Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 565 - Battle Prowess

A few days had skimmed by dampening my excitement regarding gaining a new soul. I can say for sure I was still a soul bender, but I think I gained a new weakness. I was now venerable to soul attacks. At least I think I am, I have zero experience with this, but I needed to find a way to begin defending myself.

Then there was the Hollowing. How would that affect me, now that my soul was at risk?

Clitting my tongue away from prying eyes, I hung my head low. While this was a good thing, it was also a bad one. I needed to get an Arte to guard my soul.

"Asura," Said Kingsly cheerfully, standing with me over hundred people all staring.

"Are we ready?" I asked, rising to my feet, skimming my gaze over Wolf, whose complexion was a tad bit ashen. He was glaring, and his fist was clenched tightly. I could not feel any wrath, nor hatred, but rather a competitive will.

Peering past Wolf's defensive heart, my smile grew as a young man stood alone throughout the years bashing his sword, over and over; Lost in the endless repetition of cultivation, the faint mockery slashed out, stinging his soul.

"A bastard, you are!" they spouted.

"You should be dead! Just like your brother!" Another claimed, spitting over the ground.

Wolf's brow creased, and he touched his chest. A bit of trepidation flickered by and vanished. He glanced around with suspicion only to settle his gaze on me.

I was sure he didn't sense anything from me, but a soul bender is more, how should I say, sensitive than most people.

Making a few hand signs like he was about to cast a Jutsu, Kingsly shifted his stern gaze towards the skies as a pillar of Azure Light came crashing down, striking the grass around us. Enveloping everyone, who passed these trials, my feet soon began to hover off the ground.

It was not long before an enormous pressure appeared as I shot through the Azure pillar. Shredding away bits of my robes, I laughed, enjoying what seemed like a rollercoaster. Many had their Qi or divinity wrapped around them, but I saw no point in doing so.

"Asura," Kingsly sent over into my soul, a common technique I believe the devils call Soul Wisper, "What is your battle prowess? What is your rank?"

I frowned. None of my bloodlines held any knowledge of ranking of battle prowess. "I don't know. I have never been defeated, so I cannot say. I didn't even know there were ranks. My inherited memories say nothing of this."

"I see," he muttered aloud.

Piercing through the clouds with the help of the Azure Piller, spiral ether touched over my flesh, vanishing before I could get a grasp of what had happened. Startled by this sudden change, my eyes grew wide at the massive metropolis in the far reaches of space.

The City below was a rich land of vitality resembling both civilization and nature. At each end, I could see a single sword that stretched over the City, crossing with one another. Carrying a combination of both heaven and earth, I could feel the symmetry of Yin and Yang present governing this land with its laws.

A distance away from the Sect in the far reaches of the vast expanse, I saw three suns and five moons—Glistering with a combination of Dao's.

"Welcome to the Holy Swords," Said Kingsly proudly.

Growing closer to this Holy Land, before my eyes, my brow furrowed, "Is there a time difference in Alos and the Holy Sword's domain?"

"Same as before a week. Once we enter, the land below them will flow differently. However, we do have Caves that will disrupt the flow of time if one isn't a Time Cultivator." Kinsley informed casually as our feet touched upon a large courtyard where two deities resided.

"Kingsly, it seems you found two monsters, a wonderful era this is for our sect!" A wrinkled old man claimed with long-winded breath. Standing with lazy eyes and a cane to support his body, he bore me a toothless smile.

Standing by his holding a notepad stood an attractive woman with long, dark hair that rained over her shoulders and icy blue eyes. Her face was cold as ice, and her demeanor was defensive, to say the least. She was not very tall, but her sharp gaze made many feel inadequate.

"All who are Star-Lord and above are welcome to stay. Those that are still Mortal, please follow Kingsly." The Aged Man commanded slowly.

"You all heard, Lord Gu," Kingsly shouted, cuffing his hands towards the elderly man that looked to be on his last leg.

There was some chatter, but over half of the hundred was gone in a matter of a few seconds. Trailing behind Instructor Kingsly, Lord Gu lifted his aged cheeks that sagged over his jaw. "Good, now then Lu Chu care to do the honors?"

"Of course, Instructor Gu," Said the fair maidan, narrowing her phoenix eyes. "You may not know this, but it is Battle Prowess and Cultivation that matters most in Godhood. The ranks follow from weakest to strongest for those who do not know. Mortal, Knight, Master, Lord, King, Saint, Emperor, and God-King."

I smiled, feeling Wolf's eyes upon my back as Little Chu continued, " Those who are soul benders are automatically Masters. So Wolf Syv, take a step forward. Congrats, after your oath, you are to be a Chosen."

Taking a step forward, Wolf turned to me with a victorious smile for some reason. But it does make sense. Soul force increases a soul bender's power by ten. However, what does that say about me? I will be a monster if I use Crimson Winds to increase my power by thirty and multiply it by ten due to soul force.

"Ye Huiqing, Congrats, you to shall be a chosen," She said, as I glanced at a young man with long white hair that reached his back. He was not particularly handsome, but a mighty power lingered over his body. "The rest of you, but Asura Bloodgrave, will be sent be common inner sect disciples. Now follow me,"

"Asura, you can stay." Lord Gu slowly commanded.

Watching everyone leave, a sigh escaped Lord Gu's lips as his eyes suddenly grew sharp, and the hairs upon my back stood on end. A scarlet glow raced over my body as Gu blinked in front of me. My soul howled in danger as a crackle of grey lightning flared off my body like fire.

Piercing his cane at me, a powerful sword intent raced from his cane faster than the speed of light. My arm, cloaked in a rich fiendish divinity and a deadly spear intent, crashed with his cane.

BOOOOM!!!