First day of the new month in the capital.

Serra made breakfast for everyone.

"Ah... Serra's cooking is really delicious!"

Aies spoke while stuffing her cheeks with food.

"Yes... It's a bit shameful that the boy is the only one cooking here..."

Seileen spoke with complex feelings.

"It's not a matter of whose cooking but rather who can."

Luisa interjected.

"As women, I find humiliating that we have nothing to say to that..."

Lilia added wryly.

"Enough of that please... Just finish your food quietly. On the side note, I'm glad I got some good deals in the market yesterday."

Serra spoke as he tasted his own cooking.

Pretty good if I say so myself. A pity I can't use some ingredients I found from other worlds though...

Serra travelled through other planes and gathered some unique ingredients that are quite rare.

Aside from those ingredients from the Higher Planes, there are some rather rare and delicious types of ingredients found in some worlds that are very unique.

He hasn't recalled finding them in any other world nor has he heard of it from others.

He even went so far as to offer a reward for such information and sent out his subordinates.

It caused quite an ordeal back then.

Rewards from a sovereign? Such a prospect would drive any cultivator mad with frenzy and desire.

Such events rarely happen.

He did receive what he wanted and gave out a rich reward to the person who found it.

Right, person. It’s because there was only one world that had the same ingredient as that other world.

Serra remembered such events that would stun anyone in this world as he enjoyed his food.

.....................

After finishing their food and washing the dishes, they all headed out.

"Speaking of which, it's a pity that our reinforcements never came..."

Lilia spoke regretfully as she recalled something.

Their reinforcements encountered a fierce horde of magical beasts and barely got out with their lives.

Though they're alive, they suffered grievous wounds forcing them to retreat back to the sect.

The sect was forced to purchase an expensive message stone that sent the terrible news to their team.

They were distraught as such bad luck...

It was fortunate their opponents were the weakest otherwise they would have already departed on the journey to return back to their sect.

Truly an unfortunate affair.

"It's incredible that we're still around despite being the only team without reinforcements."

Lilia spoke while sighing.

"We can't mess things up..."

The sect received word of their feats and upon achieving great success despite such setbacks and limitations, they praised them greatly and promised to double the rewards regardless of the result. Should they achieve their mission, they would give out some extremely rare artifacts as rewards and double their rewards a second time.

Even for a great sect such as Sky Blossom, such things would still cost them 70% of their wealth and savings.

But such a price is worth it for the glory, honor and rewards they'll receive for accomplishing their next task.

The others know of this as well.

Serra... The sect received word of his existence and how he lent his power. In gratitude for his assistance, the sect has promised to reward him as well.

Although... There is much to know about him but his character is truly kind.

His background, master, sect and origins are truly unknown but he's proven himself as one of their allies.

The sect wasn’t at ease with such an unknown person whose origins are unknown. Thus, they sent out their elites as reinforcements but they ultimately met an unexpected disaster.

And now that things have proceeded up till this point... The sect is unable to send anyone else to assist them. Any one they sent would be unworthy to participate and only be a hindrance.

Given how far they were they already were. It was too late to do anything.

Serra was already aware of everything from the start.

Still, he truly had nothing to do with that event that destroyed their hopes for reinforcements.

"Let's go."

Lilia shook those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand.

Regardless of who he is, he's already a trusted comrade. It would be impossible to find another trustworthy ally such as him at this point. Not like we didn't try...

2nd Day of the Tournament.

Everyone gathered up in the dining room.

Lilia gathered everyone during the afternoon.

"Everyone, team 15th has challenged us to battle."

She announced.

"We have gathered intel yesterday and according to that intel, the 14th and 15th team have formed an joint partnership. It's safe to assume that the 14th team would challenge us immediately after the match against the 15th team."

She spoke gravely.

"We were already prepared for this... However, we didn't expect them to form a joint cooperation. It's safe to assume that their target is us."

Everyone nodded.

Seileen stepped forward.

"That's pretty surprising. Each team should have aimed to get the highest possible rank. That team 15th would willingly act as a stepping stone for them... Don't they have any ambition?"

Lilia nodded.

"That's correct. Every team is quite prestigious but the relationship between those two teams... is quite different. The sect of Team 15th is a branch sect of the sect of the 14th team. I believe that sect members of the 14th team that could qualify as main members or reserves transferred to that branch so they could assist the main branch."

Everyone's expressions changed.

"What? How is that fair? They actually allowed that?"

Seileen said in disbelief.

"It's not too strange. There are some rare situations when teams willingly allowed themselves as stepping stones for other teams to move forward. It's usually dealings with the people behind them. It's safe to say that the main sect offered some great rewards to the branch sect."

As she was explaining things, there was a knock on their door.

"Hm? Who is it?"

Lilia was puzzled.

Who would come at this time?"

"I'll go get it!"

Seileen proposed.

She went ahead to find a red robed young man.

"Greetings. Team Sky Blossom, I'm correct? The ranked 13th team?"

He asked politely.

"Yes. We are."

Upon confirmation, he handed out a letter.

"You were challenged by Team Green Ghosts this morning. After three hours, you shall face each other at the arena."

He bowed then left leaving the letter in Seileen's hands.

Seileen's expression changed.

She returned to the room swiftly.

"Everyone, the challenge by the 15th ranked team has arrived!"

She called out.

"To think it would come this soon... They're not very patient."

Serra spoke out.

"That doesn’t matter. Our goals remain the same. Since they took the initiative to challenge us, that saves us the annoyance of waiting for them."

Lilia said.

"Since those two are working together, it's a given that the 15th ranked team would give it their all against us. They'll aim to reduce of fighting ability to increase the chances of the 14th team's victory."

Luisa calmly noted.

"In that case, our priority is to conserve our strength. With this, we'll be able to take down the 12th ranked team soon."

Lilia replied.

"Well then... Only three hours... Let's go prepare. Within two hours, we'll head over."