147. Destination Unknown
(All recruits, please proceed to Reception Hall 9.)
(All recruits, please proceed to Reception Hall 9.)
Clay is listening to broadcast as he follows a group of six Elven cultivators. Like him, he came from the same transport spaceship and had arrived after a day of interstellar travel. Just when he thought their destination is a “hotspot planet” where Heavenly Qi naturally exists, he was disappointed that they were transferred to a much bigger ship.
After two minutes of walking, they finally arrived on spacious hall.
“Wow!”
When he was teleported on the floating space satellite yesterday, he did not have time to appreciate the beauty of being in space but today, Clay can’t help but exclaimed as he stepped inside the reception hall. Similar to that feeling when one is looking through a window from a towering building, it has the same breathtaking experience as he could see a gigantic planet outside the ship.
“Alright! Now that everyone’s present we can finally start.”
Clay turned towards the man on the stage. Even if that person has not released his aura, one look and he could tell he is an Ascendant.
“Mmrrrggghh! Ok. My name is Rafal. I’m the captain of this ship and today marks your official first day of being a cadet. The fact that you’re here means you have the qualifications.”
The speaker pause then continued again. “ Unfortunately, having the qualifications is not enough. You need to prove your worth and show your talents. I’m sure the last thing you want to hear is some useless blabber about how generous the Federation is to the talented so without further ado, congratulations on your first day.”
*Clap!
*Clap!
*Clap!
Clay clapped his hands after speaker welcomed and congratulated everyone however after his fifth clap, he immediately realized something was off as everyone was gazing at him.
“Really?” Clay cursed inwardly as he was the only one clapping his hands disrupting the captain.
“Don’t worry young man. You’re not the first human to have become a comedian. Mmrrrggghh..” The captain cleared his throat again then continued. “As part of the welcoming ceremony, I’d like to remind everyone how important status is and while there are many ways to achieve them, the easiest way is the initiation during your first day. As you all can see, we are orbiting an Evolving Class Planet and you only have one simple mission.”
The captain clicked his fingers and a screen projection shined behind him revealing a picture of two dark bluish white crystals and beside them are respective images of two magical beasts.
“Take a closer look as these crystals can only be produced by these two monsters. One of them is a Primordial Octapedde and the other is a Grade 3 Goblin.”
(How unlucky we did not get a mission.)
(I know. The previous test was even a tournament.)
(How come they’re changing the initiation all of a sudden?)
(The death rate there is at least 90 percent.)
This time, Clay heard murmurs. He exhaled in relief as their attention was suddenly shifted from his awkward clap a few seconds ago. Although, he is curious as this is the first time he is able to meet different races. At least two thirds of the 200 recruits are Elvens and the rest still have humanoid features but the colors of their skins are different. Some have furs, greenish fish-like scales, bat-like wings and the most distinctive one is the two and a half meter tall cultivator with two small horns protruding on his head.
The other thing that surprised him is that when he activated his Godly Eyes, almost everyone around is at least a Nascent level and are all Half-Step Dao cultivators. Without Dao Comprehension as factor of skills, he is the weakest.
Just how talented a human must be to compete with other races?
In truth, the Ascendant from Norkita Family is only a Half-Elven and comparing it to the High-Elf Captain and his subordinates is like comparing a donkey to a tiger.
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To say that all cultivators are made equal is truly a joke. A normal human has a single dantian and around 99 Qi Nodes yet these species of cultivators around him now has twice and three times that cultivation capacity. There are Bloodlined-Humans but even their Qi Nodes cannot even compare to these people.
But what intrigues him is the fact that all of them are Half-Step Dao cultivators. He thought and had expected that he will be thrown in a den teeming with 1ST or maybe even 2ND Phase Dao cultivators yet it seem that no one would be able to put up a fight with him even if he retrain his power to 1ST Phase.
“I know what you all are thinking but you see, there had been some rumors lately that the elites within our ranks have become weaker and useless so the Federation has implemented the old traditions. Anyway, for those who are interested, let me go over a few rules.
Surrender all your weapons and all spatial storages devices. No exceptions as they are grounds for disqualification. We will provide you weapons and basic armors which you can pick and take for as many as you want.
