Chapter 53: A Silent Battlefield

furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, Elder Lili focused back on them, even now, as they stood in front of her, she couldn't sense their cultivation level. But isn't she a genuine Gold Core Cultivator? Previously she could sense their cultivation at the foundation establishment phase but now, nothing.

They did however mention a Dual cultivation technique which was the cause of their appearance becoming more... endowed so it's possible this is why. But she still held her suspicions they weren't being sincere.

Elder Lili leaned forward, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Besides that, I called you not just to question you but about a more recent event".

Jun leaned forward, his curiosity piqued" Is it something having to do with the Silent Battlefield game".

A slow nod from Elder Lili confirmed his suspicion. "I see Yuling has been talking. Yes, the Silent Battlefield is precisely why we're here. But there's more." She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle. "Our sect has undergone a monumental change. Thanks to the sect master's ascension to Purple Palace Realm, we've been accepted as a 7-star sect".

Jun's eyes widened, mirroring his Dao companion's surprise.

"Our elevation to a 7-star sect isn't just a title—it's been officially recognized by the Heaven's Eternal Alliance. This means access to more resources," Elder Lili began, locking eyes with both of them to underscore her next words. "But it also means we shoulder greater responsibilities. That's the real reason I've called you here."

Jun furrowed his brow, piecing together the implications. "So are they the ones hosting this Silent Battlefield game?"

Elder Lili's smirk was tinged with approval. "Very sharp, Jun. Yes, they're behind the event. The Heaven's Eternal Alliance isn't just generous without cause. They champion the growth of sects and cities, true, but their support comes at a price. Each year, they organize the Silent Battlefield games as a... let's call it a competitive arena for allocating their resources."

Furrowing her eyebrows, Yinling asked, "How come I've never heard of this event, shouldn't an event of this magnitude involve everyone?" 

Shaking her head, Eldler Lili spoke "You may think so, but this only applies to 7-star sects or above, everyone else below is exempt from this since event being they are still developing according to Heaven's eternal alliance"

Yinling's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. "I see... That explains why it's all new to me," she said, her voice a blend of realization and a hint of apprehension. "So, this means the promotion to a 7-star sect requires the Scarlet Sect to participate in these games, doesn't it?" The uncertainty in her tone mirrored the gravity of the revelation.

Elder Lili noticed the shift in Yinling's demeanor, her brows knitting together in a mix of concern and curiosity. "You seem troubled by this, Yinling. What's on your mind?" Her voice softened, inviting trust and an open heart.

Yinling knew she couldn't speak of her suspicions of Heaven's eternal alliance with Elder Lili. The Alliance was revered, nearly worshipped, by many around her, and the sect's recent promotion by them had only inflated that adoration. Voicing her skepticism could alienate her and JUn from the sect's leadership and her peers. It was a risk she wasn't ready to take, not when the euphoria of their new status clouded everyone's judgment.

With a forced smile, she attempted to mask her unease. "Oh, it's nothing, really. I'm just... a bit taken aback that you'd consider us for the competition, especially since we're still navigating our way through the foundation establishment realm." Her smile, though gentle, couldn't fully hide the flicker of concern in her eyes.

"Oh, this?" Elder Lili spoke surprised "You don't need to worry about that, you see... the Silent battlefield games are quite special" Elder Lili smirked.

"These games fundamentally break away from the traditional one-on-one duels that dominate most realms. You're familiar with how typical competitions unfold—fighters pair off until one emerges victorious. However, the Heaven's Eternal Alliance contends that such formats fail to truly test a participant's skill and adaptability. In response, they've crafted an entirely new kind of event."

Elder Lili adjusted her position, her voice taking on a note of seriousness. "In these games, your cultivation level is irrelevant. What truly counts is your capacity to adapt and overcome challenges. Every participant has their cultivation suppressed, starting from ground zero—no cultivation at all."

A flicker of intrigue crossed Jun's face. "No cultivation? So, when you say everyone starts at the same level, does that imply there are methods to gain power throughout the event?"

