Fighting for a chance to become a disciple.

I was making my way back to sissa and MeiMei as 2 Elders from the Jasmine Sect landed on the stage. They began clearing the stage by taking away the podium, and the metallic crystal. Elder Tiki took out a storage ring and she held it in between her left pointer and thumb. Once she injected a tiny portion of Qi into the ring she was able to place the 12ft high and 4ft around Aqua blue glowing crystal into the storage ring. The whole process took a few seconds and the area was cleared and ready for the final part of the Assessment Program.

Standing on the stage alone, Elder Tiki began to say. "Now has come the time of the Assessment Program that everyone has been waiting for." Elder Tiki gestures to her left and right, "These 4 are our 10th year disciples of our Jasmine Sect." All 4 girls where wearing the plum colored disciples robes with light purple Jasmine flowers covering the cuffs of the sleeves and bottoms of the robes. Since they where 10th year disciples, their uniforms had silver highlights.

The robes of the Senior disciples had golden highlights, the second year disciples had green highlights and the fresh disciples do not have any highlights. Also you can tell who is a personal disciple because their highlight are a gold and jade color.

Elder Tiki says to the crowd, "Over 200 of you passed and made it to this part of the Assessment Program. This is, where one might say, the real test starts. Each of you will stand in front of these 4 tables." As Edler Tiki spoke, the four girls, who where holding a small pouch in their hand, waved their free hand simultaneously. At the same time they also injected a tiny portion of their Qi from their free hand into the pouch and 4 small tables and 4 chairs landed in from of them. Then those 4 disciples *sat on the chairs while Elder Tiki said, "Forming 1 line infront of each table, the girl at your table will then give you a small stone pebble that is linked to the main stone tablet that you all used earlier. Once you have the small stone pebble, all you need to do is inject some of your Qi into it. It will recognize your unique qi signature and your ID number will appear on a small screen that should be floating infront of you."

"Your ID number will be right next to your name. Once you have your ID number, you will then step aside and let the next disciple repeat the process. Your ID number is the number we will call when it's your turn to fight. Keep that stone with you at all times, it will not be replaced.Once you are defeated your stone will record your loss for your future Sects use. Unless you don't manage to find a Sect to take you in. At that point your stone will crumble. If you lose that stone then you cannot take place in this part of the Assessment Program and you will have to pay for that stone. If claimed to have been stolen then you and the accused will be subject to interrogation. If found falsely accusing someone of theft, then you will be imprisoned." Once Elder Tiki finish speaking, she stepped aside and let the young future cultivators form those neat four lines.

It only took about 30 minutes for all of us to get registered with our numbers.

"Now that everyone has their numbers, you can follow me to the battle arena." Elder Dot, who now standing next to Elder Tiki said, as she waved her right arm and pointed to a wooden set of double doors located a few feet away.

"Wow! This fighting arena is even bigger then the one in Iron Town." I said with my mouth slightly agap.

"Big bother if you want to attract flies then by all means keep you mouth open." Baozhai teased.

Embarrassed, because I thought I brushed my teeth while her and our friends barged into my room earlier this morning.

"I am soo sorry sissa." I quickly say with my covered mouth. Using my free hand I grab the air and pull back a stick of gum to freshen my breath and brighten my smile. Remember I can make anything I want, that is better and healthier for you then the original product.

"Brother!" Baozhai yells in a whisper, "You can't be using that in public all the time. You never know who is watching."

"Sister-in-law is right. Someone is going to see and want to take it for themselves." Mei said to me while looking around to see if anyone saw.

"I think.... no one was looking and it was a small item." She turns to look me in the eyes. "I know you are smart, you need to think before you act. Okay?"

"You both are right, I think I am just over confident. I need to calm my heart before my strength goes to my head."

I jumped as a familiar voice said, "Well said hubby." into my ear.

"HOLY CRAP!!" I screamed, "Don't do that Yu, you could have given me a heart attack."

