Chapter 68 - The Skybound Ascent
The floating continent of Aetherion hung high above the clouds.
Its crystal mountains reflected the morning sun.
Floating rivers wound through the sky like silver serpents.
Thousands of flying beasts soared between islands connected by bridges of light.
Kai stood silently on the deck of the Sky Ark, the massive airship sent by the Celestial Council.
It was unlike any vessel he had ever seen.
Instead of sails...
Six giant Wind Wyverns pulled the ship through the heavens.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
New Location
Aetherion Airspace
Status: Neutral Territory
Restrictions:
- No fighting between participants.
- No contract evolution without permission.
- Breaking the laws will result in immediate disqualification.
---
Selene leaned against the railing.
"So even the strongest have rules."
Lyra smiled.
"The stronger the power..."
"...the stricter the rules."
---
Hundreds of contestants from hidden kingdoms stood across the enormous deck.
Some wore royal robes.
Others carried enormous weapons.
A few were accompanied by Divine Beasts.
Every participant secretly observed the others.
Kai immediately sensed dozens of powerful auras.
---
The Book automatically scanned nearby contestants.
Tournament Participants
Total Registered:
512
Current Ranking Available:
Unknown
Potential Threats Detected:
27
---
A loud laugh echoed across the deck.
A giant man nearly seven feet tall approached.
His bronze skin was covered in battle scars.
Beside him walked a massive Earth Titan Bear.
The bear's footsteps shook the deck.
The Book reacted.
Beast Analysis
Name: Bjorn Ironhide
Origin: Frost Kingdom
Rank: Grandmaster Beast Tamer
Contract Beast:
Earth Titan Bear
Known Title:
Mountain Breaker
---
Bjorn grinned.
"So..."
"You're the famous Beast Sovereign."
Kai nodded politely.
"I suppose."
Bjorn laughed loudly.
"I like humble people."
"They're more fun to fight."
---
Nearby...
A young woman sat quietly beneath a crystal pillar.
She wore emerald robes.
A tiny hummingbird rested on her finger.
Despite the tiny beast...
The Book issued a warning.
Beast Analysis
Name: Aria Windwhisper
Origin: Sylvan Realm
Contract Beast:
Emerald Sky Hummingbird
Threat Level:
Extreme
Special Ability:
Unknown
---
Kai frowned.
"A hummingbird?"
Ignis chuckled.
"Never judge a beast by its size."
---
Suddenly...
The entire Sky Ark trembled.
A deafening horn echoed through the heavens.
Everyone looked forward.
The clouds parted.
The capital of Aetherion appeared.
Thousands of floating islands orbited an enormous crystal city.
At its centre stood a tower that pierced beyond the clouds.
Seven glowing stars revolved around its summit.
Three of those stars shone brightly.
Kai's three Star Fragments resonated immediately.
---
Destination Reached
Celestial Citadel
Seat of the Celestial Council
---
The Sky Ark docked at a floating harbour.
Contestants stepped onto streets paved with white crystal.
Every building floated a few centimetres above the ground.
Spirit Beasts wandered freely beside their partners.
No chains.
No cages.
Only trust.
Kai smiled.
"This..."
"...is how Beast Tamers should live."
---
As the contestants entered the Grand Arena...
A deep voice echoed across the entire city.
"Welcome..."
"...to the Celestial Tournament."
An elderly man descended from the sky riding a magnificent Golden Griffin.
His white robes shimmered with ancient runes.
The Book identified him instantly.
Beast Analysis
Name: Grand Sage Orion
Title:
Speaker of the Celestial Council
Rank:
Unknown
Contract Beast:
Golden Griffin
Danger Level:
Unmeasurable
---
Orion surveyed the hundreds of contestants.
"For ten thousand years..."
"The tournament has chosen the protectors of our world."
He paused.
"But this year..."
His eyes settled on Kai.
"The Beast Sovereign has returned."
A murmur swept through the arena.
Some contestants looked at Kai with admiration.
Others with curiosity.
A few with open hostility.
Among them stood Darius.
He smiled confidently.
"Our real game begins now."
---
Orion raised his staff.
The sky above the arena transformed into a giant golden screen.
The tournament bracket appeared.
Round One
Participants:
512
Format:
Battle Royale
Only the first 128 survivors will advance.
Arena:
The Labyrinth of Ancient Beasts
Contestants will be teleported in...
Five Minutes.
Kai took a slow breath.
He glanced at Selene, Ignis, and the Crimson Flame Fox.
"This won't be like the battles we've fought before."
Lyra nodded.
"No."
"In the tournament..."
"Your greatest enemy may not be the strongest fighter."
"It may be the one who knows how to survive."
The countdown began.
00:04:59
High above the arena, hidden behind a curtain of clouds, seven masked figures watched silently.
One of them spoke.
"Observe the Ninth Beast Sovereign carefully."
"If he reaches the final round..."
"We begin Phase Two."
Far below, Kai's Star Fragments glowed faintly, as though warning him that the tournament held far more than a simple competition.