"Good Morning, Master!" the eight of them greets Zhang Wu Ji the moment he made his appearance in the Dining Hall. The Hall is currently filled with many different kinds of new dishes, due to the sudden incoming stock of fresh products that delivered especially from the Tian Village. And in between of the eight followers, Liu Yanni is the only one without the Fist of Destruction Qi Manual.

Her cultivation was also the weakest, with only eleven strands of Inner Qi. Amongst the group now, Li Jing was the one with the highest cultivation, with the strength of a 56th Stage Inner Qi Elder. Following behind him is Li Yin and Li Tong, with their strength at 52nd Stage of Inner Qi Elder.

After that, will be Tang Yuan himself, with the strength of 2nd Stage of Inner Qi Fighter, and followed by Zhang Wu Ji, Zhao Xiao Hua, Zhang Ya Pin and Bai Hei Tie in their 1st Stage of Inner Qi Fighter. Except the three Inner Qi Elders, all those that still in their cultivation strength of an Inner Qi Fighters is still depending on the Fist of Destruction Qi to cultivates, which started to seem a little too slow.

In his hand, he currently possesses two special manual, the Bronze Grade Nourishment Art and the Ten Petals Orchid Cultivation Manual. Although the two manuals in his hand are amazing, it wasn't allowed to be distributed. The Bronze Grade Nourishment Art was something he created out of a whim, while the Ten Petals Orchid Cultivation Manual belonged to the people from the Lan Shan Clan.

If he allows the five of them to train on either of this two manuals, won't this creates a commotion in the Seven Star Sect because of the unknown origin of the Cultivating Art?

But it was a difficult matter to consider as well, especially if he were to rewrite the manuals inside of the Knowledge Pagoda just for the sake of making something out from the books. In his opinion, it doesn't matter if the manual was taken to be cultivated by other disciples, but like many cultivators, Zhang Wu Ji wishes to have his originality in his own cultivating art, and not heavily depending on those borrowed and learned from a library.

But since it was their time for breakfast, Zhang Wu Ji waved his palm to indicates everyone to be seated, before he started their meal by having a scoop of the soup first. The breakfast was sumptuous enough it fills the stomach of the nine of them without any problem at all. Their meal progressed by Zhang Wu Ji taking the part of the most senior amongst them, as he scooped a few mouthfuls of dishes to each of them.

Soon, the meal was over, where the other kitchen attendants quickly clear the table before they left. Following Zhang Wu Ji for so long, Tang Yuan understands the meaning of his master. He followed the kitchen attendants out before handling thirty Qi Sensing Pills to them to be separated into five pills per person. It was until the outsiders are gone, Zhang Wu Ji started to talk.

"Inside of this box is the marking that indicates that the eight of you were my eight most trusted attendants. For Yunni, I know you've just become a member of this family, but I am confident with you because I trust that my eye will not discern wrong about somebody I personally chose," he speaks while taking the box out from his side. When he opened it's cover, eight beautifully polished and worked jade is presented right before all of them.

"My heavens!" the eight of them were surprised by the exquisite of the eight pieces of jade.

Qian Diagram Jade - Tang Yuan

Fighter Qi Defence: 20

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Qian Diagram Jade can reduce ill-effect of advancement by 10%

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Li Diagram Jade - Zhao Xiao Hua

Fighter Qi Defence: 19

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Li Diagram Jade increase resistance to spiritual attack and deceits by 25%

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Dui Diagram Jade - Bai Hei Tie

Fighter Qi Defence: 22

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Dui Diagram Jade enhanced user with smoothing effect when paying attention in a certain works

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Kun Diagram Jade - Zhang Ya Pin

Fighter Qi Defence: 20

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Kun Diagram Jade allows the user to keep ten strands of reserve Qi during an emergency

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Kan Diagram Jade - Li Jing

Fighter Qi Defence: 25

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Kan Diagram Jade helps increase the user's recovery by 15%

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Zhen Diagram Jade - Li Yin

Fighter Qi Defence: 23

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Zhen Diagram Jade helps increase the temperament of the user by 15%

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Gen Diagram Jade - Li Tong

Fighter Qi Defence: 15

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by triple.

