Emperor's Reckoning

The last test of the Ascension was what the crowd was waiting for. The two test from before could be said just a show for everyone to see, but the last one was where they would see blood, sweat, and tears. The true potential of the disciples shall be uprooted.

Some of the crowd were new and not familiar with the last test of the 'Ascension', especially seeing the locals excited. One young man couldn't help but ask, "Hey brother isn't the last test kind of vague? I mean the outcome will be entirely judged by the elder and the head of the Mist Clan."

The excited person happily answered the lost lamb, "Brother, it is not about the outcome, the test your about to see is one of a kind." Taking a deep breath the person continued, "You will see our disciples exert their utmost and deepest potential, and what else is there than a life and death situation."

The young man got confused and ask, "But the clan prohibits killing right?".

But his confusion was soon answered by the excited person, "True, but if the disciples consider this a friendly match, then they would one hundred percent fail the last test. Only on a life and death situation would one gave it all. So you better open your eyes wide brother, no disciples shall let this opportunity go easily."

Suddenly a sudden cry caught the crowd attention, "Look it's the disciples from the Central Region,"

Walking from the north gate of the arena right under the elder's panel were three powerful figures.

The left figure wearing a blue robe was a burly bald man that looked the oldest and the biggest of the three. He had a staff made of Celestial Wood that was almost impossible to break by normal means. His name was Geffen Manis the current number three disciple in the Central Region.

The right figure of the trio was a man wearing a glasses in a dark cloak. But many of his opponents were fooled when the thought he was a spell caster. Right under the cloak was a weapon nobody would expect, a morning star. His name was Feiran Gua, the current number two disciple in the Central Region.

The one leading the other two was a thin young man wearing a green robe while holding a pair of chakrams. His handsome face had a scar under his right eye exuding a fearsome charisma. His name was Vindre Lars the current number one disciple in the Central Region.

"Look its Feiran Gua, I still wonder how he covered that morning star under that cloak and short body of his," said an onlooker.

"After all this years the Celestial Wood staff didn't even scratch," said another.

But most of the attention fell onto Vindre Lars, the current number one disciple in the Central. There were rumors surrounding him that he rejected the offer from the head of the clan about becoming one of the elders. Nobody knew what was his goal after entering the Central Region.

"Oh? There seem to be a lot of talented young ones this Ascension," said Geffen.

"Yeah but it will probably less than five people gonna make it, right Vindre?" asked Feiran.

Vindre didn't respond to Feiran's question as he seemed uninterested in the Ascension. After all, this was the test to uproot the potential of the disciples and not his. A match with him probably ended in less than five moves.

The head of the clan was finally back on her seat after a while. She did not waste any more time as she declared the last test to commence, "It is time for the last test to begin."

The crowd was ecstatic, there were cheerings in every corner of the seat.

"Ryona, do you think your disciple can make it?" asked Lyon while yawning.

"Of course she can, I am her master after all," chuckled Ryona.

"Oh I'm getting sleepy," said Lyon trying to get up.

*grab.

An insurmountable strength was pulling him down on the same heavenly cushion once more.

"You can sleep on my lap hubby <3"

(Ah, I have a feeling she will rape me one day, BUT I don't mind though!) thought Lyon.

*ehem

"From this moment, we will not call up your names anymore, instead those who feel ready to battle just step on the ring," said an elder in the panel.

Most of the disciples didn't aware that the test already began, the more they doubt themselves the more negative the elders had their opinions of them. They looked at each other as they could feel each other's nervousness. The last step was within their grasp, however, fear caught up to them. The fear of getting beaten to a pulp, the fear of oozing blood was running in their mind.

Although they were all cultivators who were familiar with death, 'pain' was something else entirely. This was the difference between true cultivators and cultivators you found on the street. How far would one endure, how many tears would one shed, it was not the beads that made cultivators strong, it was not winning that made cultivators grow. It was pain and failure!

*swoosh

Three figures jumped at the same time, catching all the eyes in the arena. Seeing the three figures were all beautiful women, the men disciples had their face turned red in embarrassment.

The three beautiful women were none other than Biane, Clemora and of course Riku. Their unwavering eyes and superb will was presented in front of everyone in the arena. They stood there like valkyries ready to fight the demons from the deepest hell.

"I must say, those three probably the cream of the crops this Ascension," said Geffen.

"I detect no fear in their stance, not even a shaking hands," smiled Feiran.

"Interesting," the silent Vindre finally said something before he jumped on his own on the arena facing the three of them.

As the other two was about to follow him, Vindre glanced and said, "Stand back.". Just two simple word yet the two didn't dare to disobey.

The three girls could feel the pressure the Vindre exuded, they readied themselves as they about to face probably the strongest opponent yet.