Even though there were a few bouts of battles, none of them were as remarkable as the previous battle which has shocked everyone.
To Ace, even though their movements were swift and precise, the other sword masters had already lost themselves in the sword path. Out of the few battles, there were only one or two that remained true to the sword. The rest were just fixated on showing off their skills.
Even though Ace disdained their actions and way of handling the sword, there wasn't anything he could do about it, the weak obeys the strong, that was the current situation he was facing.
Within his mind, he could sense the slaughter law tempting him to step onto the stage, his mind was hungry for blood, but he still managed to suppress that thought after much effort.
Cultivating the Slaughter law was dangerous, which was why his progress was linked to his mental strength. One reckless move and he might be consumed by the slaughter law, becoming a killing machine that must be eliminated.
After five minutes, no one stepped onto the stage. It was afternoon and the sun was at its peak.
The stage went down silently, passing through the solid ground as though it has never appeared before. Only visible cut lines were proof of the existence of the stage.
*Whirr*
Right at the moment the stage was removed, energy gathered around the entrance of the sword tower, spiralling into a vortex which would lead to the internal area of the Sword Tower.
The Vortex was the colour of the ocean, the depths of its blackhole threatening and menacing in the eyes of every sword master here.
Unknowingly, the first test had started with the portal deciding the participants qualified to enter the Sword Tower. As for those who weren't chosen, they had made a wasted trip. It didn't matter if they had the intention to leave willingly, they had no possible way to enter the Sword Tower.
"Brimstone, why do I feel that the portal is calling out to me?" Ace asked calmly, his brows furrowing in annoyance over the disturbing aura from the portal. He was fearful of it as a human, but he was also fearless towards it for his ambitions. Most importantly, everything he does now would lead him one step closer to saving Charlotte.
"You should be glad about this, that's proof that you've been recognised by the Sword Tower as someone who's qualified to step into the Sword Tower. Look around you, most of the sword masters here already disheartened by the harsh reality."
Looking around, Ace realised that Brimstone was telling him the truth. Out of all the youths here, most of them were looking at the ground helplessly, their fists clenched and hanging by the side of their body. Indignant faces showing on their faces, but their fear still got a hold on them.
Yet, there was one youth present, he wasn't chosen just like most, but resolution could be seen on his face as he became the first person to step into the portal, his body vanishing from view.
That's right, he had entered the portal successfully without any mishaps.
How did this happen? A few of the impatient youths rushed towards the portal as well, only for the merciless current of the portal to mince their body.
The portal with its sharp edge and relentless rotations sliced the few youths who had rushed towards the portal full of hope for the future. Their family members who had been cheering in silent joy left confused by what just happened before hearing the sound of their hearts shattering.
One had to know that all these youths were either the talented geniuses of their family or the force they represented, yet their loved ones accompanied them only to see them getting completely destroyed before their eyes.
An ancient voice came from the Sword Tower, "Those of you who weren't chosen, it's recommended that you stay outside. As for why that youth managed to enter, it's because he's a sword maniac that has unknown potential, if you can tell me that you cultivate the sword only because of your passionate love for it, then feel free to take the risk."
Many had questions to raise, but before they could even voice out their questions, a man walked out of the portal. This man had only appeared once in the thousands of years of the Sword Tower's existence, he was the Sword Envoy of this Sword Tower. As for his task, it was to become an examiner before others qualify to enter.
He was the second stage of qualification that would only appear when there are more than three geniuses with the sword who catches his eye.
"Hahahaha! To think that there would be a day where I see four geniuses at once in every ten years. The youth who entered, he was more than extraordinary. As such, the other three who I've set my eyes on, you may step into this portal if you can receive this."
The next moment, a sharp ray of sword pierced through the air, splitting the air apart and causing distortions in the air. The next moment, it was already in front of the three chosen youths.
The Sword Scholar, Arden.
The Illusionary Sword Master, Cody.
The Unknown Sect Master, Ace.
Arden didn't panic, all he did was surround his body with his sword law. The Emperor law which he places absolute faith in. Golden swords formed, rotating around his body at a rapid speed as they gathered together into a gigantic sword to neutralise the attack.
Throughout the process, the Sword Scholar was fearless. All he did was dissolve an attack from the Sword Envoy as though it was nothing, but this was more than enough to shock everyone present, just how strong was this youth?
As for Cody whose true strength had been revealed by his close friend Yan Di, he didn't even bother to look at the sword ray. He allowed the sword ray to pass through his body, but it was only an afterimage, right before the sword ray made contact with the ground, a mysterious wall absorbed the attack as Cody remained standing at his initial spot.
As for Ace which no one knows of, he closed his eyes and gathered the Slaughter law into his sword, making use of his fire and frost laws, he formed a wall of flame and ice respectively to slow down the sword ray before cleaving towards it with his sword.
The overwhelming force of the sword ray was too much for Ace, his body sent flying backwards into Brimstone who helped to stabilize his body.
Sighing, Ace muttered in a voice only he could hear, "I'm still too weak compared to my future rivals."
"Who is that youth?"
"Are you kidding me? That youth is not even a Martial Apprentice cultivator yet!"
"Holy Shit! Doesn't that mean that a thirteen year old youth that might be turning fourteen soon stopped a casual attack from the Sword Envoy without suffering any significant amount of damage?"
The crowd was in an uproar over Ace's grand appearance. Unlike the Sword Scholar and maybe even Cody, the crowd was able to maintain their calm, it was something to be expected from them.
But it was a different case for Ace who wasn't just young, he was also a fresh face to everyone present. Beside him was Brimstone from the Lim family which everyone knows of, but to their side, that man, there were only a few present who knew his true identity, but all of them remained silent.
The reason was simple, it meant death to reveal the true identity of the Blood Faction Master to others for no apparent reason, that was one of the rules he established after his heroic feat.
"Senior Brimstone, Senior Taylon, Serena, I'll be taking my leave first. I hope that the next time we meet again, the deals we've made can be fulfilled." Ace said to them before vanishing into the portal without giving them time to reply to him.