Abyssal Awakening

While the Zero powers category was free for everyone to enter, there were still tests conducted in order to test the eligibility of each contestant. After all, it wouldn't be good if unqualified fighters were to be allowed into the most glorious arena of the city.

The tests were split into three sections, each to test a different type of marital art a fighter was good at.

There's defensive capability, footwork then offensive capability.

Defensive was a simple case of avoiding or parrying ranged attacks thrown at them for as long as possible without the use of Sigils. Footwork had you do a speed trial to see how fast you could bypass the hazards and finally, the offensive capability had you spar against a trainer to determine your offensive strength.

The spar wasn't going to be a serious one. Instead, it revolved around a gimmick. That being to retrieve/touch a flower on the instructor's body.

With these sets of rules, whoever could pass these three or receive a good evaluation would be allowed to compete in the final brackets of the Zero power category.

Listening to the rules being briefed to them while standing in what seemed to be the waiting room of the large arena, Alice couldn't help but fold her arms in amusement.

With so many spectators watching the testing period, she couldn't help but feel as though she'd returned to the same coliseum where Allura rescued her from.

The atmosphere, the theatrics and the announcer.

All nostalgic yet also sad.

Alice knew that if Lilia was still here, she would be joking about how this is almost exactly like when they met one another.

Shaking her head, Alice dismissed the thoughts for now and focused on the task at hand.

Due to the significant number of contestants, they are to draw lots and be split into several groups to make things more manageable and to speed up the process.

Not only that but by splitting into groups, they can also arrange the tournament brackets later.

There were several instructors with boxes in hand and approached each of the contestants with a smile, gesturing for them to pull from the box.

Alyss took this chance to observe the instructors.

Hints of one's marital prowess reveal itself through daily habits. The way they breathe, control their muscles, how they walk. Everything could give her a clue.

In order to perfect the martial arts she wanted to create, she needed as much knowledge as possible.

Most of the instructors didn't exhibit signs of using the passive zone or having the knowledge of it much to Alyss's disappointment. They weren't prepared for a sudden attack in case one of the contestants wanted to kill them nor did they seem ready to react at a moment's notice.

'I've noticed this but it's especially obvious in the East. But why is the strength distribution… so crap? The strongest are praiseworthy but anyone who isn't the top percentile just seems… lacking?' Alyss couldn't help but ask.

[Compared to the Abyss, the dangers on the surface are negligible. Most of the beasts that slip through the dimensional gap between realms often do so by mistake or simply due to an excess. Most of the powerful beasts would choose to reside in the Abyss in order to hone their strength further.] Cayla explained while flipping through a few notes.

[Do note that the Abyss, to the people of the surface, is basically hell. No sane person would voluntarily go there. Those who spend their time in the Abyss are either insane or due to circumstances where they can't leave easily.]

'To be fair, I doubt the people trying to get there manually would have an easy time. The road down should be littered with pretty strong beasts after all. Even what Allura considered to be 'relatively safe' for when we first started out could've killed us with a single wave of its hand if we weren't careful.' Alice added.

The more she thought about it, the more miraculous it seemed to her that she actually managed to survive in the Abyss for so long.

Compared to the relaxing and calm surface, it is definitely much scarier.

Letting out a shrug, Alyss reached into the box and pulled out a number.

Next in line was Jin, pulling a number 8 while Alyss got a number 5.

"Seems like we're in different zones." Alyss smirked while Jin sighed in relief.

If Alice wanted him to get into the top 3, having them enter the same zone would most definitely guarantee a harsh training session.

Her usual training was already difficult as it was, he didn't need more.

With the numbers now assigned, each of them followed a different instructor in order to reach the group they were supposed to be part of.

To Alyss's surprise, there was even a ranking board on previous records and clear speeds.

'Do you think they have Jiang Xuanyin's record? Or did someone of the new generation break it?' Alice asked curiously while looking through the names.

Surprisingly, there was indeed Jiang Xuanyin.

