204. De Javu
(My name is Commander Granglela and I welcome you to the Alliance. The moment you exited the Portals, you are already considered valuable cadets and while your attendance today is considered outstanding, you all should be aware that this is just the beginning.
The world of cultivation is immeasurably wide.
And no matter where you go, only the best are nurtured and our Empire is no exemption.
I commend you all for having survived the Monsters Trials but you see, the real monster the in world of cultivation are fellow mages. And if you want to be identified as elites worthy of everyone’s recognition, then prove yourselves and the Empire will help you achieve your ambitions.)
Clay is inside small dark cabin as he watched a holograph of a middle-aged female Magi who looks like a vampire with three red horns.
Six hours ago after he parted with Alkr, he rode a ship then was transferred to a bigger ship and the next thing he knew, they are now orbiting a humongous planet.
Clay thought he will be going through a similar assessment he experienced during his previous life when he escaped AU planet and join the ranks of being a cadet so his first reaction was to find anyone familiar but when he searched the crowd, he was disappointed as he could not spot any Ubruto race. Even the name of the captain is different and lastly, the nature of the test does not involve hunting monsters.
Apparently, the next assessment is to measure someone’s ability to fight other mages and instead of a tournament where everyone could show off their skills, the test will be conducted in a planet teeming with death row inmates.
The goal is simple.
Kill 20 6TH Circle Mage to obtain qualifications to advance to a 3-star cadet, 10 7TH Circle to join any sect and kill an 8TH Circle Mage to be short-listed in a captain’s position or a ticket of becoming an inner disciple of a sect.
The only rule is to leave everything behind which means, no weapons and any forms of spatial rings are banned. And it is with this reason majority of the participants already formed parties leaving Clay like a tossed tin can.
Clay had already anticipated he will be ignored so he chose to isolate himself and drank all the Awakening Potions as preparation.
(To anyone who wishes to participate, the central hangar will be open but after forty-eight hours, this privilege will be forever closed. May luck bless your fates and glory to the Empire.)
After Commander Granglela’s welcoming speech was over, the room went back to its original state.
Clay looked at his palm as he tried to activate a low level spell. He thought the Awakening Potion would immediately assimilate into his meridians but with the rate at which it is being absorbed, he may need at least less than a month before his Beast Essence is completely awakened.
Clay cancelled the spell got to his feet and started walking. It is never recommended to fight when one’s cultivation is still unstable but as long as he does not overexert himself, he should be fine. If possible, he wanted to stay in his cabin and meditate then contemplate on what he witnessed when he was first received but at the same time, he did not want to become a common soldier. Maybe later when his is on the surface, he will then dig a cave and seclude.
After a few turns, Clay finally reached the central hangar.
“If you wish to die that much, I can just kill you here right now.”
As soon as Clay stepped into the a spacious hall, he was greeted by a deep voice and when he looked around, he saw a back figure of an eight feet tall Magi who appears to be sipping tea while staring at the planet’s bluish atmosphere. Clay did not need to see the face of this mage but judging from the reddish protruding horns, he can tell this man is of the same race like the commander, a Cryvenian.
“No, senior. I don’t wish to die.” Clay knelt on one knee and respectfully responded. “But I do believe in luck.”
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“Ha ha ha. You humans never cease to amuse me.”
Clay did not dare move. He just activated his Godly Eyes and saw at least six powerful figures currently hidden by an advance level of Formations and judging from the flow of their energies, they should all be at least Rank 7 Ascendant Magi and each with traces of Elemental Laws.
Being a solo, he predicted that he will be the first to show up and this is to avoid being sighted and looked down by anyone yet it looks like trouble came to greet him first. He wanted to pretend and ignore these hidden figures but he has a hunch they are from different sects tasked to scout true talents.
“Relax, human. I’m just a guard. Come here. You know… my task is to assist participants safely reach the surface. On the other hand, if you think you can do it yourself, you’ll be gifted with a healing potion.”
Clay is getting irritated he has to pretend not seeing anyone again but he still composed himself and slowly rose to his feet then after taking out his spatial rings, he sealed them inside a tiny box and started walking.
