Carl stared at the results of the exam in shock as the golden box continued to display the image of a violent sea of dancing flames, soaring comets, and descending meteors.
1st Mortal Grade!
He was... invincible!
"But- But how?! This is impossible, there's no way you can do this! Even cultivators for hundreds of years are unable to do this!" Andrew said in shock as he took a step back and pointed at Carl, "You're a true anomaly, just like your father!"
"Hehe, I know." Carl wasn't affected by his uncle's ramblings as he began to contemplate on how this was possible... He soul wasn't supposed to be at this- wait a sec...
Jade might be responsible! It is possible for a soul beast to increase the strength of it's owner's soul by leaps and bounds...
Also, my soul energy always explodes after reaching a certain level and consumes my consciousness... what if it wasn't an explosion, but it was the emergence of my hell soul!
I have been cultivating for no less than fifteen years, ever since I knew how to blink... to think that I was trash... not knowing I was creating...
An invincible monster! Jade's appearance has really helped me see my true potential, I'm just a few steps from reaching the Heavenly Grade!
'Jade! Jade, are you interested in humans?' Carl said excitedly to his azure dragon, Jade with big gleaming eyes as star appeared all around him.
Jade froze. What nonsense was this shameless kid spitting out now, which dragon would want to be interested in humans?
'Cough cough, Carl it seems like you're drunk with too much power. You now seem like someone who needs... a thrashing!'
'Why did you stop calling me master, are you really-'
'Shut up.'
'...'
––
After Andrew assigned Carl the outstanding role of a true Celestial Sect Cultivator, and announced it to the ears of his heart-bleeding enemies. He was ushered to his domain by a bald old man wearing casual black robes with a smile on his face.
"Master Carl, since you have passed your exams, this shall be your cultivation grounds. Feel free to call for me if you have any questions that needs to be answered." The bald old man said before walking away without hesitating for a split second.
Carl on the other hand shrugged before looking towards the doors to his cultivation 'grounds'. The door was as large as a gate with the emblem of a golden dragon spreading out it's wings.
He pushed open the unlocked doors with a sigh, only to be hit by a shocking sight. Carl's mouth flung open as his jaws dropped to the ground.
Before his eyes was a vast mountain range which reached more than 300 ft long, with lush vegetation, a large waterfall, and a variety of pure animals. The entire area was calm and peaceful, with the constant chirping of birds and the sound of water splashing against rocks.
Carl's eyes twitched as he remembered being chased out of the sect and nearly missing such a beautiful opportunity. He instantly took a deep breath, allowing the calm Qi to flow through his body and into his soul.
'I think I should let Jade out. No one will see her here, and it's spacious enough for her to roam about. It is not good for something to be cramped up in a space for to long.' Carl thought as he brought out the glowing blue orb and allowed his will energy to flow into the orb.
Suddenly, the orb burst out in a bright blue glow as an azure magic circle with countless runic patterns around it was formed right before Carl. In the next split second a serpent-like creature shot out of the magic circle.
It was a magnificent glowing eastern azure dragon which was about 28 feet long. It had no wings, but was able to soar in the air.
Jade circled above Carl's head in glee before shooting towards the beautiful water right under the mountain range with an ecstatic expression on her face.
Carl held the orb which had now turned dull and gray for a moment with a smile on his face, before pocketing it and walking towards the mountains with a smile on his face.
"After getting so much power in cultivation, I'll need some powerful techniques to absolutely destroy my foes." Carl thought out loud as he continued walking towards the mountain, not noticing Jade who had flown towards him.
"Hmm, you'll need a technique that'll give you explosive combat power, and a weapon that too!" Jade chimed in, making Carl jump in shock before letting out a deep breath to calm himself down.
'Phew, it's not good to sneak up on people like that when you're in such a quiet and serene place... Anyways, Jade's right though, I do need a compatible weapon now that I'm at the peak of the Mortal Grade.' Carl thought with a frown on his face as he held his chin.
A weapon...
What weapon would be good for me? Carl threw a look in Jade's direction...
Sword - Bah, I'm not that proficient in swinging blades and countering.
Daggers - Even worse than a sword. I can't manage with all the complex moves that come with possessing a dagger.
Axe? Hammer?
They'd be good, but no... I think I like a spear, besides I'm more adept in using a spear than swinging an axe or hammer.
"I good Spear would be great, but I don't know which smith would craft a very powerful spear for me. It should be something that can handle high explosive strikes." Carl mused as he took a glance at Jade, "You must know someone right?"
"I do, but it'll cost money. I don't think you can afford it though." Jade said to Carl as she let out a deep breath before lifting her head to stare at the birds happily chirping on a tree before her.
Carl's eyes twitched as he heard Jade. Can't afford it? Who does this blue dragon think he, the great Carl is!
"Money isn't a problem quality is. Oh, here's the mountain." Carl tilted his head back to stare at the tip of the mountain before looking over at Jade with a malicious grin, "Cough cough, that's too high. Huh, I forgot my soul beast can fly, oh well. Come over here Jade!"
Seeing his grin, Jade felt dread.
––
After some minutes, Carl was dropped at the top of the mountain by Jade who quietly lay down besides him.
"Thanks Jade." Carl said before sitting in a meditative pose and closing his eyes. Soon after, a couple of bright silver runes appeared around Carl as he entered a state of cultivation, absorbing the power of heaven and earth and using it to nourish his soul.
Now, what kind of legendary skill should I create?
I'll need to cultivate more to receive enlightenment from the natural order of the heavens and earth.
––
While Carl was cultivating in the Celestial Sect, his father, Thomas had rushed to meet Andrew. He had anxiety on his face, unlike his normal domineering or threatening expression.
"Don't worry, he's fine. I put him in your Fragment World as his cultivation grounds. So you can easily meet him to check his progress." Andrew said as he lifted his arms and stared at Thomas with dread as a thought crossed his mind. I'd finally found his son, what does he want now?
"Thank you." Thomas said with a slight nod before leaving in haste. Although he was strong, the weak still had to be respected.
Thomas left the pleased Andrew and rushed outside of his room.
Instantaneous Transfer - 3rd Grade!
In the next split second, Thomas's body disappeared in a puff of silver smoke, appearing metres away, right before the open doors to his Fragment World.
The sight he saw, made him freeze to the core...
Why was his son... with a dragon?