Athena used her unique ability to create a scintillating dance as she controlled the pace of the battles to always wear her opponents down until they faced deadly attacks that cost them the match!
But like this, Noah and Athena passed the second round and entered the top 8 with no issues.
Of course, it was the same case for the two Special Existences, the Three-Eyed Fate Child and Grandmaster Light who both passed through by dominating their enemies in a shocking manner.
The second round was passed in this manner, and whether by chance or fate, it went exactly in the same manner for the third round that decided the top 4 of this Battle of Geniuses!
In the third round, neither Noah nor Athena met the Special Existences, cruising through with their abilities as the both of them showed great battle prowess that overwhelmed their enemies and made them smoothly enter the top 4!
In one of the floating Prime Warsh.i.p.s, Grandmaster Vredral had a beaming smile as he laughed, Commanding Officer Raizel glancing towards him as he shook his head with an unbelievable expression.
"What kind of monsters have you raised that they are able to smoothly pass to the top 4 of all current geniuses of this generation?!"
…
Chapter 457 - Crixus!
Top 4!
The first three rounds of the tournament were over, and the beings that smoothly entered the top 4 ranks were not what many expected.
The powerful Celestials holding the title of Noble Fates, Xander, and Lila, were taken out in the first round!
The two Celestials holding a similar title but much weaker cultivation experience were actually the ones to replace them and take their spots, creating a clear path as they swiftly made their way to the top ranks.
In the Mage's Tower where powerful auras were watching the ongoing matches, Edrusim had turned to the Vampyre Ruler Vladivostok with a careful gaze as he spoke.
"This Crixus is more of an important piece than we all realized. You really only sent a Soul Forging Vampyre to oversee him?"
"...I didn't expect for him to be this much of a genius. I'll make the proper preparations."
Vladivostok replied with a shining gaze as his expression looked like someone that had gotten his hands on something he did not want to let go of.
"If you all are smart enough, you will work hard to keep the identity of this Crixus under wraps and use him as a deadly blade at a crucial junction of the war, not risk his life freeing some old loser who was already defeated once."
The voice of the 2nd Infernal Lord rang out lazily to the side as his sharp eyes followed the events portrayed in front of them.
"That benefactor was the one that allowed many of us to come out alive in the last war, bringing him back to our side is only natural!"
Edrusim replied sharply while the Infernal Lord shook his head deploringly.
"And this is why you all have been left behind by the Celestials. You're too habitual in your thinking that even veering off the course a little is too much for you."
"Hmph!"
Slight disagreements occurred as the powerful figures watched the ongoing battle, the Vampyre Ruler by the side of the Infernal Lord and Grand Magician having a serious look as he sent communications to his forces in the light expanse while re-evaluating this being called Crixus.
In the Celestial Realm where the tournament was about to proceed, Noah and Athena were given a break before the final two rounds resumed, their figures actually being in the floating Prime Warship where Grandmaster Vredral and Commanding Officer Raizel were.
The fatty Grandmaster who was the teacher of Xander and Lila had long since left as he could not handle the proud look of Grandmaster Vredral, the wizened old man now looking at his two disciples with nearly tearing eyes.
"You two have exceeded my expectations, but there is an even harder- nay, near-impossible task ahead of you!"
His face was serious as his prideful gaze was filled with somberness.
"You have been watching how the two Special Existences, the Three-Eyed Child and Light, have carried out their battles. While knowing your own skills, what do you think your chances of winning are?"
The gaze of the Grandmaster first went to Athena as she looked at him with a calm look before she replied.
"60%, Grandmaster."
"What?!"
Commanding Officer Raizel by the side looked on with a surprised expression at this number, his experience as a Grandmaster telling him that the Special Existences would be very hard to take down with the skills that these two disciples held.
Grandmaster Vredral looked at Athena carefully as he nodded while asking.
"Why 60%?"
"If I am matched against either of them, I can use my unique ability to prolong the battle as much as possible, using my close combat skill to possibly wear them down after a sufficient time has passed. Of course, their skills are terrifying enough that all my plans could be rendered worthless, but I will still give it my best!"
A valiant light erupted forth from her as she let out words of extreme confidence, Grandmaster Vredral nodding his head as he turned towards Noah. What did his other disciple see his chances at? His aged gaze stayed on Noah as the moment this disciple of his opened his mouth, the wrinkles on his face began trembling.
"100%."
"..."
Silence!
Commanding Officer Raizel looked incredulously towards Noah while Grandmaster Vredral's body trembled, his shining eyes locking onto this disciple as Noah opened his mouth and continued.
"I have made a breakthrough while studying Aether and the Law of Fate these past few weeks, and I am confident in matching these Special Existences with my current abilities."
