Chapter 7: The Trial of Genius
Loras stood in the Senate Hall, his small figure seemingly insignificant compared to the grandeur of his surroundings. Yet, the oppressive energy of the room did not faze him. He had prepared for this moment.
The ceiling depicted an endless swirl of void energy, pulsating with chaotic power. The walls told the story of the Doom Clan's rise—immortal realms conquered, great wars fought, and gods vanquished. Loras admired the carvings briefly, noting how his future achievements would one day adorn these walls.
The clan leader, Gung Doom, sat on a throne above all, exuding an aura of unmatched authority. Below him, the Grand Elder Xuanyi watched everything with hawk-like eyes. The 21 elders of the Senate were seated on either side, arranged in descending order of power.
Each elder seemed ready to dissect Loras with their questions, their faces masks of either curiosity, indifference, or veiled hostility.
---
The First Question
The second elder on the right leaned forward. His voice was deep, resonating with authority. "Young Loras, what do you know about cultivation levels?"
Loras activated his Devil God Eyes, revealing the elder's status:
Name: Elder Hēiyàn
Age: 4,300 Years
Cultivation: Earth God (25th Level – Early Stage)
Combat Strength: Comparable to Advanced Earth God
An Earth God at the second seat. Impressive for others, but not for the Doom Clan, Loras thought, suppressing a smirk.
He replied with precision:
"Cultivation begins with Qi Refining and ascends through 29 stages, each representing profound growth in power and understanding. The levels are:
1. Qi Refining
2. Foundation Establishment
3. Golden Core
4. Nascent Soul
5. Great Ascension
6. Shattering the Void
7. Ripping the Reality
8. Saint
9. Earth Saint
10. Heaven Saint
11. False Immortal
12. Real Immortal
13. Human Immortal
14. Golden Immortal
15. Earth Immortal
16. Heaven Immortal
17. Saint Immortal
18. King Immortal
19. Emperor Immortal
20. Great Emperor Immortal
21. False God
22. True God
23. Silver God
24. Golden God
25. Earth God
26. Heaven God
27. Saint God
28. King God
29. Emperor God
"Beyond the 29th level, the legends speak of a realm unattainable even to the Founding Emperor."
The elder nodded approvingly. "Well done, young Loras. You are correct."
---
The Hierarchy of Worlds
The fourth elder on the left spoke next, his tone skeptical. "Loras Doom, tell us about the hierarchy of worlds, their number, and their cultivation limits."
Loras scanned the elder's status.
Name: Elder Jiànxuě
Age: 3,900 Years
Cultivation: Golden God (24th Level – Advanced Stage)
Combat Strength: Comparable to Peak Golden God
His reply was sharp and confident:
"There is one Divine World and 49 Immortal Worlds.
Each Immortal World governs:
100 Upper Realms
1,000 Intermediate Realms
10,000 Lower Realms
The cultivation limits for each world are:
Divine World: Peak cultivation is the 29th level, Emperor God, though only the Founding Emperor ever achieved this level.
Immortal Worlds: Peak cultivation is half-step to the 19th level, Emperor Immortal, but currently, the strongest are at the 18th level, King Immortal.
Upper Realms: Peak cultivation is the 11th level, False Immortal.
Intermediate Realms: Peak cultivation is the 5th level, Great Ascension.
Lower Realms: Peak cultivation is the 3rd level, Golden Core."
The elder's eyes narrowed slightly. "What determines these limits?"
"The density and purity of Qi within each world," Loras replied. "For example, the Divine World's Qi is both dense and pure, enabling faster cultivation and the birth of stronger bloodlines. In contrast, lower realms suffer from thin and impure Qi, hindering progress."
The elder leaned back, clearly satisfied.
---
The Line of Questioning Continues
One by one, the elders began to ask Loras increasingly complex questions.
Elder Xuānmu, seated in the middle, asked, "How many sects exist in the Divine World, and how are they divided?"
