8 Face Slap , moderate stage
The day the examiners from the various academies would arrive came in a heartbeat.
The city square was overflowing with people. Most of them were just here to watch the show and others were relatives and friends of the examinees . It was an open test as long as you fulfilled the requirements.
The crowd was full of chatter and excitement. Eager to witness whom shall be accepted in the prestigious academies of the Royal capital.
"Silence."
A stalwart man about six foot five, with black pupils and hair , spoke while standing upon the air. The crowd immediately grew quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
He was actually a powerful Yuan Palace Realm personage. Only those who humans who have surpassed the peak of the Arterial Circulation Realm and formed a Yuan Palace were capable of flight.
He was dressed in a green uniform with a gold lining. An emblem of tree crisscrossed by swords and a lance was present on his back. This was obviously a teacher of THE, Westwood Academy.
"All those below the age of 16 possessing a cultivation of the 7th later of Body Refinement are eligible to participate. Stellar Martial Cultivators with astral souls from the 2nd later or higher are also eligible."
"Begin"
Leaving the dumbstruck audience, he sat down in silence with the teachers from the various academies. The flames of hope and passion were extinguished within the eyes of many while a few complacently looked around with eyes above their heads.
Of course, Shin Wen was also in the crowd watching the so called 'geniuses' of this city coldly. The tests were straightforward, you lined up in front a the Measuring stone which validated your age and strength or you just released your astral soul.
"Do it."
Whispered V not wasting any time. Ren immediately leaped up the stage and faced the teachers with an indifferent gaze. He flexed his muscles and with a mental shout, his astral soul materialized. His right arm was held in a wooden cast like handle attached to a magnificent wooden shield congealed out of Astral light. However it seemed as if it was carved from wood and compressed making it look quite metal like with green and gold patterns. It also sported a thin dull gold corona.
"A shield type astral soul from the third heavenly layer, Magnificent. We the Wildfire Academy extend our invitation. We are willing to offer you an Common Ranked Innate technique and A yuan palace cultivation method."
"We the ..."
Several other academies extended their invitations. But seeing where Ren's eyes were directed, they lost hope almost instantly, filled with regret- Ah, this was a talent who looked less than 16 yet he condensed an Astral soul of The 3rd heavenly layer. But what could they do.
The Westwood Academy was a power surpassing even the Royal family in influence, The current emperor and several other persons who summoned the wind and rain with just a thought, all were all alumni of this prestigious institution.
All teachers were yuan palace realm practitioners and were more than qualified to teach geniuses. The resources gathered by the academy over the years and from the support of the Original students, were enormous.
The Original Students consisted of a mere Seven students. 1500 years ago, they all gathered at Westwood Academy and a 20 something years later, they all went on to shake the heavens and earth, to the extent of even surpassing the Yuan Palace Realm to the Exalted Heavenly Dipper Realm.
It's reputation goes without question, so if course none dared challenge them for their students. Strength was absolute in this world and they were the strongest.
"We also extend our invitation. A peak level yuan palace realm technique and Peak grade Common level Innate technique will be offered upon admission."
Not wasting words, Ren immediately went over to the boothe organized by the Westwood Academy. As for why they considered his Astral soul to be of the 3rd layer:
1 day earlier.
"Hey old man, let me pick up that cup you dropped."
"Ah thank you, young man."
"Showing me how you conceal the layer of an Astral soul and that'd be fine as thanks, right old man "
"Surely you jest...."
"No not at all gramps, I know you were eavesdropping or more accurately spying when Ren released his astral soul. You show me an we'll call it even. "
"I'm afraid that is not enough for..."
"Don't play coy, that technique is uncommon is all. It's nothing excessively precious, My astral soul is special do I've no need for it but Ren does. As for why you should help me out, hmm, how about.... I give you something in return. I'm suffering a loss here but I'll save his life once in the future. You can tell can't you, I'm stronger than him and my expertise alone will help him."
"All the other methods i can think of are not my style but I think it's a great deal isn't it. You obviously want to hide your strength from him and I'll help you extend that time if even for just a bit longer".
A lame old figure Sat on a stone bench beneath a tree, speaking to silver haired youngster in the tree. Hearing his last sentences, the old man grew silent. He recalled the bloodlust shown by this youngster and judged this as a worthy deal.
It wouldn't harm him in any way and with his own abilities he'd already verified Verathragna's claims. He couldn't decipher what layer or even what type of Astral soul Verathragna had but he was old enough to know a Stellar Martial Cultivator when he saw one ,even if that one concealed it.
"My young master is a dragon amongst men. What makes you feel you can save his life in the future and it won't be him saving you."
After contemplating awhile this was the question Uncle Shen asked. V chuckled in reply.
"Fair enough. Watch."
Shiiing.
A blade was unsheathed soundlessly however it hummed similar to the sound of a blade being unsheathed.
The world seemed to become still. The birds, the tree leaves, the sunlight and even the wind seemed to disappear. V closed his eyes while in crouching/drawing position before a tree.
Shwip
Shwip
Shwip
Shwip
In mere second, his blade flashed out more than 10 times but that wasn't the astonishing fact, the once lush and leafy tree was now completely and totally bald. Like autumn had come a second before.
"How's that ? Enough yeah"
"Indeed. Not bad"
"I've no need for anyone's compliments. Just show me."
Uncle Shen trudged towards his hut with waves stirring up his heart. Sword Sense. It was a mysterious power on par with a initial stage mandate, even those with a mandate didn't did not have 'sense'. Mandates were crucial in the Heavens Dipper Realm and Yuan Palace Realm.
