The announcement was met with a thunderous roar of approval from the White Lotus Sanctuary, and a wave of disappointed gasps from the rest of the arena.

​Seraphina's face of serenity finally broke, replaced by a deep, radiant smile of vindication and victory. She hadn't just secured her husband; she had won the political loyalty battle against four of her strongest rivals.

​The other Saintesses reacted with varying degrees of disappointment:

​Aria Stormsong gave a dismissive scoff, though a spark of respect for his commitment remained in her eyes. "Loyalty is a strong foundation. Very well."

​Evelina Frostheart's face remained cold, but a line formed between her perfect brows, betraying her irritation at losing a valuable asset.

​Valeria Rosethorn simply chuckled, a knowing, seductive sound. "Such a good boy. Too bad for the fun we could have had."

​

Flama Astoria looked momentarily relieved that her unsettling connection to him remained secret, but also frustrated she couldn't understand it more.

Following Vahn's decisive choice, the remaining seventeen champions were quickly chosen by the six Saintesses. The process returned to formality, with Saintesses prioritizing talents from their respective Holy Lands to ensure cohesive delegations.

​Holy Son Veerion and Holy Daughter Lumina were, unsurprisingly, selected by Seraphina, completing her official delegation and ensuring White Lotus's full representation.

​The other Saintesses: Aria, Evelina, Flama, and Valeria, each filled their ranks primarily with their own Holy Land's top disciples, creating formidable, specialized teams.

​However, one disciple remained on the stage: Liam, the White Lotus Inner Court winner. He stood alone, his chubby, usually cheerful face etched with deep sadness.

None of the Saintesses had chosen him, likely because his plump physique gave the false impression of a weaker cultivation base, despite his victory.

​As the ceremony concluded, Vahn, standing beside Seraphina, leaned close and whispered something into her ear.

​Seraphina's expression softened instantly. Her husband had spoken, making a request she could not possibly refuse.

​"Wait," Seraphina called out, drawing all attention back to the stage. She extended her hand toward Liam. "Liam, the White Lotus Sanctuary does not abandon its loyal disciples. You shall also accompany my delegation."

​Liam's face brightened instantly, tears welling up as he rushed to join their group.

Seraphina genuinely felt bad leaving a loyal Inner Court disciple alone. Even if Vahn hadn't requested it, she would have accepted him anyway.

​With that, the Competition officially ended.

--

​

​Despite the sun beginning to set on the Imperial City, the ten million spectators still refused to leave. They were eager to witness the final, most mysterious event: the Gate Opening of the Secret Realm.

​The Opening Ceremony required the spiritual contribution of Seven Saintesses. However, due to the prolonged absence of the Darkness Saintess, Lilith, they proceeded with six. In the empty, designated seventh spot, a specialized, ethereal dummy that perfectly resembled Lilith's spiritual aura and form was erected and positioned.

​Lilith who was physically present among the spectators in her disguise, watched the dummy they created with cold emotionless eyes.

"So, they already casted me out. How typical of them."

​But then, suddenly her focus sharpened. Her eyes narrowed further, not in resentment, but in intense concentration. She felt an unnatural, faint movement in the surrounding shadows and darkness

​It was not the energy of the Righteous Faction. It was cold, predatory, and familiar.

Demonic Faction was approaching.

She immediately sent a rapid mental message to Vahn, to activate his defenses and prepare for immediate danger.

​But to her surprise, the mental message was instantly blocked. She quick found out all spiritual communications within the immediate vicinity of the opening ceremony were completely jammed.

​Lilith's eyes widened instantly. This was no coincidence.

​The Demonic Faction hadn't made a major move for months. They had waited until this exact, critical juncture moment when the Righteous Faction's Saintesses were gathered, focusing their immense spiritual power on a single task, and when the top disciples were exposed on the stage.

​The reason for their patience became terrifyingly clear.

​"The Gate..." Lilith breathed, the word a silent curse that brought with it the chilling realization of their entire, grand scheme.

​They weren't here to assassinate or simply disrupt. They were here to seize control of the Secret Realm Gate itself, Or worse they want to eliminate the Righteous Faction's future leaders.

​

---

Over the Ceremonial Stage under the twilight sky, the Righteous Faction's elite were gathered: Elders, Patriarchs, the six Saintesses, and the newly chosen Champions, including Vahn.

The moment of triumph had arrived.

​The Six Saintesses floated together, their energies converging. The profound, spiritual connection of their individual Dao Marks—Light (Seraphina), Fire (Flama), Ice (Evelina), Lightning (Aria), Nature (Valeria), and Stars (Celestine)—all flowed into the central focal point. Though the seventh, Darkness, was represented by an ethereal dummy, the six powers completed the circuit.

​Their converged spiritual energy forged into a luminous, swirling Dimensional Key.

HUMM!!

With a low, resonant hum, the Key engaged the void, tearing open a small Rift in Space.

This shimmering purple rift passage would lead them to the Secret Realm, the legendary treasury where Vahn intended to seize all the resources for himself.

​

​Just as the rift stabilized, ready to receive the champions, the world suddenly darkened. It wasn't the slow crawl of twilight; it was an absolute, unnatural eclipse, as if a veil of purest night had fallen from the heavens.

​Even without Lilith's warning Vahn could tell something very bad was going happen today.

This wasn't a ordinary skirmish; it was a carefully planned ambush targeting the entire core of the Righteous Faction.

​He looked up, a cold knot forming in his stomach.

Ahhhh!

The Horrifying Screams of fear and pain from the millions gathered made the darkening world more horrifying.

​Above them, the sky itself seemed to tear open. Not with the shimmering light of the Secret Realm Gate, but with a black, viscous rent that reeked of primordial chaos and Demonic energy.

​A shadow descended.

It was no mere cultivator; it was a grotesque, gargantuan figure that pulsed with power capable of leveling the entire Imperial City.

​The Demonic Faction hadn't waited for months for a small opening. They had waited for the moment when the six Saintesses were focused and their power was committed to opening a dimensional tunnel.

​The attack was here.

The Secret Realm Gate was exposed.

The endgame had begun.

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