Chapter 71: Verdant Sword Sect Test
The journey on the back of the winged beast was long. Several hours passed like wind roaring in the ears.
As the scenery below transformed along the way, from plains to hills, until finally, a chain of mountains.
Then, on the horizon, it appeared.
The Red Mountain was not just a mountain. But a giant dormant volcano.
It was formed entirely of reddish rocks and layers of ancient ash. Curiously, the mountain itself was barren, but at its base, a green and dense forest stretched as far as the eye could see.
Creating a great contrast between the green and the red with the ashes of the slope.
As they approached, the air changed. The wind, which before was extremely refreshing, became hot and dry.
The closer they got, the hotter it became. Kyrian and the others felt immediate discomfort.
His blue eyes shone imperceptibly, and then tiny crystals of ice began to form in the air around Kyrian and around Yanyu.
Creating a bubble that softened the hot temperature. The wind that then passed by them carried this freshness to those a little farther back.
Some of them even whispered relieved thanks, although Kyrian did not care. He only did it because the climate really was becoming increasingly irritating.
’For some reason... I really hate the heat.’ Kyrian thought in his mind.
Finally, they saw their destination.
In the forest, at a good distance from the Red Mountain, a gigantic clearing that seemed to have been artificially opened appeared in their sights.
There, a crowd was already gathered.
Dozens of flying beasts identical to Kyrian’s were landed. And in front of them, hundreds of young people waited in organized groups.
As soon as they landed, Elder Li Yuan ordered in a firm voice.
"Stay behind me. Do not stray."
Kyrian and Yanyu obeyed, standing side by side. Yanyu, slightly nervous, looked at the sleeping fox in Kyrian’s arms.
"Kyrian... can I hold her? She looks so peaceful... I don’t think she will wake up..." she asked. Her voice was normal, but Kyrian saw that she was worried about something.
Kyrian hesitated for a moment, his eyes analyzing Yanyu. Then, with a careful movement, he handed her the wrapped cloth.
Yanyu received the fox calmly, as if she were holding a treasure. Hugging the fox against her chest.
Immediately, a cute and genuine smile appeared, lighting up her face and making the worry she felt disappear a little.
Kyrian watched the scene for a few moments, finding that vision somehow attractive, before then paying attention to the environment.
His gaze swept the clearing. There were fifteen groups already formed. Each with one hundred to one hundred and fifty young people, led by an elder.
When his group arrived, it became the sixteenth. And the gazes from all sides turned to them.
But they quickly focused only on Kyrian and Yanyu.
While most were already sweating and panting from the heat, the two looked perfectly comfortable. And then they noticed Kyrian’s eyes.
Soon, inevitable whispers began. Many looked out of curiosity, others with envy, and fewer still with a barely concealed fighting intent.
Kyrian ignored them all. His analysis was quick. Most were between the 6° stage and the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm. He identified only three youths who emanated a distinct pressure from the Qi Liberation Realm.
Though none of them sparked his interest as a significant threat or rival.
Then, group after group arrived. Filling the clearing. Kyrian counted mentally. When the twenty-fifth group landed, it filled the clearing completely.
He estimated that there were at least around two thousand eight hundred youths. The number of youths in the 1° stage of the Qi Liberation Realm rose to five.
After the place became completely packed, an expectant silence took over everyone.
It was then that a different sound seemed to cut through the air. The fast, precise wingbeats of a beast.
Everyone looked and saw a small beast. An elegant bird, large enough for only two people to ride on its back.
The beast descended right in the center of the clearing.
As it approached, despite its size, its simple presence made all the other beasts lower their heads in respect.
Mounted on the bird was a woman. Her appearance was that of a young woman of twenty-five years. Wearing a practical green outfit, with a skirt that moved little even in the strong wind.
At her waist were two swords, one above the other. Her hair was black, tied in a ponytail. Swaying gently.
