Rod stepped into the large military training base located in the northernmost part of the Inner City District of Silan.
This military base, equipped for all official combatants, boasted the most comprehensive training facilities and the best combat grounds.
It housed hundreds of small- to medium-sized training arenas, dozens of large ones, and a single, massive training arena.
Standing in front of the main gate, the pristine marble floors and oval-shaped buildings stretched out endlessly. Numerous logistical personnel in blue uniforms and combatants in various colored robes moved between the buildings. Small and large carts mingled on the paths, and Floating Spirit Cars shuttled back and forth overhead, creating a bustling scene.
Rod’s combat rating venue was in the No. 7 large training arena.
The combat evaluation was public, allowing anyone to watch freely.
The Fifth Level was the highest tier for Middle Rank combatants, just one step away from the High Rank. The audience was usually substantial. Typically, Recording Crystals documented the battles; any remarkable achievements would be displayed openly as excellent examples.
When Rod walked through the gates of the training ground, he unexpectedly found the audience much larger than anticipated.
The circular stands were packed with people; he almost couldn’t squeeze through.
Accompanying him, Soron laughed and said, "Rod, look how much attention you’re garnering. I didn’t even have half as many people at my Third Level evaluation."
Out of curiosity, Rod asked, "What kind of creatures do we face in the Third Level evaluation?"
Soron shook his head with a smile, "There are no creatures in battles above the Fifth Level. Capturing creatures alive and keeping them intact until they reach the Royal City requires a huge amount of resources and manpower. High Rank combat evaluations are more about indirectly proving your combat ability."
"Then wouldn’t some of my special moves be unusable?"
Soron burst into laughter and said, "Kid, try to pass the Fifth Level combat evaluation before worrying about the higher ranks."
He pushed through the crowd, shouting, "Make way, make way, the evaluator is here!"
Numerous gazes instantly focused on Rod.
Hidden in an upper-level box, Chief Judges Amoli, Krama, and Levill also noticed that guy they immensely despised.
Levill scoffed, "This kid, who isn’t even fully mature, thinks he can pass the Fifth Level evaluation?"
Krama also shook his head saying, "It seems our preparations were wasted, so much money and effort down the drain."
Amoli spoke seriously, "Don’t underestimate him; this is the guy who killed Gregor right in court, causing our reputation as Chief Judges to plummet."
Levill sneered, "If it weren’t for the crowd here, I’d go down right now and avenge Gregor."
Amoli gave him a warning look, "Don’t do such things within Royal City. The White Tower’s Great Eye can trace the soul waves of all combatants above the Seventh Level; you’d be caught immediately."
"Hmph, the Great Eye shouldn’t even exist; at least we, the high-level officials, shouldn’t be susceptible to its tracking."
"No matter, he’ll either die or sustain severe injuries in this evaluation."
"Once he loses his value, we can do whatever we want with him."
"I want to flay his flesh, grind it into Red Crystal, extract his soul, and filter out the spirituality. A soul modified by Theodore’s hands must possess a lot of spirituality."
Rod had completed the pre-evaluation process, jumped down from the circular stands, and stood in the central combating ground.
Before starting the evaluation, a routine check-up was conducted by the Mechanical Research Institute.
A bearded man pushed forward a complete set of Spiritual Power Instruments and began the test.
"Starfire Series, Six Sparks."
"Black cauldron—quick firing."
"Hmm... this is white paste."
Rod angrily said, "It’s a Spirit Boat, a Spirit Boat! Are you an idiot?"
"Non-professionals, shut up!"
The evaluating committee also reminded, "The evaluator should not interfere with the normal operations of the technician."
"Its function is to spray out a white paste-like substance that covers the whole body, allowing for rapid travel in the Spirit Realm, but this Spark has an interval of use."
The audience burst into laughter, and many minds went to inappropriate places.
Soron sighed, "Another never-before-seen new Spark; this kid always takes the road less traveled."
"The fifth Spark, Elegy of the Soul."
"Its function should be to provide a vast amount of Spiritual Energy... but what does this have to do with groaning? Hmm, maybe the sound of groaning stimulates its growth?"
In the stands, Soron rubbed his chin, seriously pondering some matters.
In the crowd, strange murmurs arose, many becoming unusually excited.
Rod glared at him, hoping he would notice his resentment.
But the bearded man seemed oblivious and continued, "The sixth Spark, Sensitive Touch!"
Rod covered his face, feeling as though his reputation was going down the drain.
How did these ridiculous translators even survive until now?
Translating Spirit Elegy to Elegy of the Soul, God Sense to Sensitive Touch—it was absurdly unreasonable.
"Hmm... it should make your body become more sensitive..."
The bearded man’s voice faltered; he poked Rod, who showed no reaction, staring blankly at him.
"No, no, it should make the perception much sharper."
Suddenly, exclamations of amazement rose from the stands.
Spiritual Vision and perception are critical attributes for a Fire Holder.
Spiritual Vision could penetrate illusions and mists and glimpse the most essential flow of spirit.