"That rock giant has appeared because you refused to follow the rules of the task and fight. As long as you run without fighting heading the you would be prevented from acquiring the emerald eyes. Let that rest deep in you" Elder Jang said in all seriousness.
"So there really is no hope....""Only way to win is to fight" The students were distressed. Elder Jang had taken all possible measures just to make sure they fought. Was he always the relentless?"I will go next" Young master Baxia state suddenly."Eh? Who said that?""Young master Baxia?""It's about time he stepped up"Elder Jang smiled. He had been waiting for Baxia to talk all this while. Young master Baxia was a very peculiar occurrence happened only once in the history of the four sects. As such he paid very special care to his training...he would lead the sect afterall."Elder Jang, I will be going in now" Young master Baxia bowed.Elder Jang nodded and then young master Baxia dived in.Baxia had made all the necessary analysis that he needed about the task. As he thought there were really four elements, the three elements had revealed themselves in various forms before and not the earth element had shown itself in the form of the rock Giant. Elder Jang really went all out.Now as the son of the sect master, young master Baxia had undergone a different training than the rest of the practitioners of his generations. Specifically on his martial arts. Ever since he had learned to walk he had practiced martial arts day in day out, so he could say he was leagues above his peers.Young master Baxia landed with grace and his long hair swayed with the wind. The fiery bodies emerged and unlike the rest before him, Baxia stood his ground and prepared to fight."Cho cheong" Harith tapped cho cheong's face lightly to bring her back into consciousness. She had fainted due to the blow earlier and her eyes were swollen. Her skin look pale as she had consumed too much energy. She was in a really bad shape overall."D...did I ge...get it?" Cho cheong asked weakly."Unfortunately...no" Harith replied."Heh" Cho cheong chuckled lightly.Harith could see the pain in her eyes as she chuckled. It looked like she wanted this thing much more than he did and so the disappointment that came with the realization that she didn't get it was great."I'll get it for you" Harith said under his breath. He didn't know why but cho cheong's look made him feel some kind of way. And the only way to get that look off her face was to get the emerald eyes."what did y..you say?" Cho cheong asked with as much strength as she could muster."Nothing, rest up" Harith said and rested her on a nearby wall.....Inside the HoleA fierce fight was occuring. Young master Baxia was going toe to toe with eight enemies all by himself. No one expected this from him but they were intrigued and eager to see how it went. Did Baxia really have what it took to fight these things headon and come out on top?Young master Baxia waved his sword. Lava splashed from the bodies of the red beings. It was like a dance in the rain as young master Baxia gracefully went through his opponents with nothing but a sword and a determined heart. The crowd watched as Young master skillfully took down the flaming enemies. On swipe of the sword and one of their limbs were gone. It didn't take much time until all of the fiery bodies were lying in pieces and only Baxia remained standing tall. Faces of shock was widespread among the audience now. They had expected young master Baxia to defeat the enemies but they didn't expect it to happen this quickly. "He truly is special" Elder Jang muttered. Young master Baxia took a deep breath and continued on his way. Now it just remained two more obstacles before he could successfully take the emerald eyes. As soon as he reached halfway through the floor, the walls opened and the air bursts shot with full power. 'Master Jang said to fight it head-on, how do I fight against this?' Baxia thought. There was literally no war he could fight against air. All he could do was dodge it's bursts and get out of it's range. But then if he did that the emerald eyes wouldn't be his for the taking. "You have to destroy the source" As if Elder Jang knew what was going on in young master Baxia's head he offered him a tip to help. "The source" Young master Baxia dodged and looked. There were over ten sources openings on both sides of the wall! "First try" Young master Baxia muttered and jumped high into the air and then violently threw his sword at one of the openings. The sword travelled with great speed and pierced the hole. As soon as it did, the sound of metal clashing with metal was heard and the air burst from that hole instantly died down. "one down, eleven more to go" Young master Baxia twisted in mid air, dodging the air burst that was heading for his sides and with a shout he recalled his sword. Clashes after clashes occured, the sword travelled at great speed and every hole it came into contact with was destroyed. As the students watched this a feeling of dread spread in their hearts. All they could see now was a monster with rampaging in that space. This was the boy they had to compete with? Young master Baxia was oblivious to the growing fear of his peers and still continued in his maneuvers. Finally he hut the last hole and the air bursts stopped. "Ah good good, just as I expected" Elder Jang's smile reached his eyes. Young master Baxia wasted no time in progressing. He could already feel his energy draining, if he kept using going like this he wouldn't even reach the emerald eyes before he collapsed. This time the Water serpent announced itself with a loud roar. It's eyes opened and it was like it stared into Baxia's soul. Baxia shivered but shook off the fear and gripped his sword tightly. The power of this serpent was too great, he couldn't endure it's attack head-on. But there was one thing he could do, since it was a one hit attack then he could trick it into attacking something else like that girl had done earlier. "You must endure the attack without any defense or evasion" Elder Jang brought down a dreadful news upon Young master Baxia. "What?! How can he endure the attack? Can't you see what it did to the others?!" A student was clearly fed up with elder Jang and shouted out his complaint. The student immediately regretted her actions as Elder Jang's cold look met her gaze. She whimpered and didn't say anything further. "This will test your ability to endure pain" Elder Jang was brief. Young master Baxia's heart pounded like crazy. He hadn't expected Elder Jang to actually want him to endure the attack. That thing could really kill him if it affected a vital spot on his body! *Roar!