ã€ŠBeseech: The Unhallowed Path [A Young Master POV Xianxia]ã€‹


 Chapter 1: His Name Is Liu Shuren

    ¡°Yield,¡± Liu Shuren warned, his voice devoid of emotion. ¡°Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless.¡±

    He tightened his grip around his enemy¡¯s neck, a red-haired muscular man with swollen cheeks. ¡°I¡¯ll give you three breaths to decide,¡± Shuren said, scorning him with eyes of glacial fury. The man struggled, veins bulging out his forearms as he grabbed Shuren¡¯s wrist. Shuren looked behind him, staring down at the three teenagers.

    ¡°D-don¡¯t you dare do anything to Raisa and t-the others!¡± The elder brother of Raisa said, but received a cold gaze from Shuren instead.

    ¡°Brother! Listen to him please!¡± Raisa begged, her lips quivering as tears gathered around her eyes. The other two, a girl and boy wearing torn leather clothing, could only clench their jaws and stay rooted in place. They didn¡¯t dare run. They couldn¡¯t.

    The red-haired man¡¯s fluffy ears, akin to a wolfen beast, drooped on his head, and he patted Shuren¡¯s in surrender. ¡°I-I yield!¡± Drool dribbled down his chin as he wheezed, limply hanging on Shuren¡¯s hand choking him.

    Shuren dropped him without a thought, shaking his hand.

    The man, garbed in beige leather clothes, forced down the urge to gasp for breath, grabbing the pickaxe at his side. Rusty and dull, but it was more than enough for him. Arching his arms back for a cleave, he-

    ¡°Ignoble fool. You¡¯re courting death.¡±

    Shuren kicked him. His foot smashed into the man¡¯s torso and threw him into the air. He sailed across the alleyway, slamming into the wall of a factory.

    Soot drifted in the air. Shuren clicked his tongue, anger simmering in his glare. But it was not from the audacity of this pathetic man.

    His clothes had gotten dirty.

    ¡°Stop! I¡¯ll listen to you. Please don¡¯t hurt him anymore!¡± Raisa cried out, running to her brother¡¯s side. She kneeled at his side to check for his wounds.

    Shuren sighed while shaking his head. ¡°I have the right to beat you to death. Do you know why I didn¡¯t? Because it¡¯s our duty as elder brothers to look out for our siblings. But not once did you question your sister, nor use your own brain, graced by the Architect. Until your cracked ribs heal, think back on your idiocy,¡± he said with an expressionless face, yet his eyes were that of a predator looking down at prey. The natural arrogance of a cultivator staring down at mortals.

    Her brother could only curl up into a ball, shivering in pain with his eyes squeezed shut.

    He gazed at the girl, nodding at her towards her other friends. She hesitated, staring at her brother before seeing Shuren¡¯s face.

    Raisa knew. She had no choice. No choice but to listen to that man, that cultivator.

    After seeing him beat down three of her older brothers from the orphanage; all muscular labourers and miners, with ease, she didn¡¯t dare go against his words.

    This was the stark difference between a cultivator and a mortal. To mortals, Qi was an unseen, intangible force, both everywhere yet nowhere. But cultivators could weave the intangible, transforming the heavenly Qi that graced this world into their own power.

    Shuren was only a Rank 1; Qidense Realm cultivator, the very first realm that focused on mastering the concept of Qi. Just with simply reinforcing his body and limbs with Qi, he could exert an absurd level of martial prowess.

    He walked gently to the trio of Vulfoans, walking past the unconscious body of two other unruly labourers.

    Shuren¡¯s gaze bore down on them, his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°You know your sins. So let us get to the point,¡± he said with a voice sharp and cold.

    ¡°Kneel,¡± Shuren ordered. In a breath, his will was followed, and they all knelt to the floor. They ignored the cold pain as their knees slapped the soot-covered ground, paying no mind to the dirt on their clothes. Such was the condition of the Industrial District.

    They had long been accustomed to living such a life ever since they moved to Cloud City.

    He took out three sheets of paper from his robe, each paired with a crystalline carnelian pen. ¡°You have two choices here. Either face punishment for your offence, or listen to what I say,¡± Shuren demanded, before lowering his tone further for his next four words. ¡°Which will it be?¡±

    The Raisa slammed her forehead to the ground. ¡°Lord cultivator, we will do as you say!¡± she cried out, and her body kept trembling. Her friends followed along her actions.

    Shuren¡¯s left eye twitched, waving a palm as he said, ¡°Raise your heads. I don¡¯t order children to kowtow. It¡¯s time for you to grow up and stop implicating your elder brothers.¡± Shuren passed them each a paper and pen. ¡°Write a sincere apology and vow to change your ways.¡±

    The three of them slowly raised their head, almost yelping in shock as Shuren kneeled to their height. His calloused hands passed them each a clean sheet of paper, speckless and pristine. When they grabbed it, their fingerprints inadvertently dirtied it.

    ¡°Write,¡± Shuren commanded, passing each of them a pen.

    A carnelian jade pen, an exorbitant decorated object that further signified his wealth. One of the three, a teen boy with brown hair, could only think that if they could just pawn this item, they would be well off for at least a few months. In fact, he fidgeted with it for a moment, staring at its beauty.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Shuren could tell what he was thinking. But if the boy dared to take it for himself, he wouldn¡¯t survive long in this city.

    Today, they had learnt a grim lesson.

    There were some people you simply couldn¡¯t afford to offend.

    ¡°L-lord Cultivator, I have finished as you have r-requested,¡± Raisa said, barely composing herself. She held out her paper with her hands beneath it to ensure the paper wasn¡¯t dirtied any more. The other two soon followed, handing over their papers and the ornate pens.

    Flicking through the three written papers, Shuren nodded. ¡°Very good. This is a sincere letter."

    He felt the skin of his neck pricking, even though he couldn¡¯t sense the aura of a spectator.

    Enough time wasted, I need to prepare for the sect finale tomorrow.

    ¡°You¡¯re mere orphans. You have no parents, no lineage, no wealth. You are nothing, so understand it well. Otherwise, your lives will be taken without remorse, and they¡¯d have full justification for doing so,¡± Shuren said without sympathy, as if taking lives was a simple matter. Even if he didn¡¯t enjoy scaring a bunch of orphans, that fear would allow them to survive longer.

    ¡°Do not tell Liu Yuxi of this incide-¡±

    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing, you scumbag?!¡± A man yelled from across the alleyway.

    Shuren craned his neck around, watching a tanned blue-haired man with a sheathed sword dash across the alleyway. The smell of freshly baked sweet bread wafted through the alleyway, coming from the bag he held.

    What, it¡¯s just a Stage 2 Qidense brat. Must be related to them. Still¡­ I should¡¯ve been able to detect him.

    Naturally, there were stages to each rank. Rank 1; the Qidense Realm, made up of 12 stages, and only until you passed through each could you qualify to appear at the gates of Rank 2; Path Foundation.

    And since Shuren was at a much higher stage than this person, he could easily discern the level of his strength based off the aura he gave off.

    The blue-haired man recognised the trio, alongside the collapsed bodies. ¡°You¡¯re the kids from Kraus¡¯s orphanage!¡± His golden eyes shook with rage, and he unsheathed his sword with haste, staring daggers towards Shuren.

    ¡°Shit, I still can¡¯t examine it?!¡± Strangely enough, he barely muttered out these words, ignorant of Shuren¡¯s hearing capabilities as a stronger cultivator. But when he glanced at the orphans and their unconscious brothers once more, he resolved himself.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± With a guttural roar, he leapt forth. Running with his sword held in a back stance, the young man sliced towards Shuren¡¯s neck.

    He even ingested his Qi within his sword, strengthening his speed and strength by twofold. He shifted his stance midway, aiming for an overhead strike. The edge of the sword cleaved towards Shuren¡¯s body and the-

    Two fingers halted the blade.

    ¡°With such a temperament, you won¡¯t live for long,¡± Shuren said with nonchalance, as if he was out in a stroll under Heaven¡¯s Eye.

    ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t attack him, he¡¯s from the Liu Clan!¡± Raisa yelled out to warn him.

    The vagrant swordsman smirked as he held his sword, glaring straight at Shuren¡¯s cold blue eyes. ¡°A cultivator of some esteemed family bullying a bunch of mortal orphans? You think your reputation won¡¯t fall if word of this gets out?¡±

    The blade of his sword crumbled and cracked into pieces as Shuren put more pressure.

    And when Shuren clenched his right fist, all the vagrant swordsman saw was a blur of his fist, the world growing distant in front of him as his body flung away. He felt a cracking sensation at the centre of his chest, as a sharp pain manifested.

    Shuren dropped the shards of the blade to the ground, slowly strolling towards him. "You are indeed correct, I do have a reputation to uphold. If word of this gets out."

    Shuren raised his chin with conceit. This blue-haired man actually had some intellect, aiming for his weakness. Though cultivators like him had high status, especially combined with his lineage, they also had some rules to play by.

    The broken pieces of the vagrant''s sword crumbled under the weight of Shuren''s foot, and with each sound of that step getting closer to him, his heart beat began rising. While keeled over in pain wheezing from his injuries, the vagrant ingested a simple white pill that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

    "Stand up," Shuren commanded. "For raising a sword against me, I have every right to kill you." Shuren said as he tugged his robes, removing what bits of dust there was. He had just bought them to participate in the sect examinations tomorrow.

    The vagrant backed off as he stood up, holding a hand to his chest, but his breathing stabilised by the second. "You hypocritical basta-"

    The vagrant felt a stinging pain across his cheek, as a mark shaped like a hand imprinted on it. He was slapped with such force that he almost fell over, his neck bent to the side. But somehow, that slap hurt more than the punch to his now fractured ribcage.

    Shuren heard a thud at his feet, and when he looked down, Raisa kowtowed at his feet, with even her ears drooping to the side. "Lord cultivator, please show mercy. I promise you we won''t ever show our faces here again. If that''s not enough, then I-"

    "Didn''t I say I don''t make children kowtow? Stand up."

    Shuren had seen enough.

    "I''m in a good mood today, after succeeding to the final stage of the sect examinations. There''s no need to bloody my new clothes." Shuren turned his back to the vagrant, instead patting the girl''s shoulder. "Keep your siblings in line."

    She felt her pocket feel just a touch heavier, but didn''t dare to check. She only heard soft, delicate tinkling.

    <hr>

    Shuren left the alleyway, with his hands held behind his back. Perhaps he may never return to this side of Cloud City again, so he took his time taking in the sights.

    The next time they see my younger sister, Little Yuxi, they''ll grovel down or even be subservient to her. It''s time for her to understand how the world runs. The right hand holds the sword, the left hand holds the jade. With fear and respect, the heart rests at ease.

    Before Shuren walked too far ahead, he glanced back at the blue-haired man. "You, tell me your name."

    "Bloody arrogant young master, you think I don''t know what you''re getting at?" He retorted, standing his ground with the red-haired girl, still tense for a fight.

    Shuren raised an eyebrow at his pathetic and strange insult, before ignoring it and walking away.

    Though he said these words, Shuren held a sliver of respect for the weak man. Not many would willingly risk their life to help the downtrodden of the city, even if he had gravely misunderstood the situation in his idiocy.

    As he left the alleyway in the Industrial District in Cloud City, he thought back once more on the sect finale tomorrow.

    _I have no choice but to reach the top, destroying everyone in my way. If I can''t become an inner disciple of the Seven Clouds Sect, or secure an alliance with them, my claim to become successor to the Liu Clan will dissipate.

    If I fail to become successor, then it''ll be impossible for me to avenge the Sword Saint.

    <hr>

    Tez, the blue-haired vagrant, could finally let out a sigh of relief as Shuren left. ¡°This is some dogshit luck! If that monster went too far, I wouldn¡¯t even be able to come for the sect finale tomorrow!¡±

    He wished to slump to the floor, but right now, the blaring red screen in front of him took his attention away.

    A sweat trickled down his forehead.

    **Do Not Engage: Liu Shuren - ???

    Stats: ???

    Realm: ???

    Talisbody: Perfect Iron Grade

    Talisoul:???

    Talispirit:???

    Calculating Threat Level¡­

    Threat Level: S Grade

 Chapter 2: Formation Master Zelfin

    Shuren continued to walk as he headed west to exit out of the Industrial District. The scent of factory oil and smoke had gone for the moment, thanks to Cloud City¡¯s cleansing array. But not for long. Despite the dust sullying Shuren¡¯s clothes, it was still interesting to observe the district. He had never seen such a place back home at the Liu Clan; otherwise known as the Granxian Continent.

    The factories were optimised to ensure even mortals could produce weapons and equipment, with the use of machines made of ores and otherwise to assist the mortals with production. Back in his clan, most cultivators had a variety of different methods, from formations to spiritual alchemy, to increase their manufacturing speed.

    But it made sense why Cloud City had recently begun buzzing with its presence across the world, even reaching to the Granxian Continent.

    Cloud City, A Rank 5 Province. At the height amongst the world of mortal cultivators, it was powerful enough to have Nascent Soul cultivators at its helm.

    It wouldn¡¯t be long before the leader would ascend to becoming an Immortal. A Rank 6 Grand Pathstrider.

    Though Shuren took a casual pace, it was noticeably faster than the rest of the workers walking beside and around him. At the sight of the young man with vibrant and brilliant clothing, they steered clear and away, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t drag any attention. It¡¯s like they¡¯re seeing a ghost. I understand I¡¯m clearly of high status, but everyone sure is on edge.

    It was like this as well before he even got to visit the friends of his younger sister. Shuren felt the slight weight of papers in his robes, making sure it didn¡¯t get crumpled under pressure. And the smell of soot, however miniscule, had soon shifted as Shuren neared the westernmost Residential District of Cloud City. Located at the edge of the wide wall that encircled it.

    Shuren intently observed his surroundings as he continued to walk past this area; the houses were much smaller than the ones in his district, shabbier and unkempt. When he glanced at some windows, he would see up to a dozen people crammed into a single room. And finding someone asleep even on the side of the walkways wasn¡¯t rare. Those without even the basics of a home.

    Father¡­ Is this worth the price, listening to that man¡¯s request? Even if he was one of the best Formation Masters of that fallen city, having Little Yuxi come all the way here to study is not wise. It¡¯s a terrible environment.

    Though Shuren himself had only lived in Cloud City for three years, he was familiar with the major dilemma around Cloud City.

    That it housed the remnant population of another nearby city that had been destroyed in a disaster.

    On that night five years ago, when the Unhallowed Monolith first made its appearance.

    Unhallowed. Though I myself haven¡¯t personally seen the effects of it, for them to use that term means only one thing. On why they couldn¡¯t possibly rebuild that city anymore.

    That the destruction sowed was capable of ruining the very foundation of the world itself.

    Despite five years having passed, with the situation being more stabilised, there were still droves of refugees and migrants trying to find a second home. And the mixture of the race of Vulfoans; those with similar features to a wolf, and the race of Silvents; with branched horns attuned to nature, conflicted with the cultures of Cloud City.

    Shuren didn¡¯t have an opinion on this matter. He wasn¡¯t an original citizen of Cloud City. He was focused only on his training and cultivation.

    His own goals.

    Shuren gazed to the far east, where seven towering mountains centred the city of clouds.

    So long as I become a Core Disciple in the Seven Clouds Sect, I can easily become an External Elder. Then, I can increase my influence to become patriarch of the Liu Clan, and help my father with his business.

    But Shuren couldn¡¯t help but sigh, as he neared closer to his destination. A single, ugly building with discoloured bricks stood. At best, it could hold a few dozen people. If even. ¡°Father, this is ridiculous. Is he really worth this price?¡± Shuren could only scoff, walking into the building.

    At this time of day, the small academy had long sent its students away by midday. Shuren had the courtesy to knock on the door, waiting for a reply. He still had to hold a modicum of respect to the master and mentor of his younger sister.

    He was met by the tall visage of a sea and salt haired man, a Vulfoan with dark fuzzy ears, with a severed tail. Formation Master Zelfin adjusted his crooked frames, and had a calm demeanour as he smiled at Shuren. ¡°How could I help you, young master Shuren?¡±

    Shuren clasped both his hands, bowing slightly towards him. ¡°Honoured Master Zelfin. I believe this is the first time we¡¯ve met. I¡¯ve come to discuss the development of my sister¡¯s curriculum.¡±

    ¡°At ease. Raise your head, Shuren. Come inside, I¡¯ll serve you some tea,¡± Master Zelfin patted Shuren¡¯s shoulder firmly, and he led the way to the building. His left leg was stilted in motion, but Shuren realised within a few seconds.

    He wore a prosthetic leg.

    This is the state of the youngest Formation Master of the fallen city; Yestervaul¡­ Now overtaken by that Unhallowed Monolith.

    Thankfully, though the building was small, Shuren inwardly nodded with gratitude at the state of it. Unblemished and vibrant; a suitable place for children and teens to learn. As they went through a doorway, Master Zelfin already had a hot pot of tea, ready to be served.

    On the singular table in the room, there was a board marked with multiple black and white pieces of various carved sizes. Shuren was drawn to it for a moment, precisely because he wasn¡¯t aware of it. Board games were quite popular to develop and train one¡¯s thoughts, and were a perfect tool for young cultivators to hone their mind and thought processing speed. Especially amongst Sagacity Path cultivators, they tended to be utterly mad in the pursuit of mind dazzling games.

    What brought his attention the most was the hefty book with a sigil known to everyone in the world. Ten rings, all crossing into each other. The representation of the Grand Paths.

    It was a book spread across the lands after the advent of the First Grand Era; when all mortals were gifted the grace of literacy.

    The Testament of The Architect. The One who built this world with His bare hands.

    ¡°I thought your people had an aversion to this book. Some people use it to proclaim the difference between you and me.¡± Shuren thought back to one of its chapters. It recounted the first time a powerful beast gained a form similar to a human.

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Not necessarily. People find their own interpretations from it. What is true and what is false, it¡¯s a never ending debacle amongst people with too much free time. I personally use it to gain a deeper understanding of cultivation,¡± Zelfin said, picking up the book to make space on the table.

    Shuren held some slight surprise when he raised his eyebrows. He didn¡¯t expect a cultivator, even though he was a cripple, to use the book as a source of comprehending the Grand Paths.

    ¡°It is the oldest scripture in the world, a telling of how cultivation came to be. Whether you believe in it or not, the fundamentals are still relevant to the Grand Paths we all pursue.¡± Zelfin replied, reading Shuren¡¯s expression. ¡°You¡¯ll understand once you reach Path Foundation.¡±

    Even Shuren couldn¡¯t deny Zelfin¡¯s words, pondering on them for a moment.

    ¡°Please, sit. I¡¯ll prepare the tea in but a moment,¡± Zelfin said with a calm and collected voice. So far, Shuren nodded with a slight smile, taking a seat and content with the treatment. But he couldn¡¯t help but have a nauseating instinct tug at the back of his neck.

    That he shouldn¡¯t look down on this man.

    The clink of the tea cup resounded across the quiet room, and both Shuren and Master Zelfin were seated across from each other. An ordinary table, rough at the edges, coldly serving its pure purpose.

    Shuren as the guest took the first sip. ¡°Good tea. A light taste, with hints of the sensation of grass, and a balance between sweet and bitter. Like the morning reed painted orange at dusk, standing firm against the waves of the morning breeze.¡±

    ¡°Ah, a sophisticated answer. I¡¯ll guarantee you one thing, the tea of the Silverwoods is unparalleled with the sensations of nature. Not even your Grand Immortals of the Granxian Continent could compare.¡± Master Zelfin took a sip as he followed, accepting Shuren¡¯s feedback. A custom amongst the elite.

    Shuren had a light chuckle. ¡°One day, I¡¯ll allow you to taste the Willow Leafblade Tea.¡± Leaving the cup down at the table, he looked eye to eye with Master Zelfin. ¡°How is my sister doing as your student?¡±

    ¡°Exceptionally well. As your father said, she has an attunement to the vocation of Formations.¡± Master Zelfin took out a piece of paper, and with a pen drew a simple box. ¡°There are four corners to formations; quantity, quality, density, and alternation.¡± He circled a single corner as he continued. ¡°Liu Yuxi excels the most with alternation, able to tweak formulae with either different materials or runic inscriptions. It is a representation of her thinking methods, in a sense. My next step is teaching her the basics of the Rune Inscription vocation.¡±

    In this world, there was no cultivator without a vocation.

    Vocations were the prerequisite of every cultivator worth their blood and soul. It was a skill they used to generate resources and income, alongside strengthening their main Path in cultivation. Someone on the Fire Path could have the Weapon Smithing vocation, or someone on the Water Path could have the Spiritual Alchemist vocation.

    Pride coursed through Shuren as he held a smile, realising that his sister was developing as intended. But he cut that joy short.

    He was here for another matter.

    ¡°You¡¯re struggling to control your students. They don¡¯t even have the basic common sense of not provoking those above them.¡± Shuren narrowed his eyes, and both his hands sat at the table, with his fingers intertwined. ¡°Why is my sister, the reason why this school even exists, being pushed around by some mere dogged orphans?¡±

    Master Zelfin didn¡¯t change his expression even slightly. He still retained the generous smile, but he took out his glasses to clean them with a white cloth. ¡°My facility isn¡¯t enough to handle things outside of my control. I only have a single pair of eyes, and even if I once was one of the youngest Formation Masters of my fallen homeland, I¡¯ve long been crippled from it.¡±

    Shuren clicked his tongue. *He¡¯s feigning ignorance and responsibility. Clearly trying to hint at more funds for his academy. Just because my family is from the Liu Clan doesn¡¯t mean we have an endless supply of money.

    ¡°Is the Formation Master Zelfin struggling to take care of a few dozen children? It is your duty as the teacher to educate them, not I. But today, I had to fulfill that role for you.¡± Shuren tapped the table with his index finger in a rhythm, signifying his patience. ¡°All of your students should know that Liu Yuxi is the one who sponsors them. Yet you allow her to face childish conflict from her peers? This undermines your skill as a teacher, Master Zelfin.¡±

    He continued to take another sip of his tea, taking a moment to respond. It was only until he exhaled a breath of hot air that he did. ¡°Young master Shuren, I guarantee you one thing. These incidents did not occur inside my school. I don¡¯t have the ability to handle the curriculum, mentor your sister, and observe outside the building where they all play around or rest.¡±

    Shuren struggled to hold his patience in, but he continued to speed up his tapping of the table. No wonder none of the elites of Cloud City managed to hire him, because he¡¯s this difficult to work with. Even if he¡¯s a cripple, he¡¯s still trying to reap more benefits while slacking off on his duty.

    He reined his emotions inside, holding a stern expression. ¡°Just get to the point. What do you need?¡±

    ¡°I need more teachers.¡± Once more, Master Zelfin took his time as he continued with another sip. ¡°But my greatest peers are now forced into indentured servitude, working as mules for the Huang Clan¡¯s main factory at the centre of the district.¡±

    Shuren recalled walking past it earlier. It was the largest and most recently built factory in the district, funded with the help of the Seven Clouds Sect themselves.

    The Huang Clan, with their strongest being a Rank 4; Path Forger cultivator. The most influential clan when it came to weapon smithing. They supplied weapons to the Seven Clouds Sect, a cushy private deal that made them an untouchable force.

    A competitor to his father¡¯s business.

    Master Zelfin pushed out the board of pieces, a mixture of black and white. ¡°Many of my old colleagues have had to work labour jobs to provide for their family. Young master, it is an arduous and thankless job. But they were once esteemed teachers in our Divine Capital of Yestervaul.¡± He placed a piece forward on the board, in the shape of a small sphere on a slender base. ¡°One of them, Qaen, attempted a protest with his fellow workers, but has disappeared alongside his sister since then. The Cloud Knights are also of no help.¡±

    "You want me to use my father¡¯s name?¡± Shuren crossed his arms as he said. He had gotten the gist of the situation.

    ¡°Surname.¡±

    Shuren didn¡¯t speak for a moment, gazing at Zelfin. The difference was apparent. He would be using Liu Clan¡¯s reputation on the line over just his father¡¯s. This man refused to mentor my sister alone, instead asking for sponsorship of his school. Now he wants to dangle direct tutorship over me for the opportunity to use our clan¡¯s name for his political goals. Zelfin, you¡¯re lucky my father believes in your status as a great Formation Master.

    ¡°What you¡¯re asking of me is no light matter.¡±

    The intention was clear behind his words.

