"You're saying you want to bring all three of us in?"
They hadn't misheard what
Although they had no idea what exactly lay beyond that great gate, it wasn't hard to imagine that it would be fraught with danger.
But bringing the three of them along as dead weight would be practically asking for trouble.
After all, passing the trials beyond the gate was only part of the challenge — the most critical factor was the race against time.
"Mm."
"But if we really do get in, that means we'd be taking up three of the twenty spots. We don't have the strength to compete against those geniuses, though,"
"Once we're inside, we can just choose to opt out of the competition. I doubt they'll hold a blade to our necks and force us to fight if we simply don't," Chili said.
"What Chili says makes sense. There's no rule here that explicitly forbids bringing friends along to watch the excitement, so naturally I can take you in,"
"If we can really get in, that would be absolutely wonderful." At those words,
If they could truly enter, it would fulfill a wish they had only ever been able to dream about.
Once the matter was settled,
When
Because the Four Great Imperial Clans were irreconcilably opposed to
Hummmm—
Finally, the countdown above the great gate came to a stop. But the gate did not open immediately. Instead, a spectral figure appeared before it.
It was a middle-aged man, as tall as the gate itself, standing there like a mountain peak — an imposing sight that sent chills through one's spine.
Though it was only an illusion, this man's bearing made one's nerves tighten and stirred something deep within, giving rise to a feeling of genuine reverence.
This was an Martial Emperor — and not an ordinary one. His level likely surpassed even the clan masters of the Four Great Imperial Clans, otherwise he could never have possessed such an aura.
When this phantom appeared, the sea of people erupted. Everyone could feel the man's overwhelming power, and most of them had no idea who he was.
He seemed like a powerhouse who had never before appeared in the Martial Spirit Continent.
Naturally, the first question on everyone's mind was whether this man might be the creator of this fortress — the backer standing behind the Bow Emperor's successor?
"Everyone, this gate is about to open. As for the dangers within, I trust that you can guess well enough without me spelling it out."
"I only wish to remind you all: among everyone who enters this fortress, only twenty people will have the chance to face the Bow Emperor's successor. Those twenty spots go to those who reach the designated location the fastest."
"Once those twenty have entered, no one else will be permitted to follow. All others will have to turn back the way they came."
"So I advise everyone here to weigh your own strength honestly. If you don't believe you have what it takes to be one of those twenty, then I would strongly suggest you do not step through this gate behind me."
"Because even if you manage to clear the obstacles one by one, you will have no chance of entering the central region. And if you encounter a trial you cannot overcome, you will lose your life."