Chapter 15: Kasara's Capital Part 1

“If you’re going to keep staring at it, Agemo, then just hatch it,” Meng Ce said as he saw Agemo admiring the green dragon egg.

“It just comforts me. I’ve always wanted a dragon,” Agemo said as he put the egg away and drank some lion wine. “How did you manage to steal the egg during the commotion?”

“Ah, right. I never told you. The true form of my Spirit Pulse is that of a spear. Light is just one of the elements I chose to learn—a privilege of the weapon spirit. However, I cannot teach you darkness as I cannot use it myself. If I had an armor spirit, I could learn any element and teach you as such. The light spirit techniques I learned are suited for speed, not power. I do know some healing techniques, though,” Meng Ce answered. “Have you been studying the mages during our travels in the caravan?”

“Yes, master,” Agemo nodded. “Mages specialize in long-distance fighting. They use their magic to keep out of range of the enemy and bombard them with hard-hitting spells or wide-area attack spells. Some have golems and magical beasts to protect them. Others use puppet magic or summoning chants to acquire assistants to fight close range while they cast spells from afar.”

“Very good. Remember, you must be wary of Practitioners of the third stage and mages who are apprentices,” Meng Ce said. “Mages of the third rank can manipulate their element. There is a chance that one of the Practitioners of the third stage has acquired an Archon body. I told you about it before. They are called Archon life forms. As for mage apprentices, they are mage novices who have chosen their path and begun learning it. An example would be a white mage, a mage who specializes in holy, barrier, and healing magic. They are people who have truly begun walking the path of immortals.”

“Archon life forms. White mage,” Agemo brooded.

“Yes. Archons can also manifest their spirit. You have a beast spirit. You will attain spirit techniques based on your spirit instead of spirit manifestation. If you meet someone with an armor spirit in the tournament, expect a tough fight. Their body will be protected based on the size and location of the armor and will also wield Practitioner weapons. Close in on mages immediately. Do not give them a chance to cast their spells,” Meng Ce said. “It has been five weeks since we have been on the road in this caravan. It will soon be time to see the fruit of your training. Just be careful. Some will have already joined sects and academies. Expect those people, and those from powerful clans, to use magical items to assist them in battle.”

“What do I do then?” Agemo asked.

“It is unwise to use many magical treasures unless you have experience. Some formations actually use several magical treasures. Do not use your flying moon blades unless you need to. Never use the Dragon Monkey Bracelet, as it is your trump card in life-or-death battles due to the sudden increase in strength. Fight barehanded for as long as you can. You have the tyrannical strength of the lion wine. Use it and take advantage of it. It is best to keep your true fighting style hidden until the need arises,” Meng Ce said. “Your Eclipse Indestructible Body technique is near invincible to those of your cultivation stage and below, as you well know. However, those above you and those who use attacks and weapons with special properties can still harm you. Do not depend on your breathing technique every time.”

“I understand, master. I will do as you say,” Agemo said and looked outside the carriage to see the capital of Kasara.

“Halt. Your caravan approaches the capital of Kasara, Korgar. State your business!” the captain of eighty-three guards roared. He was a Practitioner of the fifth stage of Spirit Knight—the very stage after Spirit Shaman! The eighty-three guards who followed him were also Spirit Knights!

“That’s a lot of Spirit Knights,” Agemo said.

“Of course. Even the capital of the Yan Empire has tens of thousands of Spirit Knights. Just because Spirit Knights can't fight in the army doesn’t mean they can't guard their homes. Unless it is a mortal army, they can defend and kill those who trespass against the law. Our Yan Empire also has a few dozen Spirit Masters. That is why no one threatens our empire. We're small, but it is only because we consolidate our power and are a relatively peace-seeking nation. Your father cares not for how much land he rules. He only cares about the people and our Lu Clan,” Meng Ce said. “The Kasara Kingdom is also powerful but is more battle-hardened due to a possible threat from the Hyperion. However, another country blocks the Hyperion from this land. So long as they send aid to that nation, Kasara will never be threatened by the Hyperion. Some countries are jealous of the many resources of Kasara. That is why so many Spirit Knights guard the capital.”

“Hm? You came here to trade? What’s with all these Practitioners and mages? Don’t think that we cannot defeat martial art sects or academy disciples if you try to force your way in,” the captain warned.

“Oh no, no, no, no,” the caravan leader blurted, waving his chubby hands. “My men are merely escorting them as they paid for passage. They have come here to take part in the tournament. Beyond escorting them, my caravan has no relations with them.”

“Those who seek to join the tournament, step aside. The caravan and the merchants will be inspected first,” the captain roared. The guards appeared, almost instantaneously, next to every carriage to ensure that the order was kept.

Agemo and the rest of the participants and their guardians left the carriages of the caravan and stood to the right side as the caravan was inspected and let into the city. The guards stood in a straight line to face them. Each of the guards wore shining white armor and had a three-foot-long round shield mounted on their left arm with their right hands on the hilts of their long swords. Their armor bore the insignia of a crimson phoenix on fire with its wings outstretched as it faced the sky.

“I am Guard Captain Grey of the City Guard of Korgar and Keeper of the Gate. I take it that the children here are all below the age of thirteen. Am I correct?” the guard captain asked, the only man who wore a bright crimson cape instead of a black cape.

Seeing them nod, Grey said, “Good. Participants must be below the fourth stage if they are Practitioners. Only mage apprentices and mage novices are allowed, among mages, to participate. Not just anyone can participate. The trials for mages and Practitioners are different. Once you pass, if you pass, you will be randomly assigned a number. Note that there are five trials for the selection process. Furthermore, you will be required to fight in elimination matches if too many people have passed. Only sixty-four people are allowed to participate in the main tournament.”

Pausing to ensure that they understood what he said, Grey continued, “The spectators and the people who escorted you will see how you fare through the crystal mirrors that will appear above the stadium. Note that each of the sixty-four participants will receive a hundred spirit pills. As you advance per round, more awards will be given. People from across the land and other nations will be attending. I expect you all to respect our city’s laws during your stay or find your head upon the many pikes above our walls.”

“Those who came as guardians of the participants will follow me to the seats in the city’s stadium,” one of the guards announced as he stepped forward.

“Those participating will follow me to the selection area. So long as you are in the city, fights are only allowed in designated areas on pain of beheading and pike decorating,” Grey said, glaring at them. “Guards, return to your posts.”

“Yes, Captain Grey!” the guards replied and cleared the area in front of the gate.

“Good luck,” Meng Ce said as he patted Agemo’s shoulder and followed the other guardians into the city.

“Alright, you lot, fall in line and follow me. Tomorrow is the selection trials. You’ll sleep in the barracks tonight. I don’t trust you nor do I care to know you. You are just here to compete, not to live here. The trials are not life-threatening, but weaklings or fools do die during the elimination matches. We only need sixty-four of you—Practitioner or mage, male or female, beggar or noble. We only need the best,” Grey said and walked inside the city, showing them the barracks.

Agemo was meditating in his room, his mind completely absorbed in his soul lake. Over the past few weeks, something was forming above his soul lake. He didn’t know what it was. He thought that people were supposed to have only one spirit. As he read some books he got from the vault, he learned that it was possible to obtain another spirit. This was possible if a person died and came back to life, thereby bringing death energy into their body.