Determination

After walking a little bit further from Ken, Apolaki couldn't help but frown. It seems like Ken is determined to humiliate him.

"Ken has reached the second stage of the warrior phase. I have no chance to be a match for him unless I can reach the second stage of the warrior phase…"

Apolaki pondered in annoyance as he walked his way towards his home. He cannot help but feel bitter in his heart because he knows Ken's personality. Ken is a man of his words and will take every opportunity to beat his rivals. What's worse is that he was still at the first stage of the warrior phase without showing any signs of breaking through.

This could be a problem that he could not come up with any solutions at all.

"Son, you are back. You woke up early this morning again. You must be starving from your training, I guess. Come and have your breakfast."

The moment Apolaki returns home, his mother, Rita, walks towards him with a concerned look written on her face.

She then settles him at the table where Apolaki's meal has already been prepared.

People in the village where Apolaki's family in the past lived looked at them with envy when Apolaki was recruited into the Stone Crew Sect. Because as long as you've been recruited, you and your family get to live in a more comfortable place. The town of Stone Valle.

But now, Apolaki feels ashamed of his poor performance in the sect. Because he knew if he could not break through, he and his family would suffer since the house they had in the past was sold out because they needed to find a place here in Stone Valle.

That's why he thinks that he let his parents down.

It would have been okay if it's on him… but sadly he got a family to feed.

They are depending on his performance.

Although his father works as a hunter, it is still not enough for the family of three to live comfortably.

Apolaki was about to eat when he noticed the pale face of his mother and father at the side.

"Dad, Mom, what's wrong?"

After a moment of hesitation, Dan, Apolaki's father, spoke up, "Son, the martial arts competition of your sect will be held a month later. As you have known, the rule of the sect is that the outer disciples who cannot break through the second stage of warrior phase and join the competition will be sent back home. And just now, an elder from the sect has come to inform us that we should get prepared to return."

Dan gives a heavy sigh after telling Apolaki all about this.

"What?"

Hearing this, Apolaki couldn't help but frown while he gritted his teeth.

In the past when he was still ignorant about Stone Crew Sect. It was only until he set foot here that he realized that the regulations of the sect are extremely strict. The disciples here are divided into two types, outer and inner disciples. It was said that only the top five of who topped the annual martial art competition can be promoted as inner disciples, which proves to be very difficult.

The annual martial arts competition is actually the final qualification assessment of the sect. The minimum requirement for participating in the competition is to reach the second stage of the warrior phase. In other words, it is required that one must break through to the second stage of the warrior phase within a limited period of time.

The one who fails is branded as 'the unqualified' and will be sent back home immediately.

A remarkable sect such as the Stone Crew Sect, the rules above are the teaching and restriction everyone has to abide by.

"The competition will be held next month, but one needs to sign up the day before the competition begins and even encourage the disciple to sign up early. So, one has to break through to the second stage of the warrior phase within twenty-eight days from now, while the remaining three days would be solidifying your condition and then signing up." Dan said in a low voice as he shook his head bitterly.

Knowing his son's condition, twenty-eight days is not enough to break through the second stage of the warrior phase.

Listening to what his father had said, Apolaki looked a bit dejected.

"I heard the Kana had broken through the second stage of the warrior phase. How lucky she is to be able to acquaint an excellent inner disciple who gives her a bottle of elixir to improve her level of cultivation."

Dan, Apolaki's father, is somewhat annoyed when he mentions Kana. In the past, Kan often came to their house. Everyone knows that she likes Apolaki. He and his wife also had a good impression towards Kana. But everything changes since the day they moved to Stone Valle, the jurisdiction of Stone Crew Sect.

"Let's just forget about Kana, father. Might as well focus on myself rather than waste my time thinking about something useless." Apolaki said.

His mother wiped the tears in the corner of her eyes and said softly, "Son, you proved it a few months ago. You are the best in our village. Your father and I are so proud of you. However, if you really cannot break through the second stage of the warrior phase, let's just return to the village in peace. Nothing is more important than your safety."

Apolaki hangs his head limply in despair. It's hard to accept the fact that even with how hard he trained, he still could not get a satisfactory result.

"No, I will fight my way during these remaining days!" Apolaki suddenly shouted. He rushes out the house without looking back.

He didn't even finish his meal.

How could he return to the village? Since he already began his journey towards immortality, he already made up his mind to make a name for himself and stand out in the future. Being admitted into the Stone Crew Sect is a turning point of his life. That's why he cannot let anyone attempt to destroy it.