"The diamond belt selection?" Elder Lo could not help but be taken aback by Ezra's request. The former soon frowned, somewhat hesitant as he said, "Ezra, I know you are strong but you have to participate in the diamond belt selection as an alchemist from Alchemic Rune Peak not any martial master. Isn't it a little too soon for you to participate? You have a lot of time."

The diamond belt selection was a major event in the Spirit Devouring Mountain. This was because diamond belt disciples were the most elite disciples of the outer and were often the ones who went on to become the backbone of the sect.

Therefore, every diamond belt selection was extremely stringent and personally attended by not only several peak elders but also the peak masters on occasion.

Even elders like Elder Lo were unable to approve the promotion to the diamond belt. All they could do was nominate their disciples for the selection and pray for their success.

Furthermore, there were a limited number of promotions available each cycle. As such, the participants were basically composed of the first-seat gold belt disciples from each peak, making the competition extremely intense.

To be blunt, even someone like Kimba, who was the number one gold belt disciple under Elder Song, was not considered top-tier amongst all the factions in the entire outer mountains.

Thus, Elder Lo felt it was a little too early for Ezra Zephyr to participate in the diamond belt selection. Nonetheless, he believed that given Ezra's talent and potential, it would be better to pass the selection after half a year. In Elder Lo's eyes, Ezra was a genius alchemist. He was afraid that if he showed too much of his fighting talent then he would be stolen by other peaks just like how Govrin was snatched by Arcane Wizardry Peak. 

"Ezra, there are only 10 diamond belt promotions available for the upcoming selection test, while close to a hundred disciples will be taking part. It will be extremely competitive, every one of them would be at peak Core Formation stage." Elder Lo sighed as he tried to talk Ezra out of it.

The prince merely smiled in response and said, "Elder Lo, I just want to give it a shot. There's no loss even if I fail, right?"

Though he was wearing a smile, his words were filled with absolute confidence.

Two diamond belt selection tests were held every year, and the upcoming one was already the second one for the year. If he missed it, there would no longer be any chance for him to become a diamond belt disciple this year. As a result, he would be unable to participate in the Peak chief disciple selection trial.

At the sight of Ezra's determination, Elder Lo smiled in resignation and said, "You're too impatient…"

In the end, he could only sigh as he nodded and said, "Fine, if that's what you want, go ahead and give it a shot. If you lose, treat it as preparation for the next test.

After all, there is nothing to be ashamed of if you fail. Many disciples have participated in several diamond belt selection tests, only to fail over and over again."

He looked at the prince as he continued, "The next diamond belt selection is in two months. You must work hard during these two months, and cannot neglect your training. I will nominate you for the upcoming selection test."

"Thank you, Elder Lo!"

Satisfaction appeared on Ezra's face when he heard this.

Elder Lo helplessly shook his head. However, there was some pride and happiness in his eyes. "Youngsters should be passionate and ambitious. If he didn't even have a little drive, how could he possibly hope to tackle the dangerous and arduous road of alchemy.

Since he wants to try, I'll let him have his chance. After all… this young has always been quite surprising. What if… he actually succeeds?

If that happened, even Peak Masters would take notice, bringing the spotlight to their nearly forgotten faction. In fact, Peak Masters may even let them have a few gifted disciples next time.

***

<Diamond Quarter>

Compared to the previous gold quarter the new diamond quarter was several times larger. The quarter seemed to reach all the way into the heart of the mountain, monopolising practically all of its spiritual energy.

A little stream flowed within the quarter, Rays of sunlight shined from above, transforming into countless shimmering specks of light that illuminated the interior, making it appear as if dust was dancing within.

Boundless spiritual energy gushed out from an aperture at the deepest part of the quarter, transforming into a thin mist that swirled inside, making the air feel extremely refreshing.

The natural spiritual energy here was much denser than the gold quarter.

