The one who said the objection was a man who, according the shape and appearance of the scabbard, wields a saber. Aesthetic appearance don't need to be mention since cultivators will naturally beautiful since they could expel impurities within the body.

"Grand Elder Caira, please don't misunderstood. It's not that I disagreed to your decision, but we all know that there's a very crucial requirements to be accepted as Core Disciple. No one can be spared by it, even the descendants of former Sect Master's." He defended.

Grand Elder Caira dark expression visibly get better as it dawn to her that she seems to forgot that stringent information.

"As expected, disciple Ryan are very sharp." She said.

Ryan just shake his head internally. Alchemist are very important among cultivators, their status everywhere was very high. Due to this, they tend to develop a strange temperament, and Grand Elder Caira was spared by it. They believe that there word should be thoroughly followed.

Fortunately, Grand Elder Caira was clear that there's are rules that can't be bend by her will. In addition to that, she's also very loyal to their Sect.

Disciple Ryan face Cole and said, "Cultivation needs resources. As you're also one, you should be clear about that. Being Core Disciple, the Sect will give you more resources compare to others. However, before that, you have to show your worth first."

Cole nodded his head as what Ryan said was already a common sense among sect or any powerhouse. This was more very effective for those disciples who have nothing in them besides their talent.

"Then, fellow disciple Ryan, what is the requirements to be one of you?"

Ryan look at Cole with much lighter light. Despite with his superior talent, he still remain humble. And for cultivators who have prides higher than the heaven itself, Cole was like chicken in the flock of ducks.

"It's very simple. You just have to defeat any of us." He said with much lighter tone.

The disciples then look at Cole at once.

"Oh?" Cole mutter with surprise tone. He the nodded his head and added, "It's very simple indeed."

Ryan smile at the unperturbed attitude of the other party.

"You could choose among us who you wanted to battle." He said as he gesture at the others.

In total, there were seven such youths, five of them were males while the other two was females.

He gave each one of them a thorough analysis, and as expected from Middle Lands cultivators, they all subconsciously emit an terrifying aura, signifying that they were all dangerous.

"Wait for a moment, Grand Elder Caira and Disciple Ryan." Peak Master Timber suddenly butted in.

Grand Elder Caira look at him and ask, "What is it, Peak Master Timber?"

"Grand Elder Caira, when disciple Cole join the Sect almost a year ago from discipleship recruitment, he was tested with an cultivation of high-level Mana Gathering-Stage. I'm afraid that even with his talent, it'll still be a miracle if he reach Nascent Soul-Stage by now."

Everyone have thier brows furrowed. No matter how talented one are, there were also number of factors that greatly affects performance. One of that factors was the environment itself. What's the difference between Low Land and Middle Land? Of course, its the thickness and richness of Heaven and Earth. It might be hard for cultivators from the Azure Territory to reach Nascent Soul-Stage below thirty years bone-age but at Middle Lands, it will be easily reached as long as one has talents and perseverance.

Grand Elder Caira falls on deep contemplation, however, when she gave a glance to the subject, she didn't saw any hesitation at all. As though he's not even got intimidated.

Then it dawn to her that this disciple claims that he's the one who solved the parasitic phenomenon of renown Flowerhead Forest. She also heard that despite the great search of the forest, not even a single significant treasure or natural resources have been found...

She smirks. It seems that this disciple are not innocent as his face. If she's not wrong with her guest, this one have harvested thoroughly the forest natural resources and just leave those insignificant in his eyes. And since he's gone for too long, she heard less than nine months, it might be the time that he refine all those treasures and increase his cultivation.

In addition to his nonchalant attitude, Grand Elder Caira was convinced that her self theory was most likely true.

After some moments of contemplation, Grand Elder Caira finally said, "It's true that what Peak Master Timber said makes a lot of sense, but..." She looks at Cole and added, "Do you think he looks worried? No. If I say so myself, he looks composed and confident." She said the last sentence with very confident voice.

When the others look at Cole, it was as Grand Elder Caira said, he still look normal.

Grand Elder tap the table loudly, "No need to think of it further. Just let him choose his opponent and we'll see of his talents and level here and now. In any case, this was just a friendly duel, there's no one will die." She said as a matter of fact.

Everyone nodded their head, agreeing to her proposal. Then they look at Peak Master Timber, waiting for his stand.

The old man shrug his head, "I don't have a problem with that."

Grand Elder Caira slam the table, "It's settled then!" She then look at Cole, "Now there's no problem. You can now choose your opponent."

Cole bow before he answered, "Then I'll choose Disciple Ryan as my opponent."

Grand Elder Caira stop her actions and ask, "Are you sure?" surprise apparent on her voice. "I knew that you could easily tell that he's the leader of this group of disciples. As a leader, he's the most powerful among them. Are you sure that you won't change?"

"No need." He answered normally.

Grand Elder Caira smile. It's either he don't have any ounce of idea about Ryan's cultivation level or he's confident with his own strength.

Several moments later, all of them was out of the building and in the open area outside of the hall. The others was distance away a while at the middle was two male people, it was Cole and Ryan.

The rule of battle is very simple. Everything can be used as long as there's no deadly and fatal blow, and absolutely no killing each other. If they break one of the rules, he will be disqualified immediately and other will be announced as the winner.

