Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 467: Chilling and Chatting

Zelsh dunked the stallion once more before returning to a reclined position. “Ahhh... Like this, you’ll adjust in no time! Just train and get comfortable... If you can’t get comfortable with the bath water, you won’t be allowed into the qualifier...”

All the young cultivators quickly lifted their ears and listened carefully. Even Yeter shut up and didn’t complain about getting dunked.

“Teamwork will be key to your survival. But I can’t let anyone participate who would only become a liability. Think about your team for a moment. Did I only choose you because you all knew Oliver?”

Getting strange looks from Yeter while the others began rethinking everything, Zelsh elaborated, “You have Fulkar, someone who trains with ice. He’s guaranteed to adapt to the environment and even experience some growth from it. There’s also a fire expert, Trenk, allowing you a good counter to ice and giving you instant aid to your survival outside of the formation. The person least likely to adapt is Freele, but her odds aren’t bad. With her light essence, she’s able to adapt decently well and will be a great support to the team when injuries happen. Cause even slight injuries can become a problem with time. And to make up for Freele’s lack of physical strength, we have Yeter, the Thick-skinned Stallion who will be able to offer all kinds of physical support wherever it’s needed. And leading the group you have Oliver, the crafty, creative thinker who can act under pressure and hold his own in extreme environments and situations. As a team facing a survival-esque challenge, does that seem like a random pairing?”

“No. Not at all. You’ve been planning this since Yeter started training under you, weren’t you?” Oli deduced, surprising everyone else.

Zelsh nodded. “Yeah. Since you were in isolated cultivation for so long, I decided that we would send you straight to the Provincial Qualifier and never considered you for my qualifier. As for who your team would be, the only undetermined factor was which of them would defeat my qualifier. But whether that was Trantor, Fulkar, Trenk, or Freele, any of the remaining three would have worked out great as your teammates. That was until Trantor started standing out more and more, which made predicting things even easier.”

“That’s why you invited me here?!” Yeter shouted in shock and amazement.

.....

“Yup. Are you disappointed?”

“Nope! To train under you, Master Zelsh, has been amazing!” Yeter proudly bobbed his head up and down.

“Good! You’ve made the most of the situation and I’m proud to call you one of my students,” remarked Zelsh, rubbing Yeter’s head. “And I’m also proud of you two, Fulkar and Trenk. You’ll represent Rot Region well and could become some of our future pillars if you’ll accept such a responsibility when the time comes.”

Shrugging, Trenk didn’t know what to say. “Thanks, King Zelsh... But-”

“I know, I know. You’re moving to Iron Territory after all this in chase of your girlfriend,” Zelsh chuckled with no sign of regret or resentment, getting Fulkar to laugh and Trenk to clam up. “That’s great too! It’s run by my long-time pal, so it’s not like you’re leaving me for an enemy. If anything, I stole Yeter away from them so consider your move to Iron Town as a trade of sorts.”

“Thank you, King Zelsh!” Trenk stood up and gave a full bow. “I won’t forget these experiences and will always keep Rot Region in my heart.”

“That’s enough for me! So go there with no regrets, okay?” Sighing, Zelsh inhaled and sunk a little lower into the water. “... And tell your old master ‘Hi’ for me, okay?”

“I will, sir!”

Squinting, both Fulkar and Oli caught the underlying meaning of that statement. Oli asked, “Are you talking about Hurman?”

“Yup! He’s quite a talent. If he hadn’t gotten stuck as an elder, I’d have recruited him,” remarked Zelsh. “Did no one tell you? Hurman participated in Quadrant Finals back in the day. He didn’t make it to the end, but he did make it to the final round. I think he was ranked twenty-seventh that year... So yeah, he’s quite the guy. And I hear that he’s hitting a growth spurt ever since he got the cultivation technique of the old gorilla.”

Suddenly, Oli felt immense pride swell inside him as Zelsh gave him a nod saying ‘Well done’. As the person who recruited Hurman and convinced him to bring the Practor family to Iron Town, how could Oli not feel proud?

“So,” Zelsh changed the subject, “why don’t you all talk about your specialties and abilities? It’s been years since you all saw Oliver and vice versa. If you want to work best as a team, you’ll need to share some secrets and build on each other’s trust.”

Nodding, Fulkar was the first person to reply and summarize his abilities. Yeter and Trenk were insistent to be next, feeling that Fulkar had beaten them to the punch. After that, Oli shared what he’d been training and focusing on for the past few years, including his current cultivation.

“WHAT?!” In disbelief, Trenk and Yeter questioned in unison. “Only an early-elder?!”

Sighing, Oli explained, “For the past two years I focused on soul arts. Don’t assume I’m weak though, unless you want to be in trouble.”

“Don’t forget, he won that tournament years ago underleveled...” remarked Fulkar, covering his own surprise with a hint of logic.

Smiling at Fulkar, Oli continued, “I’m already close to being a low-elder. With that happening any sun now and my current abilities, I should be able to face anyone in the qualifier.”

“But we’re all peak-elders,” retorted Trenk, trying to think things through. “How can you cross such a gap in strength.”

“Want to test that out for yourself?” Oli chuckled, standing up. “Zelsh, is there anywhere for us to train and spar?”

Nodding and rushing to his feet, Zelsh laughed, “Of course! The inn has a walled courtyard out back, perfect for training without any prying eyes.”

“What do you say, Trenk-”

“I’ll accept that challenge.” Everyone looked to Fulkar as he continued, “I’ve wanted to face you for a long time, Oliver. And out of everyone here, you and I seem to be the least affected by the weather, so it should be a fairer fight.”

“... Alright. I don’t mind. Should we head out now?”