"Concede"

BONG!BONG!

The reverberating sound of the Outer court bell rang, summoning all the disciples with its call, disturbing the otherwise peaceful and tranquil air of their mountainous home.

Wang lei walked up the mountain path with the other disciples in tow, all of them had spent the last six months preparing for this day, arduously cultivating and practising their martial skills to attain the best possible rank.

The ranking system wasn't anything new to the disciples, many other sects also used this model to groom and pick out the most talented disciples as well as their own Mistfire Sect. By pitting the disciples against each other they could weed out the weak whilst forcing them to train harder if they wanted to gain and keep control of their rewards, such as areas containing purer essence to cultivate in.

Wang lei's goal was the same as everyone else, to rank first place and attain the status of an inner disciple, further flinging him to success. Despite his simple background he had managed to cultivate to the 3rd stage of the Human realm, whilst most outer disciples were at the 1st stage he had the talent to reach the 3rd stage, even managing to snag himself a few followers. No one wanted to fight him when his cultivation was so much higher.

He was the last of his small Wang family but he was proud of where he came from.

He had devoted blood, sweat and tears into practice, so much that he skipped on meals and cut down on sleep. It was his time to shine and he knew that he would excel, becoming number one.

BONG!BONG!

The bells cry grew louder as the disciples progressed up the mountain, a procession of patchy grey robes all heading in the same direction, carrying their hopes and dreams on their shoulders, breaking through cloud banks as they travelled higher.

A large flat plateau lay before them, as if cut by an immortals sword, its vast expanse spreading to the horizon, further shrouded in fog descending from the peaks above, giving it a mystifying and solemn atmosphere.

Wang lei and the other disciples were simply stunned, they had been awed and humbled by the mountain home that had been designated for them already, but now seeing the taller, more imposing mountains that pierced into the sky made each one of them realise how insignificant they were. Before the forests lush canvas and natural cloud bank had hidden this from view, but having walked to the top of the mountain they were breathless.

BONG!BONG!BONG.

The bells cries finally grew quiet as all the disciples had gathered together.

Murmurs and mutters grew from the giant crowd of disciples, five hundred of them lived on this mountain alone and it seemed like everyone was here. Wang lei himself couldn't help but wonder and talk to others as they tried to figure out what was going to happen next.

The noise gradually grew louder as the disciples got used to the plateaus atmosphere and they grew more courageous, some even voicing aloud their displeasure at having to wait and flaunting their family names. Almost as in response a grand and heavy aura pressed down on them all, forcing them to their knees as a robed and elderly figure walked down from the clouds above, his every step casual and slow, putting more pressure on the disciples. Even the most stubborn and stout of them failed to stay standing, many including Wang lei saw this is as a test they had just failed. Standing in the air the elder's voice reached them all.

"I am Elder Chen, I oversee all outer court tests."

His words were like thunderclaps as they spread across the mountain range, Wang lei himself began to feel nauseous from the vibrations of the shout.

"All outer sect disciples not currently participating are now expelled from the Mistfire sect, this first test is mandatory," along with the elder's words came a few cries as shadows that were barely visible due to their speed left the mountain, undoubtedly carrying disciples that ignored the bell away.

"Form two lines of equal length in front of me, you will fight the person opposite and continue until there are none left. Once all the battles are finished I will then announce the rankings and rewards. You have 1 minute to make the lines."

What followed was a frantic game of push as disciples split themselves into two groups and lined up opposite, the strong trying to pair with the weak for an easy victory whilst the weak did their best to avoid disciples that they knew were stronger than themselves. After a minute had passed the elder grew vexed as the disciples still hadn't completed his task, with a wave of his hand the disciples found themselves powerless as some invisible force gripped and moved them into two neat and tidy lines.

Wang lei could hardly contain his excitement as he was put at the back of the line, did the elder realise that he was one of the few at the 3rd stage human realm and leave the best until last so everyone could see his amazing talent!

Trying not to vent his frustrations on the disciples Elder Chen once again raised his voice, "The disciple opposite is your opponent, the front two of both lines shall fight, the winner must step to my left whilst the loser must step to the right and wait until the test has finished before descending the mountain.

Wang lei studied his opponent as she also studied him, externally he tried to remain calm and collected as he looked at his opponent, but he was jumping for joy internally as he recognised this short girl. She barely reached his chest and publicly announced that she was stuck at the 1st human stage a few weeks back before he had secluded himself. He was sure her name was something Lin.

