The gathering went on without a hitch for an hour without any kind of major disturbances. Many of the beasts intermingled and treated each other with respect because they knew that they were on the same general level of power. Plus they were on the leader’s territory and didn’t dare to cause strife.

Although they were curious about the mortal that had a status as high as the Gifted Beasts, most beasts stayed away from Akata, and in turn from Tabet. This development didn’t disturb him however. The two simply talked to whoever wanted to strike up a conversation. Even though it wasn’t really a conversation to them, but felt more like an interview or even an interrogation at times.

“Great Aka Tribe!” A cold yet soothing, celestial voice resounded in the ears of everyone in the courtyard as it caught their attention. All of the beasts and Akata became silent and turned their heads and body to focus in on the figure that was speaking. Star Sovereign Allica looked as dignified as ever as she swept her gaze across the crowd, her gaze momentarily sticking on Akata for a quick second longer than everyone else.

“This gathering was put together in order for us great tribes to meet with the mortal named Akata. He is someone who the Scarlet Rune Tribe holds dearly in their hearts due to a certain predicament that he saved them from. As such he was given the utmost status. Not only that but he is also a genius in cultivation, to the point that he can match the strength of our tribe’s Gifted Beasts.”

Her speech paused slightly as she focused her gaze on Akata. This gaze made Akata feel as though his body had went frozen. He unconsciously started to rotate his cultivation base in defense. Tabet took notice of this and sent word to his father mentally.

“The competition we will be having however, will be on a grander scale and will incorporate more than just fighting. It will focus on the fundamentals of strength and also knowledge. Also, Golden Runic Lord Taple has requested that there also be a competition called the Battle of Elements incorporated. I will turn it over to him to explain what it is.” With this, Star Sovereign Allica stepped back and allowed for Golden Runic Lord Taple to step forward. He gave her a quick deep look before proceeding to explain what the Battle of Elements were.

Along with explaining what the Battle of Elements were he gave a simple overview of the competition. It would consist of different areas that would be scored separately. The final scores would be recorded and added together with the highest scorers moving on to the second round. The second round would be the final part of the competition and also the battle round. The one who won the most battles in the battle round would be the winner. Only those younger than twenty years of age could participate and there were no restrictions to cultivation base.

Heavenly Beast Monarch Goliath spoke up next. “Of course there will be rewards for this kind of competition. There will be rewards given to the top five scorers for each competition in the form of merit points and cultivation items. That is only for the first round however. The second round’s rewards will be of much greater quality. The top ten who makes it to the second round will get a Beast Body Pill, the top five will receive a Spiritual Growth Pill, and first place will receive a Dantion Ascension Pill.” He looked out to see the faces of the crowd and what he saw was confusion. This was natural as none of them knew what these pills could do.

He continued on and said, “Of course these pills aren’t so simple. The Beast Body Pill is able to have your body breakthrough to be comparable to someone of the Beast Rank.” Just this alone made the faces of every beast turn fierce with greed. A body comparable to someone at the Beast Rank? They wouldn’t have to worry about anyone under the Beast Rank then and just have to use their body to defeat them. What kind of pill was this?!

“The Spiritual Growth Pill has the ability to increase a person’s potential. This will make cultivating much easier in the future and you will advance by leaps and bounds. And finally…” By this point some of the beasts couldn’t hold back from having their eyes going bloodshot. Even some of the beasts that were older than twenty and in the Beast Rank were getting extremely envious.

“The Dantion Ascension Pill will allow for one to increase their Grade up to the 10th Grade or completely breakthrough to the Beast Rank. It is an outstanding opportunity for all of you. If you can seize this pill it will forever change your status as an individual. You will be seen as a chosen among chosen.” Of course the announcement of this pill caused a huge uproar to occur. It must be understood that advancing from Grade to Grade was hard in and of itself, but going from Rank to Rank was like traveling the distance from Heaven to Earth. Yet, this pill had a 100% success rate of getting you into the Beast Rank. How amazing was that?

After this announcement Dragon Emperor Hymna stepped up and spoke in an ancient voice that calmed the hearts and minds of everyone present. “This will be the first year of this competition that will come to be called The Gathering.This year only us four tribes will participate but after that every tribe that makes up the Great Aka Tribe will have the chance to join the competition. Because of the rewards, this competition will take place every six years.

Also, the top five will not only be rewarded with items but also a special status. They will be the Gifted Beasts of the Great Aka Tribe. In other words, they will be the chosen of the tribe and will be under the guidance of the tribe and be developed carefully.” His words rang out into the ears of all present and caused another uproar to occur.

The youths all started to get excited for a chance to show off their talents. If they did well they would have the chance to battle or even become a Gifted Beast. They would receive special recognition from, not just their tribe, but the Great Aka Tribe as a whole. This kind of special status couldn’t be beat by anything. Even the great leaders of the tribe would treat them with respect and morph them into a powerful cultivator.

Akata looked on silently, listening to the various items, statuses, and privileges that would become of this competition. He couldn’t lie to himself and say that he wasn’t enticed by these rewards. But he didn’t know if these rewards could even help him, as they were made by beasts for beasts. Would it truly help him, or would it just be a waste. Whatever the case, this competition will let him gain more experience and grow naturally. He could at least make use of that aspect.

‘I shouldn’t shine too much in this competition. However, I want to do some actual fighting so I have to do enough to get into the second round at least. Hmm. What to do. It should also be about time for my punishment to be over so that I can leave this place.’ Akata mused to himself with various thoughts. He calculated the time and figured that he had less than a week left.

‘Well there’s no reason not to shine if I’m going to be leaving anyways. I might as well do my best and see how far I stack up against the top beasts of this tribe.’ Although it sounded like Akata wasn’t attached to this place, in truth he partially didn’t wish to part with it. This was the place where he gained his second cultivation base and turned into a true plant cultivator. It was also where he had met Tabet and the rest of the Scarlet Tigers. But in the end he knew that at some point he had to go.

He sighed and then a moment later his face was filled with eagerness to test himself on stage. However, that eagerness quickly left his mind as he felt a familiar sensation. He turned and looked to see Alabasta off in the corner looking straight at him with a cold smile filled with killing intent.

“Humph. These beasts just keep testing you. If I were able to get out of here they would all be slaughtered without a trace.” Noluck said with pride. Akata paid him no mind as he gazed at Alabasta. He then returned his own kind smile.