Now for the rewards, survive for ten days grants you F-Status, E-Status for 30 days then D-Status for three months. As for C-Status, they are awarded to anyone who have stayed and survived for one year duration of the initiation. As for B-Status, you need at least 1 crystal from a Goblin regardless of time, then 2 for A-Status. Rank S-Status is awarded to anyone who can obtain a crystal core of an Octapedde.
Remember that this is optional and you have an hour to make this decision. Dismissed!”
(Do they even know that surviving for a day down there is already a miracle?)
(I know, right. Not even a Quantum Railgun. Look at those weapons. Can you even kill a Terra-Bettle with that?)
(With the size of this planet, meeting a spatial tear outburst two times in a month is already low. I don’t want to dies on my first day.)
(Looks like we are really unlucky this time.)
Murmurs could be heard across the hall when someone suddenly released his aura to get everyone’s attention.
“My name is Brutus. I greet these fellow cadets.” While everyone was expressing their dissatisfaction, someone spoke within the crowd surprising the everyone with an Earth Type Dao.
“As you can see, my race is that of Ubrutu. I can fight head on with a Grade 3 Goblin but it is a different story if I have company. This test is not meant as an individual test but as a team. While I am open to have companions, I must say now that my objective is killing a Primordial Octapedde. The last thing I need is liability. Come closer and we’ll form a plan.”
“And here I thought I’ll go down alone.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Count me in.”
“Me too. Count me in.”
Clay looked at the cultivator who initiated an invite. He wanted to respond but he suddenly remembered the piece of advice given to him by the unknown human in combat suit who picked him up. As someone belonging to an inferior race, it would be a great disrespect even if he volunteers as their bagger. It is indeed safer to just stay silent until they get to their actual destination.
However, he just had a look of the beasts they need to hunt especially the Primordial Octapedde. It looks like another version of the Space Beasts he killed 100 thousand years ago within Demon Continent of A’U planet. As for Goblins, the images are more like of Ogres with tails. If there is something different, it is the color of their crystals. The fact that they are bluish white means is harnessed from the combination of Spiritual Qi and Mana which means they can exert a boosted power rivaling his 2ND or 3RD Boosted Power from when he was a transformed beast.
While everyone is busy complaining or forming a team, Clay slowly approached and entered one of the booths. He still does not know what Statuses are for but if someone needs to risk his life for it, then it must come with great perks. If he did not have an Ascendant as his enemy, he is quite fine working his way up but he does not know if the Norkita Family has connections and may use it to get back at him. Now is not the time to hide his capability.
“Entering alone as a Core Formation practitioner, do I need to remind you what kind of monsters are down there?”
As soon as Clay stepped inside, a middle-aged Elven with a strength of Rank 1 Ascendant greeted him. The room has no decorations but on both sides are assorted weapons like swords, spears, shields, and axes.
“I thank this senior for his concern but I probably die once we get to our destination. I may as well die down there and who knows what luck would bring me.” Clay slightly bowed and kowtowed with his fists the used his Qi to surrender his spatial rings.
“I’m just an overseer. There is no need for pleasantries. Which and how many weapons do you want?”
“Swords. I need twenty of them.”
“If you’re thinking about brandishing them with Long Distance Control Formation and have them orbit in space and use them to strike monster like a comet, then I will tell you now that it does not work.”
Clay forced a smile and slightly nodded. He can already tell the Overseer is about to force him to step back.
“Activate this token once you want us to pick you up. Remember, activating this while in combat will automatically disqualify you and as well, this is not a guarantee we will show up on time to save you. As for your weapon and provisions, we will drop them fifteen minutes after you landed. Do you have any questions?”
“Can you help me get to the surface?”
The Overseer mockingly smiled as the wall behind him retracted revealing an exit. “Would you like to jump ahead or do you want me to push you over?”
Clay almost chocked upon hearing the Overseer’s response but seeing a trace of aura is about to be released, he slowly walked towards the edge of the platform.
*Exhale
Clay sighed as he looked at the size of the planet. He surrounded his body with his Qi then let his body fall.
“Good luck, human!”
Clay floated away from the ship and after a few more seconds, he felt passing through the ship’s barrier and all of a sudden, a colossal force of gravity pulled towards the planet.
*Swish
The gravitational pull multiplied by ten folds pulling in Clay like an insignificant asteroid.