Chapter 8 Ochre Badge
Words : 2580
Updated : Oct 9th, 2023
Outside the True Martial Attic, a crowd of hundreds, including Pace, stared intently at the black tower's lights. The fact that even Lord Hogan of the Chilong Building had been drawn out suggested something extraordinary was happening inside.
Indeed, they watched as the tower lights continued to light up one by one.
The ninth, tenth, eleventh... and finally, even the fourteenth-floor lights illuminated.
The crowd was stunned into silence, the vast plaza enveloped in an unprecedented quiet, all in awe and disbelief.
"The fourteenth floor..." Pace muttered, her mouth agape. Initially, she thought Owen would struggle to pass the ninth floor after taking a while on the eighth. Little did she know, Owen had not been serious until the twelfth floor, merely playing with the battle puppets; hence the longer time taken.
"Passing the fourteenth floor of the True Martial Attic as a True Martial Realm cultivator means his skills are comparable to, if not surpassing, an average Void Breaking Realm expert. Such talent in martial arts is unparalleled across the Skyblaze Empire today," someone nearby remarked in astonishment.
As the lights on the True Martial Attic dimmed, the tower's gate opened.
"Look!"
"He's coming out!"
All eyes turned toward the gate.
From above, a figure descended to the gate, where Owen emerged, immediately sensing the intense gazes of the crowd. These gazes were full of shock, awe, and even envy. The feat of a True Martial Realm cultivator passing the fourteenth floor was almost unbelievable.
"Hello, young friend," greeted Lord Hogan, the white-haired elder from the Chilong Building, with a warm smile. "I am Hogan, the administrator of the Chilong Building in Severmere Province."
"Lord Hogan," Owen nodded in acknowledgment.
"May I ask your name?" Hogan inquired.
"Hiram," Owen replied, a name he had prepared before challenging the True Martial Attic.
"Hiram?" Hogan's mind raced, recognizing it as a pseudonym. Understanding Owen's desire for anonymity, he did not press further.
"You have earned the Ochre Badge from the Chilong Building by passing the fourteenth floor of the True Martial Attic," Hogan said, handing Owen a golden badge inscribed with the words 'Chilong.'
"An Ochre Badge?" Owen raised an eyebrow.
The Chilong Building had four levels of badges—Azure, Ochre, Noir, and Amber—each granting different levels of privileges. The Amber Badge had the lowest privileges but could still be used to request small favors. The Azure Badge, the highest, allowed the holder to access the empire's top training resources. However, obtaining an Azure Badge required passing the fifteenth floor of the True Martial Attic or the third floor of the Draconic Tower as a Misthaven Realm cultivator.
Owen's achievement, though remarkable, fell short of the Azure Badge's criteria.
"The Ochre Badge will suffice," Owen said, accepting the badge, feeling quite pleased.
"As per our rules, this badge grants you significant privileges within the Chilong Building. Should you require assistance or resources, you may request them within your granted permissions," Hogan explained with a smile. "However, the Chilong Building does not interfere in your personal growth, meaning we won't intervene if you face dangers or enemies."
"I understand," Owen nodded.
The Chilong Building believed that facing appropriate challenges and enemies was essential for the growth of talents, hence their non-intervention policy.
"I could use some Acura Soul Gathering Pills," Owen mentioned.
"Acura Soul Gathering Pills?" Hogan smiled, recognizing the pills' high value for True Martial Realm cultivators. However, they held limited use for those in the Misthaven Realm and above. Given Owen's Ochre Badge privileges, acquiring these pills was not an issue.
"How many do you need?" Hogan asked.
"Twenty should suffice," Owen replied, aiming for a reasonable amount to aid his cultivation within the True Martial Realm, beyond which the pills would lose their efficacy.
Hogan immediately ordered the preparation of the pills.
"Please wait. We will have the pills brought to you shortly," Hogan assured.
"Thank you," Owen responded with a slight smile.
At that moment...
"Excuse me, sir," a voice called out, and a graceful figure approached.
"Pace?" Owen remarked, recognizing Pace.
"I'm Pace Su of the Su family. I humbly request your guidance," Pace said, bowing with her sword in hand. Her stance was respectful and earnest.
The surrounding crowd buzzed with admiration for Pace's courage. They knew the gap between her and Owen, who had just passed the fourteenth floor of the True Martial Attic, was immense. Despite the disparity, she bravely sought his guidance.
Pace continued to bow, her expression a mix of determination and humility. She knew her request was audacious, but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn from someone with such unparalleled swordsmanship.
Owen looked at her with a bemused expression, then nodded and lowered his voice, "Very well, I agree."
Pace's face lit up with joy.
The onlookers, including Hogan, were surprised by Owen's willingness to offer guidance.
Pace took a deep breath, then stepped back and drew her sword, "Sir, I'll match your level at the Eighth Grade True Martial Realm."
"Proceed," Owen said, relaxed and at ease.
Pace began with a flourish, her sword movements creating a beautiful display of snow-like flakes—an application of the Su family's Drifting Snow Technique.
"Drifting Snow Technique?" Owen smiled, familiar with the technique.
Pace's sword strokes, though elegant, were met with casual counters from Owen, who simply swung his sword without using any specific techniques, easily dispersing the "snowflakes."
"Impressive!" Pace exclaimed, then unleashed her strongest move, the Snowveil Style, a series of rapid strikes.
She managed to execute eight consecutive slashes, a testament to her years of training. She attacked with all her might, aware of Owen's superior skill.
Yet, Owen remained stationary, parrying each strike with effortless ease, leaving Pace in disbelief.
"How could he block all eight of my slashes so easily?" she thought.
"Use your best technique," Owen prompted.
"Sir, be careful," Pace warned, her cheeks flushed. She leaped into the air, her sword descending like a phoenix, radiating a dazzling light.
"Beautiful," the crowd murmured, captivated.
"Phoenix Sword?" Owen squinted, "But only the first form."
With a clanging sound, Pace's sword flew from her grasp, and a sharp blade was poised at her neck.
"Defeated, just like that?" Pace felt the cold steel at her throat, overwhelmed by her quick defeat.
"Crude, too crude! Your technique is strong, but your execution is flawed. You focus too much on form and neglect the essence of swordsmanship. While it looks beautiful, it's ineffective!" Owen scolded.
"Reflect on this," he said, sheathing his sword and turning away.
"Focusing on form and neglecting the essence?" Pace was stunned, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning.
After a moment, she recovered and respectfully bowed to Owen, "Thank you for your guidance, sir!"
Hearing this, Owen, still facing away, touched his nose with a playful smile.
He recalled how, as a child, Pace would often pat his head and speak of his future. Now, the tables had turned.
"How would Pace react if she knew the 'sir' she respects was the little boy she used to pat on the head?" Owen mused.
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