Black Lotus Guild Hall, Scarlet Cove Sewers

The near full guild hall was set ablaze with emotion and energy. Rogues, bandits and thieves cheered and raised their glasses toward the master.

Master lotus had just materialized from thin air two disciples in tow. The master was an older man of about seventy. Though it's impossible to know how old this man was from the essence he projected he only appeared as a Master stage. Walter had made this man out to be someone the average man should never offend.

Seshwan was puzzled, ‘why would Walter speak of this man with such fear if he was stronger than him.’

Walter stood up from the table along with the other three guild masters all arriving on the balcony. The five masters exchanged greetings before master lotus turned to the cheering crowd below. The guild master raised a hand to quiet the masses down, the current population in the hall was around three-hundred, within moments they were all silent awaiting their master’s words.

"Black lotus. Welcome to this year's Masters test thank you all for coming out." The old man's voice bellowed out reverberating off the vaulted cistern ceilings.

Master Hilliard turned around and motioned to all the apprentices; with a wave of his hand the ten apprentices, Seshwan included, left Their respective booths. Though the ten of them were all close in age Seshwan could sense some were stronger then him by what felt like a large margin.

“This year’s tests will be a simple evaluation of one’s ability to cultivate and potentail strength” master Crest announced

"Candidates come to the balcony we shall explain this test." Master Lotus opened a small red box one of his disciples carried. Within the box was a blue crystal with what looked to be white clouds revolving within.

"Candidates this is a sapphire essence crystal; this tool has long been used to test an individual’s essence, but unlike standard testing you would see in a guild hall in modern day this sapphire will test your potential instead of your current strength." With master lotus' words a few of the other apprentices were puzzled, Seshwan however was ecstatic!

He had learned about the old methods of testing essence when he was younger and believed if he had taken a test like this as a child someone may have been able to see his potentail.

"First apprentice come forward." Master Crest gestured toward his wards.

The first to step up was a young man no older the eighteen with dark hair and blue eyes. From the appearance of his equipment he wore he was a thief by trade; full leather armor with seems concealing extra pockets.

"Master Lotus let me present my first apprentice Colm Li from the Clear-Waters family of scarlet cove." Master Crest was obviously proud of this young man.

Colm stepped forward stern faced and ready to get this mundane task over with.

"Hold the crystal in your right hand and inject your essence slowly." Master Lotus casually directed the youth how to activate the crystal.

Moments later the crystal changed luster shining brilliantly before turning deep blue, the previously white clouds transformed into five wisps of gold thread.

Master Crest proudly praised his student. "Fantastic boy! Young Colm you’ve got your families pure water essence no doubt."

"Judging by colour, luster and the number gold threads within; this young man has water essence with the potential to become a grand master even if he hardly works for it. The threads symbolize your essences grade. Most tests no longer grade essences but we believe the higher the graded level is the easier it will be to cultivate your essence." master lotus used this test as an example for the rest of the rest of the candidates. "We call this grade essence root, thus Colm has an essence root grade of five which is considered to be excellent. The grades start at one and ascend to ten. the masters of this guild are averaged around grades five to seven."

After it had been fully explained the apprentices were still confused.

“Don’t we already use grading to test an essences ability to cultivate? In the empire, we have always used the system of ranking essence within each level there is grades to show current strength.” One of Master Hilliard’s apprentices asked

"For those who are confused I’ll explain" master Walter stepped toward the apprentices. "The system works like this. In terms of strength we have standard people the weakest, then trainees who learn to manipulate essence, Apprentice stage who form there first real guard, Journeymen, Experts, Masters, Grand Masters, Sages, Grand Sages, Arch Sages and finally Ascendants. All these levels have 5 sub-levels between them. Essence root grade determines how easy it will be for you to break through each level and gain power. A standard user that has a root grade around five should be able to cultivate to Master stage within a hundred years. The higher the grade the faster and higher you can climb. "

Master Lotus nodded along with Walters explanation. "Thank you master Walter, next candidate please"

The testing continued as a few more tested out around root grade three and four, all wind and water types.

Elise, Master DeRosa’s disciple was next to test she held the orb as she released a burst of aura, the sapphire gem turned scarlet, then crimson the strands of gold whorled around inside full of energy.

