Chapter 4 - Cultivation Aptitude Test (part 2)

“Next!” Bellowed the intimidating, graybeard cultivator . Several kids had just walked away from him almost in tears, apparently not happy with the results they achieved. The testing crystal could find the exact innate soul strength someone had, as long as they had yet to form their core, and if someone’s was lacking, it would be obvious. A soft glow came off the crystal, as it reset back to normal.

Feng walked up to the rock, confidently, with a bit of a swagger in his step. Feng originally grew up with his mother, alone. His father was an unknown figure in his life, someone who had a child with his mother and left, only dropping by once to give her a sum of money large enough for them to live on. While Feng had no great love for his father, he had no hatred for him either. After all, his mother didn’t seem too torn up about his absence, and the money they had to live on was enough to keep them comfortably fed, if not extravagantly.

However, one thing he learned from his life without a father was that he needed strength. Only by being strong can one live and support ones’ self. Though Feng was very young, only 5 years old, he had a very mature mind as a result of the life he’s lived so far. Feng prepared himself, looking at the Ambassador.

The tester looked at Feng as he walked up. “Welcome youngling, I am Ambassador Winston. Please place your hand upon the testing crystal, and focus your strength.” Feng complied. Immediately, light started to focus in the crystal.

“1st layer..2nd layer..3rd layer.. The 3rd layer!” exclaimed the Ambassador. He glanced at Feng, quite impressed that one so young had already reached the 3rd layer of innate strength.

Suddenly, a fiery light blazed from the testing stone, giving off an actual physical sensation of heat. It was like the fires of the very cosmos themselves came into being and blazed forth. The air physically rippled as the glow spread out, lighting up the entire crystal. The Ambassador stared at Feng in amazement.

“A Fire Lord Bloodline!” he cried, “Quickly, send a pigeon to the King. Now!” he told one of the Kings guardsmen. The red clothed guard ran off as he requested. The ambassador turned back to face Feng. “What is your name, young master?” He said respectfully.

Feng proudly said, “I am Feng Constantine, sir Ambassador.” He looked like he was full to the brim, bursting with pride. Feng hadn't expected to have a Lords Bloodline, but knowing he did filled him with an immense sense of pride.

The Ambassador quickly wrote down his information, and said, “Congratulations Feng, you have a Lords Bloodline, that of the Fire Lord. You will, of course, be invited to the Main School in the Capital, if you so choose to come. Please wait here while we finish the rest of the tests.” The Ambassador bowed to Feng. Feng nodded.

Feng walked off to the side, with quite the smug look on his face. He gave a wink to Dale as he walked off. Dale smiled at him nervously. He never thought Feng would actually have a Fire Lords Bloodline! Dale stared after Feng, jealous.

“Next!” yelled the Ambassador. He was in quite the good mood, now that he had found a Lords Bloodline. Feng would be the 3rd ever Divine Lord in their kingdom. The previous Bloodline owners were no longer among the living, and it was long due for the kingdom to produce another. The King would definitely reward him well.

Dale nervously walked up to the Ambassador, and stated, “I am Dale, sir.”

“Yes, yes. Place your hand here on the crystal, and focus your strength.” Ambassador Winston said, waving at him to continue.

Slowly, the crystal began to glow. At first, it gave off a dull glimmer and gradually rose through several levels of light. Deep down, in the center of the crystal, hidden from everyone, two different lights, separate yet alike, flashed brilliantly against each other, and eventually cancelled each other out, neither one able to claim dominance.

“1st layer.. 2nd layer.. 3rd layer.. 4th layer..5th layer?!? The 5th layer?” The Ambassador stuttered, “Impossible! Boy, are you actually 5? Do not lie to me!” he glared at Dale.

“Yes sir! I am 5; you can ask my grandpa if you don’t believe me.” Dale said, a bit intimidated by the tester. He looked back nervously.

The old man walked up, “Is there a problem? Yes, Dale is 5 years old.”

“Ah, I was just a bit surprised,” the Ambassador apologized, “a 5th layer innate strength at the age of 5 is quite surprising, especially finding one so far from any main city. What is your full name? With your talent, I’m sure you will be able to accompany your friend to the Capital’s Main school, or at the very least join a powerful branch school.”

“The Main School,” Dale breathed. The Main School was the most powerful school in the Morn Kingdom. There are countless branch schools, but the most powerful and original school is the Main School. It is home to the most powerful cultivators and strongest disciples. Powerful Arts and techniques could be found here, as well as experienced masters who could help him train.

“Please go wait by your friend to the side while we finish off the last of the testers, we will give you more information then.” said the Ambassador.

Dale walked over to Feng, saying, “You actually have a Lords Bloodline!”

Feng looked back happily, “My mother always said my father had one, so I kind of thought I might, but I was never sure! It’s too bad you don’t have one! On the other hand, you’re already at the 5th innate strength layer! That’s ridiculous, especially since you’re just 5 like me!”

Dale was a bit disappointed that he didn’t have a Lords Bloodline, but he didn’t expect to be one of the few out of millions that had one. It stung a little, though, that Feng had one.

However, the 5th level of innate strength layer was no joke. A normal person’s strength is roughly half of the 1st level of innate strength. To put it in common terms, a person at the 1st level innate could easily lift 100 lbs. The 2nd level could lift 200 lbs, the 3rd level 300, and so on. At the 5th level of innate strength, it was no wonder that Dale could easily combat with the Attribute beasts inside the forest he lived in.

“How come you’re so strong?” asked Feng. It was a good question. For a child at the age of 5 to be at the 5th layer of innate strength without a Lords Bloodline was extraordinary.

Dale shrugged, “I’ve always been this strong.” He really had. Ever since he was young, his strength had been his best point; letting him do his chores quicker and maneuver around the forest with ease.

Just as Feng was about to respond, suddenly, an enormous sound vibrated through the air. A majestic, terrifying force overwhelmed everyone present, silencing the nearby students and townspeople.

With icy eyes set on the town of Neldor, an Azure Ice Dragon roared and flew forth through the sky, its eyes spelling death..

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