Solar Blood Masters

The open-air venue buzzed with excitement as 500 creatures, representing the cream of Black Wind's warriors, assembled on a massive platform.

They stood in an orderly manner: soaring birds, lumbering beasts, and skittering insects. They showcased a kaleidoscope of colors and sizes.

The Race of Ten Thousand Souls was over, and the time had come for rewards to be handed out.

Elder Feng Huo and Elder Lei Lang hovered before the participants. Their magnificent white feathers ruffled in the gentle breeze.

"Mighty contestants! Venerable spectators!" Elder Feng Huo's booming voice resounded through the venue.

"We gather here today to celebrate those whose courage, whose cunning, whose sheer tenacity, has brought them victory in the Race of Ten Thousand Souls! And for those who've come to support, those voices that cheered and jeered, we the Elders of Black Wind, also extends our gratitude, for without your presence, this culmination of destinies wouldn't have been possible."

His companion, Elder Lei Lang continued, "To those who have fallen, we offer our condolences. Their sacrifices… will not be forgotten. But for those standing here today, before us, YOU have proven worthy! YOUR Solar Essences are potent! YOUR ambitions burn bright! AND YOUR names shall be etched upon the celestial monument of Black Wind, for all to gaze upon with reverence!"

His words were met with a thunderous roar of applause.

"Black Wind!"

"Black Wind!"

"Black Wind!"

The chants were fueled by a collective excitement and the joy that comes with witnessing dreams, ambition and hopes colliding.

Amidst the cheering throng, Lu Jade anxiously scanned those 500 contestants assembled. His gaze darted from one imposing form to another. He searched desperately.

"Where is he…?" His tiny heart pounded with worry, for his brother, the one who had rescued him from his sister's wrath, was nowhere to be seen.

…

"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Elder Feng Huo silenced the crowd and unfurled a massive scroll. Intricate runes danced across its surface.

"The results are tallied! Every soul claimed, every challenge surmounted! And those bonus points, they've been awarded with fairness!"

BOOM!

As if his words were a catalyst, a large scoreboard materialized. It hovered in mid-air, showcasing the names of the 500 participants.

They were listed in ascending order, starting from the contestant with the lowest points to the highest. But the top ten… they'd not yet been revealed.

The anticipation was as tangible as the wind that carried their hopes, their dreams.

"I'm…undoubtedly…number ONE!" Gastaroid's booming voice resounded with those droplets of lava hitting the platform below, and the flames from his arms burned with arrogance.

His declaration was met with nods and grudging silence.

Even Pincer and Clamper who'd witnessed him crushing everyone who dared to challenge his authority back then, knew there was no disputing that fact.

He was the first to arrive, they'd seen it! His power was evident in every charred husk that lay near the finish line!

"He is a monster! But… Brother!" Clamper remembered Raphael. "That bull back there. Perhaps… we were fools to abandon him."

His brother simply responded, "It's his fault we're not among the TOP TEN! That arrogance! He'd have us ALL killed, if we'd stayed. Now silence. I want to see those who bested us!"

Finally, the moment arrived.

"In TENTH place…!" Elder Lei Lang spoke, and the scoreboard shifted. It began revealing the names.

"Stone Tortoise - 252 Points!"

A colossal tortoise with moss-covered shell shuffled to the front with a humble, but victorious nod that had many creatures shaking their head, some with whispers of "Tsk! I should have…"

"In NINTH place…!"

"Skyfire Cheetah – 278 Points!"

A magnificent, slender cheetah with golden flames dancing across its fur, purred with delight as it landed on the platform with a grace that had many admiring its speed, surely it had been the fastest among them.

And the list continued…

"In EIGHTH place…!"

"Azure Winged Serpent – 281 Points!"

"In SEVENTH place…!"

"Jade Horn Rhino - 296 Points!"

"In SIXTH place…!"

"Crimson Claw Mantis – 311 Points!"

"In FIFTH place…!"

"Golden Eagle – 353 Points!"

"In FOURTH place…!"

"Shadow Panther - 389 Points!"

As those names were revealed, one after the other, the creatures stepped forward with pride and exhaustion. They had endured! Those battles they fought, those risks taken, it was all worth it now.

"In THIRD place…" The tension now was palpable. Even Emperor Qi Hawk straightened his form, he was gazing at the scoreboard, wondering if his selection this year would bring him victory or humiliating defeat at the upcoming Grand Divine Tribulation.

"…Lightning Serpent – 417 Points!"

From the shivering crowds below, a massive, blue snake with streaks of lightning that crackled across its body slithered forward with a victorious snort.

Its arrival was met with cheers!

But then…

"In SECOND place…" Elder Feng Huo paused for a moment.

A hush fell once more as the name that appeared on the scoreboard was so bold, so outrageous that the entire venue began buzzing, and not with those wings of excitement, but confusion.

"…GOLDEN BULL THORK – 637 points!"

"WHAT?!"

