352  Diamond Mountain

A majestic mountain range towered across the land, the mountains separated by giant snaking rivers. Mists swirled around the mountains, giving them a solemn and grand aura.

This mountain range was the location of the diamond belt selection and was known as the Diamond Mountains.

It has also become the busiest place in the entire Spirit Devouring Mountain today.

Countless glowing figures seemed to fill the sky as they landed on the mountains in the vicinity of the Diamond Mountains, causing the spacious land to become rather crowded and noisy.

The popularity of the diamond belt selection was evidently far from ordinary.

A spiritual energy cloud descended from the sky, landing on one of the mountain tops. Elder Lo waved his sleeve, dispersing the spiritual energy as the figures of numerous disciples were revealed, Ezra Zephyr and Gill Subzi included among them.

The group were quite excited as they gazed upon the lively spectacle. An occasion as grand as this only occurred a few times a year after all.

"Is this the venue of the diamond belt selection?" Ezra lifted his gaze to observe the majestic, unbroken mountain range. Ancient trees towered within the extremely lush foliage, which was also blanketed by a layer of mist, giving the place a somewhat mysterious air.

"That's right, this place is known as the Diamond Mountains, and every diamond belt selection will take place here." Elder Lo stood beside Ezra, his normally strict and stern old face filled with a smile when he looked towards his disciple. One could tell that Ezra's surprising achievements made Elder Lo treat the former as a treasure.

"All of the participants will be sent into this mountain range to compete for victory."

The prince nodded. Looks like the diamond belt selection was a free-for-all brawl of sorts, making it much more exciting than the one-on-one bracket-type duels, because it represents chaos and the lack of rules, the true image of Spirit Devouring Mountain.

Everything would be for the sake of obtaining victory in the end.

"Ezra, there are not many rules for the diamond belt selection, and all kinds of tactics can be employed. The sect won't say much as long as lives aren't threatened." Elder Lo looked towards Ezra and cautioned, "After all, the sect does not wish to nurture disciples that purely have strength without wit and tactic."

The prince nodded in agreement. The disciples in the sect did not face much danger, but there was a fate-deciding war with Duo-Mountain Peak half a year away. The situation in the Naran Continent was complicated, and even the disciples of a titan like the Spirit Devouring Mountain would encounter numerous dangers outside. If all one had was recklessness, one would not survive for long.

However, such chaos would also make it even more uncertain and dangerous for him. Especially knowing that senior disciples would be targeting him.

"Ezra, I know that you are eager, but there are many strong opponents. My advice to you is not to fight, your work is a masterpiece, and you are a god-gifted genius of alchemy. I know and I have seen that you are as good of a martial master as you are an alchemist, but, please… don't risk your life. The peak master, Master Shims, has seen your scroll, you have already qualified for this test."

The prince grinned and shook his head. "Elder Lo, keep believing in me, you also want Alchemic Rune Peak on top of other peaks, no?"

Elder Lo didn't wait a second and replied "No, nothing is more important to me than your well-being."

Ezra was taken aback, he looked at the old alchemy teacher who treated him like his son. His goal to become atrocious was wavering, he turned his head and replied. "But I want to see it."

Elder Lo sighed. "Alright, stubborn youth. At least, do not aim for champion, but take success as managing to rank amongst the top 10."

The prince smiled and nodded. "Don't worry Elder Lo, I will naturally take a step back if the situation does not bode well and give up on vying for first."

Elder Li nodded and lowered his head to Ezra's ear. "Come back sooner, I am eager to know how you spent 2 months in Verboten Forest?"

The prince chuckled. Elder Lo laughed back and tapped his shoulder before pointing towards the misty mountain range as he said, "There are ten peaks in the depths of the Diamond Mountains. The ten individuals who manage to ascend these ten peaks will be the top ten."

A thoughtful look rose on Ezra's face. "Then how will the champion be decided?"

Elder Lo answered, "You guys will only find out after ascending the ten mountains, because it may be different from the past selections."

The prince nodded. He had nothing more to ask. Not long after they arrived, a spiritual energy cloud suddenly descended from the sky. A white skirt fluttered in the wind, revealing Ella Abella's figure.