There was even a large herb garden at one corner of the quarter that was filled with all kinds of mysterious plants. Flowers breathed spiritual energy, filling the place with a variety of exotic smells. These aromas had the effect of calming the mind and increasing concentration, making them quite beneficial for one's training.

However, the one most pleased with this new accommodation was not Ezra Zephyr, but Sköll and Hati.

They seemed to have a special fondness for the herb garden, spending every day leisurely sleeping in the garden.

In the depths of the quarter near the spiritual energy aperture.

The prince sat cross-legged on a sizable rock with eyes lightly shut. A scarlet-red crystal hovered in front of him, specks of light glimmering brightly inside like the sun, as an alarming heat spread.

It was the Nine Suns Crystal required to practise the Sun God Memoir.

The prince cupped the crystal with both hands, feeling as if he was holding the sun or the moon. Small bolts of black lightning rose from his palms and battered against the crystal, slowly grinding it like a grindstone.

As the Nine Suns Crystal was grinded by spiritual energy grains of crystal dust began to fall off, merging with Ezra's spiritual energy The spiritual energy ultimately tunnelled back into Ezra's hands and flowed into his core.

It was fairly complicated to learn a top-level martial technique. One needed to continuously combine various resources with one's own spiritual energy, while attempting time and time again to achieve a certain equilibrium, before gradually stabilising the newly created composition.

This step alone had thwarted numerous practitioners, causing them to waste countless resources. Moreover, every failure would consume a portion of the resources and their spiritual energy.

Thankfully, Ezra had the Monstrous Wolf of Norse, Fenrir. With his help, he was able to determine how much of each resource he had to mix with his spiritual energy, allowing him to minimise wastage.

Even so, he still needed some time to flawlessly create a spiritual technique mark and brand it into his core.

After an unknown period of time, the prince finally opened his tightly shut eyes as he slowly spat out a breath of air.

He lowered his head and looked at his palm, only to realise that the Nine Suns Crystal had shrunk by a third.

"At this rate, as long as nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to start forming the mark after a month..." There was no smile on Ezra's lips. He was not pleased with his progress.

"Don't be hasty kid, you are already faster than geniuses." Said Fenrir.

"I know Fenrir…" He replied and stretched his waist, causing all the bones in his body to crack and pop, He let out a relaxed sigh as he inhaled the faint flowery fragrance in the quarter.

He had been exceedingly low-key for the past ten days or so. As a result, the commotion he caused due to the quarter match gradually began to die down. After all, a quarter match between gold belt disciples would not continue spreading forever.

The prince also did not enjoy being in the limelight, and much rather preferred quietly growing stronger and building plans.

However, he knew that news of his nomination by Elder Lo for the diamond belt selection would soon begin to spread sometime during the next two days. This would likely cause another commotion again.

"Hmm?" Just as Ezra stood up, he suddenly felt some activity at the entrance. His senses reached out and found two persons standing in front of the quarter, unable to enter due to the barrier.

The round and fat figure naturally belonged to Gill Subzi and the lanky youth was Cen Zutton. The two most talented subordinates of Ezra in Alchemic Rune Peak.

The prince walked towards the entrance, dispersing the barrier with a wave of his hand.

When Gill saw Ezra walk out, he bounced forward with a grin as he fished out a scroll from his sleeve and said, "Your majesty, I have completed the task you set me."

"This scroll contains the details of all the disciples who will be participating in the upcoming diamond belt selection."

He clicked his tongue before continuing, "However, none of these fellows are pushovers. Practically all of them stand at the peak of the gold belt disciples in their groups, and every single one is superior to Kimba.

Your majesty, are you really going to take part?" He awkwardly scratched his head as he said in an uneasy manner, "From what I know, no slightly over a month-old outer mountain disciple from our Spirit Devouring Mountain has ever had the guts to take part in the diamond belt selection."

Ezra smirked, but he did not answer the question. Instead, he slowly unravelled the scroll in his hand.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at their names and data.

"Oh! They haven't disappointed me."