Solar Blood Masters

Raphael stood there craning his head upwards as he look at all those powerful rulers of Yama Yaguai. He felt a burning sensation in his chest. It was a primal fear he'd thought he'd overcome.

'These are the rulers of Yama Yaguai, the apex predators.'

He watched as those beings of ancient power exchanged greetings. Their words were barely audible, but their Solar Essences radiated in waves that made his hooves tremble.

He then recalled his earlier encounter with Lu Ignis, that moment of utter helplessness within the 'Scorching Veil Domain' and a grim reminder that he was still at the bottom, a mere 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity.

Raphael was pulled back to the present when he heard a loud voice:

"Greetings, honored guests! Mighty contenders! I welcome you all to the 108th Great Divine Tribulation!"

Above the central platform, a large black ant with mandibles larger than Raphael's horns, hovered effortlessly. He wore golden armor that reflected the blinding sunlight, and in his grasp, he held a staff of black metal.

This was Muburt, Emperor Lala Zhen's right hand, the director of the Great Divine Tribulation.

"Now then, before we commence. Let me say a few words…" He coughed. "Every ten thousand years, we gather within this sacred arena, to witness an event unlike any other, where the strongest, most cunning and tenacious amongst us, those who've carved their paths with a will that cannot be broken, will clash!"

The crowd roared.

"Boboboboho! This speech is truly captivating!" Julian Ringtail laughed.

"Such dedication! This is what I call an event! Hmmm, do you think he'll mention me? Surely, an ant knows my deeds, right?" He whispered eagerly, but Qi Hawk just gave him a bored stare.

"Now then…" Lala Zhen, pleased with his assistant's skills, decided it was time to formally begin the event. He gestured towards Muburt, "I, Emperor Lala Zhen, formally hand over control to Muburt." He extended his banner.

"This banner represents MY authority! Muburt will be overseeing the Great Divine Tribulation!"

His declaration was met with the clicking of countless mandibles and bows of subservience from the ant denizens that occupied most of the stadium. It would appear as if their loyalty was absolute, a truly terrifying magnificent thing to witness.

"As you command." Muburt bowed respectfully before taking the banner.

Then, Lala Zhen flew to the top, where those majestic beings awaited, "My friends, my enemies, my equals. it's been a while."

"Indeed."

"That ant is growing stronger each millennia, I've noticed."

"So rude!"

He ignored them and chose an empty spot between Anakin Vader, whose very presence had him shivering, and Qi Hawk, who looked bored. He settled comfortably.

Below…

Muburt coughed. He held the banner, and its golden glow illuminated him as his voice rang out across those stands:

"The Great Divine Tribulation will be divided into FOUR stages, and each stage carries rewards for those who emerge VICTORIOUS!

The victor will be granted FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND years of potent Solar Essence by Void Emperor Sindoll! A gift beyond imagination! Now! I know some of you are impatient, so let us proceed."

He then extended his left arm. From its tip a faint violet light flashed that expanded and quickly manifested itself into terminals.

On each of the nine platforms, dozens materialized before those eager contestants. They were curious.

"Each team may now approach the terminals to register your roster." As soon as those words were spoken, Muburt's sinister smile vanished, leaving behind only a hint of nervousness.

"However, there has been a… a… slight change to this year's format. This change was dictated by the Void Emperor and as such we must abide by it, so no complaints, please."

Then as if revealing a secret no one was meant to know until this very moment, he announced:

"THIS YEAR! The Trials are TEAM EFFORTS!"

WHOOSH!

Those words struck like thunder!

"WHAT?!"

"TEAM EFFORT?!"

"That's BULLSHIT!"

The participants were stunned! They glared at Muburt, and those who were near those terminals, they instantly began unleashing their frustration.

"That's not fair! We weren't informed!"

"It was supposed to be an individual competition!"

"This CHANGES everything!"

Those who were descendants of the Emperors, whose privileges extended to receiving those 'important details' beforehand, they simply smirked at their opponents' outrage and misfortune.

"We can't change those rules! THEY were set by the VOID EMPEROR!" Muburt yelled, attempting to appease the unrest.

"Form a team! TWO minimum and FIVE members max. Choose wisely!" He then hurriedly explained, "You are allowed to create temporary alliances, and should you be fortunate enough to reach the final stages, those who SURVIVE can then claim the reward as their own!

But for now, TEAMWORK is paramount! Without a team, YOU will be disqualified!"

"You think I need a team, you insect?!" Gastaroid had had enough of this nonsense. He wasn't about to be subjected to such ridiculous rules. He was the strongest here! His strength had been proven during the Selection Trial! And he was certain, with his fiery might, he would crush any team who dared to challenge him.

"I, Gastaroid! I am a ONE-MAN ARMY! You're all PATHETIC!"

And those in his immediate surroundings, they knew what challenging this Bull Mountain Demon meant! They quickly dispersed as if trying to outrun his volcanic shadow that extended toward their platform.

"I DON'T need a TEAM! DO I look WEAK to you?!" He glared at Muburt. "I'll CLAIM those blessings! They'll be ALL mine! I won't share with anyone!"

"That idiot… He's going to regret those words." Lu Jade shook his head. They were fortunate indeed to have a heads up!

"The rules truly are unfair, Big Brother. We were lucky that Princess Fenwei informed us earlier about the change." He then glanced towards Qi Fenwei with gratitude.

Hearing this, Raphael nodded his thanks and then added, "It's the least she could do after trying to chop us into pieces. But she's right. This event will be a blood bath. There's no room for solo acts, at least not in the first few rounds."

"SCREW sharing!" Gastaroid wasn't the only one who was livid.

"Those rules are bullshit!"

"I demand a change!"

Their pleas and outcries didn't sway Muburt's will.

He calmly raised a claw. "As I've stated. This is the Void Emperor's decree. If you wish to protest, take it up with her directly after the Trials."

He gestured to the terminals. "You have thirty seconds to form a team. Make your choice! Or be DISQUALIFIED!"

He then added with a mischievous grin that made those creatures whose hides were weak cringe. "I'll be personally dealing with anyone who dares to question these rules again. You've been warned!"

His words had those rebels silencing themselves.

They knew better than to disrespect an Emperor's right hand. After all, wasn't he a 9th Layer Nightmare Calamity?

Gastaroid was the exception to that fear. He gritted his teeth and scowled. But he knew better than to challenge the Void Emperor's decree. "Damn that Sindoll! Such a troublesome proposition!" He then reluctantly turned to survey his surroundings with a sneer as his massive fists clenched and unclenched.

"Time to find those who are worthy of my might!" He glanced at the contestants nearby, who were already flocking to the terminals and hurriedly registering their team rosters. But as soon as they saw him approaching, they vanished!

"GET AWAY from ME!"

"He'll… KILL US all!"

"Remember that mammoth he crushed during the Selection Trial? Its poor mother has been weeping for days…"

Their cries were whispers of terror. None dared to team up with this Bull Mountain Demon.

Because they knew that Gastaroid would betray them in the end, after all, they were oppressed by him during the Selection Trial, and if they could get back at him in this Great Divine Tribulation, they would do it.

This was Gastaroid's new reality, 'These weak bastards!' In that moment of crushing solitude, he was about to lit his fuse when he heard:

"GASTAROID! Over here!"

That bold and clear call made him pause. He turned his head, trying to locate its source. His horns tilted forward, his gaze settled upon a golden figure with magnificent black wings.

It was Raphael. And he was beckoning him to come over.

"What the hell? This bull…"

He was shock. wasn't this the bull he wanted to crush? The very bull who humiliated him and stole his power? Why was this bull beckoning him over?