The golden light slowly faded from Akata as he stood there. The disciples thought he looked like a celestial being. Akata then turned around to face the crowd. On his face was a giant smile beaming with satisfaction and self confidence.
Third Elder looked on then nodded his head as if approving. “The tenth rank cabin match has been concluded. Kaminari Akata, the challenger, has defeated Fang Zuwa. Akata Kaminari shall now take the tenth cabin and become the tenth ranked disciple whereas Fang Zuwa is no longer ranked. If anyone wishes to face Akata Kaminari then they must wait a week.”
When someone usually fought over the tenth cabin they would be allowed to recover for five days, but Akata was granted a week for recovery. This gave the disciples even more evidence that Akata was being protected. But then something out of the blue happened.
“That won’t be necessary, I’ll be challenging the ninth cabin right now.”
Not even mentioning the disciples, even Third and Second Elder were astonished. They could tell how much energy Akata had used in his fight and that he had less than half of it left. They also knew he wasn’t good with magic and his last technique left him physically and mentally drained. Especially since it was a technique that was far beyond his current capabilities.
Second Elder was about to voice her thoughts but then stopped when she looked into Akata’s eyes. What she saw was a fighting will that would not falter no matter how tired he was. She smiled wryly and then shook her head. “If that is what he wants then so be it.” She didn’t say this out loud but instead mentally said it to Third Elder.
“Sister are you sure about this? Akata is very much so worn out from the battle he was just in. And the competition only gets tougher as he progresses. I think we should have him rest for a little while before challenging the others.”
“I am sure about this. I know you can see the fighting will emanating from him and also his decisiveness. If he loses then he didn’t have the capabilities to win and must work harder. Yet if he wins then he’ll be that much closer to his goal. I feel it is good for him either way.”
“Even so what if he sustains any injuries from his next battle or even loses control of his magic? Wouldn’t that be a bad thing?”
Third and Second Elder were conversing mentally between each other. Second Elder gave a look of hesitation as she considered her brother's words. Then she nodded.
“The only hard part is trying to get him to agree with recovering for a moment before challenging the ninth cabin.”
“Leave that to me.”
Third Elder then took a step forward and appeared in front of Akata in the blink of an eye. Even though Third and Second Elders conversation seemed long, it was actually really quick. As soon as Akata finished speaking Third Elder was right in front of him. It caught him off guard but then he recovered and immediately bowed.
“Disciple greets Third Elder.”
Third Elder nodded and then spoke out to Akata. He set up a barrier so that they would be the only one’s who could hear what was being said. Of course that didn’t apply to Second Elder though.
“Akata would it not be in your best interest to recover from this battle before challenging the ninth cabin. Why would you rush things?” At first Third Elder was just going to persuade Akata to wait on the match but when he saw the fighting will in his eyes he couldn’t help but be amazed. He then asked the question as to find out why he would want to fight.
“Disciple would like to ask his own question.” Akata was extremely courteous towards Third Elder. Third Elder nodded his head. “In the wild after you have fought a ferocious battle, does nature allow you to rest? I feel that life is just like the wilderness so I must treat my life like I am in the wild. Just because I win one battle and am tired doesn’t mean that I get to take it easy. No, I must work that much harder so that eventually these small battles won’t even have me waste the energy to blink an eyelid. If I rest then that means that my mind, body, and spirit has been defeated, and I will not allow for myself to be defeated. I will continue to win until the day that I choose to voluntarily take it easy. Until that day I will not lose.” Akata’s eyes burned with a fierce passion and desire to fight. His words even caused his red rune to start to rotate.
Third Elder was filled with astonishment. He couldn’t believe the passion and fighting will inside of Akata. He was shocked and struck back by his words and determination. Second Elder was even more astonished. Even though she noticed the fighting will in Akata earlier she couldn’t truly understand his feelings through his eyes alone.
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“No wonder the blood essence rune resonates with him so greatly.” She muttered to herself.
Both Third Elder and Second Elder were left speechless. How could they not let Akata fight this match now? They were suddenly at a loss of what to do to postpone his match. It was then that Third Elder came up with an idea.
“If that is what you wish then so be it. But how about you meditate on your previous battle first though. The truly strong people know how to gain insights from fights and use them to improve themselves. If you truly want to get stronger then this is something you must also follow. I’m pretty sure that you have gained something from your fight with Fang Zuwa, so why don’t you meditate on your strengths and weaknesses to help yourself?”
Akata looked at Third Elder and had a helpless look on his face. He could tell that Third Elder wanted him to rest some. How could he turn down an Elder from his sect? After thinking of it he nodded his head in agreement and clasped hands. “Disciple will follow your lead and meditate on my previous battle with Fang Zuwa.”
Akata didn’t go inside the cabin but instead sat down where he was and closed his eyes to start meditating. Third Elder wasn’t surprised by this, he waved his hand and set up a barrier around him. He turned around and voiced to the crowd.
