The morning sunlight glared through the open window, falling on Xiaomeng's peacefully asleep face. After a few moments, her eyelashes fluttered, and she woke up with a start. Her breathing sped up as she forcibly pushed air into her lungs. Her hands and legs were trembling. She waited. The pain she had experienced before fainting did not haunt her.
She tentatively moved her hands and legs, but still there was no sign of it. Looking down, she saw that she was lying on a soft white bed. Her clothes had also been changed to blue, like those worn by the disciples of the sect. Before her mind could wander, the door to the room opened. A young woman in her early twenties, wearing the sect uniform, came inside carrying a porcelain bowl in her hands. Thin tendrils of steam danced over the warm brew.
With a soft thud, the Senior Sister placed the bowl on the table beside the bed. Not giving Xiaomeng a chance to ask anything, the young woman spoke, "After you fainted during the trial, you were brought here to rest. Take this healing brew and get ready. We have to leave soon." And without waiting for a moment, she exited the room. Xiaomeng could only blink in confusion at this turn of events.
She gently picked up the porcelain bowl and brought it close to her nose. Taking a light sniff, her face scrunched up. The bitter medicinal smell wafting from the brew was too intense! Just as she was planning to set it down and ignore it, her gaze drifted to the wrapped paper and a small note placed on the table.
Slowly picking up the note, she opened it and read: "Drink all the medicine. Here is some spiritual candy for easing the bitterness." Placing the paper down, Xiaomeng quickly picked up the wrapper and opened it. A sweet milky smell suddenly enveloped the entire room.
Her gaze moved from the milky white candy to the green medicine and then back to the milky white candy. Putting down the sweet delight, she quickly picked up the medicine and, holding her breath, rapidly gulped it down. The bitter taste filled her mouth, making her feel like gagging.
She hurriedly picked up the candy and took a small bite from the small, milky white surface. The sweetness immediately spread through her mouth, erasing the bitter aftertaste. She spent nearly an incense stick of time just licking and sucking on the candy. This was the taste she had been craving for the last twelve years. She was experiencing eternal bliss, at least for the time being. All the while, her eyes darted around the room, taking in the unfamiliar environment.
After finishing the candy, she got up from the bed and started to feel around the room. It had white walls decorated with simple ornaments and décor made of wood and jade. A big window opened behind the bed, and light coming from it illuminated the whole room. A small door to the side most likely led to the courtyard behind. Since it was inside a sect, there must definitely be some arrays carved on the walls, but she was not a cultivator yet and was not able to tell.
Just as she was about to move towards the window for further observation, the door was pushed open, and the woman from before gestured for her to follow behind. Xiaomeng could only listen to the command without any resistance. The woman led her through the open corridors. The scenery she passed by was very beautiful, filled with ponds and plants decorating the open space. The buildings were also very tall and majestic, with the smell of plants and herbs floating around in the air.
Taking Xiaomeng to an open area, the Senior Sister took out her sword from her waist. Looking at this, Xiaomeng suddenly jumped back. The senior disciple ignored her and, bringing her other hand forward, started to chant something. The sword in her hand started to vibrate and, tugging itself out of her hand, began to float in front of the pair.
The Senior Sister climbed onto the sword and looked at Xiaomeng with a look that clearly said 'Follow me.' Realizing that it was just for travel, Xiaomeng lowered her raised guard and stepped ahead, standing behind the woman. Soon after, they had taken to the skies, carried by the sword as it cut through the air. And in just a few moments, they had left the peak behind, its silhouette growing faint over time. Being able to use sword telekinesis to fly, she must definitely be a Core Formation cultivator, thought Xiaomeng.
The cold and fresh morning air brushed past them, giving a cozy feeling. Looking down from the height, Xiaomeng was able to observe the layout of the sect. It had seven very high peaks, with the Central Peak rising between the other six. From the way they were going, their destination seemed to be the Central Peak.
Seeing Xiaomeng looking around curiously, the Senior Sister warned, "Hold on tightly." Hearing her words, Xiaomeng tightly clutched her clothes. After a few moments, she asked the young woman in a curious voice, "Senior Sister, what is your name?" After pausing for a few moments, the Senior Sister replied, "Just call me Senior Sister Lan." Xiaomeng spoke her name a few times to get familiar with it, making Senior Sister Lan's brows knit a little.
"Senior Sister Lan, who changed my clothes?" she abruptly asked.
Lan just looked back at her and said, "I did. Do you have a problem?"
Xiaomeng quickly shook her head. "Of course not. How could I?"
"You better not," Senior Sister Lan hmphed. "It was already too much trouble to wash you. It seemed like you really enjoyed rolling around on the stairs." Xiaomeng could only lower her flushed face at this.