    ¡°I will promise you a lifelong personal favour, using my connections of capable masters amongst my people. Within my means, of course,¡± was all Formation Master Zelfin said.

    Shuren knew the weight of those words was worth in gold.

    ¡°You will fulfill me with the assistance of one task when I break through to Rank 2; Path Foundation. No matter how difficult, I will pay for all materials, but I need you and your colleague¡¯s cooperation.¡± Shuren focused his gaze once more, awaiting Master Zelfin¡¯s answer.

    The bottom of the white piece that Master Zelfin held thudded against the board, this time one space ahead. ¡°Agreed. I swear it by the Architect.¡±

    Shuren nodded in acknowledgement.

    ¡°What exactly is that board game? It isn¡¯t like the popular Moktok game from the Vulfoans or the Silvent¡¯s game of reeds.¡± Shuren changed the subject, piquing his curiosity.

    His father had told him of some of their games, as he was heavily involved with the Vulfoans and Silvents over the past half decade or so. Shuren had an inkling of some of their customs.

    ¡°It¡¯s called ¡®chess¡¯. The disciple of my good friend introduced it amongst his peers, but only us old heads enjoyed it for what it¡¯s worth. Even though I¡¯m a cripple, my brain¡¯s speed of thought process is still that of a Rank 4 cultivator.¡± Master Zelfin held a finger on the pawn. ¡°Do you want to learn?¡±

    ¡°Another time.¡± Shuren stood up, stretching his shoulders.

    ¡°Then please, forward this message to your father so he can negotiate with the Huang Clan.¡± Zelfin said, as he let out a breath of relief.

    Taking off his outer robe, Shuren handed it over to Master Zelfin. ¡°Keep it clean. I just got it today, and I don¡¯t wish to dirty it with blood.¡± What he wore underneath was a simple white linen shirt, almost struggling to hold his chiselled body in check.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Zelfin had realised immediately what his intent was, grabbing his robes.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to waste time negotiating with the clan jurisdictions themselves,¡± Shuren said, bringing out a small bottle of perfume to spray himself. When cleaning up trash, one should come with the courtesy of beauty and grace.

    ¡°I¡¯ll deal with them personally.¡±

    Shuren left with his parting words as he opened the door to leave.

    ¡°Just give me an hour.¡±

 Chapter 3: If You Run, You Die

    ¡°You saw that dirty mutt? He sure changed up his tune once we got a hold of his sister. Haha, the look on his face was ridiculous. He actually kowtowed for over a night,¡± a lanky man said, laughing as he slapped the back of his fellow guardsman.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. This is why no one wants to be hanging out with you. We¡¯re just here to do our jobs and get a damn living.¡± The other, a man with dead eyes, shrugged his shoulder as he moved away.

    Shuren saw the ridiculous scene, striding forth with his hands relaxed in his pockets. Not even Stage 1, just a pair of mortals. I expected better.

    The lanky man scratched his stomach, like a fly was stuck under his skin. ¡°Come on, Chev, I know a good spot. I¡¯m telling you when-¡±

    ¡°Enough. This is why some random kid¡¯s walking up on us. Do your damn job and scare him off,¡± Chev the guard walked towards Shuren, and soon his lanky colleague followed through. ¡°You¡¯re no worker. State your business.¡±

    ¡°An appointment with your leader.¡± Shuren raised his chin, even if he was a head shorter than the guards. ¡°We have a deal to follow up with.¡±

    Chev scrutinised Shuren, his eyes squinting with a hint of suspicion, but patted his lanky colleague as he walked away. ¡°I¡¯m going to check. You keep an eye on him.¡±

    And right as Chev turned away, the lanky man stood a foot closer to Shuren. He opened his mouth to speak, stinking of alcohol.

    Shuren backhanded his chin.

    The man fell.

    Chev heard nothing, but gears continued in his head as he muttered a few things, slowly turning his head around. His hand that held onto the sheathe of his sword trembled, taking it out with instinct. ¡°Wait, something¡¯s off about that kid. I¡¯ll-¡±

    At the sight of Shuren, he cut himself off and swung a brutish downward slice across Shuren¡¯s body.

    His blade shattered. An iron fist slammed right into his face, knocking him out in that one motion.

    With a single strike, both men fell unconscious.

    Shuren shook his fist so all the splinters of metal could fall. There was only one reason he could do such a feat.

    He had an Iron Grade Talisbody.

    Talisbody was one of the three aspects of all cultivators, alongside Talispirit and Talisoul.

    It was the development of your external durability, alongside understanding your internal body as a cultivator. It both worked to gain new Spiritual Meridians and strengthen the physical body to surpass the limits of a mortal.

    And Talisbody could only be upgraded through sheer effort, as every living being had to start from nothing and train until they reached Bronze Grade Talisbody. No treasure in the world could upgrade it, aside from yourself, a Heavenly Blessing or Cursed Anomaly at birth.

    The stages of Talisbody were Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold and Jade. The further stages were reserved for those beyond Rank 6; Immortal Cultivators.

    Most cultivators his age would only have a Bronze Grade Talisbody. To get to Iron Grade before reaching Rank 2 as a cultivator meant this man had spent years of his gruelling life training his body to its peak!

    ¡°Not even worth a warm up.¡±

    Dealing with both in a breath, Shuren casually walked towards the factory.

    And it had only been ten minutes so far since he left.

    If it wasn¡¯t for his oath, I would¡¯ve convinced father to give up with that Formation Master.

    The Oaths of a cultivator were vital to their reputation, especially when sworn by the Architect. And Shuren was confident that Zelfin wouldn¡¯t want to sour his relationship with the Liu family in Cloud City over a simple favour.

    ¡°It¡¯s past the mid day toll, so the workers should¡¯ve already gone back in. It¡¯ll be good to see how the Huang Clan manufactures their weapons.¡± Shuren stood in front of the factory, the size dozens larger than his own manor. Unlike most of the buildings and pagodas in Cloud City, this infrastructure was built with ores, iron and otherwise. It had dozens of spires littered around the roof, churning out filth that was gradually cleansed through an array. Shuren frowned as he bore with the stifling stench of soot and oil.

    But what brought his attention was something else entirely.

    Shuren weaved and controlled his Qi, to focus around his eyes, sharpening his vision. With that, he saw the lines and inscriptions that ran across the building. A Rank 1 Formation on the building, most likely a defensive structure, so it couldn¡¯t be taken down by a group of mortals in protest.

    Two massive doors were at the entrance, but would only be opened during the entry and exit of all its workers. On the far right, there was a standard door for those entering at different timings.

    The simple defence formation wasn¡¯t enough to deter Shuren what so ever. Low grade formation. I barely needed to exert any effort. So much for the Huang Clan.

    With both arms on the door, Shuren pushed.

    The creaks of the doors resounded across the factory, and the powerful stench of dark oil and burning metal came from within.

    He did not break a single sweat. Stretching his shoulders, Shuren walked straight into the factory.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    The sounds of metal being struck by automated machinery, the roars of flames in the furnaces, and the scent of smoky oil and ores were a cacophony of sensations to Shuren. It was wholly unlike the clean and serene landscapes he was used to. They¡¯ve managed to automate this much work with just mere mortals on such a large scale¡­ Without even formations or runic inscriptions and cultivators to assist. The recent technology the Seven Clouds Sect has brought in has been quite unique.

    Memories flitted past Shuren, of his youth in the Granxian continent and recently in Cloud City. Or perhaps there are even stranger things in the other corners of the world.

    Shuren ignored the attention of the nearby workers, walking closer inwards. No one could hear him, nor even sense him. The sound of his footsteps was swallowed by the bellowing roars of the factory. His clean skin, free from soot and dust, gave the nearby audience an inkling of his nature.

    Churning Qi around his hands and throat, Shuren lifted both hands apart.

    He clapped.

    A thunderous clap that brought everyone in the factory to his attention. The sounds of metal ceased, the furious fires slept, and the clashing of machinery slowed.

    ¡°You are all to leave for the hour. The Liu Clan has business with the leader.¡±

    His voice echoed and reverberated across the entire factory, bringing attention to all.

    A middle-aged Silvent jogged towards Shuren, his forehead dripping with sweat. The sweat wasn¡¯t from the heat, but rather, Shuren¡¯s appearance. He bent his knee to kowtow.

    Shuren raised a palm. ¡°Speak your mind.¡±

    ¡°My gratitudes, Lord Cultivator. I am the foreman of this sector. If you wish for us all to leave, I must relay this message to the owner first.¡±

    Before the Silvent foreman even realised, Shuren had already stood by his side. He left a palm on his shoulder.

    Yet that palm felt like a boulder.

    ¡°Where is worker Qaen?¡±

    He realised the severity of the situation. ¡°O-only the owner would know, L-lord Cultivator.¡±

    ¡°Good. Do as I say.¡±

    The foreman didn¡¯t dare to waste any more of Shuren¡¯s time. Clasping his hands to bow, he understood his command. ¡°I will organise all workers to leave right now, Lord Cultivator.¡±

    Shuren watched as over a hundred workers, tradesmen of all sorts, leave the factory at once. Most of them were either Silvents or Vulfoans, which wasn¡¯t a surprise.

    In the midst was a bald man, trying to push through towards the exit. He wasn¡¯t clothed like the workers, instead wearing a simple shirt and pants. A simple human.

    ¡°The Stage 1 Qidense cultivator. Take a step out of the factory, and you¡¯ll need a cane for the rest of your life.¡± Shuren oozed his Qi Aura, sending invisible pressure. Though mortals wouldn¡¯t be affected much, it was a signal fellow cultivators were highly attuned to.

    The shuffling of steps quietened. Everyone looked at each other to figure out who the person was.

    The bald man shuddered. He forced his way through the crowd towards Shuren, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Senior brother! This junior is ready to be of service!¡±

    ¡°I trust you weren¡¯t playing messenger to the Huang Clan, junior.¡± Shuren said to the man, even if he were a couple of decades older than him.

    ¡°I-I wouldn¡¯t dare to. I was simply following your commands.¡±

    The hierarchy of age meant little. In the world of cultivators, what made you a senior was your power. In general, the more powerful you were, the older you tended to be. Cultivators had many ways to rejuvenate their skin and maintain their youth.

    Shuren nodded to the crowd, signalling them to leave. The heart of the factory was now stilled, with just Shuren and his junior left. ¡°Lead me to the head office.¡±

    ¡°Yes, senior! This one endeavours to guide you to the owner.¡±

    Shuren observed his surroundings as he was led by his junior. Comparing this place to the works of his father, it was a stark contrast.

    In terms of mass manufacturing and efficiency, the Huang Clan far outclasses our family business. But we hold paramount pride in our craftsmanship. Once father makes his deal with the Silverwoods Factions, he can finally manufacture his Spiritude Artifacts on a larger scale. If I become a Core Disciple of the Seven Clouds Sect, I can use my status to facilitate benefits to my family.

    There were numerous methods of crafting weapons and armour. Though Metallurgy was a common vocation, Woodspirits Smithing, was what his father specialised in. And the development of Spiritude Artifacts was his magnum opus; a weapon that would grow in strength alongside the wielder.

    Shuren expected to be climbing up to the higher levels of the factory, but instead was led down further towards the underground. Amongst the eerie silence, it was clear that the guards would¡¯ve long reconvened with the owner of this factory by now.

    The underground basement was a stark contrast to the ground floors of the factory; red carpet was sewn across the floor, with engraved wooden doors and an open space to the point this place could double as a tavern.

    Shuren stopped by one of the doors. ¡°Wait for me here.¡±

    ¡°Senior brother, the boss¡¯s room is just u-¡±

    Shuren only looked down on his bald junior to get him to shut up. There¡¯s a bunch of Stage 1¡¯s and Stage 2¡¯s in the Qidense Realm in this room. It¡¯d be quite boring if I come here without even warming myself up.

    He didn¡¯t even bother gracefully opening the door, rather kicking it down with force.

    A man relaxed at his table eating food was thoroughly fed mouthful of a door as it slammed right into his face.

    ¡°Captain Guanzi! The intruders appeared here!¡± The largest guard with a broadsword on his back yelled out, dropping the metal shelf full of paperwork at his side.

    Captain Guanzi, armoured with a simple sword, pointing his weapon up high. ¡°Everyone, get ready for an attack!¡± Without hesitation, the group of guards in the middle of moving any vital evidence acted. ¡°Shit! They got lil Zhang already!¡±

    Shuren walked in with his hands held behind his back. Half a dozen guards in the middle of moving ledgers and paperwork were in front of a captured Silvent man.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a well-established company? What¡¯s there to hide?¡± Shuren taunted, eyeing the worker at the back. Whoever¡¯s running this factory is quite clever. He already deduced that someone of status forced his way in from the news he would¡¯ve received. But, I can use this to my advantage.

    ¡°Red haired Silvent in the back. Are you the one called Qaen?¡±

    The captured man with a rag in his mouth rapidly nodded his head to answer in return.

    ¡°Your one-legged friend sent me here.¡± Shuren walked to the collapsed guard unlucky enough to get slammed by the broken door. With a precise strike to the back of his head, his feigned collapse became real.

    But not once did he reveal the power of his Qi. For the six guards in the room, he didn¡¯t need them to all run away.

    ¡°Those who run away will die. Those who cower will die. If you want to live¡­¡±

    Unarmed, he stood. His left hand taunted as it beckoned them all to fight.

    ¡°Then make me work up a sweat!¡±

    With the advent of the sect finale, Shuren needed to have a warm up!

    <hr>

    ¡°The sect finale is coming up soon. Can¡¯t waste too much time on this.¡±

    A young man held a reed in his mouth. His dark green hair rusted in the winds, defiled in the smell of blood. Wearing the robes of a cultivator from the Seven Clouds Sect, the characters noting Haze were engraved on its side.

    Corpse upon corpses were strewn, all facing an ominous statue in the centre. ¡°If the villagers keep worshipping this thing, we¡¯ll have to brand them as demonic beings. They sure love making it a hassle for me, huh.¡±

    Haze stood, knocking on the statue of a dead man, yet seemingly alive at the same time. There were no signs of battle, yet around it were dead corpses piled.

    ¡°Still can¡¯t remove it. I¡¯ll just leave a barrier for now and head back.¡±

    Haze turned his back, leaving the Kallas Jungles. ¡°They¡¯re changing up the sect finale this year. Guess they¡¯re finally ramping up on getting more potential kids for the battle around the Unhallowed Monolith. Honestly, for such a calm and relaxed Sect Leader, he really can seem bloodthirsty at times.¡±

    The disciple walked away, humming an old tune of the shattered ten rings.

    As a six-winged three-eyed firefly landed on the head of the bedevilled statue.

 Chapter 4: A Forlorn Curse

    ¡°Feel free to use your weapons,¡± Shuren taunted them as he continued to walk with both hands behind his back.

    ¡°State your name! Don¡¯t you realise this is the turf of the Huang Clan?!¡± Captain Guanzi yelled out, trying to prod at Shuren¡¯s identity.

    But there was a reason Shuren shouted out about his blatant plan to help the captured Qaen. To make them think he was just an insurgent back up sent by one of Qaen¡¯s comrades. The thought that he was a member of a major clan wouldn¡¯t go by their heads.

    Otherwise, none of them would even bother trying to fight a young master of a major clan. They¡¯d just lay down and let him walk straight to their boss. The risk wasn¡¯t worth doing their jobs.

    ¡°Who knows?¡± With those words, Shuren strode forth. That guy at the front¡¯s the strongest, at Stage 4 of Qidense. He should last a while.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, even if he is a cultivator! Crowd together and move him towards the corner of the room! Reduce his field of movement!¡± Captain Guanzi waved his arm to gesture to the guard at the back, taking the lead as the five others shuffled forth with him.

    A knife shot out towards the chandelier at the ceiling, cutting off all light.

    Taking away light to reduce my range of vision? A handicap like this should make things interesting.

    Shuren picked up the leg of a nearby table, casually throwing it across the room. Far too slow, I¡¯m going to fall asleep at this rate.

    He dashed forth, aiming for the moment the table slammed into two of the guards at the front. With Qi surging around his left foot, he leapt into a crescent kick.

    The table exploded into pieces, debris falling across the room. Splinters fell in some of the guards eyes, pricking their arms.

    ¡°Do you dare face my blade?!¡± One of them roared, raising his weapon up high to the ceiling.

    Shuren smirked. Amateur. He turned around with ease, grabbing the spear that thrusted in the darkness. The broad swordsman¡¯s bluff was way too obvious, using himself as bait to let the others sneak attack Shuren from behind.

    Shuren gripped on the spear with intensity and tugged.

    In a second, the wielder of the spear was pulled before Shuren. And he stared directly into the eyes of this rather short man. ¡°Let go. Or you¡¯ll die,¡± Shuren casually said, and felt the weight on the spear lighten.

    Coward. Shuren smacked the man¡¯s head away with the back of his fist, and felt the heavy fall of the broad swordsman¡¯s downward cleave aiming towards his back. One step was all he needed to step out of the range. But he held the spear in an awkward position, allowing the blade tip to be sliced right off.

    Captain Guanzi yelled out from the distance, with his sheathed sword in hand. ¡°Those with long weapons, prod him out! Stop huddling around him and make space for each other. You¡¯re not going to stab each other!¡±

    *The one leading the flow of battle must be their captain. He¡¯s not half bad.

    Shuren held the broken spear; now a wooden staff, in a reverse back grip. And saw the slinking guard with a knife head towards Qaen.

    ¡°Tsk.¡° Shuren dashed north. The last thing he needed was a hostage situation.

    Using the force of his staff, Shuren vaulted over the entire crowd with ease, his legs using Guanzi¡¯s head as a footstool to launch himself forward.

    Guanzi scowled as his oiled and slicked-back hair was now an utter and dirty mess. ¡°Shoot him from afar. Get throwing knives or daggers, whatever you have!¡± But though Guanzi yelled these orders, he couldn¡¯t even steel himself to take the offence. I can¡¯t even sense his power! I¡¯m already near midway through Qidense Realm, at Stage 4, yet I can¡¯t even tell if he¡¯s a Stage 5 or a Stage 8! Who in Gehonan is this brat?!

    Mid fall, Shuren brought his arm with the staff back and tensed his core muscles.

    The knife wielding guard brought his knife to Qaen¡¯s throat. ¡°Stay back! Or I¡¯ll kill thi-¡±

    He was struck down by Shuren. The staff shot out, smacking him right in his forehead.

    Shuren planted himself in front of the captured Qaen, using the knife to cut the surrounding rags. ¡°You don¡¯t look the scholarly type.¡±

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Qaen coughed for a moment to regain his breath. With a heave, he limped to leave. ¡°W-wait. I have to go now to find my sister! I ca-¡±

    He felt a thud on the back of his head, causing him to stumble.

    ¡°Fool, this is how you ended up in this situation. Stay back and wait,¡± Shuren said, scolding the idiot. Five guards crowded around him.

    Backed to a corner. Reduced vision. Limited field of movement. Protecting an injured person. The disadvantages continued to stack against Shuren. But this was precisely what he wanted.

    Otherwise, it would be over too quickly. The sect finale would surely have even harder scenarios than this one.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t I show you all a real technique?¡±

    Shuren¡¯s biceps tensed, weaving Qi to focus even further on the offence.

    The first rank of cultivators; the Qidense Realm, focused entirely on mastering the usage of Qi. It comprised of twelve stages.

    Stages 1-3 of Qidense Realm focused on absorbing Qi from your environment into your body.

    Stages 4-6 focused on controlling that internal Qi around your entire body. The more Qi you focused on your eyes, the sharper your vision would be. The more Qi around your arms, the stronger and faster the power.

    As for Stage 7 onwards, the second half of Rank 1¡­ That was when you could extend your Qi outside of your body, and most importantly, tap into the Paths of the world, learning to transmute internal Qi into elements and aspects such as fire or water.

    The first cultivator techniques; to assimilate Qi into a unique formula, was simply the first step. Later on, you could use invocations, conjurations, enchantments, talisforge, and even divine and the blasphemous demonic arts.

    And that didn¡¯t include the esoteric abilities and mystical powers of those beyond Nascent Soul; those who ascended into Immortal Cultivators. They operated in a completely different realm. Literally.

    Shuren held the staff almost like a sword, with both hands gripping one side of it. With it lowered into a stance, he put one step forth and flexed his hip back.

    He was going to use an ability generally reserved for those past Stage 7. Even if he himself was only Stage 6! Extending Qi throughout the entire staff, both body and weapon became one.

    It didn¡¯t matter if all the guards were ready to defend, they had already fallen for the trap.

    Shuren swung his staff wildly, covering the entire room in that one slash. The Qi flowing through the weapon condensed and pulsated, using the force of the weapon itself as the anchor. A wave of Qi unseen by mortals, yet visible to cultivators, shattered the staff in Shuren¡¯s hands as it shot across the room.

    From the tables and chairs to the ground itself, everything had shattered and threw the room into a flurry of debris. Let alone most of the guards, stumbling and staggering back from the damage.

    This was one of the first Qi techniques taught to all members of the Liu Clan. Blade Surge! Even if Shuren repurposed its use into a staff, that just meant his mastery of the technique was absurd.

    ¡°Guanzi, none of these trash even have basic martial training. Did you pick up sewer rats as your men?¡± Shuren taunted, raising both fists above his waist. But in his mind was a completely different thought. It¡¯s not effective to use Staff Surge this early. More than half of my Qi Reserves have depleted, for half the efficiency and power. I¡¯ll hone this technique later on.

    ¡°He¡¯s a bloody monster! Those mutts from the south actually could bring someone like him to act?¡± Captain Guanzi complained to himself, but he retained rationality amidst the battle. ¡°Don¡¯t panic! There¡¯s still five of us, and he¡¯s unarmed now!¡±

    With a burst of power, Shuren abandoned playing with simple tactics, and went brawl for brawl. He ran right into the fray, using his bare hands to deflect the slashes of blades and thrusts of spears. Shoddy, amateurish slashes and slices, predictable to the trained eye and body.

    The glee from one man disappeared when his blade sliced into Shuren¡¯s forearm. Because when Shuren pushed it away without even a glance, there wasn¡¯t even a mark on his arm!

    ¡°He¡¯s like an iron ore! How¡¯s he barely taken a dent?!¡± the man complained, instinctively backing off. Those were his last words as Shuren sensed his hesitation.

    Curling all his fingers into a tight fist, Shuren punched with the raw force of a trained Stage 6, throwing one of his opponents across the room.

    Guanzi could only watch as his sword trembled. ¡°His body is like iron¡­ He has Iron Grade Talisbody at this age?!¡±

    There was no time to even take a breather. Shuren ducked, allowing two weapons to slice into each other¡¯s wielders, taking them out without even an action. Sweeping their legs to make them collapse, Shuren paid attention to all the surrounding sounds.

    The whizzing of a hurling knife flew towards his back in the darkness.

    He caught it in midair.

    Only to throw it back at the assailant.

    The blood curling scream of a coward echoed amongst the chaos, but Shuren paid it no heed.

    There was only one left.

    ¡°It is quite interesting. Normally, the strongest guards would defend the perimeters of their building. Instead, all of you are huddled around in the basement. And at the first news of someone intruding, you focus only on hiding your own ledgers.¡± Shuren brushed off the dust off his clothes.

    ¡°Exactly how many floors have you built underground, and for what purpose do they hold?¡± Shuren posed the rhetorical question.

    The rambunctious battlefield had now drawn silent, only Shuren¡¯s footsteps echoing throughout the destroyed room.

    Until the metallic clang of a fallen sword thumped on the ground.

    ¡°Forgive me, Lord Cultivator! I had eyes yet could not see Zhenren¡¯s Throat. Even if I¡¯m ignorant of your status, I should¡¯ve led you to-¡±

    ¡°What a bore.¡± Shuren picked up the sword, ignoring the kowtowing captain. Observing its craftsmanship, engraved with even jewels at the hilt, he raised it upright. ¡°A gaudy, ineffective blade. But, every blade has a tale to tell,¡± Shuren remarked, holding the sword in a low guard stance.

    Shuren employed the breathing style taught by his family, allowing Qi to slowly swarm from his arm into the hilt of the sword. With complete concentration, his sharp blue eyes grew hazy, focusing entirely on the sword.

    His right arm was tense, his biceps rippling and veins squirming. His sword arm shivered, and sweat dropped from Shuren¡¯s face.

