(Author: Hello. The fourth trial has passed and now Agemo moves on to the final trial. One hundred and five people have also passed. However, only thirty two, of both mages and Practitioners, will be allowed to participate. Agemo enters a rare encounter with a Practitioner with the lightning element and realizes why such a powerful element is rare and reserved for the third stage. Think of the third stage as the beginning of a metamorphosis. You begin learning the Archon or true Archon technique. There are numerous Archon techniques, but only seventeen are true Archon techniques with four of them not requiring a spirit reactor. Today's lesson: power does what power wants. Well, enjoy.)

--------------Chapter 17: Steel Armor Basilisk-----------------

"Congratulations. You did well with those people," Meng Ce approved as they returned to their room. "No doubt, many people will seek vengeance against the Blood Vein Sect. However, don't think such a large ambush, like a landslide, can stop someone at the third stage."

"Yes, master. I underestimated the amount of control an Archon had over his element. He used the lightning to amplify his spirit techniques. It was probably already a thunder technique, but he converted the spirit energy around him into lightning to reinforce the output," Agemo said. "I got rid of the others as planned."

"Yes, you did," Meng Ce agreed. "However, you let him utilize his power. An Archon at the third stage of Spirit Shaman cultivation is not able to manipulate his spirit energy so easily. Like the guy with the flames from the first trial, they likely used forbidden methods to amplify their powers. He displayed way too much power. No doubt he absorbed the life force of his victims to forcibly increase his spirit force, the power of his spirit energy. When you absorb his Practitioner weapon, there might be a change. However, there is always only a chance. That Hyperion sword, the Retribution whatever it was, barely had any effect. His might as the owner was more human. Always be picky when absorbing weapons. Never underestimate a person's desperation in a fight to the death. He just might use a method to increase his power drastically for a price."

"So there are such methods too. Interesting," Agemo nodded as he thought of how powerful that lightning bolt during Balmus's suicide attack.

"Anyway, I see that you have reached the peak of Spirit Shaman second stage. In the entire world, you could be considered among the low tiers of geniuses. Now, you must begin the true Archon body training. The Eclipse Indestructible Body has already become one with your skin and the white energy no longer appears, right?" Meng Ce smiled.

"That's....true. it didn't appear to block that Balmus's sword but he still couldn't cut me," Agemo realized.

"Yes. Although, most people believe regenerative abilities is superior and most geniuses do have some methods to increase their regeneration," Meng Ce laughed. "Anyway, what you learned was a breathing technique. It was only meant to protect your body as you begin cultivating. Now it is time to learn a real body technique. You will soon walk the true path of a Practitioner. There are seventeen true Archon body techniques. Like I said before, thirteen of them require a spirit reactor. The other four that don't are near impossible to cultivate. Thus, the ancient clans respect and don't force those disciples to marry into their clans. Take your time choosing among them. Once you reach the third stage, most of the impurities in your body will disappear. The more elements you have, the weaker elemental manipulation and manifestation abilities you have. Those two were purely fire and lightning Practitioners. At least, you can finally be able to fight mages on equal grounds. When you make a breakthrough on the true Archon method, you will also break the bottleneck to the third stage as you have set the foundation to become a true Archon."

"Yes, master," Agemo said and laid all seventeen books in front of him.

He pushed the four manuals out and gave them back to Meng Ce. He had a spirit reactor and he would be a fool not to utilize its true benefits besides expanding his spirit energy capacities and spirit force. He opened the first page to look at the brief description and warning. After considering them, he returned all but seven that remained. He thought about the vermillion energy and decided that he should use a method that consisted of more than one energy force inside the body. That left just four left.

The first was the body technique called [Heaven and Earth Calamity]. Death energy was not meant to be present in the living. One had to kill a souls and forcibly absorb all their death energy. The Practitioner would face incredible pain as he uses the death energy as a fuel source to enhance his spirit reactor. The reactor combines the spirit energy and the death energy into one and the Practitioner ascends from Mortal lifespans. This method was popular by the ancient clans as it did not extend the lifespan but increased it indefinitely. Time no longer mattered.

"Whoa. No wonder the ancient clans fight the Hyperion so much. They do so to absorb their death energy to become immortal from time. However, I don't want to reach the third stage through such an inhumane method," Agemo sighed. "I can kill if I have to, but I'd rather not. It might become the only thing I know. The more you kill, the more you become numb to it. Eventually, you become a heartless killing machine. That Balmus guy and the rest of the Blood Vein Sect might choose a similar method for a regular Archon body technique. Perhaps he already did as he was at the third stage."