Chuckling, Yu replies, "I am sorry, i didn't realize my husband was such an old man...Would you like to have a seat or maybe a cane to help you walk."

With that said MeiMei and Sissa started to giggle too.

I tried to change the subject by saying, "This place as 4 arenas?!"

"We have a around 20 stages to be used to train with fellow disciples. Disputes are fought here and some even die here. But never during the Assessment Program, so you don't have to think about that." MeiMei said. Then she continued with, "We should get grandpa closer to the stage so he can hear his number called."

((((("I remember thinking[To bad she never seen an cultivation anime or novel because that happens alot.] ")))))

As the three of them giggled at my expense, I couldn't help but feel as if I was being watched.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"That boy there, I am certain he has a powerful artifact on him. How else do you explain what he did to the metallic testing stone." said a gruff voice of a man whose features could not have been seen.

"I am sure of it too. We need to make sure that we can get ahold of that artifact. First I need to know his background. If he is backed by powerful people then it's a lost cause. If he is from some lowly family then kill him and take everything he owns." another man whose features were also hidden in the shadows replied. Soon the two men started to laugh a small evil laugh.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

I shivered....

"Are you cold hubby? " Mei Lee ask at the same time Yu said, "Hubby are you cold?"

"No, it's more like evil people scheming against me. But before you ask who and where? I will tell you that I don't know." I tell them as we walk towards the stage together.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

"There he is agian." Said the same man whose features are hidden by shadows says.

"Elder Fang, can you please stop pointing."

"Yes master. Please forgive me."

Fangs master waves his hand in a dismissive manner. "I see, he seems to be with Princess Mei." Fang's master commented.

"Would you like me to find out what they are doing together?" Fang asked.

Fang's master nodded his head and Fang began to sneak away from his master's side.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"You all should know how this works, but if you don't, then hear is a summary. We have over 20 stages but today we'll only use 4 of our biggest stages. Since there are representatives here from the Great Sects. We decided that we will have a free for all, four groups of fifty will fight. We will ring this bell to signal the start of the free for all and when it rings agian,eveyone is to stop fighting. Who ever is left standing will be given some healing medicine and a brief rest. Afterwards the next round of bouts with begin. At that time these 2 girls that gave you your numbers from earlier, will call 2 at a time up to their respective stages and then the fighting will begin. Don't worry if you don't have fancy techniques, just try fighting with all your might. Losing here won't disqualify you from entering a sect. Just know that Sects look for strong fighters, that is all." Said Elder Dot as she quickly returned to her seat.

"Sissa, MeiMei. " I start to say as I look at the two of them. "I want to say go..wHoaw WHAT'S VIBRATING!" I exclaimed, as I pulled the stone out of my pocket.

"Look, Big Brother my stone as a red glowing 2 on it now." She said as she showed me the glowing number 2.

"Mine say 3." MeiMei said, also showing me her stone.

I show them my stone and

they both say, "4 "

"Looks like this is where we part ways. I know that both of you with be able to pass to the next round." I tell them as I give bend over to give my sister a hug. "Good luck Big Brother, though you won't need it." She says with a caring smile. Turning to Mei I bow and kiss her forehead, her face turn red slightly and briefly.

"I want forehead kiss too." Yu whisper to herself in her seat by Queen Hanako side. "G..g.good luck." Mei says shyly as looks me in my eyes. I smile lovingly as I gaze back. "You are beautiful." I say happily.

I feel a grim and remorseless glare aimed my way.

Still smiling, "You two should go to your rings. The fighting is about to start. I need you both to stay calm and focused. Choas is about to break out."

As I made it to my fighting ring, all the male contestants where staring daggers my way.

"OH, really..." I started to laugh and hopped up on the massive stage

As soon as my feet hit the ring, a loud bell started to sound. ("Well, i was right. They really are going full force.") I thought to myself, as I say "Well expect those over there that are holding back." I point to a few areas as if showing someone standing next to me. "And look." I say as I point to a few people standing groups of 3 "Those couple of groups aren't even fighting.... Guess i couldn't get lucky and be the only one not fighting at the moment."

