The Land of Inheritance

Suqi Volcano was majestic and magnificent.

Though it was a hundred miles from Lionheart City, it was still clearly visible.

Everyone arrived at the foot of the mountain, their hearts filled with nervous anticipation. Four hours was more than enough time for them. In fact, they had taken only a little over an hour to get there, and they understood that the remaining time was meant for them to rest and prepare.

"Is that Guen from the Southeast Province?"

Many people finally saw Guen from the Southeast Province, but they looked down on him.

In their eyes, Guen, who could exert five times his strength, had stayed hidden in his room and avoided showing himself. It was a sign of cowardice.

"He doesn't look like much. I bet he's all show. Wouldn't surprise me if he's the first eliminated in the trial later," someone mocked.

"He may be able to exert five times his strength, but he's definitely faster than a three-times-strength nobody like you," someone else said in Guen's defense.

But no matter what they said, Guen waited calmly.

Guen was deeply unhappy with Setti for holding back. He wanted to find someone to beat up and vent his frustration, but the thought also left him feeling discouraged. It didn't seem worth it.

I hope Uncle Jack hasn't chosen the wrong person. Guen glanced at Setti and Uncle Jack in the distance. Ever since their last meeting had ended badly, they had kept their distance from each other.

"Guen, it's been a while." Keen came over and greeted him with a smile.

Guen grinned and chatted with Keen.

"Who are those people?" Guen asked curiously, looking toward a group in the distance who seemed out of place among the others.

Keen looked over and spotted twenty-one people gathered in a corner, not talking to anyone else.

"Oh, they're from the independent organizations," Keen replied casually.

"Independent organizations?" Guen asked, puzzled. "If they've already joined an organization, can they still take part in this trial?"

As far as Guen knew, trial participants could only join an organization after completing all the trials at a given stage. In Stardew Valley, more than three hundred people had completed the trials, but only forty-seven had made it to Lionheart City. The rest were free to join organizations. Guen and the others, on the other hand, still had one final trial left, so they couldn't join any.

That was the rule. Anyone who broke it would face the combined opposition of all the factions.

Keen explained, "It happens at every trial. I think they're trying to make sure there are five hundred participants. If there aren't enough, the independent organizations and the Seven Great Cities get to select promising young people and send them in. At first, there were never enough participants, so they made this rule. But now, every faction except the independent organizations has lost that privilege. It's exclusive to them. However many spots are missing, they get to fill. As far as I know, they used to get more than fifty spots before each of the last three trials. Last time, they got just over thirty, and this time, only twenty-one. In another two trials, there probably won't be any spots left. The number of trial participants may exceed five hundred."

Guen finally understood.

It made sense. The independent organizations had always been weaker than the official factions, but they weren't short of talent. Some even had more than ten Super Tier experts, so they deserved to have a say. Compared to the official organizations, which had high barriers to entry, these independent groups were more popular and had their own share of gifted members.

But the times were always changing and advancing. A few decades ago, the independent organizations could still get dozens of spots. The fact that their numbers had dwindled in recent trials proved that every province had more talent than before.

The times were changing. They were moving forward.

While everyone was chatting, a Red-Robed Bald Man flew over from the foot of the volcano.

The ability to fly through the air was a privilege of Super Tier experts.

The Red-Robed Bald Man looked at everyone coldly. After surveying the crowd, he gave a slight nod. He didn't land. His voice rang out like a bell. "You're the most outstanding young talents the Aoyu Empire has produced in the past four years. But compared to the empire's history, you're merely average. I'll be satisfied if twenty of you become Super Tier Warriors."

Beside Guen, Keen pressed his lips together, clearly unconvinced.

Many others felt the same. They had been chosen as the most promising seeds of the past four years. How could only twenty of them become Super Tier experts? The Red-Robed Bald Man was a Super Tier expert himself, but they were still unhappy and indignant at how little he thought of them.