* The water serpent charged, it one motive was to hit Baxia and Baxia only. Baxia's heart wavered as the water serpent inched closer. *Bam* The violent water took washed over Baxia. Baxia was pushed back several metres and he fell, but he managed to land on his knee as he endured the surging power. It felt like a thousand hammers were hitting every part of his body simultaneously. *Vomit* Baxia spat out blood as he fell weakly to the floor, his eyes almost closing. A period of silence hit. Everyone waited for something to happen but nothing did. Young master Baxia still lied on the floor immobile. "go get him" Elder Jang said with a worried tone. "Yes master" One of the student responded immediately and rushed into the hole. "I am fine" As the boy was about to enter the hole young master Baxia's voice echoed throughout the whole area. It wasn't loud but it was clear enough for everyone to hear! Young master Baxia's eyes opened as a faint blue glow shone through cloth on his shoulder region. He got to his feet and dragged himself. Step by step he walked with his left arm holding his abdominal region. He was badly hurt but he would keep going, five emerald eyes were worth far more than the injuries he suffered now. "Young master go!" "You can do it go get them!" As soon as the crowd saw Baxia standing again a surge of joy overtook them and they just couldn't help but cheer and admire him. He had endured all that, even serpent that had knocked out two other he alone endured it. If anyone deserved the emerald eyes then it had to be the Young master Baxia! Elder Jang was very pleased with what he saw as it was evident from the look on his face. Trouble was coming, maybe the others weren't ready but this one...this one had the ability to stand against it. After all, the trouble would only come because of him. As young master Baxia walked his legs became heavier and he found it hard to life them. He felt like a dense steel ball was resting on his eyelids pressuring them to go down. "No, just a bit....more" Young master Baxia tried to motivate himself. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. As soon as he came close to the pedestal he dropped to the floor and lost consciousness. "Go get him now" Elder Jang ordered and the student that had responded earlier was quick to dive. Since he didn't want to challenge the task nothing attacked him so he safely retrieved Baxia. Baxia was brought up and the students all gathered around him. Even though he was unconscious they still praised him and chanted his name. He had truly shown that he was great in ability. Harith was surprised to say the list. That young master had really put on a show there, even he had no choice but to acknowledge his strength. But as he watched the unconscious boy surrounded by the others he felt a deep seethed hatred that he had no idea how and when it came and it prevented him from truly caring. He shifted his focus from Young master Baxia and walked to the front. "I would like to go ne-" Harith spoke but was quickly cut off but Elder Jang "That will be all for today. Class is dismissed" Elder gank said and stamped his cane on the ground. He then left the scene with a satisfied look. Harith had a dumbfounded expression. Why the fuck did this man have to end the session when it was finally his turn to go?! The courage he had struggled to gather just to challenge this course was wasted!..... As Elder Jang left the Youth practitioners building he happened to see a familiar figure watching by the gate. "Sect master" Elder Jang did a small bow. The sect master bowed in return and asked "How is the training going?" "Like you suggested I have increased the speed of their training. With this method improvements are bound to come faster" Elder Jang said. The whole event that had taken place just some while ago was all due to the sect master's instructions. "Good, you have my gratitude" The sect master bowed again. "Ay it's nothing. I just hope this we have enough time before they come. With the letter from earlier it seems like they're planning something grand" Elder Jang expressed his worries. "For sure. They can't do anything about the older generation so they would come for the younger generation of our sect. And I feel this time, they wouldn't be as forgiving""How are you feeling?" Harith asked. He walked with Cho cheong who was looking a bit better now but the bruise on her face was still very evident."I'm okay. It'll heal in a short while" Cho cheong said and touch her eye."You did quite a great thing in there, I'm impressed" Harith spoke from the depths of his heart. Cho cheong had come the closest to taking the emerald eyes. If elder Jang had come clean earlier maybe it would have been a different story."It wasn't anything much, I just ran around and got knocked out" Cho cheong blushed from embarrassment but one could see the joy on her face if they looked closer."Well, Just to make sure you're really okay, let me escort you home" Harith smiled. He had no motives and was just being a gentleman..."Eh? My house is quite far from here I'm not sure you would want to walk that long" Cho cheong quickly denied him."I don't mind. I mean, I have nothing to do so..." Harith shrugged."okay...." Cho cheong finally agreed.The two went back
At that moment two guards arrived. They had hurried breaths so it was obvious they had been running for quite some time."S...stop" One of them spoke as he held his chest and scrunched his face."Ah Elder Jang" The other one noticed Elder Jang and bowed immediately. The second one too followed.Elder Jang raised one of his eyebrows in a look that questioned the guards."Elder Jang they forcefully came in through the sect's gate. We tried to stop them but before we could do anything they were long gone" One of them said with a worried look."So you broke into the sect, and also barged in here. You better have a good excuse for this?" Elder Jang looked at Rose with an angry face."I told you, u brought friendly competition" Rose smiled as she pointed at the two with her.Elder Jang took a low at the other two person with her. He couldn't see much of them as they had long black robes on them but from what he sensed, they would be of the younger generation."You two leave and report to th
