Playing inventor in a cultivation world

Seraph’s expression became solemn, and his smile disappeared.

’Why do you think so, Halo?’ He asked internally.

To his surprise, Halo was unresponsive, as if it had gone dormant.

’Is Halo trying to make me snap again? What prank is it trying now?’

Seraph’s colorful eyes darkened, but he refocused on his opponent. Taking two steps forward, Seraph immediately attacked.

"Seraphim Spear: Third Form—Swallow."

His spear zoomed in on his opponent with a suffocating pressure that made it seem the world was bending.

Seraph’s opponent was unfazed, unsheathing his sword in a clean move.

Clang!

He effortlessly deflected Seraph’s attack, only sliding back a bit. The sudden display of strength surprised every other person, as they had expected Seraph to easily done nate the battle. However, it didn’t seem to be progressing as they had thought.

"What is happening? Big Brother’s attack got nullified so easily?"

Ariana asked in surprise, staring at Seraph in surprise and worry.

Elder Cassius frowned, gazing at Seraph’s opponent.

’There’s something wrong with this child, but I can’t place a hand on it.’

Sighing, he turned back to Seraph, quietly cheering him in his heart.

Seeing as his opponent easily deflected that strong attack, Seraph could confirm that Halo’s warning wasn’t just a fluke. It was extremely serious.

’Who is she?’

His eyes narrowed as he exchanged several blows with his opponent, the impact spreading through the makeshift stage heavily.

The boy’s sword techniques were strange and surreal, always countering Seraph’s attack. It was as if he had seen through all of Seraph’s techniques and had prepared for him.

’This person... is she even a Peak Beginner Stage cultivator?’

That monstrous strength being displayed seemed nothing like what a Peak Beginner Stage cultivator should have.

On the stage, Elder Wang watched with a serious expression, though a hint of suspicion arose in his heart.

’This other participant is strange today, could it be...?’

Seraph increased the intensity of his attacks, making them faster and deadlier, and at angles that made it difficult to dodge.

The boy’s expression was serious too as he struggled to keep up with Seraph’s determined onslaught.

Suddenly, he made a casual swing. "Flame Sword."

The casual swing became a medium for hot, scalding flames to be ejected. Seraph was surprised, but immediately reacted.

"Seraphim Spear: First Form—Cyclone."

He twirled the spear in his hand, creating a large gust of wind that split the flames. Immediately after, he created four wind blades and four water blades behind him, surprising the crowd.

Several eyes widened in surprise. "A dual-element user?!"

Even Elder Wang was surprised, and he steeled his resolve to accept Seraph as a disciple regardless of the results of the duel.

Seraph’s opponent wasn’t one to be outdone. He coated his sword in thick flames, then charged at Seraph.

Seraph kept his distance though. The wind blades and water blades shot forward to intercept his charging opponent.

The boy calmly blocked and deflected each elemental disk, even completely destroying a few of them.

"You’re strong..." He spoke calmly, pausing to reassess Seraph. "Your skills are top-notch too. Yet, you lack something."

Seraph also paused, tilting his head. "Lack?"

The boy nodded, "You lack intent. Your will is weak. Therefore your attacks are weak."

Seraph blinked, stunned speechless. Those words were annoyingly true, and he was aware. However, it was never something he had considered before.

’What does the will have to do with the strength of my attacks?’

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, the boy shook his head. "You’re still too green. Let me show you what a Will is. Open your eyes wide, and see."

On the stage, Elder Wang Tem’s eyes widened. ’I knew it! It’s him. How did he become like that?’

The atmosphere changed, becoming warped and oppressive. Seraph’s lips curled down, a cautious look in his eyes.

’Is this... Will?’

The world seemed to be surrendering to the boy as he stepped forward and raised his sword.

"Flame Sword."

He brought down the blade in a seemingly slow but inescapable motion. Seraph also didn’t dodge, instead pouring his focus into his spear.

He gripped it tightly, then performed a mixture of the second and third forms of his spear techniques.

’Swallowing Pierce.’

The two weapons met midair, and a ringing sound was produced, followed by an loud hit.

Bang!

The ground beneath Seraph’s feet cracked as he resisted his opponent’s strength.

