Celestial Martial Path

The slection of children advanced towards the grand stadium. Shocked faces could be found among the group, as they viewed the famous 'mile high walls' and the ascention gate lying in wait of annual test participants.

Great blood stone lion statues sat mightily upon the stands besides the gate, staring impassively at the arriving score of competitors. Yet the most magnificent of all was the unending pressure radiating from the blurred entrance.

Jun Xiang glanced towards the pressure source, he felt a keen eye scan across his entire being, soul and body. The gaze moved away and shortly after, an impressively dressed figure strode calmly out of the doorway, flanked by a squad of ceremonial soldiers.

The two village heads drew in a deep gasp, a flicker of apprehension appeared in their eyes.

Although dressed as a scholar, and seemingly fragile, the two knew that this man was rippling with martial intent. Many titles flashed through their minds, 'Genius of a thousand generations', 'Son of Duke Yu', 'Sanction Colosseum Owner', but the most resounding of all...

Demon Eyed Marquis.

They may be the heads of their individual villages, and branch villages of the main family no less, however to this man, they were simply ants not even worth stepping on.

"Quick, children! Bow to the Lord!", the two men began to fall to their knees, the children did so as well. Jun Xiang prepared to follow suit before a powerful force lifted his body, holding him straight.

The kneeling Lu Feng noticed the odd silence and saw Jun Xiang standing straight in front of the Marquise. He paled in fear, crying out to the boy, "Jun Xiang, hurry and bow, you can't act like a child in front of the Marquis!"

Some of the older boys looked on in amusement, seemingly happy the weakest of the boys would soon be lynched. The girls looked straight down, afraid of the death that would inevitably occur.

"Sir Marquis, I'm really, really sorry, but I can't bow to you."

The two village heads trembled with fear for the boy. Could his wording be any more tactless, that was the Demon Eyed Marquis you know? You might as well just call him a pig a be done with it!

"Oya, and why is that so little boy. Am I not worthy of your respect?", the marquis's eyes gleamed with an odd glow, piercing the upright boy.

"Sir Marquis, I really don't know, I'm trying to bow, but something is stopping me.", Jun Xiang was now shedding large beads of sweat from the effort of trying to kneel.

One of the soldiers rushed forwards with blinding acceleration beyond human capabilities, a spear head leading his charge. The flashing tip streaked towards the boy's heart, stopping short, only centimetres from the now dust stained shirt.

Jun Xiang expected the sharp pain of death, and yet as he re-opened his eyes, the soldier had turned around and dropped the spear, kneeling to the marquis who's eyes now glowed an eerie green. "My Lord, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions!", the soldier apologised deeply to the marquise before picking up his spear and walking quickly back to his position with shaky legs.

The mysterious force lifted at last, and Jun Xiang's fatigued body fell, now lying prone on the cold grass, wet with morning dew. Lu Feng was unable to resist any further, dashing out to Jun Xiang's side, he bowed low, "Lord Marquis, please spare this ignorant youth who hasn't learnt his manners yet. I'll take full responsibilities for his actions!".

The children behind cried out in fear.

"No! Village head you don't have to sacrifice yourself for trash like him.

"You are more important to us!"

The soldiers brandished their spears once more, pointed tips glared at the now kneeling Lu Feng. The children cried out once more in fear, covering their eyes with thin hands. Jun Xiang reached out his trembling arms to the village head.

"Hahaha..."

It was a resounding laughter that filled the entire space, every single face turned and stared at the once impressive marquis. His hands were clutching his hips and stomach, doubling over and seemingly crying tears of laughter.

The grim and tense attitude that had encompassed the surroundings shattered and was now replaced by a bewildered squad of soldiers and slightly relieved villagers.

After the short outburst of laughter, the marquis strode up to the prone Jun Xiang and patted him on the shoulder. He noticed that throughout the entire process, the boy had not shown a hint of fear at all, only struggling to do as he was told.

"Sorry for making you work so hard, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!"

Jun Xiang heaved a sigh of relief and quickly thanked the marquis for his mercy. Marquis Yu nodded his head and walked back to his regiment of soldiers. 'This boy could be interesting' he thought, 'That power I felt as I stopped his kneeling, it was not a simple mortal's power! Better not leak it for now.'

"Farewell, young ones, I hope you put on a great show this year!"

By the time Jun Xiang had stood up, the marquis and his soldiers had already disappeared across the horizon.

Everyone stayed silent in shock of what had just transpired, Jun Xiang was still heaving ragged breaths from overexerting himself earlier.

"Jun Xiang, you'd better thank the gods Sir Marquis Yu was in a good mood today, otherwise..."

One of the village children had shouted out with a depreciating glance.

"Yeah! You're but an ant to him, he probably just disdained from killing you for your impudence."

"Can you be anymore pig headed, you should have just kowtowed!"

"EVERYONE SHUT UP" a deafening call broke the catcalls and the muttering leaving only dusty silence. Lu Sha strode up to Jun Xiang, throwing a net of spirit energy over him.

"Could you explain why you didn't kowtow to the Marquis? It's a very serious crime that can get you killed." inquired Lu Sha.

"I did try, Village Master Sha, but something powerful was stopping me from doing so. I used all my might to kowtow, however my body just wouldn't budge."

Lu Sha's brows creased intensely for a short moment before smiling at the boy, "Alright, just make sure you reflect on what you did wrong." Jun Xiang nodded and scurried back to the group of children, however still isolating himself from them.

Lu Sha closed his eyes, trying to feel the remnant power he had just experienced during the spirit check. It was untouchable, unfathomable, and most of all foreign. He had never experienced such an odd power before in his lifetime, there must've been an otherworldly phenomena on this child!