-Usage 3: The Gen Diagram Jade will enhance the user's defense

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

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Xun Diagram Jade - Liu Yanni

Fighter Qi Defence: 22

-Usage 1: When the jade is carried by people with loyalty towards Zhang Wu Ji, increased their speed of cultivation by 0.5% for every point of loyalty

-Usage 2: When the owner of this jade conducts a blood bond with the jade, increase the Fighter Qi Defence by double.

-Usage 3: The Xun Diagram Jade can increase the speed of creating Strand of Inner Qi and Fighter Qi by 25%

-Durability: 25/25

-Special: By wearing this jade, increase the relationship with master and attendants by 10%

Each of them carried their own piece of Jade, and from the moment they put on the Diagram Jade, the instant effect of increasing the relationship amongst master and attendants immediately put on their effect, where their conversation started to become livelier. This kind of changes is what Zhang Wu Ji aims for because only by having such a close relationship can he says that his attendants are all in a similar mindset.

Tock, Tock, Tock...

A knock came from the main door, where Tang Yuan took his position as normal and went to answer the call. When the door was opened, Tang Yuan were greeted by a personal attendant from the Master Senior First. He was here to deliver the message that Liang Tian is summoning all his disciples to the Reflection Pagoda for a lesson once again for this month.

Last month, due to the matter with the Wen Wu City, their classes were canceled because of the assistance to the city, but since there wasn't any disruption happening this month, their class are able to proceed as usual. Zhang Wu Ji allows his attendants to handle their own matter before he followed his eldest senior brother's attendant to the Reflection Pagoda.

The moment he reaches the highest floor, Zhang Wu Ji greets his master first before turning his attention at his eight senior brother and sisters. Taking a seat somewhere close to them, he followed the lesson with all his concentration because the topic for today touches the matter related to the Upper South State, the State Minister, and the power controlling the ten counties.

Amongst the ten counties, they were separated into two different categories. The Upper Counties that consist of the first spot, Five Flame County reigns by the Five Flavours Flame Sect, the second spot, Blood Marsh County, led by the Blood Art Sect, the third spot, Snow Maiden County, led by the Snow Mountain Maiden Sect, the fourth spot, Black Iron County, led by the Black City Armored Forces, and the fifth spot, Heavenly South County, led by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Next, is the Lower Counties, started with the sixth spot, Crystalline River County, led by the Upper South Merchant Corporation. The Seven Star Sect and Seven Star County are holding the seventh spot, and on the eighth spot, it was the Willow Timber County, under the hand of Mystic Engineer Establishment. The ninth spot is belonged to the Jie's Clan managing the Jie County, a small county that only has 1 town, 2 cities, and sixty villages in their land. As for the last spot, it has always belonged to the Herb Valley Sect, which only has one city and five towns in the whole land of Herb Valley County.

And once a year, the ten leading powerhouse in the ten different counties will gather at one place, according to the turn-on which county shall hold this gathering. And for this year, their gathering will be at the land belonged to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

This once a year gathering aim is to choose and select ten strongest participants amongst the ten counties of talents, to be sent to participates at the end of the year competition to choose the strongest state's representatives. The content of the end of the year competition always remains secret until it was announced, and for this ten counties gathering, their date has been set on the 1st of the next two month.

Hearing about this news, except the first, second, third and fourth senior brother, everyone entered a moment of shock. It seems that their four senior brothers did participate in the competition, but from their expression, it must be a complete defeat.

"Senior brother..." the fifth senior sister pat the shoulder of their oldest and calm his enraging mind.

"It's fine. Win and lose is something normal in our world. As long we survive, we can overcome them once more. This time, let's us get a better result than last year." their eldest senior brother calmly answered the others as they seem worried about his mindset.

