Master of the System

Chapter 72

And with that, the final round of the competition has come to an end, the referee said and gestured for the two fighters to get off the stage. She glanced at the elders spectating area before turning her gaze onto the participants. Her gaze landed on Grandpa Vremya. Now, will the disciple in first place use the special privilege?

Grandpa Vremya jumped onto the stage, keeping his eyes closed. Yes.

The referee nodded. Never before had someone with a single foundational pillar exercise the privilege of challenging a core disciple. The winners of the competition usually had three or four foundational pillars created; occasionally, some would have cultivation bases even higher but never lower. Even if someone was a genius, could they really challenge people a whole major realm higher than them and win? Although the referee disliked Grandpa Vremyas attitude, she couldnt help but feel a tinge of respect for the man; after all, what he was doing was tantamount to suicide. Will the gatekeeper please enter the arena.

From the spectators seating area, there was a blur as a woman leapt onto the stage. Ruby harrumphed as she landed, and her sleeves swished as she drew her sword. Do you remember me? she asked, pointing her sword at the cultivating man.

Grandpa Vremya opened one eye. He stared at Ruby. Honestly, most humans looked the same to him similar to how most ants looked the same to humans. If he didnt focus on someone and memorize their specific features, there was no way hed be able to remember them. His memory was better used elsewhere. After examining Ruby, Grandpa Vremya shook his head and closed his eye. No.

Rubys expression darkened. Ninety years ago, we were supposed to have a duel. When we both joined the sect, my master, Elder Formation, announced I would fight you in five years.

A lightbulb lit up above Grandpa Vremyas head. It wasnt because of his memory that he didnt recognize the woman. Ninety years ago, you were no taller than a stone lion. Look at you now. How was I supposed to realize who you were?

Rubys face froze. Grandpa Vremya did have a point. Since the man was isolated in the sects prison for the past nine decades, there really was no way he could predict how shed look like after she grew up. Well, she said and coughed. Do you remember me now?

Yes, of course, Grandpa Vremya said. When we both joined the sect, your master, Elder Formation, announced you would fight me in five years.

In the spectators seating area, Azaleas eye twitched. Whenever Grandpa Vremya repeated her words back to her, it meant he wasnt listening. He used the excuse of he was busy cultivating, but it was still annoying as heck to talk to someone who wasnt paying attention but pretended they were. Luckily, it seemed like Ruby hadnt noticed.

To prove that you made a poor choice when rejecting my masters offer of becoming her disciple, Ill crush you in front of the whole sect today, Ruby said and flourished her sword, causing frost to dance around its blade.

To prove that I made a poor choice when rejecting your masters offer of becoming her disciple, youll crush me in front of the whole sect today, Grandpa Vremya said, speaking with the same tone and inflection as Ruby.

A furrow appeared on Rubys brow. Are you making fun of me?

Grandpa Vremya frowned and waved his hand, summoning his golem from his interspacial necklace. The referee glanced at the two people before turning her gaze onto the elders. Rachel nodded, and the referee raised one hand. Begin! she shouted and backed up, leaving the stage.

Ruby dashed forward while tossing out blue flags. There were seven of them, and they flew up into the air, forming a circle. Faint lines of spiritual energy connected them, the end result resembling a seven-pointed star. A beam of light shone out of the star, landing on Rubys body, and her speed increased even further. As the disciple of Elder Formation, how could she not deploy formations during a fight? A second set of formation flags shot out of her robes, and an inverted seven-pointed star appeared, shining a ray of light down on the golem.

Elder Formation nodded upon seeing her disciples actions. However, her face turned stiff when a disk shot out of Grandpa Vremyas abdomen. Is that a manifestation? she asked, unable to hold back her question.

Rachels eyes glinted. When nascent-soul cultivators fought, they would often manifest their nascent souls, summoning it out of their dantians. A nascent soul acted like a clone, and any technique the cultivator could use, the nascent soul could use as well. However, what good was it to manifest a single foundational pillar. Besides that, there was something strange about Grandpa Vremyas pillar. It was wider than it was tall, extremely so. Instead of a mighty column, it looked like a frisbee.

The golden frisbee flew in an arc, ending up behind Ruby. Without warning, a huge suction force enveloped the stage. It was as if a whale had opened its mouth underwater, sucking in everything in front of it. Ruby, the formation flags, and even Grandpa Vremyas golem were pulled towards the frisbee. The formation flags were disrupted, and the rays of light coming from the disjointed stars disappeared. Ruby frowned and planted her sword into the ground, stopping herself from being pulled backwards; however, the golem charged forwards and punched her in the stomach. Thanks to the suction force, the golems speed was greatly amplified, and Ruby didnt have time to react.

Ruby grunted and flew backwards, her back slamming into Grandpa Vremyas manifested foundational pillar. Grandpa Vremya flicked his finger, and the frisbee rose at an alarming rate, pulling Ruby up into the air along with it. The golem dug its fingers into the arena, keeping itself grounded. Once Grandpa Vremya determined the disk was high enough, he canceled his attraction technique, and the golden frisbee flew back into his abdomen. Rubys loud cursing drew the attention of the stunned elders, and Elder Formations expression darkened. A golden core cultivator was strong, but they couldnt fly. If Ruby hit the ground from that height, if she didnt die, she would be bedridden for at least a few months.

This match is over, the referee said and leapt into the air. A pair of icy winds manifested on the referees back, and she flew up to catch Ruby. The poor girl wasnt terrified; rather, she was pissed. When she was placed back onto the stage by the referee, Ruby ground her teeth and jabbed a finger towards Grandpa Vremya.

I couldve died!

Grandpa Vremya didnt respond. Instead, he turned his head towards the referee with his eyes still closed.

Victor, Vremya, the referee said, her tone completely flat. She had said those exact same words at least ten times by now.

What kind of technique was that? a spectator asked. How come Ive never seen it in the skill pavilion? It looks impressive!

He actually won? How does that make any sense?

Ah, sister, at least you didnt place any bets. I lost a hundred spirit stones just now.

Azalea looked around. The usually cold faces of her peers were filled with expressions of surprise, amusement, and interest. All of their gazes were focused on the man standing on the stage. A bad feeling came over her, and she pursed her lips. A moment later, she snorted. Why did it matter to her if Grandpa Vremya was popular and attracting attention? It wasnt like he was socially competent enough for it to matter with him being a blockhead and all.

Grandpa Vremya put away his golem walked off the stage, ignoring Ruby who was trying to get his attention. One of the participants in the seating area rose to her feet. That was amazing, Senior Brother Vremya, she said and cupped her hands towards him.

Grandpa Vremya ignored the girl and sat down in his seat, leaving her awkwardly standing in the greeting pose. A moment later, his eyes opened, and he stood up. Why did he sit down? The competition was over now. His gaze roamed over the spectators seating area, and he waved at Azalea.

Azalea blinked, and she straightened her back as all the gazes of her peers landed on her. There was a warm, fuzzy feeling in her chest, and she couldnt help but wave back.

Grandpa Vremya tilted his head. What was the silly girl doing? Why was she waving at him? I need my identity token. Without it, how was he going to be promoted to core disciple?

The warm, fuzzy feeling in Azaleas chest disappeared, and dark clouds adorned her face. Why was the man such a blockhead?