"Not convinced? Then prove me wrong. Show me you can do more. I'll be delighted if you can prove me wrong," the Red-Robed Bald Man said scornfully. "Now, the way you can prove yourselves is to enter the Volcano Interior. There's an entrance inside that leads to a mysterious trial ground—and a precious place of inheritance. I can tell you plainly: ninety-nine percent of the Aoyu Empire's Super Tier Warriors broke through thanks to the inheritance there. Even the two Saint Tier masters did the same.

"In this Land of Inheritance, you may even have the chance to reach a level beyond Saint Tier... But whether you can seize that chance is entirely up to you. Your ranking will also be determined by your performance in the Land of Inheritance. This is both a trial and the only opportunity you'll get in your life. You may die, but you'll only get this one chance. Go. If you're not convinced, prove it to me."

With that, the Red-Robed Bald Man turned into a blur and flew toward the upper reaches of the volcano.

Guen and the other trial participants hurried toward the foot of the volcano, eager to get inside.

Good heavens, that was Saint Tier—the Aoyu Empire had only two!

But the Red-Robed Bald Man had said there was even a chance to surpass Saint Tier inside. Did that mean Saint Tier wasn't the highest realm?

At the thought, everyone's hearts burned with excitement.

Everyone believed they were unique, the stars of their era, the darlings of heaven and earth. Naturally, they refused to fall behind.

The young masters, however, were much calmer.

"Beyond Saint Tier" was only a few words, but what did it really mean?

They knew that Saint Tier Beasts existed beyond the Aoyu Empire, but there were only five of them in total!

In the Aoyu Empire's centuries of history, there had only ever been those five Saint Tier Beasts. Surpassing them was no easy feat. They were still excited, but they knew better than to get carried away.

So Ganlan came over to Guen.

"Guen."

Guen slowed down and watched the young master of Leiquan City approach.

"Don't let desire cloud your judgment. Surpassing Saint Tier won't be easy. But don't underestimate yourself, either. You should have a chance of reaching the Third Stage. Remember, the longer you can stay inside, the more benefits you'll gain. Don't bring shame on the Southeast Province. If you make the top ten, my father will give you a treasure."

After saying that, Ganlan left Guen and returned to his group.

The Third Stage? Benefits?

Guen's eyes shone. He wasn't fazed.

Since he was here, he would do his very best to claim the best rewards. Ganlan didn't need to tell him that; he would do it anyway.

The Red-Robed Bald Man landed high on the volcano, where more than ten people were waiting for him. Every one of them was a Super Tier Warrior.

They were representatives of various factions, there to watch the trial.

"Kalga, you're back. How did it go?" someone asked the Red-Robed Bald Man.

Kalga nodded. "Pretty good. They're full of fighting spirit. I just don't know how many of them will reach the Third Stage."

White-Hat General Tom, whom Guen had met earlier, was there too. He sighed. "For those who can exert five times their strength, it won't be too difficult. The real challenge is the Fourth Stage."

"Mm." Everyone nodded.

They had all reached the Third Stage at some point. It was the standard for judging whether someone could become a Super Tier Warrior.

As for the Fourth Stage, so far, only a dozen or so people in the entire Aoyu Empire had reached it. The two Saint Tier experts were the first to do so, and the others were outstanding Super Tier Warriors.

As for the Fifth Stage, which they had only heard about from the two Saint Tier experts, they didn't even dare to imagine it.

"I think Lianda has a chance of reaching the Fourth Stage."

"Agreed. The Land of Inheritance has always favored Artifact Users. Lianda has had no inheritance or guidance, yet she's still managed to hone her Telekinetic Power to this level. That's no small feat. She must have exceptional talent."

"Otherwise, why would the Saint Tier experts take an interest in her? I think she's a sure bet for first place this time."

It was no secret that the Land of Inheritance favored Artifact Users.

Any Artifact User with enough potential would be urged by a Super Tier expert to take part in the trial.

Any faction would treat an Artifact User who wanted to join them with great respect, but no faction could offer the inheritance found in the Land of Inheritance. Only after being tempered there would it become easier to break through and achieve more.

"I wonder what kind of powerful figure left behind this inheritance. Just the inheritance alone has shaped so many Super Tier Warriors and two Saint Tier experts for the Aoyu Empire." The Red-Robed Bald Man's thoughts drifted far away.