Chapter 205 [Bonus ]Unexpected Ending

The physique also had various other variations to it such as the number of clones one could create. The number of clones one could form was dependent on the talent of the user in excavating the mysteries of their physique.

From the Order's records, the highest number of clones someone with that physique has had was, nine clones, and at the time, he along with the clones were all at the peak of the domain realm. That person became a monstrous powerhouse in the Southern Continent because of it but he hasn't been heard from in over 50,000 years since he left to explore the Sea of Dreams.

However, he left behind a sect, the Nine Cicada sect which is currently a rank 2 sect with a renowned reputation around the continent.

In terms of practicality, Yang Qing felt like the Golden Revolution Cicada was much more important than the Treefolk bloodline to a cultivator, especially in the early stages of cultivation more so if that cultivator doesn't have a strong background. They could use their clones to explore mysterious realms, as the main body hid somewhere even though the main body would suffer some damage if the clone died. The gains far outweighed the risks since the insights gained by that clone would be transmitted back to the main body regardless of its death in the mysterious realm.

With the different degrees of talent the physique offered, one could also test out different theories, and different schools of cultivation arts which was especially useful to rogue cultivators who bought cultivation arts of dubious origins. They could test the veracity of that art with their clones or they could increase their knowledge of different cultivation arts such as; ones related to combat, formation, alchemy, and talismans, since they had clones to spread out the burden of learning different things.

With this type of physique, atleast it guaranteed even without backing, you'd be able to survive and etch out a living using its specialty. Having such a physique was the envy of many, luckily Yang Qing learned from his earlier experience with the Feng brothers, he hid all the results of the heart stone steele and only revealed them to the owner.

The owner of the Golden Revolution Cicada physique was a young lady, about 17 years old.  She was the daughter of the owner of an upstarting merchant organization that had chosen to establish itself within the former territory of the Blue Lotus Kingdom.

Other than the special physique, she also had blue-grade pillars to boot. She had no idea about the physique and was in utter shock when Yang Qing revealed it to her.

Yang Qing on discovering her physique, had her stay behind as he wanted to issue her a special pass to gain direct entry to the institute. Judges, Inquisitors, and other members of the Order who were in the field alot, were issued special pass privileges. With that pass they could nominate any talent they met for an immediate entry to the institute without having to pass an examination. There were set standards for those who could qualify for a special pass. Someone like the Feng brothers who had an ancient race bloodline could qualify for one but Yang Qing opted against it, since he only had one special pass and their bloodline was thin at that.

But when he saw the young lady he immediately decided to use it on her. The reason for that was, the Order also had someone with the same physique as her and he was a dean at the institute. He had seven clones, four of them were instructors while the other three were in different departments of the Order. No one could be a better guide for her than him. Her parents who she came to the evaluation with, were mad with joy when Yang Qing made the offer.

Other than her, there were also about ten other participants with blue grade pillars, and most of the remaining organizations either had someone with orange grade pillars or red grade pillars. White grade pillars were the least, with only 4 of the remaining 196 organizations having it.

Yang Qing couldn't help but wonder if the fact that the region was once a battleground for domain-level experts, had something to do with the quality of the present occupants. Domain-level experts could invoke dao into their attacks, whose remnants still remain even after they have long left the area. Maybe those remnants may have had an effect on the current occupants. Yang Qing correlated that thought with the experience he had at the dark valley, where all the domain experts of the Order resided.

The area constantly exhibited different domains due to the saint-grade treasure there. The effects created not only helped the domain experts living there, but even young strugglers like Yang Qing who were briefly exposed to it.

He still firmly remembered the experience he had with the paragon domain that was in the form of a gigantic book. The moment his eyes fell on it, it bombarded his head with a million ideas about his cultivation, to the point he felt like his head would explode from the excess information. Even though the experience was horrific, he could tell he had gained an enormous harvest from it. His first stage palace realm cultivation was firmer than before, despite having only broken through in less than a year.

Yang Qing soon pushed those thoughts away as he decided to make his way to the next location. He gave his goodbyes to the king and his people as he prepared to leave.

The commander-general who was silent all this time, made a sudden request of him when he was about to leave. Even without asking, Yang Qing could guess what it was, from the unconcealed battle intent the commander had been throwing at him when he was doing his evaluations. The commander-general wanted to battle him.

Since Yang Qing still had a few moments to spare and he owed the Blue Lotus Kingdom a favor for their studious efforts, he agreed to the request.

The duel was held in secret, having only a few spectators which consisted of only the king and a few higher-ups. They were all buzzing in excitement to see how it would all play out.

However, things didn't pan out as they expected it to. Yang Qing defeated the commander in four breaths. The battle ended so fast that both the victim and the spectators didn't know how to react.

Yang Qing couldn't help with the way things panned out. The institute had always drilled into them about not holding back, whether they are facing an ant or a lion, the reaction should always be the same, go all out. No giving handicaps or incense stick worth of time to the opponent. If you are striking, strike like you've met your greatest foe.

Such a habit has become second nature to them, which was why even if it was a friendly duel or against someone a level lower than him, he still went at it with the same level of intensity as he did when he faced the three palace realm experts above Purple City. The only thing he held back on, was the extent of the damage of his attack, as it would be awkward if he accidentally punched him into a meaty paste.

Though the commander wasn't injured that badly, he still got knocked out. Yang Qing noticing the awkward looks, feeling awkward himself, slowly disappeared into a grey cloud of smoke and asked Ellie to fly as fast as she could away from the Blue Lotus Kingdom.