With every step he takes, memories of his previous life started to play in his mind and when he approached the edge of the platform near Cryvenian gatekeeper, he paused.
Meanwhile, the gatekeeper scoffed. “It looks easy but I don’t recommend free falling. Do you want me to explain?”
“My belongings are of no value but I hope I can still get them back later.” Clay tossed the sealed box towards the gatekeeper and at the same time, he let his body fall and be absorbed outside the ship.
Clay closed his eyes as his mind replayed the same exact scene he once experienced during his past life when he attended a similar ceremony when he escaped AU planet. (Chapter 147)
Sometimes, he wonders if he is living a parallel life that keeps getting de javu and if only he could meet the same people he encountered during his past life so he could confirm a few things.
Exhale!
Clay’s body drifted and in a few seconds it accelerated like a bullet and after a few more seconds, he opened his eyes.
CRACK!!!
As Clay entered the planet’s atmosphere, he felt an invisible massive pressure that is about to crush him and as soon as he erected a barrier around his body, he saw a flash of energy collided near his face.
BOOM!!!
Clay remained calm and while it looks like he is being continuously bombarded by an unknown force, he is confident it is not an enemy but by unstable natural forces caused by loose Spiritual Qi and Mana.
For a normal mage, these deadly sparks are lethal but having a 200,000TH Year Spirit Essence, he could easily repel anything that comes his way.
BOOM!!!
Clay activated his wings and further propelled himself downwards and after falling unhindered for half a minute, he finally saw mountains.
Clay planned on isolating himself for a few days but just when he thought he could land in peace, he could already feel an unwanted guest who is about to intercept him.
“How unlucky!”
Clay stopped mid-air and was about to cast a spell but as the ball of energy is getting closer, he noticed an unusual energy signature so he stopped and allowed this person to approach him.
*Swish!
Strong gust of wind greeted Clay as his guest appeared a few feet away.
“Give up and I will give you a quick and painless death.”
Clay observed his guest. The man is a fellow human and is bald and obese and is wearing a plain oversized T-shirt and a pajama. His wrinkled head is covered in tattoos and his aura is menacing and couple that with a strong bloodlust, Clay can tell this man is an experienced serial killer.
But no matter how scary the other party’s appearance is, Clay is barely affected as his Godly Eyes is busy scrutinizing the man’s circulation circuit.
“How’s that possible?” Clay thought to himself. Never did he consider this world has another method of cultivation and to bear resemblance similar to Goblins during his past life, Clay’s mouth slightly opened in amazement.
He had always thought that Mana and Spiritual Circuits are separate like oil and water but from what’s reflected on his Godly Eyes, the other party’s two circulation circuit seems merged. Based on the lit up Qi Nodes, the man is a Peak Qi Condensation Practitioner but what is interesting is that on the 9TH, 12TH, 15TH, 18TH, and 24TH Spiritual Qi Nodes seemed to have expanded and it looks like it is housed by 5 different Spirit Essences.
Clay was surprised to discover that this world actually has Qi-Based Essences and it astonishes him even more that one can actually combine the power of Qi and Mana without that baleful aura and looking at how old this mage in front of him, it appears this method of cultivation is relatively safe and free of ageing side-effects or beast transformation.
Clay got curious all of a sudden but sensing the dangerous fluctuations emanated by his enemy, he understood there is no point in talking.
“I said give up. Unlike you, I’m an official Warlock apprentice and…” The obese man was in the middle of his sentence when he suddenly felt an object touched the top of his head and the next thing he knew, everything went dark.
Zzzzkkk!!!!
Clay was just thinking about the perfect spell to kill his enemy but in that moment when he was about to cast the spell, he felt a trace of energy which suddenly descended from above and it was too fast he only saw a streak of light which then crushed the bald man into pieces.
Splash!!!
Clay created a barrier to deflect the incoming debris and blood particles.
(That’s the pill as promised.)
Clay heard a sound transmission and when he looked at the headless falling body, he saw a transparent crystal containing a pill.
Clay looked upwards. He did not need any help but he would still show gratitude if he has to.
However, after floating in the air of more than a minute and not sensing any presence, he decided to land and follow a trail of blood to pick up the item.