Agemo took out the sword of Balmus from the storage bag. He didn't take any of the storage bags from those Blood Vein Sect members as he already had enough from the second trial. He laid the sword against Rain Slayer and the sword entered the blade. Rain Slayer shined and the cerulean and black blade became vermillion. Puzzled, Agemo realized the vermillion energy was the source. It made sense though as the Practitioner weapon is linked to the owner's soul. As for the changes caused by Balmus's sword, there were none. Agemo sighed with disappointment and put Rain Slayer in its sheath and tossed it onto his bed as he returned to the manuals.

He skimmed through the second and third manuals and tossed them aside. One had a more specific requirement of dual spirits with both of them being weapon spirits. The other one required the ability to learn all the elements. However, his first spirit was a beast spirit. Thus, even though he knew he had an armor spirit, there were already elements he could not learn due to the influence of the first spirit. It was called [Nature Devil] was a body technique that utilized all eight elements in harmony. It allowed the Practitioner to transform the spirit reactor into eight smaller reactors in an eight-point octagonal formation with the spirit or spirits at the center.

"I could pick some of the ones I tossed aside, but I would not be able to cultivate both types of energy in my body. The vermillion energy actually devoured the death energy as if it were sustenance. What a violent spirit energy," Agemo sighed as he stared into his soul lake and gazed upon the vermillion spirit energy outline of the fanged beast mask before staring at the last manual and began reading.

The white leather manual contained the [Titan Creator] body technique. It required the Practitioner to have a spirit reactor. The Practitioner would be able to absorb the actual life force of the planet. The planets and universes is said to have molded by Creator Gods. The Creator God of their own planet was a Scorpion Titan as it died. Its soul became the core of the planet. Its blood became the magma and lava. Its tears became the oceans and its exoskeleton became the land and mountains.

Each of the thirteen true Archon body techniques that require a spirit reactor are inspired by the Creator Gods. However, this technique allows the Practitioner to become one with the world. Upon awakening and forming the true Archon body, a large, black tribal tattoo in the shape of a scorpion will appear on the person's back. It is a Creator tattoo, the tattoo that identifies the true Archon body technique. You, who wish to practice this manual, beware. Your body will form a cocoon and a new body will be born.

"Oh? You picked that technique?" Meng Ce said as he looked at Agemo. "It's not bad. A tattoo though. I guess true Archon bodies are different. I studied the [Golden Earth] body technique, the cultivation method used solely by Golden Earth Fiend demons and those of their lineage. Most of our Lu Clan Practitioners used this technique as it is nearly as good as a true Archon body technique.

"Do I practice it now?" Agemo asked.

"No. It is not safe here, seeing as this description says you form a cocoon. Besides, absorbing the very life force of the planet draws too much attention. We must be in isolation somewhere before you practice it. Among the seventeen true Archon body techniques, that is officially recognized as the fourth strongest. Of course, the Practitioner makes the technique. In the end, you must depend on insights and your own hard work to succeed," Meng Ce said as he collected the other books. "Our journey really did wonders for you. If you truly transform, people would not care if you had horns or wings by then."

"Huh? Why?" Agemo asked.

"There are all kinds of Archon techniques. Some of them give physical changes. Although, I suspect your changes will be vermillion wings, like that of your necklace and the ones around your spirit reactor. That vermillion energy originates from a divine weapon. It even devoured the death energy in your body. I suppose it is a good thing," Meng Ce shrugged. "When we return, right before you become thirteen, we must get you into an academy. There are some people who have spirit reactors who live outside the allied nations to the ancient clans. They also go to academies. It would be best to make friends with such people as you both have the potential to be the best among Practitioners."

"Does my dad know I have a spirit reactor?" Agemo asked.

"Yes, I reported it to him after the second trial. He is sure to make various inquiries for which academy to enter. Academies don't require loyalty upon graduation, but contain many opportunities to form connections. Ultimately, everything is for the glory of the Lu Clan. You can never trust others as much as your own clan," Meng Ce said. "Tomorrow is the last trial. Rest now. Your next step has been decided. Now we just need the rewards, whatever the tournament gives you, and continue our journey."

