The journey to the Celestial Convergence Arena began before dawn, when the first threads of silver light appeared on the horizon and wrapped the mountains like shimmering ribbons. The Heavenly Blade Academy's disciples—nearly two hundred of them—marched in formation down the stone steps that wound toward the valley, their robes fluttering in pale morning winds. Zeref walked among them, his eyes drifting repeatedly to the sky, where a faint circular glow already hovered—a distant halo that marked the location of the legendary arena. It was enormous even from miles away, suspended in the heavens like a floating crown woven of starlight.
Excitement crackled through the disciples like wildfire. No matter how hard they tried to appear composed, their steps grew quicker the closer they came. Some whispered legends, others bragged about techniques they had trained for months. A few tried to steady their breathing but failed. For many, this would be the first time stepping into a grand gathering that brought together all seven top academies of the Empire.
Zeref felt it too—the anticipation coiling in his chest, mixing strangely with the ever-present hum of Aetherion inside him. Ever since the awakening of that ancient guardian, his senses had become sharper, deeper, more attuned to the shift of energy around him. Miss Lin had noticed, of course. She always noticed. But she said nothing, offering only a small smile that meant: We will talk when the time is right.
By the time they reached the valley floor, the floating arena had grown so massive that it obscured part of the sky. Its structure was shaped like an immense ring, forged from celestial stone and etched with glowing symbols that pulsed like living constellations. Waterfalls of pure astral energy cascaded from its edges, dissolving into mist before touching the ground. Pillars of light rose from the earth, forming a continuous path upward to the platform.
Ren whistled under his breath. "Bro… this is insane."
Yuxin nodded, her eyes widening. "I read about it in ancient texts… but seeing it is a different thing entirely."
Darius scoffed quietly from Zeref's left. "Heavenly Blade won't be humiliated this year," he muttered. "If you weaklings slow us down, I'll personally drag you off the arena."
Ren pretended not to hear. Zeref didn't bother responding. Darius always barked like this before something big.
Miss Lin, graceful as always, walked ahead with Elder Jianhong, who represented Heavenly Blade Academy in the Council of Seven. Elder Jianhong's long silver beard fluttered in the wind, his back straight, his gaze sharp. "This year's Astral Sovereign Championship will be unlike any other," he said, voice echoing across the valley. "Prepare yourselves."
As the first group of Heavenly Blade disciples stepped onto the shimmering pillar of light, the energy beneath their feet surged upward, carrying them effortlessly into the sky. The sensation was strange—weightless yet forceful, as though the pillar recognized each person's presence and judged their worth. Zeref felt the pulse of Aetherion react instinctively, forming a protective warmth around him.
The moment they reached the arena's landing platform, the noise hit them like a wave.
Gasps. Awed murmurs. Exclaims of disbelief.
Because the Celestial Convergence Arena wasn't just massive from afar—it was incomprehensible up close. Floating islands orbited around the central ring like moons drifting around a planet. Each island held buildings, training grounds, gardens of starlight flowers, and long corridors suspended above clouds. Celestial beasts wandered lazily on some islands, seemingly harmless yet glowing with cosmic patterns.
And lining the entrance walkway were the banners of the seven academies.
Heavenly Blade's silver sword emblem.
Jade Serpent Pavilion's emerald coiling serpent.
Crimson Ember Institute's blazing red sigil.
Skyforge Academy's hammer-and-star crest.
Moonshadow Temple's crescent veil.
Iron Phoenix Fortress's metallic wings.
Cloudsong Sect's swirling mist emblem—the host of this year's Championship.
One by one, disciples from various academies arrived via their own light pillars, filling the central plaza with a swirling sea of colors, voices, and energy signatures. Rival academies eyed each other like wolves circling prey. Old grudges resurfaced. Friendly greetings were exchanged between long-time allies.
As Zeref scanned the crowd, he could already sense the strength radiating from some individuals—bladeslingers whose aura crackled like lightning, elemental cultivators with heat shimmering off their skin, illusionists whose presence seemed to blur at the edges.
"These people are strong…" Ren whispered.
"They're supposed to be," Yuxin murmured. "This is where the empire's best gather."
Elder Jianhong motioned for all Heavenly Blade disciples to follow several Cloudsong Sect attendants. They were led through a long suspended hallway, crystal platforms glowing beneath their steps, until they reached the living quarters assigned to them. Hundreds of rooms lined the corridor, each infused with gentle starlight that soothed fatigue and refreshed energy.
Zeref claimed a small room at the far end, overlooking the luminous clouds below. He barely settled in before Ren barged into his doorway with an excited grin.
"Bro, did you SEE the guy with flaming hair from Crimson Ember? I swear his aura could roast a chicken from ten meters away."
Zeref chuckled. "Focus on resting, Ren. Tomorrow will be intense."
"Rest? With THIS energy everywhere?" Ren spread his arms dramatically. "Impossible."
Yuxin appeared behind him, dragging him away by the collar. "Ignore him. He's too excited to think."
Zeref smiled softly as the door closed.
