Alex was dressed in a golden robe with regal embroidery on it representing the red and purple colors of the Phoenix. He walked in a manner fitting a King as he approached the stands that were prepared for monarchs and others of high standing on the continent.
The Gold King, Ebony King, and the Emerald King were already present when he arrived with his two elders.
After a short greeting, the two elders moved a few seats back, letting Alex remain with the three.
The Ivory Queen arrived not long after him, making small excuses for why she was late, but she didn't seem much concerned about what others said.
The Silver Queen had her hands tied with the competition, so she was going to be later than most.
The Azure King and Queen arrived a short time later, greeting everyone.
There were many others that came in between them, but Alex didn't give much thought to those, even if they were people that he knew and recognized. A simple greeting sufficed with most.
The Crown Prince arrived sometime later, and along with him came people that Alex hadn't expected to see arrive.
Xiang Yuxie, the current Empress of the Continent made a regal stride through the stands and made her way to a predetermined seat at the front of everyone.
People stood to greet her, some surprised to even see her here. Soft whispers filled the room as people found it hard to not talk about what was happening.
Xiang Yuxie was the current empress, but she was never treated as one. Since not even the Emperor gave much thought to their marriage besides giving her a son, people quickly forgot about her.
However, even with that, she was still their empress, so they had to be respectful.
Next to her was Long Hanjue, her son. He was in his mid-30s now, no longer the 17-year-old Alex had seen when he first arrived. But he had kept his youthful look thanks to having entered the True realms early on.
Currently, he was in the True Emperor 2nd realm, so it wouldn't be long before he entered the Saint realm.
The Empress made it to her seat after greeting back everyone who greeted her, and the young prince did the same. The Crown Prince sat down beside her on the left.
To her right, the seat remained empty. The Emperor wouldn't be coming, but the seat had to be prepared nonetheless.
The Crown prince struck up a conversation with the others once seated, and Alex quickly lost himself in the talk too. There was still some time before the competition started down below, so they were busy talking.
A while later, another person arrived.
Zhan Luoyang walked softly, bowing her head slightly as she passed in front of everyone, greeting everyone she passed. Her head bowed more deeply in front of the monarchs and even more so in front of Alex.
She gave a soft smile toward her fiance and gave some soft words to the empress before sitting next to the prince. As the future Empress of the continent, she made much talk amongst the people in the back.
As the talk went along, the Ebony king mentioned something about Alex visiting the Ebony kingdom in the future and that seemed to catch Zhan Luoyang's attention.
She turned around to inquire about Alex, asking whether that was true or not.
"In a year or two," Alex answered her. "I promised Queen Mao I would visit the Silver Kingdom first. Once I'm done here, I'll take some time for myself and then head over to the Ebony Kingdom."
"I see," she said, a look of contemplation appearing on her face. If Alex didn't know any better, he would've thought the woman was in a dilemma and was making some important decisions right there.
"If you are free during your travels," she spoke softy. "Would you mind visiting our home? The Zhan Family will love to entertain your stay, Your Majesty."
"Is this coming from you, or Family head Zhan?" the Crown Prince asked his fiancee.
"No, this isn't father," the woman answered quickly and turned toward Alex, her gaze no longer wavering. "I request Your Majesty to visit our family house when you can. The sooner the better."
Alex found the situation a little problematic. She wasn't the first to request Alex to visit their house. There were many others who wanted him to come by their clan or their sects.
But this was the first time someone seemed so adamant, so forceful. Not to mention, the person asking him wasn't a nobody either. She was the future Empress of the land.
She wasn't yet the Empress, but that didn't mean he could stand to offend her. Not that he wanted to either. He liked her company, and helping her with Alchemy last time they were in the Azure King's palace had been fun.
"I will come by when I have the time," Alex said quickly to appease her troubled look. That confused him even more. Why was she so troubled? Was it bad for her if he refused?
"Does this have anything to do with…" he paused for a moment, not knowing if he should voice what he was thinking. Letting others know that he was going to help her with her Level 10 Alchemy test might make others believe that she hadn't done it all by herself.
"It must be to make a pill," Alex said. "I would love to spend some time talking about pills and alchemy with you, Lady Zhan."
Zhan Luoyang didn't show much change in expression, but there was a clear look of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will wait eagerly for your visit," she said.
The Crown Prince noticed the relief in her as well. "Don't worry, I will bring His Majesty. I haven't met Family head Zhan in a while, so I can meet him again," he said.
"No, you don't have to—"
"Don't worry, it's no trouble for me," the Crown Prince said with a chuckle. "You need not be troubled by it anymore."
Zhan Luoyang was clearly more troubled after hearing that, but now she hid it well enough.
Alex couldn't help but be curious about what was going on here.
All those thoughts disappeared with a loud bang that rang through the sky. Another bang, and then another bang.
Some bangs overlapped and soon it became apparent that strong fireworks were being used outside. Loud sounds of cheers rose through the crowd that was gathered in the arena stand below, and even sounds of large drums rang out through the noise from time to time.
The Competition had begun.
The celebration lasted for a short moment before a large screen appeared all around the arena, one appearing inside the stands that were prepared for the monarchs and leaders.
Mao Yingtai stood aloof at the center of a large stage, wearing an intricately laced silver robe with a flowing shawl around her.
She spoke and her voice echoed throughout the surroundings.
"Welcome to the Continental Tournament."
Sounds of cheers and celebration filled the stands and the voices and drums swallowed everything again.
This was going to be the biggest tournament that Alex had ever seen before.
