'And this is already hard... It's like the beginning of the King of Pain challenge, only you also have to move... If I don't speed up, I might not make it to level 3 in time!' - Kai quickly realised.
- Tz! Let's go! - Tongue clucking, Kai began to speed up.
With this pressure, he could no longer run as he had to concentrate on 'momentum' and self-healing. If he flew forwards brokenly, he wouldn't be able to regenerate effectively. Kai's pace was similar to a normal human's walk. Not too fast, but not too slow either.
''Now I understand why Shadow Sect disciples are so strong... If the Core disciple stage is so serious, then what happens at the 3rd level? ''Alright... There's no point in speculating. All we need to do is just break through!' - Decidedly shouted in his mind, Kai shouted in his mind.
Right now, there was a lot of destructive energy pressing down on his body. But for now, it was not at all enough to start destroying Kai's body. He was successfully resisting it.
Fssu! - A sharp sound resounded in the darkness!
Kai immediately realised that it was one of those strange creatures. He kept assessing the surroundings with his perception, it didn't come as a surprise to him.
'Damn! Making too many movements could be dangerous... We need other methods...' - Kai quickly realised.
If he fought with his daggers or with his punches, he would be obliged to make fast movements. This would affect his regeneration speed. Moreover, this creature looked more powerful.....
'Astral Sacrifice Fire!' - Instantly, Kai commanded!
Black fire instantly erupted around him! Without any extra movement, just by his mental command, the fire flew forwards. As it hit the strange creature, it created a small explosion.
Bang! - There was a loud sound and the creature's body instantly burst into flames.
As soon as it did, the silhouette burned to ashes almost instantly! Looking around the surroundings, Kai smiled. He realised that the other creatures preparing to attack had stopped. Seeing how quickly their kin had been destroyed, they had decided to wait. After all, they were living creatures, and had their own instincts.
........
A moment ago in the white room.
As flames erupted around Kai, Elder Brood stood up again. Right now, his face was greatly dumbfounded!
- An alchemist! He is definitely an alchemist! This flame is very strong, yet the boy's control is unbelievable! - While bulging his eyes, the old man shouted out.
- Although I'm not an Alchemist, I can see what you Brood... - Elder Ovian replied a little shocked.
- The guy was definitely not joking about being an Alchemist. Based on the fire control... - Brud paused, - I definitely won't have to teach him the basics... - As if in a trance he said.
Right now, many people were shocked and didn't say anything. Even Elder Caius was silent... These old men had lived long enough to understand something. The whole situation with Kai was extraordinary.
- Old geezer, what is that flame? - Elder Caius asked.
- Hmm... I'm ashamed to say, this is the first time I've encountered it... But it's definitely one of the best Earth Flames! But how was it able to absorb it on its own? - Elder Brood said with a touch of respect in his voice.
- Most likely, it had met some lucky chances along the way. However... Who among us hasn't? A true martial artist can only evolve by constantly walking on the edge of the blade... That is the only way to find the luck to break through...' Elder Ovian said with wisdom in his voice.
True martial artists are the people who truly live it. They pursue the constant development of their powers. Such people often go travelling into dangerous and forbidden zones. And if luck favours them, they may find something very useful. For example, a rare plant, an item, or even the legacy of another master. The Invisible Kings Torture Technique, was found in a similar way. These were what were called lucky chances. Except, you wouldn't be able to take such a chance if you weren't strong enough... Even if it was lying right under your nose.
- I think you're right Elder Ovian...' one of the watching old men said thoughtfully, 'But while you were all marvelling at his specific skills..... You seem to have forgotten one very weighty fact... - Said the old man.
- What's that? - Brud asked in surprise.
- Which one?! Doesn't it bother you that he's already passed a quarter of level 5?! He's already at the level of a Personal Apprentice! He's not even in the Shadow Sect yet! - The old man who spoke shouted in a daze.
All this time, he had been sitting there in complete shock, looking at Kai. It seemed absurd to him that these two were now discussing Arrays and Alchemy again. How did they not understand the entire situation?
It was at this moment that a guard ran into the white room and quickly bowed.
- ''I have obtained all of Elder Ovian's information! - He said respectfully.
- Speak. - Ovian said calmly, but it was obvious that he was in slight anticipation.
- His name is Kai. He came on a letter of recommendation from the Beast Border City. The letter was issued by the Head of the City himself. He arrived in Shadow City just yesterday, went to the Golden Lotus Restaurant, then stayed at a hotel. - In the morning, he immediately came here... He is... 14 years old! - The guard couldn't believe his own words.
- Unbelievable... - A few of the old men were dumbfounded...
Suddenly, Elder Ovian stood up.
- The general council will decide under whose care he will go. You can forget about the idea of recruiting him quickly. The Shadow Sect must invest in this youngling! Who will be his Master will also be decided by the general council! - The old man announced in a solemn voice.
- Obey! - Almost in unison, all the old men shouted.
In situations like this, the Shadow Sect was very united. They understood how things were now. What Kai showed, considering his age... It was very impressive, even for the Shadow Sect. All the Elders realised that in this situation, they had no right to pursue only personal gain.
Having said that, Elder Ovian began to walk towards the exit.
- Where are you going Elder? - Caius asked.
- I'm going to the Shadow Dungeon to observe up close. The guy doesn't really seem to realise that there's no point in him going any further. I don't want him to hurt himself! - explained Ovian, - Brud, Caius, you can come with me. - Saying that, he quickly walked out of the white room.
........
Unaware of the commotion he had caused, Kai continued downstairs. A thin layer of black fire burned around him. Every time a black figure jumped out at him, he would instantly attack it.
Right now, Kai's entire forehead was covered in sweat... It was becoming quite difficult for him to advance further. Wounds were slowly appearing all over his body. But Kai healed them very quickly, and continued to concentrate on his surroundings. In this way, he continued to move forward.
After half an hour, breathing heavily, Kai stopped. Ten metres away from him, the environment was changing. There seemed to be a translucent barrier located there.... It seemed to him that a new zone was located behind it. Since there, the density of the black fog and the overwhelming feeling from it was many times higher! It was also apparent how chaotic the energy inside was!
''It seems like this is the third level! Damn... The energy in there is in utter chaos... I won't be able to last long in there. This is reality, not the domain of the King of Pain, in which case I might die...' - Said Kai to himself.
- I just need to break through, and spend at least a few seconds there... Even if it wouldn't be a clean move, but the conditions were just that. For a Supreme disciple, you need to enter level 3! Once I enter it, I will fulfil the requirements! Alright, let's try it! - Decidedly, Kai shouted out and began to step forward.
'Level 3? Really...' - A voice sounded in the darkness, only Kai couldn't hear it.