The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

The cactus tree had an extraordinary height, extending far into the blue sky. The very top looked to stab right into the large rising sun as many rays of sunlight fluttered and bounced off its long shiny spikes. Not a single part of its large green body lacked a spiky protrusion so sharp that it could easily stab a Great Sharaka.

The large shadow that the cactus tree cast upon the golden desert offered much-needed comfort and relief from the oppressive sun, and the smell of a sweet and refreshing dew filled Oscar's nose. The very flowery scent of the cactus gave one's body a renewed energy.

Oscar, Emily, and Frederick walked closer to the cactus tree. They were only several hundred feet away when it erupted from the ground, so there was no need to rush. Their faces were relaxed, and their mood rose as the air got wet and cooler and the scent became stronger.

"Os, what spell did you get?" Frederick asked.

The reward from the Test of the Elements was the same for everyone who completed it, a new spell of their particular Elemental Spark.

"I got the Grade Two Gustforce, a wide spell that releases a fierce wind in all directions. It's just a big explosion." Frederick went first.

"That's quite useful for you. If you're caught in a bad situation, you can use it to clear away large numbers of enemies or force them away. Your style isn't suited for long melee battles." Emily nodded in approval of Frederick's spell.

"Right, right. But I tried it earlier. The winds backlashed to me and scraped me all over. If only there were a way to instantly get the knack for spells."

"I don't think anyone in the Pavilion would be limited in their number of spells if that were the case…Learning spells is one thing, but mastering them is too much work. That's why we mostly stick to upgrading what we already know and learn new ones if we have the capacity." Oscar responded.

"Thanks for the lecture, Os. I dearly needed that right now." Frederick grumbled. "Let a person dream for once."

"As for your question, I learned the Grade Two Silver Prison spell. I can create a prison of silver around an enemy."

"Finally! You've been holding back on learning a spell to impede the enemy. Your Basilisk Eyes are good, but you need a more surefire way other than staring into their eyes." Emily nodded once again in approval.

Oscar and Frederick looked at each other with a mutual understanding. They turned to Emily with inquisitive stares, prying into her soul. Emily saw this and tensed up with a shaky smile.

"Emily~ You been talking so much about our shortcomings…what did you receive?" Frederick said in his usual teasing voice and came closer to Emily.

"Maybe she received a spell that suited her weaknesses, Fred," Oscar added to Frederick's teasing.

"Pair of idiots," Emily cackled. "I got the Grade Two Heavy Arena spell. Gravity increases in an area around me, and everyone feels heavier."

"Hah! That suits a slowpoke like you!" Frederick said. He held his hand to his stomach as he laughed without restraint.

Oscar didn't laugh but said, "It is true, however, that you are like a slow turtle. With this spell, you should be able to catch the annoying enemies that run circles around you."

After Oscar's honest answer, the conversation turned silent except for Frederick's amused chuckles. Emily smiled widely and clasped her hands around their shoulders, bringing them all together side by side.

"You're right! I am a slowpoke! But I can still do this…." Her voice turned cold, and her hands became so heavy that Oscar and Frederick dropped waist-deep into the sand. She swiped her hands and continued walking while whistling.

"Oi!" Frederick rushed out of the sand. Oscar chuckled and jumped out with 'Silver Burst.' Despite being within the harsh desert realm in a deadly trial for the Golddew Figs, the trio still found the time to be themselves and enjoy their company.

However, even that had its limits as the distance closed, their faces tightened, and their eyes narrowed at their surroundings. After a few minutes of walking, they reached the base of the cactus tree, greeted by the sight of a wall of spikes. A small paved road stretched around the cactus tree on the ground, almost like a line separating the tree from the rest of the desert.

Oscar nodded to the others and took out a random piece of material he had collected. He threw it toward the cactus, wanting to see what would happen if it crossed the paved line. Under Oscar's, Emily's, and Frederick's shocked faces, the material vanished into thin air after it crossed the line.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"What do you two think happened?" Frederick picked up some sand and threw it, but it did not vanish and made it to the other side. He cracked his neck and sighed. "Only one way to find out!"

Frederick charged toward the paved line. Emily gasped and ran after him. The two vanished after they stepped across, leaving Oscar alone and dumbfounded.

"Those two…." Oscar shook his head and stepped across the line.

The scenery changed. Midway up the cactus tree was a large stone terrace placed upon one of the green limbs; large spikes protruded and surrounded its borders. Oscar's figure flashed into existence, surrounded by a barrier with many patterns resembling a formation.