The battle will end if one of them faint, unable to battle anymore or if someone admits defeat.

"I have an idea. Let's make this battle a lot more useful. How about making a bet?" Ryan said all of the sudden.

Cole's interest was aroused, "I'd like to. But I fear I don't have valuable with me."

Ryan smirks at him, "That's nonsense." He then took out a small jade vial and said, "This jade container contains a pill called [Void Breaking Pill]. Even at Middle Lands, this kind of pill was also a treasure."

Suddenly, a good number of deep breaths, gasp, and exclamation rang out from group of onlookers.

Ryan smirks at Cole, "See?"

Cole didn't pay him any mind as he's currently reading the brief introduction of the item.

Void Breaking Pill [Heaven-Rank] A heaven defying pill that could help one break to Void Sensing-Stage by burning potential. Depending on purity, the potential to be burn will vary. Won't have any bad effect if purity reach 100%. Purity : 89%

'That's a good stuff indead.' He said inside his head. However, this pill was actually a double-edged sword as the requirements of it was very costly.

It's no wonder those Grand Elders and Peak Masters, whose all currently stocked on Peak Nascent Soul-Stage exclaimed in surprise after hearing the name of the pill. This pill was actually the hope of their life.

"If you have ten of such pill, maybe I'll think about it." He said with very confident tone.

Ryan's eyes widen in surprise. "Greedy aye? Although I don't have that many numbers of pills in me now, but I could take out that numbers if I borrow from my companions. However, you have to show your item first."

Cole thought for a moment before he decided that what he said make sense.

He also took out a small but very exquisite vial that contains a single drop of liquid.

Ryan's eyes squinted at the vial. However, no matter how hard he tried to identify it, he can't. Its appearance was no different from water.

"Do you mind telling us what that is?" He can't help but ask as eventhough he can't identify the drop of liquid, his guts tell him that it's also a very precious treasure.

"Water of Life." Cole answered instantly.

"W-What..?" Ryan stuttered as he look again at the small vial. At first, he don't want to believe that it was the legendary liquid produce uniquely by elves' Tree of Life but after taking a second glance at its exquisite container that looks like a renown craftsmanship of elves, he can't help but doubt a little and believe that it was truly a Water of Life.

Cole was about to explain the item when suddenly, he felt a strong momentum going to him. Eventhough he don't felt an killing intent from the expert, he still felt threaten.

Instantly, he used [Teleportation] and reappear distance away from his former position. After that, he immediately use [Soul Mimicry Arts] and copy Pis-Ces' [Free Water Manipulation] and creates a protective dome made of water then follow with Shelly's [Shell Withdraw], making an inferior protection according to his standards.

He knew that taking out Water of Life will attract greedy people. But he's ready for that.

"Eh?" A surprised voice rang out from Cole's former position. It was actually Grand Elder Caira. She then look for Cole and see him from distance.

"What a very fast speed! No, it's not speed, it's intantenous movement... Space-type [Teleportation]!" She muttered excitedly.

After that, she reappears outside Cole's protective barrier and also examine it, "Amazing! A water curtain with very strong defense and... drawing an energy indefinitely on Earth, raising the defense for another three fold. As long as the attack don't exceed the defense of the barrier, you'll be unkillable, no different from a turtle hiding from its shell!" She speculated accurately all of Cole's skills and techniques used.

She looks at Cole with more excited face, "Tell me honestly, do you also have affinity with Earth Elements?"

Cole suddenly felt ease when he saw that it was Grand Elder Caira. He don't know why but his guts told him that this elder woman could be trusted.

However, he still don't have the plan of admitting that he also have the affinity with Earth lest he attracts more unwanted attentions.

"No. It's just my special technique that copy my beast's skills by using Soul-Energy." He answered with truthfully but didn't admit anything. "It's very taxing though." He also added while he cancel the skills.

Grand Elder Caira raise her brows; taxing? What part of you that looks taxed? Taking her as a fool, aye?

Nonetheless, she didn't expose his lie. She just stretched her hand to him.

Cole sigh as he took out the small vial and put it into her hand.

After she received the vial, she makes an small opening and strong aura life wafted out from it.

She sigh, "You two are a fool, you know? Taking out such items in front of those old people whose one feet already on a grave, are you not afraid of their assaults?" Her voice rang out inside Cole's mind telepathically, frustrated.

Then, it dawn to Cole that what Grand Elder Caira said was most likely true.

Most of the Grand Elders are already old. It's normal that they'll do something bad because of fear of death, most likely they'll do the what they call, 'desperate measures'. And both of Cole and Ryan's item are their hope.

For instance, the higher the cultivation level, the higher the life span of the people. A cultivator who reach the Peak of Body Tempering-Stage won't have any problem living for whole hundred years as long as there's no accident.

For the people who reach the Nascent Soul-Stage, they have the life-span of four hundred years. As a people who live for long and have a great power at that, the most likely they were afraid of death.

And so, the [Void Breaking Pill] was one of the item they needed. If they broke through to another level, their life-span will naturally lengthen.

As for Cole's Water of Life, well, it was an item that could prolong life-span as just like the name of the item stated, it have a great amount of vitality and life.

And just like what Grand Elder said, Cole could see that others of the Grand Elders distance away looks agitated. If Grand Elder Caira wasn't here, most likely he'll be besieged by those desperate peoples.