Loras responded smoothly:
"The Divine World houses thousands of sects, divided into small, medium, and large categories. The most powerful ones align themselves with the Imperial Family or one of the Four Great Families. Others operate independently but are still under the influence of the ruling clans."
Another elder, Elder Lìngzhēn, asked, "Why does the Imperial Family still rule despite their weakening over the years since the Founding Emperor's death?"
Loras's tone was respectful but firm:
"The Imperial Family retains their position through legacy and fear. While their strength has declined, the threat of unknown contingencies left by the Founding Emperor deters rebellion. The four great clans, including ours, tread cautiously, unwilling to risk an all-out war."
The questioning continued, touching on elements, world hierarchies, and the Doom Clan's history. Loras answered each with precision, earning nods of approval from some elders and frowns from others.
---
The Grand Elder's Suspicion
Throughout the questioning, the Grand Elder Xuanyi remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on Loras.
Finally, he stood and addressed the room. "Let us move beyond words. Loras, give me your hand."
Loras feigned nervousness but extended his hand, knowing this was a pivotal moment.
The Grand Elder sent a thread of Qi into Loras's palm and froze. His eyes widened with shock, and he turned to Gung Doom. "This child is a prodigy unparalleled! His potential surpasses anything I've seen in my centuries of life!"
Without hesitation, Xuanyi issued an
order:
"Seal the hall. Kill all servants near the
perimeter. Eliminate anyone suspected
of being a spy within the inner palace
Leave no loose ends."
The room froze. Gung Doom nodded
solemnly. "You heard the Grand Elder.
Execute the order immediately."
Two elders disappeared instantly, their
cultivation at Silver God level making
them invisible to ordinary eyes
Screams of terror echoed faintly from
beyond the hall as servants and
suspected spies were systematically
eliminated.
Within moments, the hall became eerily
silent, save for the distant crackle of
void energy
---
Interactions with the Ancestors
As the questioning continued, the ancestors began arriving, one by one. The Supreme Ancestor Tiania Doom stood at the center of their attention, his imposing aura silencing the hall.
Name: Supreme Ancestor Tiania Doom
Age: 76,000 Years
Cultivation: Half-Step Emperor God (29th Level)
Combat Strength: Half-Step Emperor God
The Supreme Ancestor's gaze was steady as he examined Loras. "This child's potential is unprecedented. Bring forth the records of the Founding Emperor's trial for comparison."
Another ancestor, Elder Yǔshēn, who was at the Peak Earth God level, stepped forward. "Supreme Ancestor, could this boy truly surpass the Founding Emperor?"
Tiania's laughter filled the hall. "Surpass? He is destined to rewrite the history of cultivation itself."
The Grand Elder Xuanyi nodded in agreement. "His responses have shown not only intelligence but a level of understanding beyond his years."
---
Declaring the Crown Prince
After all the questions were answered, the Supreme Ancestor rose to his full height, his voice echoing with authority:
"From this moment, Loras Doom is declared the Crown Prince and sole Young Master of the Doom Clan. His authority will rival the Senate and be second only to the clan leader."
Tiania handed Loras a jade disk. "This will summon a clone of me if you ever face danger. Use it wisely."
Loras bowed deeply, hiding his smirk. "Thank you, Grandfather."
The Supreme Ancestor then ordered:
"Swear to the heavens that none of this will be disclosed. I will begin."
The ancestors, elders, and even Gung Doom swore their oaths, their cultivation and souls bound to their promises.
---
Hidden Thoughts
As the trial concluded and the elders dispersed, Loras thought to himself: "They think I am their savior. Little do they know, I will use them to carve my own destiny."
The Supreme Ancestor approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You carry the hope of our clan, my grandson. Do not falter."
Loras smiled. "I won't, Grandfather."
As he left the hall, his thoughts turned dark: "The Doom Clan will serve me, not the other way around. Let them bask in their delusions for now."
---
End of Chapter 7.