(Author: Hello! I don't post chapters on Sundays. So no chapter yesterday. I'm currently writing chapter 7. Well, the fight reaches its climax. Two people with true Archon bodies go head-to-head after Lu Shu defeats his opponents. Lu Ce fails to humiliate his brother and Lu Shu. He actually increases their reputation instead. Just what will happen once the fight is over? Well, that's what titles are for. You also learn how the eastern countries are faring against the Hyperion. Some asked why Shu didn't just kill people. The answer: too many political issues will arise. Don't worry. His temperament changes beginning in the__ chapter. Yeah. I plan on slowly changing his mindset. He will always be a good person to those he trusts. Everyone else is fair game. After all, he used to be a scientist for a noble goal, but people feared his actions and results. Well, enjoy.)

----------Chapter 3: The Ancient Clan----------------------

The air around Lu Shu's blade seemed to chill as Yoshi entered within range. Yoshi concentrated his spirit energy into his blade and slashed down as Lu Shu. Lu Shu drew his left arm across his chest and moved it outward, deflecting the blow and the two blades clashed. Yoshi felt himself lifted into the air by the impact and coughed as Shu punched his chest, his fist wrapped with crackling lightning.

Lu Shu became a trail of shadows as he sped toward Yoshi. Yoshi touched the tip of his katana at the ground and sent a wave of rock as he twisted in the air, landing on his feet as the wave began to crash down at Lu Shu. Lu Shu cut the wave in pieces with four moon blades of water. He narrowed his eyes as Yoshi was gone, a large hole appearing where he last saw him. Lu Shu smirked as he concentrated water spirit energy into his hand. A White Ocean Tiger spirit appeared, roaring behind him as he punched the ground with his fist. Several geysers blew up from the ground, and Lu Shu laughed as he made a circular slash, sending lightning into the geysers. The ground incinerated as it conducting electricity due to the water splashed everywhere.

Yoshi burst from the ground, several burn marks all over his body as his earth armor was unable to take the assault. As Yoshi began to glow that same green energy, Lu Shu stabbed his katana into the ground, freezing all the water in seconds. Parts of Yoshi's body became frozen and he yelled in pain as some of his skin cracked before he broke the ice. Lu Shu appeared in front of him with a burst of darkness spreading around him and Yoshi barely managed to block the blow. They soon clashed all over the plaza as sounds of metal emanated with every strike.

Lu Shu looked heartless with his mask spirit manifested on his face. It constantly restored his spirit energy, one of the perks of spirit manifestation. Lu Shu blocked a blow, pushing the back of his blade with his free hand to push Yoshi, and his katana, far away. Lu Shu brandished his katana and used his Radiant Howl technique, sending waves of water blades over and over, forcing Yoshi back. Unnoticed by most people, all the water that the geysers blew into the air were used to shape small black clouds high above the plaza. Yoshida had noticed but would dishonor his son if he interfered with the match and warned him.

"It's over!" Yoshi roared as the ground began to quake underneath him, forming a giant katana that seemed weightless in his hands.

"You have lost," Lu Shu said as a giant, blue lightning bolt fell from the sky, shattering the giant katana-shaped rock.

Yoshi yelled as fragments of the rock blasted against him, breaking some bones. As people stared at the fallen Yoshi, others saw the black cloud descend and enter Lu Shu's mouth. Blue lightning began to crackle around his skin and Lu Shu began to laugh maniacally. He let the lightning spread into his bodies, watching them expand his veins and make them thicker. This was how lightning spirit users began stronger: fusing their spirit energy generated lightning with real lightning and absorbing it into their own bodies. While enduring the pain, they allow their body to become more in tune with the element.

"Like I said before: You have lost. Disappear," Lu Shu said as he sent a beam of lightning toward the entrance, causing everyone to murmur as they wondered why he attacked the entrance to the palace.

"What is this!" Lu Yi roared as he saw the lightning pierce through a person who was previously invisible. "Explain yourself, Yoshida!"