Hao Feng had the brightest smile on his face. This woman had really stuck to her words and actually given him the emerald eyes. He just had to beat her candidate...which he did easily. Even he was surprised at how easy he had done that. Sure he had a few cuts here and there but that was all, she didn't really prove much trouble in taking down."Guys what are you waiting for?" Hao Feng excitedly said to the crowd and he waved his emerald eyes for all to see."She really did give him!""It wasn't even that hard for Hao Feng to beat him" The crowd was ecstatic. Hao Feng was a average at best in terms of power but he had still easily taken the girl down. If they went then it was basically free emerald eyes assured."I wanna go next!""No me me, elder Jang pick me!" The students struggled to come forward. Elder Jang on the other hand wasn't too happy. This girl Rose had brought felt so weak compared to what he expected from an average Great water serpent sect youth practitioner. The averag
"It's remaining two pairs, if you want to fight now's your chance" Rose said as she looked in a certain direction with intent."Let me go this time" As soon as young master Baxia saw her look. He felt suspicious that she kept looking at him but he didn't focus on that. His focus was on the emerald eyes. If he didn't step up before the others the emerald eyes may be gone just when he could."Come on out then" Rose answered In place of elder Jang with enthusiasm. Young master Baxia looked at Elder Jang for his approval and since elder Jang had nothing to be suspicious about he just let him go. It wouldn't even last up to a minute before Baxia would win and he'd resume his time with his students."Eh? Wasn't she knocked out before?" A student pointed at Amber who was now standing opposite young master Baxia. Of course they found it strange, it was unlike before when she was fed the pill and took some time to become conscious. Now immediately Young master Baxia stepped up she just surpri
The next dayHarith had woken up very early and started with the stance right away. It was about five in the morning so everywhere was dark and silent, but this was what Harith preferred. The undisturbed silence gave him the leisure to focus more on the state he attained."Now let's see your magic" Harith muttered as he brought out the three emerald eyes he had earned...well he stole one but still most of it was earned. He placed two in his palms and one in front of him and sat on his bed cross legged. He placed his hands on his thighs and joined his fingers together. He then closed his eyes and breathe rhythmically.Sure this wasn't the position Elder Jang had taught him to stay in. But he had found out that one didn't necessarily have to adopt a particular stance before they could gather energy. So he stayed in a way that he was more comfortable with.The book he bought earlier had shown him in detail how the emerald eyes could be used for training. Now to understand that one must f
"Come here, sit down." Cho cheong guided Harith to her chair as he held his nose. She brought out a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to him."Thanks" Harith took the handkerchief and pressed it on his nose. There was still much blood on it so the handkerchief was soaked in a few seconds.Cho cheong offered him another and finally the blood rush was stable."You shouldn't be getting into fights now, you know you're still not strong enough. How would you have defended yourself if Dang ju really wanted to attack you?" Cho cheong nagged him with a worried look."A fight? He was the one who attacked me when I did nothing to him!" Harith was perplexed at her words. The fuck did she mean he got into a fight, getting into a fight involved two or more parties mutually attacking each other. That was not the case earlier."Did you by any chance insult his looks or say anything about his body?" Cho cheong asked."...." Harith was speechless. He had a guilty look. He had clearly called
A week after.The Trials for Elder jang's emerald eyes had become fiercer. The students were improving at a solid rate. Now the vast of them were able to take out the Fiery bodies without any sweat. A good chunk of them were able to evade the air bursts. But they all stopped when it came time to enduring the water dragon's attack.Baxia had become the only one to successfully take an emerald eye. After leaving the medicine house, he didn't waste time in challenging the hole and after many trials he took just one of the emerald eyes. Overall, Elder Jang was very satisfied with what his students showed. They hadn't become strong enough to move mountains and stuff but they were much better than they were before. Now they didn't just rely on their elemental powers but they could also rely on their martial prowess. Something that would be very useful In an unforeseen battle.On the other hand, Harith was making progress too. Every day he would wake up very early in the morning and try to
Harith had a smile as he walked back to the marketplace. He was feeling especially happy as he looked at the red bead on his hand. Sure, an emerald eye was probably worth more than this bead but he had a plan in place. A plan that would grant him both the bead and the emerald eye. For now, he was satisfied with just this."Harith! I'm happy I met you here" As Harith reached the marketplace cho cheong called him from afar. She seemed like she was in search of something."What are you doing out here on this hot afternoon?" Harith asked with a smile."Tch" Cho cheong hissed and tapped him on the head. "So should I just stay home all day?" "ow!" Harith held his forehead "aren't you the one always concerned about your skin?!" Harith puffed earning another knock from Cho cheong."Shut it and help me" Cho cheong rolled her eyes.Harith rubbed the his forehead. He was certain it had gotten red...that little devil. "What do you want?" Harith asked. Cho cheong wasn't one to be out in a public