CHAPTER 7 CLAN ASSESSMENT
894 Words
Morning arrived with an unusual sense of excitement.
The Rizz Clan had never been so lively.
Young disciples hurried through the stone pathways, their expressions filled with anticipation.
Today...
The annual Clan Assessment officially began.
For some, it was an opportunity.
For others...
It was a battlefield without bloodshed.
A massive arena stood at the heart of the clan.
Stone platforms surrounded the open square, where hundreds of disciples had already gathered.
Clan Elders occupied the highest seats.
At the center sat the Clan Head, Rizz Magnus.
His sharp eyes slowly swept across the crowd.
"The Clan Assessment..."
"...begins now."
His voice echoed across the arena.
Silence immediately followed.
"The assessment will consist of three stages."
"The first..."
"...will test your cultivation."
"The second..."
"...will test your combat ability."
"The final stage..."
"...will determine your overall ranking."
The crowd erupted into excited whispers.
Every disciple dreamed of entering the top ranks.
The rewards alone were enough to change one's future.
Raizen stood quietly beside Jin Wu.
"Are you nervous?"
Jin Wu asked.
Raizen shook his head.
"A little."
Jin Wu laughed.
"I thought you'd say no."
"I'm nervous because I don't know what to expect."
"Not because I'm afraid."
Jin Wu smiled.
"That's a better answer."
"The first stage..."
Elder Han stepped forward.
"...Spirit Stone Measurement."
Several attendants carried a crystal pillar nearly three meters tall into the center of the arena.
The transparent crystal radiated a soft white glow.
"This Spirit Pillar measures cultivation strength."
"Each disciple will place one hand upon it."
"The brighter the light..."
"...the stronger your cultivation."
"No tricks."
"No outside assistance."
"The crystal cannot be deceived."
One by one...
The disciples walked forward.
"Rizz Huan."
The crystal emitted a pale yellow light.
"Body Tempering Realm, Fourth Layer."
Scattered applause followed.
"Rizz Fen."
A brighter glow appeared.
"Body Tempering Realm, Fifth Layer."
More applause.
As disciple after disciple stepped forward, the excitement continued to build.
Some celebrated.
Others lowered their heads in disappointment.
Then...
"Kaden."
The arrogant youth confidently stepped toward the crystal.
A smug smile rested on his face.
He pressed his palm against it.
BOOM!
A brilliant golden light exploded from the pillar.
Several disciples gasped.
"Body Tempering Realm..."
"...Ninth Layer!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
"As expected!"
"Kaden is incredible!"
"He'll definitely rank near the top!"
Kaden folded his arms proudly.
Before returning to his seat, he glanced toward Raizen with a mocking smile.
The message was obvious.
This is the difference between us.
Time slowly passed.
Finally...
Elder Han called the name everyone had been waiting for.
"Rizz Raizen."
The arena instantly became quiet.
Countless eyes turned toward him.
Some curious.
Some mocking.
Some sympathetic.
Raizen calmly stepped onto the platform.
He neither hurried...
Nor hesitated.
Every step was steady.
"You think he'll reach the Third Layer?"
A disciple whispered.
"I'd be surprised if he does."
Another laughed.
"The title of heir really means nothing anymore."
Raizen stopped before the Spirit Pillar.
He slowly raised his hand.
Then...
Placed his palm against the crystal.
For one heartbeat...
Nothing happened.
The crowd immediately burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"It isn't even reacting!"
"I told you!"
"What a joke!"
Even Kaden couldn't hide his grin.
Suddenly—
A faint silver light appeared inside the crystal.
It wasn't bright.
Nor explosive.
Instead...
It was calm.
Pure.
The silver glow slowly spread through the entire pillar.
The laughter gradually faded.
Every Elder leaned forward.
"...That's..."
Elder Han frowned.
"I've never seen Spirit Qi behave like that."
The crystal wasn't becoming brighter.
Instead...
Its light was becoming increasingly condensed.
As if every strand of Spirit Qi had been perfectly refined.
A loud c***k echoed through the arena.
Crack!
Everyone froze.
Another c***k followed.
Crack!
Thin fractures began spreading across the surface of the Spirit Pillar.
The disciples stared in disbelief.
"It's..."
"It's breaking?"
"Impossible!"
"The Spirit Pillar has survived for hundreds of years!"
Raizen quickly withdrew his hand.
The silver light disappeared.
The cracks stopped spreading.
Silence filled the arena.
Even the birds above seemed to have stopped singing.
Elder Han slowly approached the pillar.
His trembling hand touched one of the cracks.
His expression changed dramatically.
"This..."
"...is impossible."
The Clan Head stood.
"What happened?"
Elder Han took a deep breath.
"The crystal..."
"...couldn't properly measure his Spirit Qi."
Whispers exploded throughout the arena.
"What does that mean?"
"Is he stronger than Kaden?"
"No..."
"That can't be possible."
Even the Elders exchanged confused looks.
None of them had ever witnessed such a phenomenon.
Deep within his mind...
The Origin System finally spoke.
Assessment complete.
Host's Spirit Qi purity exceeds the Spirit Pillar's calibration.
Recommendation: Continue concealing true potential.
Raizen remained expressionless.
So that's what happened...
The Clan Head slowly sat back down.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"The Spirit Pillar cannot provide an accurate result."
"The first stage for Rizz Raizen..."
"...will be judged during the combat assessment instead."
The decision surprised everyone.
Especially Kaden.
His smile slowly disappeared.
Something...
Didn't feel right anymore.
Hidden among the spectators...
The elderly man quietly closed his eyes.
"So..."
"The seal is beginning to weaken."
He looked toward the clear blue sky.
A faint sigh escaped his lips.
"The storm..."
"...is finally approaching."
Far beyond the Human Realm...
Within the endless darkness...
A pair of ancient crimson eyes slowly opened once more.
"He has taken..."
"...his first step."
The game had truly begun.
- Writer
