17 Ch 17

The immortal assembly was a massive event, it was a time specifically for cultivation. Mortals where so rarely seen – yet in the bright sun, down the center of the street – one weak formation cultivator lead a group of mortals.

"Who are you to bring mortals here?" The guard asked as they approached the arena.

"These are the mortal cultivators from Southern Star Island, and this is it's ruler the Mortal Cultivator Hatzu." Sarah said quietly showing off the three coins.

Silence fell on the crowd although they still began to amass. The guard quickly took note of the names and ushered them in. Rumours had said they appeared mortal, but the guards and crowd could not contain the shock – even they had heard the rumors of southern star island.

Within the arena venders and shops where set up so often could be mistaken for a market. Hatzu seizing the opportunity quickly took the group around from shop to shop, purchasing up common items that are rarely found on their own lands – and creatures or plants that they could easily bread.

"Is there anything else master would like before we take our seats?" Troy asked arms full of shopping bags.

"No this should be enough. These things are hard to come by but easy to replicate, grow or breed – bringing them back will strengthen our nation." Hatzu said leading the group to the seating area.

As they walked into the opening for the stage a loud voice could be heard.

"The rules are as with every meeting; every country has three coins that can be used. One coin for a Core, three for a nascent soul, and five for a martial ancestor." The announcer was a thin man standing center stage. On one side stood 7 core cultivators and to the other side was the devil of the south. "Unused coins can be redeemed in later years. Our first battle will consist of..."

As the announcer continued Hatzu took time to address the group. "The fights will be dangerous, and death is a possibility. You do not need to do this for us or your country, I can deal with it."

"Master what is a Martial ancestor?" Ray, the young mortal cultivator next to Sarah asked.

"I assume it's a being stronger that's Nascent souls" Hatzu replied unsure.

"It's the stage before astral being." Sarah said paled faced. "Do you think there is actually a Martial Ancestor here?" Fear clear in her voice.

"This is the first I've heard of either… Are there many on this planet?" Hatzu pressed as the group watched the southern devil erase his opponents.

"I've heard our world is protected by a single astral being and that under him are several martial ancestors he keeps as apprentices but, its not something one sees in a lifetime." She said with caution.

As they talked, they watched and soon noticed that four Nascent soul cultivators seemed to defeat all others without fail, but never battled each other. Then all the sudden as if no others where available Southern Star island was called out.

The voice of the old southern devil was loud and clear "I challenge the ownership of the southern star island, for this battle I present nine coins and ask for assistance of the great northern and great eastern kings."

Dropping his coins on the ground the southern devil to the stage with two other nascent soul cultivators. The crowd burst out in fear and excitement as the announcer turned towards the seats of the South Star Island.

"You have deposited three coins; how many will you use to face this challenge?" The announcer asked positive that south star emissaries would decline the fight.

"I alone shall face them" Hatzu said standing up. In a flash he appeared on the stage but still gave off the presence of a mortal which shocked the audience.

"Foolish mortal this is your one chance to surrender my land." The devil said laughing.

Hatzu was genuinely unimpressed as he looked to the announcer, "Leave, so we can start."

The announcer in fear jumped off the stage yelling "Begin!"

In an instant the devil struck at the area Hatzu stood with full force.

Hatzu stepped forward dodging the attack. From within his Qi he began releasing spiritual power.

First was the northern king, with a single strike Hatzu pulled his heart from his body.

The Nascent soul would normally escape the body but in this battle, it could only be crushed by Hatzu. The action caused endless fears in the others but before they could react Hatzu appeared in front of the western king. With a snap of the wrist Hatzu ripped the head from the body. Again, a nascent soul tried to escape only to fall at Hatzu's fingers.

"Devil of the south there shall be nothing more." As Hatzu spoke he stepped, air shifting with such velocity that it rattled the glass and stone.

"No!" the southern devil yelled as Hatzu ripped his heart from his body. Then unlike the others he released such a powerful force. Having crushed the nascent soul Hatzu pressed further causing the entire country to shake and rumble.

Collapsing from the weights water slowly poured in filling the city, and the nation. Hatzu withdrew his strength and began to access the battlefield.

"What are the rules for the lands when the challenger dies?" Hatzu asked looking to the announcer

"They become open for competition." the announcer added.

"I would happily split them with my fellow leader..." Hatzu said pointing towards the western warlord.

The western warlord began to laugh, "Who could refuse…" he said both aloud and to himself.

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