CHAPTER 54: HIDDEN SPIES

Caden was suprised to see that he received not a single SSS-Ranked Skill.

Since it was a special task, he knew the reward would be a Golden Gift Box. He had expected an ultimate skill.

What he received was a unique skill.

While S-Ranked Skills are considered special. It’s because there can be only one of them in this world.

If Caden had a B-ranked skill: Frost Life. There were others who could potentially awakened that same skill.

But once it becomes S-Ranked. No one else could possess such a skill, that’s why it’s known as special.

But skills from SS-Ranked are known as unique skills. They’re the foundation of reality.

While Skills from SSS-Ranked are known as ultimate skills becaause they’re the representations of certain concepts.

Even though he didn’t receive an ultimate skill. Caden knew the rewards were worth a Golden Gift Box.

Firstly all his stats have been doubled. He could feel it, his powers were increasing thanks to the Primordial System.

Secondly, he knew he had awakened something known as a Three-Advancement stages but had no idea how to use it.

Now he has received the qualifications to activate the first Advancement Stage even though he still doesn’t know what it was.

He could check it later.

And thirdly. He awakened a unique skill, an SS-Ranked Skill: Qi Manipulation.

Since he received Qi Points from killing blood puppets. He would surely try to figure out ways to utilize this Qi Points.

And this SS-Ranked Skill: Qi Manipulation is the best way for him to control his Qi Points.

He knew the Primordial System was extraordinary but even he was stunned by how good it was.

He could check out his newly awakened SS-Ranked Skill: Qi Manipulation later, for now he has important things to take care of.

Caden Ryder has slain seventy-two students during the second stage.

This wasn’t something he could deny.

***

Without wasting time, Caden was completely surrounded by masked guards. All on the level of Sword Level, Sword Masters.

They were all armed with graded weapons. Ready to attack if necessary, Caden stood still.

Unfazed by everyone but he dared not move an inch. This is already a sensitive situation for him.

His group members were also encircled by soldiers brought along. This soldiers were around the sword level of Sword Elites and Sword Veterans.

All ready to strike.

His group members were frozen in fear. None daring to move an inch from where they stood.

A soft sigh was heard, Caden slightly tilted his gaze to see two figures emerging from the shadows.

A path was created for them. One had the presence of someone Caden could never forget.

A Sword Level, Sword Great Grandmaster.

The Head Chancellor of the Valor Royal Academy.

Darius Kincaid and the figure who stood by his side was also equaled to him in terms of cultivation levels.

A Sword Level, Sword Great Grandmaster and a Mana Convergence Stage Arch Mage.

Caden gulped, swallowing his saliva as he stared at this two indomitable beings. But he showed no signs of fear.

Seeing this, Darius lips curled into a faint smile "What a suprise" Taking a step forward, his voice reverberated through the air.

"I came here personally in other to intimidate you but to think not even my presence could make you feel fear"

"Are you even human?" Darius asked.

Caden laughed inwardly ’You guessed right’ He thought.

Caden breathed in deeply "Well I expected you to show up, considering how much mess I made here" He answered.

Darius giggled "It seems you understand your situation quite well. I’m not the type who acts without proper investigation"

"I was told there was an ambush laid against you and all three groups attacked you simultaneously"

"But did you have to kill all of them?" Darius questioned, "I can tell you are strong, couldn’t you have simply knocked them out?"

Caden chuckled "I could, but I granted them mercy" He answered. His answer stunned everyone.

The mysterious guest Darius brought along laughed heartily upon hearing that.

His action drew attention towards him but the attention returned back to Caden and Darius.

Many wanted to see Darius expression as they knew Caden was simply too daring for his liking.

Instead of being angry. Darius chuckled "Mercy huh?" His eyes flickered "Tell me why they needed mercy" He demanded.

Seconds later, his body flickered. Caden staggered back, he felt it....the overwhelming power of the Head Chancellor.

The mysterious guest wanted to step in but he stopped himself. Darius is the head chancellor of this school.

