(Eternal Capital)
At the training grounds, the young martial artists were beginning to enter.
"Alright, everyone, lineup", said the Chief instructor Xin Hui. All the martial artists then started to line up in order.
"I don't want to stand next to a low-class demon princess", said Chong Yi sarcastically.
"Enough, stop it", said Mu Xuan, and the Xi Yuan smiled at him, but he just looked and turned away.
Her smile faded away in embarrassment, feeling guilty, and she turned towards the instructor, "Hey, everyone, sorry we're late", shouted a voice from behind them, and they all turned around.
It was Zhinu and the other Eternal royal children, "Greetings, Your Highness, it's not a problem at all, we were just about to start", said the Chief instructor happily.
"Great", said Xueying with a pleased smile and expression.
Zhinu then looked around seriously.
"Greetings, Your Highness", said Chong Yi with a bow and smile.
"Yes, hi", said Zhinu, unbothered with an uninterested tone and continued to look around, and saw Xi Yuan and rushed towards her, leaving Chong Yi standing alone.
She was furious, "How dare she?" she said angrily.
"Hey Xi Yuan", said Zhinu, excited to see her. "Greeting your highness", said she respectfully. "No need for formalities", said Zhinu, taking her by the arm and lifting her from her bow.
Everyone looked at them, "Look at her rubbing up to him, how disgusting", said an immortal lady at Chong Yi's side.
"Really, are you saying my brother has poor taste?" said a voice from behind them, and they turned around in shock.
It was the Second Princess of the Eternal realm, Chang'an, "Sorry Princess, they have no idea of what they are talking about, please forgive them", said Mu Xuan politely, and she nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Your Highness, as long they don't forget where they are", said she calmly and he smiled at her.
As everyone was talking to each other, three figures came flying down. They were the three Eternal Lords assigned to oversee the first stage of the training, which was one of the most important stages.
"Greeting, My lords", said everyone bowing respectfully, "Good, everyone is here. Chief instructor, explain the process of today's test", said the Eternal lord in charge of the Rites Ministry Du Juan and the instructor went forward to explain the test.
"Okay, everyone, listen up. Today's test is all about you finding your cores, which means you'll have to tap into the heart of your soul, your Heart Qi, and bring out your Soul Core. We will then get to see which core each of you possess, you must remember your core does not make you powerful, but certain cores do give you some advantages over the other but still, it all comes down to skill. Keep in mind everyone's core is different from the other in some way", explained the instructor diligently and looked around.
"Let's begin", said Xi Jin the Eternal lord Imperial Advisor and everyone got into position.
"Listen if it's your turn you will enter this circle array that was cast, you will the channel your Qi into the array, and you will use it to draw out your core, the first constant step forward", said Ming De the Eternal lord of Imperial Affairs and everyone stood in a line next to each other next to the array square.
The first person to step up was Ying Pu. He walked into the array and stood there, "Now use your energy to feel your heart Qi, it is the place where your core is located in your heart, and to draw it out you must embrace it and allow it to surge through you, now listen to your heart", said the Chief instructor calmly, and he did exactly that.
He stood still and moved his hands, palms facing downward down his body and upward again, then moving them outward like he was holding a ball, and energy started to form in it.
"That's right, continue and focus", said the instructor, guiding him, and suddenly a burst of energy blasted out of him, and in the sky above his head appeared a beautiful, icy sky-blue tiger that roared across the sky, and he looked up, smiling from excitement.
"Wow, what's that?", asked he curiously, "That, my dear friend, is the Mythical Tiger Guardian. You possess the 'Mythical Primordial Celestial Tiger' core", said the instructor with utter joy in his voice, but with some surprised look.
"Incredible, who would have known it would appear here and in this boy?" said Xi Jin, pleased and uncertain.
He then stepped out of the array, and it disappeared.
"Wow, how cool, your awesome", said some of the other martial artists to him congratulating him, "Hhmm, he is just a lower born how come he has such a core", said Gu Nan unpleased with this outcome and he walked into the array confidently, "I will show you, what's so great about a tiger", said he as he got ready and started the process, "Wow, what great control over his Qi", said Mu Xuan impressed, "What amazing prowess and strength", said Hou Wu'an the son of the Third Eldar.
He then proceeded to unleash his power, and it burst out, almost breaking the platform. In the sky above his head, a bright red color of fury shone, and out of the red energy, a peacock appeared, "Incredible what power", said Zhinu proudly, "Good that's incredible you possess the 'Legendary Red Fury Peacock' core", said the instructor and Gu Nan left the platform with a smirk looking at Ying Pu.
As time went by, many martial artists were tested, and some showed extraordinary talent and power in their cores.
The next step up was Mu Yuan. As he proceeded, a blast of energy engulfed everyone, and above his head appeared a red-winged dragon, "Good, the 'Legendary Red Winged Dragon' core", said the instructor.
Chong Yi walked up, and she proceeded to bring out her core. A blast of golden energy filled the sky, and above her head appeared a phoenix. "Great, the 'Legendary Golden Phoenix' core", said the instructor proudly.
