Before the Tests

In the next days, Samael completely immersed himself in steadily improving his cultivation and other areas as well. He had recently reached the 4-star Body refinement realm but he has been progressing slower than he expected.

He had already mastered the first layered Heaven of his "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven. Which resulted in him being able to control his lightning better. Samael is not able to proceed any further due to his low cultivation realm but the strength of the first layer is more than enough to be a match for a normal 6-star Qi-Gathering realm fighter.

For his "Terminus Frozen Hell" while it doesn't have the same divided realms as the "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven" he has advanced fairly well in it.

The only difference between his "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven" and his "Terminus Frozen Moon" is that the latter can also be seen as a tempering art.

On the battlefield or any life or death situation, in particular, you can't be soft. You can't show weakness or compassion towards your opponent, that just gives them the opportunity to have their revenge on you at a later date.

With a heart tempered by the "Terminus Frozen Moon" not only can one be more decisive but they will also be a more efficient, cold-blooded killer. Furthermore, he still has the Ice elemental abilities that he can learn from the art.

Meanwhile, he had also been progressing well in his "Orion's Luminous Spear"

Orion's Luminous Spear: Dusk

Is an energy wave attack that can be used multiple times, in a barrage of attacks as long as the user still has the energy essence to activate it. During his spar with Julian, he wasn't able to showcase his true might because the explosive clash of their two techniques ended the match quickly. Of course, Samael hasn't forgotten that the only reason why he was capable to spar with Julian equally was that Julian was suppressing his cultivation base. If Samael faced the full power of a Foundation Building fighter, he would be defeated with just a wave of a hand.

I need to get stronger!

Samael had already started to comprehend the basic ideas of the second movement which is the "Orion's Luminous Spear: Rainfall" but because of his low cultivation base he still can't progress any further. But his overall mastery of the spear is coming along well.

Even though it's recruitment day, Samael is still training as usual in the courtyard. Because the tests don't begin till the afternoon.

Under the light of the sun, Samael practiced his spear topless and he seemed glistening because of the sun bouncing off the sweat on him.

Spear in hand and with his eyes closed small black thunder formed around his body it was then that his body flashed, disappearing from his original place and appearing 10 meters away. He swung his spear down with great force, causing the furious wind to blow and a small thunder crackling. Before the spearhead struck the ground, he twisted his right foot, digging it into the ground as he lunged forward with a deadly thrust.

Each strike was filled with killing intent!

Then he pulled off a series of movements, sometimes he was offensively advancing, some he was at a defensive position. But all through that, he had his eyes closed.

Samael was engaged in a simulation in his mind similar to Shadow boxing, putting himself through an imaginary situation with an imaginary opponent. Though it was all imaginary he definitely gave it his all, taking the whole thing seriously as anyone could see from his precise movements. This also aided in training his "Terminus Heart" and his utilization of his lightning elements.

As he continued training, he heard footsteps that made him tense up and twirl the spear before pointing it towards the source. The wind caused by his movement died down and he felt that the person didn't move but wasn't startled either.

"Mn, Good strike! Strong and Precise. I see you haven't slacked off." An old man's voice then entered his ears and he found it to be familiar. Samael opened his eyes and saw the King, beside him was Princess Lina.

"Your Majesty. Sister Lina." Samael bowed to the two.

"How is your training?" It was Lina who leaned forward with a smile and asked Samael like a child, she was always like this whenever she was with her father.

"Yes, how is it?" The King then chuckled and asked him the same.

Samael stabbed the spear on the ground and said "My cultivation is lagging behind a bit due to me practicing my combat arts even more."

The King's furrowed his brows "Oh? why so?"

"While it is true that one overall cultivation is important, as long as the opponents I face are within the Qi-Gathering realm I believe that I can bridge the gap with Combat prowess" Samael confidently said.

The King became silent for a bit, looking like he was thinking about it and then he said "There is some logic in what you said. But are you confident that you will get accepted?"

"Without a doubt."

"Lina?" The king then turned to his daughter, he was still concerned for Samael's chances.

"I believe him. He was able to match Julian in pure hand-to-hand combat so it shouldn't be a problem for him to clear the tests later." Princess Lina smiled at father assuring him of Samael's chances.

"Ha-ha, very well. You should get some rest now and calm your mind." The King laughed and said to Samael before turning towards Princess Lina "I'll leave him in your hands."

"Yes, father." She said.

"Take care, your majesty." Samael bowed.

The two were silent as they watch the king disappear from their sights.

"Hey." Princess Lina called him.

"Yeah?" Samael turned to her.

"Julian and I will go to the town later on before the test begins. You wanna look around?" She said.

"And be the third wheel? No thanks. I'd rather look around by myself." Samael laughed as he walked back to his room to freshen up.

Soaking in the warm water, Samael thought about his overall situation.

"Combat-wise, I am probably one of the strongest within the Qi-Gathering realm but i still don't have the capability to defend myself against any attacks above the Qi-Gathering realm as my body is still weak..."

Samael stared at the ceiling as he sighed "... I guess i gotta pick some physique cultivation art. On that note, some supportive art is good too."

He didn't search for any arts yet as he still has time to do that later and if his strength appears to be too monstrous some experts might get threatened and attempt to kill him. Best to be careful.

After a while, Samael got out and changed into a set of blue clothes, and met with the Princess at the palace door. There, a carriage was waiting to take them to the plaza. When he and the princess met, they only greeted each other and got in.

On the way to the plaza, the princess briefed him about a few famous places that could be found in the city. Such as the "Sixth Tower Cuisine", a famous food establishment that has been running for three centuries. Another is the "Golden Leaf" which is one of the most famous weaponry and blacksmith shop in the city.

It didn't take them long before they've reached the plaza and upon reaching there, Julian Clyde was already waiting for them.

When Julian saw Princess Lina get off the carriage his eye brightened like there were stars in them. His eyes didn't even leave her, even for just a moment. Naturally, he didn't notice that Samael got off after the Princess.

"Look at him, so love-struck. Serious, just what kind of love potion had you fed him, Sister Lina?" Samael sneered and teased the Princess.

While Julian still had his eye fixed on the princess, he suddenly felt annoyed when a certain voice seemed familiar to him and that woke him from his trance. He got embarrassed and flared up "You brat! try saying that to my face!"

"So scary..." Samael sarcastically said as he hid behind the princess like a scared child.

"Grr...just wait, you brat." Julian knew he wouldn't be able to get to him and so he just gritted his teeth staring at him.

Samael laughed seeing this and walked backward, leaving the two of them. He bowed like a jester and said "I'll leave you two love birds here, don't want to be the third wheel on your date"

Julian got red and the princess blushed as well but that didn't last long when they heard Samael's next words.

"Oh right. Hey bastard, don't fool around and take my sister Lina to any shady locations. You too sister Lina, be careful of this creep. Who knows what he'll do once no one is around." Samael said with a sneer.

The two got angry and blushed even more and shouted at Samael.

"YOU BRAT!!!"

Samael laughed as he saw the reaction of the two and then he finally turned his back at them and began touring the plaza. He had a few places he wanted to visit, he has a few more hours before the test anyway.