genius could propel its sect into the limelight, raising both its status and power in a single tournament, and it thus received the full attention even from those who were not battling, such as sect leaders and parents.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the Three Dao Tournament was the most important event to happen on the human continent, one that every single cultivator looked forward to with overwhelming anxiousness and excitement.
…
Three weeks later, a figure stepped into the training grounds, eyes glued to the scene before him. He watched silently as space twisted and lightning crashed about, nodding his head in approval several times.
"Ahem," the figure coughed lightly, but the sound seemed to carry the weight of mountains behind it.
The training grounds fell quiet as John and Zuri stopped what they were doing and looked towards the source of the sound.
"Grandmaster," Zuri said respectfully, quickly appearing before the Grandmaster and bowing her head in respect. The Grandmaster nodded at her, then shifted his gaze to look at John who was talking over as well.
"Grandmaster," John nodded respectfully. The Grandmaster had been the one to bring him into the Guild Headquarters, and John had nothing but respect for the elderly man.
The Grandmaster nodded back.
"How has your training been?" the Grandmaster asked curiously.
John shared a glance with Zuri for a moment, then looked back to the Grandmaster.
"It's been alright," John shrugged. "Making a battle art is much harder than I thought it would be, but I've made some decent progress at the very least."
"He's being far too modest," Zuri said, giving John a sideways glance. "The battle arts he's created in these last three weeks are good enough to be recorded and submitted to the guild library for use by others."
"Is that so?" the Grandmaster said, smiling at John.
"They're decent, but they're far from what I'm aiming for," John shrugged. "It's going to take quite some time for me to create the quality of Art I'm hoping for."
"No cultivator has ever created a heaven-defying battle art with the snap of their fingers," the Grandmaster said. "Such things take time, even for the most genius of cultivators. Do not rush the process because it's not going as fast as you would like. That will only lead you to failure."
John nodded his head in understanding, and thanked the Grandmaster for his wise advice.
"What have you come here for?" Zuri asked. "Is it time to leave?"
"It is," the Grandmaster nodded. "The Three-Dao Tournament starts in a week, so it's time for us to depart."
"Us?" John asked curiously, looking sideways at Zuri. He knew he was going to enter the Three-Dao Tournament, but according to the Prime Shadow, the Guild did not usually enter the tournament themselves. He also knew about the security the guild was offering for the tournament, but those assigned to that mission had already long since traveled to the tournament grounds.
"You thought I wouldn't tag along?" Zuri asked, eyebrow raised.
"While I will be the one escorting you and Zuri to the Yang-Dao Sect, Zuri will be your personal security for the duration of the tournament," the Grandmaster explained.
"Personal security?" John asked, giving Zuri a skeptical look. He was just as strong as Zuri, if not stronger, so the arrangement made no sense to him.
"What? You don't think I'm strong enough to protect you?" Zuri asked, eyebrow still raised.
"It's not that. It's just…" John replied.
Her questioning gaze turned into a satisfied smile as she she saw John fumbling for a non-insulting reply.
"We don't expect anyone to make a move at the tournament," Zuri said, "but it's better to be safe than sorry. While I might not be an improvement to your situation when it comes to combat prowess, I am much more experienced with operating in the shadows, including finding others in sneaking in the shadows before they attack."
"I guess that makes sense," John nodded his head, not arguing against the arrangement.
"Besides," Zuri added, a sly smile appearing on her face. "With me near you at all times, your companio…I mean your master, is sure to get jealous. So you see, I'm doing you a favor," Zuri winked at him.
John groaned and rolled his eyes, opting to not reply to her teasing comments. He followed the Grandmaster out of the training grounds, eventually arriving in the mission hall at the center of the Guild. The group walked past the mission boards in the center of the large chamber, which John couldn't help but look at curiously.
"There's been more assassinations?" John asked, noticing more information posted regarding Tier Three and even Tier Two sect leaders, vice-sect leaders, and other important figures being assassinated in recent months.
Zuri's usual cheery expression faded away, replaced by one of brooding anger. She nodded her head, and John noticed her clench her fists tightly, fists trembling with rage. She was no-doubt thinking of her father and siblings, who had been killed in the wave of assassinations.
"The Phantoms of Death have been making more moves lately," Zuri said, grimacing with fury. "We've killed many of their members, but more seem to pop up every day."
"It's becoming quite troublesome," the Grandmaster nodded while walking ahead of the two of them.
The group fell silent as they navigated through the hallways and chambers of the guild, eventually arriving at the formation room at the entrance of the guild.
"The Prime Shadow is waiting for you at the Yang-Dao Sect," the Grandmaster sent John a sound transmission as they stepped onto one of the formation platforms, which lit up with formation energy shortly after. "Apparently he has some gifts for you."
Flash!
