Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 464: Avalanche City

The candidates followed Zelsh’s example and all bowed. “Greetings, King Jeerda.”

Smiling softly, Jeerda nodded and motioned for them all to stand up straight. “Thank you for coming to join our unique qualifier. You’re the fourth region to arrive and I’m glad you have enough time to acclimate to our city. Had you arrived too late, you’d likely lose the ability to compete.”

“I haven’t explained everything to them just yet,” remarked Zelsh. “I felt that explaining while we traversed the city would be best, so they could feel the difference for themselves.”

“That’s understandable. Either way, I’m glad to see more promising youths arrive to participate. And I’m very much looking forward to what you’ll achieve during our qualifier.”

Jeerda’s gaze scanned over the many youths but lingered on Oli for a few extra moments. “... Hm, interesting. Zelsh, are you trying to pull some shenanigans again?”

“No. I have my reasons for choosing him,” answered Zelsh. “If anything, consider Oliver here as my personal pupil. He’s the one I have picked to go all the way to the top of the Mortal Championship.”

Sensing the resolve in Zelsh’s voice, Jeerda didn’t say more on the subject. She just stared at Oli for a moment longer. “I look forward to seeing that... Again, thank you for coming. Zelsh, I assume you won’t-”

.....

“Correct. We don’t need the escort.”

“As casual as ever. Very well. I wish you all the best of luck.” Bowing her head, Jeerda turned to leave. “I’ll see you all come time for the qualifier. Make sure to adjust yourselves properly and don’t force yourselves too harshly.”

Jeerda left the enclosed courtyard and didn’t look back.

Zelsh waited till she was gone to start leading his candidates away. Now, as they walked through various hallways, everyone was able to better appreciate the palace they had arrived in. It seemed to be built from eternal ice. Depending on what angle you looked from, the bricks could look white as snow or glacial blue.

All the passersby of the palace gave Zelsh brief bows as the group gradually made their way through the enormous icy palace. They soon exited into the vast courtyard separating the palace from the outer gate.

“Take a look at the sky. What do you see?”

Hearing Zelsh’s question, everyone looked up. And they were all amazed by what they saw, making them shiver even more out of reflex.

“Is... Is that a blizzard?” Freele asked.

Nodding, Zelsh answered, “That’s right. Avalanche city is surrounded by blizzards all days of the year. But there’s a formation shielding the city from the harsh winds and snow. That’s how it’s freezing cold here yet there’s no unwanted snow or ice on the ground. This way the city can function and adapt just fine.”

“What’s so special about acclimating?” Oli asked, knowing that Zelsh was hiding something thanks to Jeerda’s statement earlier.

Sighing, Zelsh stopped a few krin away from the palace’s main gate. “Alright, listen up. It’s time I inform you of a couple things. Oliver’s right. There’s something important to acclimating despite the city’s protective formation. That’s because the first round of the qualifier will take place outside of the barrier, and there have been multiple occasions where entire teams don’t survive the harsh weather, let alone the actual competition.”

Everyone stared back at Zelsh like he was a madman.

But Zelsh continued, unfazed, “That’s why it’s not rare to create a team like ours. Most of you know each other and you all trust the abilities of your team leader. Trust in Oliver and work together. Do that and you’ll survive the first round and move on.”

Raising his hand, Oli asked, “I thought the tournament was all about fighting abilities. Why does this sound like it’s not even a team battle?”

“Your perspective of the Mortal Championship is all wrong,” Zelsh sighed. “I told you already. Consider every step of the Mortal Championship as an opportunity to push yourself and grow. That’s in part because every qualifier will have a ‘non-combat’ phase to test the mortal candidates. And the first round of the Quadrant Finals is no different. If you take advantage of those experiences, then you’ll grow immensely. Even though most of you won’t be able to move on to the Prefecture Qualifier, you’ll still leave Avalanche City with great boons and buffs to your cultivation. So take your time acclimating until you can casually move and function as you can back home, and that means without the use of fire essence.

“Now, for the other important matter. You all saw me turn down the province’s escort to our reserved inn.” Zelsh continued, “I did that because I want you all to remain humble. Accepting that escort means the entire city would know who you are and why you’re here. But I’d rather you experience the city like a common cultivator without any preferential treatment. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” most of them replied in unison while Oli nodded.

Zelsh smiled again. “Good. Now, take this, each of you.”

Six medallions appeared in Zelsh’s hand. He held them out for everyone to take one. “This proves that you represent Rot Region. Use it only during emergencies and when the circumstances demand it. Otherwise, you’re to act like average cultivators without relying on my name and reputation. Understood? Good! Now, let’s get out of here and find our inn.”

The group followed their leader through the palace gates and began the walk into the city.

As they went deeper into the crowded streets, the number of glances and stares they received decreased. They walked for over an hour until the palace was in the far distance and the group was at the center of the enormous city. Everyone’s eyes were attracted to the countless booths and stores filling the central market, but Zelsh steered them away. For another half hour, they walked west and entered the most rural part of the city.

Zelsh finally approached a one-story inn. Even for the rural district it looked like the cheapest place to stay. Despite not being the smallest inn, there was nothing eye-catching at all. There wasn’t even a fully functional sign hanging by the door, just a faded, broken sign missing most of its letters.