“Akata will be in meditation. When he emerges he will immediately challenge the ninth cabin. Until that time nobody is to disturb him.” With that Third Elder vanished. Following suit Second Elder gave a laugh and also vanished. The disciples then went into an uproar.
“Akata is now ranked tenth in the sect!”
“He’s way stronger than me, and yet I’ve been training longer than he’s been alive.”
“After he’s done meditating he’s going to challenge the ninth cabin.”
“Does that mean he’s going to try and challenge all the cabins?”
The disciples dispersed and took their conversations with them. News spread throughout the sect like wildfire and soon everyone was talking about Akata. Even the top three ranked disciples were talking about the matter of Akata defeating Fang Zuwa and challenging the rest of the cabins.
Third Cabin
“I can’t believe Akata has the strength to make it into the cabins. I also heard that his body strength alone was enough to overcome Fang Zuwa. Is it true that he’ll challenge all the cabins?” Ming Xu said this is a concerned tone. Her voice quivering with each word she spoke.
“I say let him. At least I’ll have a reason to pummel him into the ground. Besides he’s only a trifling Grade 2. He’ll need more than that to fight me.” Xi Fe spoke with utter confidence and derision. By now the injuries he had sustained from Ming Lu were just about completely healed. “What kind of training did your sister put him through to get him from no cultivation base at all to Grade 2 in only two or so months?” When he said the word sister he had shivers go down his spine.
“I’ve never heard of any kind of training like that. Not even my sister advanced that fast.”
“Xi Fe. Ming Xu. If Akata does make it to your cabins then I want you all to kill him. Right now he is being protected by the sect and if he rises to the top then it will make our plans go less smoothly. Xiun Wu suddenly spoke up after idly listening to the conversation.
“You want us to… kill him?” Xi Fe and Ming Xu both spoke out as Wu Xiun finished speaking. Not to mention if they had the capabilities to kill him, but the punishment that would be involved would be great.
“Yes I do. Not to worry though, if you don’t think you can do it in secret then challenge him to a death match. I’m sure he will accept the conditions considering our history.” Xiun Wu was calm and collected as he spoke. He even spoke with indifference, as if killing somebody in a sect was just like killing a chicken.
Xi Fe and Ming Xu both hesitated for a moment. Xi Fe, after a few breaths worth of time, finally shook his head and agreed. “I’ll follow your lead.” Ming Xu on the other hand was still hesitating on the matter.
“Go back to your cabins and prepare for Akata. I’m sure he will progress through at a fast rate so it won’t be long until you meet him.” Xiun Wu said cooly. His face not giving away any of his inner thoughts.
Ming Xu and Xi Fe both nodded then went to their own cabins.
As they sped off Ming Xu suddenly heard a voice. She stopped and turned around to look this person in the eye with glaring hatred. It was none other her older sister Ming Lu. “Why did you call me?” She said with clenched teeth.
“Whoa whoa whoa there Little Xu Xu, I can’t even say hello to my little sister?” Ming Lu put on a bashful look and seemed as if she might even cry.
Ming Xu continued to look at Ming Lu in a glaring fashion. Eventually Ming Lu gave up the shy face and attitude and put on a bored look. “You’re no fun anymore. I remember when you used to look up to me and admired how I was. You followed everything I did just so you can end up like I would. But now look, you’re following a low-life cultivator from this Mystic Empire. I’m holding myself back just so that you’ll be able to follow me in case you change your mind. Why do you follow someone like Xiun Wu?” Ming Lu was very concerned over her little sister. She cared deeply for her and wouldn’t let anything or anyone wrong her.
“Xiun Wu is a person who will change this empire and eventually rule it. Not only that but the resources and background he has is not simple either. It would be idiocy not to follow him. Our clan may be strong and powerful but right here and now, I believe in Xiun Wu.” Ming Xu spoke proudly and put on a praising demeanor.
Ming Lu looked at Ming Xu closely in a serious manner then shook her head. “I heard about Xiun Wu’s plan to kill Akata. Let me just tell you this, he is being protected by the sect. And judging by how little everyone knows about this sect, killing him could bring disaster. Plus, and most importantly, he is not that simple either. I’ll have you know that if you think that his greatest strength is his physical aptitude then you’re mistaken. His mental capabilities are far more fearsome. To put it simply, nobody below the third cabin is a match for him, including yourself.”
Ming Lu shook her head once more and then turned around to leave. Ming Xu was left standing there thinking of the words she just heard. She suddenly yelled out to her sister. “He’s only at Grade 2! No matter how strong his mental ability or physical ability is, he can’t match up to Xiun Wu!” Ming Xu looked desperate as if trying her best to cover for Xiun Wu.
Ming Lu kept on walking away. Only when she was out of sight did she speak, “Of course he can, he even has the ability to surpass Jiandan Fuza.”
Ming Xu was left standing there with a blank face. She eventually turned around and went straight to her cabin, not making any stops on the way. When she finally got there she sat down cross legged. Her mind was running through many things. Finally she let out a long breath and cleared her mind. “I’ll do it for you.” Then she closed her eyes.