Their conversation was cut short as the sword began its descent. They had reached their destination. The children who had taken the exam along with her were standing in the large courtyard. The cacophony of their chatter was easily audible even from a distance. Soon, the sword landed in their midst, parting the gathered crowd. Getting off the sharp blade, Xiaomeng started to look for any familiar faces and spotted Lingling approaching her. Senior Sister Lan flew up on her sword and disappeared in the clouds.
Approaching her, Lingling caught her hand and dragged her away from the prying eyes of the others surrounding them. "Are you okay?" Worry leaked from her voice.
"Of course," Xiaomeng answered confidently, "What could happen to me?"
Lingling gave her an exasperated look. She quickly picked up the sleeve of Xiaomeng's dress and pointed at the small leaf engraving. "This is the sign of the Alchemy Peak. Since you were brought here by a disciple from that Peak and these clothes also come from there, then obviously something must have happened. So, speak up."
Having been caught, Xiaomeng had no option but to reiterate the events of the test and the morning. "So, you only woke up today after completing the test?" Lingling asked worriedly. Xiaomeng just nodded her head in agreement.
"I should have stayed back for you. Anyway, do you know how many days have passed since the test?" Lingling asked, and Xiaomeng once again shook her head.
"Three days." Lingling raised three fingers and waved them in front of Xiaomeng's face. "You have been out for three days. From next time, just take it lightly and care more for your body."
"Okay, I'll try," Xiaomeng replied in a small voice.
"Not just try." Lingling glared at her. But with her cheeks puffed out and her brows furrowed, she only managed to look like an angry little rabbit, drawing a helpless smile from Xiaomeng.
"By the way, did everyone here complete the climb?" Xiaomeng tried to change the subject. Even knowing this, Lingling went along with it. "No. From what I heard, as soon as it was midnight, they were all teleported above the stairs. You were most likely the last person to complete the climb."
By now, they had walked to the front of the gathering, and more familiar faces came into view. Rong Ning was keenly observing everything around her. Gu Yichen was scolding Tieshan, who was standing in a chair stance with Gu Da trying to mediate. Tian Yao stood apart from the others, as if standing in a separate world. And the others were up to their own shenanigans.
Right then, six people in flowing white robes appeared in front of everyone, floating in mid-air. They all radiated an ethereal aura, exerting an involuntary suppression over the crowd. Four were old men, and two were young women. Suddenly, the courtyard became silent, and everyone bowed their heads. "We greet the Elders." Xiaomeng also followed the crowd and bowed as a sign of respect. Only Tian Yao was still standing straight, but the Elders tacitly ignored her.
"Rise," an ancient voice was heard in everyone's mind. Everyone raised their heads and looked at the six Elders. "From now on, you are all members of the Jade River Sect," the First Elder explained while stepping ahead of the others, caressing his long beard. "But not all of you can be proper disciples. The ones who lagged behind the most in the test will have to start as external disciples. The ones who performed well will be made outer disciples. And the few who completed the test will be made inner disciples."
The new disciples were hearing this for the first time and were hence completely baffled. Their mouths hung open in a daze. The First Elder moved his hands, and all the new disciples were displaced from their original positions and divided into three groups.
The first was made up of the stragglers who had lagged behind the most and were not able to even cross the first thousand steps. The second consisted of those who crossed the thousandth step, but were not able to complete the climb. And the last was the group of the only fifteen people who had actually completed the test, with Xiaomeng being the last one to pass.
Several older disciples emerged to take away the first group. They would most likely be made to plant spiritual herbs and take care of the spiritual pets. The First Elder once again moved his hand. Then, based on the performance they had shown, the second group was equally divided among the six peaks as outer disciples.
Disciples from the six Peaks who had come here, guided their respective juniors and started to move towards their respective Peaks. Being outer disciples, they would not have any special privileges and could only work and complete sect tasks to get more resources. However, their living and training facilities were a lot better than those of external disciples.
Finally, it was the turn of the group of fifteen. The Elders looked carefully at the fifteen people with a faint glimmer visible in their eyes, like children looking at new toys.
"Since you have all completed the test, you have the right to choose which Peak you want to join," the First Elder explained. "Each peak has a different focus and practices different paths of cultivation." Then he went on to explain about the six peaks, nearly bringing a tear to Lingling's eyes as she barely controlled her yawn.
"Tian Yao," the First Elder called out after finishing his long exposition. Tian Yao slowly stepped forward. "As the one who came first, you have the privilege of choosing first. Which peak do you want to join?"
The First Elder looked at her with an expectant look, knowing full well that the catch was already in the bag. But his smile froze after hearing Tian Yao's words: "Whoever pays the most, I will join that Elder's Peak." His confident face suddenly scrunched up as if he had eaten something sour. He looked at his fellow Elders, who just stared blankly at him. And before he could say anything, the cold and aloof Fifth Elder declared:
"A thousand low-grade spirit stones."
And following her example, a bidding war began among the Elders. Even the others standing behind Tian Yao were completely baffled. This girl never fails to amaze! they all thought.