It felt unreal—being here, standing at the edge of a destiny he didn't fully understand. But Aetherion pulsed inside him like a heartbeat, as if whispering: You were meant to reach this place.
That evening, the disciples were summoned to the Grand Dome—a colossal banquet hall suspended in the center of the floating arena. Its roof was made of transparent astral glass, revealing the swirling galaxies above. Starlight cascaded through the dome, drifting like snowflakes before dissolving into the air.
Long tables filled the hall, each one designated for an academy. Heavenly Blade's section shimmered with silver lanterns shaped like miniature swords. When Zeref arrived with Ren, Yuxin and dozens of disciples from other academies were already seated, talking loudly and exchanging glances across tables.
"It is grander," Ren whispered. "And the food smells divine."
The tables overflowed with celestial dishes—floating fruits infused with astral nectar, luminous noodles that glowed with every breath, roasted spirit-beasts that released warm fragrant steam. But none of that held anyone's attention for long, because at the center of the Grand Dome stood a pedestal.
On it rested the Astral Crown.
A delicate, shimmering artifact forged from pure starlight. It floated slightly above its stand, spinning slowly, releasing threads of cosmic energy that made the air hum.
Zeref's breath caught.
The Crown wasn't just glowing—it was reacting, resonating, as though sensing the countless cultivators gathered before it.
Moments later, a gong echoed through the dome, and the crowd fell silent.
A figure stepped onto the central platform—a woman draped in flowing robes of silver mist, her hair tied with a crown of cloud-crystal. Her presence was gentle yet authoritative. This was Elder Shufen, representative of Cloudsong Sect and host of the championship.
"Welcome, disciples of the Seven Great Academies," Elder Shufen said, her voice like ringing chimes. "Tonight marks the beginning of the Astral Sovereign Championship—the greatest test of strength, spirit, and unity across our lands."
Her words carried power, echoing through the hall like ripples of calm thunder.
"Before the trials begin, the Astral Crown shall choose those worthy to represent their academies. Five from each. Chosen not by favoritism, nor by rank, but by destiny's resonance."
Whispers spread like wind across the dome.
Even though most already knew the process, witnessing the selection was something else entirely.
Elder Shufen raised her hand.
The Astral Crown lifted higher into the air.
Starlight condensed around it.
And then…
BOOM—!
A burst of cosmic fireworks exploded across the ceiling.
Silver streaks of light twisted and coiled, forming glowing runes that shimmered above the Heavenly Blade Academy table.
The first name appeared:
Darius Huang
Darius smirked as some disciples clapped.
The second streak exploded.
Lin Yuexin
Yuxin let out a soft gasp, eyes wide but proud.
Another wave of celestial sparks.
Ren Huoran
Ren shot up from his seat, punching the air. "YES! I mean—thank you, Crown."
The fourth explosion boomed louder than the rest.
Mei Lian
Mei Lian placed a hand on her chest, overwhelmed.
Then came the final streak.
It swirled longer, stretched wider, burning brighter.
When it burst, it lit the entire hall with white-gold radiance.
Zeref Ying
The hall buzzed instantly.
"Who is he?"
"He's new, isn't he?"
"How did a newcomer get chosen?"
"Impossible…"
Heavenly Blade disciples murmured, some with awe, some… with resentment.
A few glared at Zeref openly, whispering harshly behind their sleeves. Darius's eyes narrowed, unreadable but clearly annoyed. Ren thumped Zeref's shoulder hard in celebration.
"Bro, YOU DID IT!"
Mei Lian smiled warmly. Yuxin nudged him with her elbow. "See? Destiny chooses well."
Zeref felt the stares, the judgment, the envy. But he also felt… something in the Crown's light—a faint vibration that recognized him, almost greeted him.
And from across the hall, Miss Lin met his eyes.
She didn't smile.
She simply nodded.
A silent message:
Your journey has officially begun.
One by one, the Astral Crown moved on to select teams from the other academies. Fireworks in different colors lit the Grand Dome—emerald for Jade Serpent, crimson for Ember Institute, deep blue for Moonshadow, gold for Skyforge, iron-gray for Phoenix Fortress, and soft white for Cloudsong.
Each academy reacted with cheers, groans, or roaring pride.
But Zeref's selection caused the biggest stir among Heavenly Blade disciples. Some congratulated him genuinely, but several whispered bitterly:
"He just arrived and already gets chosen?"
"Does he think he's special?"
"He'll embarrass us."
Even as they muttered, the Crown's glow continued to hover faintly around him, as though unwilling to retreat.
By the time the final team was selected and Elder Shufen concluded the ceremony, the Grand Dome was buzzing with excitement. Talks of strategies, rivalries, predictions, and gossip filled every corner.
The championship would begin tomorrow.
But tonight, destiny had already made its first move.
Zeref exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes…
and the pull of the fate that awaited him in the trials.
Tomorrow, the Seven Trials of the Cosmos would begin.
Tonight, the Seven Stars had gathered.
And Zeref—whether he wanted it or not—was now at the center of it.
---
To be continued...