    Slowly, but surely, he covered steel with his own condensed Qi.

    Intende pain radiated from his torso.

    A piece of bloodied, sharp metal bloomed from the left side of his chest, tearing through his shirt.

    Shuren had drawn blood.

 Chapter 5: You Arent Qualified

    Shuren could feel the cool touch of the metal that jutted out of his chest, and the warmth of blood dripping from it.

    He had long been used to that cursed pain.

    ¡°To think I would be the cause of bloodying my own shirt.¡±

    He held the forlorn jutted blade between his thumb and index, breaking it off. With a single motion, he crushed the metal piece in his clenched fist. His open palm released a mist of metal dust, falling to the ground.

    The sword was thrown across the floor. ¡°Stand up.¡±

    Having not dared to look up and see the scene with the sword, Captain Guanzi almost stumbled as he regained his bearings. He couldn¡¯t test the patience of a madman like Shuren. Living was the only thing on his mind.

    Shuren noticed the man eye the entire room to look at his compatriots. He could tell what he was thinking.

    ¡°Blood isn¡¯t easy to clean off.¡± Shuren assured Guanzi of his life.

    Liu Shuren was still a foreigner in Cloud City, not a citizen. If he murdered all of them, it would be an unnecessary headache for his family in Cloud City to deal with. The jurisdiction that handled cultivator¡¯s affairs was not worth the loss of his reputation and time.

    And it¡¯s not like they did anything to offend him for such a punishment.

    The Liu Clan was situated in the Granxian Continent, after all. Not all the way down here in Cloud City. There was no need to flaunt his status as the previous Patriarch¡¯s descendent.

    ¡°Focus all of your Qi Aura around your stomach for defence. I¡¯ll let you go after that,¡± Shuren commanded, and Guanzi naturally followed. I¡¯ll use him as a template.

    With a casual punch, Guanzi¡¯s body flew across the room.

    Not bad. With just 10% of my Qi Aura combined with my Iron Talisbody, I could do this much to a Stage 4 Bronze cultivator.

    QI Aura was the first thing all cultivators in the first rank had to master. It could be used to reinforce the body or enhance the offence. Likewise, the more you focused on a single area, the less you covered the rest of the body, weakening your defences and offences. Maintaining and balancing Qi Aura until it was akin to breathing was the first sign of mastering Qi Aura.

    Shuren simply wanted to test if the peak of his physical strength, with barely any circulated Qi, could do enough damage to incapacitate a Stage 4 at full defence.

    ¡°Qaen, let¡¯s go. I made a little bet with that shrewd Zelfin.¡±

    Qaen took a moment to answer back, eyes blinking at the scene he just saw. Since when did Zelfin get this crazy kid to do his bidding? Fighting fire with fire, he actually managed to bring some higher up scion to deal with this matter so swiftly! The troubles we¡¯ve had for years are going to end just like this?!

    He put the useless speculation to the side, jogging to catch up with Shuren. He even waved off the irritation from being whacked in the head. Perhaps with this person, not just saving his sister, but taking down the Huang Clan¡¯s influence in their district was feasible! ¡°Y-yes, lord. I¡¯ll lead you that One-Eyed Veseil¡¯s underground office.¡±

    Shuren noted that the bald Stage 1 had long run away. It was no shock. But as Qaen lead him even further downstairs, he couldn¡¯t help but ponder.

    ¡°You know why the Huang Clan has focused on this area, right?¡±

    Qaen swallowed his spit. ¡°If I knew, I¡¯d be dead. But, they¡¯ve been focusing heavily on the labour force of us, Silvents and Vulfoans. We¡¯re the cheapest and best workers.¡± He had a self-depreciating chuckle at the end.

    I would spend more time to investigate, but I¡¯d need to discuss this with Father first. If we can find a weakness of that Huang Clan, it only means more benefits for us. But now¡¯s not the time. Shuren thought as he was led to the main office, barred by two engraved doors.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say a word. Let me handle the matters with the Huang Clan,¡± Shuren warned Qaen, before stepping forth.

    He spared no thought, kicking it wide open to the point the hinges almost fell out. Shuren had to make an imposing presence.

    There was no surprise from the one-eyed man inside, the shadow far behind him gentle with the glint of steel. Shuren recognised the hidden bodyguard at a glance.

    The one-eyed man continued to read the scripture he held, expecting his audience.

    ¡°The Eye of Heaven looms in the curtains of the world, observing all with its gaze, blessing the chosen with a blink. Its nine-coloured radiance shines through the seasons, and those living astray are bereft of its light. Those which deny its succour are branded, shunned by the virtuous.¡± The tome he held closed in a thud. ¡°An old tale, yet your kind follow it like a mandate of a higher being. I¡¯m sure you have seen it on the Granxian Continent.¡±

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Shuren raised an eyebrow in confusion. He even glanced a look at Qaen, but the Silvent gave a look as if this was no new occurrence.

    ¡°Your kind, huh? You should be the last person to be saying that.¡± Shuren stepped forth until he was at his desk. What, has everyone been feeling like ancient scholars by reading that? First Zelfin and now this guy. But, I didn¡¯t expect this¡­

    One-Eyed Veseil flashed a few missing teeth as he held a deep grin. His dark hair ran down to his shoulders, and his ears were different to Shuren. Crowned at the top of his head, blending in with his hair.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought the slave of the Huang Clan, was the hypocritical dog flogging his own people. That a Vulfoan like you is leading the factory.¡± Shuren almost leaned over the desk, staring down at the seated Veseil. He almost laughed at the absurdity.

    ¡°Hypocrite? I don¡¯t need to hear that from a Granxian man. Even only eighty years ago, your Immortals exterminated a city just for their belief that only a pure sphere of shining gold should belong in the sky, over the Eye of Heaven. All that over a million year old story.¡± Though Veseil held a light smile, his clenched jaw told another story.

    Shuren didn¡¯t even bother entertaining the sudden change of topic.

    ¡°Are you done rambling?¡±

    Veseil took a long sigh and began tapping on his desk. ¡°Brat. What do you want?¡±

    ¡°You have one job. Take out a piece of paper and tell your master of the demands the Liu Clan is making.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± One-Eyed Veseil said, grabbing a glass of malt beer by the side. Three cubes of raw black ice exuded smoke as it clinked, and he took a long swig.

    ¡°¡­That was quite fast. I expected some resistance.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just a mere Vulfoan survivor of a dead city. The Huang Clan only use me as their mule, as you rightfully said.¡± Veseil chuckled heartily, and the stench of beer spread around him. ¡°And you¡¯re some brat of the Liu Clan. Even if you¡¯re a distant descendant, your lineage has the blood of Immortals.¡±

    Shuren saw the glint of depreciative ridicule in Veseil¡¯s dull purple eye. That¡¯s right. No one is aware of my true lineage as the grandson of the last patriarch. But he¡¯s still giving considerable face to the Liu Clan to this extent. I didn¡¯t expect that much, because of the Huang Clan.

    Veseil waved to the chair across from his desk. ¡°Sit. You¡¯re a guest, kid of the Liu Clan.¡±

    Obliging with his request, Shuren sat. Both now at the table, they could negotiate on an equal playing field. Qaen continued to stay near Shuren¡¯s side, but struggled to keep his face in check at the sight of Veseil.

    ¡°First. Cancel the indentured contracts for some of your workers. I¡¯ll send someone to give you the list later today.¡±

    ¡°No more than five. That¡¯s all I can do,¡± Veseil replied, putting a limit to Shuren¡¯s actions.

    Shuren rested his chin on his fist as he ruminated. Five should be enough for Zelfin. In the case he needs more, I can get another personal oath from him. I¡¯ve done more than enough as it is.

    ¡°I accept.¡±

    Veseil brought out another clear glass. ¡°Want a drink? I even have ice from the Glacial Volcanoes.¡±

    Shuren let out a huff of air from his nose at the sight. ¡°I don¡¯t drink.¡±

    When he heard that answer, Veseil¡¯s eyebrow raised with such exaggeration, he almost couldn¡¯t believe these words. ¡°It¡¯s rare to see a scion that doesn¡¯t drink. Or you don¡¯t trust me?¡±

    ¡°Move on, Veseil.¡± Shuren pointed a thumb at Qaen. ¡°Second. Bring his sister and pay him five years of his salary, and do the same for the other four who¡¯ll leave.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ That¡¯s three requests in of itself. Shuren, aren¡¯t you being too greedy?¡± Veseil took another sip of his beer.

    Wait, when did he hear of my name? No, it¡¯s not too much of a surprise. My family¡¯s the only one from the Liu Clan in Cloud City. Damn Veseil, trying to throw me off.

    He didn¡¯t allow any emotion to show on his face, only relaxing his body even more as Shuren leaned back in his chair. ¡°The Huang Clan can¡¯t afford a few years of a mortal¡¯s salary? If you¡¯re struggling with money that much, I can loan you some.¡±

    The tranquil negotiation was interrupted with a thud at their table. ¡°Veseil, traitor to your own kind. Is life such a joke to you?!¡± Qaen struggled to keep his face stable as veins popped at his forehead. His fingers trembled, digging into the table. ¡°Even when I begged you, and get the support of this guy, you still want to play coy?!¡±

    The sheen of metal glistening in the dark swayed.

    Shuren backhanded his fist into Qaen¡¯s chest, throwing him towards the door of the office without hesitation. ¡°Fool! Who told you to speak?! Or are my orders too much for an imbecile like you to understand?¡±

    Feeling the force of Shuren¡¯s power, Qaen could only curl up and bear with the pain.

    Shaking his hand like he touched dirt, Shuren slammed his fist on the table. ¡°Ignore him. Veseil, can you do it?¡±

    But instead of replying, he spent some time staring at Shuren.

    ¡°We only grabbed his sister to give him a little scare. Not a hair has been removed from her, rest assured.¡± Lifting his right hand up in the air, Veseil chuckled. ¡°The Huang Clan isn¡¯t so cheap, right?¡±

    He asked the question, as if waiting for a reply. But no one answered.

    ¡°We¡¯ll do it,¡± with a sigh Veseil agreed. This kid¡­ He timed it so that guy wouldn¡¯t act against Qaen out of his mortal disrespect. At the same time, he made sure to make Qaen his subordinate, sending a message that we aren¡¯t to deal with him to clean up loose ends. If the rest of the Liu Clan¡¯s kids like him, then those Immortal dregs are damned crazy.

    ¡°Surely, that¡¯s about all there is, right?¡±

    ¡°Just one more thing.¡± Shuren slightly tensed his shoulders, keeping his arms by his side. ¡°The Huang Clan is to leave the western Residential District. Or they¡¯ll be making an enemy out of the Liu Clan.¡±

    Veseil scrunched his eyebrows. He rubbed the ridge of his nose to gain his bearings, but Shuren continued to speak.

    ¡°Oh, this isn¡¯t negotiable.¡± Shuren raised his chin up high, full of arrogance.

    ¡°It¡¯s a threat.¡±

    The room was silent. Save for the slice of metal.

    And rustling of chains.

    An oversized sickle, towering the size of half a man, soared to cut Qaen in half.

    It failed to reach its target.

    Shuren had already blitzed in front to halt the sickle by its hilt, using his other hand to grab on the chains attached to it.

    ¡°Arrogant runt of the Liu Clan. Our great Huang Clan isn¡¯t to be pushed around by some foreign brat from another continent!¡± A raspy voice echoed from the shadows, observing from the beginning.

    ¡°As I thought.¡± Shuren grabbed the chain with his right hand.

    With veins coursing with Qi, Shuren did one simple motion.

    Pull.

    And the body of the wielder was flung forth. A middle-aged man with brown hair, garbed with dark yet lightweight armour. The representative of the Huang Clan.

    Both he and Shuren stared at each other, now a metre apart.

    It didn¡¯t matter if his opponent was a martial master of the Huang Clan.

    It didn¡¯t matter if his opponent had decades of life and battle experience, trained by the Huang Clan.

    It didn¡¯t even matter if he was a Stage 6 cultivator in the Qidense Realm, the same level as Shuren.

    For there was one thing for certain.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t qualified to face me.¡±

 Chapter 6: Chains And Smoke

    ¡°Insolence! You¡¯re just an exiled young master of your Liu Clan, your father¡¯s a mortal cripple, and your mother¡¯s a-¡±

    He had no more words to say.

    It was filled with the fist of Shuren¡¯s wrath.

    Using the chain to yank him back, Shuren front kicked him directly at his chest.

    Only then did he give the permission to let go of the chained sickle, watching the insignificant runt of the Huang Clan stumble back.

    If it was anyone else, they would¡¯ve been crushed with severe injuries. But his opponent had a high mastery of Qi; weaving his Qi Aura to protect his body at the moment of impact.

    This was the advantage of every Rank 1 cultivator with decades of life experience.

    ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I¡¯m killing you,¡± Shuren announced with nonchalance. Yet his ice-cold words were dripping with crimson fury.

    He dared to attack Qaen since he couldn¡¯t harm me, but trying to kill my subordinate was a spit on my face. Some nobody of the Huang Clan dares to push me, Liu Shuren, around?!

    Qaen regained his bearings, crawling away behind Shuren. The meaning of Shuren¡¯s attack on him had finally dawned on him. Teacher Zelfin, just who exactly did you bring in?!

    ¡°You¡­ You have Iron Talisbody at that age? You being Stage 6 in Rank 1 is one thing, but exactly how much did you train to achieve it this young?!¡± The Huang Clan representative said, with the whispers of reconsideration dancing around his head.

    This person would have never expected that the man he was facing, Liu Shuren, was in fact the direct grandson of the previous patriarch of the Liu Clan! Someone who would¡¯ve been groomed and trained from the moment of his birth!

    In any normal circumstances, Liu Shuren would¡¯ve never been playing around all the way in Cloud City.

    But the world did not run on such logic.

    If the Huang Clan¡¯s representative actually harmed any Liu Clan member, he would be severely punished by the elders of the Huang Clan. But killing Qaen to insult Liu Shuren would¡¯ve been no issue.

    Now, they were at a stalemate for battle. And the Huang Clan¡¯s grunt would have no choice but to defend for his life.

    For Shuren was out for blood.

    Chained sickle¡­ I don¡¯t have much experience dealing with such swift ranged weapons. This¡¯ll be a good opportunity to learn.

    The chained sickle swung in a circle, the sounds of sliced air reverberating across the room.

    ¡°Liu Shuren! Even if I can¡¯t kill you, I¡¯ll at least give you some pointers on how the Huang Clan runs things around here! Don¡¯t think we¡¯re all pushovers just because you have the blood of an Immortal in your veins!¡±

    The end of the sickled whizzed across the room, but Shuren deftly weaved to avoid the move. Fast. Not having a weapon ended up in my favour. I¡¯ll have to close the gap.

    The chain cracked, its sickle slicing towards Shuren. Trying to catch the sickle bare-handed would prove to be more difficult now, with his opponent being prepared.

    Then, the only way forward was simple.

    Shuren slid under the sickle, using his right arm to get yanked by the chain. His skin tore, but he still preserved enough defences to allow the scythe to circle around him instead. With his arm as the anchor, the sickle neared the neck of Shuren. It slowed down.

    Enough that Shuren swung his arm, allowing the sickle to dangle limp around his arm. And he stepped forth.

    The wooden tiles beneath his feet cracked as he blitzed across the room.

    Three daggers whizzed towards Shuren¡¯s head, but he tilted his head a smidge, allowing them to barely graze him.

    And with his opponent in his vision, Shuren saw the tail end of the chain form into a heavy ball.

    In the midst of it all, Veseil lit a cigar to enjoy the show.

    I don¡¯t have time to unchain the sickle, but I can still use it as leverage. So long as I allow that metal ball to entangle this chain further. What an unorthodox weapon.

    Shuren expected the metal ball to aim straight for his body. It would¡¯ve been more manageable to deal with.

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    But the vertigo of his arm shifted as the end of the chain was thrown around Shuren.

    Not good! He¡¯s trying to trap me with the chains!

    If he didn¡¯t act in time, his entire body would be wrapped around in the metal chains, ripping his skin all over.

    He couldn¡¯t have this happen. The shame would be too much if Shuren walked in the sect finale tomorrow filled with a bunch of ugly injuries!

    Gathering Qi towards his feet and toes, Shuren leaned forward to the point his body started to fall. Once the angle was low enough, tiles in the ground exploded. Like a strike of lightning, Shuren closed the distance in a flash.

    Blitz Stride.

    He dashed to the point of almost touching the floor; the mace whizzing past his hair. But that wasn¡¯t enough. Churning Qi around his arm, Shuren flipped his body and grabbed the chain, skidding on his knees. With most of the chains swinging around him, Shuren dragged his arm back to yank the tail end of the weapon, redirecting the chain¡¯s path.

    He had finally found his opening.

    Shuren rotated his forearm to loosen the sickle sided chain. His body had now been free.

    ¡°Enough play.¡± Shuren dodged multiple knives shot towards him, this time bearing the sickle in his right hand.

    Once more, he put even more force on his legs. With a Blitz Stride, Shuren covered the gap between him and the Huang Clan¡¯s grunt in a split second.

    More than enough time to get the first blow.

    Blood coloured the edge of the sickle. With a deft swing, the sickle just barely dug into the light armour of his opponent.

    The cut was shallow.

    Shuren dropped the chained sickle to the floor, bringing his arm back for a cross jab into his body.

    ¡°You have good battle intent, but that won¡¯t be enough. Get a few more years brat, then you¡¯ll pose a problem,¡± he said, taking out a two-pronged dagger in a reverse grip. His true main weapon.

    Both attacked with all their force, both arms rippling with Qi and heated blood.

    The smell of a cigar wafted in front of them.

    ¡°You two done?¡± A muscular pair of hands wrapped around both their arms, stopping them from killing each other.

    ¡°You¡¯re the most emotional Death Warrior I¡¯ve seen from the Huang Clan, taking out a poisoned weapon. If you hit him with that, your own masters would¡¯ve exterminated your bloodline as an offering to his father.¡± Veseil put even more pressure on the death warrior from the Huang Clan. To the point cracks could be heard.

    Shuren chuckled. ¡°You think he would¡¯ve landed a hit on me?¡±

    ¡°Brat from the Liu Clan. Even I admit you¡¯re strong, but don¡¯t be so conceited in a life or death battle. It¡¯ll kill you one day.¡± Veseil lifted his arms, taking another deep breath of his cigar. ¡°Enough squabbling like cats. It¡¯s getting late.¡±

    Struck back to rationality, the shadowed fighter of the Huang Clan slinked back to the shadows. He didn¡¯t even spare another glance at Shuren.

    Veseil didn¡¯t even bother going back to his desk, opting to finish the topic right there with Shuren. ¡°I¡¯ll be saying the Liu Clan themselves want the district around your sister¡¯s school clear. They¡¯ll realise why from that alone, rather than waste time fighting over some insignificant mortal domain.¡±

    This time, Shuren didn¡¯t hold a stoic expression. ¡°You¡­ Very well. Let¡¯s end the matter here.¡±

    Again. He¡¯s already long investigated me. Shrewd old man, dropping subtle threats like that.

    "Come out and just hand over the girl," Veseil commanded with the wave of his hand.

    ¡°Yes boss!¡± From the entrance of the room, the weak bald junior that led Shuren came with a girl of a similar age to Qaen, with not a speck of dust or signs of capture on her.

    At the sight of her collapsed brother, she ran to check for his health. ¡°Let¡¯s go brother. There¡¯s no point fighting on your own.¡±

    Stretching his body, Shuren took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m expecting you to do your job, old man.¡±

    Veseil retorted back. ¡°Little brat, you¡¯re already trying to act like some shrivelled political headed elder. Go act like someone your age and enjoy your youth.¡±

    Shuren scoffed, waving Qaen¡¯s sister to move. He grabbed the injured Qaen to carry him on his back. ¡°Doing that would only make me fall behind even more. I don¡¯t have time.¡±

    ¡°Your brother¡¯s fine, as crazy as he is. Let¡¯s head out.¡±

    She nodded in acknowledgement.

    ¡°Not that way. I have a door here that leads to the outside. Go from there,¡± Veseil said as he pointed with his thumb, saving Shuren some time.

    Shuren silently acknowledged with a nod as he led with Qaen in tow. In the corner of the office, he opened the door, and the evening light of the outside world dawned in. The dimming light of Heaven¡¯s Eye, ever looming in the sky.

    ¡°I have one question to ask you, kid from the Granxian,¡± Veseil yelled out from across the room, holding the cigar in his hand.

    Shuren didn¡¯t look back, but stopped to spare him that opportunity. ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯re you wasting your time all the way here? I can tell you¡¯re no ordinary, typical brat. With the resources and comfort of the Liu Clan, your strength would be much stronger than it is now.¡±

    Shuren didn¡¯t take long to reply. It wasn¡¯t a difficult question to answer. And though Veseil could see his back, he could tell that Shuren had a deep smile on his face.

    ¡°Old man, what do you think it means to be a true cultivator?¡±

    ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that obvious. It¡¯s being strong, so strong that nothing and no one can get in your way!¡± Veseil laughed.

    And likewise, Shuren laughed as well.

    ¡°Then tell me this! Out of all the greatest cultivators; the Immortal Reverends, did any of them reach their peak from staying huddled in the comforts of a powerful clan? Or did they traverse the entire world, leaving their legacy for us all to know?¡±

    Veseil stopped laughing. In fact, he gave a stern and serious expression as he observed Shuren¡¯s figure.

    They both knew the answer to that question.

    ¡°My goal¡­ The path that I seek isn¡¯t found amongst the Immortals in the Granxian Continent. What I seek is the road that not even my grandfather could reach at the end of his life.¡±

    Veseil, the half-conscious Qaen, and even his sister, all who observed his words, knew the conviction behind them.

    A true cultivator. That¡¯s no simple claim, kid from the Liu. Veseil rubbed his chin. ¡°I¡¯ll let you off with some advice, Shuren.¡±

    ¡°A bunch of wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing are swarming the city. Don¡¯t assume your surname is enough to deter them. Not even in the sect.¡±

    Shuren didn¡¯t react to those words, leaving through the door.

    And in that silent room, Veseil flicked his hands. The cigar in his hands turned to nothing.

    ¡°Liu Clan. The ones who failed to join the Great Nine with the death of the Divine Sword Saint and the Limitless Blade. What the hell are they doing, sending his descendant all the way here?¡±

 Chapter 7: Fateful Encounters

    ¡°Here. Feed your brother this,¡± Shuren said, bringing out a pill the size of a marble. It exuded a wisp of Qi unseen by mortals, containing an aspect of improved healing. A Rank 1 Healthsurge Pill.

    She looked dumbfounded. ¡°We don¡¯t have money.¡±

    ¡°Do I look that poor? Take it.¡±

    She took the pill and placed it in Qaen¡¯s mouth, helping him swallow it.

    ¡°Lead me to the local doctor. I¡¯ll escort Qarn there,¡± Shuren said.

    She bowed down, struggling to put to words her gratefulness. ¡°Sir, my sincerest gratitudes for your help. If there¡¯s anyth-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time and lead the way.¡± Shuren cut her off, carrying Qaen. He felt his blood smudge all over his shirt, but Shuren bared with it. It would be even more humiliating if he couldn¡¯t even help an injured man.

    This was the mandate of the righteous cultivators, taught to Shuren in his youth by the Liu Clan.

    The First Mandate, to uphold justice.

    The Second Mandate, to cultivate virtues and suppress vices.

    The Third Mandate, to revere elders and masters.

    The Fourth Mandate, to swear loyalty to one¡¯s clan, sect, masters and parents.

    The Fifth Mandate, to respect the founding ancestors and Grand Immortals.

    The Sixth Mandate, to protect all mortals, the weak and innocent.

    And the Seventh Mandate, to destroy all evil that threaten the righteous.

    If I want to become Patriarch of the Liu Clan, I must be an example to all. This is the reputation I must develop.

    And though he walked with Qaen on his back, Shuren steeled himself. If he wanted to take over his clan, he had to be the perfect example as a righteous cultivator. If he wanted to pursue the Sword Path, he had to train without stopping, in preparation of reaching Rank 2.

    And if Shuren wanted to find the truth behind the death of his grandfather, and learn the true conspiracies behind the world of cultivation, hidden behind the curtain of ascension¡­

    He had to take over the Seven Clouds Sect like a storm of blades. To come first in the sect finale, destroy everyone in his way, and get on a smooth path of becoming an elder of the sect.

