Wind Descent is a common Battle Technique for wind-attribute cultivators. Fortunately, one can still use it even without the wind attribute, though the effects are greatly diminished.
Gathering Qi from the surroundings, sharp winds will follow, descending from top to bottom. It's not a very powerful technique—easy to tell, as each Battle Technique written on the Stone Slabs is average at best.
The other technique, Serpent Roar, can deter the enemy, immobilizing them if their mental fortitude is weak. It's like a mind control technique that affects the target's brain.
Apollo remembered these two Techniques, but due to the memory-altering mechanism, the memories vanished.
The Beggar watched as Arke, the first participant, stood on the platform with his arm raised, pointing at the training dummy shaped like a scarecrow. The first technique Arke was going to display was Wind Descent.
Qi churned on the stage, gathering around Arke and disappearing inside him. Without pause, sharp winds descended on the scarecrow, shattering it into pieces. The resulting winds scattered, causing those standing near the platform to squint, some looking away as parts of the dummy almost hit them.
Seeing the effect of the technique, Apollo couldn't help but turn serious. It was one of the techniques he chose not to learn because he didn't like it. Now, seeing its effect, he realized that if he had fought using only the Simple Sword Technique, he probably wouldn't have stood a chance if someone had used Wind Descent on him.
Apollo felt fortunate that he got to keep the Battle Techniques he managed to learn in this second test. With 7 to 8 techniques at his disposal, he felt more confident about completing his mission.
An exclamation sounded as Arke began using his second technique.
The platform shook briefly, and another training object emerged. But this time, it was a living creature, so it was inappropriate to call it an object.
"That's one big hell of a chicken," Apollo muttered in amazement, seeing a chicken almost two meters tall on stage. The creature looked around before its eyes landed on the person in front of it.
"That's still considered small, to be honest," Bel said, already standing beside the beggar. "But that size is perfect for making a meal out of it."
She glanced at Filly, who was a short distance away, already eyeing the chicken monster while licking her lips, her eyes shining.
Scavenger? So that's what she used for the fried chicken, Apollo recalled the meal that Filly's Restaurant always provided for him. They stayed true to their word, always bringing him food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Thinking about it, he wondered how the restaurant was currently doing. This Advancement Examination is a big event—there's probably more diners than before.
"You're here again," Apollo turned to Bel, who smiled back at him.
"Of course, I want to befriend the person who's going to join the same school as mine," Bel said.
"I don't recall agreeing yet," the Beggar replied, looking back at the stage just in time to see Arke emitting a strange and somewhat suffocating aura that made the chicken shriek in fear.
"Hopefully, you will, but it's not bad making friends, right?" Bel shrugged.
Arke passed the second exam without breaking a sweat, as expected from one of the most talented individuals in all the Martial Schools in the city.
"Shouldn't you go up by now?" Apollo asked.
"You're right," Bel nodded. She was about to take a step when she stopped. "Seems like someone else wants to take the stage," she said, noticing a person wearing a black robe that covered their entire body and a white mask that concealed their identity.
"Oh, it's that person," Apollo muttered.
"You know them?" Bel asked.
"No," Apollo shook his head. "They're just... strange."
The mysterious person began demonstrating their skills, and to everyone's surprise, they had also learned two battle techniques. Apollo was the only one who remained calm. He had already suspected as much. Although this person was strange, during the first test, they showed no signs of fatigue—just like him.
"We have another talented one," Bel said with a smile.
"What, are you doing some kind of recruitment service for your school?" Apollo asked.
"Haha, of course not," Bel chuckled. "I just want the best for my uncle."
"Uncle?" Apollo repeated, glancing at the floating platform where the Headmasters and visitors were watching the ongoing exam. He then looked at the uniforms around him, most of them belonging to the Great Serpent Cultivation School, the Sword and Shield, and the Fire Shrine. The others came from smaller cultivation schools.
It seems Helflick family is really influential, Apollo thought.
After the mysterious person displayed their skills, the others took the stage one by one.
Soon, Bel finally had her chance to go up. Apollo didn't offer any words of good luck—she would pass anyway, so what was the point? However, she passed more splendidly than the others, displaying three Battle Techniques, which caused exclamations from everyone. The visitors in the stands stood up in disbelief.
Even Apollo couldn't help but see Bel in a different light. When he first met her, she seemed like a hopeless child, clinging to her last hope. But now, she radiated confidence and strength.
Her injury back then must have been severe for her to be unable to defeat three Duskfang Shadow Tails.
After displaying the three Techniques one at a time, she returned down the stairs, receiving words of praise from the instructor.
"As expected of the daughter of a Core Creation Cultivator. It's a pity you joined that Snake," Master Popo said with a sigh.
"Don't be like that," Bel replied with a chuckle, walking back down and standing beside the masked figure.
"It's your turn," she said.
"Hmm," Apollo thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I'll wait for a bit."
"Why? You're going to end up on stage anyway, unless you don't want to pass the Advancement," Bel asked.
Apollo didn't answer and just continued watching. After a few more people took their turns, the restaurant owner, Filly, stepped up, which piqued his curiosity. He was surprised to find that they had learned the same technique.
Mist appeared on the stage, and when it dispersed, two Fillys were standing side by side. The instructor nodded, and she walked back down the stairs with a sigh of relief.
"She barely learned the Beginner Stage," Apollo muttered, though Bel heard him clearly.
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Because we learned the same technique," Apollo replied, a smile on his face.
Then Gail took her turn, also displaying two Battle Techniques—one offensive and one defensive.
"I guess it's my turn," Apollo said.
"Good luck," Bel smiled, staring at his small back. Her eyes burned with anticipation, curious about what he was going to display. She could sense that this guy was definitely talented, probably on the same level as her. Hopefully, he wouldn't disappoint her expectations.