章 19: Registering in the Outer Sect Competition

...….

After understanding just where his strength was, Azmodeus couldn't believe that he had already reached a point where he could be considered a senior Core Disciple of the Yang Sect!

The Tempering Marrow Realm… How far have I come in a mere two short days…? Two days to encroach upon the 10th Minor Stage of the Body Refinement Realm…

The Tempering Marrow Stages of the Body Refinement Realm, otherwise known as the last stages one must progress through before they're able to become true cultivators in the Qi Condensation Realm.

In this set of five minor realms, one must temper their marrow enough to reach certain milestones.

These realms were split up into five unit indicators, namely →

20% Tempering Marrow

40% Tempering Marrow

60% Tempering Marrow

80% Tempering Marrow

100% Tempering Marrow

The 100% Tempering Marrow Stage was the last known stage of the Body Refinement Realm.

"If I can make it to a state of 100% Tempering Marrow, then I should be able to compete with the strongest elders of all the big forces in Spirit River City and the Yang Sect…"

At this notion, a small smile formed on Azmodues's face.

However, he soon remembered the fact that the ruling forces of Spirit River City would never allow any itinerant cultivators to obtain enough resources to break through into the 100% Tempering Marrow Stage…

It looks like I will need to quickly scale up the ranks of the Yang Sect if I wish to acquire enough resources to breakthrough without completely relying on the system and having a skewed foundation.

After this thought entered his mind, he already knew what he needed to do next.

"The Outer Sect Disciple Admittance Competition…" He muttered.

Even though he had already surpassed a strength level far greater than what he needed to become an Outer Sect Disciple, there was still a due process to everything.

And in his case, he just had to spend a few days climbing through the ranks of the Yang Sect.

On that note, luckily for him, the day after the Outer Sect Admittance Competition, there would be the Inner Sect Competition, and then two days after that, there was the annual Core Disciple Competition!

Everything almost lined up a little too perfectly for him, but it didn't matter, for as long as he could acquire more strength, he didn't care who was scheming behind the scenes.

After all, if whoever was scheming was so strong, then why didn't they simply kill him, take what they wanted, and be done with it??

Why go through so much trouble for minimal returns??

It just didn't add up, which led to Azmodeus scratching the topic altogether as he focused on cleaning up before making his way to the Outer Sect Admittance Competition.

A few minutes passed by as a young boy around twelve years old with facial features that one would deem quite adorable—contrasting greatly with the slight traces of solemnity in his expression—made his way throughout the outer stretches of the Yang Forest.

As Azmodeus sped through the forest at a speed nearing hundreds of meters a minute, he was also killing all of the Spiritual Beasts that he passed on this brief trip of his.

He gained a few thousand Evolution Essence simply by swinging his sword around like a fool and cleaving down a few trees, which made him quite pleased.

Nonetheless, after a short while, he eventually made it to the entrance of the Yang Sect, and upon seeing the large arch gates that had a wide golden plaque that said, 'Yang Sect', he walked through them.

After a few short moments and a few weaves through the bustling streets of the Yang Sect Outer area, he made it to the Sect Registry Grounds.

However, he didn't stop at the Sect Registry Grounds like he did yesterday, and instead he took a cursory glance at the building before moving along, making his way toward an arena with a rather Spartan look to it.

The Yang Arena.

It was an arena that was set up by the ancestors of the Yang Sect a few hundred years ago, and since then, it has stood strong and been used for various Sect activities.

Once every month, it would be used to hold the Outer Sect Admittance Test, and once every half a year, it would be used to hold the Inner Sect Competition.

Furthermore, every year, there would be a special occasion in which all the members of the sect and even a few other sects would come by to catch a glimpse.

Namely, it was when the Core Disciple Competition was held at the end of the year!

*Tap Tap*

Azmodeus silently moved throughout the crowds surrounding the Yang Arena as he headed straight for the area in which all of the participants of the ongoing competition would go to announce their arrival.

Not long after, he made it to the other side of a tall mahogany counter that, just like the one in the Sect Registry Grounds, was just able to allow him to peek over the other side.

"Excuse me?" He asked, his question directed toward a lady with short black hair on the other side of the counter.

"Hmm?" The lady receptionist looked down at the young boy speaking to her as she asked, "Do you need something, boy?"

"Yes, I need to announce my arrival for the Outer Sect Competition," Azmodeus responded.

"Are you sure you aren't los-?"

"No, I'm not lost, and could you please just pencil my name down on that piece of paper right there?" Azmodeus interjected.

"..." The lady receptionist didn't know what to do in this situation, considering that this boy was clearly too young to be qualified to become an Outer Disciple.

And if she let him in and he died, then it might bring some trouble back to her and her family…

However, her mind took a complete 360 with the next words that escaped the boy's mouth as he said, "My name is Azmodeus. No last name."

"Did you say Azmodues???" The receptionist questioned with a tone of disbelief.

"Yes, I did. Now can you put my name down so I can get into the Outer Sect Competition?"

"...V-Very well…"

The lady receptionist had no clue on how to go about this, so she simply complied with his request and reported this matter to her seniors in a similar manner to the lady in the Sect Registry Grounds.

...….