    Shuren sharpened his eyes with resolve. In preparation for tomorrow.

    Walking past the debilitated buildings and scorching gazes of the bystanders, Shuren followed the Qaen¡¯s sister towards an open central area, at the corner of the Commercial District that ran across Cloud City.

    ¡°The doctor is nearby, in the dark orange building. You can leave my idiot brother Qaen here. I¡¯ll take him there,¡± With great effort she said, careful with every word.

    ¡°Do you think I tire of such a menial task?¡± Shuren ignored her words, reaching at the doorsteps of the doctor¡¯s building in a few seconds, leaving her behind.

    Feeling the stench and blood of Qaen on his back, Shuren could only narrow his eyes. The Huang Clan¡­ Whoever it is amongst them, I¡¯ll inform father of this matter to be careful.

    While carrying Qaen to the nearby doctor in their district, Shuren could only ruminate on the Huang Clan. They¡¯re the biggest clan in Cloud City which manufactures Zeal Artifacts and has the best local Weapon Smithers. Is someone amongst them really that bored to take over the most downtrodden area of Cloud City, with such an overhanded method at that?

    Zeal Artifacts were weapons and accessories that cultivators beyond Rank 2 could utilise and bind to their Talispirit. Many would say that a Zeal Artifact was considered half of your life as a cultivator.

    It was all due to the nature of Rank 2. The Path Foundation realm. After going through the 12 stages of Rank 1, you would reach a wall in cultivation. And the only way forward was to form your own Path, attuned to your talents, and way of life.

    It was when you could go from manipulating Qi to converting and transforming Qi into your own mystical force, giving it aspects of the nigh innumerable elements and paths that existed in this world. You could turn your own Qi into Wind Qi, when using the power of nature, or turn Qi into Metal Qi, to enhance the power of bladed weapons or manipulate ores.

    And with a Zeal Artifact complementary to your Path, and bound to your soul, could you form your Talispirit.

    Talisbody was to develop your body to endure and withstand higher ranks.

    Talisoul was the step to understanding your soul and the world within.

    Talispirit was the spirit of all cultivators, formed from the mystical resources in the world, to attune it with both your body and soul. But these were a matter for those beyond Rank 2.

    Naturally, Shuren¡¯s goal was to reach the Sword Path.

    Having found the small orange building, Shuren recognised it as his destination.

    There was no door to this building, but rather a curtain barring the way. Initially, he thought it was out of lack of funds for a door, but he realised the curtains made it far easier for the entry of the injured. He even felt a cool swarm of Qi emanating from those curtains as he passed through, and the dirt and sweat that clung to his body dissipated in a few seconds. This doctor¡­ He inscribed a formation to ensure hygiene and cleanliness upon entry? Impressive.

    There was a pair of men talking at the reception table ahead. One, a Vulfoan man with a straw hat and orange hair like the hues of evening, and the other, a Silvent man with light-green hair wrapped in a bun wearing glasses. ¡°It¡¯s just a cracked rib. He¡¯ll be fine in a week or so if he takes his medicine. Don¡¯t worry too much, Kraus,¡± The Silvent said.

    ¡°Doctor. I have a patient for you.¡± Shuren lowered his back to allow the Qaen to stand, and his sister helped as well, grabbing the support of his shoulder.

    The green-haired Silvent left his table, hurrying to the old man. ¡°What are these injuries? It¡¯s even worse than the last patient. Exactly who did you offend?!¡±

    Qaen could only sweat. The worst injuries had been delivered by this young master himself!

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    Leading him to the back of the desk where all the patients were dealt with, the doctor ranted to Kraus. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, we need you to act. More and more of our people are getting treated like trash! It¡¯s getting even worse than five years ago out of nowhere!¡± His assistants came by then, taking the injured man away.

    The man known as Kraus looked down at his feet in contemplation.

    And the Silvent doctor glanced towards Shuren, nodding his head. ¡°Thank you for your help, young man. If you have any information on what he went through for these injuries, I can quickly figure out the worst problems.¡±

    He could only shake his head. ¡°His state was like this by the time I found him. Ah, but I can say he suffered blunt trauma in his abdomen. He¡¯s ingested a Rank 1 Healthsurge Pill, so his natural healing will be increased for three days.¡±

    The doctor and Kraus both looked at each other with a clear expression of surprise. They knew the true value of the pill. Though it wasn¡¯t a divine panacea capable of regenerating limbs or curing all poisons, it was still a valuable pill for cultivators.

    Pill Concocting was an art that required both the pill and the user to work in tandem to reap the most benefits. Though to a mortal, the effects would be more than enough as it is, to cultivators, pills would gift their Qi an aspect of the Paths.

    A healing pill would allow their Qi to temporarily gain healing benefits, so long as the cultivator cycled their Qi throughout their body. Ingesting a pill was always a small game of containing balance with consumption, and the better you were at it, the further benefits you could receive.

    Using pills to drug your way to the top? Sure, if you wanted to destroy your foundations and ruin your chances of becoming a powerful cultivator, you could do it. You could risk death with Crystallised Qi Overdose, crippling your Spiritual Meridians. But an expert cultivator, even amongst powerful clans, would be made with pills serving to best complement your cultivation, rather than overtaking it.

    Shuren held a light smile, smirking to them that he was clearly strapped for cash, and such a pill was of little matter to him.

    ¡°Kiddo, if you ever need help from my people, come back here and we¡¯ll give you a hand,¡± Kraus said, with clear amethyst eyes observing Shuren.

    Shuren turned his back, heading back to his destination. ¡°If you want to give a hand, go swarm Formation Master Zelfin with some new students. I hear he¡¯s been looking around, teaching kids for free.¡±

    ¡°W-wait,¡± Qaen struggled to say, coming from the back. He bowed his head, resting his palm on his chest. ¡°Thank you for everything. I can¡¯t offer much, but let Zelfin know if you need anything from me.¡±

    His sister followed as well, paying her respects.

    ¡°Just do your job well if you¡¯re becoming a teacher. Teach some common sense to the kids in this area.¡±

    Without hearing another word, and ignoring the peculiar gaze of everyone, Shuren left the building. His shirt clung to his skin, full of sweat and blood. The urge to shower and scrub every corner of his body surged, but he took a deep breath and sped up to grab his new robes off Zelfin. Let¡¯s see if he appreciates his new gift soon.

    In less than an hour, Shuren left Zelfin¡¯s building, accomplished his request, and made it back. A small matter to him.

    With the academy building in sight, Shuren leapt from the nearby building, entering it with haste.

    ¡°You really did make it within an hour,¡± Formation Master Zelfin commented, focused on his book as he continued to write.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done the legwork. You deal with the rest. Does your building have a line to the water reserves?¡±

    A slight smile grew on Zelfin¡¯s face. ¡°Yes, we have taps around the back of the building. You can wash up there.¡±

    Taking his robes, Shuren went to clean himself up, though struggling with no towels nearby, he was forced to fold up his dirtied shirt, wearing the robe as is. I¡¯ll head to a decent tavern nearby to rest up. There¡¯s no point heading back home.

    ¡°Send a letter to the factory head, Veseil. Aside from Qaen, you can grab another four workers. I¡¯ll ask my father to fix up this little place as well. You¡¯ll be needing more space.¡±

    Passing by the building rooms, Shuren asked Zelfin one final question before leaving. ¡°I hear you¡¯ve been crippled for a few years. You were once a powerful Formation Master, one of the most famous cultivators in your homeland.¡± He thought back to a figure whose back was as wide as the tallest mountain, as sturdy as a great wall. ¡°How¡­ How does it feel now? Is there regret?¡±

    Zelfin took his eyes off the pieces of paper, facing Shuren. He chuckled. ¡°You worry too much about your father. What makes you think the life of a cultivator ends by just being crippled? So long as I live, and the Grand Paths exist, there is always hope to cultivate once more. The only dead end is the one your mind makes up. For there is always a path to be made.¡±

    ¡°And that is the Testament of the Paths. With the breath of the Architect, the Heavens were formed. With the advent of the Firstborne, the Paths of Cultivation were spread throughout the world. So long as one lives, the Paths will always be present,¡± Shuren looked to his right, and both he and Zelfin looked eye to eye.

    But each pair of eyes held a different light, intrinsically unique to them.

    ¡°Precisely. There are many ways to regain the honour to cultivate, and I¡¯m sure your father knows this well.¡± Zelfin said. ¡°Take your time to read through the Testament of the Architect. I believe it holds lessons and opportunities of comprehension to both mortals and Immortals.¡±

    Shuren held his right palm up, staring at the calluses on his hands. From wielding a weapon all his life. ¡°I remember the stories as a child. But perhaps I¡¯ll take another read.¡±

    The path¡­ I¡¯ll forge my path to one with the sword. I¡¯ll make sure of it!

    Zelfin cleared his table of the paperwork and books. ¡°About your sister, don¡¯t worry too much. It¡¯s best for her to face these lessons early on than later on in the world of cultivators. Don¡¯t spoil her too much.¡±

    Shuren scoffed. ¡°You have a point. I¡¯ll be taking my leave, Formation Master Zelfin.¡± With those words, he left the building.

    Zelfin steepled his hands as he slouched back in the chair, seeing Shuren walk away. ¡°His obsession is a ravenous hunger. But he will let that swallow him, or will he temper it into a powerful blade?¡±

    <hr>

    The next day, over a thousand finalists had gathered near the base of the Seven Clouds Sect. Its base was the main military force of Cloud City, the Evening Clouds, where most outer disciples were situated. Either they would become an Inner Disciple, specialise in a vocation such as smithing or pill refining, or be garrisoned as a Cloud Knight, as the front lines of their province.

    All of them were easily qualified to be Outer Disciples, but the finale was their opportunity to be scouted out by elders, becoming Inner Disciples and potentially being sponsored to be groomed into a Core Disciple.

    Ten giant flat stages levitated off the ground, ethereal clouds both blossoming beneath it, and crystals refracting around it to showcase the view.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the young master of the Liu Clan to be here,¡± Overseer Juan said, by chance having recognised his friend¡¯s son. ¡°I believed you were to enter the sect as a delegate of the Liu Clan?¡±

    Liu Shuren clasped both his hands, bowing to Overseer Juan. ¡°Sir Juan, it is an honour to meet you. As for that matter¡­ There is no point in me joining as an exemplified guest,¡± he spoke with respect.

    Overseer Juan¡¯s eyes flickered with intrigue, his hand fidgeting with his brown beard. ¡°Very good,¡± he said, before switching back to a stern tone. ¡°You are selected for the tenth stadium. Make haste,¡± he ordered Shuren.

    Shuren bowed his head swiftly before leaving, seeking not to waste Overseer Juan¡¯s time. The surrounding crowd had long made space around them, all with an assortment of perplexed expressions. They didn¡¯t expect one of the experts flying in the clouds to personally start a conversation with one of the contestants. Furthermore, none could even hear the contents of their discussion, even though the Overseer didn¡¯t even use a technique in front of them.

    None dared to make a sound to disturb the two, and silently watched Overseer Juan step on a small tuft of clouds before returning to the sky.

    Shuren strode forth, a wooden staff in tow. One of the prerequisite weapons he had picked out, the rack almost untouched compared to the wooden swords, axes, hammers, and spears. Those who saw him move with such vigour naturally made the way seeing the scowl on his face.

    I have to come out on top. If I can¡¯t become an Inner Disciple immediately, I¡¯ll be wasting at least a year floundering about as a mere Outer Disciple. I must rank first!

    In front of Shuren, an absurdly rotund backpack waddled its way through the crowd, in the direction of Shuren. The person under it ran around with a worried expression, almost smashing into Shuren.

    Naturally, he dodged as easily as he breathed. But he stopped the man with an arm. ¡°Fool, the least you can do is watch where you¡¯re going.¡±

    ¡°Sorry! I¡¯m just trying to find the tenth stadium. Someone told me to go this wa-¡± Tez froze in his position when he noticed Shuren.

    The scowl on his face had been replaced with a curious gaze, an eyebrow raised as he said, ¡°Oh, to think we would battle in the same arena? Fate sure is fickle. Boy, you have eyes but are blind to Zhenren¡¯s Throat. The tenth stadium is in the opposite direction.¡± Watching Tez¡¯s face contort with anger was amusing. A pathetic Stage 2 in Qidense Realm dared to bare fangs at him.

    He wouldn¡¯t show mercy. He had to defeat everyone in his way.

    Shuren couldn¡¯t help but smirk. This person could never be an obstacle.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll put you in your place soon.¡±

 Chapter 8: Seeker Of Freedom

    ¡°What next Kraus, in the middle of this succulent meal, I¡¯m going to be interrupted by some rich young master that wants my table, and he¡¯ll kill me if I don¡¯t give it?¡± A Tez complained, forehead filled with sweat as he took another spoonful of his soup.

    ¡°Tez, you done whinging yet? You make it sound like this kid¡¯s some demon,¡± Kraus said with a dull voice, holding a mug of beer. He used a handkerchief to wipe away to sweat on his hands and forehead, moving away the strands of his orange hair. A Vulfoan farmer, he was involved with the newest entourage of orphans migrating to Cloud City.

    ¡°A man born with riches, who has everything he needs, going around oppressing the weak. What else would you call a demon? He slapped me so hard, the skin of my cheeks tore off!¡± Tez grabbed his metal glass, taking a long gulp of water that tasted of copper. Once more flushing away the spice, he grabbed the bowl of soup to finish its contents.

    Kraus stared at Tez¡¯s completely unblemished body, as if he¡¯d never gotten into a fight, and scoffed. ¡°Right, whatever you say. You can take a bit of a beating anyway.¡±

    Kraus sighed at Tez¡¯s ignorance. ¡°A demonic being is one who sacrifices the innocent and mortals for their amusement and strength. They use the blood of others to hone their path. If you ever see what one of them is capable of, if you live to even bring the tale, then you¡¯d realise the extent of the cruelty that lingers in the periphery of this world. Once you truly step into the world of cultivators, your mentality will naturally change.¡±

    Tez grunted, taking a final swig of his glass of water, before saying, ¡°Even if I can heal faster than others with my pills, it still hurts man! Whatever. It¡¯s getting stuffy in here.¡± He stood out from his table, and Kraus followed through, placing the straw hat on his side back on his head. Both having left the Flaming Gin Tavern. ¡°You never told me, but what¡¯s your rank?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m just a farmer."

    Tez dropped his eyebrows at the boring answer, feeling unsatisfied. But he was the last person to complain about this.

    Tez was in the Qidense Realm, the first for all cultivators; but also commonly known as a Rank 1. This was different to the 12 stages of Qidense Realm, of which he was only at Stage 2. The entire focus of his rank was to master the control of Qi, the essence of the heavens that existed everywhere, unseen to mortals yet tangible to cultivators.

    Once he was able to join the Seven Clouds Sect, with their resources and education, he would have a greater understanding of Qi, and speed up his cultivation. The stronger he was, the more he could understand about other cultivators.

    He knew for damn sure Kraus had to be above Rank 2 for him to be unable to tell his strength. Even if he really seemed like your average farmer, and was far too casual for a secretly powerful man. But Tez, or rather, his instincts knew better than that.

    Kraus and Tez walked near the western corner of Cloud City, bordering near the wide expanse of farmlands. He looked up, and the sun that everyone called Heaven¡¯s Eye was beginning to slumber, as eve crept closer towards the night.

    Far larger than the one he was used to, it even had a ¡°belt¡± of fragments and shards of obsidian silver rotating around it. He couldn¡¯t get used to it.

    A towering wall that faced the Kallas Jungles separated the farms from the city, and Tez had finally realised the hymn of formations hidden within those walls. A simple wooden orphanage stood at the edge of Cloud City, with a single banner inscribed with the sigil of Kraus¡¯s homeland. A branch in a twisted circle bearing divine fruits.

    ¡°I left your oversized backpack in your room. Raisa¡¯s calmed down a bit, thanks to your sweets, but you really gave her a scare. Get some more next time, yeah?¡± Kraus opened the door to the orphanage, grabbing the attention of some of the youths. A young boy with oaken branched horns rooted in his head, a Silvent, yelled out to everyone, ¡°Hey, Big Ted is here! Do you have more bread?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Tez to you, kiddo. I¡¯ll bring more if you work hard, alright?¡± He said, ignoring the whining of the young Silvent. ¡°Anyway Kraus, that son of a bi-¡±

    Tez shuddered as the feeling of a needle pricked in the back of his neck. ¡°I mean, that¡­ crazy madman almost killed Raisa¡¯s brother. If I don¡¯t put him in his pla-¡±

    This time, Tez felt a loud smack on his head. ¡°He only has a fractured rib. That guy¡¯s more than fine. If you dare offend that scion of a rich clan and he comes to take his frustrations out on my orphanage, I¡¯ll kill you first, understand?¡± Kraus said with his usual tone, but Tez shuddered at the weight behind those words. He knew Kraus wasn¡¯t joking even a bit.

    ¡°Stop being so reckless and reign in your feelings, you¡¯re not a boy. Especially when you enter the Seven Clouds Sect, you need to learn when to lower your head. This is the way of the weak, and right now, that¡¯s what you are.¡±

    Tez grabbed his massive backpack, barely squeezing it through the doorframe before leaving the orphanage. Until he could reach Rank 2 and have the ability to use a spatial ring or storage pouch, he was stuck carrying everything on his back.

    Those at Rank 2 Path Foundation could harness the laws of the worlds in their hands. Items such as a spatial ring inhibited the characteristics of the Space Path, allowing one to gain access to a powerful storage that could be hidden in a tiny ring or pouch. At that stage, Tez could kiss goodbye to his trouble of hauling around all of his tools and gears.

    ¡°Yeah yeah, I get it. It just pisses me off, that¡¯s all. I at least got the right to be angry.¡±

    Kraus looked southward, and a wave of nostalgia went through his brown eyes. ¡°None of us have a right in this world, we can only do what we can.¡± He said it with such a gentle whisper that even Tez ruminated on those words. Even though Tez had worked for Kraus for a while, to the point of Kraus being in his debt, both of their pasts were still a mystery to each other.

    And Tez could never tell anyone his. Probably for the rest of his life. It wasn¡¯t his place to be curious.

    ¡°You¡¯re guaranteed to be an Outer Disciple just for being in Qidense Realm, but you¡¯re aiming for Inner Disciple status, aren¡¯t you? Where do you even get this confidence, as you¡¯ve only been training under me for a few months?¡± Kraus said with his arms crossed, his back against the orphanage hall. With the winds picking up, the necklace under his linen shirt slightly swayed, gleaming with an emerald shine.

    And when Kraus saw Tez¡¯s dark blue hair drift with the breeze, he saw his eyes, seeping with the ambition of a golden dragon. Tez had come to this place with nothing but the clothes on his back, and now he was ready to leave, with whatever he could fit on his back.

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    However, it was precisely for that reason he was willing to mentor this person, educating him on the matters of this world. Even if his claims of his origins as an easterner were extremely dubious, Kraus couldn¡¯t care less. He was indebted either way.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple, Kraus. If I aim for the skies, even if I fall short of it, I¡¯ll succeed either way. If I can¡¯t even reach the clouds, then I¡¯ve come here for nothing,¡± he said with a wide grin on his face. Tez always had a knack for talking strange things that somehow made sense.

    Tez took a small wooden box out of his bag, passing it to Kraus. ¡°This is a farewell gift. If I¡¯m nearby, I¡¯ll be sure to visit. Heh, when I become a Core Disciple, I can give you lot a real hand with what¡¯s been happening.¡±

    Kraus grabbed the box, staring at the young man he mentored. He never thought he would teach another ever again, but here he was. Playing the teacher.

    ¡°Just because you gain a high standing in the sect, doesn¡¯t mean our situation is easy to solve. Even if we¡¯ve made an alliance with the leaders of Cloud City, allowing us to migrate here and become citizens, even allowing them to annex our destroyed homeland, it¡¯s the people that we live amongst who decide our livelihood,¡± Kraus could only sigh, facing the sky once more. They had the awesome power of controlling weather, and wiping out industrial smog within a breath, yet that heavenly power couldn¡¯t move the hearts of mortals so easily. Some things couldn¡¯t be forced. What he needed to focus on was helping his Vulfoan people to adapt to new lands, moving on from their past tragedy.

    ¡°So what? In the end, we were all born the same. We have the same wisdom and intellect unlike animals, and we even bleed the same. Dividing ourselves by the features of our body serves only to weaken us as a whole,¡± Tez said his outlandish ideals, but his golden eyes glowed with passion. ¡°We can¡¯t be chained to the beliefs of people from generations ago. They¡¯re already dead, so-¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Kraus had to cut him off. Even if he respected the sincerity of Tez¡¯s belief, he didn¡¯t understand the reverence people held for customs and the ancient. ¡°I need you to make an oath. Until you become strong, don¡¯t say these beliefs to anyone else. Under no circumstances must you ever degrade or insult powerful cultivators and immortals of the past, even if they¡¯re dead. Otherwise, you¡¯ll make yourself too many enemies, straining your path.¡±

    He could only grit his teeth. He couldn¡¯t even express his freedom of speech. It disgusted him to the core that these invisible chains wrapped around his mind and mouth. But he understood well of what Kraus meant. He had to, in order to survive.

    When Kraus opened the box filled with dozens of medicinal pills, he scoured each with his Divine Qi. This efficiency is absurd. There is no such thing as a perfect refinement, yet these Rank 1 cleansing pills¡­ I can¡¯t even detect their impurity.

    Kraus could only sigh. It seems the boy had a lot to learn about his common sense.

    ¡°Tez, I¡¯m adding more to that oath. Come closer,¡± Kraus demanded, and Tez abided. A vicious flick caused Tez¡¯s forehead to bruise, and he yelped while covering his head.

    ¡°Wh-what was that for?!¡±

    ¡°For someone like you with decent intelligence, you need to use common sense. You¡¯re a nobody, so why are you handing out your absurd pills that definitely weren¡¯t refined by a brat like you, with no knowledge in pill refinement? If you want to survive, you need to keep your cards hidden and blend in, do you understand?¡± Kraus muttered, grabbing Tez¡¯s shoulder with intense might.

    He continued to whisper with a lowered tone, ¡°You¡¯re making it too obvious that you have some unique backing or treasure. In the sect you join, if you make close friends or even a lover, practise extreme diligence. Money makes mere mortals go mad, so what do you think supreme treasures do to cultivators, those with even more extreme emotions? Hah, especially those goddamn Immortals. They all claim to be free from mortal attachment, yet go more mad than a child at the most mundane things.¡± The last thing he needed was for this guy to end up dead or tortured from someone interested in what he has. The things he said sometimes even confused Kraus with his absurd ideologies, but Tez had absolutely zero street smarts.

    ¡°I''m sorry, I¡¯ll swear to your gods about this oath.¡±

    ¡°Idiot, you don¡¯t even believe in the Architect. Swear the oath to yourself!¡± Kraus held back the urge to slap this kid. What turned from an emotional parting ended up in a scolding. ¡°Now go, you just have the final trial left to join the sect. When you learn some fancy tricks, then come back to entertain the kids,¡± Kraus waved Tez away, walking back to till the fields.

    The breeze picked up, blowing his shirt around, and a purple branded scar ran up his entire back.

    In the distance, he heard the yells of Tez. ¡°Kraus, I¡¯ll prove it to you! A world where Vulfoans, Silvents and the others can live as equals to humans! Just you wait!¡±

    Kraus only raised his fist up, giving blessings to Tez. He couldn¡¯t help but have a wide grin. ¡°Kids these days, always raring to change the world. Tez, if you can keep these values even after experiencing the cut-throat nature of the cultivator¡¯s world, I¡¯ll believe that the new era is coming. Heh, I¡¯ll even accept your na?ve beliefs for a change.¡±

    To think the wet rat he found tilling the fields for scrap copper change begged him to become his disciple. He barged in one day, entertained the orphanage, and managed to gain Kraus¡¯s respect. Almost as if he calculated everything.

    Whatever kid, just prove me wrong if you can.

    <hr>

    Having left the home he had spent months behind, Tez had saved enough money this time, to explore Cloud City on his own. First, I¡¯ll get lodging for a night near the base of the Seven Clouds Sect. I think I¡¯ll treat myself to their food as well.

    The Seven Clouds Sect had only recently begun increasing the frequency of their sect examinations. From every few years, to now every year.