"It's not him father. It seems we have a spy here. A member of the spirit clan, but so weak that he could pass as one of the servants or maids of the palace," Lu Shu grinned as he approached the dying boy. "Oh, he has a Mystic Stone? I can sense it with my spirit energy. I'll take that."

The crowd cringed as Lu Shu put his hand into the hole in the dying boy's chest. They averted their gaze as the boy screamed while a marble was taken from his body, killing the boy. People paled, while others fainted, as Lu Shu put the marble in his mouth, absorbing the spirit energy in the Mystic Stone . The marble lost its shined and became a simple marble as he spat it on the ground. It was as if it were never used in the first place.

"How did you do that?" Yoshida gasped as he appeared next to his son and began sharing his spirit energy to heal him. "Mystic Stones are the souls of Practitioners."

"No, they are not. They symbolize the soul and become pure concentrations of spirit energy when fused into the body. Someone with my ability can rip out someone's Mystic Stone to empower my own. However, why did someone of the ancient clans come here? He had a spirit reactor. I can literally feel its power in my body," Lu Shu murmured as a second reactor appeared in his Mystic Stone.

While his own spirit reactor was a large demonic core with five sets of wings, the other spirit reactor was different. It was a giant demonic core that had shrunk and symbolized a third eye atop of a human-shaped skull. His two spirits had sunk into his soul lake as they became enriched with its power. Lu Shu can see the stars in the sky as the two spirit reactors became two moons high above the lake. Lightning crackled in the distance as it circled the lake while the waves became as mini tsunamis while the lake deepened and became dark.

"You can take out someone's Mystic Stone? Who are you?" a voice boomed as a man in completely covered in a black cloak appeared in the plaza, emanating the power of a Spirit Shaman of the tenth stage. "Why did you kill my good friend?"

"Ah, young master of the ancient clans. Welcome Yoshida bowed as he bowed toward him.

"A mere Spirit Shaman dares to interrupt the match and send a spy to attempt to attack my son from the shadows?" Lu Yi roared as he deduced the connection.

"As the grandson of one of the lords of the ancient clans, I beg your forgiveness for my impudence," the teenager bowed as he pulled back his hood to reveal a youth of twenty years.

"You're only sorry you got caught. I overlooked such weak spirit energy as I assumed it was a servant of mine. You have made me a fool. Give me a reason not to kill you," Lu Yi growled.

"I am the grandson of a lord of the ancient clans," the boy stressed.

"And I am the descendant of over a dozen Spirit Sages!" Lu Yi roared. "Just one of my ancestors slaughtered one of the ten of the mighty ancient clans. You number nine now. Do you think the Yan Dynasty fears you?"

"Ah," the boy paled while Yoshida stepped toward Lu Yi. "Please forgive him, Your Imperial Majesty. He is to be my in-law when my son marries his little sister. He had only brought a minor child of the ancient clans to watch the feast. He was only at the third stage and had weakened his spirit energy considerably to avoid detection."

"Enough of your lies. Kneel on your knees. All of you! You dare to humiliate my boy on his fucking birthday. I allowed you to challenge him and you send spies, bitched to outnumbered him, and still lost. Tell me, Lu Shu, how do we deal with these trash? I don't mind killing them. None of them are Spirit Masters," the emperor sneered as he crushed them underneath a formation barriers, causing them to sweat and cough blood as all the people who angered him were on their knees due to his power.

"This is going too far, Even for me," Lu Rong said as she put a hand on her husband's shoulders.

"Pfft. What do I care? It doesn't matter if they are my brother, sister, niece, nephew, relatives, ambassadors, or whatever the fuck they came here under. They challenged me indirectly and took advantage of me. I listened to their lies and insults for days until I allowed them to come to my son's birthday and host the competition at the same time," the emperor spat as he shrugged his wife's hand away. "They will pay the price."

"Under who's authority?" a man in similar black robes appeared, showing the strength of the Fiend Adept.

