In the Central Cloud of the Heaven Sect, the six Grand Masters gathered to discuss the Outer Circle disciples' tournament. This was the best opportunity to observe each candidate closely, measure their strengths, and project their futures.
The masters took this chance to reinforce their military power with talent. The tournament was held every ten years, ensuring greater participation from the Outer Circle. It was at this moment that disciples could change leadership if they desired, as each individual was commanded by an Inner Circle member, who, in turn, was a disciple of a Heaven Grand Master.
A middle-aged woman communicated calmly but sharply: "The time has returned when you, a bunch of anti-socials, communicate with the sect."
Amidst laughter and chuckles, the great leader of the sect responded: "Gu Wen, you old witch," as usual, he was only wearing pants. "Do you already have a boy in mind?" he finished, looking intently into her eyes.
The power of eleven cores took the room by surprise. The robes of the other masters began to wave, spiritual energy rotated around the woman. "Tan Kuan, withdraw your words!" All that power concentrated into a single point: Gu Wen's fist.
The energy that had been oscillating in the vicinity of the Celestial Cloud began to head toward Tan Kuan's body. "SIT DOWN!" The voice was like a whisper, a rumor on the wind. "Now…" The immensity of the power of someone with twelve cores had just been demonstrated. The gap between eleven and twelve cores was as abysmal as that between someone with a single core compared to someone with nine.
All the Heaven Masters were forced to remain in their chairs, with no possibility of standing up. Gu Wen clenched and gnashed her teeth in protest.
Rhua Da Shi tried to oppose Tan Kuan's energy, but it was useless. Yi Jui, the Second Master, gratefully accepted the leader's order and took his position at the table. He also smiled seeing how the Fifth Master struggled and suffered to maintain his composure.
The Fifth Master's murderous gaze against Yi Jui was enough to end a life. Damn him! Rhua Da Shi's thoughts took control of his mind. I'll make you pay for this mockery! After a few seconds, the Fifth Master took his seat with the greatest grace his cramped muscles allowed. You'll pay too… You bald, disgusting one! His gaze went back and forth between the Second Master and the great leader.
The relationship between the Celestial Masters could not be described as friendly. Each of them had gone through years of cultivation, traversing challenges and deadly situations; fighting Magical Beasts, participating in inter-sect tournaments. All to reach the position they held now. Friendly relationships were something perhaps few knew.
In the middle of the Beast Forest, six cores were about to be harvested by Shoneyi. The boy took four of them and said: "Here, Senior Kuan." With a smile on his face, Shoneyi showed his kindness and humility.
Xin Kuan was taken by surprise. I haven't done anything to help him fight these last six beasts. His eyes shone with a hint of admiration. "No… I can't accept them," he denied, shaking his head.
Shoneyi insisted, nodding: "Please, Senior Kuan." The boy looked at him fixedly. "Don't make me lose what little shame I have left."
The young man took the four cores, accepting the proposal. "Alright, but it should be equitable then." Xin Kuan returned one of the four cores.
The internal dialogue in Shoneyi's mind was completely different from what was happening: No, it can't be my precious cores. His thoughts ranged from disappointment to rage.
Missing the ability to converse with Gambi and feeling his mind empty: Really? He didn't understand why Senior Kuan was returning one of the cores. Jackpot! Although his thoughts exploded with joy, his face reflected nothing but serenity.
Suddenly, Shoneyi jumped up with excitement as he thought: I must seize and take advantage of the moment. Taking a cross-legged position to meditate, he addressed the young man: "Senior Kuan, may I borrow your weapon?"
The sword was of very good quality. His father had given it to him for reaching the ninth core, which meant that, besides being powerful, it carried an emotional touch. The blade was made of a resistant material. "Spiritual Tear," the boy whispered to himself.
Hearing the whisper, Xin Kuan was totally surprised. What the hell?! He didn't understand how such a young boy, so ignorant of the immortal world, could possess so much knowledge. "Here you go… I trust you." The last words clicked in the boy's mind.
Shoneyi took the sword while giving a small bow as a sign of respect. Closing his eyes, Shoneyi entered the Spiritual Realm of Magnification. The words that were once clearly legible began to blur. What is happening? Shoneyi, confused, decided this was not the time to sit and think and acted quickly in search of something. "Attack." The atmosphere around him began to vibrate as he grasped the meaning. The words that had surrounded him in a sea of tranquility now held him hostage. I must get out of here, he thought while searching for the exit. "Velo…" Amidst the earthquake of spiritual energy and the endless meanings, one word stood out: "Speed."
Shoneyi managed to exit the realm with some difficulty and, with a gesture of his left hand, called the six beast cores. One by one, they began to join; every time the boy made them collide, another core took its place. Spiritual energy began to surround him; slowly, a kind of cloud took over Shoneyi's surroundings.
The Magical Beasts around him began to flee, regardless of their level. This was an extremely strange event for their ecosystem.
The condensation of energy was something Shoneyi had never handled before. His right hand pushed the new pseudo-core into the sword. The boy, sweating and bleeding from the exhaustion this action had taken on his body, took the quill he always carried with him and wrote a word: "Gaijin."
An azure light became the new shadow for the sword, but within it, another light also took its place—a clear and faint sparkle.