5 Chapter Five - Decision

With an imposing aura the emperor entered the arena, followed by Gou PengRan.

Taking his place at the center of the audience the emperor sat on his throne, looking down at the masses.

At this moment no one dared to even fart without permission, everyone bowed in his presence.

"continue" the emperor ordered casually.

Looking over at Yue Chen with fear in her eyes the woman on the platform hesitantly announced the second test " The Inherent Spirit test will now begin"

The Inherent Spirit test was a test that required one to drip blood onto a crystal tablet and was commonly carried out even outside of the monthly exam as it was used to identify what kind of Inherent Spirit one had. Inherent Spirits were extraordinary abilities that could only be Inherited from one's parents at birth and often decided whether a mage would become stronger or not.

This time Yue Chen didn't wait long as his name was the fourth to be called up to the crystal tablet. It was a large blue rectangular crystal, reaching almost half the size of a table. In the center of the tablet was a diamond shaped hole. Pricking his finger with a thin needle made of ice Yue Chen dripped it into the tablet. Silently he waited for the result.

A minuet passed, then two, then five, after what seemed to be an eternity the tablet lit up.

"Unclassified Spirit"

Receiving the strange looks of everyone present Yue Chen returned to his initial position, his expression so calm it was as if the recent incidents were completely unrelated to him.

Snapping out of his stupor Li Yao didn't forget to hurl abusive comments at Yue Chen before turning away.

Next was the Qi Purity test.

Wanting to finish the final compulsory exam Yue Chen volunteered to go first. Before him was a small transparent glass-like ball that glistened in the sun. Picking up the ball Yue Chen injected pure icy Qi into it. The ball immediately started to undergo a transformation. The entire ball became a hazy blue color with almost a quarter becoming deep blue in color.

"Yue Chen, Ice Elemental Mage, Purity : 35 percent"

Returning to his post Yue Chen maintained a tranquil expression, it was almost as if the results was completely unrelated to him!

Seeing Yue Chen's calm expression Li Yao was infuriated " only trash like yourself would dare to show up with such low purity" Li Yao laughed smugly and stepped forward, placing his hand onto the ball.

"Li Yao, Dual Elemental Mage, Purity : Ice 80percent , Earth 91 percent."

Looking over at Yue Chen, Li Yao laughed "Do you see now Yue Chen? this is true talent!"

Yue Chen smiled indifferently "oh"

"hmph!" snorting at Yue Chen's boorish response Li Yao fumed.

The following exams were all minor tests and were optional so Yue Chen decided not to participate much, only coming forward during the written exam and the magic spells quiz.

The day had reached it's peak and the sweltering hot sun shone down like pouring lava onto the arena.

As the final two exams were optional a large amount of participants chose to leave while only a select few stayed behind, Yue Chen being one of the few.

"The Sparring Exam will now begin" the lady who stood on the platform announced loudly, obtaining the applause of all the spectators present.

Many had been awaiting the arrival of the Sparring Exam as it was the most exciting to watch for these spectators.

Before the announcement had even arrived Li Yao had already appeared before Yue Chen, challenging him to an exchange.

"Let's go" with a nod Yue Chen walked to the center of the arena.

"Yue Chen do you dare to wager with me?" Li Yao asked dauntingly.

"Wager?" with a surprised look Yue Chen replied "what is it?"

"The Victor obtains the loser's freedom and possessions" Li Yao replied with a horrid smile.

"fair enough" Yue Chen agreed with a nod

In an instant Li Yao began to chant obscure words, thousands of thin sharp ice shards surrounded by wind qi shot out at Yue Chen at an increased momentum.

Erecting a wall of ice Yue Chen received the attack head on. Not waiting for Li Yao's attack to cease Yue Chen rushed forward, claws of ice condensing at his fingertips.

Dodging another round of ice shards Yue Chen closed the distance between himself and Li Yao with flurry like movements.

Suddenly earth spikes shot out of the ground beneath Yue Chen's feet.

Two marble like objects immediately flew from Yue Chen's palm and shattered against the spikes, creating a haze inside the arena.

Li Yao who was caught off guard instinctively retreated from the haze that obstructed his vision.

Placing his ice claws at Li Yao's throat Yue Chen smiled "looks like I win again"

The entire arena was silent.

Fast. Too Fast. In an instant Yue Chen had flashed across the arena and spikes shot out of the ground in the next moment it was all over!

"unfair! that wasn't a fair duel!" Li Yao argued " or else there's no way a Nascent realm could triumph over a human realm warrior! you cheated!"

Yue Chen shook his head nonchalantly "in a battle to the death anything can be deemed fair if you live to see the next day"

"I refuse to accept this!" his eyes turning red, it was as if Li Yao was approaching insanity.

"Silence!" the emperor ordered loudly. " a loss is a loss. those who cannot accept defeat have no room to grow"

"Yes, your majesty" glaring at Yue Chen ferociously Li Yao left with a frown.

Looking up at the emperor seated on his throne Yue Chen felt nothing towards this emperor of his, not even reverence.

"I will take my leave now" Yue Chen bowed to the emperor and started to leave the arena.

"Wait"

In a few seconds the entrance to the arena was blocked by five imperial guards.

"Before Mr.Chen leaves I would like you to make a decision on behalf of my empire" the emperor said suddenly.