"It's… It's IMPOSSIBLE!"

"How could HE be SECOND place?"

"That BULL! I saw him fall! And besides… those hooves, they never crossed that finish line!"

This pronouncements, they weren't simply disbelief, for many of those who'd been desperately struggling to get past that Bull Mountain Demon, they'd seen Raphael's demise. They'd witnessed it with their own eyes!

Even Gastaroid who was enjoying his moment of guaranteed victory, his smile vanished!

"How DARE that Bull…! HE… He's cheating! He… He never crossed! FIX THIS, you damn ELDERS! Or are YOU being PAID by Emperor Qi Hawk to commit such blatant favoritism?!

Your EYES are as dim as your pathetic Emperor's heart, for he…"

"SILENCE!"

BOOM!

His accusation was cut short by a terrifying blast of energy! Elder Feng Huo and Elder Lei Lang who were both at peak Nightmare Calamity, unleashed their potent auras!

"You DISGRACEFUL… BULL MOUNTAIN DEMON! Do you think you can insult our EMPEROR with those pathetic lies and ridiculous pronouncements! You're lucky you are even breathing in our territory! Control your tongue, BEFORE we RIP IT OUT!"

"Your pitiful insults…" Lei Lang's glare had even the bravest beast cowering. Gastaroid was no exception, those flames on his head sputtered.

After that rebellious bull had been silenced, Elder Feng Huo straightened his robe. He then addressed the dumbfounded crowd.

"The Golden Bull Thork… is indeed the SECOND place contender! There is no mistake, and those who dare question the validity of our observations, and that of Emperor Qi Hawk… they shall meet a fate far worse than those insects that were crushed earlier. NOW! BE SILENT!"

He then gestured towards the empty second-place platform, "Step forward!"

From the crowd, a shadowy figure shuffled to the front.

"Huh? That's… not the bull."

"It's… a Shadow Bat?"

"This is madness!"

On the platform, a creature with a bloated red belly hovered gracefully. It was Bat Major Buzzer!

"What… is that thing?" Those who didn't recognize it were truly baffled. They'd never seen anything like it, but Lu Jade who watched from above, his scales were now shining! He was so relieved.

"Big Brother, you did it! Hahaha!" He couldn't contain his excitement. He turned to Thienika. "That's… that's…"

"I know. A Shadow Bat. Truly cunning." Her words had a tinge of amusement. That bull, he was full of surprises.

Suddenly…

"Oh… no way!"

The shadow bat dissolved!

It melted into a black pool that spread across the platform.

And then, from the heart of that darkness…

A majestic golden figure materialized.

It was Raphael!

"That bull…" Even Qi Fenwei was stunned.

Raphael glanced towards the audience, his bloodshot eyes surveyed them. He then let out a roar that shook the venue.

"ROAR!"

A chaotic energy was unleashed which scattered their doubts and whispers. He was a Golden Bull Thork! And he'd earned second place!

A short while later, as the shock subsided, Elder Lei Lang cleared his throat and announced:

"And now… for FIRST PLACE! Bull Mountain Demon – Gastaroid. With a total of THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED and NINETY EIGHT points! A new RECORD!"

Gastaroid landed heavily upon the first place platform. He grunted but his molten eyes were fixated upon Raphael, burning with an intensity that had even those bravest warriors taking a step back.

He wouldn't forget this humiliation!

His plans were already forming!

Next, the moment arrived. 500 gold-plated invitations materialized before the winners. These were their 'Passes' to the Great Divine Tribulation, artifacts of immense value, imbued with the Void Emperor's essence.

As the invitations were handed out, a frenzy of cheers and congratulations had many buzzing their praises while others wept in joy. Such was the beauty of this momentous occasion.

Those tears wouldn't last though. Those that didn't succeed would carry a bitter memory.

Gastaroid who was eager to get away from those irritating reminders that his dominance wasn't absolute in this realm, flew off with a frustrated roar, "This… It isn't… over, BULL!"

"He's eager to flee, I see." Qi Hawk glanced at Julian, "Ringtail, don't you have a mountain to return to? Don't you have those beautiful maidens waiting? You've already enjoyed the show you came for, it's best you leave."

"Hmmm, not yet. I have time. Besides, don't the ancient ones advocate for the bonding of brothers? Why would I leave my 'Brother' behind in this time of peace and celebration, surely, you understand, no?"

Julian had moved closer now, he was practically leaning on Qi Hawk, attempting to nuzzle his head.

"Get… OFF!"

Qi Hawk swatted his face with a feathered arm, then rose from his throne.

"The Selection Trials are now officially over!" His announcement had the crowd erupting.

And with a final, booming flap of his majestic wings, he vanished, taking his daughter and the Elders along with him, leaving the newly ascended champions to enjoy their moment of glory, or lament their losses.

The stage was set for the true event, the grandest competition of Yama Yaguai—

The Great Divine Tribulation!