Chapter 527 - Last Step
Hazel explained the process a bit more in detail once everyone had started listening.
The first part was the battle that would be on a massive scale. It included 80% of the participants and the locals they had brought over to their side. In total it was expected to have more than 40,000 people, locals, and participants included which only made up 10% of the 40,000 if even that.
Coordinates of the battleground would be given to the First protectors of each city who will then pass them over to the designated leaders.
The second one would take place a day later i.e 70 hours or so after the first one.
It would include 5-10 of the best cultivators from each side.
Both of the battles were designed to calculate different things and had different criteria for achieving victory.
For the first one whichever side had the least casualties while dealing the most damage was the victor. It measured the participant's ability to lead, follow orders, and basically show which role they were the best at.
The second battle was the measure of a cultivator's raw fighting ability and power. It was where most of the shining stars would emerge from and be labeled as the current generation's brightest pupils.
Without wasting much time almost everyone present signed up for the first battle in their own capacities.
Although both of them were dangerous, the second one would have the strongest hidden cards from each side with death being much more of a probability than victory.
By the time Hao Xuan 'came-to' the meeting was adjourned and most of them had scattered. Some went to train last minute or rest, while others continued discussing the hot topics.
"Did you hear about the leader of the resistance fighter? I heard he showed up in-person some time ago," a chubby teen that looked like he hadn't done a lick of hard work in his entire life asked in a 'loud' hushed voice.
"Of course," another person nodded, "My friend's brother saw him himself. He said the guy was 20-feet tall and looked like a monster masquerading as a human. Truly these barbarians have had some achievements recently."
"Exactly. Tomorrow's fight won't be easy. I hear that's the reason why the location of the battle has been kept a secret."
"Maybe, or maybe not," the chubby teenager cut in with a know-it-all look grin.
"What?? What do you know?" the others urged.
"I heard," he continued after clearing his throat, "That the resistance fighters are looking for someone. Someone that stole something very valuable from them. That's why they have been targeting us specifically in the last few weeks."
"What?! Who?"
"I have no idea," he shrugged, "But from what I can tell there has only been one person that hasn't left the city since this all started, no?" he finished with a suggestive glare aimed towards a certain direction.
"Ohhh..." the others followed his line of sight and saw Hao Xuan come out of the trees. He was rambling on by himself with a deep frown.
The chubby teen got up and quickly walked up behind Hao Xuan who was bent over the edge of the lake, washing his face.
"Good morning senior brother!" he yelled spiritedly.
Hao Xuan didn't even turn around, only waving his hand towards him, "Yeah...morning..."
The teen smiled and went back to his spot, continuing the conversation in a barely audible whisper.
Hao Xuan's eyes were blank as he stared at his reflection, or so it seemed from afar. In front of his pupils was a screen showing his recent progress.
"You have almost completely learned all the movements. The only thing that's left is to do them while circulating Qi, whenever it flows normally again," Baracus's voice came into his ears.
"Yeah yeah I know," Hao Xuan replied in low spirits, "I can feel the energy perfectly fine, it's not a physical problem but something much more...spiritual. I feel like I'm standing on the threshold of something big, just one step away from seeing what's on the other side but there is still something I lack."
Hao Xuan closed his eyes and his consciousness appeared on top of a cliff surrounded by fast-moving black clouds. Above him was a tumultuous dark sky that churned with the same Chaos he had seen in Baracus's recordings.
He was standing at the very edge of the cliff. One more step and he would either fly or fall to an unknown future.
This was the place he had imagined for himself to understand the Chaos energy after reading about it in a book.
"Imagine a place, something that you feel might be connected to what you are trying to understand. Create for yourself hurdles and pass through them one by one, at the end is your prize," is what it said.
Hao Xuan reached out his hand in the outside world and the 'him' on the cliff followed his movements.
"No matter how hard I try, I can't pass through.. My feet feel like they are one with the mountains, heavier than anything in the world. What do I need to soar above?"