Elder Nova allegedly attempted to rape the First Princess of the Sona Clan. This attempt ended in failure.
However, in a fit of humiliation, Princess Sona attempted suicide. Ironically, this also failed. But, it landed her in a coma she was still in to this day.
The Sona Clan rightly wanted Elder Nova killed, however, Elder Nova's elder brother protected him, allowing him to be banished instead.
This was the story of how the Second Prince of the grand Nova Clan, a Clan that Dyon actually believed was no weaker than a power of the outer quadrants, became a mere gate watcher for a sect far below his stature.
To now, Elder Nova had been sealed and imprisoned by Dyon for several decades. He lived a plain lifestyle, honestly. He had already given up on much of everything long ago.
'Though the power of the 99 Universes is great, they're lacking in many areas.
'First, soul cultivation is banned here, so their secondary professions are greatly lacking. This is why even their greatest geniuses can't begin cultivating until they're 12 years old. Even if they were born with a constitution, they could only awaken it naturally.
'Second, they aren't united. Because the Sapientia Clan's influence, or who they called their 'Employer', has dwindled, the internal struggle between the Clans ramped up considerably. According to my information, the Ceres and Profound Earth Sect are allies. The Nova and Sona Clan were once allies, but the attempted rape case and the deep coma of Princess Sona tore that relationship apart.
'In the end, the Sona Clan is neutral, while the Nova Clan is powerful enough to hold off both Sect's alone…'
Dyon smiled. '… This… This I can use.'
**
DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG!
The reverberating ring a vibrant bell penetrated through the universe.
They were just six simple sounds, but they alone caused a population of trillions to freeze in their tracks and look into the skies.
"That's…"
"The Challenge Bell…"
How long had it been since the Challenge Bell rung for so long?
A single resonance meant a challenge of the Foundation Realm. Two resonances meant a challenge of the Meridian Formation Realm. Three resonances meant a challenge of the Essence Gathering Realm. Four resonances meant a challenge of the Saint Realm! Five? The Celestial Realm! And six?! The Dao Formation Realm!
How could this happen today of all day?
This very moment, the Universe Tournament was about to begin. Youths from all across their 99 universes had come to allow their names to etch into the skies. It was their time to be remembered for generations to come.
Every five hundred years, this tournament would take place. This time, it was the Profound Earth Sect's turn to host. But who knew that before the four Heads of their central powers could end the formalities and ring the starting bells of this legendary tournament, someone would ruin the proceedings entirely?!
Master Ores, the Palace Master of the Profound Earth Sect, suddenly gripped his throne. To his sides, the three Heads of the Sona, Nova and Ceres Clans sat without a care in the world. Why would they care? After all, it wasn't their Clan's Challenge Bell that had been rung.
One might think this wasn't a big deal, but the reality was far from this. Was it really possible for a normal bell to make a sound that resonated throughout an entire universe?
The so-called Challenge Bell was actually known as the Profound Resonance Bell. It was a Supreme Grade Treasure that represented the prestige of the Profound Earth Sect! Its challenge couldn't be ignored, or else it would be directly impugning on their own Faith!
"Is the Profound Earth Sect filled with cowards?"
The voice was soft, yet somehow resonated along with the Profound Resonance Bell's ring.
It was only then that those present understood another problem…
With how mighty the Profound Resonance Bell was, it was grandly displayed for all to see. They were the Profound Earth Sect! Who would dare to steal or even think to touch their things outside the bounds of reason?
As the center piece of the Sect, of course it took center stage while they were hosting an event as important as the Universe Tournament. So the question was simple… How had this challenger rung the bell without them first noticing his presence?!
The Universe Tournament took place on a grand mountain range filled with countless peaks. They sat so high in the sky that even they could even see clouds below. One could almost overlook the whole planet from this vantage point, a mesh of white clouds, green and brown pastures, and blue oceans.
The tournament itself was taking place on a flat surface of one of these mountain peaks. As for the Profound Resonance Bell? It had been moved to be grandly displayed in the skies. In fact, Master Ores had actually planned to ring the bell to signal the start of the tournament.
Simply put, the Challenge Bell was actually directly above their heads!
Everyone's gaze shot up into the skies, only to see a young man dressed in odd and plain clothing, leaning on the bell as though it was a hammock and not the supreme grade treasure it truly was.
His eyes were practically closed. The only animated part of his whole appearance was the small cauldron that excitedly hopped up and down.
"You dare!"
Master Ores was completely enraged. His body glowed with a brown-gold light as he struck toward the young man with full force.
This was complete humiliation. The Universe Tournament was broadcasted throughout the whole of the 99 universes for all to see. For someone to disrespect the sacred treasure of their sect like this… How could they allow it!?
Even though the 99 universes banned the soul path, there was still magic. Using it to project these events was no different from using arrays. They had wanted to use this tournament, as they always did, to ensure the masses knew their strength. But who knew it would come back to bite them in this way?
Many believed that it was all over for this youth. To reach the Dao Formation Realm at such a young age… Why did he have to be so reckless?
It was true that the four core powers didn't allow their lesser clans and sects to rise up, even sometimes directly poaching or even killing their talents, but this method of retaliation was too foolish!
BOOM!