"Good, now then. Let's begin." I said as I stood up. That seat is rather uncomfortable, happens when the creator of it isn't allowed to sit in it either. It would have been noticed and fixed long ago otherwise. "Prospective students. You're here to learn from me. Something that all of you specifically have in common that the others don't, is you've already embarked upon the path of thunder and lightning. So, show me. How far along are you exactly?" I announced in a booming voice.
Those who had already been promoted to the open heaven realm waited there. The others however, had decided to begin demonstrating their abilities. For the most part everyone of them was comparable to what their own realm would allow. But what infuriated me was the lack of action on the part of the open heaven realms. But I decided to wait until the others had finished their demonstrations.
"Hmm, it seems the majority of you understood. If you get a number in your mind, take a seat in the stands. If you get no number on the other hand, remain standing where you are." I said, announcing the next set of instructions, then I made the numbers appear in their minds. The only ones left in the center were the open heaven realms. One in particular looked confused. "Yes, go ahead and ask your question." I said, acknowledging his confusion.
"Master Temporal Thunder, I'm confused. May I ask why only the open heaven realms have been left here?" He asked, in his view his confusion was understandable.
"Ah, well. Your question is the wrong question. Ask yourself, what was it I asked you to do? Was it to stand around waiting?" I replied with a simple and easily understandable response.
"Master, would it not be dangerous for Star Boundary if we were to use our strength here? Can't we just say where our level is according to that system your father created?" He asked again.
"First, that system means nothing to one who knows nothing about what it takes to reach each level. For starters, I could be level 9 on that scale. However, I know I haven't reached level 8 yet. Which means I must be level 7. Considering that, and how surprised other users of the same dao had felt about me before. It was them who reconsidered their own ranks." I explained with an example. "Secondly, with me here. The Great Emperor Temporal Thunder. Do you honestly think you'd be able to overpower me? I killed a pseudo Royal Lord. And several Territory Lords. That was prior to refining another 3 elements." I continued, just a slight bit annoyed.
"No, that…" They started clambering, expecting the beating of a lifetime.
"Not with words! Show me what you are capable of or leave." I shouted in a booming voice once again. This time my eyes glowed, only to show I was serious.
The result was perfect. The open heaven realms finally began showing what they were capable of. And to be honest, they weren't much better than the Dao Seal Realms. Most of them were maybe half a level higher… Only a couple were a full level higher. And considering that meant a maximum of level 3… It was just as bad as the ones on the battlefield. Now, it was time.
"Alright, now, tell me what level you think that was." I ordered.
"Level 5, Master." They said in unison.
With nothing but a sigh from myself, the open heaven realms were confused. They looked at each other hoping that someone would have the answer. Instead I prepared a rather weak bolt of lightning at the area field, where it leaped around through the wide open area sparking and rolling around without a care for what was around them. Though I did make sure the open heaven's wouldn't be harmed too much. Well, physically anyways, their mentality would surely suffer some damage.
"Master! Is this the 7th level! It's so impressive! I'm nothing in comparison to this!" Several of the open heavens said, joyously watching the demonstration. Each taking mental notes. However, only one of them was actually paying attention to it.
"Master, may I ask what level this show is a demonstration of? I feel like it isn't strong enough to be at a high level… The strength of the lightning isn't nearly enough to do that. And flashiness doesn't matter in the face of power. This can't be any higher than the 5th level, right Master?" The only 4th rank Open Heaven asked, it was clear to see that he had just recently broken through and stabilized his new realm.
I could tell from a glance he had two more ranks in him. A shame he hadn't been able to reach a higher realm initially. I shook my head side to side. "You're partially correct. However, you're still fooled by what has come before you. That lightning there is level 3. Until you reach that, don't even dare consider saying you're ready for level 4 things." I answered snapping my fingers making the lightning vanish as if it had never been, yet there was an eerie feeling that it was still there.
"WHAT! Achem, Master… If that is only level 3, what exactly is level 5?" One of the other open heaven realms asked, panicking as his whole identity just fell apart in that very instant.
"Ahahaha! AHAHAHA! You really want to see it don't you? If it will help move things along, then, here, you, go." I laughed, slowing down to get my point across.
What appeared before everyone was a giant bolt, one that covered the entirety of the arena. From afar it looked like a solid pillar of absolute devastation. High Heaven Palace Disciples, when they saw it, got a shiver down their spines. One of fear and excitement. Such power is rarely ever displayed for the sake of teaching. Which is one of the many advantages I have over others. I don't have to wait for a life or death battle to teach others true examples.
Once the pillar disappeared the open heavens were shaking with a mix of different feelings, the couple of women were trembling and flushed. The men were on their hands and knees shaking from the sheer power they just witnessed and felt. "That was only level 5? He really must be a god. Or at the very least a young King, a prince. There will be many that worship him as a god with power like that." One spoke trembling.