Boluo's cultivation had stopped at the Qi initiate level, and Boluo was certain of having no future other than stable master. He actually saw Wuyi as his child. He wanted Wuyi to succeed in cultivation and achieve all the dreams that he could not.
But by failing this test, Wuyi's cultivation training would stop, and he would beco just another small warrior or glorified stable boy, which Boluo did not want to happen.
"None," Wuyi said flatly, and they both fell into a mont of silence, the word "none" echoing with finality.
"Well," Boluo cleared his throat and adjusted his belt. "Then you'd best get it over with and get back here afterward. It's not like you haven't had good luck with your other schooling. A man can't expect to succeed at everything he tries." He attempted to make Wuyi's potential failure at the cultivation test sound inconsequential.
Wuyi thought about disclosing his cultivation to Boluo but then decided against it—not until he had figured out what exactly Gao had planned.
With that, Wuyi bid his horse farewell and then made his way back up to the Fortress to pack a change of clothes and so traveling food, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead. The following morning brought with it a sense of pomp and drama that seed to lack practicality in Wuyi's eyes.
While the others about to be tested appeared elated, he remained unimpressed by the restless horses and the windowless eight-horse carriages prepared for their journey. Gao lined them up and blindfolded them, all while a crowd of threescore or more people looked on. Most of the spectators had so connection to the students, either as family mbers, friends, or simply avid Fortress gossips.
Gao proceeded to deliver a brief speech, ostensibly directed at the students, but it rely reiterated what they already knew. They were to be transported to different locations and left to their own devices, relying on their cultivation skills to find their way back to the Fortress.
Success in this endeavor would grant them entry into a Unit of cultivators, a role of great importance in defeating the various threats, including bandits, beasts, and Demonic Raiders, that plagued the region.
Gao's commanding speech had indeed left a strong impression on the spectators, and a buzz of murmurs filled the air as Wuyi was ticulously escorted to his designated carriage and aided inside.
For the purpose of ensuring that he remained unaware of the direction they were heading, Wuyi was thoroughly blindfolded. Several unbearably long days ensued for Wuyi within the confines of the carriage. The perpetual swaying, combined with the absence of fresh air or any form of visual distraction, induced an ever-increasing sense of confusion.
It felt as if the individual entrusted with the horses' reins had taken an oath of silence, which he kept with unwavering discipline.
They would make brief nightly stops, during which Wuyi was allowed to freshen up—still with his vision obscured by the blindfold—for a quick bath, followed by a sparse al consisting of a bun, dried fish, and water, before being ushered back into the carriage to endure more of the relentless jostling. Even blindfolded, these activities were not difficult for him.
Being a Qi adept, his every sense was heightened, but he wondered how the other kids would manage. They wouldn't have the senses of a Qi adept.
Around noon, after traveling non-stop for three weeks, the carriage finally stopped. Wuyi was helped out of the carriage, still wearing his blindfold and feeling the strong wind. When he heard the horses leaving, he knew he had arrived.
He then took off his blindfold. Wuyi saw a grassy hillside in front of him, he noticed the people who had escorted him quickly going back to a road at the bottom of the hill.
The grass was dry on top but green and thick at the roots, reaching up to his knees. The first thing that surprised him was how tall the grass was. He looked around and saw more hills covered in grass, with rocks and trees at the bottom. Wuyi moved around to get a better look at his surroundings.
The area was full of rolling hills, and he could sll the sea and feel the damp air, which ant he was near the coast.
The place felt strangely familiar, not because he had been there before, but because of its overall look. Looking to the west, he saw a mountain with its sharp twin peaks. A feeling of unease hit him as he recognized the place.
He knew this area; it was close to the borderlands, a place he had recently mapped out for Fengwen, where the peak's image was used as a decoration on a map border. Quickly, Wuyi turned around, looking over the hills, woods, and winding road below. He saw no one.
These borderline areas were frequented by infamous demonics that everyone talked about. Wuyi used the Statue of Harmony to feel if anyone was nearby. All he found were the feelings of birds, small animals, and a curious deer—no danger in sight. This gave him a brief mont of relief, but he was still worried about hidden dangers.
The Statue of Harmony had a certain range; beyond that range, who knew what kind of dangers lurked.
First, to secure himself, Wuyi then moved down the hill to a group of large rocks, looking for a safe spot to hide. He was avoiding the sun and wanted a solid cover to stay out of sight, unlike the present exposed spot on the hill. His statue of shadows worked best with shadows; there were not many good spots for him to activate the statue in open grass if any danger arrived.
Once a good safe spot was secured, he needed ti to think about his next steps.
Gao had told them clearly: their main goal was to reach the fort safely. Wuyi had studied maps of the area with Master Feng, and with the statue of knowledge, it was not very difficult for him to return back to the city. But he was certain Gao would not let it be this easy for him.
After thinking about his next course of action, Wuyi stood, checked again for any sign of people, and started walking towards the sll of the sea.
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