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It wasn't long after the ship ca to a stop that Apollo began dismissing Xineen and Lily, "Okay! That's enough, go away," he waved them away with a glare. Now that the ship had ceased movent, many of the components within ceased action.
For example, the formation circles used previously fell into a dull, lifeless state. The domain rulers—the Astarte Family—instilled counterasures within their formation circles; when the ship ceased movent, the flow of Natural Essence would be disrupted.
The basis of the circles was to absorb the Natural Essence gathered through massive intake valves that were then churned and purified into sothing easily digestible amidst cultivation. However, this all relied on the perpetual motion of the ship. Thus, when it stopped moving, it marked the ti of departure being near.
Alas, the ship continued to hover above the island before lowering at a specific place. anwhile, Apollo and Aaron smirked at each other. Although they couldn't cultivate, they could do sothing else—test each other.
'Boom!'
Apollo disappeared from his spot, throwing a punch without warning. Despite that, Aaron still responded in a tily manner. However, when he felt the weight of Apollo's attack, his eyes widened.
'This strength... it has surpassed that of a Rank 3 Zul Warrior. No, it's even greater than mine and I have reached the 4th Rank. This is interesting,' Aaron thought to himself, withdrawing his blade.
During the previous strike, he used his hilt to block. Thus, with him drawing his weapon, his true potential was unsheathed. As grasped his weapon, Aaron leaned forward, tapping his foot. His image shifted into a sharp blur leaving an extensive scar on the floor causing both Kayn's and Cynthia's surprise.
"Isn't this the Blade Wind Movent Technique? But… when did he start learning that? I don't recall him asking for that technique," Kayn muttered, rubbing his chin. As he spectated the battle, he beca privy to even more stupefying information.
Small cuts opened on Apollo's arms when he defended against Aaron's attacks. It appeared Aaron's intent was more developed than they had previously thought. Due to this, Apollo changed his approach.
"You've grown stronger but… so have I," Apollo chuckled darkly, his aura growing increasingly nacing. Yet, despite this, Aaron remained focused amid the looming murky atmosphere of Apollo's aura.
"Quicksilver Swordplay Third Form: Silver Winds!" Aaron exclaid thrusting his sword, a sheen of silver light burst from his sword billowing towards Apollo who, in response, made his own move.
"Demonic Massacre Wave," Apollo muttered, nonchalantly waving his arm. This ti, it was empowered by Demonic Anima. Consequently, a sense of alarm engulfed Aaron, prompting him to dodge.
The mont he dodged, Apollo followed up by stabbing his arm wreathed in Hellfire before Aaron's throat stopping mid-strike with a small smile, "You have definitely grown, it's a draw," he chuckled.
Looking at his torso, Apollo's hand grasped Aaron's sword a centiter away from puncturing his stomach. Due to the battles with the Demonic Beast, Aaron had already beco accustod to true battle. Naturally, this extended to bouts with humans as well.
"I had an exemplary role model to chase after," Aaron nodded, withdrawing his sword. If one looked closely, they'd realize traces of blood on his sword. Turning over his palm, Apollo looked at a deep gash on his hand.
Fortunately, it wasn't there for long as he looked at it healing at a visible pace. Not only did the pendant heal him, but his Infernal Nucleus was also distributing Anima to heal him. At the site of the wound, a low sizzling noise could be heard.
'Hoh? My boys seed to have advanced again, then, what about you?' Cynthia mused, looking in Lily's direction. Unlike the boys, she wasn't one to imdiately demonstrate her gains. Only these boys would be so headstrong as to exert superiority at any given mont.
As for her, she had other matters on her mind, 'Everyone is becoming stronger but there are still unanswered questions. While I know Father died, what about Mother? I've never heard about her.'
"Ahem, I believe it's ti we depart. I can sense movent on the ship," Kayn cleared his throat, alerting everyone. While they exited their quarters, others did the sa. Soon enough, the expansive deck of the ship was filled with nurous youths and their guardians.
At that ti, the scene beca turbulent. The countless youths all possessed tumultuous aurae due to their hasty advancents. There was no ti to acquaint themselves with the newfound strengths and gain control of their aurae. Hence, it was a sight to behold.
'It seems these youths are experiencing sothing similar to . But my situation only arose due to my lack of understanding with Demonic Anima. If it was better, even after advancing, I would have been able to withdraw my aura. Therefore, I can't say our situations are one and the sa,' Apollo shook his head.
Based on the appearances of the youths present, it was clear so of them were attempting to withdraw their auras as they stood. With the signs of strain appearing on their faces, Apollo had to muster sizeable willpower to refrain from chuckling.
Shortly after, the sa cultivator who made the announcent earlier spoke again. Based on his aura, it was clear he attained mastery of his cultivation. Although he stood before everyone, his aura and his being couldn't be sensed—they were all perfectly masked.
"I am Gabriel Astarte, 1st Elder of the Astarte Family. I have been tasked to inform you all that those who appear within the top 100 will be rewarded handsoly. Those of you who make it within the top 50 will receive a Natural Blessing of the Heaven Grade," Gabriel inford without a fluctuation in emotion.
However, a voice sounded, "Do the rewards end there? What about the top 30 and top 10?"
In response to this question, Gabriel chuckled, "Do you believe you're able to accomplish that? Allow to enlighten you, you'll be going up against both the Great and Supre Families' children. This includes ours as well, therefore, I don't believe it's a task accomplishable.
"Likewise, should that oddity arise, I'll personally reward the individual or multiple youths who accomplish this. With that being said, there is sothing you must co to realize—pride is good but it can also be detrintal," Gabriel warned, his expression turning solemnly before continuing.
"You must do well to rember, there's always a sky beyond a sky. If you dismiss this notion, you'll more than likely find yourself in a precarious situation throughout every endeavor you attempt."
Hearing these words, nurous youths fell silent. However, Apollo felt these words weren't entirely true. In fact, he even attempted to rebut these words only to be halted by Kayn, "Damn lad. I thought you said you weren't going to cause trouble. Don't you know how to lower your head?"
Despite Kayn concealing his voice, Gabriel still heard it. Due to his cultivation eclipsing Kayn's he held dominance over all channels of Natural Essence within a certain domain. Thus, his eyebrow rose in curiosity.
"You lot over there, it seems you have a lad who wants to spare so words. Allow him to. It'll do no justice to thwart a young cultivator's heart, he must learn the process on his own," Gabriel said, chuckling lightheartedly.
As a result, everyone turned Kayn and the others. The nearby Shaanti even went beyond others to sneer. Any instance of them suffering embarrassnt was pleasure obtained by the Shaanti.
anwhile, Apollo paid all this no mind, "I don't believe that to be entirely correct. While it is true there may exist skies beyond skies, there is no reason to lower your head in all situations. If you do so, your progress will stagnate. Only under pressure shall your willingness to take advantage of all ans to survive, co to light."
"Interesting; that is true. But, let ask you a question. What will that heart do in the face of inviolable power? At that point, the notion of you possessing ample heart is reduced to an insignificance," Gabriel crossed his arms, finding himself intrigued by this youth.
"During the advent of adversity, one can be defeated but never can they admit defeat," Apollo adamantly replied, gaining Gabriel's admiration. Slowly, a single clap from his turned into boisterous laughter.
"Well said! I look forward to your results. If you are one of those who show an exemplary performance, I'd love to pin you against a youth from my family but enough with that. You all need to depart the ship and seek housing in the city. There's only 3 days before the registrations begin."
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