Written in Blood

The Assessment 2

The Elders of the four major sects made a point to come to see new recruits at least at one of the quarterly assessments in Firedawn city. It was important not just for taking in talent into the sect, but if they could find a potential personal disciple it would greatly benefit them in the long run.

Sects were powerful entities that at times even nobility had to respect due to their power. The struggle between nobles and sects was a constant source of issues for the continent.

Today whether by luck or not was surprisingly full of various elders from the various sects of Firedawn. Which was of course a huge benefit to Ao Ruang. Little did he know that they were all here to fight over two very important youth of the city along with some other talented youth that came out as well.

Firedawn wasn't a top tier city, but even a smaller city like it would produce an exceptional talents. Ao Ruang didn't care much for if a city was good or not he needed to just get established into a power so he can learn and grow before someone discovers his secrets.

Ao Ruang stood among the other potential disciples along the far edge of a large arena that was split up into three sections. Each section represented a test by the four sects to determine a disciples potential and talent.

The elder who had stood up to announce the rules was actually part of the city Lord's mansion who while not a sect often still recruited talented students itself. "The first assessment will be testing your current cultivation realm. The use of artificial spiritual Ki enhancers is forbidden. The second test will determine your Ki attribute you should all know an attribute or lack there of is not the end all be all, but it can focus you into a specific direction. The third and final round is where you will challenge a deacon from one of the four sects to show your knowledge of combat."

Ao Ruang frowned deeply upon hearing the last assessment. He himself was not particularly skilled in combat as his new found powers were...well new and he didn't have experience in combat besides being beaten by others.

Before long the first youth was called up to the arena today there were only about 400 applicants. Ao Ruang watched intensely to make sure he knew what to expect. The freckled youth took out his hand and placed it confidently on the stone orb that sat in the middle of the platform.

"Age 15, Bing Feng" the young man said.

As he finished speaking the stone lit up with four light gray halos that represented the fourth rank of the iron realm.

Ao Ruang's eyes widened. The boy was older than him yet had lower cultivation. This was surprising to him. He had always been the last when it came to cultivation, but there was actually someone inferior to his past self.

The deacon who was in charge of the test frowned "No pass." Without a single second of hesitation two disciples came up and escorted the young man off the platform and to the exit of the arena. Not a single person in the audience was surprised by the results. Being 15 and only at that cultivation was someone who was destined to never rise past his mediocre talent.

Ao Ruang watched as many began to pass and some others began to be rejected as well. Just as he was about to get bored waiting two around his own age walked forwards one was a boy and the other a girl they looked similar and Ao Ruang immediately guessed they were related, but that wasn't what caught his eye he noticed that they carried themselves much more confidently than the others.

"Did you hear those are the twins of the Tang clan."

"Yeah I hear they were said to be top talents of their generation."

"Which sect do you think they will choose?"

Ao Ruang's heart trembled when the surrounding candidates didn't even question that they would pass the assessment, the only question who they would choose. Leaning forward he watched as the young boy walked up the stairs first.

The young man put up his hand and announced his name quickly "Tang BoLin, age 13."

Like all those before him rings began to form on the stone quickly sprinting past four rings to 8 rings.

The entire arena had a collective gasp as they saw the youth was only two steps away from Black Iron realm at the age of 13. While not completely unheard of in a city like FIredawn such talent was proof that the youth would grow to be a great warrior. Without waiting for the Deacon to snap out of his short daze Tang BoLin walked off the stage towards the second area.

"Err! Pass!" the deacon said before turning to the youth's sister.

Like before, the girl who by many would be considered very beautiful and once she grew up would be a fierce beauty walking up onto stage. Ao Ruang was eager to see what the sister's rank would be. Putting on her slender hands onto the stone she gave a confident smile.

"Tang ChaoXing, Age 13."

Immediately like her brother all the halos lit up and immediately came out to be nine. Which was one step away from the Black Iron realm. The crowd went into an instant uproar upon seeing the results.

"This talent is unheard of in Firedawn! To be one step away from Black Iron at 13 is simply too insane!"

"This is surely a sign of the Tang Clan's rise!"

Various voices had different reactions as they processed the scenario, but all were in agreement that these two were talents that all the sects would be fighting for them to join their sect. While the Tang clan surely had the resources to train them it was always wise to marry yourself to other powers sects always looked to form good relationships with powerful clans and families.

Ao Ruang felt a pane of pity for the next person who would be called up as it would make whatever cultivation they had seem miniscule. Ao Ruang knew the talent of the Tang twins was clearly high based on his isolated the closest to them would be Ao Fang who was a top talent there. While he wasn't sure how the power levels correlated exactly he was certain Ao Fang would be near the Black iron realm. Perhaps his town was a freak isolated power, but he doubted that.

"Next. Ao Ruang! Please make your way up!"

'Fate is a b***h. This is what I get for thinking that way.' he thought.  

Ao Ruang's heart stopped for a split second as he heard his name this was a vital step in his future and if the being who gave him this craving for blood was correct perhaps his cultivation had reached new heights.

The whole crowd seemed to be thinking of the same thing as he was as people gave faces of pity towards Ao Ruang. Of course they would pity him.

"Shame that kid has to follow up the Tang twins." several voices muttered to each other.

Each step up to the platform seemed like a deep and heavy heart beat. Ao Ruang knew he would pass the first round, but he had never formally tested his cultivation level and knew it was high enough to get past the first round.

In the middle of the platform the deacon stood in front of the platform and waited for Ao Ruang to reach within arms length of the stone.

"Give your name and age. After that place your hand onto the stone you will feel a stirring of your Ki ignore that and just allow it to flow between yourself and the stone." The Deacon said as if reading from a script.

"Ao Ruang! Age 13." he said his voice trembling slightly before placing his hand on the stone and closing his eyes.

Several moments passed and no sound came from the crowd or the Deacon. Ao Ruang kept his eyes closed, but finally couldn't hold it back and opened his eyes to see the Deacon's wide eyes. Looking down where his hand was placed the stone had 8 gray halos lit up. Ao Ruang surprised himself considering he had only been in the Iron Warrior realm for such a short time it was truly not within his expectations.

With a huge grin Ao Ruang removed his hand from the stone and stepped back waiting for the Deacon's order. Just as he stepped back the entire arena broke out into conversation as the black horse of the assessment had just come out and no one knew who this youth was.