Chapter 513 - Are You Qualified?

Looking at his reflection, Adam couldn't help but think to himself that his appearance wasn't great. Liao Wei's face couldn't compare to Adam's, but he didn't need a handsome face to qualify to participate in the Regional Qualifying Tournament. 

He was seeing his reflection in the crystal orb that was embedded in a pillar before him and he was instructed to place his hand on the crystal. Whether one was an External or Internal Cultivator or both didn't matter, and the crystal would test how much energy was present within the body, be it the dantian, or the muscles.

Adam, under the alias of Liao Wei, was unsure whether his Form Concealing Skill would be able to stop even the crystal from sensing his cultivation level, but he had nothing to lose as he put his hand on the crystal.

He displayed the potential of an early Advanced Cultivator with his precise control, and just like he was hoping, that was what the crystal registered.

Seeing that, the middle-aged man wearing white robes, which appeared to be the norm for those that worked under the Martial Arts Union couldn't help but give Adam a questioning look.

It was because, for someone like Adam, who wasn't famed or known for his martial arts and didn't have a powerful background, one couldn't help but think they were crazy for signing up for the tournament, especially as an early Advanced Cultivator.

"I do apologise for having to do this, but you will have to take part in an additional assessment. Since you aren't registered with the Martial Arts Union and barely meet the cultivation level requirement, I will need to see your capabilities myself before admitting you into the tournament. It is so that we don't waste our or your time, as there are many that wish to take part so that they can enter the Ultimate Fighting Tournament. The grand tournament that takes place yearly and offers many great rewards and opportunities," the man said.

The way he spoke was direct, and it was clear that he was underestimating Adam, who didn't appear to be anything special or that capable, but he also wasn't rude or disrespectful.

Adam just nodded his head and didn't bother to reveal his capabilities or try to persuade the examiner otherwise, knowing that passing any sort of test that the man had would be easy.

Revealing his true capabilities was something he would only do if he was forced to, and he was more interested in taking part in the tournament to learn from other fighters, and to win. Once he won, he would receive rewards, but that wasn't what he was looking for.

What he wanted is to be able to reach those with high positions in the Martial Arts Union to enquire about his aunt, or find any information about her. While it would also be good to be on good terms with them, and maybe even become allied with them.

Although he knew he wasn't on the level to negotiate with them yet, after coming across that old man that claimed to be from the Marital Arts Union, at the rate he was progressing, catching up to and even surpassing them all was only a matter of time.

Seeing that Adam was willing to take part in the additional assessment, the man continued, "Attack me with all you got. I am a high-level Master Cultivator and can handle anything you can throw at me, but as you should know, we limit our fights to close combat skills."

"Is the use of weapons allowed?" Adam asked.

"Yes, and even bows are allowed. By close combat skills, I mean any skill that reinforces or uses the body as the core of an attack. This is how we chose to fight, not because it restricts the fighters, but because it restricts the damage and effects caused to the surroundings, which usually has an audience. While it also tests who has the greater combat prowess, not just who has more energy and can unleash more raw power," the examiner explained, seeing that Adam didn't seem to know much about their customs.

Nodding his head, signifying he had understood, Adam walked over to the weapon racks in the corner of the room, then turned back to the man, since there were two weapon racks.

One with wooden weapons, and one with real blades.

"Pick what you like, but in the actual fights, you will be using real weapons," 

With that, Adam picked up two daggers along with a few throwing knives, which he attached to a belt that was available. Putting on the belt, he had a sheathed dagger at either side and throwing knives attached all around it.

"Interesting choice of weapon, but are you sure you don't want to use a spear or long sword that would allow you to make up for the gap in speed with the range of your weapon?" the man asked, knowing that Adam's choice of weapon didn't give him much of an advantage in combat.

Adam nodded his head, and the man didn't say anything else, as he unsheathed the sword that he had attached to his side using a similar belt to the one that Adam had picked up. It seemed to be a standard issue belt that most martial artists had to hold their weapons in the Martial Arts Union where people were permitted to carry weapons.

However, the sword itself drew Adam's attention as he stood there and waited for the man to attack him.

"The test is for you to attack me and me to test your skills, but it seems as though you want me to attack you. I don't mind either way, but just try not to die, as I assure you, there will be participants in the Ultimate Fighting Tournament that are just as powerful as I am," the man said as he burst towards Adam.

Adam smiled and could see that the man was holding back, but he was sure that by the end of their exchange of attacks, the man would no longer have the luxury of doing so.