Solar Blood Masters

Over FOUR HUNDRED figures stood shoulder-to-shoulder upon a Skybridge Dais. It was a massive, circular platform, hovering amidst the azure skies above Black Wind territory. Rainbow-colored winds danced around them.

The Great Divine Tribulation had arrived.

"Mighty champions!"

Elder Feng Huo's sharp gaze surveyed those before him, those who'd endured the Selection Trial and earned the right to participate in Yama Yaguai's grandest event, "You stand upon the precipice of destiny! Before you lies a path fraught with peril, but also one that promises unimaginable rewards!"

"Indeed!" Elder Lei Lang added. "You have proven yourselves worthy, for those who stand before us you are Black Wind's chosen!

Now go! Fight with valor, for Black Wind! For glory! And for the Void Emperor's blessing!"

His words ignited a fiery enthusiasm that caused the creatures on the Skybridge Dais to roar back with a unified might.

"BLACK WIND!"

"BLACK WIND!"

"BLACK WIND!"

Amidst the cheering throng, four figures stood together.

Raphael's golden hide radiating confidence, Lu Jade in his slender emerald form, the ancient and imposing Thienika leaning upon her staff, and Qi Fenwei, dusting off spittle from her amethyst armor.

This was their team!

Their destinies intertwined, they were ready to face the challenges ahead. But within their shared gaze, a unspoken truth also flickered, 'This could be our last moments together.'

BOOM!

The elders activated the 'Skybridge Dais'. Its runic engravings glowed, and the platform was enveloped in a blinding white light.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

Then, they were gone.

…

The elders hovered above the now empty Skybridge Dais. A profound silence had settled over the venue, not only here, but also across Black Wind.

"They've all gone…" Elder Feng Huo said.

"It seems all of Yama Yaguai has gathered to witness this event, even the trees have sent roots to that place." Elder Lei Lang laughed softly, "Well, let's hope for a good show, my friend."

With a final nod, they too vanished.

…

WHOOSH!

FLASH!

FLASH!

FLASH!

FLASH!

Countless beams of light pierced the sky above a desolate desert landscape.

They descended, each one materializing a creature upon multiple platforms. These platforms were circular and constructed from a variety of materials.

Raphael materialized with a jolt.

"Woah! What's…!"

He was surrounded by a vast expanse of red sand dunes that stretched as far as the eye could see. It felt hot. Even the air tasted dusty and parched.

And in the distance…

"Those are…?"

Massive, imposing tornadoes of sand spiraled dangerously. It was a sight that made him feel small and insignificant.

"We're in the Desolate Huang territory, Big Brother. Thissss is Red Ant Emperor Lala Zhen'sss domain." Lu Jade, who was coiled on Raphael's horn, explained with a hint of awe. "And those are 'Sandnados'. They're dangerous. One touch could strip your flesh from your bones."

"Sandnados?" Raphael was baffled.

QI Fenwei gestured with an annoyed huff. "Look! THAT'S our destination!"

Raphael's gaze followed.

He saw it!

It towered into the clouds, easily a thousand meters tall, crafted from those very grains of sands they stood upon, yet those grains, they weren't ordinary, rather they resembled gold dusts.

It was the Grand Ant Mound!

The structure itself was as majestic as any palace Raphael had seen, but what truly made it imposing was those details. It had thousands upon thousands of intricate tunnels and openings that extended outwards and inwards. These radiated an energy that had his very core shaking, for it seemed that wasn't merely a home, rather it was an extension of the very soul who'd crafted it.

This was the venue for the Great Divine Tribulation, an ant's domain!

He then noticed eight other large platforms aside from the one he was standing on. Each one hosted a diverse array of creatures who were just as awestruck by their surroundings.

They were the contestants!

Some were whispering nervously while others puffed out their chest. A few were even glaring at each other, sizing up their potential rivals as they waited anxiously for the event to begin.

Suddenly…

"Huh?"

Raphael's platform began moving. It glided effortlessly through the air while avoiding the massive Sandnados. He was amazed. "We're flying…?"

It wasn't simply their platform.

The other platforms were also moving!

They were all heading towards the Grand Ant Mound!

WHOOSH!

"Hold on tight! It'sss about to get bumpy!" Lu Jade coiled tighter.

Their platform reached an enormous entrance into the side of the Grand Ant Mound. It was an opening so wide, a spaceship could easily pass through.

"Look! Those banners!"

As they flew through the tunnel, a breathtaking sight had them gasping. They were now within a colossal, dome-shaped arena, but what truly caught Raphael's attention was the crowd.

Millions upon millions of creatures occupied the stands that encircled that vast space!

A magnificent rainbow of colors and sounds greeted them, even the air itself vibrated with a primal energy that made him shiver!

"This is…"

He'd never witnessed anything like this before. Even the grandeur of Qi Hawk's 'Feathered Nest Gala' paled in comparison.

"Welcome, challengers, to the Grand Mound Arena!"

