章 679: A Surprise Guest

Begrudgingly, Oli finished his meal with a final gulp of wine to wash it down. 

All the while, Lord Treeda took her time to select the last volunteers. 

"Now, with today's entertainment decided, allow me to offer a few words of advice to you young candidates."

That hooked Oli's ears again. Especially with her perpetually scanning eyes constantly meeting his gaze. 

"As you've now experienced, it's a great honor for you to make it past the first round of the Mortal Championship. Regardless of whether you're here under the sponsor of your home region or one of our four provinces at large, you've surpassed the majority of cultivators. That is a fact. 

"However, that only makes this second round of the Mortal Championship all the more devastating…"

Treeda let her words hang in the air as the young candidates spontaneously reflected.