"Young lady how old are you and what is your name?" Master Lotus had a shocked look on his face.

"sixteen sir, my name is Elise no surnames" Elise was only sixteen and had the body of a goddess in the eyes of her peers. Now it was clear she had some shocking level of potential to accompany her beauty.

Master lotus announced her final scores. "Elise, disciple of master DeRosa; root grade of nine fire type essence. Future potential of arch sage. In case you don’t know young lady the highest-grade roots of modern day normal test at about 8, and the number of individuals to achieve higher then sage level strength in their life time are only a thousand throughout recorded history."

DeRosa who had previously only recruited her as a body guard for her beauty was bewildered at what master lotus had just said. ‘This girl may one day surpass all of the master’s present. what a gem I’ve found!' DeRosa would no doubt groom her to become his wife and strengthen his own bloodlines.

Almost as if having red DeRosa’s mind Master Lotus turned toward him. "Master DeRosa I'm sorry but since Elise is going to be an offensive powerhouse and in need special training I don’t believe you can provide; she will be reassigned to Master Flamehammer of the Commons chapter after the tests are complete."

DeRosa gritted his teeth; there was nothing more he could do now that master Lotus had spoken. "yes sir I understand."

Only three remained to take their test the other seven returned to their seats. Seshwan was among the last few. The others however were the students of Kubard the first to test was not overly impressive testing at root grade of four wind type essence. Potential to be a master of offensive type techniques. Perfect for a disciple of the reaver.

Two remained to test the other party next to Seshwan was covered in a cloak and had long black hair that covered most of his face.

The young man stepped forward to receive the crystal. A burst of black aura projected and swirled around him. This was a nether essence. The sapphire again changed colour this time black as the void drawing in light. The gold strands within the crystal turned silver and then gold there were only two but after swapping colors from silver too gold they froze in place as two silver threads.

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All the masters immediately formed their real guards and drew weapons.

Five masters of different essences now clad from head to toe in their elements. A dazzling radiance shown from Master Lotus as angelic armor formed over his figure emitting blinding warm light from his whole body.

"What sect are you from! Speak quick demon or we will kill you where you stand!" One of the guards closed in to seize the youth.

All spectators were silent. Unsure as to what had happened.

The youth was looked physically strong but had a sleek build and looked as though he would be highly agile and dangerous in close quarters. He turned around to face the masters.

"Don't get me wrong I do want to join your guild. But if you’re going to threaten me I'll have no choice to be impolite." His voice cared a chilling smoothness in its tone. "My name it's Xerxes of the immortal demon god sect. The controlling family of the demonic forests to the west. Were also the leading family in demonic forging and curses. I found master Kubard’s camp in the midland swamps on our boarder. He's a legendary slayer of men and demons alike. So I decided to join him instead of fighting him."

"To hell with this kid. Let's waste him" Walter stepped toward him with a blade of ice in his right hand.

As Walter approached he could feel something was wrong. His ice felt like it was melting and his blood was boiling. 'Shit a nether curse!' Walter stopped dead in his steps.

"Master Walter. You finally realized why no one's approached me? I may only have an apprentice level essence but I'm a master of blood and demonic curses." The youth smirked. One eye could be seen through his dark hair, a slit pupil with a blood red iris. The eyes of a demon kin.

'The only way a demon could take human form is if it possessed a body. But the body decays quickly. Though it won't die well possessed it will not maintain human features.' Seshwan had red lot of books on demons well studying essence.

'This youth is only half demon? That's the only way' Seshwan had realized though this youth was strong he had a major weakness in his curses because he's only halfblooded.

"Xerxes, you’re not her to fight calm down. You got kicked out, didn't you?" Seshwan struggled to muster the courage to speak but his master would be greatly affected by that curse if Xerxes wasn't stopped.

Xerxes turned toward Seshwan. ""Shut up boy! you don't know what my reasoning is you’re just a weak human. Though You are right I didn't come to fight the masters." Xerxes' expression turned from a smug smirk to a half frown as he recalled being banished for being a half human and his father being condemned to life in a void rift.

