11 Before the Tests

In the next days, Samael completely immersed himself on steadily improving his cultivation and other areas as well. He had recently reached 4-star Body refinement realm but he has been progressing slower than he expected.

He had already have mastered the first layered Heaven of his "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven. Which resulted to him being able to control his lightning better. Samael is not able to proceed any further due to his low cultivation realm but the strength of the first layer is more than enough to be a match for a normal 2-star Spiritual root realm.

For his "Terminus Frozen Moon" while it doesn't have the same divided realms like the "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven" he has advance fairly well in it. If he were to describe his progress, he'd be at 2-star in the elementary level.

The only difference between his "Lightning Emperor's Nine Layered Heaven" and his "Terminus Frozen Moon" is that the latter can also be seen as a tempering art.

On the battle field or any life or death situation in particular, you can't be soft. You can't show weakness or compassion towards your opponent, that just gives them the opportunity to have their revenge at you at a later date.

With a heart tempered by the "Terminus Frozen Moon" not only can one be more decisive but they will also be a more efficient, cold blooded killer. Further more, he still has the Ice elemental abilities that he can learn from the art.

Meanwhile, he had also been progressing well in his "Orion's Luminous Spear"

Orion's Luminous Spear: Dusk

Is a energy wave attack that can be used multiple times, in a barrage of attack as long as the user still has the energy essence to activate it. During his spar with Julian he wasn't able to showcase the true might because the explosive clash of their two techniques ended the match quickly.

Samael had already started to comprehend the basic ideas of the second move which is the "Orion's Luminous Spear: Rainfall" but because of his low cultivation base he still can't progress any further. But his overall mastery of the spear is coming along well.

Even though it's the recruitment day, Samael is still training as usual in courtyard. Because the tests doesn't begin till the afternoon.

Under the light of the sun, Samael practiced his spear topless and he seemed glistening because of the sun bouncing off the sweat on him.

Spear in hand and with his eyes closed small black thunder formed around his body it was then that his body flashed, disappearing from his original place and appeared 10 meters away. He swung his spear down with great force, causing furious wind to blow and a small thunder crackling. Before the spearhead struck the ground, he twisted his right foot, digging it unto the ground as he pulled the spear up in a diagonal strike to the left.

Each strike was filled with killing intent!

Then he pulled off a series of movement, sometimes he was offensively advancing, some he was at a defensive position. But all through that, he had his eyes closed.

Samael was engaged in a simulation in his mind he was Shadow boxing, putting himself through a imaginary situation with an imaginary opponent. Though it was all imaginary he definitely gave it his all, taking the whole thing seriously as anyone could see from his precise movements. This also aided in training his "Terminus Frozen heart" and his utilization of his lightning elements.

As he continued training, he heard footsteps that made him tensed up and point his spear towards the source. The wind caused by his movement died down and he felt that the person didn't move but wasn't startled either.

"Mn, Good strike! Strong and Precise. I see you haven't slacked off." An old man's voice then entered his ears and he found to be familiar. Samael opened his eyes and saw the King, beside him was Princess Lina.

"Your Majesty. Sister Lina." Samael bowed to the two.

"How is your training?" It was Lina who leaned forward with a smile and asked Samael light a child, she was always like this whenever she was with her father.

"Yes, how is it?" The King then chuckled and asked him the same.

Samael stabbed the spear on the ground and said "My cultivation is lagging behind a bit due to me practicing my combat arts even more."

The King's furrowed his brows "Oh? why so?"

"While it is true that ones overall cultivation is important, improving our overall strength should be the goal. Since others have the advantage with their high cultivation bases then i shall level the playing field with my powerful combat arts." Samael confindently said.

The King became silent for a bit, looking like he was thinking about it and then he said "There is some logic in what you said. But are you confident that you will get accepted?"

"Without a doubt."

"Lina?" The king then turned to his daughter, he was still concerned for Samael's chances.

"I believe him. He was able to match Julian's 'Blaze Lion's claw' so it shouldn't be a problem for him to clear the tests later." Princess Lina smiled to father assuring him of Samael's chances.

"Ha-ha, very well. You should get some rest now and calm your mind." The King laughed and said to Samael before turning towards Princess Lina "I'll leave him in your hands."

"Yes, father." She said.

"Take care, your majesty." Samael bowed.

The two was silent as they watch the king disappear from their sights.

"Hey." Princess Lina called him.

"Yeah?" Samael turned to her.

"Julian and I will go to the town later on before the test begins. You wanna look around?" She said.

"And be the third wheel? No thanks. I'd rather look around by myself." Samael laughed as he walked back to his room to freshen up.

Soaking in the warm water, Samael thought about his overall situation.

"Offensively, i'm already at the top of the whole Body refinement realm and i could very well contend against 1-star spiritual root realm cultivators. Defensively, i still don't have the capability to defend myself against any attacks above the Body refinement realm as my body is still weak..."

Samael stared at the ceiling as he sighed "...i guess i gotta pick some physique cultivation art. On that note, some supportive art is good too."

He didn't searched for any arts yet as he still have time to do that later and if his strength appears to be too monstrous some experts might get threatened and attempt to kill him. Best to be careful.

After a while, Samael got out and changed into a set of blue clothes and met with the Princess at the palace door. There, a carriage was waiting to take them to the plaza. When he and the princess met, they only greeted each other and got in.

On the way to the plaza, the princess briefed him about a few famous places that could be found in the city. Such as the "Sixth Tower Cuisine", a famous food establishment that has been running for three centuries. Another is the "Golden Leaf" which is one of the most famous weaponry and blacksmith shop in the city.

It didn't take them long before they've reached the plaza and upon reaching there, Julian Clyde was already waiting for them.

When Julian saw the Princess Lina got off the carriage his eye brightened like there were stars in them. His eyes didn't even left her, even for just a moment. Naturally he didn't notice that Samael got off after the Princess.

"Look at him, so love-struck. Serious, just what kind of love potion had you fed him, Sister Lina?" Samael sneered and teased the Princess.

While Julian still had his eye fixed on the princess, he suddenly felt annoyed when a certain voice seemed familiar to him and that woken him from his trance. He got embarrassed and flared up "You brat! try saying that to my face!"

"So scary..." Samael sarcastically said as he hid behind the princess like a scared child.

"Grr...just wait, you brat." Julian knew he wouldn't be able to get to him and so he just gritted his teeth staring at him.

Samael laughed seeing this and walked backwards, leaving the two of them. He bowed like a jester and said "I'll leave you two love birds here, don't want to be the third wheel in your date"

Julian got red and the princess blushed as well but that didn't last long when they heard Samael's next words.

"Oh right. Hey bastard, don't fool around and take my sister Lina to any shady locations. You too sister Lina, be careful of this creep. Who knows what he'll do once no one is around." Samael said with a sneer.

The two got angry and blushed even more and shouted at Samael.

"YOU BRAT!!!"

Samael laughed as he saw the reaction of the two and then he finally turned his back at them and began touring the plaza. He had a few places he wanted to visit, he has a few more hours before the test anyway.