"HAHAHAHA! You think you scare me? I am at the ninth stage!" Lu Yi roared as he also forced the man on his knees. "Fucking true Archons. Just because your foundation is better, you assume you are the best. Let me enlighten you now, talent isn't everything! Ha! You seem as powerful as someone at the third stage of Spirit Master. I've killed more powerful Fiend Adepts of the ancient clans than you."

"I ask that you forgive him," the man begged. "He is my charge and--"

"You failed to oversee his conduct," Lu Yi sneered. "We aren't in the eastern kingdoms next to the Hyperion scum. This is the Yan Dynasty! I told my son not to kill anyone today, but I am willing to spare that brat of yours if you allow my son to cut off your head. Tell me, is your loyalty that deep or will you let that young master die?"

"You can't do this!" Yoshida shouted, anguish in his voice s he would be blamed.

"Father, this atmosphere is too oppressive. Why don't you let them kneel on the ground instead. The uninvolved guests are becoming uncomfortable," Lu Xing smiled, proud of his father's might.

Lu Yi waved his arm and the barriers dissipated. All the people involved obediently sat on their knees in the plaza. Lu Mei, who was distracted by the tiger cub, didn't care about the competition at all as she was sure her brother would win. She looked up and laughed before looking down at the tiger cub, the people on the plaza feeling ashamed by being laughed at by her so helplessly.

"Allow me to speak in my father's place," Lu Xing began as his father sat down, irritated and attempting to cool down. "The ancient clans are strong. Even my father would hesitate to make you our enemies. However, we have enough experts to fight back against you. That much is also true. We could also annihilate the Nara Empire. That is a fact. As far as the sub clans are, there are too many rebellious figures. Lu Shu, please step forward."

"What is it, Xing?" Shu asked as he retrieved his storage bag from his father and stood next to Xing, overlooking the plaza.

"Father wanted to let you decide. However, we can't kill them. There must be an alternative. What do you think we should do?" Xing asked as he gestured at the kneeling provokers.

"I already got a spirit reactor from that dead kid. The ancient clans fight the Hyperion. I will let them go," Lu Shu said.

"Thank you for your mercy," the Fiend Adept bowed as he stood up with his charge. "Worry not, we will not seek any vengeance for what happened. That boy was a minor being and not considered a loss. I cannot tell you the name of my ancient clan, out of fear of your hidden experts. I will be sure that we never dwell in the Yan Dynasty without addressing the Imperial Emperor for permission. As a gift for the second prince, please take this dagger. It uses death energy to make its blade soundless. Not even the wind can be felt when swing the dagger. Forgive us and thank you."

"Oh, nice dagger," Lu Xing grinned as he took the dagger and handed it to Lu Shu. "It should serve you well if you want to assassinate someone. What do we do with the rest of them?"

"Have the Nara Empire pay our family one trillion gold. That would follow the consequences under our international laws," Lu Rong suggested and Lu Shu nodded in agreement.

"The what of our relatives?" Lu Xing asked.

"The Great Ancestor will decide their punishment," Lu Yi said telepathically through his spirit sense, causing the members of the Lu Clan to pale as only they heard his words.

"Then the competition is ended. Let us enjoy the feast. Hail Lu Shu! May he live ten thousand years!" Lu Xing roared.

"Hail Lu Shu!" everyone yelled and relaxed as it was all over.

"That was the most exciting birthday party I've attended," Lu Xing sighed and pat his brother on the back. "Nice work. You beat them all and even the ancient clans and the blasted Nara Empire representatives had to bow down to us. Fucking great day."

"Language," Lu Rong warned while staring at her husband. "Killing them? Really?"

"You would have them dismembered or tortured for their entire lives," Lu Yi replied as he rolled his eyes. "Don't pretend to be merciful. No emperor would marry such an empress. His ministers would daringly suggest I take concubines as other emperors did."