A booming voice echoed across the expanse, causing the crowd to roar even louder.

"They're HERE!"

"Let the GAMES BEGIN!"

"The BULL! That damned BULL who humiliated Gastaroid!"

"He's cute!"

"I want his hide!"

"And those Scorpions looks dangerous!"

"That's MY line, insect! Get your mandibles out of my face!"

A cacophony of cheers, jeers, threats, and even a few marriage proposals permeated. It was an exhilarating blend of chaos and anticipation.

Those who'd already entered were being showcased on massive screens suspended above the arena. Their names were announced. Those favored by the crowd received a thunderous welcome while those less popular were greeted with boos and jeers.

Raphael swallowed hard.

"Eighteen million… There are at least EIGHTEEN MILLION creatures here!" He'd never experienced anything like this. His hooves trembled as a wave of nervousness washed over him.

He noticed some of the other participants were smiling and waving at the crowd.

"Should… Should I also…?"

His hoof twitched, then with a hesitant gesture…

He waved!

"ROAR! That's the bull! My Champion!"

"Go BULL! We're rooting for YOU!"

"Crush Gastaroid! Rip his horns OFF!"

The crowd erupted. The noise was deafening!

Raphael's eyes widened. He was stunned by their enthusiasm! His fear vanished instantly and a grin spread across his muzzle. This was incredible!

He waved again, this time higher.

"WOOOOOOO!"

The crowd went wild!

In that moment, Raphael was the STAR of his world! Such happiness. Such joy!

He'd never felt so… free!

…

WHOOSH!

Nine platforms representing the nine major territories, lined up, forming a perfect orbit around a grander platform at the arena's center.

At the center, stood Emperor Lala Zhen. He was a colossal red ant, with mandibles the size of small trees, a terrifying yet strangely endearing sight. He held a magnificent red-yellow banner that swayed gently. it depicted ancient glyphs that illuminated the space around him with a faint, golden glow.

"WELCOME, mighty warriors! Glorious spectators! Honored guests!"

His voice amplified by a thousand fold, reverberated throughout the Grand Mound Arena and those lands beyond, causing even the skies above to tremble with his authority!

The crowd erupted with deafening cheers.

"LALA ZHEN!"

"LALA ZHEN!"

"LALA ZHEN!"

He raised a claw, silencing them instantly before commencing with his speech that had every ant, insect, beast and even the dust within that stadium dancing.

"Every TEN THOUSAND YEARS we've gathered within these hallowed grounds to witness an event that transcends mortal comprehension, the very struggle for survival that those who crawled, or slithered or even those whose wings carried them across the starry sky know so well! An event we've come to call…" He paused.

"…The GREAT DIVINE TRIBULATION!"

The moment those words were spoken, a blinding light engulfed him as the crowd roared thunderously. It was a sound that could rival a thousand colliding stars in its magnificence.

"Such a wonderful reception. It truly warms this ancient heart of mine, ahaa!" Lala Zhen laughed joyously and then waited patiently for their enthusiasm to dissipate.

"The origins of this event began a million years ago at Void Emperor's Sindoll's decree. Those who survived that first clash were granted gifts that could make even the most fragile become Gods. Truly treasures from the heavens above!

However, that first trial was different. Instead of those who'd earned the title Calamity participating, it was rather the weakest of our ilk, mere children of Buddhist Pill Stage.

And they fought each other to death for a chance to ascend, for the gifts Void Emperor Sindoll granted that day had no price, only tears of those who perished in their desperate efforts. Such a sight, it saddened even the mountains!"

His voice, now softened with a solemn reverence had everyone listening intently.

Raphael shivered. This was indeed a wondrous tale.

Lala Zhen's speech continued:

"The victor, of that first Trial was a creature whose might and ruthlessness could make even the stars themselves quiver. It was a human with a heart that burned brighter than even my flames! He was truly a terror."

"A Human?!" Raphael was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. A human had won that first trial?! That story had never been mentioned in the Sagewood Script, surely the ancient texts would have included such a momentous event. Perhaps this was an exaggeration to fuel the crowd's excitement.

He wasn't alone in his disbelief.

"Huh, a human, I never would have considered it possible!" Qi Fenwei was also intrigued by the story.

"Humans are pathetic weaklings. How could one of their ilk even fathom winning such a prestigious trial…?" Lu Jade hissed quietly.

Even Thienika had her gaze fixated intently, she was savoring every word of this story.

"That human! His name was… Kong Bai!" Lala Zhen's massive mandibles extended towards the very heavens above as he shouted, "The last time I saw him… He was an Emperor Calamity! A second layer no less!"

An image of a massive glowing man of pure white with wings of fire were projected on the massive screens for all to behold…

"Truly something!"

"A human has reached those heights!?"

"Amazing!"

Everyone in the arena applauded!

Even those whose hearts hated humans, those whose very soul trembled at their touch, couldn't deny Kong Bai's strength, for he was truly a legend! The first man to have conquered Yama Yaguai.