    The founder of Cloud City and Sect Leader of Seven Clouds Sect were one and the same. Now at the peak of Rank 5, a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the power of his elders elevated, the province of Cloud City was recognised by many factions as a Rank 5 Economic Zone, a commercial hub wedged between three bordering continents.

    Tez had long decided this place to be the first step on his path. Well, it wasn¡¯t quite his decision, but the answer he knew was the right way forward.

    Once he joined a sect, embarking on his path as a cultivator, he could work on himself even more. Even with whatever advantages he had, the support of a powerful sect would give him backing, reputation, influence and, most importantly, information. Tez¡¯s weakness was that he his ignorance.

    And as Heaven¡¯s Eye slumbered, and the night sky took over, Tez took a moment to take it all in. The dancing auroras that painted across the night, and auspicious light pillars in the far distance that showed the way to all. ¡°Honestly, I can never get used to it. It¡¯s an uncanny beauty.¡±

    As for gaining power, Tez was confident on that part.

    <hr>

    With the day of the sect finale finally here, Tez was completely prepared for the battle. Until he ran into him.

    What is this dogshit luck, we¡¯re in the same battlefield?!

    Tez, now holding his annoyingly massive backpack, already had to endure the jeers of those around him. Even though he had an inventory, the space given was far too small at his level. And now, he had once again come across the person who beat him black and blue the day before.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll put you in your place soon,¡± the young master of the Liu Clan said, staring daggers into Tez.

    He felt the arrogance behind every word, a man who had no qualms squashing those beneath him with his foot.

    And with the flaring of adrenaline surging through Tez¡¯s body, he long forgot Kraus¡¯s reminder at the back of his head. Right now, all he wanted to do was find a way to deal with this guy, if not now, then later!

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to worry soon. I¡¯ll make sure I pay back for that face slap you gave me. In the ring,¡± Tez retorted back, standing his ground against Shuren.

    Shuren raised his chin, looking down on Tez even more. But he raised an eyebrow with intrigue. ¡°Fool. Know the line between confidence and madness.¡±

    With those words, he lost interest in Tez, walking away.

    Watching that arrogant young master walk off, Tez had soon forgotten about the warning Kraus gave him. Tez¡¯s hand shivered from how hard he clenched them, his golden eyes brimming with rage.

    That piece of shit hurt Raisa¡¯s brother and threatened a bunch of orphans. But right now, he¡¯s too strong, so I can¡¯t fight him face to face. One day, I¡¯m gonna make sure to put that bastard in his place!

 Chapter 9: Start Of The Sect Finale

    On the day Heaven''s Eye shone scorching orange, the yearly procession of the Seven Clouds Sect was coming to an end.

    Where a thousand finalists would battle their way to supremacy, for a chance to become an Inner Disciple, and to reach for the clouds above. The Seven Clouds Sect made sure to have refractory cloud mirrors at all ten battle stadiums, to give the citizens of Cloud City the drive and inspiration to work hard, and one day, join the glory of their sect.

    For they needed talent and hidden gems now more than ever, with the advent of their status as a Rank 5 Economic Province.

    The sect would all gather at the base of the seven mountains at the centre of Cloud City. Though the Inner Disciples would climb the mountains to be a part of the Seven Clouds, the base would train and garrison the military force and station all of the Outer Disciples. The Evening Clouds, a dark crimson and orange painting of buildings that circled around the brilliant grey and white mountains.

    Overseer Juan, alongside two of his colleagues, stood on a floating desk far above all ten of the floating stadiums. Watching as each were filled with a hundred disciples, all whom performed well on the written examinations, Talisoul grading, and Qidense Stage calculations, were ready for the finale. They would either become an Outer Disciple, groomed to be the military force of Cloud City as Cloud Knights, or manage to grow into Inner Disciples, becoming the cream of the crop.

    "The Talisoul Grade average has been much higher this year. We have far more Silver Grades and Iron Grades than before. Even the Bronze Grades have been rather impressive," Overseer Juan commented as his fingers tapped on an opaque slab with several buttons. With each tap, the stadiums were controlled, the cloud mirrors were recalibrated, and everyone''s location was clear to them all. Three overseers per stadium would be enough to handle everything.

    The Talisoul, in the beginning, referred to your average cultivation speed and amount of Spirit Meridians. From Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold, Jade, and even the Mythical Grades after it, all focused on the body''s capabilities of absorption of Qi.

    But Talisoul wasn''t rigorous as it used to be. Spiritual Meridians could be expanded through training your Talisbody as well, and the more you cultivated and understood the flow of Qi. The true powers and abilities of the Talisoul would only expand after Rank 2.

    "Perhaps it is a sign to come. The more powerful Cloud City has gotten, the more talents have popped up per year. This year seems the most promising," a colleague next to Juan said, stroking his beard.

    "Indeed. So let us change up the finale today." A cold voice, akin to a sharp blade, appeared right in front of Overseer Juan.

    He couldn''t even figure out when this man had appeared.

    He was a man with a broad frame, with long black hair that fell to his shoulders. With a dark amber eyes, narrow like a phoenix, he held a neutral expression, with one hand over his ornate sword sheathe.

    "Elder Swordfall! This is sudden, the Sect Leader has decided to change our processions from now on?" Overseer Juan stammered, his fingers that worked on the formations coming to a halt.

    "Today is a break for you all. The Sect Leader has a new creation he wishes to make use of," and with those words, Elder Swordfall disappeared from Overseer Juan''s sight.

    One of his colleagues took out a few cold drinks from his spatial storage, placing it in front of them. "Well, we may as well enjoy the show, eh?"

    But Overseer Juan had his gaze at the top of the sky, where two other elders appeared. An old man with a beard that flowed to his chest, with eyebrows drooping over his eyes. And the other, a majestic middle-aged Silvent man, with flowing viridian hair combed to the side, and branched horns that stood high to the heavens. "Old Elder Spiritweaver, and Elder Kuveiros are here as well? What exactly is this new examination they wish to begin?"

    "Hahaha, it is all part of the Sect Leader''s plan. A way to polish even the gems hidden amongst other gems, like an Elysial Fruit. Because now, more than ever, we need to find the hidden dragons and phoenixes that stem from even the lowest of beginnings." A hearty man with a great white heard and flowing hair said, having taken one of the drinks on Overseer Juan''s table to enjoy for himself.

    He didn''t need to ask, of course.

    "G-Grand Elder Wanshang as well?! If even the right hand man of the Sect Leader is here, then it must be of important news." Overseer Juan didn''t dare comment on his drink being taken, of course.

    "No, not really. It''s just¡­" Grand Elder Wanshang gazed at the ten stadiums, filled with the potential of their city.

    He took a large sip of the cold fruity juice.

    "We''re going to change things up a bit."

    <hr>

    Tez stood on the tenth levitating stadium, observing his wooden sword. "So the quest is to defeat 10 opponents in this battle, huh," Tez muttered, before staring at the person next to him.

    Liu Shuren stood with his arms crossed, cradling a wooden staff and wearing an ornate autumn robe. Presumedly patiently waiting for the battle to start, he heard Tez''s musings and retorted back.

    "A mere Stage 2 Qidense, the weakest of this group, wants to beat 10 opponents? You''ll die a worthless death if you keep up such foolish thoughts. I''ll allow you to mess around and see how long you last before sorting you out."

    Tez narrowed his eyes at Shuren. To think they had ended up placed next to each other, the world was absurd. Even if they ended up exchanging fighting words, Tez still tried to avoid Shuren as much as possible.

    And as if he''d understand that battles weren''t measured with just numbers.

    Yet Tez still couldn''t gauge his strength. He''d need to get to a higher stage to even gleam some basic information on this man.

    Damnit, I didn''t expect him to hear that. I really need to cut this habit fast. Best to steer clear of this bastard and go for the weakest fighters. Just looking at him pisses me off.

    Tez focused his sights on the rest of the stadium, absorbing the information of all 99 fighters waiting evenly beside each other on grids, roughly the size of ten metres wide.

    Too bad the System can''t even unanimously examine anything I look at. I have to actually be strong enough and improve my Examine Skill to see more info-

    WARNING. HIGH RANK ANOMALY DETECTED

    RANK ??? BEING

    VEILING SOUL AND MIND TO FOREIGN QI SENSE

    The blaring of red screens appeared in Tez''s mind, but that wasn''t what he was focusing on.

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    All warmth from his body disappeared, as if he''d been plucked and thrown into Antarctica without even his clothes. Breath escape hid body, and he struggled to move, his knees shivering. With all his might, he tried to stand still, and the urge to tumble over and fall crept closer to him. But Tez barely managed to stand his ground.

    One of the Elders of the Seven Clouds Sect appeared on the battlefield, exuding his presence with no mercy to all participants. Elder Swordfall stood, with a sheathed sword by his side.

    Only Tez''s eyes could dart around, and dozens of people dropped like flies under the pressure. Yet, when he saw Shuren, the man stood his ground without dropping a sweat. Though his jaws were clenched, and he used his staff to balance himself, he barely showed anything else in his expression. His eyes still remained firm, gazing at the elder.

    But when he gave a sideways glance to Tez, he huffed two words out. Words that even Tez wasn''t sure what to feel about.

    "Not bad."

    Tez moved his focus away to Elder Swordfall, whose gaze seemed to linger on Shuren for a while, before clapping his hands, cutting off his pressure.

    Tez could only take a deep breathe with relief, warmth once more returning to his body. Just with an elder''s existence, the System went all mad on me! His rank must be ridiculously high, is he also a Rank 5; a Nascent Soul cultivator like the Sect Leader?

    Elder Swordfall''s voice resounded across all ten battlefields, and amongst the spectating crowds as well. "We''re changing the finale from now on. There will no longer be multiple battlefields, all thousand participants will fight against each other. All your wooden weapons will be replaced with steel."

    The ten floating stages, each with a hundred participants, moved amongst the air, dripping with colourful clouds. They all stacked on top of one another, slowly inching towards each other, and Tez felt a creeping feeling that if it continued anymore, he''d be flattened like a Sunday morning breakfast''s pancake!

    Tez felt the sword by his side feel heavier, and the rest of the battlefield participants observed their new weapons as well. A light blue glow appeared at the centre of their chests, along with a pillar of light shooting from across all ten battlefields.

    "Those who die will fail."

    As the ten platforms formed into a cube with intersecting lights, a stream of clouds, of nine rainbour colours, swarmed and writhed around the platforms, veiling every participant from the world. Multiple lights danced until a sphere formed.

    And then it shrunk.

    Until nothing was left.

    When colour once more returned to the world, Tez was back in a stuffy and humid place, with the chirps of crickets and all sorts of bugs whizzing about.

    He felt a cold presence circling around his wrist, and Tez looked. A clean silver bangle, and though it had no engravings, the more Tez stared at it, the further he could see small lines moving almost like clouds.

    A wisp of Qi was forcefully taken from his body, injecting itself into the silver bangle, and Tez could see a veil of opaque clouds forming into a box.

    With it, a list of rules were written down.

    The examination was a points based system, those with the highest points would receive the most rewards and benefits. They were sent to a Fractured Minor Realm organised by the Sect Leader.

    You would receive points for beating fellow participants. Increased points for having a multiple streak. Points for battling different categories of beast found across all the biomes of the test. Even points for strategies, and finding secret traps and artifacts that controlled the environment, allowing even the weakest person to use their wits and creativity to win more points.

    All injuries in this world would be real, but the moment you die in this realm, you would be sent back to the Evening Clouds.

    Tez pinched himself.

    The pain was all too real.

    He once more looked at his active quests. There was no change.

    Reading one of them again, Tez''s eyebrows twitched and his mouth ran agape as he gradually came to a realisation.

    "Wait¡­ I have to defeat 10% of all participants¡­ Doesn''t that mean I have to now defeat a hundred fighters?"

    <hr>

    Shuren stood in the scorching desert, having read the rules. With his metal staff in tow, he threw it up a few times to feel its weight. To make sure his body knew how much more strength to control when using it.

    "I did not expect Cloud City to be in hold of a Fractured Realm of such size and diversity of the environment. Even employing such a feat on a large scale with a fake death, perhaps it is only my mind and soul that is here, and my body is still asleep in the outside." With a finger to his chin, he considered the options.

    Fractured Realms were unstable existences found in the realm between the seen and unseen. The world was vast, and the secrets hidden even on the surface were boundless. "Perhaps it''s remnants of an Immortal Cultivator''s inheritance that was repurposed by the Sect Leader? It''s quite strange they would have a such a thing in their hands¡­ Father was indeed right."

    Shuren''s father had expressed his interest in the growth of Cloud City severely. He had complete confidence that the Sect Leader would soon ascend into Rank 6; becoming a Grand Pathstrider. One with increased longevity, whose body, soul and spirit would be fully reformed, and step into the world of Immortal cultivators. Instead of absorbing Qi from his surroundings, he would generate Immortal Qi within his own body, able to cut himself from the constraints of the world.

    And it would be like a snow ball effect, elevating the status of Cloud City even higher.

    "With a thousand participants, things have only gotten more interesting." Shuren tensed his body, Qi flowing through it. "Very good. I need at least this much to go all out! I''ll become the first ranker in this entire contest!"

    As if the world heard his proclamations of victory, the sands of the desert shook with intensity, sensing Shuren''s arrogance.

    His forced use of Qi made him like a brilliant light to the beasts hidden within. With this, I can lure out creatures to gather points faster than anyone else.

    A dark crimson snake with scales that bounced seven-coloured lights slithered from the ground, at least thrice the size of Shuren. With its white dried tongue hissing, hunger was at its peak.

    A Stage 4 Beast in the Qidense Realm, eyeing Shuren as his prey.

    He raised his chin, battle intent coursing through his veins. He held his metal staff in a back stance, the bottom dragging through the hot sand.

    "Good. A worthy appetiser."

 Chapter 10: King Of Skies, Lord Of Marshes

    The scorching heat of midday beat down on Shuren, sweat slightly perspiring from his forehead. The rattling of the crimson snake, a creature Shuren was unfamiliar with, rose as it brought out its tail to the forefront. Sharp, jagged spikes exploded towards the end of the tail, and each reflective scale moved, as if tensed for a fight.

    Shuren flicked his wrist. His staff, slightly embedded in the bright sand glistening in the heat, simply moved up.

    An explosion of sand flew into the snake¡¯s eyes. The rattle of its tail grew louder, an expression of its emotion. Rage.

    And with that, it acted with tail as the point.

    Controlling his Qi to expand near his ankles and feet, he dashed to the side. But he always kept focus on the direction of the tail, its jagged spikes crashing into the ground. His right hand permanently tensed, preparing to strike at any opening.

    I have to be aware. There¡¯s a potential those spikes can be shot out. Shuren waited for that exact moment the tail hit the ground, and ignored the sand that exploded and covered his vision. In a javelin stance, his right forearms burst with Qi as he launched his staff, embedding itself deep in the crimson snake¡¯s tail.

    And to the cultivator¡¯s eye, they would be able to see a thin string of Qi attached from Shuren¡¯s arm to his weapon.

    With a wide stance, Shuren held his arms out and feet ready, anticipating its next move. Now would¡¯ve been the opportune time for the creature to reveal its hidden cards. The spikes shivered, and the tail end writhed and expanded, but nothing happened.

    For a moment, the reflective light of its scales disappeared.

    Shuren¡¯s pupils shrunk, focusing all of his Qi around his vitals and body. With defence enhanced, he held both arms out in front of his head.

    There was no time to react.

    Dozens of scales shot out, not from its tail, but from the crimson snake¡¯s entire body. As if each scale had an eye of its own, all of them managed to strike Shuren¡¯s body. He felt the stabbing pain reach from his arms to his legs. If I didn¡¯t react in time, that would¡¯ve done some real damage. Even if I¡¯m Stage 6, beasts are inherently stronger at birth. They¡¯re testing our adaptability with our lack of knowledge¡­

    Most beasts and creatures of the world were born with natural attunement to the control of Qi. It was why during the Oblivion Era of the world, Beast Tides were the biggest tragedies, even worse than natural disasters. But all of these beasts had a set weakness and attribute, thus information on them alongside preparation allowed for even mortals to fight back.

    The crimson snake¡¯s tail rattled and pulsated a few more. That tail both works as a threat to other wildlife and a mechanism to discharge its scales. Then¡­ Shuren paid focus to the snake¡¯s body, listening for the specific tune of rattle that indicated the scales to be shot out.

    The scales whizzed past Shuren¡¯s hair as he weaved between the shots, watching the spiked tail rise high in the air. The staff still embedded in its skin. I have to bait it to slam the tail again, then grab the staff out. With that, it¡¯ll focus on its open wound afterward.

    Shuren switched his direction within an instant, heading straight to the crimson snake¡¯s head. Seeing its prey change course to pounce towards it, the snake instinctively lashed out with its tail.

    Very good.

    Focusing on the balls of his bottom feet, Shuren let loose his tensed legs as he adeptly dodged to the side of the tail, still retaining the distance. The staff, finally in front of him. Embedded halfway at the pulsating end of the tail, almost like an air sac.

    Grabbing the end of the metal staff, Shuren locked in his wrist and tugged, digging his feet into the sand to stabilise his body. He had to make this quick, within a single breath.

    With a popping sound, the staff ripped out the wound in the tail, and black blood fountained. Once more, the tail thrashed around as the scales whizzed around Shuren. This time, he used the staff to deflect most of them as he moved, dashing towards the jerking head. He had to end it faster. There shouldn¡¯t be any more wild moves this snake could have.

    Using his staff as a rebound force, Shuren vaulted himself towards the top of the crimson snake¡¯s head, firmly landing on its crown. The scales beneath shook once more, but before it could act, he raised his staff.

    Once more, he manipulated his Qi to bolster the strength in his arms. All for one downward stab.

    And so he pushed down. With brute force.

    The staff drilled itself through the snake¡¯s brain, piercing through its mouth and throat. The scales continued to tremble and vibrate with vigour and violence. There¡¯s something off.

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    With its death throes, each and every one of the scales lit up, no more reflecting the light of the world. Spikes exploded from each scale, akin to its tail, its final defence to any intruders on its body.

    Shuren jumped. Landing with ease on top of his staff, he watched the crimson snake¡¯s body wither away, its scales falling off. ¡°Can¡¯t expect much from a Stage 4 beast. Perhaps it¡¯s a newborn, rather than in its adulthood.¡±

    With its brain smashed, the crimson snake shivered, gradually landing to the ground.

    Shuren¡¯s bangle hummed, and as he willed, the same cloudy box appeared once more. Forty points. That was the amount he received.

    And he watched his ranking number move around, constantly shifting between ten to twenty. ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s actually calculating everyone¡¯s progress at the same time? The sect surely has prepared quite the spectacle. But, this rises the competitive spirit even more.¡±

    With a sudden wave of his staff, the blood spread across the sands. Shuren picked up the pace towards the hole the snake appeared from. ¡°There¡¯s an underground structure? If there¡¯s more of those snakes in a small area, it might be harder. But if I can kill more of them faster, my points should increase with it likewise.¡±

    He didn¡¯t take long to decide, jumping down into the cavern. One that looked like the ruins of an ancient building. He narrowed his gaze, realising the room itself was rather small, barely enough to even house that snake. And a soft hue radiated from the end, with a brilliant blue crystal on an altar.

    Shuren took his time observing his surroundings, tapping the ground with his staff as he walked around the room, his eyes scouring the area with caution. Scrutinising each corner of the place, even the grooves between the engravements, but there was no sign of a potential trap. With a gradual pace, tapping the ground and with a hand against the wall, Shuren didn¡¯t take long making it towards the crystal.

    His bangle hummed once more, and clouds grew from the crystal to form words.

    ¡°This must be one of the toys they placed in the Fractured Realm. It¡¯s a¡­ an object that flies to the highest point, allowing me a vantage point to see the battlefield? This is quite useful.¡±

    Putting it to the test, Shuren grabbed the crystal and left the cave. The arid heat of the desert once more beating down on him. But once he used his Qi, the crystal shimmered until an ethereal form of a hawk formed. And without Shuren making a command, its claws gripped Shuren¡¯s wrists, and its wings beat rapidly. There was no sound, nor air being pushed, yet Shuren¡¯s body rose alongside the bird, with the view of the realm getting expanded.

    The perimeters of the desert were soon shown to him, bordering the green sprawling jungle lands at the northernmost point. In the far distance, he could even see a snowy mountain range that shifted into a pulsating orange volcanic region. Even Shuren couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow with some surprise. ¡°They¡¯ve really designed this place with this much care? Not even the Liu Clan¡¯s training realms had this much variety involved with their environments.¡±

    Shuren noticed a few others flying in the sky with their own kinds of creatures. They must¡¯ve similarly found objects around the area to gain an advantage. Shuren kept his hearing attentive, holding his staff out in a guard stance.

    An arrow whizzed towards him, but Shuren deflected it with ease. It had long since dropped its speed from the airtime. ¡°The downside to gaining such an advantage.¡±

    Shuren scoffed. This opponent would have to put far more effort to put a dent on him.

    He saw the borders of the jungle sprawling with other a dozen fighters, all scrambling while dealing with each other. A smirk came onto his face.

    <hr>

    Tez panted as he grabbed the vivid blue crystal in his hand, with a silhouette of a creature at its centre. Blood already covered his right arm, and his sword was doused in blood. ¡°Shit, it felt way too real! Those two are still alive, right?¡±

    Tez felt the sensation of a knife stabbing in his back, causing him to stumble forward once more. Still wheezing, he turned around and saw a young man with long black hair, a bun held by a thin gem encrusted needle. Casually standing while waving a fan, he mocked Tez as he stood on the high ground. ¡°Impressive to see an outlander only in Stage 2 to survive for so long. You truly are talented at running.¡±

    He¡¯s here for my crystal. I need to find a better chance to use it, I can¡¯t let him sneak up on me!

    Tez held his sword in front, walking backwards in the deep marsh while watching for that fan. His left foot felt a squelch, and muddied water dirtied his pants. He narrowed his eyes at the realisation.

    He took a deep and long breath.

    Sword arm shivering, he waited as the man waved his fan, three metal feathers aiming towards Tez¡¯s head. With a swipe of his hand, he could only deflect two of them.

    And with the third embedded in his chest, Tez fell backwards, submerged in the swamp.

    After a few moments, the fan wielding elegant man walked towards the swamp, but hesitated. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to dirty my clothes by walking in this swamp, but that crystal would be worthwhile.¡± With a long sigh, he held up the sleeves of his robe, fully prepared to muddy his beautiful visage. ¡°This should be wor-¡±

    A large snout jumped out of the swamp, and the shadows of a powerful beast rammed into him, pushing him to the side. Ignoring the dull pain in his body, he watched as the golden hippo bolted into the jungle, with Tez at its helm.

    ¡°Stay calm! Stay calm!¡± Tez continued to force his Qi into the manifested hippo, the result of his crystal, but it barely listened to him. Red eyed, it slammed into another combatant, knocking him away. Tez felt as he gained 10 points, only 3 percent close to achieving his goal for the quest. Seriously, how the hell am I supposed to do this?!

    Tez couldn¡¯t help but hold a grin as a handful more combatants tried to escape the hippo, only to struggle in dodging it, getting knocked out. But I¡¯m pretty sure I didn¡¯t receive any points when that fan bastard got hit. He¡¯s way stronger than these grunts.

    When Tez saw the dozens of fighters scrambling around as they fought each other, none with any sort of unique advantage, his heart fluttered. With this, he¡¯d be able to-

    A wave of dust exploded from the centre of them, as a shadow from the sky dropped with a thunderous bang. And when the dust and debris cleared up¡­

    A man stood at the centre with flowing blond hair and staff in hand. Surrounded by twelve people, Tez could feel his presence as the man¡¯s Qi surged in a powerful aura around him.

    ¡°Now then. It¡¯s time to gather some points.¡±

    Shuren had entered the scene.

 Chapter 11: Fight Or Die

    Three Stage 3¡¯s, four Stage 2¡¯s, four Stage 4¡¯s, and even a single Stage 5. All close quarters weapon users. Shuren¡¯s eyes darted around as the dust exploded in the air, examining the Qi aura of each fighter. In the distance, he saw a giant golden hippo madly running around, with a blue-haired man wobbling on top. He must¡¯ve gotten a crystal as well. I¡¯ll deal with him after.

