“Akata.” Huihe Ji stood up slowly as he looked at Akata. The last time these two had met, he was heavily injured and was recovering. Their battle had been a tough one but had happened way too fast for most of the people to even notice what was happening. By the time they did notice, it was already over. Huihe Ji didn’t resent Akata or anything, in fact he admired him. Akata had came from nothing and had forced his way to stand on equal grounds with the top people of the sect. How couldn’t you admire someone like that.

“It’s been a long while Huihe-” Akata started to say.

“No. Call me Swordlife. That be my daoist name an’ what I would like to go by for now on.” Huihe Ji said calmly and with a smile on his face.

“Mn.” Akata nodded his head. “Okay, Swordlife.” It was very common for cultivators to have their own daoist name. It was basically one’s identity, something that represented you. Huihe Ji’s daoist name represented his love for the sword and what the sword meant to him. It was his life and nothing would change that.

Akata looked deeply at Swordlife and then a will erupted within him that hadn’t manifested for a long while. It was a will that gave him a rush, his blood will pump faster, an adrenaline rush would course through his body. It urged his body on, begging every fiber of his being to go along with this will of his. He had no control over it and it would come when someone strong appeared before him. This will had manifested before in front of Jiandan Fuza but in front of Huihe Ji, it was absolutely overpowering. This was… Akata’s fighting will!

He was itching to have a battle with Huihe Ji right now. It was as if a calling was being sent to his body, his mind, his soul. This time, the feeling of wanting to fight was so intense that Akata unconsciously started to rotate his crimson rune inside of him. A crimson flicker appeared within the depths of his eyes.

Huihe Ji noticed this and could feel the change in atmosphere all of a sudden. He laughed awkwardly and said, “Akata, shouldn’t we be getting ready for the exam. It will decide our roles on the battlefield. Besides…” Huihe Ji’s face turned serious as did his voice. “We can always meet on the field and fight.”

Akata was brought back to his senses and he looked seriously at Huihe Ji. Then a smile appeared on his face as it became shockingly calm. “Then let us meet on the field. I’ll see you then.” Akata said as he turned around and left. As he did he let out a heavy sigh. ‘Man! I almost lost it back there, what the actual fuck was that? I’ve never lost control so much over wanting to fight someone. Not even when I was facing Tabet or Alabasta was it that intense. I actually lost control of my mind and started to rotate my runes. Luckily he snapped me out of it.’ Akata shook his head shamefully.

He was walking toward the exit and on his way passed by Peizhi Xiuying. “I’ll be going to train some in preparation of the exam. Good luck.” He said.

“Akata… I want to tell you something.” Peizhi Xiuying said with great hesitation as Akata had walked a few steps away. She saw him turn to look at her and she struggled to get the words to come out of her mouth. “I… I’m going to fight you.” She finally managed to say with great effort. “Not just fight you but I will give it my all in this exam. If we happen to meet then I will bring my all to shake you. I won’t be holding back at all. This is something I must do so… don’t you hold back either! Not on me or anyone else.” With that she briskly turned around and started walking away.

Akata was left standing there slack jawed for a moment before firmly nodding his head. ‘Alright! I’ll give it my all too.’

***

Akata’s dorm room. It was the same old gray tone that filled every inch of this place. Sure the training and techniques were wonderful in this sect, but when it came to living conditions, it was trash at best.

He sat on his bed and then took out the jade that he was handed back in Red Cloud Hall. He reviewed it in more detail and began to memorise all of its contents. It was only the basic parts of the Thundercloud Brigade technique so it didn’t take long to fully memorise its contents. It wasn’t even that hard to understand the simple use of it either. By contrast the Red Cloud Formation’s outer section was harder to comprehend.

After quickly analyzing the technique Akata put it to the back of his mind. It had only taken him a few seconds to fully master the Red Cloud Formation’s first part and the Thundercloud Brigade technique was even easier than that.

‘This was just too easy to master. But the principles behind it and the power this gives is simply monstrous to behold. There’s no way anyone can stand up to this technique. In fact it might be possible to…’ Akata’s eyes became bright as understanding flashed through them.

He quickly gathered his thoughts and then began to look into other things as he formulated his own plan and strategy for tomorrow. It took him a few hours to finally formulate everything but in the end he was ecstatic.

‘Hehe! With this I’m sure that I’ll become one of the Dragon Knight’s of the Cloud Corps.’ Akata let out a long breath and then began to meditate and rest up. Tomorrow would be a big day.

***

Red Cloud Hall

All of the disciples of the sect had gathered in front of Red Cloud Hall as per the orders given to them. Most of them didn’t know what was going to happen for the Red Cloud Sparring Day exam. It was pretty much the same every year but some things would obviously change from time to time to make it different somewhat.

Everyone was talking to each other and trying to guess at what was going to happen this year. Some people had wild ideas while others were much more realistic.

“Maybe they’ll have us all go through some kind of war simulator. Like we’re behind enemy lines by ourselves and have to find our way out.”

“Waah? No way! There’s no way that they have all of the Elder’s fight us in order to increase our battle instincts. That’ll be a massacre.”

“What if we just have a regular tournament style exam where the top spots get the best positions.”

The only one’s who were mostly silent however, were the few disciples that had been summoned to Red Cloud Hall yesterday. They all had looks of determination and eagerness.

“Disciples of our Red Cloud Sect.” A celestial voice called out that captured the hearts and sounds of all the disciples present. A lovely figure in a skin tight white dress walked out from Red Cloud Hall. She looked as if she were a goddess among goddesses. Her hair swayed back and forth as if following the motion of her hips. Second Elder stopped in front of the crowd and looked at all of them, a slight smile on her face.

“Today is the day that the Red Cloud Sparring Day exam shall occur. As all of you know, things will surely be different this time around. With the war that is underhand we have made changes to this year’s Red Cloud Sparring Day exam. First and foremost it will be a team based exam.” She looked out and saw that a bunch of disciples started chatting.

“Silence.” She didn’t speak loudly but the field of people instantly calmed and quieted down. “The exam will be team based and the leaders have already been chosen. Will the leaders please step forward.” Second Elder nodded with her head and motioned for the leaders to step forward.

A total of thirteen people stepped forward and stood in front of the crowd. Akata and the rest could feel and see all of the eyes of the disciples landing on them. Some of those eyes were filled with avarice, greed, envy, hatred, curiosity, disgust, and other emotions.

All of a sudden a red light appeared right beside Second Elder. Out of the red light stepped out two figures, one was a rather skinny looking male in a white robe and a red greatsword strapped to his back, while the other was a beautiful maiden that looked as if she came straight from a man’s dream.

A small commotion stirred up when the people saw the two together.

“Swordlife get over there.” Sect Leader Fu said calmly. After that she stepped back and didn’t say anything further.

“Now. These are your leaders. They have been selected based off of their individual performances, talent, judgements, and other things. Simply put, they are more than qualified to apply for the position of a leader. But that doesn’t mean they are guaranteed a spot as a general of their own squadron. And it doesn't mean you don't have the chance to become one. Each team will have to complete objectives and the more objectives completed and points gained, the better your chance at getting a great position.

Teams have already been selected so gather around your team leader for more instructions. After I brief you on more things I’m sure that they will have some stuff to go over with you to make sure that you succeed right along with them.”

Jades appeared in the hands of the various disciples and they quickly read through and confirmed who their team and leader was. After gathering there and getting more instructions and the general way of how the exam was going to be held, they took to their own positions to listen to their leader.