"Take him before I keep him for myself," Lu Mei pouted as she handed the tiger cub to Lu Shu.

"Not a bad day. I fought all out and gained a spirit reactor. I wonder what the changes will be once my Mystic Stone fully harmonizes it," Lu Shu sighed as his mask spirit disappeared and felt his body become as heavy as lead. "Aw. So this is what it feels like afterwards. I feel so drained."

"Spirit manifestation. Not bad," Lu Yi smiled. "You will feel sluggish for a few hours. You made me proud. Your dragon also did good. Still, a wraith fused into a puppet......The Overseer really must like you. Enjoy the feast. You certainly earned it besides being born. HAHAHAHA!"

Later that night, four other ancestors left the hidden chamber and began cultivation in in a four-square point formation in the guest house next to the palace. No one was permitted to disturb them, but news had passed quickly as the feast continued until midnight. If seeing Lu Feng, single Spirit Sage was to be expected, seeing four more appear from the palace so easily was terrifying. Most nations were lucky enough to secure a single Spirit Master. The Yan Dynasty was truly underestimated.

Still enraged, the emperor did not see his relatives off as he ordered them to see the four Spirit Sages who had the judgment from the Great Ancestor. As for the Fiend Adept from the ancient clan, he decided to wait until the feast was over to talk to the emperor. In the throne room, Lu Yi was sitting with his family, ministers, and generals as they stared at the ambassadors from the Nara Empire and the Fiend Adept with his charge next to him. Lu Shu was not present as he was cultivating to hasten the assimilation of the new spirit reactor.

"The emperor will allow you to speak now," the Prime Minister declared as he bowed after a nod from the emperor.

"Thank you, Imperial Majesty, for allowing my charge and I to live. My first name is Minho of the Song Clan. I married into the ancient clan, which I cannot reveal. My charge is Lenard. He is a descendant of that clan so I cannot reveal his clan name. I see that you are in the right when you say the Yan Dynasty is fearless. I understand that Lu Shu has a spirit reactor. I wonder if he is willing to be betrothed to one of our many young beauties?" the Fiend Adept bowed.

"That is his choice. What do I care? If he loves her. He loves her. He won't be emperor and can't be married off to another lord," the emperor waved while Lu Mei's expression darkened.

"Lu Mei," her mother soothed and Lu Mei nodded as she understood it would only be a lord she, herself, approved.

"My empire is not allied with the ancient clans, nor do we have need of it. We can defend our own from the Hyperion. We have ways of seeking them out. Just like the one that hid among the Nara ambassadors," Lu Yi smirked.

"Ah. May I ask how you did so? Their Spirit Pulse seemed to look like a human's gold Spirit Pulse," Yoshida asked, concerned as his empire was currently defending itself from the Hyperion as another nation fell a year ago.

"You do not need to know, my lord. My father will not speak of it. However, we know that the Hyperion have become rather active in their activities in the shadows," Lu Xing said respectfully as this was an official meeting.

"Oh. It seems Lu Shu has managed to assimilate it at last. HAHAHA! His profits still increase. He seems to have broken to the fifth stage. That spirit reactor was truly a gift. HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Lu Yi laughed as Lu Xing laughed as well.

"That brother of mine.....Geez," Lu Xing laughed. "Better watch out Lu Mei. You are not as talented as either of us. He might catch up."

"Don't tease me in front of the minsters and generals," Lu Mei pouted while the ministers and generals felt at ease as the atmosphere softened.

"Yoshida, thank you. Since my son discovered the spy while fighting your son, he truly got an unexpected reward. I fail to see a reward better suited to him for winning the competition. I will send a million strong army to assist with fighting the Hyperion. of course, you must still send the trillion gold," Lu Yi nodded.

"Thank you, Imperial Majesty. The forces will help us greatly," Yoshida nodded.

