28 Illusory Nine-fold Palace (1/2)
Chapter 27: Illusory Nine-fold Palace
Van walked towards the reception desk and asked the female attendant about the Promotions test.
”You must have been brought here by Peter! Please insert your Qi here sir.”
The female attendant handed Van a sheet of paper with writing on it. Van quickly skimmed the text. It was a waiver that exempted the Missions Division from any responsibility for any severe injuries incurred from the test. They would still try to treat the injuries to the best of their ability of course.
After reading it a few more times to ensure that there weren't any faults with the contract, Van inserted his Qi into a spiritual mark at the bottom. The spiritual mark glowed for a second before turning back into normal. Van handed the paper back to the female attendant. She checked the Qi and compared it to the records before nodding.
She smiled resplendently and placed down the paper before leading Van towards a door. After she left, the spiritual mark turned into a symbol of a crown emitting a domineering aura. The aura shocked many attendants before withdrawing itself and the mark turning back to normal.
”Did you feel that aura?”
The small fragment of the bloodline power in Van's Qi had surprisingly caused the oppressive and domineering aura to leak out past the magical formations to the start of the testing area. About 6 others were there with Van, hoping for a promotion to the Iron rank.
Everyone besides Van shuddered when the aura touched upon them. The closest ones to the door felt it very hard to breathe and fell to their knees. Van could feel the domineering aura, but it seemed to have ignored him.
”I wonder which powerful expert decided to release their aura this time.”
The other participants smiled wryly. A few arrogant cultivators would show off their power every so often by releasing a fragment of their aura. Van was rather oblivious to everything for the aura hadn't affected him much.
I wonder why they were so worked up over that aura? Was it really that domineering? Van thought to himself.
A few moments later, everything finally settled down. That was when a buff male cultivator walked in. He was on the rather older side of middle-aged and had a rather nice tan. His hair was combed and he looked like he had been preparing for a very important event. He was clearly trying to impress a girl or some girls.
Van felt rather sick. Most of the girls here had more than a 30-year difference between the man and he was still interested in them. Despite the fact that cultivation would extend one's life span. Those at the Stages of Dantian Formation would only live for up to 150 years. Those at the stages of Inner Discovery would live up to 300 years. Kings would live up to 1000 years. Emperors were rumored to live for tens of thousands and Saints were rumored to live for hundreds of thousands.
Van had heard there might be a stage above Saint that allowed one to live forever as long as they weren't killed by another cultivator.
A light of excitement could be seen in Van's eyes. He couldn't wait to reach the peak of cultivation and show everyone his power. He would be able to create a safe place for all of his friends and family to live. They wouldn't have to put their lives at risk daily. Instead, they would just rely on Van's cultivation and influence to live their lives to the fullest.
Van snapped out of his daydream and snapped to attention. He was not going to critique the examiner's choice of uniform. That would just be seeking to fail.
”Welcome to the Missions Division's Promotion Test. Depending on the score you receive, you will acquire the corresponding rank. I am not your examiner. I am just announcing the rules for the test.”
”Where is our examiner then?”
An insufferably arrogant voice cried out from a participant. The participant turned out to be a pretty young lady in a blue gown. She was extremely stunning and drew the eyes of all the participants in the room, male and female alike. The announcer's expression turned from one of anger to one of respect.
”I didn't know that you were participating today.”
The young lady ignored what the announcer said and stood there, head high, waiting for an answer.
”Your examiner shall be Inner Sect Elder Feng Hua.”
A voluptuous woman and two maids emerged from seemingly nowhere and stood behind the announcer. Van was used to his aunt's presence so he awoke out of a stupor rather quickly. The others took a little longer.
The female participants were extremely jealous of the woman's body and were trying best to keep their feelings at bay. They could notice the stares of all the male cultivators.
Van felt a little guilty. He thought that the announcer was trying to attract the young female participants. Instead, the announcer was obviously trying to attract the very appealing mature woman in front of him.
”Auntie, what a pleasant surprise.”
The arrogant young woman had on a calm mask.