6. Grades 2

Chapter 6: Grades 2

The ceremonial hall buzzed with anticipation as the gathered crowd watched the spectacle unfold. Each demonstration of talent sparked awe and fervent discussion among the elders and cultivators present. Yet, amidst the growing excitement, Damon sat silently, his demeanor calm and detached. His gaze swept across the dazzling displays of power, but none managed to stir him.

Finally, Damon stood, drawing gasps from the crowd. His movement was so abrupt and fluid that no one had noticed him until he appeared before the grand stage, standing between the two towering bloodline pillars. Whispers erupted as the audience tried to make sense of the boy's sudden prominence.

"Who is he?" an elder muttered. "I feel no spiritual energy from him... and yet, there is something about his presence."

On the stage, Damon appeared unaffected by their curiosity or judgment. At his side stood Emily, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. A faint, protective aura shimmered around her, deflecting the sharp gazes and silent mockery from the crowd.

"Form two lines before the pillars!" bellowed Fendrick, the head elder of the ceremony. His voice, deep and commanding, silenced the murmurs as the participants scrambled to obey.

The first to step forward was the Seventh Prince of the Gale Kingdom. His every move radiated confidence and arrogance as he approached the bloodline pillar. He placed his hand firmly upon its surface, and moments later, a golden light erupted into the sky. The image of a colossal Poison Wyvern materialized above him, its aura ancient and imposing. As the wyvern merged with the prince, the energy radiating from him was palpable.

"Gold Grade!" exclaimed one of the elders, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Such talent hasn't been seen in over a century!"

The crowd roared in approval, their cheers echoing through the hall as the prince returned to his seat, a smirk of pride etched on his face.

But his triumph was short-lived.

A young woman from the Flood Sect approached the pillar, her movements graceful yet resolute. As she touched the pillar, a crimson light surged skyward, accompanied by the emergence of a magnificent Flood Dragon. Its scales shimmered like molten rubies as it descended, enveloping her in its energy.

"Ancestor Grade bloodline!" The words rippled through the crowd, leaving even the most seasoned cultivators in awe.

As the Flood Sect celebrated, the Seventh Prince's smirk faded, replaced by a scowl of frustration.

The procession continued as participants came forward to test their bloodlines. Among them were nine with Blue Grade, twelve with Green Grade, and six with Purple Grade bloodlines. Yet, one figure stood out—a boy with dark, ebony skin named Ogun.

Ogun stepped forward, his demeanor calm but purposeful. As his hand met the pillar, a fiery spectacle unfolded. Twin beams of light, one red and the other gray, shot into the sky, transforming the heavens into a blazing canvas. A colossal deity of fire emerged, hurling a flaming spear that ignited the entire sky before merging with Ogun's body.

The crowd was stunned.

"Such a bloodline... it's unheard of!" gasped an elder, his voice breaking the silence.

Even as the flames subsided, Ogun's power continued to grow. Blue fire flickered from his lips, and for a brief moment, his entire body shimmered with silver light. Before the audience could fully process his display, another eruption of energy occurred.

A cyan beam pierced the heavens, heralding the descent of an Undead Phoenix. The legendary bird descended upon a girl from the Snow Valley sect, bestowing her with the coveted undying body.

The crowd erupted in astonishment. "This generation... it's unlike any we've seen before," murmured an elder.

The final two participants were Pyo and Damon.

Pyo approached the pillar first. As his hand touched its surface, cyan and red lights burst forth, accompanied by the image of a colossal mammoth-like creature. Seated atop its head in a lotus position was a Blood Asura. The mammoth descended, merging with Pyo and imbuing him with unparalleled strength and ferocity.

The Ruthless Buddha Sect erupted into chants of triumph as Pyo returned to his seat. Before sitting, he cast a glance at Damon, his expression a mixture of respect and curiosity.

Now, all eyes were on Damon.

He walked toward the pillar with unhurried steps, his face unreadable. As his hand made contact with the pillar, the world around him shifted.

A voice, deep and ancient, echoed from the void. "You are no ordinary child. What are you?"

Within the darkness, Damon's true form emerged—Akim. His sheer presence overwhelmed the entity, forcing it to expel him from the void.

Back on the stage, the audience gasped as three bolts of lightning tore across the sky.

The first bloodline revealed itself as a Void Dragon of Ancestor Grade. Its crimson glow painted the heavens in a bloody hue. Next came a golden willow tree, its radiant branches washing away the blood-red sky with their luminous light. Finally, a colossal Asura appeared, its three eyes radiating dark energy as it wielded four massive arms.

A black pillar of light engulfed the stage, casting the entire hall into temporary darkness.

"Three bloodlines of such quality... impossible!" an elder exclaimed, his voice trembling with awe.

The spiritual energy coursing through Damon was unlike anything the audience had ever seen. His Heavenly Wheel Eyes opened, their brilliance captivating all who witnessed them.

Yet, Damon remained unsatisfied. He yearned for more—greater challenges, deeper power.

As he turned to leave, Lin Feng's voice cut through the murmurs. "How dare you act proud with your lowly status? You're nothing more than fodder for the royal court!"

Damon paused, his expression unreadable. Without warning, he dashed toward Lin Feng. The latter, startled, drew his sword and slashed at Damon's abdomen. The blade shattered upon contact.

The crowd gasped, stunned that Damon had broken a weapon without releasing any spiritual energy. In one swift motion, Damon severed Lin Feng's hands.

Lin Feng fell to his knees, screaming as blood pooled around him.

A guardian from the Lin family leapt forward, his blade aimed at Damon. But his advance was halted as an invisible force lifted him into the air.

Emily stepped forward, her blade gleaming. With a single strike, she severed the guardian's feet, leaving him screaming in agony before fainting from fear.

The audience recoiled, horrified by the scene unfolding before them.

Lin Feng, trembling and bloodied, begged for mercy. "Please... spare me!"

Damon regarded him coldly. "What is your name?"

"L-Lin Feng," the boy stammered.

Damon smiled faintly before turning away. But before he could leave, a wave of immense pressure descended upon the hall.

"You dare commit such atrocities before us all?" Fendrick roared, his spiritual energy crackling in the air as his fury ignited.

Damon and Emily stood firm, their expressions unyielding even in the face of the elder's wrath. The hall held its breath, waiting for what would come next.