Yes! Noah was expanding the skills he could use against the enemies he would soon face, as he saw that their abilities were something that his identity as Crixus would struggle against unless he had a breakthrough in the middle of the battle or beforehand. He would continue exaggerating the genius of Crixus as he planned to use more abilities in the [Kin of Terror] skill tree, enjoying the heavily boosted abilities like [Portals of Terror] that were made even more terrifying from the recent additional abilities like [Aether Reinforcement] and [Triple on Cast Support].
The surrounding Grandmasters were looking at him incredulously as Commanding Officer Raizel shook his head in a non-believing way. Athena gazed towards him with shining eyes as even she did not fully believe him!
"If your words are actually true, you will be obtaining the Luminescent Rainbow Dew that will grant you strength even higher than mine. If you can have such strength...you can begin fully exploring the wonders of the Celestial Realm as you go to locations that have similar treasures like the Luminescent Rainbow Dew!"
Grandmaster Vredral spoke with a passionate expression as he stared at Noah, half believing his student about his shocking words that were filled with arrogance.
He spoke of the possibilities is Noah really was able to live up to his words, obtaining the #1 spot as he passed the fourth and fifth round where only four beings remained.
Him, Athena, Grandmaster Light, and the Three-Eyed Fate Child. Just who would come out on top?
Would Noah really be able to stand against the powerful Special Existences?!
Chapter 458 - Two Battles, Different Results I
As their rest time came to a close, Noah and Athena went out of the floating Prime Warship and went toward the clear miles long arena where two beings calmly remained.
The onwatchers locked their eyes onto their figures as a bustle of discussions erupted on who they believed would take the title.
Most were looking at the eerie Three-Eyed Fate Child as the eventual winner, the way he passed through his matches being in an extremely domineering manner!
His expert use of the Law of Fate and Law of Spacetime was at such a level that even some of the veteran Grandmasters were threatened by this being's power.
Those that many were surprised by but expected them
to be the eventual losers were Athena and Crixus! The two beings had rocketed into the top four, but many believed this would be where their journey ends, the matches of the fourth round only allowing the Three-Eyed Fate Child and Grandmaster Light to continue forward to fight for the championship.
"Alright!"
Grandmaster Onillus appeared in the skies again as his voice echoed through the field, his gaze carefully looking at the four genius Celestials below him.
"The fourth round matches will be completed consecutively, with the fighting pairs occupying half of this field!"
RUMBLE!
Grandmaster Onillus waved his hands as he created a clear line that stretched for more than a mile, the expansive field being split in half as he pointed in one side, energy leaving his body as the White Crystals which chose the combatants shone on two genius Celestials' hands.
"On this field will be Fate Child and Athena."
His gaze was impassive as he listed a match that made Athena adopt a heavy expression, his hands waving to the other field as he continued.
"On this field will be Crixus and Light."
WAAAA!
The matches were decided as the crowd thrummed in excitement, their hearts looking forward to seeing the resplendent skills again.
RAA! RAA!
One could distinctly hear the loud bellows of an Emperor Penguin as he hiddenly supported his Master from the shadows, the eyes of the watching forces of the Dark Expanse shining as they looked forward to the results.
"You four are good seedlings, and will have no shortage of resources in the near future because of the ranks you have gained. But the winner will gain even more, so continue working hard, and get ready to start!"
Grandmaster Onillus waved his hands as the four combatants stepped into their respective fields.
Noah glanced at his opponent, the Special Existence that was born on a star made of light, a star that shattered the moment this being was born!
She was someone that was extremely proficient in the Laws of Fate and Light, and he had seen the domineering fashion that she used to straightforwardly release Fate and Light Essence to overwhelm her opponents.
He planned to show off the brilliance of Crixus even more with this battle, this time around planning on using the full amount of 18 Empyrean Guards he had available to him.
With 12 Empyrean Guards, he was adorned with a golden robe that released a resplendent thin protective shield along with a flail and a tower shield, as well as three rotating golden hammers that followed his thoughts.
RUMBLE!
He began summoning the full amount of Empyrean Guards as many Celestials looked forward with shocked eyes, not being able to believe that the skill they had been using all their lives could have such a difference in usage based on who was utilizing it.
12 Empyrean Guards! 18 Empyrean Guards!
OOOOH!
A burst of essence erupted out as the numerous Empyrean Guards all became streaks of light and attached to Noah, the newest form becoming clear in the eyes of all as one could only describe it in one word- Majestic!
Two pairs of golden wings erupted from his back, both of his hands holding shining weapons as one held an extremely sharp golden blade and the other held a glistening flail. Around his armored body, 6 golden hammers flowed freely around him, but they were accompanied by the enormous presence of 3 tower shields made of a thin film of light that circled Noah protectively on all sides!
He held two weapons in each hand to attack with, two pairs of wings for even more speed and versatility, another 6 weapons that were freely floating around listening to his commands, and three rotating tower shields to defend any attacks that came his way.
He looked like a moving golden tank that would not be taken down by even the most fearsome of attacks!
Grandmaster Light looked at this opponent as her calm eyes shone with splendor, summoning her pulsing blades of Fate and Light as she burst from her position and rushed towards Noah at once.
