In this world, there were many similar cities like Maroon City. Filled with many small, medium, and large clans, the quest for domination where heroes and formidable cultivators would arise, was usually thanks to the backing of their clans.

Every empire had their royal families who controlled the most power when it came to their respective regions, but when it came to simple cities, the royal families allowed the numerous clans present to dictate what went on within.

The only ironclad rule that each empire held over their region, was that no one would be able to murder their enemies within the cities or towns surrounding them. If this rule was broken, an empire would send their armies after those who broke it, until they captured the cultivator.

With such a rule present, cultivators decided to test their strength against their opponents in the coliseums which every city, regardless of size held within. By entering into combat in the coliseums, cultivators could make their own rules for each and every match, including a death battle.

For Maroon City and its surrounding area, there were hardly ever any deaths while traveling out to surrounding towns in the area. With this area remaining safe for even the poorest peasant, not many cultivators wanted to remain close by.

Though it would allow a cultivator to be able to train to their hearts content without worrying about dangers that lurked nearby, a cultivator's strength would only truly increase when they faced a certain level of danger.

Therefore, Maroon City's politics and power came directly under the small handful of five n.o.ble clans who resided here. With no true opposition, these clans, although not as wealthy or powerful as other clans in different cities, were able to prosper and never lose their level of control over this area.

On this very day, the one academy located in the city, was holdings a test for their uppercla.s.smen. Although many of the young cultivators could train in their clan's area, even the five n.o.ble clans sent all of their youths to attend this academy.

The main reason for this, was that these clans would give their youths enough training resources to make sure that they performed much better than the commoners. This way, the commoners would continue to fear the n.o.ble clans and would eventually join them if they became strong enough to be absorbed within their outer branches.

"Everyone line up!" one of the instructors in charge of this test called out to the students who were still chatting among themselves.

All of the young cultivators who were here, had a level of relaxation due to how easy this test would be. The academy would normally give easier tests to their students, so that even the worst performer would at least be able to move forward.

This way, not a single youth would be left too far behind the other peers their age. At the same time, such easy tests were given, so that the n.o.ble clansmen who were partaking in the tests, would be able to over perform and would potentially be able to receive special attention from the teachers of the academy.

"Now, when I call your name, please step forward and head to the circle over there." the instructor said while pointing to a very large circle that was drawn in the sand nearby.

"Once you are in the circle, you are to use your cultivation to release an elemental technique of the basic level. If you use a chant, you will not have any points taken away, but unless it is a medium level elemental technique, you will not place in the top three of the cla.s.s!" another instructor told the students who were preparing themselves.