Outside the throne room, Lu Shu was hastily washing the impurities from his body. He had officially reached the halfway point of the Spirit Shaman tier. Now, the two spirit reactors were moons whose light enriched the soul lake with abundant spirit energy. The life force of the planet was successfully converted into spirit energy from the new spirit reactor. However, it was not the demonic red spirit energy but the vermillion energy which had also become suitable to cultivate as spirit energy. The upper surface of the lake became vermillion up to ten feet. The rest, all the way to the deep covered in darkness, was a demonic red. The mask spirit stayed near the surface while the White Ocean Tiger resided in the depths of the soul lake.

According to the Bone Demon, having more spirit reactors was good. However, he should not have another type of spirit energy within his body. The life force of the plane was tolerated because of the existence of the spirit reactors. The more spirit reactors, the stronger the absorption rate into the Mystic Stone as well the more pure the spirit energy conversion. Now that he was at the fifth stage, his soul lake would become an ocean. He could see the lake expand as the depths of the lake decreased while the water spread. Soon, he could not see the outline of the water anymore. Now, the three elements in his body began to condense into shapes of fish within his soul ocean. For what is an ocean without life?

"Hello father," Lu Shu bowed as he entered the throne room and took his place next to Lu Xing on the aisle before the two thrones of the emperor and empress.

"Good. Very good. Congratulations on your success," Lu Yi smiled. "Now we can resume. Fiend Adept, what is your true purpose in coming to my empire?"

"Ah, as you wish. The ancient clans have noticed that the Hyperion are becoming more crafty. We have no shortage of Practitioners, but we lack enough mages for our mortal armies. The western nations are abundant with mages and respect them more than Practitioners. Thus, a lot of mages migrate here while Practitioners and martial sects establish themselves to the east. The ancient clans sent me to ask permission to request some of the mage academies and guilds to recruit mages to our cause. This is the official letter of request," Minho bowed as a member of the royal guard got the letter and gave it to Lu Yi.

"Hmm. It is real. Very well. You have my permission for that. Are the ancient clans planning an expedition to the east?" Lu Yi asked.

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. We aim to take back the lands the Hyperion took from us and discover more about our enemy. It is said that the Hyperion have a new Overlord. It explains the recent activities of the Hyperion. This Overlord is ambitious. I am afraid it won't take long for news of a more active invasion spreads to the west," Minho bowed. "Thus, we are strengthening our relations with the nations to the west in hope that we gain more reinforcements for when the time comes."

"This does not bode well. Lu Xing, you will be emperor when I reach the Spirit Sage tier. You must become an Arch Mage before then," Lu Yi advised.

"Yes, father," Lu Xing nodded.

"If that is all, you are dismissed," Lu Yi nodded and the foreigners left except for Minho who had a few more words to say.

"Prince Lu Shu, I apologize on behalf of the ancient clans. Your ability to extract Mystic Stones is frightening. I suggest you refrain from doing so unless you wish to kill the Practitioner. Life without spirit energy is worse than death for Practitioners. Some have the ability to seal a Mystic Stone. Thus, they cut off the connection to their source of spirit energy. It is the same, but at least they have a chance of finding someone to break that," Minho advised and left the throne room.

"I'm also surprised," Lu Shu said after a moment, shocking everyone in the throne room. "I was told it was a hypothesis by an ancient teacher. Who knew it was true. I think he did though, and wanted me to find out on my own."

"The day is won. A great day indeed, for our Yan Dynasty. Lu Shu, I already have an academy in mind for you to attend. Both Practitioners and mages study there, some Practitioners also having a spirit reactor and cultivating true Archon body techniques. You will train there and become a God Eater. Wait, you already are one, huh? Think of it as actual training," Lu Yi said. "You have explored the world with General Meng Ce and profited much. Now is the time to settle down and learn knowledge from history, rather than experience. The past holds much knowledge and even your siblings have private tutors while they attend the mage academy in the capital. You might catch up with Mei though. Rather than talent, she lacks the motivation to become stronger. Some nonsense about how boys don't like dating girls stronger than they are. Utter bullshit. My wife is stronger than me, but most believe me to lie."

