Chapter 31: Entrance Examination (8)
"Wow. This place has become less crowded."
Someone commented, looking around the city center which now had only a little over a hundred participants left. Most of them had been disqualified in the first two stages, and only these numbers were left.
Among them, the four participants with six-ci-aptitude were the most famous. In a span of just a few hours, their backgrounds had been investigated, and they became the talk of the town.
Marcus Cang, a genius from the Noble Cang Family. His family was wealthy and influential in the Valcom City, so he was well-known even before the entrance examinations.
Tamar Dharl, the granddaughter of the Sky Witch. Her grandmother was a fearsome individual, respected by even the Soul Cross Sect themselves.
Siegfried Reyes, a young boy from an ordinary family. His origination from that family of talentless people surprised everyone, but they understood that it might have been a rare miracle or blessing.
"Once he becomes a sect disciple, his family will never know poverty again."
"Sigh, I really envy them."
"I wish I had a nine-ci-aptitude kid."
"Hah! Keep dreaming."
The last of the four was naturally Seraph Skye from the Moonveil Clan. Although the clan wasn’t exactly famous, people immediately scrambled to find information about them. In the end, most were disappointed. The clan was a small one, and although they were improving, most people expected them to be a great clan.
"But how could they nurture such a genius?"
"I wonder..."
As they whispered amongst themselves, Elder Wang and a few disciples flew over. They landed graciously on the stage, with little to no dust being kicked up.
"Welcome to the final stage of the Entrance Examination."
Elder Wang smiled, addressing everyone calmly.
The disciples moved forward, pushing back the crowd and creating a clearing just right before the elevated stage. Then they set four poles at the four angles, creating a mini stage.
Seeing this, a few knowledgeable guardians of the participants realized what was about to happen.
"A duel?"
Elder Cassius’s eyes narrowed, and he looked at Ariana worriedly. If she got paired with an Initial Advanced Stage cultivator like Marcus or Tamar, she was doomed to lose.
Seraph also realized this and narrowed his eyes. ’It should be quite fair no? Or would they be placing her against me?’
While he was lost in thoughts, Elder Cassius continued. "This would be a duel between the remaining participants. It is going to be a random affair, so it all depends on your luck."
Smiling, he turned around and sat on the chair the disciples had prepared for him. A disciple stepped forward, a light smile on her lips. She placed a box on the floor before her, then said.
"You will come forward to pick a tag in this box one by one. Now come according to your number."
Tamar, the one with the number one tag, came up to pick first. She dipped her hand into the box, and without looking, picked a random tag.
"Call it out." The disciple said.
Tamar looked at the number on the tag and spoke calmly. "Number 82."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they checked to see who had the number she had called. Very soon, a hefty boy with thick arms and legs walked out of the crowd and stood facing her.
His face was grim, as he knew he was already at a disadvantage. Tamar was an Initial Advanced Stage cultivator while he was merely a Peak Beginner Stage cultivator.
’I can’t... no. I have to win!’
He released a heavy breath, holding his axe tightly as he stepped into the makeshift stage.
Tamar looked at him coldly, then jumped into the stage too.
The remaining disciples approached the four poles they had implanted into the ground, then activated them.
To everyone’s surprise, they lit up and formed a forcefield around the makeshift stage, blocking outside interference and protecting the crowd from stray attacks.
"Whoever loses is eliminated immediately."
Tamar nodded, while the boy’s expression became grim.
The girl exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. A faint hum resonated from the blade as a thin layer of energy wrapped around it like a second skin.
Opposite her, the boy adjusted his stance, his grip firm on the heavy axe resting against his shoulder. Despite his build, his footing was steady and rooted to the ground. His eyes remained fixed on her.
Tamar moved first. She took a sharp step forward and then raised her sword.
The ground beneath the boy fractured instantly.
"Earth Spike."
Jagged spears of stone burst upward in a violent eruption, almost impaling him. But the boy reacted just as quickly.
His foot slammed into the ground as his body twisted. He pushed off to the side, narrowly evading the spikes as they tore through the space he had occupied a split second earlier.
He landed heavily, yet didn’t pause. Instead, he charged directly at her.
The crowd gasped. He was far too fast for his size. Even Tamar’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’He’s quite serious.’
She raised her blade, her movement smooth and graceful. Opening her lips, she whispered.
"Earth Wall."
The ground surged upward between them, forming a dense barrier of stone just as the boy swung his axe.
"Flame Slash!"
The boy bellowed, his axe carved forward with flames erupting along its edge. The moment it collided with the solid wall, a thunderous sound was produced.
Crash!
Fire burst outward as cracks spread across the surface of the wall, heat searing through the barrier.
It didn’t fully collapse though, as it didn’t need to.
Tamar had already moved. She stepped out from the side of the crumbling wall, her blade flashing toward his exposed flank.
He noticed instantly, but it was too late to evade completely.
He twisted painfully, raising his axe to block.
Clang!
Steel collided and sparks scattered in the air. The impact forced him several steps back, reminding him he was weaker.
She didn’t stop. A second strike, faster. A third, aimed at his legs.
Each attack she executed was precise, controlled, and always forcing him to defend—to yield ground.
His breathing grew heavier, but his eyes sharpened. A smirk crossed his lips.
’Got you.’
He abruptly halted his retreat. Instead, he stepped forward. Her blade slashed toward him, but he didn’t dodge completely.
He shifted just enough to avoid the edge, forcing her to adjust mid-motion.
Her rhythm seemed to falter for a moment. Still, that was enough.
"Flame Slash!"
At point-blank range, the axe ignited once more.
Tamar’s eyes widened slightly, but there was a cold glint in those eyes. She stomped down on the ground.
"Earth Wall."
A thinner barrier of earth rose instantly.
Boom!
The flames tore through it, shattering the structure and sending fragments scattering. The impact forced her backward, her boots scraping against the ground. Dust filled the air.
Silence lingered—briefly.
Then a figure burst through the haze. He was already in front of her and his axe descended in a heavy arc.
Unfazed, she raised her sword. But instead of blocking, she stepped forward and into his range.
The boy’s eyes widened instantly, and he froze.
Her blade stopped just an inch from his neck, making him shiver in fear.
The crowd of remaining participants were silent, then suddenly cheered. Although everyone expected a boring fight since she was stronger, they were at least happy about witnessing such a great fight.
"Tamar Dharl wins."
The female disciple declared with a smile, welcoming Tamar onto the stage after the forcefield poles had been deactivated.
Elder Wang, still seated on the chair, spoke with a smile.
"You are the first to officially become a disciple of our Soul Cross Sect in this season. Congratulations."
Tamar bowed respectfully, her face still cold without showing any joy.
"It is my honor, Sect Elder."
The female disciple gave her a tag, then turned to the others.
"Next."
Another young cultivator came up the stage while Tamar returned to her guardian. The young boy picked a tag from the box, then called out.
"Number 63."
As he turned around to look for his opponent, he saw the crowd separate for a girl with silver hair and bright blue eyes. As soon as he saw her, his eyes widened.
’Ariana Moonveil.’
The name came to his head instantly. Not because she was very popular, but because of the name she always accompanied.
’Seraph Skye.’
His eyes involuntarily landed on the holder of that name. The white-haired boy was staring back at him with a friendly smile that didn’t reach his rainbow eyes.
Snorting inwardly, he turned his attention back to his opponent. Ariana had already walked up to the makeshift stage, a calm—almost relieved expression on her face.
’Hah... does she think she can beat me? Although we’re at the same stage, she’s three years younger than me. I’m sure she can’t be very skilled.’
Steeling his resolve, he jumped into the makeshift stage to face her.
"Start."