He gritted his teeth, straining his muscles as he felt the suffocating weight of the boy’s attack pressing down on him.

’I just need to hold out for some more secon—’

His eyes widened, and he heard the boy speak.

"That’s enough."

The strength tripled, and Seraph was crushed to his knees, his nose and mouth bleeding as he withstood the attack.

"Oh? You’re resilient." The boy commented.

Still struggling, Seraph looked him straight in the eyes and said. "I might lack a Will or intent, but I have a stubborn resistance deep within me."

A cold look flashed in his eyes as he whispered. "I’ll kill you."

The boy was startled by the fierce, defiant look in his eyes.

"Not bad. This is more interesting."

He stopped his attack against Seraph, causing him to collapse to the ground weakly.

The female disciple presiding over the matches turned to Elder Wang for instructions. She couldn’t understand what was happening there.

Before Elder Wang could answer, Seraph’s opponent spoke.

"I forfeit. Seraph wins."

The crowd was once again surprised. He forfeited? Didn’t he want to become a disciple at the Soul Cross Sect?

Seraph slowly rose, walking towards the boy. Standing with his back to him, the boy allowed Seraph to hold his shoulders.

With his head lowered, he whispered so only the boy could hear him.

"I know you’re a female. And you’re pretending to be young."

The boy’s body trembled beneath his grip, making Seraph smile and continue.

"Pray I don’t find you again. Else, I will crush your will and enslave you."

After saying that, he dropped to his knees and fell unconscious. The disciples managing the makeshift stage immediately deactivated the forcefield, then hurried to carry Seraph for treatment.

"Big Brother!" Ariana cried out, but Elder Cassius held her back from acting rashly.

Even though the boy had forfeited the match so Seraph could win, Ariana hated him to the core.

’Damn bastard! Making my Big Brother Seraph look so pathetic. I’ll kill him whenever I get the opportunity in the future.’

A tag was kept for Seraph, while his opponent disappeared into the crowd, unseen by anyone. The duels resumed, with more and more participants battling in the makeshift stage.

After two more hours, the last winner was declared. Elder Wang stood from his magestic chair and approached them all.

"Thank you all for participating in this year’s Discipleship Examination. If you were disqualified, kindly leave now. Only those with the tags are allowed to stay."

Over half of the participants left, leaving only a few above fifty. These were the only people who had successfully become disciples of the Soul Cross Sect.

"Good." Elder Cassius nodded. "New disciples of the Soul Cross Sect, I welcome you into the sect."

Everyone bowed strictly, giving him the respect expected for an Elder of their sect.

"Your uniforms would be delivered in a few hours and you’re to return to this place early tomorrow morning. Have your final moments with your guardians, and be prepared to leave for the sect immediately the sun rises."

Gasps of surprise and excitement rang among the crowd. Most were excited by the fact that they had successfully become Soul Cross Sect disciples while the others controlled their surprise and reacted calmly.

Ariana wasn’t in a celebratory mood since she still hadn’t seen Seraph. Sulking, she almost failed to notice a person standing before her.

A knock landed on her head, making her look up in surprise.

"W-what?"

She blinked, staring at Seraph’s handsome face blankly.

"Big Brother!"

She cried out, attracting the attention of the crowd as she crashed into him and began sobbing. Seraph smiled bitterly and patted her head gently.

"It’s okay... I’m fine now."

The girl continued sobbing, meanwhile Elder Cassius watched with a bitter smile. He closed his eyes and sighed.

’I was also worried about you, Seraph. But I’m glad you’re okay now.’

Elder Wang glanced at the emotional trio, then shook his head.

"Just as our tradition states, we’ll be sharing a token to the guardians, which will serve as a sign that our sect’s protection covers your respective origins. Do not be worried. No one shall dare to touch any of the Soul Cross Sect’s anointed."

A series of relieved sighs spread among the crowd, making Elder Wang realize that many of them were after this protection.

’The world is cruel. Luckily for them, these ones produced a few disciples we can accept. So it is only right we protect them in return.’

Turning around, he said. "I will be expecting everyone here early tomorrow morning. Goodnight."

He crossed his arms behind his back, levitating in the air and zooming off with the disciples right behind him.