Oscar stared around and saw Frederick and Emily trapped inside their own area. Suddenly, a large square of Ein appeared with words on it, explaining that this area was a holding place to wait until the third day ended or everyone alive in the realm arrived. This instruction was why the rowdy Emily had not lashed out at her staff.

"We have to wait for a long time…." Emily looked depressed as she lay down. "Maybe we can catch more sleep until someone else arrives."

"Rest up all you want, Emily." Frederick leaned back against the barrier and meditated.

The Ein in the desert realm wasn't too bad and allowed a good meditation session to absorb as much as possible. The day went on as the sun began to loom overhead; the trio was still resting and meditating until a light flashed. A person had finally joined them on the stone terrace.

However, to Oscar and others' disappointment, the person wore the red uniform of the Undying Flame Sect. The Undying Flame Sect student stared coldly at the trio and wanted to attack but realized the barrier encasing him. They refused to speak to one another and continued the day in silence.

More lights flashed as other Undying Flame Sect members arrived, and they began to converse. Oscar frowned at the other empty spots. He grew worried about his fellow companions, or else their prospects might look bleak for what may come next.

Another light flashed, and Oscar and the others smiled in relief. It was Serena. She gazed in confusion around her surroundings until her green eyes locked onto Oscar.

"There you all are!" Serena dropped to her knees and exhaled. The tension dropped from her cheeks, and the wrinkles on her brow diminished. The entire time, she fought in the desert, searching for her allies, only to come up empty.

But this was not the end. Next came George, then Rachel, and two other Blue Ocean Pavilion students. Their numbers bolstered, and now they were eight compared to the seven of the Undying Flame Sect.

"Good to see you alive," George smiled, but his bony cheeks were even more sunk in than normal. The desert had not treated him well.

Next to come was Maia. Her red eyes sparkled with hostility at Oscar, but she did not outburst. However, the air grew hotter from her presence, and the other Undying Flame Sect members winced and had tense faces against Maia's cold expression.

As Maia had expected, Oscar made it through to the end. Although she hated Oscar and wanted to kill him, she had nothing but caution and respect toward a wielder of Reis and the one who tied against her. The cactus tree was now her hope to have a rematch against him to placate her hatred and kill a possible threat to the Undying Flame Sect.

Facing Maia's barefaced hostility, Oscar showed no reaction but a relaxed smile and Maia raised an eyebrow. Oscar held a fist and tapped his right cheek. All of his actions were a bluff to irritate her to lose control; however, it seemed to have the opposite reaction as Maia's face froze even more.

'Right now, with how much I've improved, can I kill her later? She's a ranged fighter, but my speed should let me catch up to her. The only cause for concern is how much she's gotten stronger as a Middle Elite Exalt. Charles became unbelievably strong with each passing advancement, and his anima grew more powerful.'

While Oscar was in his thoughts, another light flashed, and the strange Undying Flame Sect student with purple snake-like eyes and long black hair tied back appeared, a dangerous aura spilling from his mere presence. At his coming, the stone terrace rumbled, and the Ein messages changed.

"Everyone has arrived except for the dead."

"Dead…." Oscar paled. They still had two missing companions, but the words proclaimed their passing. Everyone, including the Undying Flame Sect students, showed signs of remorse and grief, even the snake-eyed man whose face twitched.

'Eight of us and nine of them…already at a numbers mismatch.' Oscar thought.

Then the words changed again.

"Two options: fight as part of a team or as a single individual. The options are displayed below."

Oscar stared amazingly at the screen of Ein, and he selected the option to fight as a team. No one chose to fight as their own person. Next, the words provided options to allow the people to break up into teams.

Thus the two teams representing the Blue Ocean Pavilion and the Undying Flame Sect formed. Everyone flashed out of place and into two large barriers on the same terrace, containing members from each team.

"Since everyone has broken out into two teams, adjusting to the proper mode. The battle will be the fight for the platforms. One team has an extra member, so one person does not need to fight. There will be eight platforms, and each team member will go one by one to fight on the platform."

Oscar wondered how many different styles of contests were set up. If they had selected all individuals, would it have been a battle royale with one winner?

The words continued.

"Each battle from the first to the last will give more rewards. There are a total of 490 Golddew Figs. The prizes will be split as follows:

First battle: 5

Second battle: 10

Third battle: 20

Fourth battle: 30

Fifth battle: 50

Sixth battle: 75

Seventh battle: 100

Eighth battle: 200 "

"If one wishes to forfeit, they can avoid entering the battle until the timer runs out."

Two large stone frames appeared out of nowhere, swirling energy within and a ticking timer of Ein floating above. The entrances to the first battle have been opened.

"The battle for the Golddew Figs shall commence!"

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