"Master, is there something happened on last year's gathering?" Zhang Wu Ji is worried about his eldest senior brother's state of mind.

"Last year, the lower counties topic is related to sword fight. For so long, our position is always the best among the five lower counties, but out of sudden, the Black Iron County came out with an amazing candidates that beat almost everyone in the lower counties and climb their spot into the fourth in the upper counties." his master begins to explain the situation to everyone. Except the seventh, eighth, and Zhang Wu Ji himself, the other six already known about this for long.

"The most devastating part is that when he was fighting with your four elder senior brothers, the opponent only takes one strike to defeat each of them. As the best sect with Sword Art in the lower counties, this was a disgrace. Worst of all, the Crystalline River County that used to follow the instruction from the Upper South Merchant Corporation also cultivated a strong disciple that defeats your senior brothers in a few strikes."

"This left us a devastating spot of only taking the 7th spot in the whole upper south state." the headmaster solemnly explains everything that happened on the last gathering, and the reason why their four senior brothers show such an expression.

"May Wu Ji ask about what is the topic for this year's gathering?" Zhang Wu Ji interest in joining this gathering ends up become higher than before. In his mind, this gathering is something fun for him to attends.

"The topic for this year is Battle Royale. The five Lower counties will send 10 participants from each county to participates in this fight. The 50 participants will fight until only ten was left. The final ten will then be matched against the ten final participants from the upper counties."

"Based on the results of their total participants, the number of surviving participants will decide the spot the county will hold. Because of this matter, the classes were conducted for me to question each of you. Do you want to join the Battle Royale?" Liang Tian explained and answers the question Zhang Wu Ji asked before he asks them another question.

"Wu Ji is joining for sure. It will be the best time for me to try my new weapon." Zhang Wu Ji agreed without a moment of consideration. In his mind, this was something he will sure having so much fun, so why not?

"Ninth junior brother, the battle is not as easy as you think. In the lower counties alone, your eldest brother and second brother's strength is among the top, but they were not the strongest. The Upper South Merchant Corporation is rich, and they can easily produce many medicines without bothering about the money issue. I think they will send at least ten 7th Stage Inner Qi Fighter, or maybe a few 8th stages amongst them."

"Even the Willow Timber County and Jie's County is expected to have the strength that can match against us during the battle. If you're thinking about your previous feat, I would suggest you to not overlook their strength. Amongst all of us here, who doesn't have the ability to win opponent few levels above yourself? But in the Battle Royale, we will be fighting with people like us." the second senior brother explains.

"Senior brother and sisters. With the strength of the nine of us, what is there to be afraid of?" Zhang Wu Ji is confident with his brother and sister's capability in their fight. If he can further strengthen them before the gathering, their chances of winning will be even greater.

"Ahem... Since the competition mentioned that each county shall send out 10 participants, I've chosen one more person to join the team to make up the numbers. You may come in." the headmaster clapped his hand twice after he finished his words, and a beautifully curved silhouette entered the room.

"Guan Qing Han!" Zhang Wu Ji was surprised. It was not because he missed her or anything, but it was due to the fact her strength is already a 7th Stage Inner Qi Fighter. With this kind of cultivating speed, won't this girl be called as the genius among the genius?

"Let me introduce her, she's the direct disciple of your headmistress, Guan Qing Han. Similar to the two of you, she's in the 7th Stage as well, although she had just broken through. With her addition, I believe our chances of winning is going to be slightly higher." Liang Tian begins to introduce the lady to those inside the room.

With an addition of a female, the room turned up to be livelier. The ten of them continues with their discussion with the headmaster in order to plan their improvement and also tactics during the gathering's competition. Not only that, Guan Qing Han is a very quick-witted lady, which she managed to found many flaws in between of their tactics, and gave them a prior chance to rearrange them once more.

It was until they mentioned the Martial and Cultivating Arts, the situation becomes much more serious.

