As the calm of recent events within the Eternal Realm starts to settle, the Divine Martial Tournament preliminaries are upon us. Through the raging Imperial drama and war, the contestants of the Divine Martial Tournament have taken to honing their respective skills and power.
Far from the embroiling drama of the Imperial court in the Lower Ring of the Capital, the training grounds are bursting and brimming with fighting between talented martial artists.
(Training Grounds)
Gu Nan and another is embroiled in a tense fight. Clashing with each other on an equal level. In that moment, Xinyu and Ying Pu arrive. They stand in one of the seating areas of the training dome watching the battle take place before them. "He is quite skilled, and his physical prowess might be on par with cousin Zhinu", said Xinyu as he watched Gu Nan fight on the offensive…in a surprise but expected voice. "Yes, he is, but he lacks the control", said Ying Pu his tone serious and masterful…Xinyu glances at him as if he sensed something familiar.
At that moment, an attack from Gu Nan got deflected by his opponent in the direction of Ying Pu and Xinyu. Xinyu gasped and wanted to flash away, but Ying Pu remained in a firm posture, not moving an inch. The two fighters noticed the direction of the attack and immediately stopped fighting, having noticed their mistake, as the attack drew ever closer to them. A sudden gust of wind swept through Ying Pu's hair, causing it to move violently in the wind. The approaching attack was stopped, and before them stood Zhuyuan, his hand held out, swirls of smoke emanating from it as he had stopped the attack with his bare hand.
"Why didn't you move?" asked he…his question directed at Ying Pu, but got no answer. Gu Nan and his opponent realized it was Zhuyuan who had stopped the attack and flashed forward, bowing, "Forgive us, your highness." Zhuyuan lowered his hand, "No matter, it was an accident," his tone clear and forgiving as he turned to face Ying Pu. "Elder cousin", said Xinyu excitedly, "Why are you here?" he asked, confused. Zhuyuan turned to Xinyu, "Have you forgotten I also have to take part in the Divine Tournament?" he said in a pleasant voice, that of a brother. "Oh! That was a close one", said Xunyang in a loud voice as he walked up the stairs.
Xunyang walked up to Zhuyuan and placed his arm on his shoulder, only for it to be shrugged off by Zhuyuan. "Rude", said Xunyang as he glanced at Zhuyuan. "Why must you be everywhere?" asked Ying Pu annoyed. "Ahh, it seems your beloved doesn't like having me around" he said in a sarcastic voice. "Jealous," he added playfully. "Of you never," responded Ying Pu with a slight side eye. Zhuyuan walked closer to Ying Pu and held his hand, "Are you okay?" he asked with a concerned tone. "I am fine" answered Ying Pu with a soft but warm smile.
Gu Nan stared at them with a mysterious and suspicious look. He then turned and walked towards the exit of the fighting pit, which was situated in the center of the training grounds. "Who are you?" asked Xinyu as he stared at Xunyang. Zhuyuan glanced at Xunyang, "He is one of the contestants for the tournament". Xunyang shrugged, "I am the Crown Prince of the Infinite Ocean." his tone added a sense of annoyance to his words. Xinyu's eyes widened and then narrowed slightly, "Really, you're of high birth, one wouldn't have been able to tell" he responded in a sarcastic voice. Xunyang's expression hardened, "Who are you even some attended?" he growled.
Ying Pu rolled his eyes at the stupid unawareness of Xunyang. Zhuyuan giggles softly in annoyance. Xinyu shrugged his shoulder in frustration. Zhuyuan placed his hand on Xunyang's shoulder, "He is the son of Lord Arceus and Lord Xuanyu". Xunyang laughed, having found it amusing, but none of them laughed along, and his expression softened with suspicion. "You're joking, there is no way that the son of two of the most powerful beings in the Divine could be so small," he joked with an unassured expression on his face as he examined Xinyu with his eyes. But Zhuyuan did not smile, and he did not refute it, "You're not joking…", said Xunyang as his face turned pale from embarrassment. He turned his face, "Idiot," he said softly, and turned his face back on Xinyu with an uneasy grin on his face, "Sorry, my bad". Zhuyuan shook his head.
As Xunyang gets himself in an uncomfortable situation. Mu Xuan is by the side of Chang'an.