Zhao Lin in turn studied her opponent, obviously full of confidence and had spent too long on his own in the woods. He was very similar to many of the youths nearby who were all pale skinned and gangly as their bodies hadn't started developing just yet, not yet tempered from mountain life as many still relied on the food and goods sent from the sect to aid them with their survival and cultivation.

At the mixed ages of twelve to fifteen the sect itself knew that these youths would require some aid before they became independent on the mountain.

"Begin!"

The elders loud shout startled the youths as he gestured the front two youths into a giant arena that he had engraved into the floor of the plateau, it was just large enough for the two of them to fight unrestrained but had seemingly popped into existence at the elders will.

Stood in the arena the two young men relentlessly attacked each other as best they could with their 1st stage human cultivation and poorly trained martial skills. In the end one came out triumphant as he defeated his opponent with a swift kick that pushed him out of the ring, making him the winner.

As soon as he had won the Elder once again shouted 'Begin' as he reclined in the air and watched the disciples duke it out and show off their progress with the martial skills the sect had given them.

Upon entering the outer disciple court they had all been given a small scroll that explained and taught them the basic human level martial skills: swift kick, fierce palm and heavy punch. These were the skills that the disciples had spent the last 6 months trying to master and perfect for today's tournament.

Some caused the Elder to raise his eyebrows slightly as they revealed martial skills with beginner mastery having comprehended some concepts of the martial skill, whilst some disciples simply committed the martial skill to memory and charged it with essence not understanding how to utilise the skill.

Wang lei watched from the end of the line as flashes of dull light signalled the disciple's use of martial skills as they ran around the arena, splashes of colour were the results of disciples essence colliding. Whilst the winners remained standing the losers were bleeding and exhausted with nothing left.

Everyone had a different hue to their essence which pointed towards there aptitude for the different elements. Whilst one disciple may have a red hue meaning he leant more towards fire another disciples could be blue so he was better with water. At the moment many of the Disciples could only elicit tiny amounts of colour in their essence as it wasn't pure enough or powerful to manifest the elements, that came with a higher cultivation.

Wang lei himself hadn't managed to manifest a colour but he knew he had one and it must be great, especially as other disciples were still stuck at the 1st stage and he was at the 3rd.

As it grew closer to his turn Wang lei couldn't help but feel more and more excited as he could reveal how he was the greatest outer sect disciple and claim first place. Zhao Lin on the other hand was impassive as a rock and watched on with a dull expression as the 1st and 2nd stage disciples continued to duke it out and try their best to impress Elder Chen.

The match before Wang Lei's finally started, it was an unfair matching of the largest male disciple who crushed rocks with his bare hands against a tiny and dainty female disciple who was even smaller than Wang Lei's own opponent Lin.

As the match began both covered themselves in their essence, the giant gushing forth with a brown essence flashing small glimpses of steely grey while the girl glowed with a vibrant green, the most concentrated essence so far.

With a great roar from the giant their match started, and was over just as fast. The giant had lunged forth like an enraged boar, the small disciple seemingly flew forward on the air blinking in front of the giant before he could react and landed a kick that made every male squint and turn pale as they heard a sickening pop. Even Elder Chen grew slightly pale at the girl's actions but inwardly praised her for her speed and ferocity.

Her fierceness aside Elder Chen was pleasantly surprised to find a new disciple with this amount of talent, very often most disciples didn't have such concentrated essence until after they had stepped into the soul refinement stage. Only a few could break this rule.

The classifications of cultivation that Wang Lei knew of were the realms of Human, soul and if he was lucky the earth spirit stage.

Whilst the giant sank onto his knees unconscious from the pain the Elders voice boomed down from above, "What is young disciples name?"

"Zhao Yun"

"I will remember young disciple's name, perform well in the next ranking and I will reward you"

Issuing a bow and showing the utmost respect her voice sounded back into the sky, "Outer disciple Yun thanks Elder and hopes that she can meet his expectations," with another bow Zhao Yun walked into the crowd of disciples on the left, who made way allowing her to stand on the side closest to Elder Chen.

With another look Elder Chen was pleased at this little find and would definitely keep her to himself, so that wretched woman Hwei-ru wouldn't take her away first.

Still feeling slightly traumatized at the giants defeat Wang Lei steeled himself and prepared to show off his skills and also earn Elder Chen's acknowledgement. Stepping forward Wang Lei watched as his opponent Lin also impassively walked forward, not even glancing towards him once.

