(Author: Hello! Surprise triple chapter release of 13-15! Like the lengths? Again, normal path is Spirit Shaman-> Spirit Knight-> Spirit Master-> Spirit Sage. Usually only the ancient clans are able to veer off the normal path. Some might wonder about breakthroughs. Bottlenecks are to the next tier (Spirit Shaman-> Spirit Knight). Breakthroughs are advances in mastery over one's own spirit energy. Agemo is still in the mid-stage despite already being in the mid-stage because he made a breakthrough. Agemo heads into the shop of the man known as Seto. What will he find there? Enjoy.)

--------------Chapter 15: Seto's Marvels--------------------

The inside of the shop was a large contrast to its exterior. From the outside, the store was a three-story building made of black wood and gave off an eerie feeling as mist emanated from the building. Vendors even willingly crowded their stalls to stay twenty feet away from the store. It was like a cursed, haunted house everyone knew about, but didn't dare venture into.

The inside had white walls, golden columns and many items organized in a neat manner with certain items covered in a glass box. It was as if you went from hell to heaven. If someone told you the maids and servants in the shop were not succubus or incubus, you would call them a liar. Just looking at them started very dangerous thoughts in your head. Normally, a kid would not be attracted. However, Agemo had died and ventured into a dead boy's body named Lu Shu. He died a full-fledged, mad scientist at the adult stage of growth. He had lived the night life and was well aware of how attractive the women were. Pity he was in a boy's body. At least it gave him self-control.

"Why hello there, little boy. I am Seto of Seto's Marvels. Welcome to my humble store," a man in a white suit with a golden tie bowed.

Agemo narrowed his eyes at the man. The suit and tie matched the decorum, but the man wore an opera mask of comedy. The mask was completely gold, save for a white outline over the slit where the eyes and unnerving smile was. This man was dangerous. Agemo never felt the instinct to run, even when he saw the Spirit master, Julio. This man might not be as strong, but he felt more dangerous. This kind of man would not mind lowering himself to kill a Spirit Shaman.

Agemo only knew Julio was a Spirit Master because Julio told the participants. In truth, it was very difficult to detect someone's power if there was a vast difference. Some displayed their power, but most were Spirit Shamans. Spirit Knight onward, all hid their power. The man before him seemed like a Spirit Shaman at the first stage, but he was clearly hiding his power.

"Hello. I am here because Martin mentioned something about a very dangerous book," Agemo nodded his head.

"Ah, Old Martin. Yes, I know the book he spoke of. Scared the wits out of him when he was about to open the book. Once you make enough magical items, you can already determine if it is dangerous or not. I have three floors in my store. You might not want to go to the third floor," Seto said, his expressions hidden behind the mask.

"Why? Is the magical items there that dangerous?" Agemo asked.

"No. Not at all. You see, you're just a little boy. In the third floor, is the adult only section. All kinds of nice goodies for the perverted men and women are there. Even special, massages, are made available there. You can go if you like. No laws against that. If you can pay, you can buy. Just don't expect anyone near your age to provide the service. There are no loopholes in the law for that," Seto smiled. "The first floor holds the more common goodies I possess. The second floor is where things get very interesting. The book Martin told you about is in there. I have a customer looking at it though. However, I do have a two pages from the book, complete with the images and the power behind them."

"I'd like to head to the second floor," Agemo said.

"Oh, not daring enough to explore the hidden pleasures of the adult world?" Seto asked, tilting his head.

"The second floor," Agemo said, his voice indifferent.

"Of course. Merely a jest on my part. This way," Seto gestured as he led Agemo onto a teleportation array.

Agemo clenched his fist in anger as he saw several...toys...laying about with many men and women browsing rows of maids and servants. There were several uniforms and rooms available. It was pervert paradise.

"Whoops. Wrong teleportation array. Why don't we use the stairs. Unless, you desire to make a purchase?" Seto chuckled.

"You try my patience," Agemo growled.

"Apologies, this way. I assure you," Seto said as Agemo realized the man loved pranking people.

"You're a sick man," Agemo said as he arrived on the second floor.