"Father!" Mei shouted while the empress smiled coldly.

"What is this academy I am going to?" Lu Shu asked.

"It is known as the Black Lotus Academy. It resides in the north. You will enter a teleportation array in the palace and go tonight. It is already late at night here, so morning should come in three hours over there. You will leave immediately," Lu Yi said while looking at his wife. "The entrance exam starts in eight hours and not even the son of an emperor is exempt. No transfers or registrations are allowed afterwards. The exam is simple: be at the third stage. It is nothing to you. Goodbye Lu Shu. Know that we love you and will miss you."

"Uh," Lu Shu said as he was dragged by the royal knights. He certainly did not expect this. Bahamut quickly flew after him as it had waited for him in the throne room all this time.

"Hey! The tiger cub!" Lu Mei shouted and a royal guard hastily ran after them with a sleeping cub.

"So abrupt. Why is it so necessary that he goes there?" Lu Rong asked.

"The Honorable Ancestors sensed a powerful demonic spirit energy in that direction. The demons are becoming, active as of late. The dragons are also stirring from their sleep. Soon, the four forces will enter into a war. Could be a decade and a few years, but it will come. The Pantheon of Devils will open in ten years. All four races are sure to be cultivating to reach the proper qualifications. Even magical beasts are permitted to attend. Lu Xing is already qualified," Lu Yi smiled as he looked at his son. "Lu Shu must reach the tenth stage of the Spirit Shaman tier. Qualifications start at the seventh stage. However, Spirit Knights, Archon Phoenixes, or the stage directly below; can survive up to the eleventh floor. The prizes start at the tenth. He must reach the thirteenth floor."

"That hideous place? Why would he go there?" Lu Rong shivered.

"You always refused, so you don't know its benefits. Our Great Ancestor can't go, but many of our Honorable Ancestors at the peak of the ninth stage of Spirit Sage don't dare to cultivate further in hopes of entering that place. It happens once every thousand years," Lu Yi grinned as he seemed to look at his past memories as he closed his eyes. "That place is so dangerous, death lurks and arrives in many fascinating place. There is no greater feeling of being alive. Save for sex. Sex is good."

"Too true, Imperial Majesty," many generals laughed while the ministers forced themselves to smile uncomfortably to resist the urge.

"You really feel old when you send your child away. Good luck Shu," the emperor said as he ended the royal court meeting.

"Prince Shu, here is the room where all the gifts are located please place them in your storage bag," the royal guard said as the other one cut up.

"That's a lot. I wonder what they are," Lu Shu admired as he placed over a hundred gifts, of various sizes, into his storage bag.

"Prince Shu, here is your magical beast tiger cub," the second royal guard bowed as he gave the cub to Shu.

"Thank you," Lu Shu said as he seemed like a little child holding a slightly large kitten. "Did it get bigger? I could have sworn it was smaller..."

"We are ordered to take you to the treasury to withdraw more gold. We will wait here for your return," the royal guards bowed as they arrived in front of the treasury.

Lu Shu nodded and fed the tiger some lion wine, causing it to purr happily before sleeping. He laid it on the ground and had Bahamut watch over it as he began piling numerous gold into his storage bag. Satisfied, he left the treasury with his magical beasts and arrived in front of a large teleportation circle inscribed onto the floor of a chamber under heavy guard.

"A temporary teleportation circle has been inscribed in front of the academy. There a member of the royal guard is waiting for you. Once you arrive, he will enter the circle and it will vanish behind him. Good luck, Prince Shu. That academy is the best in its continent, out of eight others. Naturally, students of the other academies will dislike you. Please take care and watch for assassins. Here is the letter of recommendation from your father. Farewell and happy birthday," the royal guard bowed on one knee as he gave a gold envelope to Shu.

"Only home for almost two days and I'm already sent off again. Will I ever spend a week here?" Shu thought, incredulous at his reality while he received the envelope and entered the circle.