    Coughs resounded around Shuren, with a few backing off. He felt their confusion and fear, and that was more than enough for him.

    ¡°Perfect.¡±

    With a casual swing, Shuren slapped the Stage 2 on his right with his staff, smashing his forehead. He had no time to react. Falling down with a crushed head, his body disappeared and Shuren¡¯s bangle hummed.

    The sound of his defeated opponent¡¯s groan alerted the rest in the dust motes clearing away, encircling Shuren. But none communicated with each other. After all, they were just involved in a free-for-all battle. How could there be trust in a competition to enter the sect?

    Most of them had simple steel sabres, some with spears and even broad swords. All weapons Shuren had more than enough experience handling with.

    The primal roar of a man came behind Shuren, with the force of a Stage 5, slamming down his broadsword in an attempt to solidify his status. A barbaric move, Shuren easily dodged to the side.

    The dirt crumpled around Shuren, and the man actually let go of his broadsword to dash forward for a punch. He isn¡¯t as brutish as I thought.

    Shuren tensed his legs to ensure stability, weaving out of the way. With an arc, Shuren ended up behind the man in a breath, staff raised in hand.

    A single downward swing to the brain.

    For a Stage 5, his control of Qi is lacking.

    The Stage 5 brawler fell to the floor, body dissipating with a brilliant blue light. The rest who stood their ground fighting the two strongest in their group backed off, wary of Shuren.

    Why did Shuren easily beat this Stage 5 within a single blow?

    Because he had focused too much Qi aura on his offences, without leaving enough for his vitals.

    It came down to the role of the Qidense Realm. To master the flow of Qi, until it became as natural as breathing. A resource to control, calculate, and calibrate density throughout your body, interior and exterior.

    Before Qi could enter their Talisoul, a hallmark of Rank 2, Qi would reside within their external body. Right now, Shuren and the rest could effectively use it only as an aura, manipulating it to strengthen parts of their body. Bolstering defences, reinforcing muscles for offence and strengthening flexibility with durable tendons.

    If they wanted to increase the strength of their right jab, Qi would be manipulated to move around parts of the right arm, hand and wrist. In return, there would be less Qi to form around your vitals, limiting your defences.

    Rank 1 Cultivators must learn to balance their control of offence and defence. Combine that with timing, shifting the density of their Qi aura, and the speed and flexibility of changing the Qi aura around their body, a stark difference would be apparent in those who came from a life of fighting and training, to those who did the bare minimum.

    That is why the innate talent, such as their Talisoul Grade, did not matter as much with combat in Rank 1. Though they would be valued higher due to the potential in the future.

    Shuren not only had the highest stage amongst the group here, at Stage 6 in the Qidense Realm, he also had an Iron Grade Talisbody, which meant he trained his body to its peak for years. But the most important factor was his tutorage and training regimens in the main Liu Clan for most of his life, teaching him to control Qi with ease.

    These advantages were the most apparent in Rank 1, where it could be argued you hadn¡¯t even begun your true journey as a cultivator, having not found a Path.

    Shuren lowered his body, dashing towards the pair of fighters nearest to him. Trails of dirt exploded behind his each step.

    In his periphery, the mad golden hippo ran towards the desert, ignoring Shuren entirely. What a ridiculous beast.

    With staff raised over his shoulders, barely the wisp of aura covering his arms, Shuren swung.

    None would get in his way,

    <hr>

    If there was unity amongst the menial labourers, merchants and aristocrats, it was at the aerial battle stadiums of dirt that dripped with ethereal clouds beneath. A moment to forget their differences, they bet the same coins, shared the same laughs, shouted the same cries and debated their speculations. Chinks of copper taels resounded across the wooden tables set up for the gamblers.

    But when the majestic lights of blue intersect with the veils of rainbow clouds, all the spectators had been at a loss for words. Until after a moment, a floating sculpture crafted with immaculate detail, shaped into an island filled with icy mountains to raging volcanoes, wild jungles to harsh deserts. The cloud mirrors were soon replaced with the visages of each region, alongside the finalists battling each other for their points.

    To drum up the commotion even more, an opaque rectangular crystal levitated to the side, inscribed with the ranks and points of the top performing fighters.

    And after seeing the fan-wielding man take out ten fighters on his own, many paid attention to Shuren utterly demolishing a dozen fighters. The levitating ranking crystal shifted numbers and names constantly, without even a second of rest.

    Rank 1. Wu Ming. 300 points. Rank 2. Huang Shi Junyu. 250 points. Rank 3. Aerestia. 200 points. Rank 4. Liu Shuren. 170 points. Rank 5. Zhou Yan. 135 points. Meanwhile, Tez had jumped from Rank 350 to Rank 100, amassing 80 points in total.

    A young man of sixteen with sharp blue eyes, his shoulders draped with his black hair, slammed down a hefty pouch with a beaming smile, ¡°One hundred taels of silver, to proclaim my cousin Liu Shuren as the number one winner of the finale!¡±

    The surrounding crowd quietened their clamouring. A young girl took the initiative, grabbing the hem of his crimson ornate robe.

    ¡°Young master, you are also from the Liu Clan?¡± She asked, her eyes gleaming with awe as she shuffled closer to the young man, staring at his ocean blue eyes.

    He put his arm around her as naturally as he breathed. ¡°Of course I, Liu Wei, come from the main branch alongside him. It¡¯s only a matter of time before he reaches first as his rightful place!¡± He continued to blather on, and the men handling the bets urged him to continue.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    A rugged, tanned farmer nonchalantly pushed his way towards the betting table, humming. His hand played around with a bulging coin purse, ready to up the stakes.

    ¡°One hundred taels of silver. I bet on the blue-haired easterner to reach the top ten,¡± he said, his rough, calloused hand tossing the coin purse. He took off his straw hat with two holes cut out, wiping the sweat off his head and orange fuzzy ears.

    I may as well get some more funds while I¡¯m at it. With this line of thinking, Kraus abandoned tilling the fields for the day.

    Liu Wei narrowed his eyes at the Vulfoan farmer, murky with aversion. He had already seen the pathetic state of the blue-haired contender flitting about the stage, barely fighting his opponents like a real cultivator.

    His cultivation level had long been spread to the crowd. One of the weakest of the fighters, a mere Stage 2 Qidense Realm brat having just touched upon the path of Qi. To think the farmer could place him anywhere near the ranks of his cousin, someone at the cusp of Stage 6 Qidense Realm, was an absurd joke in of itself.

    Liu Wei scoffed at Kraus, his hand grabbing another hefty pouch. ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ll bet another hundred silver taels your easterner kid won¡¯t make it anywhere near top ten,¡± he said as he slammed it on the table, the thud once more silencing the chatter of the observing crowd.

    Those nearby looked towards the floating island. It was not difficult to find who he bet on, as only a single tanned blue-haired person was amongst the fighters. The state of his worn out leather garments almost made some pity him. A few even laughed at him. Clearly a downtrodden traveller from the ocean side.

    ¡°Tell me, farmer. What makes you think that kid will even make it that far?¡± Liu Wei chuckled, resting an arm within his robe.

    Kraus grinned enough that his fangs were visible.

    ¡°Just watch and see.¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°You¡¯re the one coming second, right,¡± Shuren said with his staff in a reverse back stance. After dealing with the bunch of trash at the borders of the jungle, he investigated further.

    But all he saw were cluttered weapons and feathers embedded everywhere, with nobody in sight. Which only meant they had all been utterly defeated. Fatally.

    A young man waving a fan stood on a tree branch, looking down on Shuren. ¡°Friend, there¡¯s no need for us to fight. For I¡¯m only worth 35 points.¡±

    Shuren had realised with each person he killed, that they were worth about half of their stage times ten. So a Stage 5 fighter yielded 25 points, but a Stage 4 beast yielded exactly 40 points. Which meant only one thing.

    His opponent was a Stage 7.

    Huang Shi Junyu. Presumably a man with high status in the Huang Clan, which produced the best Weapon Smithers in Cloud City.

    ¡°There is no reason for us to fight. In fact, I wish to foster a friendship with a young member of the Liu Clan such as yourself,¡± Junyu proclaimed with sincerity, but removed his fan waving at his head.

    Three needles shot out, a blur as it zoomed across towards Shuren.

    He smacked them all away with a casual wave of his staff. A warning attack.

    We could fight here, and I can take him out eventually¡­ But attrition is also a major component of this test. There¡¯s far too many variables to consider in this exam. Shuren rested the staff on his shoulder, glancing at Junyu with an expression of resignation. ¡°You speak wise words, friend of the Huang Clan.¡±

    Shuren ignored Junyu, refusing to entertain a longer conversation. Running across the jungle, Shuren climbed and jumped through the trees to gain the vantage point. The fiery realm of dark red ground with pulsating veins of orange magma was strewn across the lands, leading up to the volcanoes in the distance.

    Junyu watched as Shuren left the scene. His eyes narrowed to examine him, with a smile rising on his face.

    ¡°Liu Shuren¡­ Now where have I heard that name?¡±

    <hr>

    With each straggler he found in the region, Shuren made quick work of them with a quick skirmish. Worth 10 points each. Sweat clung to his back, the sweltering heat of the volcanic region far fiercer than the desert, forcing him to avoid the ponds of lava and boulders with steam coming off them, rolling down the slanted rocky hills. ¡°I¡¯ll head up higher. It¡¯s too obvious those volcanoes have something valuable.¡±

    Continuing to run and observe his surroundings, Shuren noticed a cave in surrounded by weapons. A clear sign of a battle. The closer he got, the louder the sounds of metals clashing could be heard.

    ¡°Sounds like only two fighters left. Now¡¯s the perfect chance.¡± With resolve, Shuren jumped in the hole, leading to another sprawling ruin. Though this time, it was far larger than the one he found in the desert, with magma flowing at the bottom and a single platform. There, a boy and girl were clashing with short swords, with a blue crystal rested in an altar.

    I can¡¯t tell from this far. I¡¯ll need to get closer. There was a limit to how much he could sense someone¡¯s cultivation level. It was most effective the closer he was, as far as his natural senses could reach.

    Shuren focused on reaching the bottom, leaping and vaulting off the platforms and levels of the sprawling ruins. Naturally, his presence was detected by the two, slowly backing away into a defensive stance.

    Shuren didn¡¯t care.

    He leapt off one of the open corridors, aiming straight towards the platform surrounding by spitting magma. If he missed, it was certain death.

    But mid fall, he tensed his right arm with all the force he could muster, shooting his staff out like a spear towards the girl.

    It pierced right through her stomach.

    Blood seeped out, the staff staunching most of the flow, but the girl reeled back, clinging to it. Shivering from the far too realistic pain, she gritted her teeth and clenched her jaws to not let out a sound.

    He saw the boy run towards her in an attempt to deal with her himself. Likely, he also wanted to get rid of Shuren¡¯s only weapon. But gravity worked faster than his legs.

    Shuren had already landed on the platform. The blue crystal shone ever so brightly, and a small flame of intrigue welled up inside Shuren. Anticipation at what other advantage he would receive. The first was already quite useful.

    And he¡¯d need everything he could get to become the first out of the thousand participants in the Fractured Realm.

    Landing closer to the girl, Shuren raced to the girl, grabbing his staff at the end once more. ¡°I¡¯ll make it quick. Let go.¡±

    She refused to yield, and Shuren felt the swing of a blade behind him. He could only sigh.

    There was no way a sword would hit him that easily.

    Shuren spun around in an arc, slamming the back of his fist into the boy¡¯s face. With a crack, he lost his balance. Shuren didn¡¯t relent.

    With a forward kick to his opponent¡¯s hips, though it didn¡¯t break from the boy reinforcing it with Qi, he fell flat on the ground.

    Shuren crushed his wrists, disarming him permanently for the rest of the battle. He¡¯d only recover once he was kicked out the realm.

    He strode towards the girl. There was no expression on his face. Everything was in his control.

    He didn¡¯t need to ask this time, yanking the staff out of her chest. Within the next breath, he slammed her head, and a blue light took over her body in a blink. Likewise, he did the same to the fallen boy, still shivering from the pain of losing his wrists. ¡°This test is almost as ruthless as the one in the Liu Clan. At least there¡¯s the luxury of no true death in this one.¡±

    Flicking the blood off his staff, Shuren grabbed the azure crystal that hummed with sigils and formations Shuren couldn¡¯t understand. But reading the altar, he realised its value.

    ¡°A spatial teleportation artifact?! If this thing could work in reality, its value would be unsurmountable! But, it seems it only works within this Fractured Realm.¡± Shuren expressed his shock, before looking towards the map that appeared in front of him.

    He could see the entire outline of the island from here, with a list of all the slumbering beasts set around the map. He could choose to teleport anywhere, but also choose a spot that would get him points as well.

    ¡°There¡¯s a group of Stage 4 beasts lurking at the peak of one of the volcanoes. There¡¯s even a Stage 8 beast crawling at the base of the volcano range as well¡­ I¡¯ll head for the Stage 4¡¯s.¡±

    Pressing the map exactly where he wanted, the crystal in his hand disappeared into rainbow motes, and his entire vision and scenery shifted. With a sense of vertigo, Shuren could feel even more heat sweltering in his body. He breathed out steamy air, and even that action felt stifling.

    A glacial white scorpion sliced its pincers, facing towards Shuren. But seeing the contrast of his ice-like exterior at the peak of the volcano was quite strange. Exactly what kind of creature is that?

    Shuren couldn¡¯t even identify a single one of these. If this were the Kallas Jungles or Volkahor Mountains, or even the region surrounding the Unhallowed Monolith, he¡¯d easily be able to recognise most of the fauna.

    Shuren held his metal staff firmly, readying himself fo-

    Every cell in his body screamed, and Shuren turned back with his staff in a guard stance, barely stopping a sword that dug into him.

    ¡°Oh. You actually reacted,¡± a man with messy brown hair said, with a deep smile on his face.

    The scattering of the glacial scorpion also came closer, preparing to back stab Shuren.

    This guy¡­ He¡¯s Stage 7¡­ No! Stage 8!

    Shuren didn¡¯t allow his surprise to show on his face, instead glaring at him.

    ¡°So you¡¯re Wu Ming, the first ranker.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, good guess! You¡¯ve been stalking me or what?¡± Ming retorted with a playful grin.

    The first ranker in front, and a group of Rank 4 Beasts at the back.

    No further words were needed. It was either fight.

    Or die.

 Chapter 12: You Are Strong

    ¡°Damnit! Stop, you stupid hippo!¡±

    Tumbling around and holding for dear life, Tez had to resign himself as he rode past the desert. The rocky cliffs in the distance were growing larger and larger. Tez grabbed the strange fur that ran around the hippo¡¯s neck, analysing it for intel.

    Klerihoppo (Illusory Grade. Dissipates in 52 seconds.)

    Qidense Realm: Stage 4 Beast

    Found in the marshes of the Crestfell Continent. Carnivorous beast that grows the more it runs madly, running for up to 10 hours a day. It usually kills multiple of its prey before coming to a halt to run back and eat, with each corpse marked with its incense.

    Suggested area of attack: Its major weakness is the abdomen in its underbelly, causing an involuntary reflex for when it¡¯s submerged in the marsh.

    ¡°Okay, just a minute. It should be fine, good thing it¡¯s only a few stages above me. Otherwise couldn¡¯t be able to examine it.¡±

    Skidding to a stop when the time was up, Tez was flung from the air. He ate dirt and dust, rolling through the ground with his injuries getting even more sore. ¡°Shit! No wonder it ran from seeing that guy!¡±

    He heard the familiar ding inside his head. Ignoring the pain, Tez stood up as he focused on his mind. The only thing that gave him solace, the screen of numbers and letters, filled him with information he desperately wanted.

    Achievement Unlocked: Hold on for dear life! Mounted a Beast for the first time! Reward: Congealed Drop of Crystallised Qi. Can now break through to Stage 3!

    System! Use it and help me break through to Stage 3.

    Tez felt the sensation of being completely bloated, like he gorged on a feast. Then, the warmth in his body crackled into sheer cold, like he was encased in a sheen cover of ice. He went from melting in the sun to being in like a refrigerator. The bloated feeling disappeared as well, and when Tez took a sharp breath, it felt like he¡¯d just eaten a mentos with orange juice.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if this was how the others felt when they reached the next stages of cultivation. There wasn¡¯t any filth expelling from his skin or any deep meditation required.

    But it worked out in the end.

    Filled with energy once more, Tez held his sword tightly and ran towards the edge of the cliff. A vantage point to point out anything worthwhile. ¡°I¡¯ve only beaten 15 fighters. How the hell am I gonna get another 85 done? If there¡¯s some sort of loot I can find that gives me intel on everyone¡¯s location, or those flying eagles I saw, that¡¯d be perfect. With ten more Spiritual Meridians unlocked, my Talisoul should upgrade from Bronze to Iron!¡±

    At the edge of the jagged cliff, Tez saw multiple other floating rocky platforms levitating in chaotic patterns, with leaves and vines connecting to each rock. The one in the middle had a small hole, looking like it led into an underground cavern.

    ¡°I hope I can find some more mobs to deal with. If I can just finish that quest¡­¡±

    Spiritual Meridians, were channels within your body that optimised the flow of Qi. At the same time, they were used to refine Qi from the environment, an intangible form similar to air, into a denser form more suitable for cultivator use. The more you had, the faster your cultivation absorption and speed would be.

    But the true beauty and strength of Spiritual Meridians would be put into play after Rank 3; Core Genesis. When you could form your Talispirit and link it with both your Talisbody and Talisoul.

    That was when you could refine your very body, using the resources of the world to reach the next level in your path. For example, a Fire Path cultivator with an Talisoul of Iron Grade, could form a Fire Grade Talispirit. In return, their Spiritual Meridians would gain the aspects of fire, and their Talisoul could increase from Iron Grade to Fiery Silver Grade. So long as they focused on their Path, even the innate talent of Talisoul and cultivation speed could be increased.

    Every cultivator could go against their birthright, increasing their talent through hard work and ingenuity.

    Tez had heard from folklore, that this cultivation knowledge was taught and expanded on by the Grand Sovereign, an ancient being from the Second Grand Era. Moments in history where the world flourished the most. There had only been three such eras.

    There were three main ways to increase Spiritual Meridians.

    First, was through the development of your Talisbody. The more you trained, the higher the chances of your body locating and unlocking a Spiritual Meridian. After all, using and training your body to its very peak would naturally give you an idea of how your body worked intrinsically.

    Second, was specific breathing techniques and meditative techniques while absorbing and cycling your Qi. Akin to training your Talisbody, the more you could feel for your inner body, down to even your nerves and blood vessels with Qi, the higher the chance for gaining enlightenment and unlocking a Spiritual Meridian.

    Third, was getting stronger and breaking through to the next stages of your cultivation realm.

    Each was an arduous process, and you were lucky to even find a single Spiritual Meridian. Which was why Tez was desperate to accomplish his quest. Ten Spiritual Meridians was an absurd amount. The advantage it would give him would be insurmountable.

    Once he carefully walked on each vine and made his way to the most auspicious looking platform, Tez kneeled and observed through the hole.

    Arochnids

    Qidense Realm: Stage 3 Beast.

    Found in the melded caverns beneath the Glacial Volcanoes at the Northern Boundary. Typically led by a King Arochnid, a Core Genesis Beast, making tunnels through mountains and form underground temples worshipping the decaying corpse of ???.

    Heavily weak to reagents that induce deep sleep. When this creature falls asleep, it dies.

    Suggested area of attack: The top of its head has a sensor which allows it to smell. Destroying it will give a huge opening.

    ¡°What the hell is that description?! Is there even a normal bloody animal in this place?! Give me back normal spiders, please!¡± A sweat formed on Tez¡¯s head as he stared at their ghastly appearance, but the radiating light of three crystals caught his attention, in the midst of a nest.

    There were ten Rocky Arachnids, Stage 3 beasts, nestling in a cave. And on one side was a black-haired girl with a glaive and pouch, crushing different sorts of plants and liquids.

    ¡°She probably knows their weakness, so I¡¯ll let her do whatever she¡¯s doing. I just need to find an opening to grab those crystals.¡±

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    <hr>

    ¡°How¡¯s that kid alive? He¡¯s somehow run into all the top 5 rankers and survived every single time!¡± A spectator yelled, noticing Tez¡¯s performance.

    ¡°Talk about demon¡¯s luck. The only one he hasn¡¯t run into yet is Wu Ming and that Silvent girl. Look at him hiding like a rat. No dignity, no honour.¡± Liu Wei commented with a drink in his hand.

    Droves of people who were focused on Wu Ming paid their attention, with it coming new waves of bets and speculators.

    Focusing on his cousin for now, his boredom disappeared, with a proud smile. ¡°Now that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about. A true fight between two men.¡±

    <hr>

    Shuren loosened his right hand on the staff, still shivering as Ming¡¯s blade sparked deeper against it. I¡¯ll need to distract him.

    He had no time to put force on this move. With a flick, he let go of his right hand, aiming for an instant jab at Ming¡¯s abdomen.

    He was met with equivalent force.

    Ming had blocked his jab with a counter jab! Both wielding their weapons with a single hand, Ming reacted to Shuren¡¯s off-hand strike with ease.

    The sounds of pincers snapping grew louder, so Shuren gathered Qi aura around his feet.

    Time to lure him.

    Shuren backed off a few steps, lowering his guard with his staff aiming at the ground. He slouched forward to the point his neck was wide open. He even took a deep breath, giving off the signs of exhaustion.

    The glacial scorpion was but a metre behind him, yet Ming held his sword with a high guard, raising it above his shoulder. With a forward stance, his right foot was placed forward, knees slightly bent.

    It¡¯s going to be a forward lunge.

    At the exact moment the pincers slashed towards Shuren, Ming flickered forward with intense speed. One foot away from Shuren, he cut downwards with the power of a Stage 8.

    Fast, powerful, efficient. There was no fancy techniques, or flashy footwork. It was the cold and efficient cut of a raw swordsman.

    Boiling green blood of the scorpion spurted out with its head decapitated. Ming had to pry his sword out, but he had to focus on Shuren¡¯s position. He actually deceived me? He wasn¡¯t exhausted at all. I could barely even tell that movement! Ming thought in a blink, but the small moment he tried to pry out his sword was his biggest opening.

    Shuren spun around in an arc, his ankle still burning from forcing a dash at the last moment. But that momentum still held on as he spun with his staff. Aimed at Ming¡®s left arm.

    I¡¯ll break his arm. The tempo will change with that. Once he fractured Ming¡¯s arm or even broke it, his strength as a swordsman would sharply diminish. Shuren knew that best.

    Shuren¡¯s staff was met with the bulwark defence of two arms raised in defence, enforced with most of his Qi aura. Wu Ming had completely abandoned his sword at the risk of fighting unarmed!

    The shifting sounds of a second glacial scorpion gathered in the vicinity, intently eyeing both Ming and Shuren as worthy prey. Directly behind Ming.

    Shuren remained emotionless, but he cheered within. Focusing strength in his left leg, Shuren threw out a brute front kick at Ming¡¯s torso, barely reinforced with defence.

    Ming flew back towards the scorpion.

    Shuren kicked the rubble of the volcano as he dashed forth, not letting up this opening. But he heard the whizz of metal at the back.

    He turned his head to the side as Ming¡¯s sword flew right past him to its rightful owner. And with that same motion, Ming grasped its hilt and did a full slash behind his head, killing the scorpion in one strike mid-air.

    Qi Tether! Of course, I should¡¯ve expected that much!

    Qi Tether was a technique learnt to all cultivators of Rank 1, mainly in the second half.

    Those beyond Stage 6 were able to manipulate Qi aura outside of their body. They could reinforce their weapons separately, rather than just their body. And this was the first step to see the Paths, transmuting Qi into a fireball, or manipulating rocks to make an earth wall.

    And Qi Tether was to leave a string of Qi from your body to your chosen weapon, so even if you were disarmed, you could use Qi Tether to bring it back.

    Shuren could also use Qi Tether, but it wasn¡¯t as stable and fast as Ming¡¯s.

    Both Shuren and Ming walked perpendicular to each other, closing the distance while scrutinising their strength.

    With his staff held with a firm grip, Shuren brought his full focus to Ming¡¯s every move, down to his very stance and posture. This guy¡­ I didn¡¯t expect a backwater Rank 5 region to hold such a talented swordsman. He¡¯s fundamentals stand at the same level as even the Supreme Elder¡¯s successors! Isn¡¯t the Wu Clan in Cloud City simply known for their development for their formations?