"The pleasures of the adult world are a marvel understood by the lonely and desperate," Seto shrugged. "Slavery is not illegal in this world. The powerless can only suffer the strong, little boy. Moving on, this floor has a wide array of unique items. From magic orbs to sleeping powder. A small variety of Practitioner weapons and a decent amount of magical armors and cloaks. All can be found here with other items that are very rare and uncommon, such as the book. Oh, seems someone wants to purchase it. The pages will empty so it will take a long time, but the person does not seem to mind."

"What does it do?" Agemo asked.

"It's both a good and bad thing, depending on the user. The book seals wraiths inside its pages. Unless you have some divine holy weapon, you can't kill the wraiths. The pages can seal the wraith and give the owner complete control. Even if you only have two pages, you can make the wraith stronger as it can devour others. Many holy orders buy such magical books and guard them closely in their vaults. Some dark organizations collect wraiths and wage wars with them. It all depends on the owner. Well, I need to address the customer about his purchase. If you are interested in a page, I can give you one. I keep the other page as material to make another book. Therefore, I can only sell a single page out of the two I set aside," Seto nodded and left to the left area of the floor to help three people in completely white, hooded robes.

Agemo browsed the wares and bought an elixir with illusionary effects. If he needed to drug someone, they would come in handy. He also bought some sleeping pellets which would dispel a faint mist that carried sleep-inducing properties. If he needed to sneak around or escape, they would come in handy. He also bought a page from the black book which contained two powerful wraiths. Buying the page was better as the book's pages would be emptied upon purchase. At least he didn't need to search for a wraith to refill the pages. He also bought itching powder in bulk. It was an archaic means of a distraction, but obviously still effective if production was continued.

"Hm. Nothing to increase your power in battle, save for the wraith page," Seto mused. "Everything else were items that relied on a more stealthier approach or a means to escape. You don't want power? Good. It is not wise to attain too much power so quickly. Especially with a clan as far from ordinary as the Lu Clan."

"What?" Agemo gasped as he took a step back and put his left hand on the hilt of Rain Slayer which rested on his right hip.

"Whoa there. Easy, dear customer. I would not tarnish my reputation and risk losing my business if I attacked you. I just so happen to recognize the ring. The Lu Clan ancestors were quite famous back in the day. How is Lu Feng?" Seto asked and noticed Agemo frowned. "Oh. You must not have met him. He should be quite an ancestor of yours. Last I checked, he went into hiding after wiping out one of the ten ancient clans and reducing their number to nine. No one knows it was him, but me. I was his disciple before he left to return to his clan. An amazing Spirit Sage. I recently became one myself about a dozen years ago."

"You...you're a-" Agemo began.

"Don't be afraid, boy. I won't hurt my old master's descendant. I am probably one of the rare few who know you aren't completely human if you are a member of the Lu Clan and wear that ring. Might be about eight centuries since the first was made? Sounds about right," Seto nodded. "Time is irrelevant to people of the Spirit Sage tier. Back then, the Lu Clan were hunted as they could not disguise their Spirit Pulse. Lu Feng made the first ring after his son was killed. That's why he massacred an entire clan."

"Why is someone as powerful as you here?" Agemo asked.

"Boredom really. I amuse myself by seeing the struggles of those below me and imagine how strong they will become. Not even Julio knows who I am. He only knows me as a hidden expert of the Spirit Master stage. Spirit Knights are rare. Spirit Masters, even more so. It is quite rare to see so many Spirit Knights in one area. It is because they flock to the strong to survive. Remember that well, boy. Let me see that ring. I'll change its appearance so that only those of the Lu Clan can see its true form."

Seto muttered a few words as he poured spirit energy into the crimson ring. The ring became a vermillion ring with the image of a tiger on the front with draconic rings. Agemo looked up at Seto and Seto pointed at the Dragon Monkey Bracelet on his right wrist. Agemo nodded as it was expected of a craftsman of magical items to identify the materials a magical item was made from.

"Can you make Practitioner weapons?" Agemo asked.

"No. No one ever has. They just appear from the Immortal Realms," Seto nodded. As a Spirit Sage, I can see the true color of your Spirit Pulse and what lies in your Mystic Stone. The crimson ring, or the vermillion ring, can only deceive those below the Spirit Sage tier or the Fiend Adept tier. Yes, I can see the spirit reactor. You are truly Lu Feng's descendant. If they know you have one, they will try to force you to marry within their clans or find some method to control you. They have a deep hatred of the Hyperion for reasons not even I know," Seto warned.