"Yes, master," Agemo said and put the manual and Rain Slayer in his storage bag before going to sleep.

The next day, Agemo and the remaining participants stood on the stage in the center of the stadium for the first time. All one hundred and five of them looked around and noticed the stadium had a full house. It was finally time for the final trial. Bakura waved over at Agemo as he and the other recruits of Golden Wyvern Academy appeared.

"Heard anything from your Elder Wu?" Agemo asked them.

"No. The guards were more tight lipped in the bars last night. Last few years, the final trial was a battle royale. However, I think they are changing the rules of the tournament and go along based on the number of people passing. Seeing as the numbers are too low, and the fact that the last trial is always the most dangerous, I think the tournament is gonna turn from top sixty four with six rounds to the top eight with three rounds."

"That bad?" Kairi asked.

"The fifth trial is usually more bloody and violent than the tournament itself, unless it is a rather merciless contestant," Karen agreed. "We need to watch our backs. Look at the stadium. They have an elemental barrier up. They never have those up unless it has magical beasts involved in the tournament. However, they are usually reserved for the higher level tournaments. I don't like this. That Spirit Master is toying with our lives."

"Keep it down. We can't offend the likes of him," Jasper whispered. "Let's just stay alert and see what comes out of that cage door over there."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Spirit Master Julio. I will be the proctor of the trials. As you all know, twenty one parties made it, one hundred and five kids in total. Today is the trial to end it all. The trial ends when they kill our very special guest: a magical beast of the beginning of the fourth stage!," Julio shouted, the crowd cheering while the participants turn white with fear. "That's right, the fourth stage. As you know, all races are temporarily weakened when breaking a bottleneck and a short time after. They have a shot in killing it. Most will die, but I am planning on keeping only eight people for the tournament. I'll mash up all the rewards together and have allotted them accordingly. Upon reaching the top eight, you automatically receive ten thousand spirit pills or five rank D mana crystals. How about that folks?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"What kind of magical beast is it?" a man cried while others also asked the same question.

"Glad you are all anticipating it. You see, there are over a hundred of them. Therefore, it should be a magical beast of exceptional quality. Thus, I picked a Steel Armor Basilisk, a thousand foot long basilisk with scales as hard as steel and eyes that petrify upon gazing within five feet," Julio laughed, silencing the crowd. "Oh, come now? I'm a Spirit Master. I want to hear some cheering. Yay! Yay!"

The crowd pretended to cheer as their expressions darkened. Most of the people were going to die. There was no question. Agemo looked around in confusion as many participants started cursing silently while others began to tremble with fear.

"Is he trying to kill us?" Bakura roared. "I haven't even hatched my phoenix egg cuz Elder Wu said not to."

"Kind of a good idea right now," Jasper said. "Whatever happens, we cannot allow ourselves to be trapped among the crowd as it enters the stadium. It can literally crush us to death if it doesn't turn us into to stone first."

"Too many people not from our country. Can't have that. No. Ladies and gentlemen, let the final trial begin!" Julio roared as a large, black cage opened.

Three seconds passed after the cage fully opened before it came out. A large snake over a thousand feet long with shining gold eyes and scales as white as snow with a steel grey pattern over its body. It swirled around the platform before pulling its body back, high in the sky as its head looked down on them. Then the slaughter began.

It was like a huge, twisting battering ram. Its body moved in a curved, zigzag pattern as it rushed toward the participants. Stone literally flew into the air as unfortunate people looked back as they ran, petrified into stone as they got within range. The basilisk only got angrier as it couldn't swallow any flesh. It would trap some Practitioners and finally squeezed some of them into pulp, smacking its lips with its forked tongue as it swallowed them, flesh, robe, ground, and all.

Some tried fighting it, but the basilisk moved too fast for any complex spells to be finished. It somehow knew who were mages and targeted them first. Jasper realized it and yelled at Karen and the others. They pulled Agemo to them and they stood in a five star point formation. Pulling out the flags Elder Wu gave them in the restaurant, they planted them into the ground, forming a large, star shaped barrier ten feet in front of the flags and shaped into a dome twenty feet above them.

"Oh gods. I am so glad Elder Wu went to the auction now. I thought we would have to use them in the forest, not a fucking fourth stage magical beast. What the hell is its rank anyway?" Bakura cursed.