Only great geniuses could comprehend this ability. Those with Mandates did not necessarily have 'sense' but all 'Sense' Wielders possessed a mandate.
"That boy should also possess a Mandate."
Even he had never heard of A Body Refinement realm cultivator possessing 'sense'. Mandates were present in nature and great figures could use methods to hand over mandate comprehension to their descendants but even that was rare.
Little did he know that yes Verathragna should possess a Mandate but his Astral soul was if the Time alignment. Time was uncontrollable. Time was every where and nowhere. Time was omniscient. How could such a thing be comprehended to the level of Mandate easily. V had a long road ahead of him before he grasped the Terrifying Mandate of Time.
..........
Young master Chen went up.
The Strength/Age test:
17 years old, Ninth level of Body Refinement
Astral qi Compatibility ( 9 stars maximum):
3 stars
Yuan qi Compatibility (12 spheres maximum):
5 spheres
The verdict was, UNQUALIFIED!!!!!
He froze, that word seemed to echo in his ears, his mind, his body, his whole world was shaken. How could he.... He the great Cheng not even qualify In the eyes of the examiners.
Naturally the crowd was surprised as well.
"To think a genius like him wasn't a genius after all. We are all blind, he's actually just common shit on our boots"
A ruthless voice commented. Stirring up discussion.
"It really can't be blamed on him. The top academies of the country are truly for only dragons amongst men. The requirements are too harsh."
"Indeed"
"Though I guess he is destined to remain ordinary"
"I actually wanted to betroth my daughter to him but I've changed my mind."
Hearing confirmation of his disgrace, and feeling the eyes of contempt on him, He looked around with terrified eyes and a gaping mouth, still having trouble believing what was happening to him. But moments after his eyes grew cold before flaring up. He pointed towards the Crowd.
"You!!!"
"You fucking pieces of trash dare humiliate me!! me!!! I'm going to kill every lost fyckun one of yuh pieces of shit!!!!!!"
"Especially you, you old fuckers. How dare you , you fat fucks, treat me as unworthy. You are the ones who are unworthy, your bitches as mothers and sisters are unworthy....."
He actually dared to imprecate the examiners from the great academies. He was signing his own death certificate!!! The crowd was initially fuming on being cursed but had feelings of schadenfreude upon hearing his next curses and more specifically to whom they were directed.
Black lines were formed on the faces of the examiners. Evidently, they were pissed and why shouldn't they be! The stalwart man from Westwood immediately stretched out a palm and Yuan qi was blasted towards Cheng, Insta-killing him. His gorey remnants decorated the edge of the stage.
Another teacher from the representations commanded, "Clean that up, get that thing's remains away. Truly, the impudence! I expect a full apology from his relatives upon the end of this examination. Well?! Hurry the fuck up!! The longer I smell and look at it , I feel disgusted!!!!"
A crew of uniformed men hurriedly cleaned and went as far as dousing the area in alcohol and burning away the smell while crushing perfumed pollen to permeate the air.
The following examinations were similar, no one passed. The arrogant fourth great beauty failed as well but she tried to rely on the connection that her fiance had with the Roaring Sword Academy but she actually failed!!!!! Her supposedly powerful fiance from a great family was actually nothing but a nameless bastard from a nameless clan in the Capital!!!!
"Aghhhhhhahahahhh!!!!!! "
She screamed in agony, shame, embarrassment, regret, and many other emotions. She was actually lied to. Lied to. Lied to. She met her fiance while he pummeled the two great youngmasters of this city before her in a grandiose manner. She played hard to get at first and eventually had him in her palm. Who would have thought he was but an insect in the capital if he even was from there!! They said they hadn't ever heard of him or a top clan with his last name!!!!
Shin Wen stood in the crowd dumbstruck. He had planned to give them all a fierce face slap with his results but there was no need to. He changed his mind after being cursed at not to look at her once more.
"You little shit avert your eyes!!!"
Of all the people she chose him to berate. His sympathy vanished like an ice shard touching flame. He stepped up to the platform to undergo the test.
He bowed respectfully and cupped his fist.
"Seniors, this junior wishes to take part into the examination."
The ugly looks on the examiners faces remained but seemed to ease a tad seeing his respectful behaviour.
"Proceed."
The. crowd was all but ready to disperse and chat more about today's events when he went up.
"Oh another one."
"Is he retarded? He dares to go up after seeing all that"
"Surely, he has brain damage."
"Indeed"
A fellow feeling superior, with all the arrogant kings being revealed as trash spoke up loudly," Go home you waste, you can't do anything"
"Wait isn't that the trash the Wen's ?"
"He is.... isn't he. Hahahahahahahhah"
"This trash actually...."
The laughter and jeers came to abrupt halt seeing his results.
Strength/Age:
16 years old, 6th level of Body Refinement.
Astral qi Compatibility:
9 ..9..9..9 stars!!!!
Yuan qi Compatibility:
8 spheres
It had to be known that all with 9 stars astral qi compatibility had all become dragons and phonixes who rose above the skies. One in a Million and not a Million mortals but a Million Cultivators. This was a world shaking event.
Shin Wen looked at all those on the crowd who had once mocked and ridiculed him. Meeting their gazes," No,not quite" he decided to go all out. Releasing his «Ember Lion Constellation» with the aura of 3rd Heavenly Layer energy.
Silence slapped the crowd silly.
