Almost everyone taking part in the Inner Sect examination had arrived the night before.
Still, a few latecomers continued rushing toward the plaza even as dawn broke over the mountain peaks. But once the allotted time ended, the gates were sealed shut without hesitation.
No exceptions.
The stands surrounding the Rift Gate were now completely filled.
Even the sections reserved for elders had become crowded with figures radiating powerful auras.
At the center sat the seat of highest prominence.
An elderly woman occupied it quietly.
She appeared to be in her eighties, frail enough that a strong gust of wind looked capable of knocking her over. Deep wrinkles lined her face, and her thin hands rested atop a dark wooden cane.
Yet despite her aged appearance—
No one dared underestimate her.
A formless majesty surrounded her very existence.
Even while seated silently, she gave people the feeling of standing before a towering mountain.
She was a peak Emperor Realm expert.
Someone who had already placed half a foot into the Saint Realm.
Unfortunately, her vitality had long begun declining. At her age, the chances of successfully becoming a Saint were almost nonexistent.
Still—
An expert of her level remained a terrifying powerhouse anywhere in the world.
This was the Grand Elder who had come to oversee the examination personally.
Dozens of Inner Sect elders were also present within their designated area.
The atmosphere gradually quieted as an elder stepped forward onto the platform before the Rift Gate.
The moment he spoke, the entire plaza fell silent.
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried a strange weight that naturally drew everyone's attention toward him.
"This year's Inner Sect examination," he began calmly, "will differ from previous years."
His gaze swept across the crowd gathered before him.
"We alter the format regularly to prevent participants from preparing in advance."
Some disciples instinctively lowered their heads under his gaze.
"This year," he continued, "the examination will take the form of an elimination round."
A faint stir spread through the crowd.
"The four participants with the best results will advance to the final stage."
He paused briefly.
"And all four will receive generous rewards."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"As for the champion…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"They will receive a drop of Golden Morning Dew."
The plaza exploded instantly.
"What?!"
"Golden Morning Dew?!"
"You've got to be kidding!"
Even many elders showed visible surprise.
That was no ordinary treasure.
Golden Morning Dew was an extremely rare spiritual resource formed naturally in high-grade blessed lands under specific conditions. Most people would never even see it in their lifetime.
It was something that couldn't normally be bought, no matter how much money someone possessed.
"The last time it appeared publicly was fifty years ago…"
"I heard four drops were auctioned for over a billion credits."
"And even then, it caused a massive bidding war."
"That means a single drop is worth around two hundred and fifty million credits…"
"The sect is actually offering that as a reward?"
The elder allowed the commotion to continue briefly before coughing lightly.
The sound wasn't loud.
Yet everyone felt as though a heavy bell had exploded inside their heads.
Several disciples even staggered where they stood.
The plaza immediately fell silent again.
"As I was saying," the elder continued calmly, "the top four participants will also receive a special opportunity this year."
A faint glint appeared in his eyes.
"And the champion… will receive an additional surprise."
The atmosphere instantly became heated once more.
The elder raised a hand before the crowd could erupt again.
"The first round will begin in ten minutes."
"Prepare yourselves."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"And listen carefully."
"Any equipment, armor, weapons, or artifacts above the King Realm are strictly forbidden."
"Anyone found violating this rule will be immediately disqualified from all examinations for the next three years."
"No excuses will be accepted."
He gestured toward the Rift Gate behind him.
"Our elders have already inspected the rift. The examination will be overseen by peak King Realm experts under the command of an Emperor Realm supervisor."
Then his expression became more serious.
"However…"
"Never forget that rifts are fragments of another world."
"They are filled with unpredictable dangers."
"No matter what happens inside, do not lower your guard."
The elder raised a rectangular wooden token.
Though it looked simple at first glance, faint green light flowed beneath its surface, while dense runic markings covered it completely.
"This token will be distributed to every participant."
"It will serve as your tracking beacon."
"If you crush it, an elder will immediately retrieve you from the rift."
A pause.
"But the moment you do…"
"You lose your qualification to continue the examination."
Many disciples grew tense hearing that.
"There are approximately one hundred thousand participants taking part this year."
The elder's next words caused many expressions to change.
"The objective of the first round is simple."
"Obtain tokens."
"By any means necessary."
A cold silence spread across the plaza.
"Some tokens have been placed within the rift by the sect."
"The rest…"
He looked at the crowd steadily.
"Will come from other participants."
The meaning behind his words was obvious.
"You may form alliances and teams once inside."
"You may hunt for opportunities."
"You may hunt for tokens."
His voice remained calm.
"Even if someone dies inside the rift, no one outside will be permitted to pursue the matter afterward."
"We do not need greenhouse flowers raised in safety."
"We need people capable of surviving the changing seasons."
Many disciples unconsciously tightened their fists.
"To qualify for the next round, a participant must possess at least one thousand tokens."
Stephen's eyes narrowed slightly.
One thousand tokens.
Out of one hundred thousand participants…
Only one hundred people could possibly pass.
The rest would be eliminated.
Or die trying.
The brutality of the examination became clear instantly.
"You may still withdraw now if you wish," the elder said evenly.
But no one stepped back.
If they retreated now—
How could they ever hope to grow stronger?
Beside him, Stephen noticed Elsa remaining unusually quiet.
Part of him still wanted to ask about what Wilson had said earlier. About the "declining family" he mentioned, and why she had reacted so strongly despite normally remaining composed.
But he held back.
If she wanted to tell him, she would.
Instead, he focused once more on the elder's explanation.
The rift they would enter was known as Death Valley.
A battlefield from the era of the First Rift War.
Long ago, humanity and the invading beasts had clashed there in a devastating battle that left countless experts from both sides dead.
The whispers spreading through the crowd suggested this unusually harsh examination had something to do with recent events beyond the sect.
Apparently, Parliament had recently approved new military reforms.
The pressure along humanity's front lines had worsened.
Recent clashes had resulted in devastating casualties, and powerful factions were now being pushed to produce stronger fighters faster.
Fresh blood was desperately needed.
Ten minutes later—
All one hundred thousand participants stood before the Rift Gate in complete silence.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Fear.
It all mixed together beneath the morning sky.
The elder raised his sleeve.
Two yellow crystals shot outward instantly and embedded themselves into the circular indents located on the twin pillars.
The moment they locked into place—
The runic markings across the pillars burst into life.
Rainbow-colored light spread rapidly across their surfaces.
Then—
A crack appeared between the pillars.
It slowly widened.
Five feet tall.
Three feet wide.
Beyond it lay a murky gray world hidden beneath swirling mist.
The Rift Gate had opened.
Participants immediately began stepping through in groups of two and three.
Some looked nervous.
Others excited.
A few carried expressions completely devoid of emotion.
As time passed, the crowd steadily disappeared into the gate.
Then finally—
It was Stephen's turn.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and crossed into the gray world beyond.
After the last participant entered—
The Rift Gate closed once more.