    Likewise, Ming stopped holding back on his opponent, who was two stages below him. I¡¯ve seen this guy before with his dad once. The Liu Clan¡­ One of the most greatest Sword Path establishments across the world. And it was once unanimously acknowledged as the strongest with the Divine Sword Saint as its leader¡­ Is he really someone from there, even though he uses a staff? But he¡¯s even tougher than the Stage 7¡¯s I¡¯ve fought. Much more tougher.

    At the end of the standoff, there was only one thought that was shared in both Shuren and Ming¡¯s mind.

    He¡¯s strong!

    Shuren held his right arm firm, and while still retaining the distance, shot out his staff like a javelin towards Ming. In the same moment, Shuren ran forward, right behind it.

    Ming deflected the staff with his sword arm, but Shuren twisted his hips and brought his right arm all the way back, stretched like a loaded rubber. With a blink, he shot out with a powerful punch at the end of his own staff, breaking Ming¡¯s guard.

    The skin of his knuckles tore with blood bleeding out, but Shuren moved without acknowledging that pain, grabbing his staff. Pushing forward with a stab, Shuren closed the distance while exchanging blows with Ming.

    And this time, Ming was being pushed back. His legs almost buckled this time, even when he had the advantage of being Stage 8. This guy! He really has to be from the Liu Clan! Even if he¡¯s using a staff, there¡¯s no other explanation!

    While Shuren bore his staff deeper against Ming, they both heard the auspicious sound of boiling and popping water.

    Both of them stepped back, and a stream of a high-pressure, green substance shot out between them, coming exactly from an advancing glacial scorpion. Larger than the other two, it rolled up into its carapace and closed the distance between the two in a few seconds!

    Shuren clicked his tongue. Both Shuren and Ming ignored each other to kill the scorpion. With a giant slam, Shuren cracked the carapace shell of the scorpion. And with a wide slash, Ming cut it open, green blood spurting everywhere.

    It continued to roll down the volcanic mountain, even as blood spurted out of it. But both fighters barely acknowledged it, once more returning back to exchange blows.

    We¡¯re going to go on forever like this. It¡¯s risky without having learnt grandfather¡¯s breathing style, but I¡¯ll have to close the gap even further.

    Shuren backed off, stabbing his staff deep into the ground. Then he raised both his fists above his waist with a square stance, his fingers open into a bent palm.

    Ming only smirked at this new change. His opponent dared to disarm himself and leave such a wide gap? He even felt a bit disappointed with Shuren¡¯s absurd act, but pushed force to finish the battle.

    I¡¯ve fought with swords all my life, and my entire body has been carved up by them! Don¡¯t you dare think you¡¯ll be able to hand a hit on me, Wu Ming!

    Shuren dashed forth, his eyes completely focused on the minute changes in Ming¡¯s wrists and sword hand. The sword hilt was held in a side guard to launch the widest horizontal slash possible, covering as much distance and space as possible.

    Unless Shuren could deflect this blade with his bare hands, there was no way out of this exchange!

    Ming drew both his hands at his hip, bursting to slash.

    Shuren ran with curled fingers, his body completely in the range of Ming¡¯s blade.

    90% of my Qi Aura should be more than enough, even if it¡¯ll use a third of my Qi Reserves!

    The volcano erupted with spits of lava flying out. And even when there were ominous rumbles in the ground, both fighters were completely focused.

    Shuren¡¯s Qi aura swam and writhed until most of it focused around his feet, with some traversing up his knees. Digging his foot deep into the crumbling volcanic ground, he sped even further like an eagle diving at a fish in the sea.

    In a blink, he¡¯d reach directly in front of Ming, letting out a knee high kick at Ming¡¯s right elbow. With that, his sword arm faltered, and Shuren grabbed Ming¡¯s left wrist.

    ¡°You madman!¡± Ming yelled with a crazed smile, even as sweat fell from his forehead, this time not from the heat.

    Shuren twisted Ming¡¯s wrist like a powerful snake wrapping around it, before putting pressure like a boulder slammed on him. With a few cracks, Ming¡¯s grip on his sword loosened.

    His left wrist was now broken! Even for a Stage 8 swordsman, that was still a massive disadvantage.

    The rumbling continued to get louder.

    Ming didn¡¯t react to the pain, instead punching Shuren with a raw uppercut to his chin. Both finally backed away, both signalling an arm towards their weapon.

    ¡°Come.¡± Shuren commanded. The staff didn¡¯t fly like a sword towards him, but spun after bouncing off the ground a few times. Meanwhile, Ming¡¯s sword came smoothly to his right hand, ready for battle.

    Once more, both flew forth with weapons armed, aiming for a clash.

    Dirt and rubble exploded to their side, with the roar of a baleful beast bellowing across the volcano.

    Its wide maws opened covered with pieces of carapace and green blood, dwarfing both Shuren and Ming, ready to devour them both.

    The apex of the volcano, A Stage 8 Deviant Beast, had appeared!

 Chapter 13: Full Of Distractions

    Grand Elder Wanshang of the Seven Clouds Sect fidgeted with his beard as he observed the competition within the Fractured Realm. A piece of an Immortal the sect had long found. ¡°Hmm. I believe we still need to adjust the point reward system a bit more.¡± He looked to the sky, facing towards the Silvent Elder. Haze hasn¡¯t returned yet. He was the one working on this project, so I''ll tweak things a bit.

    ¡°Kuveiros, make it so points can be accumulated per combatant. It¡¯ll force the high rankers to play more cautiously and the low rankers to coordinate. Also, double all points gained from killing beasts. They take too long to kill compared to these kids.¡±

    Elder Kuveiros, who was observing one of the Silvent girl combatants with a Spiritscaller Staff, opened his palm and interacted with a floating cube. It glowed and pulsated rhythmically with lines of blue light, controlling each aspect of the Fractured Realm.

    ¡°Done. I¡¯ll make an announcement in the realm as well.¡± Elder Kuveiros continued to observe the battlefield, with his eyes halting over Liu Shuren for a moment. ¡°Was he not meant to join as a delegate? I believe the Sect Leader barred foreign clans from entering as a disciple.¡±

    The Seven Clouds Sect was in a unique position. It often harboured foreign delegates; successors and those with high potential from various factions across the world. Even Immortal factions, those with the strength of Rank 6 and above, would send their best young members to study at the Seven Clouds Sect for a year.

    This was the deal between The Sect Leader of the Seven Clouds Sect and The Great Nine, the main headquarters of the powerful Immortal heroes in the Granxian Continent.

    Once upon a time, it was almost renamed The Great Ten with the advent of the Divine Sword Saint. But that tale has long disappeared in the annuls of history.

    ¡°I thought it would be interesting,¡± Grand Elder Wanshang shrugged as he said with nonchalance. That was his usual attitude towards these things.

    Feeling the strange gazes of the other elders nearby, he felt the need to slightly clarify himself. ¡°His father has worked hard for the past decade with our city. The boy he raised wishes to experience our sect without the airs of protection and privilege. Should we not reward such a good mindset?¡±

    The reason why the Seven Clouds Sect¡¯s reputation was most prominent across the world was due to one thing.

    It¡¯s not strange to assume only 1 in 100 Rank 1 cultivators would ever make it to Rank 2.

    But for the Seven Clouds Sect, their rates of young cultivators achieving from Rank 1 to Rank 2 was the absolute highest out of everyone else. An absurd 1 in 20 Rank 1¡¯s achieving Rank 2.

    Most importantly, it was achieved without the advantage of various expensive resources whatsoever, which often came with its own drawbacks. Such as Crystallised Qi Overdose, which caused their Spiritual Meridians to be shattered. A phenomenon for those who overused these resources without enough self attainment and understanding of Qi and their Path.

    The curriculum of The Sect Leader of the Seven Clouds Sect was just that impressive and impossible to recreate with others. Even with the pressure of Immortal factions looming over the Seven Clouds Sect, Grand Elder Wanshang had seen the ways his leader had kept them at a distance.

    Watching Liu Shuren and Wu Ming face off against each other, Grand Elder Wanshang held a glint of curiosity in his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s see if the staff wielder of the Sword Clan will follow in his grandfather¡¯s footsteps, or walk an entirely different Path.¡±

    <hr>

    A behemoth of a land drake stood with its six legs, each leg boring deep cracks in the ground. Having just fed on a single glacial scorpion, its open maw desired more from where it rolled from, sparking its instinct to hunt.

    The dark purple beast heaved steaming air. Its molten scales resembled cooled lava, with the rugged texture filled with bright blue crystal veins. The same pattern could be seen but far larger, with a crystallised spine running across its back, reflecting and shimmering with multiple colours. Yet it somehow fit perfectly along with the dark and molten skin.

    Faced with its ghastly roar, Shuren and Ming both felt intense heat coming from it, with a dark cloud being formed in the depths of its maw. They both had a single nod, communicating without words that they¡¯d enter a truce and cease this battle for now.

    They both ran in opposite directions, and its volcanic breath of super heated air and ash exploded out, incinerating even the molten rocks and boulders amongst the terrain.

    ¡°It¡¯s a Crystalisk! They brought a creature from the depths of Volkahor Mountains as well?¡± Shuren exclaimed, tensed as he considered whether to retreat. ¡°Normally, they¡¯re half this size. It has to be a Deviant Beast!¡±

    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Not all creatures were the same. Even beasts could deviate and gain new abilities and unique growths from their lifestyle, breaking out of the norms of their species and capabilities. Though all beasts were born and died within a predetermined range of power, Deviant Beasts broke that shackle.

    They were also the most likely to grow into an Immortal Beast. Which was why the market of Deviant Beasts was one of the largest economies in the world of cultivators.

    Shuren¡¯s bangle hummed, and words formed in the air for a second.

    There are now 500 combatants remaining. Your opponent will now gain all of your points if they kill you. Doubled point rewards from beasts as well, while shared if taken down in a group. Deviant Beasts reward 100 times their stage number.

    Shuren stood in his tracks, and no more did he look towards a direction to flee. It¡¯s worth 800 points now?

    ¡°Hey staffman, team up with me!¡± Ming yelled out from the other side of the Crystalisk.

    Shuren ran towards the back of the Deviant Beast, yelling back to the man he just exchanged blows with. ¡°You know what this beast is?¡±

    ¡°Of course I do. Who do you take me for!¡± Ming ran towards the tail end of the Deviant Crystalisk, grouping up once more with Shuren. Though the Crystalisk had great power and durability, in return, its speed was lacking.

    But Deviant Beasts were an anomaly. They could have unheard of abilities that make up for that weakness. This one was able to burrow deep in the ground with such intense speed that it managed to ambush Shuren and Ming.

    ¡°That crystal spine should be its weakness. I¡¯ll smash it. You cut open its head to destroy the brain!¡± Shuren said with haste, running up the Crystalisk by its tail.

    ¡°So I¡¯m the bait, huh? Remind me who exactly was the one to break my wrist again?¡± Wu Ming complained, and would¡¯ve denied the proposition, but Shuren¡¯s weapon was more likely to damage the spine of the Crystalisk.

    Shuren cocked his chin high with a deep smirk. ¡°What, the Stage 8 is too scared?¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Ming said with an annoyed tone, but listened either way. The rumbling of the giant Crystalisk continued as it twisted its head, and Shuren climbed from its tail to reach the middle of its spine.

    The Crystalisk was known for absorbing and refining ores and minerals in the Volkahor Mountains, to extend its defence and help store even more Qi. Shuren controlled his balance, even as the Crystalisk bit away at Ming, while swiping towards him with chunks of rock.

    ¡°Come on, you overgrown lizard! That all you got?!¡± Ming taunted out of boredom as he weaved through the claw swipes, like a child was wailing on him with a stick.

    Crazy battle maniac. Shuren ignored the yells, holding his staff firmly with both hands. The brilliant crystal spine flickered with specks of light, and when Shuren looked closer, he noticed blood vessels running across it.

    Once he broke it, the Crystalisk¡¯s Qi reserves would rapidly diminish.

    With all his might, Shuren slammed his staff with a brutish overhead slam.

    But all he felt was his numbing wrists as he rebounded back, with only a few shards chipping away from the spine. A ringing sound shouted out like a bell had been rung, and the air around Shuren became far hotter.

    No, it wasn¡¯t the air.

    The crystal spine glowed with incandescence.

    ¡°Ming, stand on guard! It¡¯s going to attack!¡± Shuren leapt off the madly crawling beast, trying to shake off the bug that crawled on it.

    Without batting an eyelid, Ming backed away with haste. Observing the shining light of crystal veins covering the Crystalisk, he knew it was best to clear distance.

    It lifted all of its legs as its sharp reptilian eyes that glistened with silver stared down at its opponents. With a single stomp, rocks of the volcano and debris were thrown around it.

    For that one moment, its body was camouflaged.

    Both Shuren and Ming whacked away the smaller pieces coming towards them, stepping to avoid the more dangerous pieces. But one thought remained in both of their minds.

    There¡¯s no way this is it!

    And by the time the barrage of rocks ceased, the hulking Crystalisk stood on its hind legs, towering over Shuren and Ming.

    With maws wide open up as if to devour the skies itself, it roared.

    This time, they had to use some Qi to protect their eardrums from crackling under the pressure. But Shuren saw a figure dash forward even with the roar. Ming, blade in hand, saw the underbelly as a suitable piece of meat to slice up.

    ¡°Don¡¯t run off to die, Wu Ming!¡± Shuren yelled, but expected him to at least do some damage.

    He didn¡¯t make a retort, this time wholly focused as he stabbed his blade deep into its gut. But he didn¡¯t stop there. Using the hilt as leverage, Ming dragged it across to cut as wide of a surface as possible.

    Forming a deep gash across parts of its underbelly, Ming immediately took his sword out and fled. Those three seconds of stabbing and cleaving were already a greedy manoeuvre.

    The ravaging, pernicious roar soon blew brilliant specks of light.

    Cold and glacial spears of light, dancing across the sky.

    No, it wasn¡¯t light.

    Jagged spears of ice rained down upon them, stabbing deep into the ground. Even a far off glacial scorpion was speared and killed without warning.

    Shuren and Ming both ran as far as they could, but even as they weaved around the spears of ice that almost pierced them, a few managed to cut lacerations across their limbs.

    In the chaos of cold, Shuren felt the warmth of his blood taint his robes. He clicked his tongue, eyes filled with irritation.

    If I knew the test wouldn¡¯t have been just the usual duels with wooden weapons, I would¡¯ve left these robes behind! I just bought them as well!

    The ground of the volcano rumbled.

    ¡°Hey staffman, stop running parallel to me! Run outwards!¡± Ming yelled out as he changed course.

    Shuren realised as well, without needing to look behind. That ominous rumble as the ground shifted beneath them told enough.

    The Crystalisk had already burrowed beneath.

    They had lost the environmental advantage.

    The familiar hum of his bangles once more came out, breaking Shuren¡¯s focus.

    ¡°What now?!¡±

    His field of vision was once more obscured by words of cloudy mist for a few seconds before dissipating.

    The Walls of Destruction has begun. The lands will now be destroyed towards the final region.

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    The next thing Shuren knew, the ground had disappeared as his vision turned to nothing but the dreary sky, its colours sucked of life. And amid the air, the stench of dead fish and wild carcasses overcoming his sensations.

    The maws of death loomed beneath him.

 Chapter 14: Sleeping Lullaby

    Tez barely peeked his head towards the hole, observing the girl sprinkle a reagent in the air while putting a cloth to her mouth and nose. The twinkling motes floated across the cavern, reaching every corner where the Arochnids scuttled around their nest. Gradually, a few of them slowed down to a lull.

    He stared behind the nest where the trio of glowing crystals lay on an altar.

    She knows the weakness as well. I need to find a way to grab them ahead of her!

    Tez stood up to traverse around the platform, calculating the spot where he¡¯d be directly on top of the crystals. Kicking his feet and tapping on the ground, he had to give it his all to break this apart. Looking around, he noticed the weapons cluttered around.

    ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll try using the great hammer. Wait, I should use the bow as well¡­¡± Tez placed the great hammer on top of the spot above the crystals, and returned to the hole with bow and arrow in hand.

    Ding!

    New Skill Tree Unlocked: Path of the Great Hammer. Now have Basic Understanding of the Great Hammer.

    Tez had long gotten used to this. Whenever he¡¯d touched a weapon he¡¯d never used before, he¡¯d gain knowledge of the basics of using the weapon. Naturally, his skill with the bow and arrow had long gone from Basic Understanding to Intermediate Mastery.

    But Rank 2 is where the real game changer is at. If I can get some crazy strong Path like void powers or some shit, that would be hella sick. Or maybe the System can help me learn multiple at the same time?

    Shaking his head to leave this excitement for another day, he had his bow readied with an arrow, waiting for all the Arochnids to have been killed off in their slumber.

    It didn¡¯t take long. After a minute, Tez let go and before the arrow landed near the glaive wielding girl¡¯s feet, he notched out another two and shot them out. That should keep her distracted for a moment!

    He dashed towards the great hammer, picking it up and raising it high in the sky. ¡°This floor better be brittle enough!¡±

    Mad Bear Strength!

    With a crazed, primal roar, Tez¡¯s eyes reddened. His forearms bulged up with veins and slightly expanded as Tez used his skill, with his Qi surging across them. With one foot backwards, he used the force and momentum of his entire body to slam down with gritted teeth.

    Cracking sounds exploded and rocks flew in Tez¡¯s face, prompting him to close his eyes. But his legs also lost the feeling of stable ground as he fell down a dozen metres. Still roaring like a mad bear, he opened up his vision and prepared to land. With the help of gravity, it didn¡¯t take long for him to squarely land directly in front of the altar with the three glowing crystals.

    He froze on the spot for a second. Tez didn¡¯t know why, but he felt utter dread crawl up his spine from behind him, but it disappeared just as instantly.

    He saw the black-haired girl stare at him with utter contempt. ¡°Dirty rat.¡± Her voice echoed in the cavern as she ran forth with all her might.

    Shit, she¡¯s hella fast!

    He didn¡¯t dare speak, in case that sleeping reagent was still active in the area. Just hearing her talk wasn¡¯t enough for him to drop his guard.

    Tez grabbed the three crystals, looking around the cavern as he started looking. His other hand barely held the great hammer in tow, so he opted to abandon it for more speed.

    There¡¯s a small hole in the corner of this cavern, but won¡¯t it just be a drop to my death?!

    Tez scurried towards the hole either way. If he could lure the girl towards that place, he¡¯d have ro-

    The sensation of cold metal stabbed deep into his hips, causing him to stumble forward. He had his jaws clenched, putting even more power to his feet fiercely even at the cost of using up all his Qi reserves. Damnit! She¡¯s already caught up!

    ¡°Hand it over and I¡¯ll consider letting you live. Not like you¡¯re worth much points anyway,¡± she lured him, hoping Tez would give in.

    Screw you, bitch! If you wanted me to surrender, don¡¯t bloody stab me first!

    He barely had time to stop and focus on using the crystals. It would take time since he wasn¡¯t able to read the engravings on the altar or focus on activating them. He wasn¡¯t at the stage of being able to multitask with Qi, let alone multitask in general!

    Just five more metres!

    Danger Sense (Beginner) activated. He ducked his head slightly down as the glaive sliced towards him.

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    ¡°I¡¯m going to throw these crystals out the hole if you won¡¯t stop trying to stab me!¡± Tez yelled out, holding his breath immediately after yelling those words.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t stop running immediately, you¡¯re dead!¡± She didn¡¯t let up and give Tez the upper hand, staying firm in her offence.

    Tez turned around, this time holding the crystals behind his back. If she tried to kill him on the spot, he¡¯d have barely enough time to let them roll behind him towards the hole, falling out.

    ¡°Hand over two of them. I¡¯ll let you have the last one. Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m the one who cleared out this shitty cavern for you,¡± she said while glaring at him. ¡°That¡¯s fair enough for the both of us.¡±

    ¡°How can I believe you?¡± Tez said, finally believing that the sleeping reagent wasn¡¯t active anymore in the air.

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll swear an Oath by the Architect.¡±

    Tez sneered at her. ¡°You can just lie, then what? Back away, so I feel safe enough to throw you two of these crystals.¡±

    ¡°Y-you dare claim I¡¯d renege such an oath?! I just put my reputation on the line. You think that¡¯s a light matter?!¡± Her glaive trembled with rage, but she backed off a few steps.

    ¡°Heh, there¡¯s no one here listening. You can easily break such an oath,¡± Tez retorted, but a sweat trickled down his forehead.

    ¡°You idiot, if I break an oath of the highest level, then what makes me different from those demonic cultivators who¡¯d betray even their own families for the hell of it?! Haven¡¯t you heard of principles?!¡± She clenched her jaws out of anger, forcing herself to ease up. She still had to figure out a way to gain her rewards back!

    Kraus sure was right. These cultivators sure love their oaths. Wouldn¡¯t it be easy to finesse em by abusing such a trait? Tez took out a crystal, dangling it in front of the girl. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll throw these towards you.¡±

    His opponent refused to drop her guard, as if ready to pounce on him at any time.

    He raised his hands back, as if to build up some momentum to throw it forward.

    Leopard Leap!

    Tez pounced towards the hole while bending his body to dodge the sweeping glaive that shot towards him, smelling the fresh smell of the outside world as he fell into the sky. ¡°That was bloody close!¡±

    The same dread he felt earlier on came back again. And when he saw the side of the rocky platform on a cliff he fell out of, he saw a giant Arochnid resting on the side. Its deep eyes, swarming with a bizarre purple spiral.

    He almost shit himself at the appearance. But strangely, it stayed still and didn¡¯t act what so ever.

    As he continued to fall, Tez didn¡¯t bother focusing on the girl staring daggers into him as she stood out the hole. Even if she wanted revenge and looked around for a weapon, he¡¯d be long fallen out of sight.

    But Tez wasn¡¯t in any better of a spot. He¡¯d be dead if he landed without being able to save himself.

    ¡°Come on, give me that flying eagle mount!¡± Tez focused on the first crystal, watching it dissipate into the air. Leaving a small tattoo on his left hand, he weirdly felt some information running into his head. ¡°A beast subjugation spell for five minutes?¡±

    The freezing air cut into him as he struggled to keep his eyes open. He had to hurry. Using the second crystal, he hoped for the squawk of a bird to grab him up.

    A scroll appeared in his hands, painted with ink in all sorts of sigils. A powerful Rank 1 Charm, able to weaken his presence in the wilds unless a Rank 2 tried to sense him.

    ¡°Shit! Just give me a mount! I¡¯m gonna bloody die at this rate!¡± Tez couldn¡¯t bother turning his head around to see what was below, but there wasn¡¯t enough time either way.

    With the third crystal activated, his bangle on his wrist hummed as clouds formed into a map in front of him.

    You can now choose where the Walls of Destruction will zone towards. Any region aside from the one you choose will gradually be destroyed, forcing all participants to battle in a smaller space.

    ¡°Shit! What the hell am I gonna do with- wait. This is¡­¡± Tez felt the information dig into his mind like the warmth of the sun making him forget his sheer cold. ¡°If I can choose the area for the region that still remains, surely it¡¯ll allow me to be there as well, right?¡±

    Tez chose the northernmost place he could see. The last thing he needed was a crazed glaive wielding girl to be anywhere near him.

    He felt like his body was being squeezed into a tiny pinhole for a second, and his vision completely changed.

    He still felt cold, though. Like he was in the freezer section of the supermarket.

    As all he saw was white across the horizon with mountains in the distance, with light snow falling serenely.

    Scouring his surroundings, Tez finally felt relief as he slumped to the ground.

    Holding a hand to his bleeding hip, Tez focused his eyes to cultivate his Qi towards stalling the bleeding. The pain now came all too well, with his adrenaline gone.

    ¡°I still need to beat more people. If most of the fighters end up here, that Rank 1 charm should end up being pretty useful.¡± Tez sighed, barely warming himself up by using Qi to cycle within him vigorously.

    He thought back to the declaration of the final reward.

    ¡°Walls of Destruction zoning in towards a specific region, huh? Might make it easier to finish that quest to defeat a hundred fighters.¡±

    He sighed as he stared at the sky.

    Damn, it really sounds like that ancient ass game that used to be popular.

