Earth Essence Pond and Star City

Location: Unknown

07:47 AM : August 3, 2010

POV: Alex

I had finally arrived at the Earth Essence Pond last night but being too tired to do anything so I just slept. This way I could do everything today instead of yesterday. Getting up I walked over to a nearby creek and removed all the sweat and grime off of me before I changed. After changing I proceeded to have breakfast before going into the Earth Essence Pond.

After finishing my breakfast I walked towards the 'Earth Essence Pond' and stood at the edge of the pond. Out of my curiosity I asked Dezzoassol what an Earth Essence Pond is and he told me 'The Earth Essence Pond is a gathering of energy produced by the planet as a source of energy to the environment, but if a cultivator uses it it will increase mastery over the earth affinity and allow a cultivator to break through faster than when using monster cores, although since you are cultivating a XXX-Rank cultivation technique you will grow at an even faster rate'. After hearing his explanation I began to walk into the Earth Essence Pond.

The moment my toes touched the pond I could feel the magic affecting my body. It made me feel even more alive than when I first cultivated. I began to sink further and further into the pond. I felt my magic expand my magic and strengthen my body. When I got to the center I completely submerged my body under the water in the pond and began to cultivate.

Sitting down I could feel my muscles, bones and organs strengthening themselves extremely fast.

5 Days Later

Location: Unknown

08:47 AM : August 8, 2010

POV: Alex

I slowly began to open my eyes and looked around me realizing that the pond was now gone and that I was just inside of an empty crater. Then I stood up and began to leave the crater and made my way towards my bag and got a set of dry clothes and changed into them. After I had changed I began to walk towards my bike to head to the closest fast food so that I didn't starve myself.

After taking a 30 minute ride away from where I was in the beginning I saw a fast food place and decided to eat there.

After I had eaten I began to feel magic forming like a trail out of the town I was in. being my ever curious self I decided to follow the magic trail. When I reached the end of the trail I could feel magic being used to cast an illusion. After realizing there was an illusion I used my magic to disrupt it and saw a gate form in the distance with two guards in the front of it.

Looking at them I began to approach the gates one of the guards stopped me "It's 1 medium monster core to go in kid" he said in a condescending voice. Hearing what the guard said I reached into my bag and gave them one of the Reaper Worm cores I had collected when I cleared the Reaper Worm nest. After handing over the core they allowed me to go into the city. As I entered I could feel the magic coming off of everybody in the small city,

Not wanting to attract attention I just stayed to the sides and observed the other mages inside of the city. Looking at them I could tell that I was weaker then most of the mages inside of the city. I then heard a commotion over in the center of the city in what looked like an arena. Wanting to find out what was causing the commotion I made my way to the arena. When I arrived at the entrance of the arena there were 2 doors. One of them was for spectators and one for contestants. Going through the spectators door you could see a reception table accepting bets for fights going on in the arena. Ignoring the reception table I made my way to the stands sitting as far back from the arena giving me a better view of the arena and the spectators.

The first of five fights scheduled that afternoon. The first one was between someone named Brian and another named Dick. Before they started the fight they allowed spectators to place bets on the fight. After 10 minutes they didn't allow any more bets and the fight began.

Without wasting time Brian used 'Sea Serpent' sending a big stream of water in the shape of a snake toward Dick. Dick was almost caught off guard, but fortunately he managed to use 'Lotus Screen' to turn the 'Sea Serpent' into steam before it could do any serious damage. Realizing that he could counter his water spells Brian used the steam as a cover to get up close and fight in close quarters. When Brian got in close he pulled out a sword that was producing frost around it. He swung at Alex trying to fatally injure him so he could get a guaranteed win. But when Brian swung Dick managed to catch the blade in his hand, as he caught the blade he ignited his hand with a crimson fire that destroyed the blade. Using his other hand Dick surged his hand forward blasting Brian across the arena temporarily disabling him. After coming to his senses and seeing Dick approaching Brian in a last ditch effort to win the round to win the fight Brian poured all of his remaining mana into a last spell and yelled out “Typhoon Dragon” hurling a dragon as big as the Reaper Worm Queen towards Dick. With a struggle Dick managed to defend against the attack with a fire spell called “Lion's Blaze” sending an equally big fire Lion towards the dragon causing an explosion.

When all the smoke cleared out of the stage Brian was passed out with 3rd degree burns on his body and Dick only had a minor cut from when he caught the sword.

"AND THE WINNER OF THE FIRST FIGHT IS DICK" said the announcer. I just looked as they took Brian's body out of the stage and into the hands of his comrades. Not wanting to waste more time just looking at fights I left the arena and explored the city. As I explored I just kept thinking about the fight. Looking at the fight made me realize that there were tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands cultivators far stronger than me.

If I wanted to fulfill the deal with Dezzoassol and protect those I care about I had to be stronger. Wanting to cultivate for a little to stabilize my magic I made my way to the outskirts of the city planning on finding a place to cultivate. While trying to find a place. I came to an area with heavy vegetation. Not paying attention I forced my way through the shrubs I began to fall as it was a cliff of about 20 feet high. Hitting the ground I fell on somebody and just heard them yell.

"AAH"