Chapter 18: One Set Of Four Rules To The Surface Of The Earth

“That’s surprising”, Supreme Ruler Ariel began to narrate in a voice only he could hear. “He must have been really close to a breakthrough ... But it truly is marvelous and voracious, the Seven Stages Of Bodily Refinement. I use a little formation to accelerate the healing process and it completely absorbed the herbal ointment and even the bandages ... the fibers they were made from were not simple, to say the least, and still nothing remained!”

Zax clenched his fists in bewilderment. ‘How unexpected, I broke through! This strength... ‘ Before he completed the sentence, another one appeared. ‘Unbound by the road! Unbound by anyone!’

VRRUM!

Kinetic energy exuded from Zax’s body, causing the air to vibrate with an ear piercing sound.

‘This strength... ‘ A belligerent smile bloomed on Zax face. ‘It exceeded by far Master’s predications!’

At the time, Kartius assured Zax that with the modification of the Black Core on the Seven Stages Of Bodily Refinement, once reaching the last gate only third realm expert, or Martial Mortals, would be a threat to him. It may sound exaggerated, but put aside the effect of the Black Core, from the Peak of the sixth gate to the Beginner phase of the seventh gate there was a huge boundary. Moreover, since then Zax attainments with kinetic energy and Kinetic Force improved exceptionally.

Just as an example to make it easy to understand how strong Zax became, if before the breakthrough one execution of Soar With The Strom would have put him out of commission, now, not only did its power increase, but Zax can continue to fight – although a second volley of Soar With The Strom would not be recommended.

“Eh... ? ‘Martial Mortal’? ‘Immortals’?” Approximately five seconds after Supreme Ruler Ariel opened his mouth; Zax awakened from the immersed state in his new strength, just to have a flood of questions surfacing in his mind.

Unable to entirely calm down, Zax managed to stop exuding kinetic energy and turned to Supreme Ruler Ariel with a serious, a tad frustrated, questioning countenance. “Sir, Supreme Ruler Ariel ... why?”

Only after he finished asking did Zax notice how obscure he sounded. But there was a good reason for it. Although he was curious about the “Martial Mortal”, “Immortals” remark, there were so many more pressing questions he wanted to ask. When he turned to Supreme Ruler Ariel, they all jumbled in his head, wanting to come out and get their answers right away, which is the reason he succumbed to the most elementary verbal appeal for enquiring.

Supreme Ruler Ariel did not reply, he smiled and raised an eyebrow, implying to Zax to gather himself first, there is no need to rush, and there will be answers.

Of course, Zax could not read that far into Supreme Ruler Ariel’s expression. He did, though, understand that he should compose himself and ask again.

Closing his eye and breathing out from his nostrils, Zax put to rest the excitement from his breakthrough and the urge to realize everything simultaneously.

He opened his eyes, finally serene, and politely asked. “Please tell me, sir, why do I need to forfeit to competition? Why you and the elders isolated me? Why did you manipulate my soul? Why did you spend such precious material on me?” Those were the top four questions Zax wanted to get answers for.

“Mm”, Supreme Ruler Ariel nodded. “I will share with you the answers to these questions. Before, however, now that you are sober, I will give you another chance to choose whether to comply with my request and willingly forfeit the competition or not. Regardless of what your choice may be, I promise you there will be no repercussion whatsoever”.

Zax did not reply instantly. It would be a lie to claim that he was not shocked, since he already said that he will forfeit, but from Supreme Ruler Ariel’s sincere manner he quickly grasped that he was given a genuine last chance.

For several seconds Zax contemplated over his decision. Eventually he turned to Supreme Ruler Ariel with a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Sir, above anything else, my greatest goal in the Martial competition is the first prize’s pure Core ... If I forfeit, what are my chance of getting a pure Core, considering all possibilities?”

Zax had a desire to test himself against Kingdom Earth’s prodigies and experts of his generation. As for winning or losing against them? It was a whim, in comparison, simply because he was perfectly aware that a loss is the best kind of motivation. That being said, he still preferred to win and from the very beginning intended to give his all in the competition, and his all he certainly gave!

What Zax cared about was assuring as much as possible Anet’s future Martial path, that she would be able to follow him.

“A pure Core...” Supreme Ruler Ariel’s tone turned solemn. “There are two methods to obtain, neither, however, is easy. One requires precise timing, the risk is low but the opportunity is quite rare. The other option demands great strength, much more than you currently have, it is not difficult to encounter but the risk ... even a Martial Mortal expert will not stride lightly...” Supreme Ruler Ariel relaxed his voice before offering the verdict. “You are young and your Martial potential is extraordinary. The faster you will keep grow stronger, the sooner you will have the chance to tackle the second method. Anything further of the subject, you will know due time”.

‘A risk to even Martial Mortal experts ... is not necessarily a risk to every cultivator. I’m cultivating the body, the physique, as a result, has higher chances to preserve when sustaining critical injuries. And once I’ll break through the second realm of bodily cultivation... ‘

“Very well, sir, Supreme Ruler Ariel, I agree to forfeit the Martial competition”.

Supreme Ruler Ariel nodded in gratification. “Since you are giving me this face, from now on you may refer to me as ‘Senior Ariel’”.

“Senior Ariel”. Zax cupped his hands and slightly bowed. With this he knew that a personal relationship between him and Kingdom Earth’s strongest expert has formed.

“Junior Zax”. Ariel accepted Zax’s gesture. “Here, let us sit and talk”. He directed Zax to join him to the small sitting area of the room, where two chairs and a low round table were situated.

“I will begin with answering your questions, starting with why I manipulated your soul”. Ariel sat with his hands on his knees and a straight back. Although, if imitating, some may find his posture stiff, Ariel himself projected a natural disposition.

Zax attentively listened with no intention to interrupt until this all matter will be cleared to him.

“Junior Zax, you are a clever kid, you already should have noticed that my request was not out of bad intention. I indeed have a reason to exempt you from the Martial competition. Before expounding on that reason, I wanted to test your character, which is why I instilled in your soul provocative stimuli”.

“Do you want to know my assessment?”

“Yes”. Zax answered decisively. His worth in senior Ariel’s view, how could he not want to know?

“Fine, I found you to be too aggressive. Even when submitting, your intent is not hostile, but it makes you emanate an unyielding spirit. To enemies who spare your life it will arouse an uncomfortable feeling, and whatever they will make of it, most occurrences they might change their minds, deciding to kill you just in case. Alone in an unfriendly environment you should learn to better conceal your thoughts and state of mind”. Ariel narrated as an elder imparting from his knowledge to a junior, rather than examiner who discovered faults in his examinee.

‘Aggressive... ‘ Zax sighed in his heart. ‘From growing up in Valgarel, from fighting, killing for survival, killing for revenge ... I did become wild in nature. The peacefulness of these recent years, the company of Anet, Liz and everyone else from home, I can say, contributed to a mellow lifestyle that should have moderated my temperament, but according to senior Ariel it wasn’t enough’.

“I’ll improve myself”. Zax said, thanking Ariel.

“That should be the resolve. As for the precious materials, they were supplied to your two opponents as well. It is merely that you, bodily cultivators, are practicing techniques which are more suitable to the consumption of most resources”. Ariel explained and moved on.

“Junior Zax, you say that you felt isolated by your elders, but I gather you specifically refer to the attitude of Elijah, am I correct?”