"Seeing as it has an innate ability, probably a third rank as it has a very small range," Kairi answered. "According to the books, its weak point is the inside of its mouth and the eyes. It digests anything in its stomach within a five minute time span."

"So either go pro and stab it when it tries to swallow someone or aim for the eyes," Bakura nodded. "Okay sounds good."

"We got a problem though. You can leave the formation, but you can't go back in," Jasper said. "All spirit attacks also cannot leave the barrier or enter it."

"What about arrows?" Agemo asked. "I don't think it is strong enough to enter the barrier as it is weakened. Oh, I also have itching powder."

"What the hell while that do?" Bakura shouted incredulously.

"It doesn't have any dexterities so it can't scratch itself. I also have paralysis powder, sleeping powder, and other stuff. Most I got from Seto's Marvels while others were from the storage bags," Agemo answered.

"You can shoot them out but not in. It'll work. I don't know about the powder but keep it handy. Karen can also cast magic outside, but she cast any within the barrier," Jasper nodded. "As Bakura, Kairi, and I don't have any long range weapons or abilities without relying on spirit energy, we will be the ones holding the formation array up with our spirit energy."

"Let's do it!" Karen agreed.

Kairi, Bakura, and Jasper all sat in lotus position as they focused their spirit energy into the flags to keep the barrier up. Agemo took out his quiver and put it on his right hip as he held a silver bow in his left hand. Even though he was primarily left handed, he was ambidextrous so either hand worked.

The formation shuddered as the basilisk crashed into it. It gazed on their eyes, but the formation barrier blocked the petrification, but the eyes were still unnerving. Bakura laughed at it and flicked it off with a middle finger. The basilisk bellowed a loud hiss and kept slamming its tail at them to no avail. Meanwhile, Agemo took the chance to throw itching powder at it. The basilisk slithered back and could only move irregularly as it had no way to stop the discomfort.

"What the fuck?" Bakura scoffed with shock.

"Sometimes you just buy whatever works and it just might save you," Agemo shrugged. "It's an old tactic, but it's still made and sold for a reason. The sleeping powder probably won't do any good with so much rage and hate in its eyes."

Other Practitioners saw how their formation barrier held and made formation barriers of their own. Mages sticked together and cast overlaying barrier magic to strengthen the durability while sharing the mana cost. The basilisk remained in the center of the platform as all its prey were either protected, stone, or eaten. The fight was at a stand still but the participants knew they had to kill it for the nightmare to end.

Time went on and some couldn't hold up their formation or barrier magic. The basilisk wasted no time when it saw a formation array or magical barrier weaken and repeatedly beat on it until it broke. Kairi and Karen looked away as people started dying again.

"We can't hold forever," Jasper said as they ate spirit pills to recover their spirit energy. "How goes the arrows and magic assault?"

"I can't get a clear shot to the eye and the basilisk no longer draws near since I used the itching powder," Agemo answered.

"He moves too fast for my intermediate magic to hit and the novice magic can't penetrate its scales," Karen agreed.

"How about using a wide area spell? Can you use any spells that can wipe out a whole area?" Agemo asked.

"I know a lightning spell called Lightning Terror. It should be strong enough to break its scales and kill it, but it moves too fast," Karen nodded.

"Okay. It'll do, You primarily use earth magic right? Can you make a message on the ground to the other mages to make the platform wet or make mud on it? The liquidity should make the lightning more lethal," Agemo asked as he gave her some mana stones.

"You got these from the storage bags," Karen realized as he wasn't a mage. "I think so. I'll have to cast several small earth spikes to make the message."

The mages got the message and the platform soon became covered with mud and water. The basilisk continued its slaughter and soon barely over a dozen participants left. Karen had spent the whole time chanting and was almost finished with her spell. Kairi and Bakura had run out of spirit pills and energy so Agemo replaced them.

"Hurry!" Kairi shouted as another formation fell and death cries sound in the air.

"....I, Karen, call upon thee to gather in the skies. Strike my foe with your holy might and remind them to fear Heaven's Will. Lighting Terror!" Karen screamed.

The sky got dark as numerous clouds gathered in the sky. A large, blue thunderbolt rained down from the heavens and struck the Basilisk as it fed on another group of participants. It screamed as its wet scales conducted electricity as the thunderbolt hit its body. The lightning followd the water and mud on the ground and penetrated its body further. Its scales became black and some turned to ash as it fell on the ground. The ground shook as the light in the basilisks eyes faded.