"Can you tell me something about this?" Agemo asked as he took off his bead necklace and showed it to Seto.

"This.....is a strange bead. I don't recognize the material, but it is made as some sort of seal. I can't analyze its power as it has bound itself to you. Judging by the wing within, it is certain that you will develop crimson wings," Seto said. "A physical mutation. It is rare but not uncommon. Most people who fight the Hyperion actually steal their power using unknown methods in an attempt to imitate their pursuit to godhood. I, myself, killed an ancient dragon and absorbed its demonic core. It changed me and I no longer look completely human. You don't want to know. Demonic cores don't just impede your cultivation past the third stage. The powerful ones don't blow you up like before. They change you into a demi-human. Be wary of those types of people you come across. They are sure to be very dangerous."

"Thank you for your advice," Agemo bowed and wore the bead necklace.

"Your business should be done here. I have just three pieces of advice. No, four. First, never fight a dragon. They are beings that the gods loved so much as to give them enough to nearly rival their power. Second, never trust someone completely. Especially the ancient clans or people of cults or religions. There are always ulterior motives for their actions. Third, always train. Repeat the same moves over and over to master them and make them evolve to a higher level. It is tedious, but always the most effective form of training," Seto began as they walked toward the entrance of the store. "Fourth, attend an academy, not a martial arts sect. Don't limit yourself to one school of teaching. Academies don't require you to owe them any loyalty after you graduate but they make a nice background and asset as they have many more connections than a single sect. Last of all, you are a Practitioner. Do not tie yourself down to mortal affairs like mages. Your goal is the Immortal Realms and having power to shake the heavens. Like your ancestors, closed door training is a must. A must. Farewell boy. As a parting gift and gratitude to my master, please take this book on magical puppets. It is created using a five-star point formation. This was the gift my master, Lu Feng, taught me. If you can, please give him my thanks and to request that he visit me. This letter will authenticate my identity. Thank you, boy. You really made my day."

Agemo accepted the letter, a black book, and a small wooden box. He bowed to Seto and left the Korgar Auction House. Agemo took a sip of lion wine and stared up at the sky. There was more to this world than he expected. He drank more lion wine and headed to the largest restaurant in town. He sat on the second floor which had a veranda that overlooked the first floor, looking at the stage at the center of the restaurant. Musicians played while women danced.

He had his hood down, revealing his long ponytail that dangled behind his head. He took a knife and cut it off. He tossed it in the trash as a hostess brought him some tea. He ordered his meal and drank the tea as he laid back against his chair. Nearby, on another table, several people had gathered and were talking about the tournament. An elderly man appeared and sat among them holding a black box lacquered with gold. He put the box on the table, silencing their discussions.

"Elder Wu, you've come," many of them smiled and nodded their heads to him.

"I acquired the item. It was Item 94," the elder said.

"94? Not 100?" one of them gasped.

"No. I heard rumors many people were searching for the secret method to make a spirit reactor. No doubt, there are people following the winner of that bid," Elder Wu answered.

"It'll be a slaughter. They'll probably wait until the new owner leaves the city. The City Guard of Korgar does not care for matters outside Korgar. As soon as they are fifty feet away from the gate, they'll strike," a man nodded.

"Indeed. It will be a slaughter," a girl agreed and all the people nodded as they could imagine how deadly the battle would be. A spirit reactor could allow them to have the same capabilities as the ancient clan. Just having one assured their future as the ancient clan would ask for their hand in marriage.

"I would not dare follow them. I am only of the second stage of Spirit Knight," Elder Wu sighed. "DOn't even try to follow them Maximus."

"I'm only at the first stage of Spirit Knight. I would die as well," the man agreed. "Children, you are all recruits for the Golden Wyvern Academy. All four of you are all of the same age of eleven. You have two years until you officially become the age of thirteen. In our school, the age we accept is thirteen and classify them based on their current standing. Only one of you is a mage novice, so it will be a very important time for the rest of you. Attaining an Archon body, reaching the third stage, and forming a complete spirit is very difficult. You must continue to endure. Luckily, you have all reached the second stage and can continue participating in the tournament. Winning does not matter. Upon reaching the top sixty four, you each receive a hundred spirit pills. They will easily help you cultivate. As for a mage novice, you receive a D rank spirit crystal.