As she walked off Chang'an, stepped up and stood in the array, she then proceeded, and forth burst beautiful flower petals that engulfed the sky, and out came a dragon, "Great princess, the 'Legendary Supreme Flower Dragon' core", said the instructor, "Well done, little sister", said Zhinu proudly.
Then next up walked Xi Yuan as she walked up, everyone started to whisper and predict her core, "It's probably going to be a low-ranking ugly demon core", said Chong Yi sarcastically. She proceeded, and a blast of dark purple energy engulfed the training grounds and out came a dragon, "Incredible princess, the 'Mythical Dark Demon Dragon' core", said the instructor, surprised, "Wow a mythical core", said Ying Pu shocked, "Great it will be of great help to the demon realm", said Zhinu happily.
As she walked down, she looked at Mu Xuan, smiling, but he did not react and walked past her up to the platform. He proceeded and a blast of regal golden energy engulfed the sky, and a three headed dragon came roaring out, "Excellent Your highness the 'Mythical Supreme Three Headed Golden Dragon' core", said the instructor proudly, "Ahh the Heavenly Emperor will be pleased", praised Xi Jin certain, "Wow elder brother father will so happy", said Mu Yuan excited.
As he walked down, Chong Yi ran and hugged him, "You are Awesome", she said and walked him off. "How rare, Yuxuan will surely make use of this, the first one since the first Heavenly Emperor", said Arceus, sitting on the roof of the training grounds, "He will be a formidable fighter in the future".
As everyone was amazed by Mu Xuan's performance, Zhinu walked up to the platform and stood in the array, beginning before he even started, a blast of energy knocking over everyone, as they were unable to withstand the force of his energy. A crimson red energy engulfed the sky, and out came a huge, scaled dragon. "Well, done, Your Highness, the 'Mythical Supreme Crimson Dragon' core", said the instructor, overjoyed.
"Excellent, Your Highness, His majesty will be pleased", said Xi Jin proudly. "Ahh, well, even better than the previous one", said Arceus. As he walked off, the three Eternal lords turned around, facing the imperial palace and bowed, "Congratulations, your majesty", said they, and turned back around and continued to observe.
After him walked up to the platform Hou Wu'an, he proceeded, and a blast of dark blue energy covered him, and above his head appeared a blue-flamed wolf, "Great my lord, the 'Mythical Blue Flame Wolf' core", said the instructor happily, "Thon your son is incredible, he has a powerful core", said Arceus pleased. Wu'an walked off the platform, and last to walk up was Xinyu, "He's the son of the Twelve Eldar and the Seventh Warlord", said Ying Pu, surprised.
"What, really?" said Gu Nan, surprised. "Go on, you can do it, cousin", shouted Zhinu. He stepped into the array and proceeded a blast of pure white energy filled the sky and shook the sky and ground and above his head appeared both a dragon and phoenix, "What this is impossible… this is… the 'Mythical Supreme Phoenix Dragon' core", said the instructor shocked, "Incredible", said Ming De surprised, "Magnificent as expect of the son of lord Arceus and lord Xuan Yu", said Xi Jin.
"This is…" said Zhi'an, sitting in his office looking out at his terrace. "Well done", said Arceus, smiling proudly. "A dual-core like uncle", said Chang'an, shocked.
As everyone was amazed by that display, the three lords flashed away, nodding at the instructor.
"Very well, everyone, that's it for today, go and rest. Tomorrow is the festival, enjoy yourselves", said he and flashed off.
"Amazing", said Zhinu as Xinyu walked out of the array, "Cousin, you have become even intereting in the eyes of those Imperial court losers".
Xinyu just smiled and nodded but knew that what had occurred certainly would have consequences. As everyone else left the training grounds, Zhinu walked up to Xi Yuan.
"What are you going to do now?" asked Zhinu, curious, a question which made Xi Yuan nervous, but she answered.
"Nothing, I am heading to my room", answered she calmly.
Zhinu, looking at her, smiled and took her by the hand. She looked shocked and was embarrassed by everyone still around, looking at them. The two of them then flashed off.
Xinyu shook his head, "Finally something that can distract him". He then flashed off alongside Ying Pu and Gu Nan.
Chang'an and Mu Xuan were chatting when they got interrupted by Mu Yuan, a move that seemed to have irritated Mu Xuan.
"Elder brother, I am hungry", said Mu Yuan with a childish expression and tone that made Chang'an smile.
Mu Xuan, seeing this, rather than being angry, was pleased to see that she was not uncomfortable or upset about his brother interrupting them. He then agreed with his brother.
"Sorry, I'll see you later", said Mu Xuan attentively, and Chang'an nodded in agreement. He then flashed off alongside Mu Yuan and Chong Yi.
Chang'an then proceeded to flash off in the direction of the Eternal Palace, Taiyi Hall.
When everyone was gone from the training grounds, a strange figure came out of the shadows.
"How interesting", said he with a distorted voice and a smile on his face.
He then flashed away.