Finn smiled gently at Leo. He had already altered his rank, elevating it to 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank. If he had continued appearing as merely a 9th Level Gold Rank, it would have become increasingly implausible.
Even so, Finn continued to conceal his true level and rank. He simply wasn't prepared—not yet—to draw the attention and wrath of the Nine Ice Family and the Black Tiger Family.
More importantly, standing behind the Nine Ice Family was the Ice Feather Sect itself, and with his current strength, Finn knew he was far from being able to contend with them.
His gaze shifted back to Leo, and in a calm voice, he spoke.
"You really are Isake's brother. He used to wait outside my dormitory at the Sacred Dragon Institute, just like you're doing now."
Remembering it brought a faint smile to Finn's lips. Back in those days at the Sacred Dragon Institute, Isake would often visit him for no other reason than to chat.
"Ah… Father always said the same thing about the two of us," Leo replied with a nostalgic smile. After a moment, he went on, "Actually, the main reason I came here was to tell you something important. Elder Marcus has offered to take me as his personal student, and I've accepted."
Finn's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but look at Leo with anticipation.
"Becoming the student of a Core Elder—especially Elder Marcus himself—is a tremendous opportunity. Allow me to congratulate you right away."
"Mm. I'm certain that my teacher will help me advance in both rank and strength. I couldn't think of any reason to refuse such a generous offer. Besides, this will benefit my clan as well," Leo added with a bright smile. Then, as if recalling something else, he continued, "Ah, right. I also heard from my master that Singh Marren, Hyon Pierceval, and Tiffanya Frois will be participating in the Seven Great Faction Games. They'll be representing the Ice Feather Sect."
The smile on Finn's face vanished. His expression grew grave and cold as he met Leo's gaze.
"I already suspected as much," he said, his voice low. "Hmph. If I cross paths with any of them, I won't show the slightest mercy. I'll make certain I get my revenge."
"There's long-standing animosity between my clan and the Black Tiger Family as well," Leo replied solemnly. "I'll stand by your side."
Even though Leo had no idea how Finn intended to defeat Tiffanya or Hyon, he didn't doubt him. After all, Finn had effortlessly felled Zeno with a single unremarkable punch. Leo was convinced Finn still harbored secrets yet unrevealed.
"Then I'm grateful to you, Leo," Finn answered softly, a hint of a smile returning to his lips.
He felt truly thankful he had not misjudged the Golden Lion Family. Though they were merely an aristocratic clan, their camaraderie and loyalty were precisely what someone like him—someone just beginning—so badly needed.
As the two continued their conversation, a young girl approached them.
"Mister Leo, Mister Finn—Sect Master Noah has summoned all members of the Soaring Seven to the Assembly Hall," she announced respectfully. "We're to set out for the Floating Island."
"Mm. You're Miss Juvia Wasser of the Calm Water Family, correct?" Leo asked.
Juvia offered a polite smile and nodded. Without another word, she turned and began walking away.
Finn and Leo exchanged a look and a helpless shrug.
The Calm Water Family was another aristocrat clan much like the Golden Lion Family, though weaker by comparison—especially after Finn's recent assistance had strengthened the Golden Lion Family's standing even further.
They followed behind Juvia in silence. When they reached the Assembly Hall, they immediately saw that the rest of the Soaring Seven had already gathered. The higher-ups of the Cloud Soaring Sect was also present. It seemed Finn and Leo were the last to arrive.
Finn's gaze fell upon Noah—and he noticed a small creature asleep on the man's shoulder. It had crimson fur the color of fresh blood, delicate stripes along its body, and the shape of a young tiger. Most striking of all were the tiny wings on its back, which only heightened its peculiar charm.
Yet it wasn't the creature's appearance that commanded Finn's attention. What truly stunned him was the aura emanating from its small body—an aura equal to that of a 6th Level Profound Rank Adventurer!
Finn surmised this formidable tiger must be Noah's battle companion. It was common among powerful adventurers to have Vicious Beasts at their side, and nearly all influential Adventurers maintained such partnerships.
Though the creature appeared small now, Finn knew this wasn't its true form. Powerful Vicious Beasts could shrink themselves at will. He had no doubt this crimson tiger was capable of a far more terrifying size.
Once everyone was assembled, Noah's voice rang out, calm yet unyielding.
"Now that we are all present, I have several reminders. We are traveling to Royal Clan territory. Let me be absolutely clear—cause no disturbances while we are there. Should you anger the authorities on the Floating Island, there will be nothing I can do to spare you from severe punishment."
