Evening. The stars shone brightly.

“That felt good.”

Hours later after jumping in the hot mixture, Gregjoy finally stepped out of the steel bathtub. His whole body was flushed red as if he had been taking dip in a volcano. Yet, instead of pain, the young man was in a state of relaxation, especially when the colder, more lukewarm winds hit him after getting out. The lush grass under his feet was very cold in comparison to the magma like substance in the thub.

“I can’t say it was easy in the start, though.” He shivered when thinking back to the moment his skin touched the scalding medicine mix and when he submerged his whole body except for his head. The pain was close to unbearable because of the reinforced steel; that material kept warmth truly good.

However, after some time, his senses had dulled and he had felt less pain. Slowly but surely, the temperature had decreased. His skin and limbs had adapted to the warmth and finally started to heal.

Firstly, the Fireweed had acted.

Igniting the herbal essense of Red Ginseng, Wolfberry and Purple Ginger Root, the Fireweed had allowed for the herbs to seep through his pores and into his body. It was as such that the herbs chosen for his medicine bath all had regenerative properties.

The Red Ginseng had entered the blood flow, boosting the efficiency of his organs. This ingredient was crucial for him in order to withstand the medicine bath for longer amounts of time. It allowed his body to operate under the pressure of the heat and, for example, keeping its normal breathing rhythm.

The wolfberry had gone to his muscles, increasing their repairation speed, and easing the soreness and aching he felt from today’s training with the nameless sword art. This was the main healing herb inside the mixture and served the sole purpose of aiding the recovery of his muscles.

The Purple Ginger Root had invigorated his skin and flesh and was the cherry on top of the cake in the formula!

Bathing inside Purple Ginger Root continuously for a long time would improve his overall health and reduce the chances of falling sick. Although it wasn’t something that gave helped him short-term effects, it was definitely something worth having when being exposed to strenuous training daily.

All in all; the medicinal bath had made him feel extremely vigorous! He was akin to that of a young dragon after being birthed, brimming with energy and ready to take on any challenges! He wouln't even be surprised if his strenght had surged with one or two percents from the combination of medicine bath and training with the nameless sword ar

Before going to bed, Gregjoy went a round with his sword.

Practising one of top three legacy sword manuals for Body Refining Stage of the Eternal Sword Sect, 'One Sword Reaches The Sky', a gleaming silver flashed in the dark forest. His slashes were quick and precise.

'One Sword Reaches The Sky' is a technique that focuses on straight, super-fast slashes. The sword manual suited his temperament. No matter the challenge that came in his way, as long as he held the slimmer of a chance to succed, he would definately face any opponent. This was his martial way!

...

He woke up the next day with the sunlight burning his eyelids, birds chirping.

What a great feeling!

After washing himself in the river nearby, Gregjoy grabbed the tent, medicine bath and cauldron and left the grove.

The town was as bustling as ever when he walked the streets toward for the Arena. He was dressed in his blue robe, whereupon a dull, silver cross hung around his neck. Today, he wouldn't tuck it inside. He would let his master see his first real battle from this cross. The cross would be his master’s eyes!

“Right. I forgot to press the queue button.” He shook his head, laughing, and then took out the badge from the space ring around his index finger, pressing the button. A golden light was released together with a message shown on top of the bagde’s smooth surface. The letters were written in gold.

“Gladiator #10283. You have now been queued for the Arena. Your Gladiator’s badge will show once a match has been found. After a match has been found, please take yourself to the waiting room in the lobby. Please be advised that failure to arrive more than an hour after the given signal will result in a loss no matter the reason. Thank you for your understanding. We hope that you will enjoy out services.”

He strolled around for about ten minutes before the badge lit up, and another message was displayed.

“Match found. Please arrive to the waiting room within one hour. Opponent: Gladiator #4937.

Without wasting time, Gregjoy slowly made his way to the Arena.

The hall was less crowded than yesterday. Only a few fighters here and there as well a couple of merchants. This was, however, only the lobby. He didn’t have a clue how many were sitting in the stands inside the arena or how many were waiting in the waiting rooms for the opportunity to fight.

Another reason could be because of the time of the day. It was morning right now, and the last time he was here was when it was noon.

“Hello.” Gregjoy said to the woman behind the counter. This time, it was another one, and not the middle aged women who received him yesterday. This one was younger and a bit more beautiful.

"Do you happen to know where the waiting rooms are?”

“Haha! Of course, I work here you know!” She snickered and pointed to her right. “Just go straight down the hallway and turn left. Don’t forget to tell the guard what number you are so he can call on you when it’s your turn to fight.

“Thanks.” He said, a bit embarrassed. He was only sixteen and wasn’t than experienced with the ladies. He had been forced to scavenge for survival in his early days, and once he became older, he was taken in by his master, the Eternal Sect’s Patriarch, and forced to train all the time. It wasn’t strange for him to feel embarrassed when he got laughed at by a girl, even if she probably only thought He was being cute.

Gregjoy did as the young woman told him and walked down the hallway to his right, which was her right, and continued left. He came to a door, felt the handle and looked above only saw a sign where the words ‘Waiting Room’ where written.

He too a deep breath and pushed down the loose handle, entering the room. Today would be the first time he fought for real. He definitely couldn’t lose! To do that would shame his late master’s expectations! he would go out there and show why the Eternal Sword Sect had been one of the strongest, most top-tier sects in the entire Sheng Kingdom!