    <hr>

    Elder Kuveiros held a finger to his chin. ¡°It seems we have a way to go before refining this procedure. The Deviant of the southern region has failed to defend its rewards.¡±

    Each region had a hidden Deviant Beast lurking, guarding, or taking hold of the most crystals. Whoever was the first to get these rewards was likely to trigger the final stage of the sect examinations. Otherwise, the fewer fighters there were, the harder it would be to find each other within the Fractured Realm.

    ¡°No matter. We have an idea of the strongest disciples. The main point was to take note of the unseen disciples that have great potential, no matter the situation.¡± Grand Elder Wanshang said as he circled his glass under the sweltering heat.

    ¡°So, Swordfall. Who do you think will make it?¡± He asked, out of intrigue.

    Elder Swordfall held both hands together, observing the volcanic region with intent. His dark amber eyes and face held no expression, as if it were an insignificant matter. But his attention meant otherwise.

    ¡°The Wu Clan produced someone beyond their capabilities. A blessing indeed for our sect.¡±

    With a smile, Grand Elder Wanshang took a fleeting glance as well. It¡¯s obvious who you¡¯re really looking at, Swordfall.

    Thinking back to the time where the Liu Clan was at an uprise, Grand Elder Wanshang took even more intrigue in the foreign clan member. The one never meant to join as a disciple, if it weren¡¯t for him.

    Now, how will you get out of this, descendant of the Sword Saint?

 Chapter 15: Light Of Destruction

    Even if it¡¯s a false death, I don¡¯t need to feel the sensation of being devoured by this beast! Time slowed down at the waves of death covering his senses. The Crystalisk would soon devour him completely, within the next moment. With staff in hand, Shuren forwent any notion of blocking the bite. His weapon would shatter in an instant.

    If only I could use a sword, I¡¯d just have to cut his eyes away! This thing is the strongest against blunt damage.

    Watching the pulsating mass of flesh in its upper mouth, Shuren¡¯s arms burst with energy and Qi. I have to put everything in this attack. More than a 100% of my Qi Aura!

    Fingers gripping his weapon, Shuren waited for the last moment possible. When the Crystalisk would be most vulnerable.

    His vision was replaced from the skies to the lurching darkness of the beast, its maws now ready to clench together in a devastating bite of ravenous death.

    Shuren roared, stabbing his staff towards the upper roof of the Crystalisk¡¯s mouth. It pierced through the flesh towards the head with squelching sounds.

    His eardrums almost burst from the maddening roars of the Crystalisk as his world shook in chaos. He ignored the pain and soreness in his arms, gathering strength once more with the slivers of Qi he had left. Using his embedded staff as an anchor, he leapt himself out of its maws and used its teeth as a footstool to fall towards the ground.

    But the beast wouldn¡¯t stop.

    With lunatic wrath, the Crystalisk bore with the irritating pain and focused on Shuren with a breath. Incandescent speckled light grew in its mouth to charge up a devastating move. It wasn¡¯t like before, where it took a moment to use the storms of icicle dirks upon Shuren and Ming. This time, it was fast.

    Too fast.

    Shuren was still falling when its breath formed into a condensed heat beam ready to explode.

    Even when the Crystalisk heard that whizzing sound of slicing air, it didn¡¯t care. With its prey now in sight, the Crystalisk roared. To kill those in its domain, the mortals that dared to even injure it, and kill even its food that it kept as livestock.

    Half its sight turned to blood.

    A sword had stabbed right into its left eye.

    ¡°How¡¯s it feel being the bait for once, aye?!¡±

    Shuren couldn¡¯t be so glad hearing his taunting voice. Flipping himself over to gain balance, he landed with ease.

    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re both disarmed, huh,¡± Ming said as he rubbed his shoulder.

    ¡°You¡¯re good. The Wu Clan trains their members well.¡± In a rare gesture, Shuren complimented Ming. He looked around the battlefield to see if any more cluttered weapons of fallen combatants laid around.

    They surely weren¡¯t the only one who had traversed the heart of this volcanic region.

    When they both heard the slammingof the Crystalisk landing firmly on the ground to scrape the sword out of its eye, both Shuren and Ming ran towards the fallen weapons in the distance.

    In a few moments, Ming grabbed the broad sword by the side. Likewise, Shuren grabbed a spear opposite him as well.

    Shuren forced his injuries and soreness to the side, even though his body cried to sit down and cycle Qi. Though he¡¯d use all of his Qi Aura for that one strike, he could still siphon out more Qi in the reserves within his body.

    The reserves of Qi within a cultivator¡¯s body were different from the ones they used externally to envelop their body in Aura. In basic terms, the higher your Stage, the more reserves you could hold.

    In an analogy, If a Stage 3 had akin to 3 gourds of Qi reserves within his body, usually his Qi Aura would be the amount of a single gourd. Shuren at Stage 6 had 6 gourds worth of Qi reserves, and had already used half of all his reserves available in his battles, with only 3 more gourds left with of Qi reserves.

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    But the torn muscles in his arms would take a bit more time to heal. Shuren bore with the pain and waited for the Crystalisk to approach him.

    The Crystalisk didn¡¯t approach them whatsoever.

    Its crystalline spine, that once glistened with light, now turned dim.

    A sharp spear of light shot out from its mouth, reaching at the distance Shuren was at in a blink. Shuren reacted at the last moment, only to feel the burning pain.

    A chunk of his outer shoulder had torn off.

    But he didn¡¯t dare hold a hand to cover his injured shoulder.

    The spear of light wasn¡¯t just a spear. It was a condensed breath, like a stream of high pressure water shot out from a Marshen Lobster. The beast swung its head around wildly, with its high pressure breath of hot light destroying chunks of rocks and whizzing past both Shuren and Ming.

    Ming ran even as it burnt some of his hips to the side. ¡°Now¡¯s the time. I can feel it, this is our biggest chance!¡± He yelled with madness, weaving and ducking past the chaotic breath of destruction.

    Shuren, not wanting to be held behind, took action as well. His crystal veins are losing colour. This must be its last move. If so, it shouldn¡¯t be as impervious anymore!

    Spear in tow, Shuren edged closer to the Crystalisk. For over half a minute, it continued to destroy half the volcanic mountain, yet barely deal with the prey it looked down on before. But even its wild dance of chaotic breath slowed down.

    It was exhausted.

    And none of them would let up now.

    The Stage 8 Deviant Beast and apex of the volcano, was now ripe for the slaughter.

    Having closed the gap, Shuren jumped on its back. Ming followed as well, jumping towards its head. Even when the Crystalisk stumbled around and shook its body to get the mice off its back, they didn¡¯t budge.

    Shuren did a wild swing on the spine of the beast, this time shattering the crystals with ease. He didn¡¯t even need the blunt force of the staff. The spear was more than enough.

    With each portion of the crystal spine destroyed, the lifeline of the Crystalisk diminished. Ming stabbed deep into the crown of the beast, using the weight of the broadsword as part of his force.

    The whimpering roars was the horn of celebration.

    Shuren ensured it couldn¡¯t use any more devastating attacks, crippling it. Ming was the executioner, stabbing deep into its head.

    The heated surface of its back was replaced by the air as both fell to the ground, surrounding by glistening motes of blue lights.

    And in its stead, six crystals rolled around.

    Shuren, still wielding his weapon, stared at Ming. Likewise, he did the same.

    Both tired and exhausted, but Shuren was far more injured and weaker than the other.

    They both raised their weapons, charging up for a final move.

    Shuren threw his spear right past Ming, while Ming did the same with his original blood-covered sword.

    The groans of two lurkers hiding amongst the boulders and destruction of the battlefield came out, dying in an instant with the weapon piercing their hearts.

    Hearing their bangle hum, 400 points were now added to their rankings. Both decided to look up the current top 5.

    Rank 1. Aerestia. 950 points.

    Rank 2. Wu Ming. 900 points.

    Rank 3. Zhou Yan. 820 points.

    Rank 4. Liu Shuren. 770 points.

    Rank 5. Huang Shi Junyu. 660 points.

    Shuren focused on the man on Rank 50, who he didn¡¯t expect to still be hanging around.

    Rank 50. Tez. 170 points.

    But that wasn¡¯t the main problem. If Wu Ming tried to kill him now, not only would he get all six crystals, he¡¯d gain an additional 770 points with the new rules.

    ¡°Relax. We take half, and move on. How about that?¡± Ming read Shuren¡¯s mind, suggesting a truce. Though, in actuality, he wasn¡¯t even sure if he could cleanly defeat Shuren. It wasn¡¯t worth a battle to the death for now.

    Both didn¡¯t have their weapons in hand anyway, so Shuren and Ming took their crystals.

    With the burst of the first crystal, all of their injuries were healed. Even Ming¡¯s broken wrist was no more. A worthy reward for dealing with one of the five strongest beasts in the test.

    With the second, both Shuren and Ming received differing scrolls held in their hands.

    This is¡­ A Rank 1 Dome Formation. I can trap any opponents in the vicinity temporarily to deal with them. Not bad.

    With the third. Ming received a flying eagle as a mount. This time much larger, he could sit on it safely rather than being dragged by the hand. ¡°Don¡¯t die off before the end, alright?¡±

    ¡°You underestimate me. I¡¯ll take first place soon enough,¡± Shuren retorted with absolute confidence.

    ¡°Ha! We¡¯ll see about that,¡± Ming said as he used Qi Tether to regain his sword.

    Shuren nodded in acknowledgement, waiting for Ming to fly off.

    He activated the third crystal, this time gaining a glowing rune on his chest that soon melted into his skin.

    ¡°This is¡­ A Sacrosanct Artifact? I can survive a fatal blow once? This is easily the best trump card I could¡¯ve gotten!¡± For once, Shuren held a wide smile with the reward.

    Sacrosanct Artifacts were the defence of cultivators, while Zeal Artifacts were the offence. Usually in the form of armour or accessories that boosted one¡¯s health, external or internal defences, or even boost regeneration or stamina.

    With two lives, he could take liberty into being even more on the offensive, and make use of even more tactics in battle. The options were unlimited!

    The sounds of crackling thunder and shattering glass soon jolted Shuren out of his excitement, making him stare eastward.

    And what he saw was a strange field coming closer towards him. At every step, it made the region crumble away into fragments.

    The world itself was being eaten away.

 Chapter 16: Final Hundred

    ¡°That¡¯s what it meant by Walls of Destruction? It¡¯s literal in every sense possible!¡±

    Shuren didn¡¯t even bother picking up a weapon. At the speed it was destroying everything, he¡¯d be caught up in it if he didn¡¯t start running now!

    He ran towards the steep end of the volcano, finding the slope to quickly descend as soon as possible. ¡°Damnit, how am I going to outpace that thing on my own?! I should¡¯ve gotten a mount like Wu Ming did!¡±

    Sliding down the slopes of the volcano, Shuren had no time to complain anymore. He examined the horizon to see the best way to reach his target. Luck was still on his side, as the mountainous regions with snow were placed to the west of the volcanic regions.

    Thunderous roars crackled right behind Shuren, edging closer to devour him along with the world. Not even his neck was spared as Shuren felt goosebumps line up his back. A primal fear.

    It¡¯s almost like the supposed spatial cracks when the strongest Immortals battle! Complete destruction even down to the blades of grass out of the world!

    Aside from the slopes of the mountain, he¡¯d still have to run across the region. It was mostly a flat terrain afterward until the snowy mountainous areas. But at this rate, Shuren would be caught up and be removed from the sect finale.

    Flowing Qi around his feet, he leaned his body forward like a tiger to blitz down the mountain. Shuren didn¡¯t let up as he took in the environment for any small advantage possible.

    When he caught sight of a pair of spears and swords near a boulder, Shuren made sure he swiped a spear, tying it to his robes. His eyes lit up as he focused on the ethereal eagle flying below with a fighter in claw. Perfect timing. He¡¯ll be too distracted fleeing to the region.

    Using the advantage of his high terrain, Shuren held the spear in hand with a javelin stance. One throw, one strike, one chance. He had to make it count.

    The broad framed man below was a target large enough for Shuren to aim. He just had to do enough damage and momentum for his opponent to fall off the eagle.

    Shuren dug his foot into the ground, forming cracks. He stilled, a predator awaiting his chance. The sensation of wood was the only thing that mattered. His source of escape. His root to victory.

    With a sharp and heated breath, he flung the spear. And without a moment to rest, Shuren once more kicked his feet to run towards his target.

    The arrow of opportunity swam through the air.

    Soon, it would stab through him, cutting him off from the eagle and falling to his death.

    Shuren watched with gleeful intensity.

    The eagle dropped altitude, allowing the arrow to shoot over it completely.

    It missed.

    He retained a calm expression, continuing to run down the mountain. This person feigned obliviousness with such a simple path to bait me to attack? You¡¯ll need more than that to get rid of me!

    Shuren slid towards a boulder and kicked it with vigour, causing it to explode into multiple rocks of all shapes and sizes. All of its debris continued to fall down the mountain. With a simple swipe of his arm, he grabbed a bunch of rocks the size of his hand and placed it within his robes. ¡°Can you keep up?!¡±

    He rained down rocks on his opponent like the harbinger of Halevian Rains, each drop causing death and decay to all life in the legendary forbidden zone of the far north. Just one strike would be enough.

    The advantage of the eagle summon being ethereal turned out to be Shuren¡¯s biggest advantage. Even if it was a safety net for those using them, it also ensured he wouldn¡¯t accidentally batter the eagle itself to death.

    The rocks smacked parts of his body, but the fighter still held on for dear life. He already began flying further away from the mountain, increasing his own chances of survival. The crashing sounds of chaos continued behind Shuren as parts of the mountain were chiselled out of existence.

    He had two rocks left.

    Shuren grabbed a single one with both hands to split it in two, winding both of his arms back as far as possible to throw them out at the same time.

    Now only a dozen metres away from his target, he used the sloped mountain itself as an anchor to leap off. Shuren lowered his centre of gravity as he neared even closer, leaning forward even further.

    He stabbed his right foot into the ground, maintaining as much strength as possible while not destroying the land itself to cause an imbalance in his leap. Shuren glared at his target to calculate his direction.

    Driving his opposite knee up and forward, Shuren leapt while swinging his arms to keep the momentum as far as possible, keeping his core body tensed. The ethereal eagle fanatically flapped its wings to escape the impeding threat.

    But it was not enough.

    Shuren raised his right arm, now holding a rock in hand, aiming towards the head of the fighter now bruised across his body.

    ¡°Bastard, leave me alone for once!¡± He brought out a shaking axe as he roared to keep the predator away.

    Those were his last words as a rock smacked itself deep into his forehead, leaving him into a concussion. His body felt limp and dropped off the eagle.

    ¡°Just a Stage 4,¡± Shuren commented as he grabbed on the eagle¡¯s claws, almost dragging it down to fall. There were a few caws in confusion, almost considering whether it should try to obey or not.

    ¡°Lead me west.¡± Shuren commanded.

    It obeyed without a whimper.

    At the final moment, his opponent failed to distribute his Qi Aura to protect his head, instead opting for multiple vitals at once. That was his mistake. If he was more decisive with protecting his head, Shuren would¡¯ve had far more difficulty prying him off the eagle.

    The rest of the flight was far more relaxed. As Shuren got closer to his destination, he noticed the hundreds of fighters all battling each other in the snowy terrains. It was soon dyed with red splatters across the bleached lands.

    His eyes took in the entire scenery as he absorbed the scene into his mind.

    I¡¯ve only seen snow once in my life. As the poet Dan Zi says, it is as if the earth is blanketed by a pure silence. Unfortunately, this canvas is littered with the disturbance and chaos of the contestants.

    Shuren figured he¡¯d drop off at the border of the snowy region. If he foolishly tried to aim for high ground, he¡¯d most likely be seen as an easy target by any long ranged fighters.

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    The ethereal eagle lowered towards the ground, prompting Shuren to leap off and land in the ankle deep snow. ¡°This¡¯ll hinder everyone¡¯s movement techniques. I¡¯ll have to tread caution.¡±

    First, he had to reequip himself once again with a weapon. A staff would be preferable, and even a spear or halberd would suffice. After all, spears and halberds could still be used by applying the basic staffsmanship abilities Shuren had developed after years of training.

    Initially, he had wanted to join the Etemperal Monastery, a Rank 5 faction in the far north at the boundary of a forbidden zone. Their ascetics were the only renowned faction that excelled with the Staff Path.

    But his father had other plans for him. The Seven Clouds Sect was much closer to the Liu Clan, and propelled his own business as well.

    The experience so far in the Fractured Realm solidified his intrigue in the Seven Clouds Sect reputation. It was clearly designed not just to figure out their strongest disciples, but also those with potential who can handle strenuous environments or adapt quickly.

    Shuren focused on his hearing intently until he heard the clash of weapons. The signal of strife. He paced his steps with grace so as to not alert his enemies. And a sprawling tree with silver bark and branches towered in the vicinity. Though he wasn¡¯t aware of the kind of tree it was, its size and colour were perfect for subterfuge.

    Following behind the tree as his cover, Shuren observed the two women fighting. One of small stature with brown hair wielding a spear, and another of similar height to Shuren and black hair wielding a sword. Both Stage 6. It¡¯s good that one of them uses a sword. First, I¡¯ll test their reaction speed.

    He climbed up the tree in silence, carefully focusing his balance and weight to not crack or make a sound. Once Shuren reached a satisfying height, he snapped off a piece of thick branch. In that instant between them noticing the sound, he shot it out towards the spear wielder.

    It smacked her right in the face as she failed to focus while fending off her opponent.

    Both the fighters glanced at Shuren, identifying him as a fellow Stage 6. They gradually backed away, not allowing the jump on them from a third party.

    Unfortunately, that was exactly what Shuren needed.

    Blitz Stride. The basic movement technique taught to all Liu Clan members. To combine both speed and force to the utmost. Just once is enough.

    Gathering Qi towards his legs, Shuren used the tree itself as his platform, leaping towards the spear wielder. Watching the flashing figure flying towards her, she stuck out her spear in defence, in hopes of skewering Shuren like a fish.

    He weaved his body around it with ease as he smashed right into the girl¡¯s collarbone with a wide kick. Grabbing her spear even before she fell down, he spun it between his fingers to energise himself.

    This had to be a short battle.

    He poked the short girl¡¯s head in an instant, taking her out. Now all that was left was the swordswoman. A small matter.

    A Stage 6 swordswoman could never defeat him.

    Let alone the high quality one¡¯s from back in the Liu Clan, a Rank 7 faction.

    The quality of Cloud City¡¯s Stage 6 cultivators is mediocre. I suppose this is the difference between a mortal faction and an immortal faction. Only that Wu Ming is different.

    Shuren was at complete ease now that he¡¯d completely recovered to be in peak condition. ¡°What are you waiting for? Attack.¡± Shuren said with a tone of command.

    She held a square stance for a moment while gripping her sword with both hands. Eyeing her new opponent up and down, she decided to employ a well-known tactic.

    She ran away.

    Shuren watched the direction of her fleeing, heading towards the corner of a hill. If she was genuinely scared, I¡¯d rid of her immediately, but¡­ It could easily be bait to lead me to a disadvantage. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s behind that area.

    Flicking his spear to throw the blood off it, Shuren scoffed and left the scene. He had come for what he wanted for. A useful weapon.

    Most of the region was a wide and open field. It was best if he manoeuvred using the trees, fallen boulders of the mountains, and hills as his natural defence. Most of the fighters would be conglomerated in a small area. It would be a chaotic battlefield.

    He didn¡¯t waste Qi using Blitz Stride. It wasn¡¯t a technique for traversal but for battle, so Shuren continued at his usual pace. Using the hills as his cover, he continued to run until he reached closer to one of the mountains.

    He now had to consider his options.

    Should he continue skulking around till he found his opponents, or climb the mountain to gain a vantage point to observe?

    As if the world wished to answer this conundrum, Shuren¡¯s bangle hummed once more with the calming whispers of clouds.

    There are now 100 combatants remaining. The Walls of Destruction will continue to close in to the final battlefield.

    ¡°Again? They sure want to wrap this up fast.¡± Shuren made up his mind and began running up the mountain. Covering a huge amount in a few minutes, he observed his surroundings once more.

    The mountain range formed to circle around an icy lake, where dozens upon dozens of people were battling each other. Most were using weapons of all shapes and sizes, but¡­

    He saw bursts of ice exploding and flying across the field. Someone¡¯s able to tap into the Paths at Rank 1? That means we have someone beyond even Stage 9 in here as well.

    Rank 1 was Qidense Realm, to master Qi. Rank 2 was Path, to embark on your unique path. That was when you could transmute and convert Qi to have aspects of your paths, such as summoning fire balls or icicle dirks. It would become as natural as breathing.

    But those near the latter stages of Rank 1, at least beyond Stage 9 to 12, would learn to mimic such abilities as a testament to their mastery of Qi. Though highly inefficient and quite slow in a practical battle, in the chaos of a massive battlefield, it would be far more achievable to make use of it effectively.

    The best fighters were undoubtedly in the foray right now.

    This time, Shuren was able to slide down the icy mountain with relative ease. Spear rested on his shoulder, battle intent soared across his body. The hope of reaching the first ranker in the competition sparked a fire within.

    He ran across the snow, using the mountains as his means of escape and defence if necessary.

    First, I have a formation scroll that allows me to trap an opponent from fleeing, but this also doubles as isolating others from attacking me. Its effectiveness is increased on a large battlefield. Secondly, I have a Sacrosanct Artifact giving me the gift of two lives. This is undoubtedly my trump card. But there is the possibility others might have the same as well.

    The closer he neared the icy field, the more he saw splatters of blood painting it a grim crimson. The amount of people sliced apart here were numerous. I suppose even Rank 5 factions can prepare for an interesting examination. In fact, mimicking deaths while maintaining their numbers in potential disciples is a far more effective method.

    Shuren¡¯s ears pricked. He ducked and weaved casually as arrows whizzed past him. They were far too obvious, even if their sound was far more muted in the chaos.

    He saw a wolf-like person with messy brown hair cleave multiple combatants with a glaive. Not once did he eke out a word in battle. Right now, it wasn¡¯t worth battling someone near his level while surrounded by weaker opponents.

    Observing the dozens of fighters scattered around, not a single one of them was below Stage 4. But he had to take care of the one using ice itself as a weapon. Just exactly who was that person?

    A man with a broad sword committed to an aggressive overhead slice towards Shuren¡¯s back. He dodged with ease, the blade to chop off the tip of his spear.

    Seeing the clean slice now form it into an impromptu staff, Shuren taunted his opponent. ¡°Good job.¡±

    Before his opponent could even reply, his head was caved in by the brutal force of a heavy staff.

    He didn¡¯t even have time to count up the amount of points he racked. All Shuren could focus on were the fish all around him, defenceless and easy prey for him. He ran further, deeper into the icy field, seeing a crowd of fighters surrounding one person. A Silvent girl with silver hair and a staff, though distinctively forming into a branched crown near the top.

    Panting with signs of exhaustion and blood all over her, she stabilised herself with her staff, summoning ice daggers flying across the field. If I can defeat her, my placement as the first ranker is all but guaranteed. But, if she¡¯s anything like Wu Ming, I have to exercise extreme caution.

    Shuren finally found an opportunity to use his formation scroll. He just needed to clear up the group of fighters also aiming for her to gain points. There were at least a dozen surrounding her alone.

    ¡°A bunch of frogs wish to slay the phoenix. Such foolish notions!¡± Shuren declared with vigour as he strode towards them with his staff scratching the icy ground. Catching their attention with a taunt, he prepared to jump in the fray. ¡°Come. I¡¯ll allow you the gift of-¡±

    Shuren almost lost his balance at the rumbling of the ground shaking, akin to the whole world being tipped over. The Walls of Destruction? No, it can¡¯t be that!

    Everyone in the icy field stared at the closest and largest mountain that encircled them, covered with the mantle of frost and fog. A mist of clouds forms and embroiled as it flowed down the mountains.

    From afar, it crawled at a slow pace, but with each second, the rumbling worsened. The primal roar of cold mother nature bellowed across the realm, declaring its presence as the true monarch above all mortals beneath it.

    The clouds of snow dust veiled everyone to the true face of it. The thunderous echoes through the valleys announced to everyone its true force. The cascade of snowfall falling down the mountain shown to everyone its true magnanimity.

    It threatened to demolish everyone in its path.

    Shuren was the first to retreat. No mortal could deal with such a thing.

    The avalanche of ruin fell upon them all.