The aftermath of their swift and brutal elimination of five ambushing teams left Mei Mei with a stern expression. She turned to Kaelen, Zephyr, and Seraphina, her golden aura still shimmering with residual power. "Why did you kill them?" she demanded, her voice sharp with reprimand. "My command was to cripple them and destroy their martial cores. Not to decapitate or bisect them! We were fighting for our place in the top ten, not for indiscriminate slaughter. You were too lenient with the *objective*, but excessive in your methods!"
Kaelen spoke up, his frosty demeanor wavering slightly. "But Mei Mei, what if they had killed us? We had to ensure they posed no threat."
Mei Mei sighed, the intensity in her eyes softening slightly as she pointed towards a colossal martial power screen projected above the forest's edge. "Look," she commanded. They all turned their gaze upwards. The screen displayed a grim tally: only fifteen teams remained. Forty teams had been crippled and withdrawn, unable to continue. A staggering forty-five teams had perished within the maze. The five teams they had encountered and eliminated were now graphically depicted as being agonizingly close to the maze's exit, their final moments a testament to the brutal intensity of the competition.
Just then, a thunderous roar echoed from above. The five Emperors, observing the trials, had intervened in the final stages of the maze. Five teams, representing the Emperors' own sects, had brutally eliminated the remaining five teams that were nearing completion. In a matter of moments, the competition for the top ten spots had been decided by the Emperors themselves, ruthlessly culling any potential rivals. Only ten teams now stood, their banners fluttering defiantly amidst the carnage. The Platinum Sect's team, having survived their encounters and progressed efficiently, was among them.
Emerging from the foreboding forest, Mei Mei, Kaelen, Pyralia, Zephyr, and Seraphina were alive, but the weight of their actions and the sheer brutality of the maze settled upon them. They saw other teams staggering out, their numbers depleted, their faces etched with grief and trauma over their fallen comrades. For forty-five sects, the maze had been their grave.
The five Emperors descended once more, their pronouncements echoing with authority. "The final competition will begin tomorrow. Take this time to rest and recover."
The Platinum Sect's team returned to their designated sect room, the relief of survival mingling with the grim reality of what they had witnessed and done. Tian Zhu was waiting for them, his expression calm but discerning.
"Tell me everything," he requested, his gaze sweeping over each of them. They recounted their experiences in the forest maze, detailing their fights, their choices, and the brutal efficiency they had employed.
Tian Zhu listened intently, a subtle nod of understanding passing his lips. "Tomorrow's competition will be the toughest yet," he stated, his voice low. "The challenges will be immense, and it is highly probable the Emperors will interfere directly to ensure their own favored sects triumph. Therefore," he paused, his gaze meeting each of theirs, "you will not participate in the final competition."
A wave of shock and confusion rippled through the five disciples.
"You know that three other teams have already withdrawn from the finals," Tian Zhu continued, addressing their unspoken questions. "This leaves a space, but your role tomorrow will not be as competitors. You will sit beside me and observe. I have my reasons."
Hesitantly, the five disciples agreed. If their Sect Leader was making such a pronouncement, he undoubtedly had a strategic, well-considered reason behind it.
Tian Zhu then produced five sect teleportation stones, each radiating a faint, protective energy. "Take these," he instructed. "If the need arises, or if you find yourselves in unexpected danger, use them to return to the sect immediately. Your safety is paramount."
(To be continued...)