**Chapter 6: Grades 2**
Damon surveyed the array of talents displayed before him, yet they failed to ignite any sense of wonder within him. With unwavering resolve, he stood up and instantly appeared on the stage, drawing the astonished gazes of the experts present. Bewilderment washed over them as they noted his sudden departure from his previous position, sensing no spiritual energy radiating from him. "This child possesses something unusual; the tranquility in his eyes captivates me," one observer pondered aloud. Beside him stood a girl at the pinnacle of the Commander realm, her hands clasped in fervent prayer. "What does she think she's doing?" they scoffed, unable to fathom her intentions. Yet, despite their derision, a protective barrier cocooned her, rendering their taunts powerless.
"Two lines must form before the two pillars," Fendrick commanded with commanding authority. The crowd complied, eager to avoid incurring the elder's wrath. The 7th Prince of the Gale Kingdom strode forward, exuding an air of arrogance. Frustrated by his prior inability to showcase his prowess, he resolved to unveil his true potential this time. He placed his hand firmly on the pillar, and as he opened his eyes, golden light erupted, soaring into the heavens as a colossal Poison Wyvern spirit emerged. It descended upon him, enveloping him in the essence of his bloodline. "Gold Grade! Unbelievable! This child possesses talent unseen in a century," gasped the audience as he returned to his seat, pride swelling within him.
As he settled in, he noticed the girl from the Flood Sect undergoing her test. He watched intently as a brilliant red light surged into the sky, heralding the arrival of a massive Flood Dragon. It descended upon her, drenching her in the essence of its lineage, revealing an Ancestor Grade bloodline, a rarity in recent years. The crowd gasped in awe, while the Gale family's scion seethed with fury. Undeterred by his rage, she made her way toward her fellow sect members, basking in the praise of the Flood Sect's master.
Following her, nine individuals emerged, each showcasing Blue Grade bloodlines, succeeded by twelve with Green Grade, and then six with Purple Grade. A young boy with strikingly dark skin captured the attention of the cultivators, even drawing Damon's curious gaze. He approached the pillar, pressing his hand against it. Suddenly, two lights erupted from his eyes, transforming portions of the sky into a vivid red, followed by a grey light. A colossal deity of fire materialized, hurling a spear imbued with flames. As the fire descended, the deity dissolved into the flames, igniting the entire sky in a blazing spectacle before landing on Ogun, engulfing the stage in flames. "What in the world was that? This bloodline is astonishing!" the crowd gasped in disbelief.
Ogun, unfazed, consumed the fire surrounding him, blue flames flickering from his mouth. Just as he began to harness his power, a colossal surge of energy coursed through him, washing over his body. For a fleeting moment, a silver glow enveloped him, only to be interrupted by another explosion of energy. A cyan light shot into the sky, revealing an Undead Phoenix that descended with incredible speed, bestowing its essence upon one of the girls from the Snow Valley and granting her the blessing of the undying body. "Do my eyes deceive me? Why are so many geniuses emerging in this era?" a wise man in the crowd wondered aloud, sensing the impending greatness that loomed near.
In total, they had witnessed nine Blue Grades, twelve Green Grades, and six Purple Grades. Three remarkable individuals stepped forward, each possessing dual attributes: Lin Feng, who commanded both Gold and Grey; Xing Long, wielding Red and Gold; and the two princesses of Snow Valley, each embodying Cyan Grade with the Undead and Ice Phoenix. Lastly, the Fourth Prince of Martlock showcased Red Grade, Ancestor Level talent. Each of them stood worthy of the title of genius, a testament to the extraordinary potential of their generation.
The last two contenders were Pyo and Damon, who both paused before their respective pillars. Damon glanced to his side as he saw Pyo place his hand on the bloodline pillar. Suddenly, his eyes shone with cyan and red, as a tremendous eruption occurred as the members of the Ruthless Buddha Sect pounded their chests, chanting for their young lord. A massive mammoth-like creature emerged from the pillars of light, with a figure seated by its head in a lotus position—it was a Blood Asura. They quickly descended into his body, granting him the strength and defense of a mammoth and the ferocity of an Asura. The joyous cries of the Ruthless Buddha Clan echoed as Pyo made his way to his seat, but before he did, he turned to glance at Damon.
Damon stood alone on the stage, his hand resting on the pillar. Suddenly, his consciousness was yanked away as an entity sensed something peculiar. "You are no child; what the hell are you?" Damon looked around, finding himself enveloped in an impenetrable darkness. In this void, he manifested as AKIM, and the entity felt the weight of Damon's energy. It hastily expelled him from its subspace, unwilling to engage with the boy before it. The audience gasped in shock as three bolts of lightning tore through the sky, as the first bloodline washed the sky in a blood red hue as a void dragon of Ancestor level soared into the heavens. A willow tree of imagination followed as it blossomed in the sky, washing away the blood-red sky, with it's golden light,yearning to open its eyes. A colossal Asura emerged, bearing two eyes and one at the center of its head, surrounded by dark energy and wielding four mighty arms, as the black pillar of light casted Martlock into temporary darkness. "What—what! The hell is that? Who is this boy? How does he possess three bloodlines of such quality?" the audience exclaimed, their eyes riveted upon Damon as waves of spiritual energy cascaded over him, infusing him with the essence of his magnificent bloodlines. As a result, his Heavenly Wheel Eyes opened, and every spectator bore witness to the extraordinary spectacle, recognizing him as a prodigy of this generation. Yet, Damon felt a twinge of dissatisfaction, yearning for more from himself as he walked away, making his way to his seat.
He overheard the mocking words of a young boy named Lin Feng as he unlocked his Void Dragon bloodline.Damon could sense a familiar essence from him, a reflection of his own family's lineage, Damon remained composed as Lin Feng insulted him. "How dare you act proud here with your lowly status? You will all merely serve as fodder for the royal court!" With that, Damon dashed towards him, but Lin Feng was a bit sharp as he drew his sword and slashed at Damon's abdomen, the blade shattered against him. The crowd gasped in astonishment; Damon had not released a single drop of spiritual energy, yet he had effortlessly broken a sword. Before they could react, Damon swiftly severed Lin Feng's hands, leaving the boy in shock as he watched his hands fall to the ground.
In a panic, Lin Feng lost his balance, realizing that this demon had decapitated both his hands and feet. "Ahhh! Please, someone help me!" he cried out as one of the Lin family guardians rushed forward, wielding a sword that demonstrated beginner King realm strength. Yet he felt something amiss, as if he were suspended in the air, held by an unseen force. Pain suddenly surged through his feet, and he turned to see Emily—the woman who had been praying—decapitating his feet. He screamed, but his mind lingered on the entity that had suspended him in the air. As he made eye contact with one of the Abyssal creatures, terror gripped him, and he fainted from fright. The audience, witnessing this gruesome scene, instinctively drew their children closer, choosing to shield them from the horror unfolding before their eyes.
"Please don't come close; just spare my life!" Lin Feng pleaded, bowing low, using his decapitated hand to cover his head as he begged for mercy. "What's your name?" Damon inquired, his voice calm as Lin Feng trembled. "My name is Lin Feng," he stammered. Damon smiled, turning away, but suddenly felt a wave of pressure descend upon him as an enraged figure flew down from above. "How dare you commit such evil in front of everyone!" Fendrick roared, his anger palpable as he intensified the pressure on Damon and Emily. Yet, they stood resolute, unyielding as the elder's fury bubbled over.