20 : RainBow Ceremony

 The tension at the training grounds reached its peak as onlookers bristled with anticipation, expecting Eric to face reprimand for his perceived defiance. However, the unexpected entrance of the bald master, who had been training Crown Prince Ethan in the art of wielding the mace, shifted the dynamics of the situation.

He stormed onto the grounds, his voice booming and authoritative. "Clear out, all of you! Your loitering is soiling the grounds," he barked, his eyes sweeping over the crowd with a stern gaze.

Turning his attention to the ongoing confrontation, the bald master addressed Ethan. "Why are you concerning yourself with these trivial matters? The ground is clean, and the task is complete. Let the servant go. He's here for survival, not to challenge your authority."

The prince, taken aback by the master's intervention, hesitated. His expression was a mix of frustration and reluctance to concede.

"Fine," Ethan grumbled, addressing Eric with a warning tone. "Get out of my sight. If I see you again, you'll lose more than just your position."

Eric, understanding his place in the hierarchy, simply nodded and quickly left the training grounds, his departure unnoticed by the prince and the bald master, who were engaged in a heated discussion.

He made his way to the royal steed, where he diligently began the process of dismantling the chariot and caring for the horses. Methodically, he removed the ornaments and handed them over to the inventory head, who watched in silent admiration at Eric's efficiency and attention to detail.

With practiced hands, Eric cleaned and fed the horses, ensuring their comfort and well-being. His final task was to disassemble the chariot, each piece carefully placed back into storage. The inventory head, observing Eric's meticulous work, couldn't help but express his awe.

"You really got a skill in this, young man. Not many show such care and precision," he commented, offering Eric a nod of respect.

Eric nodded his head without showing any emotions. 

With his duties completed, Eric headed towards his shelter barracks, intending to catch up on some much-needed rest. However, as he neared the entrance of the servant shelters, a sudden commotion caught his attention.

A crowd had gathered around a notice board, their voices a blend of excitement and curiosity. Eric approached cautiously, intrigued by the unusual gathering.

"What's going on here?" he asked a nearby servant, who was craning her neck to get a better view of the notice.

"They've posted a new announcement, something about the upcoming Royal Arena competition," she replied, her eyes still fixed on the board.

Eric moved closer, weaving through the crowd to get a glimpse of the notice. The announcement detailed a competition exclusively for the core formation stage disciples of the royal sect, a rare opportunity for them to showcase their skills and talents to earn great rewards.

Whispers and speculations rippled through the crowd, each servant pondering the possibilities of Clark clan winning this year's competition.

The excitement in the air was palpable as Eric approached closer to the crowd gathered around the notice board. The buzz of conversation filled the space around the servant quarters, each voice adding to the growing anticipation.

The announcement posted was not just any ordinary decree; it was about the prestigious competition of the Royal Arena, conducted by the Seventh Realm.

"This is it! The competition the crown prince was waiting for," one of the onlookers murmured, his eyes scanning the notice with keen interest.

Eric observed the notice, absorbing every word. The Clark clan had faced a century of disappointment in this competition, failing to produce a single champion. This long history of defeat had turned this event into a matter of pride and expectation for the entire clan, and every subsequent competition year became a chance to redeem their honor.

Another servant, his voice laced with a mix of hope and skepticism, added, "Every year, we place our hopes on this. Maybe this time, with the crown prince himself participating, things will be different."

The Vinci sect's earlier warning in the spirit forest echoed in Eric's mind as he read the announcement. The competition was more than a mere contest; it was a battleground for prestige and resources, with the outcomes influencing the allocation of resources among the sects of the Seventh Realm.

"The Vinci sect got five spots this time," a young servant said, shaking his head. "Only two for us. It's going to be a tough competition."

The competition is going to last for two weeks, drawing in more than a hundred sects vying for the top ten positions. The importance of the event was unquestionable, its impact resonating across the realm.

As Eric's eyes moved over the rewards listed for the winners, one particular prize caught his attention – the top two positions in the Arena would qualify for the Seventh Realm's most prestigious Rainbow Ceremony. The significance of this reward was not lost on him; it was an opportunity that could change the course of a cultivator's path.

But he is not thinking about the ceremony. His thoughts lingered on the host of Rainbow Ceremony.

Around him, the discussions continued, each servant speculating about the possible outcomes and the participants. Eric, however, was lost in his thoughts, the announcement igniting a flicker of possibility in his mind.

He walked back to his dormitory, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. Lying on his bed, he stared up at the ceiling, contemplating the opportunity before him. Participating in the Royal Arena could be a turning point, not just for his own journey, but potentially for the Clark clan as well.

The room around him was quiet, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and strategies. The prospect of entering the competition presented risks, but it also offered a chance at something greater – a step towards achieving a goal that had eluded the Clark clan for generations.

As the evening light faded into the darkness of night, Eric lay there, considering his options. The decision to enter the Royal Arena was not one to be taken lightly. It required not only skill and strength but also the courage to face formidable opponents, and perhaps, to change the course of history for the Clark clan.

*He is not thinking about participating directly. He just want someone to participate in it which you will read in the next chapter.