From the corners of the sect, the groups of cultivators led their trial attendees back to the original peak. The clones made eye contact with one another, nodding.
Hey, wait. What happened to Jin Xian? Rogue asked, scanning over the life qi cultivators group.
Wish I knew. Ive done a bit of prodding, but no one saw what happened to her. I dont sense her anywhere. Im afraid to ask, in case he killed her and it would associate us together. Well have to look around once we enter the sect, Healer replied.
All the others made it through fine. Zhubis here with , I see Ying Lin over by Sectgoer, and Bai Jingwen looks the sa as ever, Rogue comnted.
The ghoul was always the danger. I hope shes safe sowhere, Healer said, concerned.
Peak Lord snorted, glancing at Bai Jingwen. Goodness knows what Bai Jingwen did to get through. Im not sure she stood still long enough to make it through the line.
Gui Yutong, thats what she did, Rogue snarked.
Well thats fair, Peak Lord allowed.
Sectgoer licked his lips. Listen, if I didnt make it, one of you has to co up with an excuse to take into your peak, okay?
Eh? Sectgoer, was it that bad? Healer asked.
I cant be sure, but I didnt win. Well, neither did ying Lin, but she got second, so I think shes made it, Sectgoer said.
Theres your thigh! Go clutch onto Ying Lin! Rogue pointed out, laughing.
A master clutching his disciples thigh Sectgoer sighed.
Eh, dont go developing a second heart-demon. Courage is one thing, but pride? Healer shook his head.
I cant do anything around you guys without getting called a heart-demon, Sectgoer grumbled.
A stone board had been erected at the end of the clearing. The four judges led them down before it, then vanished behind it. The cultivators mingled, a few of them shooting glances at one another.
A huge man glared at Sectgoer, staring a hole in his back. Sectgoer trembled, edging away. Soone help
Sectgoer, whatd you do to piss off a man like that? Rogue laughed.
Nothing, nothing, nothing! Its not my fault! He lost to in an earnest contest, it isnt my fault! Sectgoer cried.
Those who dont seek death, wont die, Rogue said, shaking his head at Sectgoer.
Sectgoers seeking death? He truly has a heart-demon, Healer sighed.
Oh, co on. You wouldve done the sa in my situation, Sectgoer muttered.
The stone board began to shine. All the cultivators stared up at it. One by one, nas appeared on four sets of lists.
Ah! I made it! Healer thought, punching the air.
First in the life qi category? What did you do? Sectgoer asked, shocked.
Nothing much, nothing much, Hui said, waving his hand. Ah thats right. I t a new Elder Sister, as well I cant forget about her.
Youll have to introduce us, Rogue said.
Nas continued to appear. Second on the weapons cultivation list, Ying Lins na appeared. Sectgoer nodded to himself. She took second place in the tournant, after all.
Watching the beast board, Rogue snorted to himself. As I thought.
What is it, Rogue? Healer asked.
He shook his head. There were about five of us in the whole trial. It wasnt really a trial, she just set us free on the mountain. Everyone who ca back from the mountain has been listed on the board.
Eh, people didnt escape the mountain? Healer asked, concerned.
Mmm. One man vanished well, it was a mountain full of spirit beasts. If he went seeking death, he easily could have found it, Rogue reasoned with a shrug.
Peak Lord looked up. Oh. There we are, and Bai Xue. And ha, theres Bai Jingwen. As expected of the lover of a Peak Lord.
Sectgoer clenched his fists. Nas slowly appeared on the board. Co on. Co on. I dont want to clutch Ying Lins thigh, dont make clutch Ying Lins thigh! Its too humiliating!
Maybe we should change his na to Thighclutcher, Rogue joked.
The nas slowed down. Only the weapons cultivation list continued, spelling the nas one character at a ti.
Co on. I impressed you, dammit! Okay, I ssed up at first, but then I figured it out! I can forge weapons, dammit! Co on! Write my damn na! Sectgoer shouted silently.
Eh, did you tell them we can forge weapons? Healer asked.
How else was I supposed to pass a weapons trial, dammit? Sectgoer pointed out.
Healer paused, then shrugged. Well, I guess. We can always figure it out afterward. And we definitely did forge a weapon.
Rogue chuckled. Theres more to it than that, isnt there, Sectgoer?
Sectgoer chuckled back. Well naturally! Weapon forging costs a lot of resources! If we establish ourselves as weapon forgers, not only can we drain the sects resources, but we can also prepare weaponry and armor for our attack! Steal their resources to bolster our own. Not a bad deal!
Not a bad deal at all. Co on, Sectgoer! Itll be harder to call on those resources without a Peak Lords authority! Healer cheered.
The lettering slowed. The glow began to dissipate.
Oh, co on! I showed you! You liked it! I put in so much effort Sectgoer complained.
Rogue shook his head. You need to suck up a little harder! Clearly you didnt suck up enough.
Aw what did he want to damn do? Win the damn tournant? I was a runner-up! I lost to Ying Lin, dammit! And I even managed to fake one goodgoodish fight! Sectgoer said, shaking his head.
Wait, wait, Sectgoer, look! Healer called.
Sectgoer turned. The very last gasp of qi swirled around, and the na Xing Huang appeared at the bottom of the sword cultivators list.
Yeah! Hell yeah! The last one on the winner list is still a damn winner, haha! Sectgoer shouted silently, punching the air.
He almost forgot about you. Must not have made much of an impression, Rogue said, clicking his tongue.
Guys. Look, it doesnt matter how we made it. The point is we all made it. Ti for part two, Healer said.
Peak Lord hesitated. Er does everyone want to et up in person?
What for? Were compromising ourselves more than weve already done it for nothing. We can communicate on the communicate like this, Healer said.
Healer, Healer, its Peak Lord suggesting it. That ans its Bai Xue suggesting it, Rogue said, waggling his eyebrows.
Healer sighed.
Sectgoer coughed. In any case, we should probably search for Jin Xian, first. Her na wasnt on the list.
Mmm. Well have you thought about where those ghouls in the sect trial ca from? Theres ghouls sowhere in the sect. If we find them, well find Jin Xian, Peak Lord reasoned, imdiately adjusting to the serious conversation.
Healer nodded. Ill seek out any death qi around the sect. Jin Xian should have left a trace, and if theyre hiding other ghouls, therell be a thicker trace of death qi sowhere.
Right. And as for the rest of us party on Peak Lords new peak? Rogue suggested with a laugh.
I should probably get to work on figuring out weapon forging, Sectgoer muttered.
Zhubi hissed and grabbed Rogues robes.
Eh well, Zhubi does need help getting settled, Rogue admitted.
The glowing golden cultivator descended from the heavens, hands out. If your na was selected, please step forward. If not, please exit the sect. Those who were selected, follow . I will show you to your new peaks.
Right. Lets all go get settled. We can figure out everything later, Healer said.
Find Jin Xian. Drain All-Heavens resources, finish bringing back our sect, and and I guess figure out how to forge weapons! Sectgoer added.
No, thats your job, not ours, Rogue chuckled.
Peak Lord shook his head. Alright, alright. Lets go, then. First, we need peaks, isnt that right?
Right, Healer agreed.
Following all the other sect inductees, they took to the sky, chasing after the glowing cultivator.
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