8. A Display of Power, a Few Winners, and Despair

Emerald Gem Sect

The second day of the inter sect competition has officially kicked off. The sect leaders battles would not start till the afternoon, so until then everyone would watch the other areas finish up.

The outer sect was pretty standard and quick. The final three disciples had fought hard to get there, but it was not overly impressive. During the battles Orval was constantly refining artifacts, it was as if he already knew who would win each battle. No one said anything to him and just continued to watch the battles. After the finals, Orval personally appeared at the outer sect arena and called the top three disciples up.

"After some hard fought battles, these three disciples will each gain a token that will allow them to enter the inner sect training hall for a week to cultivate. We hope that this will allow them to further advance on their paths of cultivation. Next, to the winner, Ronnie House. You have shown that you are the strongest of the outer sect disciples. Here is your artifact I have crafted specifically for you." Orval spoke gracefully and elegantly. After saying his piece he handed over the artifact to Ronnie.

The artifact was spear, which went along with Ronnie's cultivation art 'Infinite Piercing Spear Method'. "This spear is called Heavens Piercing Spear. May you successfully master this artifact and pierce through the heavens." spoke Orval.

With this the three disciples bowed and spoke with grateful tones "We thank you for the opportunities." The three left the stage and Orval returned to the pagoda.

During this time the inner sect was getting down to the finals. This was a little bit more entertaining compared to the outer sect since, during the competition several people ended up breaking through to Golden Core. They ended up overwhelming the competition and became the final three.

As the final two competitors walked up to the arena, many people were placing bets on the winners. The final two in this had become pretty famous. One was a young boy with sandy blonde hair, who would be considered a pretty boy by most standards. His name was David Stone and he was very skilled in earth element techniques. His art was called 'Infinite Earth Manipulation Method'. The second competitor was a pretty girl, with a petite figure and bright blue eyes. Her name was Lori Aqua. Her family has always had an affinity to water and she especially has talent. She cultivates the art 'Infinite Wave Method'.

As the two stood on the arena they stared at each other. David made a move first, with a wave of his hand he circulated his qi, 'Earth Spike'. As he used his technique more than twenty spikes shot up out of the ground at Lori. Lori was calm and collected even though the spikes headed towards her quickly. With a simple hand wave she said 'Ice Shell', she was then covered by a thick barrier of ice. This ice was strong enough to stop the spikes from reaching their intended destination. Then with another thought she manipulated the ice barrier, which formed spikes. David looked at the ice that had not only stopped his attack but also formed spikes and without hesitation used another technique 'Earth Wall: Steel' in front of him appeared a thick wall made of steel. Then Lori made her move, with a thought, the spikes began to shoot out of the barrier. They flew at a high speed, so fast that the pierced through the steel wall with ease, hitting David causing several injuries as they stuck into his limbs. The ice then began to spread on his body. Seeing this and realizing there was nothing he could do, he decided to forfeit. With this Lori became the winner.

At this moment, Orval appeared on the arena again. He called up the top three of the inner sect. He gave a similar speech as he did in the outer sect. There was only one difference. Due to the top three disciples having advanced to Golden Core during the competition, this qualified them to move up to core disciple status. So, Orval announced that not only would they be joining the core sect, but the token they receive allows them to get a week in the leaders training hall.

"Next, Lori Aqua, here is your artifact. It is called 'Celestial Tear'" Explained Orval as he handed over a necklace, with a shiny deep blue tear shaped pendant.

"Thank you for this opportunity!" the three said with a bow. They then left the arena and Orval returned to the pagoda to watch the finals of the core disciples.

The core disciples have done very well in this competition. They even surprised many of the cultivators that came to visit during the competition. The finals of the core section are between Susie and a young boy from the alchemy division, named Bruno Flare. There is a lot of hype behind both Bruno and Susie, since Bruno is the direct disciple of the Alchemy Elder and has reached the Soul Formation Realm at 35. Then there is Susie, who is considered a prodigy being at the 10th level of Extreme Golden Core, is the disciple of the Little Sect Master, and all this on top of only being 14.

