Next day, the Flat Mountain peak were once again bustling with people. All the youth participants were full of vigor and battle intent as this was the indicator if they'll be a magnificent dragon soaring in the sky or just be a insignificant worm crawling beneath the earth. This should be their life's turning point.

As for Cole, well his... bored. It was already two hours since they arrived here and the third part of the test didn't start yet. He just blamed the three who doesn't want to be late.

Unfortunately, he can't kill his time waiting with meditation, since the activity doesn't become his habit yet. Fortunately, he doesn't need to meditate to strengthen his cultivation since he was able to level up with the exp he received after he defeated, or kill, his opponents. Besides, with how loud the surrounding are, he doubt he could concentrate and meditate.

Minutes later, as if his boredom were heard, Elder Three finally appear.

He then started, "We will now start the third and last part of the disciple recruitment test, the combat battle test." He paused and give a glance the whole crowd. "In a while, we will raise a ten stage as a battle platform. As for the rules, it's simple. Defeat a two opponents with the same level with yours without rest, or one opponent with one level higher than yours and you'll be qualified to enter the Five Element Sect."

The crowd remain silent after they heard the mechanism for the next test. The rules may look simple and easy but in reality, it wasn't. That was because everyone here are geniuses on their own way. It's true that from where they come from they defeated number of opponents in their level and one higher than them but all of those were... mediocre. Everyone's cultivation here were all firm, and their techniques were definitely not normal but rare and strong and have been polished and trained by them to perfection. Winning might not be as easy as it may seem.

Seeing the crowds different responds and expression, Elder Three nodded his head. His purpose wasn't to crumble their will but to check their resolved. Talents and resources wasn't just the most important thing for the cultivators but their resolve also. They shouldn't think of the bumps on the road but move forward courageously instead.

"In addition, base on your individual performance, we'll also give additional rewards. For instance, the qualification was just to defeat two opponents within your level, however, if you managed to defeat another one, or more..." he suspended and look at the more hyped crowd. "...then we'll add either additional pills or more precious techniques."

Woah! Additional pills?! More precious techniques?!

Elder Three look at the motivated crowd. He nodded his head in approval. However, when his sight stop on a particular person, his smile stiffen. This person doesn't look motivated but look at him seriously instead.

The person who looked at Elder Three and give the old man a chill is Cole.

Cole shakes his head inwardly. He felt that those rewards wasn't just a reward but also part of the screening. The longer the person battle, the more energy and stamina they will spend. For those who win and pass the test will be alright but those who are defeated... their chance to pass will get slimmer and slimmer.

Geniuses will standout while mediocre will be left behind.

It is true that Sects were a good backer and a treasure trove of resources but they also have their own rules and qualifications. Afterall, they will use their inheritance and resources, so the Sect have to make sure that those will use them were geniuses among geniuses. They definitely can't waste their resources to mediocre and those with limited future.

Besides, the Sect have better and wider horizon than these youths. They maybe geniuses in this part of the continent but in the real world... They were as common as grass on the road.

Elder Three just shake the chill feeling. So what if the kid knew their hidden agenda? In this world, no matter how smart you are, if you have no strength then you amount nothing.

"Within the ten stages..." Elder Three trailed as he look at the wide, open space of the flat mountain.

Suddenly, a beast that looks like a giant mole appear with a another old man on its back. The beast tap on the ground and a circular part started to rise. Seconds later, the process were done and the beast moved on another spot and rise another ground stage.

The youths all look at the process with wide eyes. They maybe strong but it was not to the point that they could move the earth yet. And to think that a beast do it which looks like with no effort at all.

Seeing the reaction of the crowd, Elder Three nodded his head in satisfaction. This beast were one of the treasure of the sect and seeing them admire it, he felt glad. It was like boasting your treasure to others and they were all amazed and envious. It was truly a great boost to one's ego and pride.

"Is that the rare beast called Blind Mole?" Said of the one who recognized the beast.

"Blind Mole?!"

"Goodness! Blind Mole that was rare even in the mainland?!"

"Then the skill it was using is Free Bending? The [Free Earth Bending]?"

"[Free Earth Bending]?! The skill that was so hard to learn even for the legendary beast' Earth Dragons?!"