His gaze swept across the group before continuing evenly, "Upon our arrival, we will proceed directly to the Floating Island's Auction House to convene with the other participants. There will also be an auction. The Cloud Soaring Sect will attempt to procure an armament for each of you, to aid you in the coming battles."
Gasps broke out among the others. None of them had expected the chance to obtain yet another powerful armament from the sect. If they gained such armament, their combat strength would undoubtedly surge again. Most of them had only weapons, lacking any protective gear. Not all defensive armaments were heavy and cumbersome—some were light as ordinary garments, the kind favored by Adventurers.
Yet despite this news, none of the Soaring Seven spoke up. Each of them was proud, with little inclination to mingle with the others.
Seeing this, Noah gave a weary shake of his head. He studied the seven and said firmly,
"Listen well. You must familiarize yourselves with each other's strengths. You will not only be fighting alone in the Seven Great Faction Games. There will be duels, paired matches, and team battles."
Silence persisted, until a soft, feminine voice rose to break it.
"Sect Master Noah," the young woman said evenly, "I believe there is someone among us who continues to hide their true abilities. Shouldn't he reveal them, so the rest of us can understand what he's capable of?"
At the sound of her words, Finn's face twitched. He knew that voice all too well. The girl was none other than Ashe—and he knew precisely whom she meant.
Noah said nothing. He merely watched her, as did the Elders. Of course, the higher-ups of the Cloud Soaring Sect was perfectly aware of what Ashe was implying. They had observed Finn's two battles. In neither had he used soulforce—only raw physical power. He had not relied on any techniques or armaments either, which puzzled them greatly.
When Ashe realized that none of the sect leadership intended to press Finn for answers, she frowned and slowly stepped forward to confront him.
Off to the side, Lore's expression turned grim. He hated how often Ashe paid attention to Finn. His feelings for her were no secret, and he could not stand seeing her interest fixed on another.
The only reason Lore had ever joined the Cloud Soaring Sect—and remained—was because of Ashe. Nothing else.
He had been just a boy the first time he laid eyes on her. From that day onward, he had trailed after her wherever she went.
Now, as Ashe stood face-to-face with Finn, she pointed at the ring on his right ring finger.
Fixing her gaze on it, she spoke calmly.
"That's not an interspatial ring—I can't sense any energy coming from it. May I inspect it? I'm merely curious to see what sort of ring it is, Finn Doria."
Finn's jaw clenched at her request. He could not allow that ring to be removed. The moment he did, the sect's leadership would instantly perceive his true power.
Ashe was correct—this was no storage ring. It lacked any space stone. It appeared utterly unremarkable. But what almost no one knew was that the ring was concealing Finn's aura and real strength.
It was a Top-tier Rare armament—the Concealing Ring.
Meeting her gaze steadily, Finn answered in a quiet, composed tone.
"I'm sorry, but I can't permit you to inspect it. It's simply a ring my father gave me. There's no reason for you to look at it."
Ashe frowned, her eyes narrowing into a sharp, appraising stare.
"What's the problem? You only have to take it off for me to see. Is there something wrong with that?"
Around them, the others began to murmur, curiosity piqued. Why was he so reluctant to remove it?
"Ashe, return to your place," Noah ordered at last, his voice serious. "We need to depart before we fall behind schedule."
Although Noah himself was curious to confirm the truth, he decided to let it go for now. If Finn refused to reveal his secret, there was nothing more they could do.
"But—"
"No buts. Back in line. Now," Noah commanded firmly, cutting her off. He lifted a hand to gently stroke the little crimson tiger on his shoulder.
"Little Red," he murmured, "it's time to go."
The tiny creature stirred, stretching its paws adorably—making it look even more endearing to those watching.
It glanced once at Noah before spreading its small wings and flying into the open space ahead.
What happened next left several members of the Soaring Seven stunned, their mouths agape.
In the blink of an eye, the cute little crimson tiger expanded—growing into something vast and fearsome. Enormous fangs jutted from its jaws, and all six wings stretched to colossal proportions. Its height reached ten feet, its blood-red body radiating an overwhelming presence.
Many swallowed hard as its terrible crimson eyes swept across them.
"All of you," Noah declared, his tone even but resonant, "allow me to introduce my companion and friend—a Vicious Beast known as Little Red. He is a Six-Winged Enormous Blood Tiger. He will be carrying us to the Floating Island."