Scavengers of Heaven Qi

Minraca Star System, Division Planet 156, Magistrar Conference Room

A group of nine Ascendants are seated around a conference table and are currently divided in their opinions as they discuss the appropriation of a cadet who is supposed to be awarded A-Status.

“I don’t really understand what the issue is. Are you suggesting we change the rules, rules that had remained unchanged for over these countless of years?”

“I’m not opposed to the idea of giving him a Status but giving him an A-Status is just irresponsible. It’s why we voted a traditional initiation in the first place.”

“I agree, your Magistrar. I have enough of these cowards climbing up ranks by outsmarting these rules.”

“How is that cowardice? Of the 198 recruits, he is one of the 9 who was fearless enough to …”

“Again that’s not the point. Just how many humans do you think have become useful for the past seven centuries? I am not blindlessly….”

“Enough!”

The Magistrar finally spoke silencing everyone.

“Hall Master Lark, did you really think I’m not aware of what you did. You played with Captain Rafal to ensure that group of four cadets would get A-Status and even involved me with it. I know you are indebted to Ubrutu Clan and I understand your gratitude with them has caused you to orchestrate their admission and truth be told, all your arguments are very convincing but that does not mean I will overlook your direct involvement with the initiation.

But I will give you a chance. If you truly are sincere in helping that Ubrutu youngling, my only condition is you step down from your position. I will contact my superiors for your reassignment and I will take care of that human boy.”

The Hall Masters in attendance did not dare make any eye contacts as they all knew how serious the matter has become. Now that the matter has been revealed, it is clear that hall master Lark did not want anyone with A-Status aside from Brutus so all Heaven Qi within this batch will all be allocated to them.

“Magistrar is wise. I thank everyone’s magnanimity. As of today, I relinquish my position to someone more suitable and I look forward to Magistrar’s promise.”

“You’re forbidden to make any transmission until I permit and as for that human, bring him to my chamber.”

The Magistrar walked out of the conference room and head straight to her office. Upon arrival, she prepared herself a tea. As the leader of Division 156, she still feels sad she has to fire one of her most trusted men.

Within Navarum Federation, Status is everything for cultivators who would like to pursue greater power. After becoming an Ascendant, a cultivator needs a new type of energy called Heaven Qi and to be allocated this resource, one must complete endless missions which can be converted to Statuses. While it looks unfair to majority to have cadets who have not even taken a single mission and be given an opportunity to bypass the excruciating slow accumulation of points, there is actually another purpose of the initial test and this is a well guarded secret only known to Division Leaders like her.

To become part of the Elite Force of the Federation, one must be capable of achieving the obvious like attaining an SS-Status through missions, achieving 1ST Phase of Dao, earning immeasurable merits but there are hidden ways and one of them is automatically obtaining S-Status during initiation process.

While it may sound impossible to achieve S-Status during initiation, there are theoretical ways to win. On instances of traditional initiation which is killing a Primordial Octapedde, it can technically be accomplished through team play tactics like Hundred-Man Sword Formation or Sacrificial Bombardment Array however these would require at least 100 cultivators to participate and execute the technique in unison which no one is willing to agree with as only one person will gain benefit. And that is not even considering the dangers it involves as anyone can be obliterated given that their weapons are all ordinary.

It is just too big of a gamble but not as ambitious as doing it solo. Of all the available methods, there is a heaven defying way to defeat a Primordial Octapedde and that is to use Lighting Tribulation. Ever since the establishment of Navarum Federation, there is only one person who had achieved feat and the most incredible thing is that this cultivator not only killed 1 but an entire pack of Octapedde. His name is Liom Chen from 100 millennia ago.

*Sigh

The Magistrar opened a paper thin notepad and scroll on it like a book. She is looking at a file of a human by the name of Clay Endremilas. Before the meeting, she received a reply and her request to recommend an Elite has been approved.

Never in her entire life would she be given the privilege to witness the birth of an Elite. The truth is, Clay’s method of having monsters fight and reap the benefits without doing much is one of the exceptions where someone will be denied an S-Status even if the initiate is successful in acquiring the required beast core. If there is a reason he is recommended though, that has something to do with the magical beast Clay forcefully awakened and drag to fight for him.