"D rank?" a girl gasped. "Really? That's amazing! I thought it would be an E rank mana stone but it is actually a D rank mana crystal!"

"Ranks? Why ranks, Karen?" a boy asked the only mage novice in the group.

"Mages care more about the world than Practitioners. Mages often join guilds and go on many adventures," Karen answered. Mana stones are used for weapons and staffs, but mana crystals are even rarer. They are used in crafting accessories, armor, and act as reservoirs we can use to store mana and access later. Mana stones are a one-off. They don't get replenished by any means. Unless it is on a staff, mana stones are wasted if you craft them with anything else."

"Good girl. As expected of my niece," Maximus roared as he pat her head.

"Uncle," she murmured but smiled happily. "Is a hundred spirit pills also worth it? Jasper? Bakura? Kairi?"

Jasper and Bakura both nodded, but Kairi was distracted as she saw Agemo drinking his tea. Agemo looked like he was in pain, as if the world hurt him. SHe didn't know why she thought that way. She recognized him as being one of the four people who successfully completed the Steel Maze, the last maze that picked the final fifty of the remaining 700 at the end of the second trial. Everyone saw the light brown haired girl with blue eyes stare off and gasped as they recognized Agemo.

"He's the one who defeated those fifty two brats from the second trial," Maximus said. "The one using that dark spirit movement technique. He must already know what his spirit is to already use an elemental spirit technique."

"I agree. I also saw his guardian, a stage 9 Spirit Shaman, named Meng Ce. They both look to be from the Yan Empire."

"Like me?" Bakura asked. "I don't recognize him though."

"Why would you? Aren't you from the countryside?" Jasper laughed. "Still, he's strong. Despite his cultivation, he beat a third stage Spirit Shaman."

"That's because that shame-of-an- Archon had no skill," Maximus scoffed. "The boy easily foresaw every attack the idiot Archon would make. Those sect members are raised differently than academy students. Every day is full of danger. They are responsible for cultivating on their own, without guidance, unless they are talented enough to be made the personal disciple of someone. That is the price they pay for their superiority over academy raised Practitioners."

"Enough talk. Tomorrow is the fourth trial. Open the box and each of you take a flag. They are used for formation barriers. As for you, Karen, I'm giving you a rank D mana stone. Use it sparingly as you can't replenish it," Elder Wu said. "It's good that you saw the lad. Tomorrow, you must travel in teams of five. I overheard the guards who are bring materials into the hunting grounds.That boy there should be your fifth member. Best approach him now and ask him. That way you spend less time trying to find a member and more time hunting demonic cores."

"I'll do it," Bakura grinned and left their table. "Hi there. My name is Bakura. Nice to meet you."

"Agemo," the other boy nodded in greeting as he finished his food and drank more tea. "Can I help you?"

"You know about the fourth trial tomorrow, right? About going into the royal hunting grounds and collecting demonic cores? Well, Elder Wu, the elder over there at my table, overheard the guards. Participants must form a team of five in order to be eligible. We already have four members, one of them a mage. We would like to ask you to be our fifth member," Bakura asked and bowed his head respectfully.

"It's a group trial? I see. Very well. Thank you. I will join your group," Agemo said as he went over the boy's words.

"Great. Jasper's the dark brown-haired kid with curls over there. Karen's our mage, the girl with the blonde hair and green eyes. She'll be my girlfriend one day," Bakura smirked. "I'm the funny orange-haired kid with spiky hair and the light brown-haired girl is Kairi. Once the fourth trial starts, we'll meet up and start killing magical beasts. I'd be careful though. I've seen some of the participants in the other mazes. Some of them fight dirty and kill for pleasure. You watch our back and we watch yours. Killing them is up to you. We won't help you chase someone running for their lives though, if it endangers the group."

"Sounds fair," Agemo nodded and they shook hands.

"See you tomorrow then," Bakura waved and left to join the others while Agemo paid the bill and left.

"What did he say?" Jasper asked.

"He's down. He'll join our group. Guy's name is Agemo," Bakura grinned and made a V-sign at them. "Told ya I can do it."

"He's not bad. I thought he'd blow it with his attitude," Maximus whispered to Karen.

"He was acting. I'm afraid Agemo will leave once Bakura starts acting reckless and shows his true nature," Karen whispered back.