[Upper-Ring: Eternal Palace]
(Princess Palace)
As the soft, warm light of the Eternal sun shines through the windows of the room. Mu Xuan sits quietly next to Chang'an, who remains unconscious, lying on her bed. "Chang'an, forgive me, I did not protect you properly", said Mu Xuan as he placed his hand gently on top of hers. In that moment, Chang'an's eyes opened as she heard his words, "Mu Xuan," she said softly in a dry voice. Mu Xuan, shocked and relieved, stood up and helped her sit up straight, "Water," he said softly in a soft panic voice. Chang'an saw this and smiled softly. Mu Xuan gave her a cup of water, and she slowly drank it with his help.
"How are you feeling?" he asked softly. Chang'an glanced at him as she stopped drinking, "I am fine" she responded with a smile. "Did you stay by my side this whole time?" she asked, curious. Mu Xuan did not answer, and he turned his face away shyly. Chang'an reached out her hand and touched his chin, and turned his face back to her. "Thank you", said she with a warm and loving smile.
"His majesty arrives"
Mu Xuan startled, jumped up and stood firm next to the bed. Chang'an shy retracted her hand and firmly sat on the bed as to avoid any sense of what just happened. Zhi'an entered the room and noticed Mu Xuan standing next to the bed. He walked towards the bed and sat down. "Greeting your majesty", said Mu Xuan politely as he bowed. Eunuch Yu signaled for Mu Xuan to rise. Chang'an wanted to greet Zhi'an formally but was stopped by him, "No need for formalities". Zhi'an took Chang'an's hand and placed his on top of hers, "Daughter, are you okay?" he asked, worried and concerned. Chang'an noticed a slight change in her father's worry, "I am fine father" she responded softly and familiar tone.
Her expression showed worry and concern as she felt some different from Zhi'an, "Father, is everything okay?" she asked, concerned. Zhi'an lowered his head and shook it as if he were guilty of something. Chang'an glanced at Mu Xuan with a curious and suspicious expression as she was looking for an answer, but he lowered his eyes and shook his head as well. Zhi'an lifted his head and placed his hand on her head, softly patted her head, "Everything is fine, beautiful daughter," he said with a warm smile on his face.
Chang'an is awake. While at the Bifrost, expected arrivals are taking place.
[Lower-Ring]
(Bifrost)
With calm settling over the capital, the Bifrost is filled with people of all races and kinds from the Immortal Realm, Monster Realm, Dharma Kingdom, Infinite Ocean, and all the other realms of the Divine. Tourists, common folk, highborn, merchants, nobility, and royals all come through the Bifrost to attend the Divine Martial Tournament.
As a group of people who are likely merchants exiting from the Bifrost, they are mesmerized by the elegance and beauty of the Eternal Capital with all its towering buildings, and the layered structure of the city from the lower-ring to the upper-ring. The magnificent Eternal Palace is located, which towers above the capital, unlike the rest of the buildings in the capital. The Bifrost suddenly opens again.
Out of the Bifrost above the rest of the travelers floats a golden white sedan. That shines across the Bifrost, and everyone stops to admire it, "Who do you think that is?" asked a merchant. "Don't you notice the Dragon sigil on it? That is from the Immortal Realm, it's the Heavenly Emperor", responded another. Everyone who heard that gasped and admired the sedan, as the material and style were not seen anywhere across the Divine.
Shortly after the arrival of the Heavenly Emperor's sedan, another arrived. One draped in black and gold silk with a sturdy build. "Who is that?" asked an Immortal common. "That is the Dharma Kingdom, it's the Venerable One," answered another. Everyone gasped and slightly bowed, acknowledging the figure. "Respectable", said The Venerable One…his voice stern and hardened yet with a youthful presence.
With everyone looking at and admiring the arrivals of the Heavenly Emperor and Venerable One. The Bifrost suddenly surged with energy, and those who could sense it turned and looked. "Do you sense that?" asked a man, and nobody replied. Suddenly, a fiery flame burst forth from the Bifrost, and in a ball of bright fiery flame flew straight towards the capital. "I wonder who is making such a dramatic arrival", said the Venerable One in a joker's tone. "It appears to be a member of the Imperial Xuan Clan", answered his attendant, Lu.
With the Divine Martial Tournament seemingly starting to get underway with the arrivals. In Fengyong Palace, Qingyu wakes, and in Crown Prince Residence, Zhinu wakes with Xi Yuan by his side.