"Xerxes, I know how upset you no doubt feel it's not easy to be disowned by your family. Let's just talk this out. Be the first one to try to make peace they will no doubt follow suit." Seshwan recalled the day his father and brothers had banished him to this city just because he lacked ability. The thought made his blood boil.

Seshwan turned toward Walter; “back off and he will calm down. We don’t need to fight here”

Walter retracted his blades of ice and dissolved his real guard.

Xerxes eye returned to a dark red round iris. He had deactivated his curses and demon blood. The masters also lowered their weapons.

"Thank you for deciding to talk this out with me Xerxes" Seshwan smiled at him holding out his hand. "If you do mean well then I'll gladly be the first to accept you into our world even if the others don't."

Seshwan had learned though hours of studying that demons were overly hostile creatures they possessed unparalleled strength and a natural nether essence that could produce weapons and armor fit for the devil himself. The best way to deal with them is to not act hostile and allow them to calm down themselves, they possessed keen senses and could tell if the other party is sincere.

Xerxes knew Seshwan had experienced the same feelings of rejection. He could feel a terrifying hatred within this young man.

Master lotus withdrew his holy real guards and approached placed his hand on Xerxes shoulder. "Your half demon blood will make you a god like existence one day but your human essence is only grade 2 lightning type. As long as you are within this guild you must train your lighting essence for use, your demonic essence must not be used."

All spectators who heard what the master said broke out into a frenzy.

"He's a demon kill him!"

"Two essences! And both extremely rare! Bullshit! Not possible."

"Master you’re not serious about letting him live!"

Master lotus turned toward the guild. "Shut it you lot! I'm the master of this guild and frankly we need a new nether weapon Smith if it happened to be a demon who wants to help us why turn him down?"

Xerxes handed the Orb to Master Lotus. "Master these people will not doubt hate me forever I'll take my leave now."

"The hell you will you little brat!" Walter walked up and pointed a finger at Xerxes "Master lotus let me train this shitty brat he's got potential and I want to pleasure of kicking his ass when he gets out of line!"

Xerxes looked down at Walter and smirked "try it little boy."

Walter struck Xerxes in the neck by his collar bone on both sides in a flash. Xerxes looked surprised as his face turned flushed he fell to the floor and coughed out a mouthful of blood.

Walter had struck major arteries in Xerxes neck with lightning speed and enough precise force to make him bleed in his throat. "Sorry kid your still just a shitty brat who doesn't know his place your part human so doesn’t get to cocky."

"Walter this kid has a nether essence I'll be handing him over to DeRosa." Master Lotus knew Walter would just beat this kid and assumed Xerxes would be better off with DeRosa.

"Actually master I don't want him." DeRosa spoke up quickly trying to avoid being paired with a half breed that would potentially affect his ability to attract women.

"*sigh* fine I'll give it some thought." Master lotus couldn't help feeling sorry for this kid. He has attracted interest of the only master worse than Kubard.

"It's settled Xerxes will move on to the performance portion. Those of you who don't like it come make your complaints in my office after the last candidate tests."

Seshwan stepped up taking the sapphire from master lotus he began to inject essence expecting the same back lash as last time he tested his essence at the guild hall the day he met Walter. Seshwan closed his eyes worried about the outcome as he clenched his hand. The masters let out an audible gasp.

Seshwan opened his eyes to see ten treads all different colours. the crystal had become pure white in colour.

Walter walked up and took the crystal from Seshwan examining it. "Seshwan! You’re not an earth essence user. The colour should be brown yellow for Earth."

Master Lotus collected his thoughts, swallowing hard. "You Seshwan disciple of Walter, possess a unique essence." Master lotus thought of how to explain this. "The essences of humanity forms in 8 types; earth, wind, water, fire, holy, nether. Ice and lightning are mutations that make up the last two though these two are one in ten thousand. A unique essence like yours has limitless potential they all manifest differently which is why we call them unique.Your particular essence from what i can tell, has the potential to manifest any of the eight standard essences. Unique essences form one in a few hundred million and only to the decedents of the ancient gods. you possess an extremely rare gift."

The guild went silent; all eyes were on Seshwan.