However, he wasn't first. Above him, there were two more names. In second place, Jiang Luoyan, seemingly one of Jiang Xuanyin's descendants.

And in first, a person with the name of Mo Xincheng.

Looking at their records, Alyss couldn't help but narrow her eyes.

What if she was to try and break them? The times of the top three were far ahead of the person who placed fourth. With such a gap, she couldn't help but wonder if the records were truly impressive or if it was simply a case where the other contestants were weak.

For defensive capabilities, their record was set as the distance they could parry the arrows and what level rather than the time.

For Jiang Xuanyin, he could parry countless arrows around the 15 meter mark just using his own physical powers without any Sigils.

Jian Luoyan reached 17 meters while Mo Xincheng had 17.5 meters.

In fourth place, their record was simply stated as a time and 'wave' of arrows rather than distance.

'I assume that's probably because the top three all had zones. Once that happens, it's no longer a case of how long you can last but rather how far you can defend.'

A few people could be seen checking out the records similar to Alyss while the instructor simply laughed.

"Lord Xuanyin set his record before reaching the state of unity. After many years of people being unable to clear it, he gave up on setting more records. As for the Sect Leader, he set this record during a duel with his Friend. Both of them had reached the state of Unity when they were only 26!" The instructor boasted while Alyss paused.

She could understand the top two holding the record using range instead of time due to the usage of a Zone. But Jiang Xuanyin reached 15 meters without one???

'At that point, it's probably just instinct and experience. The more I hear about him, the more monstrous he seems.' Alice couldn't help but chuckle while Cayla nodded in agreement.

People who are able to get a unique title from the Abyss are far from normal. In fact, they could be called geniuses amongst geniuses.

If Allura and Kaden hadn't been connected to Velouria as her Apostles and had powers linked to their authority, they would've gotten a unique title as well instead of a simple Lordship.

The portion of the arena where they entered was filled with circular domes spread throughout the entire floor space.

Each of the groups occupied one while the instructor called out names and had them enter the dome to commence the test. There were windows to observe how the fighters performed as Alyss watched nonchalantly before pausing.

'Slight issue that I just noticed.' She called out as Alice tilted her head.

'What's up?'

'This is the Zero powers category right?

'Yeah, why?'

'They have an unknown method to isolate the fighters and stop Abyss power from reaching them right?'

'I believe so- . . . Oh.' Alice realised the issue.

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'Yeah, it's not great is it?' Alyss folded her arms.

Depending on how the barrier worked, it could easily dispel her disguise the moment she enters the dome.

While her body may not be able to accept the changes brought forth by Abyss Blood permanently, she was still receiving passive reinforcement from her Sigils.

'So even if I manage to defend my disguise, my physical power will still look abnormal. . . Is there a way to just protect the disguise?' Alice couldn't help but ask while Alyss simply shrugged.

'Don't look at me, I'm not the one who's proficient in casting.'

With Alyss being unable to help, there was only one person to turn to.

Pulling out a table and chair, Cayla leaned back and crossed her legs before tending to her nails, making sure they were looked after.

[I suppose, I, the great Eye of the Abyss, Cayla, sealed wrongfully by her master, pushed to resolve any issues regarding energy and abilities despite BEING SEALED, will reluctantly give you the help you so desire. All while I'm still SEALED by the way. A difficult task considering I can't access my main powers because I'm SEALED.@@novelbin@@

[Truly what kind of person would SEAL someone without discussing it before hand? A little rude don't you agree?] Cayla blew her nails gently while giving Alice the side eye.

Alice's smile twitched as she let out a sigh and nodded her head.

'Pretty please~?'

[Why are you asking me? It's not like you asked me when you SEALED me before? But I suppose since you asked so nicely I'll take a look and see what I can do.] Cayla waved her hand before beginning her analysis on the barrier placed around the domes.

Meanwhile, Alice could only hope that the seal breaks soon otherwise Cayla will keep holding this over her head.