Capítulo 30: 30 : Whispering Frost

The morning at the Azure Dragon Echoing Caves unfolded with a palpable sense of anticipation. Eric, while surveying the gathered disciples, found his gaze inexplicably drawn to a fat young man from the Arul Clan.

The young man, carrying a hefty two-handed sword, stood out with his round belly and a face as smooth and round as a pumpkin. Eric sensed a strange familiarity about him, though he couldn't quite place it.

As Eric pondered this, the Elder of the Dany Sect stepped forward to the central coiled dragon statue. His voice, resonant and clear, carried across the test ground.

"Disciples from each sect will approach the guardian statue and strike it with your weapon. Remember, no use of Qi, elemental energy, or family arts. Your skill and handling of the weapon will be judged."

The gathered disciples listened intently, the gravity of the test settling upon them. The Elder continued, "The Azure Dragon Whispering Caves hold 153 spots, divided from head to tail, with varying concentrations of Qi. The top ten spots in the head region are especially potent, containing the essence of the Azure Dragon."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. The opportunity to train in such a hallowed space was a cultivator's dream.

"To begin the test, let's start with our Dany Sect disciples. Joya, come forward and demonstrate our sect's pride," the Elder beckoned.

A young disciple, Joya, stepped up confidently, holding a delicate flute. She approached the statue and, with a graceful motion, performed a single, precise music note. The statue reacted, the top section in head position lighting up with her name, signifying her successful attempt and the spot she earned in the caves.

One by one, Dany Sect disciples approached the statue, announcing their names before delivering their single strike. Each attempt was met with a display on the statue, spots lighting up alongside their names, indicating their placement within the caves.

Eric, observing the process, noted the varying techniques and weapons. From swords to staves, each disciple showcased their mastery in their chosen discipline.

As the Dany Sect's turn came to an end, the Elder motioned towards the other sects. "Now, let the representatives of each sect come forward and prove their worth."

The disciples from the Arul Guild Clan, including the young, rotund man with the two-handed sword, lined up for their turn. Whispered speculations and curious glances followed them, many eyes lingering on the unlikely figure of the young man.

When his turn arrived, the young man stepped forward. There was a moment of silence as he lifted the sword, a weapon that seemed too large for his frame. With a surprising swiftness, he delivered a single, powerful strike to the statue. The impact resonated, and the crowd watched in astonishment as the statue lit up at 28 position, a bright light marking his successful attempt.

The onlookers murmured among themselves, their earlier doubts replaced by a newfound respect. "He's more than he appears," someone remarked, impressed by the display of skill.

The test continued, with each sect presenting their best. The guardian statue stood as a silent judge, its reactions revealing the capabilities of each disciple.

As the names lit up on the statue, the anticipation grew. Each disciple waited for their chance to prove their worth, to earn their spot in the coveted Azure Dragon Whispering Caves.

For Eric and the Clark Sect disciples, the test was more than a mere challenge; it was a validation of their skills and a step towards greater mastery in their cultivation journey. The guardian statue, with its ancient wisdom, would soon reveal where each of them stood in the grand scheme of things.

As the Clark Sect disciples began their turn at the guardian statue, a sense of anticipation filled the air. One after another, they approached the imposing figure, delivering their best strikes without the aid of Qi or special techniques. The statue, a silent arbiter, judged each attack, sorting the disciples based on their skill and the quality of their weapons.

Crown Prince Ethan, wielding his level 4 mace, delivered a powerful blow that earned him 41 spot in the chest position caves, an area known for its substantial Qi concentration. However, not all were as fortunate. Many of his fellow disciples were relegated to the tail positions, while some failed to qualify for entry into the caves at all.

The crowd murmured and shifted restlessly, discussing the outcomes and speculating about the remaining participants. Then, it was Ria's turn.

As she stepped forward, she took out her sword from the spirit ring, the slender, rank 5 Snow White sword in her hand caught the light, drawing gasps from the onlookers. After the Dany Sect's display, no other disciple had wielded a weapon of such caliber. Even Crown Prince Ethan's mace was only rank 4.

Richard, who had just barely qualified for the tail position with his rank 4 sabre, watched in disbelief. "How...how does she have a rank 5 weapon?" he muttered, his envy palpable.

Ria stood calmly before the statue, her presence commanding despite her quiet demeanor. With a swift, seemingly effortless slash of her sword, she struck the statue. To the astonishment of all, her name lit up in the 13th position, near the neck area of the dragon – a spot of high honor and potential.

"What the hell! She's just at the first stage of core formation. How is this possible?" a girl from the Clark Sect exclaimed, her voice tinged with jealousy and disbelief.

But her outburst was lost in the wave of awe that swept through the crowd. The top 30 spots were predominantly occupied by the Dany Sect, with two notable exceptions – Ria at 13th and the rotund young man from the Arul Guild Clan at 28th. This unexpected development sent ripples of surprise and resentment among the Dany Sect disciples, who viewed it as a challenge to their supremacy.

The Elder, intrigued by Ria's weapon, asked, "What is the name of your sword?"

Ria, her expression serene, replied, "Whispering Frost."

The Elder nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he handed her the 13th cave seal. "Impressive," he murmured.

With the placements decided, the Elder stepped forward to address the gathering. "Remember, the positions within the caves are not set in stone. Each morning, you will have the opportunity to challenge and improve your position. The caves are a place of constant competition and growth."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "For those who did not qualify, do not lose heart. Cultivate outside, and test your strength each morning for a chance to enter the caves."

The disciples absorbed this information, understanding the dynamic nature of their training in the Azure Dragon Whispering Caves. It was not just a place of cultivation but a battleground of skill and perseverance.

As the disciples dispersed, conversations buzzed about Ria's Whispering Frost and the mysterious young man from the Arul Guild Clan. Their unexpected success had stirred the competitive spirit in everyone.

Richard and his group, once vocal in their disdain, now spoke in hushed tones, their earlier confidence replaced by a sense of uncertainty.

Ethan, witnessing Ria's success, felt a mix of pride and motivation.

Note: Don't forget to vote the Power Stones. Please leave review as it will help the book a lot. TQ