The beast is a Primordial Nine Headed Hydra which is currently in hibernation to allow itself to grow the ninth head. The hibernation period of this beast is very deep it will not wake up even if it’s shell had been invaded and there is only one known method to forcefully wake this beast up and that is Dao at 1ST Phase or stronger.

At first she thought it was the Ubrutu youngling but having watched the secret surveillance videos, it was easy to deduce the cause.

Had she not watched that video, a 1ST Phase Dao cultivator may have entered her Division unnoticed and she may lose her position if someone else discovered this hidden tiger.

*Exhale

Dao, the ever elusive and mysterious form of power.

Like every other cultivator who had been denied a chance in progressing their Dao, the Magistrar can only swallow her jealousy. The real reason she can no longer compete with better resources is because she had always been stuck at Half-Step. Just why luck had to bless a lesser race and not her?

*Knock

*Knock

*Knock

The Magistrar closed the laptop after hearing soft knocks echoing from the door. She already knew someone was standing outside but she would still implement mortal rules to remind cultivators to know their place and respect those in power.

“The door is open. Come in.”

Clay gently opened the door and as soon as he saw the person who summoned him, he immediately bowed and kowtowed with his fist.

“This lowly one does dare stand in the presence of her Magistrar.”

The Magistrar observed Clay. She is amused that the man before him does not even exude an air of a proud cultivator.

“There is no need for pleasantries. Feel yourself at home.” The Magistrar stood up and walked towards a sofa, then summoned an ancient tea kettle and poured on a cup and when the cup was full, she said, “My entire life, I’ve only poured tea to six people. You would be the seventh.”

Clay in the mean time did not dare move a muscle and was waiting for instructions but upon hearing what the Magistrar said, he gained the courage to slowly walk towards the table and sat opposite the Magistrar.

“There are currently 386 Divisions within Minraca Star System and I am in charge of 156TH Division. Do you know what Divisions are for, human?”

Clay held his cup on his palm and before taking a sip he responded, “May this senior enlighten this ignorant junior.”

“There are very few planets that houses Heaven Qi Veins and they are home to superpowers and obtaining resources from these superpowers requires one to compete. Those who are unable to pass can only join Divisions like this place and compete in scavenging the galaxy for Heaven Qi residues. This whole place is a mining area for Heaven Qi. It would be a waste to have someone like you become a miner within these dumpsters.”

Clay is trying to figure out where he did wrong. They have just arrived within the planet and he saw the group of Brutus and was led to a grand welcoming ceremony while he was isolated. When he was advised he will be meeting with the person in charge, he can already smell trouble. His guess has something to do with his result.

“I am unworthy of senior’s time. One word and I will comply”

“Will you then comply if I command you to join the Minraca Federation Elites” Magistrar casually replied.

Clay suddenly remembered what was said by the Ascendant who tested him back at his home planet that he should join the Federation Elites. All along he thought he has already joined a group of elites but the way this woman is talking now seem to indicate otherwise. If this is why he is being summoned, then the obvious answer would be to just agree.

“I dream of reaching the top but this junior does not dare. Unless it is a mission of significance, then this junior will put his heart to it.” Clay responded while pretending to be polite. He wanted to immediately agree but who knows if this is a humility test, then they may turn back on their words.

*Sip

The Magistrar sipped her tea then folded her hands beneath her voluptuous peaches. She cannot fathom whether this human before her is truly ignorant or if she is just being toyed.

“If you stay here, the highest you can attain is my position. But if you join the Elite Force, then you will have better chances of reaching the Peak of Ascendance and breakthrough to Divinity. They have already accepted and approved my recommendation and I have already arranged someone to pick you up.”

“This senior must know I’m only a lowly Core Formation practitioner. I kindly ask this senior to cease her pranks.” Clay maintained his composure.

“It’s not a prank, human. In truth, I would rather recommend that Ubruto boy and his teammates but unfortunately, that’s not how the system works. Will you agree on it already?” The Magistrar’s countenance became serious.

“Humor or not, I will listen and agree to Magistrar for now but I hope her Magistrar won’t regret this decision.

The Magistrar placed her cup on the table and stood up then said, “Good. Follow me.”

Clay inwardly smiled. The previous him would not be enticed about joining a better sect or cultivation group but he had his fair share of having to travel across continents looking for herbs so it only makes sense he joins whatever this Elite group is.