I concealed my presence and tried to hide in the background. "I need to do better at hiding my strength. I dont want to be the cause of these potential disciples decadence."

Looking around I see that a few people have slowly made there way towards me.

"Well damn, run or fight. There are still forty fighters left. How long does this fighting normally last? If i fight now this ring will be wiped out before the bell rings again."

"YOU REALLY THINK YOU'RE SO POWERFUL!!!", Someone behind me yelled at me. "Crap you heard that." I said with a smile as started to run away giggling.

"WE ALL HEARD IT!" Five more people yelling in tandem.

"IS HE GIGGLING!" One of them yelled.

I ran and zig zagged , leading them into a group of 20 fighters. The six people chasing me vanished in a cloud of various weapons and limbs clashing against each other. After a while those that hang back in their small, respective groups began to make their move. Those two groups made their way over to me. Three to my left and four my left.

Sighing "Dont talk, I dont care why 2 factions are working together. Nore do I care as to why those two groups decided to gang up on one person. I'm certain your Elders think I have some type of artifact. Whether you believe me that I don't have it is irrelevant to me." I say as I pretend to pull my bow staff out from a storage pouch. "Naw, I wont need this." I say shaking my head while pretending to put it back.

"DON'T MOCK US!!" Some of them yelled.

Two out of the three swung their swords at my neck. The last on threw three chained knives aimed at my stomach, chest and right arm. Out of the other four fighters that were on the opposite side of me. Two thrust theirs spears, one aimed at my head, the other my spine. The last two jumped into the aim above me. The sun blocking their silhouettes as a heavy chain net was casted overtop me. The other had long buster sword that was aimed at my left collar bone. I quickly grabbed the all three knives and yanked on the chained attached. The young woman holding them lost her footing and tumbled underneath the net with me. Simultaneously I grabbed both spears and pulled them, while using them to block one the swords that was aimed at my neck. Causing it to hit the other sword and deflected it to the spears I was still holding. I then used the slack from the chained knives to wrap around the hands of the two sword users and gave it a tug. As the stumbled closer under the metal net, I switched spots with the five of them. As the net came down covering them, I jumped into the air and used my right hand to grab the netless man by his left forearm and I kicked him with my left leg. He flew into the long buster sword user and they both fell to ground. The bell rang as I landed and the 15 of us that was still standing made are way off the ring.

I was about to go find MeiMei and Sissa when.

"Everyone that doesn't need medical treatment report over there." Elder Tiki said while gesturing to her left. The rest report to your areas whose number matched your fighting rings. You get ten minutes and then we will continue.

Soon it was time and those 2 girls started to call the future cultivators up by their numbers. The hours passed and it was down to the final 16 combatants.

The girl on stage 4 called out number 129 to the stage..

"Is that Lou Jiang!" A person in the crowd yelled.

"That's The Emperor's youngest son Lou Jiang!"

"Ugh! Why is he here?" MeiMei said in disgust.

Mei was getting ready to turn and leave with my sister when.

Combatant number 48 report to stage 3....

"Big brother, that's my number. Will you come to stage 3 to watch me."

Combatant number 12 report to stages 1

"Thats me." said Mei Lee as she turn to look at me and said, "Wish me luck."

"Good luck." I say to her with a smile.

Combatant number 84 report to stage 4.

"Looks like I can't go watch your match sissa. I have to fight that youngster on stage 4."

"That is Lou Jiang, he is that Emperor's youngest son and I hate him."

"Oh, you do, do you. Let me guess he is arrogant, self serving, and doesn't care for his subjects because he feels they are beneath him. And he wants to marry you.....probably by force if he has to." I ask

Mei nods and I kiss her forhead. "It's okay Mei, as long as I am around you don't have to do anything you don't want to." She blushes and says, "Be careful."

I smile sweetly at her and my sissa and brace myself for the dirty looks and rude comments I am about to get from Lou Jiang.