She directly landed next to Ezra, immediately causing countless burning gazes to look over. Behind her were Ravina and Mahi, these three were after all the top beauties of the outer mountains of the Spirit Devouring Mountain and just the sight of them standing together would make one's heart beat a little faster.

Ella paid no heed to these gazes, she gave a light bow to Elder Lo, who was standing next to Ezra, as she said, "I'm afraid that things will be difficult for you during this selection.

Ezra did not comment, merely continuing to sarcastically grin.

Ella stared at Ezra's face and said, "I can ask the Colleen Evil Peak, disciples, to aid him as repayment for the favour you did me. How about it?"

Her prideful nature made her feel that she owed Ezra due to the energy reservoir affair. Hence, she was always trying to find a way to repay the former to remove the discomfort she felt whenever she met Ezra.

Ezra thought for a moment before he shook his head and leisurely said, "Which disciples?."

Ella pointed to Ravina and Mahi. "These two are future geniuses of our peak, you should know them, they are from your batch but nkw in this battle, every peak is the enemy of others.

The prince nonchalantly replied. "Do they need your permission to aid me?"

Ella Abella was puzzled, she knew that Ravina and Mahi were both close to Ezra but she was sure that they would never disobey their senior.

Her brows knitted together. "Aren't you overestimating yourself too much? Do you know how many individuals are after you? Your Bloodfang Army has fewer participants, and looks like they won't be much of a help anyways."

"So I'll have to depend on myself." Said Ezra.

Ella placed extra emphasis on her words as she said, "Don't act like a dullard and think, can you really challenge all of the first seat gold belt disciples from the various factions of all 6 Peaks alone? Every single one of them is stronger than Kimba."

She clearly felt that Ezra's earlier words were far too irresponsible.

The former fell silent for a moment, before she said, "Do you believe that you can take on all 6 14:30

Peaks?"

The former fell silent for a moment, before she said, "Do you believe that you can take on all 6 Peaks?"

"We'll know once I try. Anyhow, I'm the one that will be humiliated if I lose. Nothing for you to worry about" The prince seemed to smile as he spoke.

Ella stared at Ezra's figure. In the end, she turned and moved away.

Ravina and Mahi stood there and looked at Ezra, Ravina was curiously looking at Ezra while Mahi's gaze was filled with affection. Soon after, they turned as well and followed Ella.

…

One after another spiritual energy clouds appeared carrying the disciples. A cloud landed and piercing eyes looked at Ezra, they were the disciples of Blood Slaughterer Peak.

Another cloud appeared and landed beside the former, another faction of Blood Slaughterer Peak. Only one disciple was on that cloud along with a faction elder.

The disciple bid farewell to his master and walked.

The seniors of Blood Slaughterer Peak looked at him and smirked. "So you are the new guy, I heard rumours of yo… hey, where are you going?"

The young disciple didn't stop until he reached where Ezra was.

The young man kneeled. "This lowly subject greets his highness."

This scene shook everyone, especially the disciples of Blood Slaughterer Peak.

The prince reviewed Zulfi with his eyes and uttered. "You have improved, Zulfi."

The man was none other than Zulfi Dimitry, he upset his prince in the peak selection ceremony. Ever since then, he practised like a maniac and duelled myriad of disciples in Blood Slaughterer Peak.

"I am not yet satisfied, Your Majesty."

"Nobody is perfect Zulfi, not even me. Keep honing your sword and you may stand now."

Zulfi bowed his head and stood up.

"Your majesty, greetings."

"Your servant has arrived, your majesty."

"All hail Prince Ezra Zephyr."

Just when Zulfi rose, three familiar figures appeared behind him and bowed. They were Theor Galearms, Shifa Pista and Argus Woska.

The new batch geniuses of their respective peaks were participating as well, Ezra knew about their participation, and he showed the list Cen Zutton and Gill Subzi brought to him.

The prince witnessed the drastic changes in their subordinates, they trained hard for the past 5 months.

"Master!" Ezra heard something, he turned his head to the source of the voice.

A slender man wearing a straw hat bowed. "Greetings Master."

The prince nodded and said. "You may rise now, Xyr."

All the leading figures of the Bloodfang faction were gathered.