The Deadly Assassin Robin novel Chapter 1370

The tournament grounds of the Martial Arts Tournament of Mount Netheris and spectator areas of Mount Netheris strictly prohibited the use of flying exotic beasts.

There were no exceptions—regardless of status.

Even the chief guardians of the major syndicates had to proceed on foot.

By 8 a.m., the mountain peak swarmed with elite fighters from the Netheris Syndicate and minor sects like the Black Faith Order.

Each young elite carried an aura of indomitable pride, their gazes sweeping dismissively over the crowds.

"Look—the one leading the procession! That's Vania, Grandmaster of the First Syndicate! She was the first among our generation to break through to the Grandmaster realm!"

"Not only is Grandmaster Somerland peerlessly skilled, but her beauty rivals the heavens!"

Daphne followed the pointing fingers to a jade-skinned woman in azure robes, so exquisite she seemed carved from moonlight.

"I thought they claimed such looks were 'ugly'?" Daphne muttered.

"How does Vania qualify as a peerless beauty then?"

Arthur whispered, "Dad said noble houses use different standards."

"Vania's father is a Cardinal under the High Pontiff—so she's judged by aristocratic metrics.

"Every year at the Martial Arts Tournament at Mount Netheris, the tournament finalists receives noble status from the High Pontiff himself.

"Once ennobled, they adopt elite privileges ... including redefined beauty norms."

Robin snorted. "What a cesspit—even appearances get rankings. This is ridiculous!

"The commoners here must be brainwashed to accept such nonsense."

While they were throwing shades, another elite arrived.

The newcomer was built like a bear, broad-shouldered and rugged.

He had a thick beard covering his face. He was as fierce and imposing as a legendary warrior.

It was Frederick, the Second Syndicate's Peak Grandmaster.

Following closely behind were Cecily Wentz, High-tier Grandmaster of the Fourth Syndicate; Reiss Ave, High-tier Grandmaster of the Fifth Syndicate; Aurelia Rein, Peak Grandmaster of the Sixth Syndicate; Bexley Brine, High-tier Grandmaster of the Seventh Syndicate; and Gerard Lugie, Peak Grandmaster of the Eighth Syndicate.

As Hacyon took in this gathering of elites, the usual frost in her eyes melted into reluctant reverence.

Among the Netheris Syndicates' rising generation, her cultivation was the weakest.

It was not for lack of effort, but because of her origins.

While others in the syndicate's martial academies began combat training immediately, Hacyon had been forced to dual-track.

Her father, former Archmage of the Lightborn Sect, had ensured her curriculum included the Dark Syndicate's indoctrination courses—mandatory for all commoners of the Netheris Domain.

For the first three years, all her time was spent studying doctrine.

Only in the remaining seven years of seclusion could she begin martial arts training.

And even after, doctrine exams recurred annually, stealing time from cultivation.

The eight elites before her had all surpassed the Grandmaster tier.

Hacyon knew she'd worked twice as hard. Yet here she stood—a mere First-rank Master.

The weight of inferiority pressed down as the elites gathered.

Arthur noticed his sister's clenched fists and whispered, "You're stronger than them. Dad said you were able to learn martial arts cultivation in half the training time.

"In such a short time frame, you'd reached the level of First-rank Master. That shows your talent is far greater than theirs.

"With one more year, you could surpass them all—win the tournament!"

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