15 - The Ascending Dragon Sect selection (04)

The arena for the ascending dragon sect's outer disciples was huge, a white marble platform that stretched almost five hundred square meters, surrounded by a grandstand large enough to accommodate thousands.

"The last test for joining the Sect will be in individual combats against our outer disciples.

I don't expect you to beat them, but I do expect you to give it your all. The fifty best among you will be chosen," Elder Tian announced, shifting his gaze to the outer disciples who would be testing the recruits.

There were about a hundred of them, and some would have to fight several battles to test all the candidates, but that was of little importance.

One of the outer disciples stepped forward, handing over a small booklet in which all the recruits wrote their names.

When everyone had finished, a space was opened up for battle.

"Hua Feiyan," the elder called out, and the bronzed beauty stepped forward. A disciple of similar cultivation stood in front of her.

"Please... be gentle with me, senior..." she spoke, her voice seductive and drawling as she gave an arch salute. Her cleavage opened even further, revealing the abundance of her full breasts, the mountains of soft flesh threatening to escape from the fabric.

The disciple froze. His eyes fixed on Feiyan's torso, barely hearing Elder Tian's order.

"Begin!"

A wicked smile appeared on Feiyan's face as she moved, her earthy aura tearing through the air towards his chest.

"Shit!" The disciple barely managed to parry the first blow, Feiyan's fist landing on his unprotected arm with a loud thud.

He felt his bones tremble and almost break under the impact. When he finally managed to circulate his Qi and defend his body, it was too late.

Feiyan's fist hit his face, causing his nose to explode in blood as he fell backwards.

"This is cheating!" He roared, his eyes focusing on Elder Tian.

The elder just shook his head. He didn't approve of what Feiyan had done, but he also needed to judge her fairly.

"In a real battle, a cultivator must use all his resources, even if they are... inadequate," the elder paused, his wrinkled expression showing disapproval. "Use this duel as an apprenticeship to reflect on your mistakes."

"I will learn, Elder Tian."

The disciple was not happy, but just bowed his head.

Elder Tian wouldn't kill him like he did that random commoner who was turned down, but being on his bad side would probably condemn him to something far worse than death.

The next tests after Feiyan were of little interest.

Recruits and mediocre disciples engaged in almost endless exchanges of blows until Elder Tian intervened or the recruit lost through exhaustion.

"It's not even worth watching..." Qingyi said, closing his eyes and circulating his Qi. His attention was only caught when Tianming's name echoed through the arena.

The young master of the Xu family walked forward, his silver robes with his family's symbol fluttering in the wind.

Grabbing the blade at his waist, he drew it with one fluid movement, the sword Qi dancing like luminous serpents around the sharp edge.

"Come," he said contemptuously to the disciple who would test him, a burly young man of modest appearance.

Looking away, Tianming made sure that Feiyan was still watching him. He would show her how a real man fights.

"Begin!"

The moment the elder's voice echoed, two powerful auras at the Qi Refinement Realm exploded.

The disciple was a fire cultivator; using a large axe, he roared as he swung it towards Tianming.

The young master turned his body elegantly, his blade striking his opponent's with a metallic clang. They both took several steps back before facing each other again.

With each impact of their weapons, the air around them was swept away, the pressure of their cultivations making some weaker recruits instinctively retreat.

"You're good!" The disciple roared, dragging his axe on the ground with a loud noise. His flaming Qi flowed through the wooden handle, reaching the blackened blade and igniting it in an explosive blaze.

"I can't say the same for you!" Young Master Tianming was not intimidated. The sword's Qi glowed brighter than ever as he advanced.

A deafening bang echoed as their weapons met, the ground shaking slightly. Tianming had his teeth clenched, his muscles tensed to the limit as he pushed himself forward.

"Give way!" He ordered, his Qi exploding and throwing the outer disciple backwards. His body collapsed onto the ground with a thud; he tried to get up, but shuddered, coughing up a trickle of blood.

Exhausted, Tianming fell to his knees and glanced in Feiyan's direction, studying the young woman's face for admiration.

'Have you seen how a real man fights? Swallow your foolish pride and agree to be my concubine!'

He repeated in his mind, his face filling with contempt as he looked at Qingyi. He was sure that pretty face would never be able to fight like him, a true warrior.

"That was a great demonstration, young master Xu, you'll certainly reach great heights," Elder Tian praised him, but received nothing but a dissatisfied grunt as Tianming returned to his original position, staring at Feiyan like a dog in heat.

'Ah... a hopeless case,' the old man sighed, but this was no time for such thoughts. Then he called out the next name.

"Long Qingyi, come forward."

Qingyi calmly walked forward, the thundercloud sword coming out of its scabbard with a sharp hiss.

The lightning sword's aura danced tenuously around it, tiny electric threads spilling out onto the ground.

The disciple he would be fighting was also a sword user, a man of medium height and an ordinary face.

His spiritual root was wind, his clothes fluttering as he swung his sword around himself and the wind Qi spread through his body.

"Be careful, junior, I won't take it easy on you." The disciple grinned.

"Please instruct me well, senior!" Qingyi gave a formal bow, his voice calm and humble, interrupted by Elder Tian's order.

"Begin!"