"Try to recruit the boy for our academy. It is the best academy in the east and superior to Sky Angel Academy," Elder Wu nodded. "No doubt the boy will consider joining an academy or martial arts sect at the age of thirteen. He looks about your age. I've no doubt he will go far and become one of the sixty four tournament contestants."

"Yes, Elder Wu," the four recruits said and enjoyed their meal when the hostesses arrived with their food.

Agemo had arrived in a segregated training ground a few yards away from the dormitories as night fell. He was curious to test the Sentinel Bow. As for the stone talisman, he kept it in his pocket in case it could detect elemental essence nearby in the future. He admired the Sentinel Bow. It was indeed very strange. It was shaped as a recurve bow but had no strings. The main body was made of vermillion metal of unknown origins. Nearing the ends of the bow, the image of a lion turtle was carved on the top and on the bottom.

"Let's see how it works," Agemo thought as he put his hand where he imagined the bow would be.

A shining vermillion bowstring appeared and Agemo was able to grasp it as he pulled it back with his right hand. The ground shook around him as an unprecedented amount of power seemed to emanate from the arrow. He didn't know what would happen so he pointed it at the sky. As soon as he released it, space seemed to crack as a huge beam of light burst into the sky. Agemo fell back in shock and crashed into the ground.

"Oh shit. Oh shit," Agemo cursed as he stared at the bow. "It felt so powerful. Godlike. Space broke around the arrow's path! What mad man would sell this off for two hundred thousand gold coins? Wait a minute. If people could only fire it once a year, why do I feel like I can draw it again?"

Agemo imagined where the bow string was and poured spirit energy into it again as he made a stance. As he moved his hand, he let go of the Sentinel Bow in shock as his hand grasped the red bow string. He was right! The archer from legend must not have been human at all! Maybe it was a magical beast in humanoid form or a demi-human due to an accident while absorbing spirit energy from a demonic core?

Still, the spirit energy consumption was huge. He thought he might have enough spirit energy to shoot about five arrows. He immediately bound the Sentinel Bow to him by dripping some blood onto it. The lion turtles carved on the bows transformed. The image on the top was in the image of the White Ocean Tiger spirit.

Excited, he looked at the bottom carving and saw that it had also changed. It was the image of a half metal mask that covered his nose down and looked like a fanged mask. The sides of the metal mask were the color of stone while the middle part that covered the nose and mouth were sand. Four canine fangs were present on the corners of the middle part of the mask the color of vermillion.

"So it is an armor spirit," Agemo laughed as he put the bow away. "It really is an armor spirit. Would have liked a full helm but a fanged mask works. Maybe it's the influence of the first spirit? Still, at least I know now. The Sentinel Bow was definitely not a waste. I have a long range weapon now. My enemies and prey won't be able to escape my wrath now. I should only use the Sentinel Bow if I'm trying to cover my escape. Yeah. That's right."

Agemo returned to his room and began cultivating the following morning at dawn. Agemo sighed as the red sun was slowly shrinking and taking shape. He knew what it was going to look like, but not the name of the spirit. As he had bound the Sentinel Bow, he could now see vermillion energy within his body. It truly was a divine weapon to be sure. He now had two energy fluctuations in his body: the red demonic spirit energy and the mysterious vermillion energy.

Having a second type of energy flowing in a person's body was not a bad thing unless the energies were incompatible. Some of the true Archon methods required two types of energy within one's body and gave tips on how to acquire them. The original spirit energy would represent earth, the body would represent man, and the second energy would represent heaven. Combining heaven and earth into man was the path to a true Archon.

However, Agemo decided he would not bind another artifact as powerful as the Sentinel Bow and risk it. Some people had eight types of energies within their body and did not suffer at all. Others only got one more and they died a horrible death of their veins imploding, one by one, until their arteries broke and killed them. He told Meng Ce about everything that happened yesterday. Meng Ce was shocked, pleased, suspicious, and pleased again.

"You got two great items from the auction house and formed a party," Meng Ce smiled. "While I am suspicious about this Seto character, he did help you. Leave the wraiths aside until you know more about them. This Sentinel Bow is quite the find. I also agree that you should never bind another artifact like it. You're really lucky it didn't kill you when you decided to bind it to yourself. The fourth trial starts soon. I'll be watching from the stadium. Good luck."