CRUSHING THE SECOND STAGE 1
1383 Words
A lot of golden sedans could be seen approaching a plain field, in the middle of this field was a stage surrounded by a couple chairs. As soon as The sedan arrived, everyone rose to their feets. Just one boy remained on his seat. He had his eyes close and he was oblivious of the happenings around him.
The sedans finally got close enough and the carriers let them down, each carrier was at the third step of the second realm. Their joint aura was terrifying and various figures highlighted from each sedan. The lady of light, General Xiao was even in one and she scanned around for Matero as soon as she highlighted.
From the biggest sedan, a fairly old man stepped out and coldly scanned those present. An aura emanated from him that went with his gaze, he glanced passed the boy who sat not paying attention, after a while, it struck him that the figure just now was actually seated. Seated! In his presence, the Lord of the entire nation?
With displeasure he turned back in the direction he first saw the boy, but to his surprise nobody was seated. He was slightly puzzled but his gaze lingered upon a particular boy, he was certain this was the kid that was seated earlier.
"These are the fifteen selected to represent the nation in the semi continental event." Kerepa addressed the nation's lord. He was actually the only man in the entire nation who could address Lord Saru freely. They were of the same cultivation level and Saru even respected him, Kerepa was just older.
"Hmmm. These ones look spineless. Just one at the third step?" Saru wasn't satisfied with what he was seeing, a brat at the first step was even ranked fourth place. Come to think of it, wasn't that the same boy that was seated just now. "What is your name? Junior ranked fourth." Saru suddenly pointed at Matero.
"This junior is called Matero, your highness." Matero bowed deeply and responded with all the respect he could muster. Earlier he was using soul retrieve and no one turned to see he was seated, Kelena warned him just in time before the nation's lord caught him. It was really close.
"I see." Saru had used a secret technique to scan Matero, the latter was really at the first step but had immense battle power and incredible techniques. There were also a lot of secrets even him couldn't see through, mystery quickly shrouded his sights. He took a deep breath and proceeded to his seat.
"With the arrival of Lord Saru and the required generals, the second stage of the screening exercise would now begin." One of the judges announced.
The rules were simple, each disciple had the chance to challenge twice. You could challenge any one, ranked above or below, it didn't matter. Once the disciple with the lesser rank wins, he displaces the other with the higher rank, but when the disciple with the higher rank wins, they retain their positions.
It all began with the disciple ranked number fifteen challenging the disciple ranked 10th. The two quickly got on stage and sparring began.
Matero observed for a while and quickly closed his eyes with a yawn. He returned to the tranquil world in his mind and activated soul retrieve. Matero had already retrieved up to ten percent his previous self but couldn't utilise it yet as his body can't bear it. Right now his body was at the first step of the second realm but his soul that directly retrieved the imprint was at the fifth step of the second realm. That was the last step in the second realm! So Matero could step up rapidly and catch up to his soul, but he wanted to take things steady.
Not far from where Matero sat with his eyes closed, Lord Saru keenly had his sights on Matero. Now seeing Matero in that pose confirmed his theory that Matero was the one who had remained seated earlier. He wasn't annoyed, instead he gave a genuine smile. He was impressed by how quickly the junior could dive deep into meditation and totally neglect the outside world.
General Xiao observed Lord Saru and quietly approached him.
"Does my Lord know Matero?" She questioned softly, she was the closest to Saru of all generals and therefore could approach him leisurely.
"No, I just met him here. There is just something about him, I don't know what it is but..." Saru smiled once again and took a deep breath. "I just hope he doesn't disappoints."
"Well, he is Kerepa's core disciple. He is also the same boy I brought into the imperial academy from the Zhao family." Xiao explained with pride, she knew this Matero would surpass the previous legend. She was probably the only one in the entire continent that knew the legendary emperor that went above the heavens.
"I see." Saru's eyes became brighter, he awaited Matero's challenge.
Matero opened his eyes after a while, he had been challenged by the disciple ranked 9th. He went on stage and folded his arms. His challenger was from the Xuan family cultivation grounds. A fearsome looking young man called Bala.
"With my second step cultivation level, I should be able to defeat this brat." Confidence surged within him.
"Shua." Bala pulled his sword and dashed towards Matero. He released his aura and charged with confidence.
Matero looked at the incoming opponent and smiled, he gestured like he was about to move and suddenly disappeared. Bala froze in shock, Matero had appeared behind him instantly. All the observing disciples had their mouth hanging in shock, even Saru's eyes widened in disbelief, he knew the technique and was certain only a few present would know it. It was a technique lost to time, how did Matero use it?
"Xuan secret kill stab." With beads of sweat gathering on his forehead, Bala panicked and yelled. The blade of his sword glowed faint yellow and he swiftly turned and stabbed towards Matero.
"That is the secret move?"
"Isn't that too harsh for this match?"
"Hehehe, let us see what the brat of the imperial circus would do." That was an Elder from the Xuan family, he strongly believed that the imperial,cultivation academy had bribed the judges.
Matero felt a suction hold him and pull him towards the sword, it was a strange feeling of suppression. The more he tried to move, the harder it became, he was held in position for the approaching blade.
Matero smiled, he knew techniques with similar but greater effects. This was nothing he couldn't handle.
"Buddha body." Matero extended out a palm and calmly spoke. His palm glowed and Koi rose to his feet.
"Kerepa is building a monster."
"His entire age isn't even enough time to learn that technique, how can he?"
"Weldone Kerepa." Saru smiled and said to himself. The Buddha body was Saru's signature move, he had mastered it to perfection and what Matero attempted was merely a scratch. He turned towards Kerepa and nodded gently, Kerepa humbly did the same in return.
"Matero, I didn't teach you that, how?" Kerepa was almost screaming inside.
"Bang." The sword stabbed into Matero's palm and snapped, the suction disappeared, even Bala's aura died off. Matero didn't stop, he proceeded to hitting Bala with the palm and Bala was thrown off the stage. Bala launched like a projectile and crashed into his seat.
"Haha. Stay where you belong Bala." The disciple directly beside Bala mocked him.
"Wonderful techniques and mastery."
"He is indeed talented." Everyone applauded Matero, he had exceeded their expectations.
Da sun on the other hand hissed in anger, battle intent surged from him. Just one star should exist and that should be him.
- Writer
