Sam's arrogance and might made everyone in the banquet hall stupefied. He has shown death to a prince multiple times, yet not killing him multiple times, right in front of the emperor crushing his confidence.

They couldn't even start to imagine the psychological blow the prince might have suffered.

The Princess, who took her veil off for the first time in the public couldn't hide her emotions, she looked at Sam who is tightening his tie and walking back to his original position on the stage as if he did nothing of significance.

His back looked like an immovable and unfathomable mountain. She was thinking what could he have done to her if not for the rules. She felt a wave of gratitude for her father for implementing such strict rules so they can survive. Otherwise, all the prideful geniuses that gathered here from all over the empire would have died in the hands of this monster including her.

The emperor didn't show any expression, but inside he was enraged. He wanted to kill Sam right there and then, but he knew he cannot. He looked at the empress who was about to make a fuss and held her hand to forcefully restrain her.

Nicholas didn't care about all this and went on to the stage and looked at Sam.

Both people exchanged a look and Sam took out his claws this time, he wanted to see what the outcome would be if used the most comfortable weapon in front of Nicholas.

The claws are still the same. Only nails of the fingers are made and the rest of the palm is uncovered. There is only one modification for now and that is there is a small minute hole at the sharp tip of each nail.

One could easily ignore this. But this is one of the most lethal tricks up his sleeve. These are for poison element.

But Sam is not planning to use the poison this time around.

After taking a deep breath, Sam made the first move. The spectators, saw the most intriguing battle they saw.

Sam felt alive again but this time, there was less pressure on him. No matter what, the claws are the most suitable for him. The title of Battle Maniac is not wasted on Nicholas.

Sam could feel from his moves that Nicholas has studied his swordsmanship just to beat him, but his efforts are in vain. This time, Sam's approach has completely changed. His moves are more dangerous and unpredictable.

Nicholas felt as if he was fighting a wild beast. it is not like a duel at all. He felt as if he was defending against an assault of a predator.

The pressure increased. And by the end of the fight, Nicholas almost conjured a battle spirit. But Sam didn't give him the chance and ended the fight.

The stage was destroyed. In the middle of the fight, a barrier was created so that after shock wouldn't affect the banquet hall.

In short, this is the best battle of two top notch geniuses of same generation.

The Crown Prince who is sitting in his spot. He was not attracting any attention at all since the beginning.

He squinted his eyes as he looked at the two youngsters who are getting off the stage.

He himself was also considered as a genius but he is already nearing his thirties so he wasn't able to participate in this competition.

But he wasn't upset. He is destined to be an emperor. So, he didn't bother to look up for these life changing opportunities.

His only concern is making sure that his position is stable. His father was able to stay in his position because of his strength.

He also needs that and keep the competitors in check.

He can ascend the throne with his father's support but he wouldn't be able to keep that, so he has to keep the competitors in check before they could bloom and reach their full potential.

He has to keep an eye on these candidates.

After the battles are over and the stage was cleaned up, the emperor addressed them again.

"Now, the rankings are confirmed.

First place Sam

Second Place Nicholas

Third Place Philip

Fourth Place Jack

Fifth Place Nathan

Sixth Place Patrick

Seventh Place West

Eighth Place Weasley

Ninth Place Morgan

Tenth Place Snake

All of you candidates shall assemble at the imperial palace tomorrow.

The banquet will end here."

He finished this without any courteous words indicating his gloomy mood.

Everyone went their own way.

That night, the emperor came out of his chamber and went to a desolate building in the estate.

He started loading a huge amount of spirit stones in various circles.

After he did that, he took a step back and waited and soon as bright glow flashed and two people emerged out of that light.

This is a Space gate. A transportation tool using space element. As the two people arrived, the emperor gave a bow and greeted them.

"Greetings to the Envoys of the thunder god temple."

His voice was full of respect and obedience.

There is not even a single trace of his majesty of being an emperor.

The people who came out of the formation looked at the emperor with a proud and nonchalant attitude.

They greeted him only with a nod.

One of them is a man who is in his early thirties and with a cultivation of Nascent stage.

The other person is a young man who is around eighteen with a cultivation stage of middle stage great realm.

After the greetings, the emperor led them to a specially arranged room for them. It is not for the rest, but a meeting room with a large table and chairs. There are all types of scrolls containing information.

On the table there are blue coloured crystals in a cylindrical shape with names labelled on them.

The crystal will perfectly fit in a person's palm.