Kyrian observed her, and two things surprised him. The first was her beauty, which, in his mind, this woman was the first to compare with his mother.
The second was the subtle pressure that emanated from her. A pressure that reminded him of when Wei Feng was standing in front of him.
No, it was a little weaker than Wei Feng’s. Kyrian could not tell her cultivation, but it was beyond the Qi Liberation Realm.
At that moment, all the elders greeted her in unison, bowing slowly.
"Everything is ready. Elder Mei Ran."
She only nodded silently. Her gaze swept through the crowd of youths, group by group.
Stopping momentarily on some specific individuals. Her expression, once cold, slowly softened. Especially when she reached Kyrian.
When a nearly imperceptible gleam of satisfaction appeared in her eyes. Discreetly, she took a communication stone and whispered words that no one there could hear.
"After several years of mediocre generations, we finally have some real talents. Increase the rewards for this exam."
"And there is a special physique this year. I don’t know the grade yet. But I think you’ll want to see it."
After sending the messages, she put the stone away, and then her voice sounded clear and calm throughout the clearing.
"The first part of the entrance exam for new disciples will begin now and last three days."
She then took from her storage ring a gray fruit with a slightly peculiar texture.
"Your objective is simple. This is an ash fruit. They grow in the dangerous areas of the forest near the Red Mountain. Usually guarded by beasts."
"The closer to the mountain, the more fruits there are, but also, the stronger the beasts. Bring three of these fruits back to this clearing in three days. And you will have passed."
Her eyes then narrowed.
"There are no rules on how you will obtain them. Do you understand? No rules. Just be back here."
"And lastly, the ten with the most fruits will receive a special reward."
Before any commotion could begin, she raised her hand. Then, thousands of small jade plates, the size of a fist, materialized in the air. Then they flew, stopping in front of each youth.
Kyrian took his, cold to the touch. With intricate runes engraved that contained a concentrated amount of Qi.
He did not recognize the pattern or what it was for. He just held it in his hands.
"So, good luck!" said Elder Mei, and without waiting any longer. Her beast took flight and disappeared.
Immediately, the elders ordered everyone to board the birds quickly again.
Everyone climbed with slight confusion, but all obeyed.
This time, the five beasts that came with Kyrian no longer flew together. They spread around the Red Mountain.
When they reached a considerable height. The behavior of the beasts completely changed. They seemed to have gone mad.
They began to twist and dive, actively trying to expel everyone riding them.
Chaos erupted in the skies. Screams echoed as youths were thrown into the air.
One by one, their bodies fell toward the ground, the dangerous green forest below.
Yanyu, who was slightly distracted, petting the sleeping fox, was one of the first to be thrown flying.
"KYRIAN!" She screamed, holding the fox tightly so as not to be separated. Before disappearing, falling far away.
Kyrian, on the other hand, remained calm. He had instinctively held on earlier. Holding the beast as his body swayed with the beast’s violent movements.
But after thinking a bit, it was obvious that the sect would not kill everyone this way. Before the test even began. He then remembered the small plate.
’That’s it.’ He thought, and then let go.
His body went into free fall from a height that would shatter his body. But his heart was calm.
Instead of panicking, his eyes worked. He saw Yanyu almost landing on the ground at a great distance. And recorded the approximate location.
Then, he scanned the landscape below. Which was approaching quickly.
Even from that height, his unique vision allowed him to see patches in the forest moving or clustered.
He recorded those places in his mind, thinking they were possible points where Ash Fruits could be found.
He did not see the fall as a sentence but saw it as his first move. The test had already begun.
The wind howled in his ears, the hot wind from the mountain rose to meet him. And the forest floor approached at a frightening speed.
And then, a second before impact, the jade plate in his hand emitted a glow.
Kyrian kept his eyes open, trusting in it. And then the plate exploded, creating a small protective sphere, making him land completely unharmed.
Kyrian blinked confidently, while his mind was already tracing the route to the first location where he imagined the fruits would grow.