Both Bruno and Susie now stood in the center of the arena. Susie was feeling nervous due to the difference of realms. Bruno didn't hesitate and made his move. He circulated his qi and used his move 'Flame Arrows of Destruction'. A dozen arrows made of bright red flames appeared around him and with a wave of his hand they shot out towards Susie at a blinding speed. Everyone watched as the terrifying arrows sped in her direction. Susie, on the other hand was not worried. At this point she began to circulate her qi, then she took a single step forward and pressed down on the ground. 'Infinite Art: 10 Stars Chaos Method: Chaos Crash' suddenly, with the center point being her foot a mass of qi surged out, crashing into the flame arrow and extinguishing them.

Bruno had a look of surprise on his face since, the flame arrows should never be able to be extinguished with out exploding. But he still did not hesitate and used another moved 'Blue Flame Palm'. A large blue flaming hand, the size of the arena, descended from the sky.

"Sorry, for this Susie, but I need to win this competition" stated Bruno with a smile on his face. This is one of his most powerful spells, that even his master has difficulties stopping.

"I understand the need to win. But it is unfortunate that you have met me." informed Susie. Her Emerald Chaos Bracelet began to glow. Then a giant emerald coi fish appeared, circling around Susie with an intimidating aura. "Little Chao, ring of absorption." Little Chaos moved in front of her and began spinning in the shape of a ring, in the center it created a massive suction force that inhaled the flaming palm.

At this point Bruno turned pale and he was not the only one. His Master and fellow disciples knew exactly just how devastating that attack was and it was handled easily buy Susie. At this point Susie looked over at her master sitting in front of the pagoda, looking bored. She decided she should finish this now.

Susie recalled her artifact spirit. Suddenly, around Susie appeared her ten burning sun like Golden Cores. The heat is so intense the surrounding space started to burst into flames, even the arena began to melt. Bruno looked at the scene in front of him with terror. He was known to be extremely skilled in the field of flames, but this was something he would never be able to achieve. At this point he felt his heart drop and as the tears began to well up in his eyes. He forfeited. He truly felt deep in his soul just what true power was and felt the despair deep in his heart.

Every onlooker felt the power as well so they could fully understand the despair in his heart. They were shocked by this small girls power.

"Did you see that Princess!" exclaimed the Duke with a worried look on his face.

"Of course I did Duke Glacier. Honestly that was far more powerful than anything I have ever seen. I don't think I could stop it and even if I could I'd be seriously injured." stated Princess Iris with a serious expression. When she thinks about all the unbelievable events that have transpired at the Emerald Gem Sect recently it began to drive her crazy.

In the next moment, Orval appeared on the stage. The third place disciple also came to the melted arena. He gave the same speech has given to on every single stage of the competition. He also explained he would not be giving Susie an artifact as she already has one, but will give her a break through method instead.

"Now before we begin the final part of this inter sect competition, I want to invite several guests to have a front row seat" said Orval with a calm expression. He then waved his hand. Iris and Duke Glacier suddenly appeared in some seats in front of the pagoda. It was so fast that they did not even notice how they got there. "Sorry for the sudden invite, I just figured our distinguished guests from the Royal Capital and Glacier Manor should have a great view of the final events." spoke Orval while smiling.

Both the princess and duke had surprised looks on there faces, but they regained their composure very quickly. They stood up and bowed respectfully.

"We appreciate this opportunity to view such a magnificent competition" they spoke in unison before retaking their seats.

With a wave of his hand, Orval restored the arena to its original state. Due to the following battles being far more dangerous he decided it would be a good idea to put up an array. 'Infinite Art: Celestial Sky Shell' as he waved his hand and circulated this art he put up a powerful and invisible barrier. Those present that were in the Rebirth Realm could feel the presence of this array and were very surprised by the fact that even if everyone present were to attack at the same time, none of them could even put a scratch on this array. And this was put up instantly by a this youth, who was only in the Nascent Soul Realm.

"I hereby announce that the sect leaders portion of the competition begins" spoke Orval with a smile on his face and his arms wide open.