Each of the crystal is labelled with the name of the candidates who ranked top ten.

The man in Nascent stage sat down without saying anything and took the crystal labelled Sam into his hand and infused the neutral spiritual energy.

A translucent screen popped up with Sam's image and all kinds of information in it.

It is like a profile of a person. There are all kinds of details about Sam, from the place of origin, his elemental details, his battle records, his business and military achievements and even his professional titles are named there. There was a golden star mark on the top right corner of the profile.

The man changed the amount of spiritual energy and looked at a video it is the battle video of the Sam causing a mayhem in the capital and his duels with the candidates in the ranking match.

After looking at the whole video, he reverted the screen back to the original profile and added three more golden stars on the top right corner.

The young Great realm expert who came with the man looked stunned and said.

"Senior Brother Moriya, don't you think it is excessive? Why does he get four golden stars? Doesn't that make him a seeded candidate even among the temple disciples?"

"Yes, it does." Moriya answered nonchalantly.

"But why does he get that privilege, he is just a peasant."

The young man seemed unconvinced.

Moriya didn't answer immediately. His gaze turned cold and said.

"Ben, since when was it your place to question my judgement? Do remember that you are only here because of your influential father, you came here on excuse to see the candidates from here and you do just that, do not interfere in my work."

The young man named Ben closed his mouth shut. But his expression was still unconvinced. He looked at Sam's image and tried to engrave in his mind.

Both the envoys are in displeasure with other's attitude, but the person who is beside them, the emperor was pleased. He thought that he got the opportunity for his revenge.

Moriya continued his evaluation; he was clearly focussed in his work and he did so with heavy responsibility. This is not the first time he did this.

He is responsible for evaluating the candidates from the empire and selecting the seeded candidates with special talents when necessary.

Until now, he only got four such candidates and Sam is first one in the list.

Sam's guess is right, there is someone who is evaluating their progress in the competition and they are giving orders for those candidates' safety.

After the evaluation is done, Moriya stood up and said to emperor.

"Assemble the candidates tomorrow morning. We will be leaving to the thunder god temple tomorrow itself.

The actual ceremony will be taking place in a week. If you want to, you can attend the ceremony with a guest." With that he gave an invitation card to the emperor which the latter took with reverence.

"If there is nothing else, I would be taking my leave, I will send someone to serve a meal for the envoys. Please do tell that servant if you need anything."

The emperor excused himself with that, he knew about Moriya because of his previous visits, he like solitude. So, he cleverly came out without outstaying his welcome.

Even though, that person is of lower strength their statuses are different.

His emperor title is nothing but a joke for them, maybe even lesser than a joke.

Before leaving though, emperor looked at Ben one last time, the young man is still looking gloomy and angry. Emperor smiled to himself and left the place.

He went to Nathan's room.

Nathan is an extremely pathetic state, the emperor sat beside his son and started talking to him.

The next morning.

Sam and the remaining candidates assembled at the entrance of the imperial palace.

After everyone is here, an attendant led them to the desolate building where space gate is. But they didn't enter it.

Moriya and Ben are waiting for them inside the building. While the emperor started loading the formations with the spirit stones.

"Senior brother Moriya, the candidates seem to have comeback, let me test them out a bit."

He didn't wait for Moriya's approval and left the place immediately. Moriya furrowed his brows and walked out.

By the time he was out, he saw Moriya confronting Sam.

"So, you are the first ranker. I hope that you remember one thing, all of you guys no matter what rank you are all still peasants, so when you reach the thunder god temple, know your place."

He looked at Sam with condescension and waited for a rebuke, but when he was greeted with nonchalance and disregard, his anger grew and said as he pointed his finger at Sam, almost touching his nose.

"What is with that attitude? Do you not know how to show respect?"

Sam furrowed his brows and before he could speak, Nathan said.

"So, it is senior ben from thunder god temple, it is an honour." He even bowed and surprising the rest of the candidates followed, at least except Sam's trio.

Ben was completely satisfied with this and also made his anger grow more. He looked at Sam coldly and made his move.

He conjured a ball of lightning on his fist and threw it straight to Sam's face.

But he didn't feel the expected impact, rather, he felt his body weirdly floating and the world rotating upside down, before he could make sense, he felt a strong kick to his guts which made him puke blood in gut wrenching pain and sent him flying.

When he came to back to his senses, he was already crashed to the ground and was near the feet of Moriya looking at him in pain and confusion.