He has the ultimate authority in this royal academy. He sighed deeply, hoping Darius doesn’t kill Caden.

Caden composed himself, standing on his ground, he slightly tilted his head...glaring at a corpse "Why don’t you examine them yourself?" He asked.

Darius eyebrows furrowed "Examine them?" He asked. Caden nodded "They were being controlled by someone"

"This was an assasination attempt as well" Caden explained. Hearing this, Darius became calm "An assasination attempt?" He asked, Caden nodded "Why would three groups abandon a ball just to ambush me?" He asked.

"I may have been a trending star, a top genius of the Purple Continent but it made so sense"

"If they wanted to bring me down, couldn’t they try to challenge me to a battle spar and defeat me?" The area became deathly silent as everyone listened.

Caden continued "I’m sorry I had to kill them but if I’m asked to choose between my life and theirs, I will choose mine a thousand times"

Darius breathed in deeply "And how are you certain they were under someone else’s control?" He curiously asked.

Caden wore a warm smile "You should understand that I awakened an S-Ranked Innate Skill"

"I have the ability to sense if another S-Ranked Skill is being used and I confirmed it"

"They were all under the control of an S-Ranked Skill: Blood Puppeteer" Caden announced.

Both Darius and the mysterious guest’s eyes widened in shock. They knew the S-Ranked Skill: Blood Puppeteer too well.

It was infamous in the world, owned by a mysterious figure in the Red Continent.

A devious S-Ranked Skill.

Darius clenched his fist, he approached one of the students who Caden had killed and examined the bodies.

He confirmed two things, An S-Ranked Skill has truly been used on him and secondly.

He sensed Qi. Qi exist in all living beings but it’s a dormant source, unrestricted by anything.

Only a few knew how to draw out that Qi of theirs. And definitely this students weren’t one of them.

It’s quite known that the S-Ranked Skill: Blood Puppeteer increases it’s blood puppets strength by drawing on their Qi.

Strengthening the blood puppets but shortening it’s lifespan.

Confirming this, Darius blood began to boil. The mysterious guest could only guess why.

He softly exhaled "It seems Darius has already confirmed it. This was indeed the S-Ranked Skill: Blood Puppeteer"

"It confirms this is another assasination attempt against Caden Ryder" He glanced at Caden with a smile "This is another reason why I want you, Caden Ryder" He muttered.

After confirming the truth, Darius calmed himself down. Not wanting to display his rage, he tilted his head.

Staring at Caden with a smile. "Thank you for releasing them, anyone cursed to be a blood puppet will feel unending pain"

"Drawing out their Qi forcefully reduces their lifespan and the procedure is far more heinous and painful"

"The fact you knew of this and still killed them meant you really felt pity for them" Darius said.

Upon hearing this, the masked guards redrew their blades from Caden Ryder.

Caden sighed softly "I’m glad you didn’t outrightly attack me and figured the truth out"

"But I must tell you that I was the one who killed them, not my group members. I should be the one punished"

"I should only be the one allowed to fail" Caden stated. Darius chuckled at Caden’s words.

"Fail? Punished? You did nothing wrong and you were nearly assasinated once again"

"It’s my fault for not making sure the Valor Royal Academy is secured and freed from any assasin"

"And I apologise for that.....please take the ball, you’ll be transported back to the registration hall"

"Your group has passed the second stage"

Everyone in Caden’s group were overwhelmed with joy. They had expected some punishment as well.

But instead they passed even before the timer.

Caden obeyed, he grapped the ball from the pillar, walking back to his group. They were all returned back to the registration hall.

After Caden and his group were gone. Everyone turned their attention to Darius Kincaid.

Darius growled "To think my precious academy have already been infiltrated by those Red scums" He cursed out.

The mysterious guest exhaled, he approached Darius, placing his hand on Darius shoulder "My friend. I’ll be reporting this to the Supreme Council and I’ll try to put you in the good light"

"But we need to deal with this Red spies..... whoever has the S-Ranked Skill: Blood Puppeteer is still hidden within this academy"

"They must be killed"