Final Test (1)

The standards of the test nearly surprised Chao.

If he were anybody ordinary, this would've been an impossible task. Much less three minutes, any other 1st layer would struggle to kill their targets in five minutes.

The only reason Chao could decimate his previous foes was that his Asura Ice Law essence and Asura Aura provided numerous times amplification to his prowess.

Even for geniuses, it would quite a challenge to overcome prowess on an equal level to them.

Chao was grateful this wouldn't be a problem for him. He calmly nodded, strolling onto the battlefield with complete, utter confidence filling his every step.

The moment he set foot in the field, the tiger beast felt provoked. Its massive body imposingly stood up as its jaws snapped open to unleash a ferocious growl!

The growl of a 1st layer Origin beast was fierce. Origin Qi was infused into its voice, causing pressuring airwaves to crash down on Chao.

Only a small smile curled Chao's lips in the face of these airwaves. All he could feel was a light breeze.

After cultivating hard last night, the little progress he made enhanced his strength.

Origin Qi fused with Asura Ice Law essence as Chao opened his palm. Out from the center came a meter-long Ice essence pike.

The Ice essence pike caused a great increase of power to surge throughout Chao's body. He felt immense satisfaction from this sensation of control. His Origin Aura had also experienced a leap in power.

The sensations exuding out caused both Capitan Tie and even the mindless, savage tiger beast to falter.

Chao, however, gave no time for anybody to process anything.

Within just a second of stepping onto the field, Chao burst forward at extreme speeds. He flickered across 100-meters in half of a second. The Ice essence pike mercilessly thrust right towards the tiger's beast head while also exuding a horrifying sensation of death.

Such speed was far too shocking!

Origin cultivators are fast, far better than any peak mortal human. However, Chao's speed basically looked like he teleported.

Captain Tie had no choice but to assess this young kid even more.

At the same time, the tiger beast felt true fear. The energies in its body frantically surged, causing a layer of black energy to engulf its entire body. Its power greatly rose and its aura attempted to clash with Chao's.

The split-second counter nearly surprised Chao. This beast was clearly more advanced than what he fought on the outside.

However, no matter what tricks it pulled out, the beast couldn't possibly match the might of Ausra Ice Law essence!

'Chi!'

Chao's Ice essence pike effortlessly skewered into the beast's head like it was fragile paper.

Blood wildly spurted out and splashed onto the field.

Within the beast's skull, Chao's overwhelming Asura Ice Law essence smashed upon its brain, freezing it and then turning it into tiny ice crystals.

A stream of Origin Qi and Law essence had then absorbed into Chao's dantian. He felt a small increase in his overall strength.

Merely five seconds passed. And already the tiger beast died a miserable death.

It was overwhelmed to the point it could barely surge a defense before instantly dying.

A contemplative glint flashed with Capitan Tie's eyes. 'This kind of prowess could only be seen in those great sects! Even for just 1st layer Origin, his energy control and raw power are too shocking. Just where did this kid come from?'

Suspicions streamed through Captain Tie's mind. However, he didn't choose to question Chao or looked further into his background. In his eyes and overall the Ming Family, talent is talent no matter where they come from.

Thus, Captain Tie calmly called out to Chao, congratulating him. "Your results may be one of the highest we have ever witnessed. Someone like you can get directly asset right now."

Joy alight within Chao. His face was calm, but he couldn't help the excitement coursing through his bones. Showing off this much didn't bother Chao at all. His guess of going bigger for the better was proving to be the correct choice.

Chao still maintain his steady stride as he said, "Mn. I barely used any energy. I'm ready for anything else."

Captain Tie nodded and gestured for Chao to follow him.

As the duo walked out of the examination building, Chao could just feel the more intent stares this time around.

Considering he's walking out with Captain Tie, they all could easily guess what his results were.

Chao felt slightly good about this. At least when he fully joins the Ming Family, a more fearsome reputation can deter any small troubles.

Walking out of the examination building, Captain Tie directed Chao over towards the building on the right.

Stepping in, Chao was greeted to a larger exterior than the previous building.

Just the base room alone was enough to easily fits hundreds of people and then some. There was also a greater deal of Ming Family warriors strolling about here.

