After walking into the building, he saw what looked to be about 100 people between 10 and 18 years old.
"Group 5, you go over there," a masked man said, pointing to a far wall.
"I got to go report. Best of luck, Kraven," Jason said encouragingly before walking to the masked man. Kraven nodded at Jason and then walked over to the wall the man indicated and sat down.
"Group 5 escort reporting to the leader," Jason said in a fake serious tone, seemingly not caring that the man was his boss on this mission.
"Alright, that's all of the wagons here," the masked man said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"I thought there were six wagons," Jason asked. "There was but one who got caught by the righteous sect bastards," the masked man said, annoyed. "Well, we are in their territory; we knew it would be a risk. That's why this mission pays a good amount of contribution points because of the increased danger. Jason said it in an unbothered manner.
"Anyway, the masked man asked, any of yours you think has good potential," the masked man relaxed. "One, the black-haired kid, I walked in with the kids fucking mental. I killed one of the slaves that helped him when he woke up in the cage, and the kid asked if he could get as strong as me," Jason explained about Kraven in detail.
"Sounds like he's the same sort of crazy as you; hopefully, he passes the tests," the masked man said, looking at Kraven.
"I've got a good feeling about him; I think he will get a fucking high score," Jason said confidently about Kraven's talent.
"Want to bet on it?" the masked man said. "Are you sure? How many times have you won any of our bets in the decades we've known each other?" Jason said in a teasing voice. "True, my record isn't great as much as it pains me to say it, but I'm not betting on whether or not he passes; I'm betting on how many stars he gets under or over 20 you in." The masked man said, looking at Jason with what he guessed was a smile, as far as he could tell under the mask.
"I'll take your money, no problem 500 spirit stones he's over 20 stars.". "Confident, aren't you, but I'll happily take under?" They shook hands, and the bet was set.
The masked man walked forward with his head held high and his chest sticking out, giving him an air of confidence. "LISTEN UP," the masked man shouted, gaining the attention of everyone in the room.
Kraven was looking at Jason just before the shout. They shook hands, and Jason seemed happy, which confused Kraven. Then the shout brought Kraven back to the room.
"Now I know you're all wondering why you're here. Well, the truth is, you were all sold into slavery and we bought you. I doubt that surprises any of you, but as for the overarching reason why you are all here, we belong to an evil sect known as the
"The
"Yes, calm down. If you don't, I'll kill anybody still talking," the masked man said in a neutral tone while leaking killing intent, which scared everyone except Kraven, who was impressed by how strong the man seemed just standing there.
"Damn, Jason was right, the kid is nuts. I'm leaking killing intent, and the kid is looking at me like he's impressed." The masked man thought he was starting to regret making that bet with Jason.
"Now that you're all quiet, I'll continue. We bought you to bring you to the sect. If you pass the sect entrance test, you can become a sect disciple of one of the strongest sects in the world. Obviously, if you fail, you're going to be a slave till you die, but that's the risk you're going to have to take because you have no choice in the matter, unfortunately for you," the man said, laughing. Jason was also laughing behind him.
"These guys are crazy—well, not like I'm sane either, I guess," Kraven thought while smirking at the man's joke.
"Anyway, this isn't the final stop, but we aren't going by wagon anymore. An elder of our sect is going to be here in a minute to take us all to the sect in a moment," the masked man said, not sensing the old man appear to the right of him.
"You're always making jokes, James; you know that you do as well, Jason," the elder said, annoyed. The elder was a man who looked about 50 with a strong body and stood at about 5 feet 11 inches tall, bald, and wearing a dark green robe with what looked to be an emblem of a screaming ghost covering his heart.
Jason, now having removed his disguise, was wearing a grey sect robe with no mark on the heart but one on the back instead. The masked man is now revealed to be called James had removed his mask and was a slightly handsome man who looked to be in his 20's with brown hair and eyes and was also wearing the same uniform.
"I trust you've explained to them what is about to happen to them, James," the elder asked James calmly.
"Only the fact that they either pass the tests and become disciples of the sect or fail and become slaves for life," James leaned forward and hurriedly replied to the elder.
"Good, you've explained the important bits at least; the specifics can wait till we are at the sect," the elder said while he waved his hand. The ground below them rippled with power, and in an instant the building was empty.
Kraven felt like the elder was building something, and then, in an instant, the floor started to glow. Kraven felt some form of ripple, and before he could even think about it, he was in a different space entirely. Some of the slaves that were teleported died immediately; not everyone could survive sudden spatial fluctuations. Kraven stood up slightly disoriented, but he quickly recovered and took a look at his new surroundings.
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"Well, at least one didn't throw up, and he even stood up and was alert immediately after he was teleported; we've at least got one good seed," the elder said, talking about Kraven, never mind standing up. Kraven was the only one not being violently sick on the floor.
Kraven looked at the slaves in disgust at their weakness.
"Young man, come over here," the elder said, calling Kraven over to him. Kraven quickly rushed over, skillfully avoiding the growing pools of sick people on the floor.
"Greetings, Elder," Kraven said, bowing his head to the man. Kraven didn't know much about cultivation realms, but his instincts were practically screaming at him that this man could kill him with barely a thought; in fact, he felt he could kill Jason and James with just as much difficulty.
"I'm not your elder yet, but the young should be arrogant, I suppose; you do know that this is an evil sect, right boy." The elder asked Kraven, testing his response. "Yes, Elder," Kraven answered quickly.