Stood on one side of the arena Wang Lei now felt the pressure, everyone's eyes were on him watching and judging, but he had to stay strong.

"Give up now, I don't want to harm a girl who's only at the 1st stage," pushing out his chest and tilting back his head Wang Lei did his best to portray the image of a nobleman. Silence followed from Lin whilst hollers and shouts of Wang Lei being too arrogant came from the crowd, Lin just continued to circle her 1st stage cultivation.

With one final look at Elder Chen floating above, Wang Lei circled his essence and waited to watch his response. Elder Chen saw this disciples actions and thought that he was arrogant but after seeing his 3rd stage cultivation he realised he was just an idiot, the essence he had unleashed was at most the same as someone at the 1st stage human realm if not lower. He had deviated his cultivation at such a young age, in the Elders eyes he was trash as he hadn't consolidated the 1st and 2nd realm, instead choosing to rush forward.

With a sigh Elder Chen could only watch this last fight and hope that the other disciple had some talent.

"Begin"

As soon as the words had left the elders mouth Lin charged forward, her essence a deep crimson shade as it revolved around her. Wang Lei circled his essence that hadn't yet developed a colour and rushed forward to meet Lin, his hands and feet ready to fight.

In his head thoughts and ideas of becoming a legendary warrior flew around unimpeded, today was the start of his journey, today he would proclaim his genius to the world.

Wang Lei never saw Lin move, he felt a sudden impact on his chest and was sent rolling to the edge of the stage as his essence scattered. In the centre of the stage where they met stood Lin, one arm crossed behind her back whilst her front hand revealed the move that had sent him flying, she had used her essence and merely flicked him across the stage.

Shock and rage filled Wang Lei's mind, he was at the 3rd stage how did she manage to break his essence? Once again charging forward and ignoring the pain that came from his bones, he channelled his essence into his right hand and unleashed the human skill Fierce palm.

Eyes of absolute scorn stared at him. Lin's stare merely enraged him more as he circled more of his essence aiming to send her flying from the stage. With a snort Lin merely ignored his attack as a small part of her essence drifted up and blocked his fierce palm, the impact sending him flying backwards once more as his body absorbed the impact. Pain flared across his right arm as it felt like he had hit a mountain.

"Concede."

One word left Lin's mouth, her cold and indifferent voice sending shivers down his spine.

This infuriated Wang Lei even more, he had the highest cultivation, why was he losing? With rage clouding his judgement he performed one last frantic rush. The Elder in the sky merely sighing at this disciple's stupid act.

Seeing Wang Lei once again charging towards her Lin grew slightly annoyed as her brows furrowed, why did this fool think he could win with such a weak cultivation? Pouring her essence down towards her legs Lin sprang forward faster than Wang Lei, once again clashing head-on with him. With her fierce actions Lin stirred the dust from the mountain plateau as it covered her movements, all the disciples could see was a large cloud of dust spiralling outwards from the centre of the stage.

All Wang Lei's mind could register was the approach of Lin and the dust cloud that sprang up around him, he never saw the kick that sent him flying from the stage, rolling across the plateau, or the look of absolute disgust and disdain that he was given by everyone watching due to his miserable performance.

Even other disciples at the 1st stage could use their essence more efficiently and put up more of a fight. Wang Lei was nothing but trash.

Whilst Wang Lei lay on the ground outside of the arena his mind wavered between the conscious and unconscious, the pain catching up with his mind, the last thing he saw was the ridicule and laughter written all over the disciples faces as he fell unconscious, the fact that his opponent didn't even have to look to know she had beaten him hurt him most of all.

"Zhao Lin greets Elder Chen," with a short bow Zhao Lin looked up to Elder Chen floating above, her voice no longer containing the cold overtone when she addressed Wang Lei instead it was now warmer and full of respect.

Whilst stroking his beard Elder Chen was pleased with the two Zhao disciples, he could only think of how good their talents were.

"Excellent, very good disciple, you have caught my eye," issuing another bow Zhao Lin walked and stood next to Zhao Yun. The disciples only now seeing the similarity between the two and the shared family name.

Once again looking at two disciples the Elder was pleased with this find, once again bringing himself to stand up straight in the air the Elders voice boomed over all the disciples.

"I will now issue the ranks and rewards for this ranking."

Eager eyes stared up to the Elder like starving wolves drooling over their next meal.