13 Master Jian

The people who passed the test were given a unique medallion each, signifying their acceptance to the Soaring Dragon Regiment. The ones who failed were sent out of the testing grounds as they wept and became frustrated.

The total of youths which passed the test was 1,420. This was still quite a huge number. They gathered in front of Zhong and formed neat groups of lines.

"I congratulate everyone of you who passed. You have stepped on the path of becoming the mightiest heroes of the Continent. Now, you will all be taught in everything there is to know about the battlefield. Before the start of the official training, you may all go back to your families and spend some time with them. The first day of training will be in 1 month. You will all be divided based on your individual performances. Some of you might be trained in groups or individually. The next time we will meet will be at the battlefield." After saying all these, Zhong left with his soldiers and dismissed the young people.

Feng and his group congratulated Caol for being the only one with level four talent. "Wow, you are really great Caol. I'm so glad to be able to know you. Now, whenever I get in trouble, I'll use your name." Feng smiled confidently as he had a big thigh to grasp on.

"Dude, I'll never acknowledge you when you do that." Caol just rolled his eyes at his words. He knew he would do that when he had the chance based on Feng's personality. Feng sheepishly laughed and went on with his group.

Caol met with Xin and Xiong and started heading towards the inn. They inquired about the test and Caol told them honestly. They were both excited that he came out on top, but also worried as this is a path of no return. Caol asked them to send a message to Granny Yu so that she wouldn't worry. Xin took out a talisman-like paper, wrote on it, then tossed it in the air. Once it was airborne, the paper flew at an alarming speed, heading towards Jade Peak. Caol was curious about this thing and asked Xin about it.

"Xin, what is that thing you just took out?"

"Young Master, that is something that was given to me by Elder Yu. It is one of her unique works and she combined it with formations and spells and once stimulated, will seek for her aura and go back to her. This is a form of communication she thought about." Xin clearly had high respects for Elder Yu as she was one of the oldest and most powerful beings in the sect.

Dragon Continent, Immortal Gathering Sect, Jade Peak.

A light travelling at a fast rate went towards Jade Peak. It slowed down and dropped gently on an old lady's hand. Granny Yu was surprised as she was waiting for Caol and his group's news. She opened the paper and read it. After she was done, she magically summoned fire from her hands, and burnt it. Granny Yu sighed at Caol's decision. It was inevitable, and she expected it when she let Caol go. "That kid always worries me." Caol would have to stay in the capital for at least 5 years and join the war.

"I guess this is fate. I'll just have to try my best and protect him once the battle starts." Granny Yu placed this matter on the back of her mind and started her meditation.

Dragon Continent, Dragon City.

There is only one day before the official training day of the Soaring Dragon Regiment. The youths were required to come in and report at the base. Caol also went and showed his medallion when he was at the gate. The soldiers let him in and escorted him to the barracks. Caol was given a room for himself as he was the only level four talent in the regiment.

It was a simple, spacious room with a bed, a table, and two chairs. They weren't allowed to leave the premises while they were waiting for the training day. Caol sat on a chair and pulled the table closer to him. He took out some food from a storage ring given to him by Granny Yu.

At night, Caol can be seen reading the {Kaio-Ken} technique, to no avail. He knew that it was a hard technique to master, however he wouldn't give up.

The night came to an end as dawn shone upon the capital.

A soldier knocked on his door loudly and said, "Come out to the training grounds immediately!" He did that for three times before he went away. Caol organized his stuff and put on his gi. He went to the training grounds and saw an elevated platform with people looking at them.

Caol felt like they were important people, but it wasn't any of his business. He stood still and waited for the others to come.

Soon, the training ground was filled with the youths who passed. They were instructed by the soldiers to line up conforming to their levels. Once Caol heard this, he was a bit embarrassed as he stood on his own. He could feel all their stares with looks of awe, jealousy, and even hatred.

Not too long after, the people on the platform went and chose groups or individuals that will be under their care. The first part of the Regiment Training was kind of like an academy.

Seeing nobody approaching him, Caol was saddened. It felt like he was ostracized from the other youths.

Then, an old blind man holding on a stick went before him. Caol looked at this old man and was confused, before heaving a sigh of relief. 'I'm glad that somebody at least chose me. Let me check his power level. System, you know what to do.'

[Name: Unknown]

[Power Level: 1]

'Huh?' When Caol saw his power level, he was confused for a second before being showing hints of shock and fear in his eyes. It wasn't becase he thought he will be miserable because he was under a mortal. No, Caol knew that the old man must not be just somebody and he should've had quite a high position in the army, but his power level is weaker than a mortal. There are only two reasons for this: He really was a mortal or the old man was someone so powerful and can control his qi to almost perfection. Caol believed more on the second hypothesis.

"Kid, why are you so shocked?" The old man was grinning as if he knew what was going on in Caol's thoughts at this moment.

"Uhm, Elder, please accept me as your student." Caol knew this was his only chance of becoming stronger. Except for Granny Yu, he didn't have someone to show him the Martial Way. Granny Yu was an immortal practitioner, so she had limited knowledge about martial practitioners.

The old man smiled, 'Interesting, this brat is getting more interesting by the moment.'

"Why did you suddenly want to become my student?" The old man questioned Caol, as if it was some sort of test.

Caol looked at the old man and said, "It is because I feel almost no aura of qi on you, just like a mortal's."

"Then why would you want to accept a mortal as your teacher then?" The old man's smile was getting wider and wider.

"First of all, Master can control his qi like a mortal's and feel like Master's power can burst any minute you want. It's just my intuition. It feels like I'm in front of the most predatory creature looking at me as if I was some prey."

The old man said, "Intuition eh? Follow me then." The old, blind man led Caol to a different place. It looked more like someone's backyard. There was a tree in the middle with a stream by its side. The old man stopped and introduced himself, "Brat, you can call me Master Jian. I reluctantly accept you as my disciple."

Once Caol heard this, he knelt and paid respects to his Master. He tried asking for his Master's details but was immediately stopped by him. "I am just an old, blind man. There is no need to know about my status. Now, let's start your first training."

Caol was excited once he heard about his first training.

The old man took a strip of dark cloth and handed it to him.

"You are going to put this blindfold on until I say so."