v4c12: Induction

Standing off to the side, Bi De watched as more aspirants made it through the mists. They had been waiting for hours already. Some looked confused that they had made it at all, while others looked troubled. He gave each of them an encouraging nod as they realized they had passed. Most of the men seemed surprised, before nodding back, while most of the women responded eagerly. One even started to march up to talk to him… before she caught Ri Zu’s aura and changed direction.

 

Yun Ren, disguised as Biren, snorted at her sudden change in course.

 

Sister Ri Zu was still in a foul mood, it seemed. “Do you require any assistance with… what happened back then, Sister?” he asked her, referring to the examiner who had challenged her and directed his intent at her back.

 

The small woman paused in her glaring for a moment, and turned a smile onto Bi De. “Thank you, Brother. If Ri Zu needs help she will ask for it… but she also left some of her Qi in his dantian. If he tries anything again…” She shrugged.

 

Bi De nodded at her forethought. This place was not their ally, and her caution would serve them well. They lapsed into silence again as another person wandered through the mists.

 

“We probably should have been a bit less obvious that we’re all together, though,” Yun Ren muttered.

 

“As our Master said, we are here to learn,” Bi De agreed simply, and Yun Ren nodded.

 

They lapsed into silence for a moment. “So, we are in agreeance that Master will choose Chun Ke’s chosen name?” Bi De asked.

 

“Naturally,” Ri Zu declared. “Ri Zu can’t believe Tigu would ever think they would name him Kai…”

 

More people filed out of the mist as the sun began to set, the successful ones milling about or attempting to meditate.

 

In the end, there were forty aspirants who had managed to pass before a gong sounded.

 

And then, there was another bolt of lightning that slammed into the earth. Despite the strength of the strike, no dust or smoke was kicked up, a testament to the control of the user, and the Head Examiner suddenly appeared, idly brushing off his clothes.

 

“Congratulations,” he boomed. “You all have shown aptitude above that of the common rabble. Rejoice, for only the strong pass the trials of the Shrouded Mountain Sect.”

 

Bi De tuned out the murmuring as he listened to the Head Examiner’s words. The man had paused, and his gaze was sweeping over them. There were a couple of cheers.

 

And then the man’s intent slammed into them. The Second Stage of the Spiritual Realm.

 

“But do not get complacent. Each new day brings a new trial. You must be better, faster, stronger—and our Sect will cultivate this. Steel sharpens steel. Might attracts might. In combat, you see the truth and glory of the world. There is only one thing that need be answered by you—will you rise, or will you be a stepping stone for another?”

 

… was this truly his speech? Bi De could hear some value in it. Indeed, training together made people stronger. Powerful allies bettered each other. But it was phrased in a way that made it sound like those were the only two outcomes—and was being a stepping stone really so bad, if the person you aided helped you reach new heights as well after?

 

“Tomorrow, you will be judged further and assigned a place in our Shrouded Mountain Sect. Perhaps it shall be as part of the brave Fulmination Squadrons, the profound smiths of the Artifact Pavilions, or maybe even, should you prove worthy, the Inner Sect, where treasures and resources beyond your wildest imaginations reside. But for now, you have accomplished much and the Shrouded Mountain Sect welcomes you! Eat, drink, and be merry—and know that this is our gift to you!”

 

The Head Examiner disappeared in a peal of thunder—and then the doors to the Sect itself opened. Servants, most of whom were quite beautiful women, wheeled in massive tables which groaned with food and bottles of wine. The scents were thick and heady.

 

“Roasted Imperial duck?” a man asked, gaping openly at the ducks that were the size of dogs.

 

“Birds nest soup!” a second exclaimed, his eyes on a gilded pot.

 

“Braised deer tails, too!”

 

“Is that a Spirit Beast?” a girl demanded, looking at the whole cooked corpse of a Frosthorn Goat.

 

“We’re eating like kings tonight!” another cheered. “Praise the Shrouded Mountain Sect!”

 

Bi De raised an eyebrow at the enthusiasm. It looked like ten entire villages worth of animals had been culled for them.

 

“Please, take a seat, Disciple,” one of the servants asked him. “Eat as much as you’d like.”

 

“Thank you.” Bi De nodded and smiled at her. Her face instantly went nearly as red as Bi De’s hair.

 

Hrmm. That is getting a bit annoying, he thought. Especially because one part of himself demanded he take advantage of it. All he had to do was ask, and he would have a companion for the night—

 

He shoved the idle thought away and sat with Ri Zu, Yun Ren on her other side and talking idly with one of the others who had passed. Bi De was seated next to another woman, one with brown hair and warm brown eyes. Her sword was slightly too big for her, it seemed.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

 

“Oh, heavens, this is amazing, is it not?” she asked him as she dug into her food.

 

“It’s quite good,” he replied lightly. Indeed, the food was… passable. He had consumed much better in his time. Everything was too thick and rich. Some salad, and perhaps a few spiced worms, would drastically improve things.

 

Yun Ren had thought it hilarious that Bi De had made another batch, but they still tasted the same as when he was a chicken. Better even. He had no idea why people didn’t like them.

 

“This one is Liao Yushang, martial Brother. Might she know your name?”

 

“Fa Bi De. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

 

The girl smiled and, to his surprise, leaned back slightly so she could address Ri Zu, who was giving her a look out of the corner of her eye. “And it’s good to meet you too, Sister Hong! You kicked that bastard’s ass!”

 

Ri Zu blinked at the friendly tone, but she inclined her head. “He had it coming,” she stated simply.

 

“Yeah! You said you were a doctor, right? Could you spare this Sister a check up?”

 

Ri Zu seemed taken aback by the friendliness. “Ri Zu can see what she can do…?”

 

“Great! So, so, where are you both from?” Yushang demanded.

 

Bi De chuckled. “You’re quite vivacious, Miss Yushang.” She almost reminded him of a taller and more developed Tigu. She even had her hair in two tails.

 

“Of course! One must seize every opportunity! And you seem like good friends to have!”

 

Bi De nodded. He couldn’t sense any duplicity. “We come from a ways away…”

 

He spoke with Yushang, who came from the Spine Mountains, and admired Zang Shenhe—Bi De honestly felt a bit bad he could not be fully truthful with her. She was certainly chipper. On the other side of things, Yun Ren was introduced to “Fat Han”. A jolly, well, fat man who reminded Bi De of Wa Shi.

 

Soon the feast began to die down, with what looked like a distressing amount of food left over, when Bi De heard something.

 

The head servant clapped her hands together. “Disciples of the Shrouded Mountain Sect! We have something special for you all today as well.” She gestured to a golden pot, even more gilded than the one that contained bird’s nest soup. It was opened with a flourish—and Bi De had to hold back his laughter. He heard Ri Zu let out a squeak, and Yun Ren choked.

 

Because in the pot was something he recognized. Gold Grade Rice.