Elder Lili's smirk broadened, her eyes gleaming with the intrigue of the games. "Exactly. However, the powers you can gain are confined to the body-tempering realm. This limitation ensures that disparities among competitors remain manageable. Advancing is straightforward but challenging—you must defeat an opponent, compelling them to surrender. They'll activate a token to signify their defeat, which, in turn, elevates your standing by one level."

Hearing Elder Lili speak this, Juns felt his mind rattled, where was the simple competition on 1v1 that he was expecting, although it sounded interesting, who knew what dangers could lurk here? But this still didn't answer the question in his mind.

"Sorry for interrupting but..." Jun interjected, causing both Yinling and Elder Lili to turn to him "Why exactly is it called the silent battlefield, nothing about it screams silent"

Elder Lili paused, a shadow of reluctance crossing her face. The truth behind the name was something she herself had struggled to come to terms with upon discovering it.

"The name," she began, her voice lower, "isn't just a title. It's a stark description. In this game, silence is your ally and your curse. Participants find themselves in a situation where making noise isn't against the rules—it's far more dire. It's about survival. The silence is born from the fear of attracting death itself."

Saying this caused the atmosphere in the room to become heavy "This fear... it stems from the presence of creatures within the battlefield. Creatures remarkably attuned to sound, each possessing the strength comparable to someone in the early stages of foundation establishment. They will relentlessly pursue any sound, any whisper of life."

"Well, hearing that doesn't exactly fill me with the urge to sign up," Jun quipped, his smile tinged with nerves.

Although to an average cultivator, this may sound like nightmare fuel, to him, this seemed like a walk in the park. Isn't his body tempering 1st level comparable to a core formation cultivator? Or is he underestimating this?

Raising her voice a little, Yinling asked "That being said, how do you even fight if you can't even make noise?!" 

"That is for you to find out, I'm afraid I can't share this many details with you, this is what makes these games special, they show who is truly the strongest in the younger generation"

Jun furrowed his brow, his question laced with skepticism. "But doesn't HEA promote development and prosperity, why endorse such a ruthless event? Wouldn't a traditional competition serve their purpose better?"

Elder Lili's demeanor shifted, a frost creeping into her expression. "I would urge you to refrain from casting aspersions on their methods," she said, her voice gaining an edge. "Remember, each participant holds a token—a lifeline. Opting to use it means bowing out of the contest, saving their lives but also forfeiting any claim to the rewards."

Jun's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden change in Elder Lili's tone. Had his question really warranted such a defensive response? All he had done was question the logic behind the HEA's preference for such an extreme form of competition.

"I wasn't bad-mouthing them, I was merely asking why they seem to prefer this over the more simple approach" 

Elder Lili's gaze sharpened as she fixed Jun with a stare that felt like it could pierce through steel. "And you? What contributions have you made to the world? The HEA has been a beacon of hope for humanity, standing by its side through millennia, even at its lowest. What right do you have to question their methods when your own achievements are yet to be seen?"

Damn, did he make the wrong choice joining this sect, what is this woman on about? 

"I haven't claimed to have achieved anything noteworthy," Jun responded, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "But that doesn't mean I can't ask questions right?"

Elder Lili leaned back, her hands pressing down on the armrests as if bracing herself. "I believe we've covered enough ground for today," she said, her voice cooling to a dismissive tone. "In three days, you will participate in the games. That's all. You may leave now." With a final gesture towards the door, Elder Lili signaled the end of the conversation.

Jun opened his mouth to protest, but the icy warning in Elder Lili's glare silenced him. With a resigned sigh, he motioned for Yinling to follow, the heavy door closing behind them with a definitive thud.

Their footsteps echoed in a tacit agreement of silence as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors, descending staircases wrapped in shadows, until they reached the familiar solace of their room. Collapsing onto the couch, the day's weight seemed to crush the air itself.

"Jun... you shouldn't have asked that" Yinling finally broke the silence, her voice a mix of concern and reproof.

Frustration bubbled in Jun's response, "How was I supposed to know she's a boot licker" He shook his head, a mix of anger and disbelief in his tone. "Let's just leave. they certainly can't stop us"

[Ding! New mission available, please view for more information]

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