Seems like, among the ten of them, the eldest to eighth is all focusing on their practices on the Seven Star Sword Arts. They were seven different series of the sword art, and for Zhang Wu Ji, he only read through the first chapter, the Lone Star Sword Art. As for Guan Qing Han, she received the direct teaching from the headmistress, making her achievement in the Star Protector Sword Art reaches the level of deeper mastery.

On the Cultivating Technique, each of them included Guan Qing Han is practicing the Seven Star Burst Manual, a special manual that only given to the disciples that earn enough trust and confidence from their masters. It was because Zhang Wu Ji is too busy with his own thing that he missed the moment to receive this manual.

"Ninth, you cannot call yourself a disciple of Seven Star Sect if you did not learn a thing or two related to the Seven Star Swords. I suggest you visit the Knowledge Pagoda to take the revision manual related to the Seven Star Swords. They're the compiled version of seven different manuals, which represents the Seven Star Sect's martial art." the fifth senior sister smile and lectured him.

"Wu Ji understands. Wu Ji will go and take a look sometimes to read through the books." Zhang Wu Ji replied, but at the same time, Liang Tian walked over to the youngest disciple and handed him a book with the title;

[Seven Star Burst Manual]

"Thank you, master!" Zhang Wu Ji kneeled before his master and accepted the book with both hands. Their master soon allows them to leave, but the other nine was curious with their youngest sister strength, thus they decided to take a moment to spar in the Training Ground not too far away from them.

"Juniors, Please excuse the ten of us to use the Training Ground today!" the fourth and eighth went to the ground and requested to be left with a bigger space for them to practice. Some remained as spectators, but most of them left after hearing the request. As for Zhang Wu Ji, he was busy upgrading the book into its +5 stats before he went through its content.

While he was still immersed in the reading, the fight between the nine disciples entered a critical situation, where their exchange on each another end up in a stalemate. The first, second, and Guan Qing Han retaliates with their strongest attack, while the remaining six of them defended. The Fifth and Sixth's activates their Seven Layer Star Aura to defense, but it was still pointless when it was used to fight against the attack of three 7th Stage Inner Qi Fighters.

Half of the combined energy strikes through the shield aura and breaks them, but the remaining half of the aura bounced to where Zhang Wu Ji is still sitting and reading his books. They quickly shouted at the junior so he can react, but who knows, instead of leaving or escaping, he took the Longfeng Jade Ruler out and pointed a tip on the incoming energy strike.

"Poof!" the Shatter-Strike effect works on the Energy Strikes, especially effective on intangible existence. He swings his Jade Ruler slowly for a moment before Zhang Wu Ji smiled at the others and said;

"How about we play a 1 against 9 game?"

Without waiting for their reply, he kept the book into his chest pocket and smiled while thinking about the effect the Seven Star Burst Manual.

Seven Star Burst Manual (Tai Yin Phase)

-Usage 1: Allows the activation of Seven different stage of Star Burst Technique. 1Star (12) / 2stars (24) / 3stars (48) / 4 Stars (96) / 5stars (192) / 6stars (384) / 7stars (768) Fighter Qi is required. each layer doubled the Strength, Speed, and Spirit of the user.

-Usage 2: Allow the activation of Seven Star Steps by paying (25) Fighter Qi.

-Durability: 9/9

-Special 1: Upon activation of the Star Burst Technique, allows the user to control the shape, speed, distance, and strength of the formed Air Blade.

-Special 2: Damage of the Seven Star Swords Technique is doubled when this manual is under the user's possession.

By activating the 1st star of the Star Burst Technique, Zhang Wu Ji overall Strength, Speed, and Spirit is increased, but the most important of all is the ability to control the formed Air Blade. He did not hesitate to wait for the senior brother and sisters to answer him but placed the tip of his Jade Ruler on the ground.

Coming with a screeching sound from the contact between a Jade and the tiles, the Shatter-Strike ability caused the ground to explodes before the gigantic air blade is created and strikes at the nine fellow disciples. It was so far the most humongous air blade everyone ever seen in their life.

Is their youngest Junior Brother a Martial Art Maniac? If not, how can this happen?