"How amazing! [Free Bending] skill!"

"Ahhh!"

The crowd once again full of energy and loud. The appearance of the Blind Mole took them by surprise as it was a rare beast that even the head of their family doesn't even a chance to get a glimpse of it, yet, they just did.

Elder Three puff his chest in pride after he heard the amazed remarks of this youths.

As the youths said, the Blind Mole was a rare beast to be found in a wild since it lived underground, making it hard for this beast to be encountered. Afterall, no matter how good ones eye technique, their eyesight still can't penetrate the depths of the earth, or if they do it was only limited to few meters. And as for the Blind Mole who was loved by Earth and lived in it, their housed usually a hundred meters underground.

It could be said that their encounter with this beast were already a luck itself. The sect didn't even saved an effort when they caught this beast becuase the moment it escaped, they definitely can't run after it. The beast would definitely escape underground and the moment it did, its over.

Fortunately, their Sect Master personally joined the capture himself and along with the five Peak Master, the beast was finally captured and tame. Now, it was part of their pride.

Not even a minute have passed, ten battles stages have been created by the Blind Mole. It could be seen how good the beast are, as well as the renown Free Earth Bending skill.

This time, Cole also look at the beast with great admiration. As a beast tamer, seeing a new, fascinating beast was like seeing a great beauty to him.

"...fatal injuries and killing is prohibited. This is only a test, not a life and death battle. Those who won't follow this simple rule will be disqualified and will also be punished by the Sect. In addition, those who are push back, stepped out from the stage will also be counted as lose."

"The third part of the test, Combat Battle test, officially begin. There is no proper order, just hop on the battle stage and state your cultivation level. If you defeat the challenger, it will also be counted on your account even if he's below your level."

Elder Three then leave for a higher ground. Then, a ten official disciple of the Sect proceed to each battle platform. They will be judge.

The test officially started.

As if the whole crowd had an tacit understanding, the first to hop on the stage and issue a challenge was a cultivator at peak Body Tempering Stage.

But this was normal. Afterall, the moment the Mana Gathering Stage expert started to challenge themselves, they'll be nothing. They were just like an ant to those people, easy to be squished and defeated.

The first to hop on the one of the stage was a male that looks like a eighteen years old. He carry a sword.

"I'm Kevin of Stone Forest City' Sturdy Family. I'm a peak Body Tempering Stage cultivator. Is there anyone who wanted to share pointers with me?" He loudly said in the stage.

Seconds later, a woman that looks like a seventeen year old hop on the first stage. Just like her opponent, she also carry a sword.

"Peak Body Tempering Stage. Sword Cultivator." She said coldly.

"Well... Isn't this beauty a little rude? I've said my name yet you didn't?" Kevin taunted.

"Ask after you defeat me." She answered.

"Your name will be my trophy then! [Stone Splitting Sword Technique]!"

Meanwhile, Cole watched all of the battles with great fascination as this was the first time he saw how great and flashy the techniques they've used.

He then remembered those bandits that defeated before...

They are bandits, alright.

They have a great disparity with this youths of great backgrounds. Be with their strength, specially their techniques.

The techniques of all of these youths used were all much refine and exert more strength of the cultivator. A great difference between those bandits who only knows how to swing their weapons sloppily, mostly depending only on luck to kill their opponent.

Cole was totally amazed watching these fights like at one of the lady fighting right now with her whip as a weapon. It was becuase the whip looks like a fighting snake.

Ricky was amazed too as his origin wasn't as expressive, just like Cole.

On the other side, while Cole is watching the fight on the stage, most of the participant of the test were mostly looking at their direction, specially those who've reached the Seventh-Level Mana Gathering-Stage.

They were checking Ricky, the genius kid who reached the same level as them despite with his age. Afterall, the origin of this kid is definitely not ordinary, probably big and amazing, as they were able to produce this kind of talent. But after seeing his expression and reaction, the typical look of country bumpkin, they immediately relax. No person with great background will be amaze at those techniques who are considered trash, if not.

As for the others, they were checking Cole. The kid with him was super talented, so he might be too. But they also relax after they saw his country bumpkin face look.

They may be talented, but they definitely look like they've just came out from their cave.