"And nine survived," Julio noted and killed one of the people who did nothing in his eyes. "That's better. An even eight. Just how I like it. Didn't expect it to take so long or for it to die that way. Did I overestimate them? It's been centuries since I've been a Spirit Shaman. Are they really so weak? Maybe my sister should have been in charge."

"You think?" the crowd thought as they stared at the aftermath of the trial.

"Well, due to the unfortunate events of the fifth trial, it took a little longer than expected. However, the survival rate was in expected parameters. Forget that ninth coward," Julio waved. "Congratulations! The eight of you are now participants of the main tournament! Well done."

"Julio!" a voice boomed, causing everyone to cover their ears as Julio stared at the direction of the palace.

"Ah, crap. Brother-in-law is upset. Well, tournament has been changed. You are all winners of this year's rookie tournament. I'll let the king, my brother-in-law, handle it from here. Marcus, good job protecting my niece. You too, Eric I believe. Juliet, help uncle out and try to appease your dad. I'm off," Julio bowed with a wave of his hand and vanished into a beam of light.

"I hate Spirit Masters," Bakura spat.

"My dad's one," Agemo said aside as Karen went to retrieve the demonic core.

"My bad. You know I meant that asshole. He treated our lives as toys and ran away when things went south. Is the king also a Spirit Master?" Bakura asked as Juliet, Eric, and Marcus went over to them.

"No. My father is just a Spirit Knight. My mom is definitely as strong as uncle, but she is my grandpa's favorite. He's a Spirit Sage," Juliet answered. "On behalf of the kingdom, I'm sorry such an unfit proctor oversaw the tournament. Don't worry, you will be awarded accordingly and more. The families will be given ten thousand coins, but it's only a small comfort I'm afraid."

"Agemo, are you alright?" Meng Ce asked as he appeared before them in a flash and turned to face Juliet.

"You better not harm Princess Juliet," Marcus said as his sword trembled at Meng Ce. "She is the daughter of the king."

"Her imperial uncle just toyed with the life of Prince Shu of the Lu Clan and second prince of the Yan Empire," Meng Ce snarled as they stared at Agemo in shock as the spies the emperor sent revealed themselves, the captain at the strength of a Spirit Master.

"You're a prince?" Bakura gasped.

"I thought so," Jasper said. "You held the airs of someone of noble birth, but I didn't expect how noble."

"How'd you all get here?" Agemo asked the spies.

"His Imperial Majesty sent us here after receiving a report from General Meng Ce. It is not hard at all to come here. We used the giant teleportation circles sent at our respective national embassies, Prince Shu," the leader bowed. "We arrived yesterday while you were still in the hunting grounds."

"I'll take you to my father," Juliet agreed and the Royal Guards at the stadium politely escorted the participants, and Agemo's entourage of spies and Meng Ce, to the palace.

The public went wild as the news spread of Julio's antics. Many people were angry and afraid as they realized the power of a Spirit Master. No one dared go find him in revenge and the families received the gold and left the capital in a hurry. No doubt, Julio made a lot of enemies, but very few had the connections to pursue their revenge. Juliet took them to the large royal palace where they met the king.

Meng Ce wasted no time and Agemo was quickly given his reward as Meng Ce took him out of Korgar without bothering to stay at the palace overnight out of manners. The spies remained as they began to enter political talks with the nervous king and outraged sister.

"That went well," Agemo sighed as he entered they entered the road and left Kasara after a week. "The king was very generous to give a million spirit pills."

"He knows we can wipe out several towns with all the Practitioners we have at our command," Meng Ce nodded darkly. "We can't kill him and Julio is nowhere to be seen. Your father will, no doubt, have people sent to kill Julio. He isn't the king so no worries."

"Where are we going now?" Agemo asked.

"You'll see. It's isolated from the world and very few people know of its existence. You'll spend the rest of your time there," Meng Ce answered. "Although it ended in a crazy manner, most tournaments are not as out-of-hand as the one you joined. When we return, you might even join the Lu Clan competition and face your other clan members from the sub branches of the clan."

"I see. I would have liked to say goodbye and eat their lavish food, but I was also angry for having my life toyed with. I wonder where we're going.  hope it's interesting," Agemo thought and followed Meng Ce as he admired his surroundings.