On the other field, Athena wasted no time as she used Empyrean Armament herself, knowing that many of the past opponents of the Three-Eyed Fate Child had lost in a matter of seconds as this being appeared from nowhere to finish the battle.
She planned to use her unique ability to predict the path of attacks of this opponent who was proficient in the Laws of Spacetime and Fate, the moment she got the rhythm of the attacks giving her a chance to counterattack herself!
RUMBLE!
Energy erupted out as two battles began on the separated fields of battle. The eyes of those watching were rapidly shifting from the four moving figures as they watched an array of abilities be put to use.
Elena was watching the ongoing battles with rapt attention when she received a message from the Dark Expanse, and this time it was directly from the Vampyre Ruler that oversaw much of the Archeon Clan!
The contents of the message were simple- more importance was being placed on the being called Noah, with the Archeon Clan needing daily briefs about his movements as they prepared for the future. Whether for good or bad, the spotlight shining on Noah was gradually opening up the interest of many beings, the eyes of the powerful Celestial Grandmasters that were watching also honing in as they watched the ecstatic battle prowess he continued to show when matched against other geniuses.
BOOM!
The two battles of separate fields began as other beings communicated and planned behind the scenes for the future, the winners of the fourth round not being clear!
Chapter 459 - Two Battles, Different Results II
RUMBLE!
Essence roiled in the field of battle as the first rounds of impacts occurred. The beings watching had their eyes locked on to the first exchange as for the first time in a while, the matches did not end with the first move.
When it came to Athena and the Three-Eyed Fate Child, the less experienced War Princess had somehow been able to foresee where the strike of the Special Existence would land as she smashed the hammers in her hands in a particular direction, and the hammers actually came in contact with the palm of the Special Existence that was about to clasp onto her fair neck!
In the battle between Noah and Grandmaster Light, the being made of pure light had summoned her golden and white blades, using pure fate and light essence to smash towards Noah's tanky exterior.
The three shields rotating around him absorbed the essence released, the damage being further mitigated once they passed through the thin barrier of light being given off by the armor he was adorned in.
At the same time, the six floating hammers followed his thoughts as they circled Grandmaster Light on all sides, his multiple pairs of wings flapping rapidly as his figure turned into a streak of light that continuously released attacks every time the being made of light dodged the rushing hammers!
Grandmaster Light finally had a serious expression as essence moved around her, Empyrean Guard and Empyrean Armament being activated, along with another ability.
[Holy Light]!
Her clear voice rang out for the first time as her body exploded with white light, the numerous hammers circling around her looking for a point of weakness being pushed back as this exuding and overpowering light continued.
BOOM!
At the same time, Noah felt the expansion of her domain as he released his own, the two of them clashing and canceling each other as his attacks towards her accelerated. He wanted to give her no time to adapt as he didn't want to show off too much of his power here.
[Smite of Liberation]!
OOOM
Numerous huge golden swords rushed from the clouds as they descended towards Grandmaster Light mercilessly, those watching being shocked to find these huge blades of liberation moving with their own will as even more weapons moving by themselves now attacked the defending Light.
In their field of battle, one could spectacularly see the movement of numerous golden hammers and swords around a defending Grandmaster Light, Noah himself moving expertly with a
flail and sword in hand to dominatingly take the pace of the battle!
In the other field, a surprised Three-Eyed Fate Child had his body begin to release on overpowering light that began folding the space around him, his hands moving eerily in various directions to grasp onto Athena.
The War Princess had her gaze locked onto the numerous movements as she used her unique ability to see their trajectory.
SHAA!
She dodged the dangerous hands coming for her as her mind had an epiphany at this moment, where she actually realized that her eyes were causing her reaction time to be slower as this being in front of her affected both time and space. She let out a deep breath as she trusted her instincts and shockingly...closed her eyes!
WAA!
Those watching their battle closely rose from their figurative seats as they saw the War Princess actually close her eyes in the middle of the battle, but they were shocked even more as they saw her movements had become even swifter thereafter as the dangerous hands of the Three-Eyed Fate Child were dodged with even more ease.
"What…"
"Genius! Truly genius!"
Many Grandmasters looked on with shining eyes as they observed these spectacular talents that would soon surpass them in strength, their gazes especially so favoring Athena and Crixus as they were actually able to stand against Special Existences.
Their titles of Noble Fates seemed to hold more true than the other two that were taken out in the first round, their rapid rise in strength that allowed them to actually be at the stage they were in currently being the most surprising event out of this entire tournament.
In the battle with the War Princess and the Three-Eyed Fate Child, the former was slowly giving the battle more gravity as his body shone with numerous colors, Athena only showing more battle prowess as she trusted her ability and senses, moving with closed eyes!
Noah continued his domineering usage of skills that allowed for him to lock down the powerful figure of Grandmaster Light who was glowing brilliantly while releasing numerous abilities from the Light Element.
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