"Does that not bother you? You know that even if you pass the test, another sect disciple might kill you to use you as a cultivation resource." The elder tested Kraven even more.
"Yes, elder, but it sounds like a much better place to be than those hypocritical righteous sect bastards that act all good as a front but are no different than the evil sect," Kraven answered truthfully, with his anger getting close to boiling, mentioning the righteous sects.
"That's some genuine anger. I wonder what caused you to gain such pure anger; please do tell.". The elder asked, wanting to know the source of Kraven's anger.
"I have no reason to lie, Elder. My father is an elder of the
The elder, Jason, and James looked at Kraven in shock. No wonder he hates the righteous sects so much; he's suffered their hypocrisy firsthand.
"Is this the reason you're so willing to join the
"May I ask Elder a question? In response, I promise it will answer your question," Kraven asked.
"Of course," the elder quickly replied.
"How would the elder feel if your son went and became a powerful cultivator for the righteous sects?" Kraven asked.
As soon as the Elder processed what Kraven said, he couldn't stop laughing. "HAHA, so you're saying your revenge will be you becoming a prodigy in our sect to destroy his reputation and make him live in regret and anger till he dies, excellent, what a brilliant form of revenge," the elder said, still laughing.
"Soon the elder regained control of himself and turned to James and Jason. Don't bother waiting for this lot; they can be tested later. I don't want to keep this young man waiting. Group 332 just went for testing. Take him there. Don't worry if he tests well, the rewards will be yours. I just want to speed up the process for the young man." the elder said.
"Yes elder" James and Jason said in unison as they began to lead Kraven to the test site.
Just as Kraven was following Jason and James the elder called out to Kraven. "I never get your name boy," the elder said.
"It's Kraven, elder." Kraven quickly replied.
"I look forward to hearing your results. Don't disappoint young Kraven," the elder said before disappearing faster than Kraven could blink.
James and Jason stood there stunned. "Did the elder just take an interest in someone who wasn't even a disciple yet? "Damn, you're lucky, Kraven.". Jason said he was impressed by how much the elder seemed to like Kraven.
"Let's walk and talk" James quickly said.
"How am I lucky?" Kraven asked, wondering why he was lucky.
"The elder that was just here is called Elder Silverstorm, he's a core elder of the sect; in other words, he's a Martial Emperor, and he's someone who barely pays attention to core disciples; never mind asking someone's name when they aren't even a disciple yet." Jason was astonished by Kraven's luck.
"What's the Martial Emperor realm? Is it higher than the Martial Soul realm?" Kraven asked the two, wondering how strong the elder was compared to his father.
The two stood there looking at Kraven like he was an idiot. "What do you mean, what's the Martial Emperor realm, Kraven? How much knowledge do you have about the cultivation world?" James asked.
"Not a lot; I've only heard of the Body Tempering, Qi Gathering, Martial Soul, and now the Martial Emperor realms," Kraven said truthfully; they were the only realms he'd heard of, as the Guards that kept him in the house were in the Body Tempering realm and often mentioned wishing to break through to the Qi Gathering realm, and the triplets often bragged about the realm; their father had reached the Martial Soul realm and now the Martial Emperor realm from Elder Silverstorm.
"Man, you don't know shit, it seems, in response to your question the Martial Emperor realm is 2 full realms higher than the Martial Soul realm, so Elder Silverstorm could kill your father with a thought," Jason said confirming Kraven's thoughts that Elder Silverstorm was vastly stronger than his father.
"Could you fill me in on some basic cultivation knowledge so I don't look like an idiot?" Kraven said asking both James and Jason.
"Sure let's start with cultivation realms there are nine, starting at the Body Tempering then Qi Gathering, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Martial Soul, Martial King, Martial Emperor, Martial Saint, and finally the highest realm attainable Martial God," James said.
"I won't tell you the specifics you'll find them out when you enter the sect, but both cultivation techniques and martial arts are divided by realm as well further by grades, the grades are Low, Mid, High, and Peak that's pretty much as much as most people who enter the sect know unless they come from a cultivation family and have been taught from young," James said.
"Won't kids from cultivation families have an advantage because they will have cultivated before entering the sect?" Kraven asked assuming the sect didn't care and that it was survival of the fittest.
"That's the thing the sect has three major rules for joining the sect they must be under 18, pass the tests, and finally have no cultivation" Jason answered Kraven quickly
"Thought the sect would have a survival of the fittest mentality?" Kraven questioned Jason but was surprised when it was James who answered.
"They did an incredibly long time ago, the rule barring those with cultivation from entering the sect was lifted, and many young masters from cultivation families entered the sect at the Body Tempering Realm and crushed anybody talented with force, but doing so had an unintended effect, many of the truly gifted that had been born unable to learn cultivation at home were killed before they could discover their talents and many of the young masters reached their limits at the foundation establishment many didn't even reach that, after that the sect had a severe lack of geniuses they went through an era where the 12 Rulers nearly became 11 after that the rule was put back in place with evidence that removing it would bring ruin to the sect" James answered by giving Kraven a history lesson
"That's not to say that the sect doesn't have a survival of the fittest mentality but everyone has the same starting point. Jason interjected.
"Enough Group 332 is just ahead get ready for the tests Kraven," James said quickly
"Okay," Kraven said getting ready to go through the test that would decide his future.