On the left side of the lobby, a huge bulletin board was in place.

Taking a brief glance at it, Chao spotted this was where these warriors would take up missions.

His attention turned back over to Captain Tie as he led him toward one specific squadron who all appeared ready to head out.

The squadron was a four-man group. Three young men all wore decent clothes on Chao's level. And one older, middle-aged man had the same magical robes as Captain Tie.

Only average 1st layer Origin auras exuded out of the three boys. They weren't anything too special for Chao to give another thought. His greater interest was in this middle-aged man.

This man's Origin Aura exuded similar stifling sensations as Captain Tie. However, Chao could certainly detect that this man's aura was slightly less potent.

Still at a level far higher than his current prowess. But also enough for Chao to take a guess that Captain Tie was superior to him.

His assumptions soon became reality.

Captain Tie called out to this squadron, saying, "Captain Jian. Before you go, you have one more patrol trainee to take in."

When getting called out, Captain Jian stood with respect. He was just about to respond when he actually processed what Captain Jian had told him. His expression changed into slight disbelief.

"You're personally recommending him without any wait?"

"Indeed. His results are a bit shocking to hear about. It is better to see him in action." Captain Tie's tone held supreme confidence and left no room for refusal.

Both Captain Jian and the other three patrol trainees felt even more curiosity about Chao. Their gazes and Spirit Swept through him.

However, none of them could really tell anything at first glance. It was as if this guy just naturally exuded a mysterious presence that made it difficult to understand him.

Curious to be sure, but Captain Jian wasn't going to go against orders.

"Your name?" Captain Jian asked.

"Chao."

Simple and quick, Captain Jian took out a ring, surged energy into it, and caused a stream of purple light to flow out.

The purple light instantly formed into what appeared to be an energy projection!

Externally, Chao only showed a curious expression. But internally, he was immensely shocked.

After all, this energy projection was eerily similar to what he used with that system!

Chao had thought only far more powerful cultivators had access to other various means that seemed utterly magical. But now it seemed like his assumptions were proven wrong.

Still, Chao didn't say or do anything stupid. He simply watched on as his name suddenly appeared on the energy projection below three other names.

When it was finished, Captain Jian had already left.

Captain Tie gave a short nod at Chao before telling his squadron, "Alright, let's head out. Chao, the other three will fill you in as we reach our destination."

With that, Captain Jian quickly escorted his squadron out of the building and into Creek City.

...

While walking through Creek City, Chao felt a bit queer. People were giving them the wide breadth and looks of curiosity occasionally cast upon them.

More so, gazes of respect sometimes came their way, though it was primarily focused on Captain Jian.

Still, the fact that these cultivators had already evaluated him to a slightly higher position than getting outright ignored made Chao realize the importance of a great background.

And not even just background.

If he had also great strength, the respect he can receive would be at an even greater level.

Pushing these thoughts away, Chao suddenly asked the other youths. "So? What will our task consist of?"

The three boys felt a bit startled. They were still intrigued by how mysterious Chao's prowess was.

Their own test was an immense challenge and required their absolute best abilities. And even then, they all had to wait hours before a Captain overseer takes them to the last hurdle.

In comparison, Chao's admission was akin to night and day. They all subconsciously felt a bit threatened by him already.

When Chao suddenly called out to them, a small portion of their nerves tightened up. The boys retained calm expressions, but they couldn't truly relax around Chao.

One of the boys still managed to respond to Chao only a half-second later, saying, "Right. Well, we are going to Spirit Wolf den to clear it out. There should be around seven in them, all only 1st layer Origin for us. By the way, is this your first time taking the test?"

Chao silently nodded.

"I see...well, you have to be careful on this task. This me and my friends first time actually making it this far. From what I heard, the possibility of death is very high. And in a close situation, we can only depend on each other or ourselves. By the way, my name is Lian and these two are Tie and Kie." Lian politely introduced.

Not when to really act cold towards others despite his upbringing, Chao gave a friendly smile as he said, "Nice to meet you. Best of luck to us all."

The other boy said similar words of encouragement before settling in to talk among themselves. None of them was that willing to talk with Chao more than needed.

Chao didn't care at all and kept his mind focused on the tasks ahead.