The pitch-black object in the center, resembling a giant walnut, instantly drew everyone’s attention the moment it appeared.
One by one, they turned to look, their expressions uncertain.
It wasn’t just the younger generation—even the heads of the Ancient Martial Clans were seeing the Abyssal Sphere for the very first time today.
Everyone had expected the Abyssal Sphere to be extraordinary, but now, looking at it, the only words that came to mind were plain and unremarkable.
Way too... ordinary!
“Is this really the Abyssal Sphere?”
Someone asked in a low voice.
“Maybe there’s something mysterious about it that we just don’t know? After all, the Ancient Martial Clans have guarded the Abyssal Sphere for so many years.”
Another person muttered quietly.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on it, eyes locked in.
“All these years, the Abyssal Sphere has stayed right here, without the slightest change.”
“You don’t need to worry—the Qin Patriarch would never stoop so low as to swap out the Abyssal Sphere.”
He seemed to sense what everyone was thinking.
The Qin Patriarch spoke slowly: “After the heads of each clan brought back the Abyssal Sphere, they died one after another.”
“The previous Qin Patriarch said before his death that there must be some extraordinary secret hidden within the Abyssal Sphere, but only a true chosen one can gain its recognition.”
“Now that the Abyssal Sphere has resurfaced, all the clans are free to compete for it.”
“But what you’re competing for isn’t the Sphere itself—it’s the order in which you get to try.”
At this point, the Qin Patriarch looked around. “Anyone from any clan can step forward and attempt it.”
“Whichever clan produces the first chosen one, the Abyssal Sphere will belong to them.”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s eyes lit up with excitement.
No one really knew what the Abyssal Sphere actually was.
But anything that comes out of a Mysterious Ruin has to be extraordinary!
Maybe, with the Abyssal Sphere, you could instantly turn your fate around.
Go from a regular weakling to a true powerhouse!
That kind of appeal was irresistible to everyone present.
And this time, there were plenty of people here.
Whoever got to try first would have a way bigger shot than those who came later.
After all, there’s only one Abyssal Sphere.
Nobody could be sure who the Sphere would finally choose.
If two people qualified, but the first got to try before the second, it could mean the second would lose their chance entirely.
“How about letting the juniors fight first?”
The Qin Patriarch finished speaking, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Beside him, the Qin clan’s young master sat upright, his expression cold and proud, with arrogance clear in his eyes.
“I agree.”
On the other side, the Qin Patriarch voiced his support.
The Qin clan has Kevin Qin.
The Qin clan has its young master.
Both are recognized as powerhouses.
Among the juniors, they’re considered the top picks.
As for the other clan heads, their expressions shifted noticeably.
Colin Liu from the Liu clan had suffered heavy losses—he was clearly in no shape to fight.
Jenna Jiang’s strength was decent, but compared to the Qin clan’s young master and Kevin Qin, she still came up short.
As for the Rowe clan, they didn’t even have anyone worth mentioning.
“The juniors still need to test their luck—see if any of them are truly the chosen one. If they fight now and get injured, that won’t do.”
Xavier Liu shook his head. “Better let us old-timers handle it.”
“Whoever wins, their clan gets to try first—how about it?”
As soon as Xavier Liu spoke, Douglas Jiang’s face turned sour. Whether it was juniors or clan heads, the Jiang clan was clearly at a disadvantage overall.
The only thing they could do was suppress the Rowe clan a bit.
“Qin Patriarch?”
Xavier Liu looked over at the Qin Patriarch.
"No objections from me," the Qin Patriarch said calmly.
"So, Qin Patriarch?" Xavier Liu looked again at the Qin Patriarch, but before he could speak, Xavier continued on his own: "Your clan has Kevin Qin, a prodigy. He's the pride of our Ancient Martial Clans."
"Not to mention, he's already joined Moonshade. So I think, regardless of how us old-timers duel, win or lose, we should let Kevin Qin and Jenna Jiang—the two Moonshade members—go first in the attempt sequence."
"How about that?"
Xavier Liu's addition made both the Qin Patriarch and the previously tense Douglas Jiang visibly relax.
"I think that's fine," the Qin Patriarch nodded, his tone calm and confident.
The Qin clan's future was already pinned on Kevin Qin. As long as Kevin got to try first, it wasn't much of a loss for them.
"I agree as well," Douglas Jiang nodded, visibly relieved.
He and the Qin Patriarch were thinking along the same lines.
The Qin clan relied on Kevin Qin, while the Jiang clan pinned their hopes on Jenna Jiang, who was already in Moonshade.
The two of them were the most gifted juniors in their clans, and also the most likely to be chosen by the Abyssal Sphere.
Xavier Liu’s words were meant to put their minds at ease.
After all, Colin Liu and a group of mid-tier experts had lost both strength and cultivation in Hong Kong.
Xavier Liu was left as the clan’s sole pillar.
This time, he was really planning to risk everything for a shot at turning things around.
If, by chance, the Liu clan won, and their junior managed to obtain the Abyssal Sphere...
If that happened, the Liu clan’s strength would instantly stabilize and grow even stronger.
"If that's settled, let's get started."
Xavier Liu gave a faint smile.
"Xavier Liu, you still haven’t asked me!"
Seated there, the Rowe Patriarch's face was dark; his hand clenched tightly on the armrest, every feature twisted with anger.
"Oh? Rowe Patriarch? Are you planning to step up first and fight me, or not?"
Xavier Liu looked at him and smiled: "If not, then please, Rowe Patriarch, keep your comments to yourself."
"Your Rowe clan—with an incompetent patriarch and ordinary juniors—and besides, you still owe me an explanation!"
"Up to now, you still haven't handed over those two juniors who bullied Colin Liu. I haven't settled that score with you yet!"
Xavier Liu's tone suddenly turned cold.
Suddenly, a tidal wave of aura surged toward the Rowe Patriarch.
Without a single visible ripple of qi, the Rowe Patriarch's face turned pale, his body pressed back against the chair, almost blasted out of it by sheer force!
Heavenly Phenomenon Realm—just its aura alone commands respect!
Even against the Rowe Patriarch at the peak of Pointing-to-Mystery, just a glance was enough to crush him!
"So this is the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm..." The Rowe Patriarch forced down the turmoil in his blood, speaking hoarsely.
"That's right. The profundities of Heavenly Phenomenon are way beyond your comprehension."
Xavier Liu nodded, his gaze icy. "So, Rowe Patriarch, you'd better know your place."
"Otherwise, I really won't show any mercy when the time comes!"
"Also, once the Abyssal Sphere is claimed, Rowe Patriarch, I expect you to hand over those two juniors."
"I want to personally teach them how to behave!"