Chapter 07 - The Trial

I wish I could say that what followed was a constructive forum in which we got to ask the two inner disciples about cultivation or the sect. Instead, the lead cultivator decided to hold a long monologue.

“Since I might see some of you in the sect later, I think it’s time for some introductions.” The lead cultivator started. “My name is Zhou Qing, direct disciple under Inner Elder Zhan, and if you become an official outer disciple, you may refer to me as Senior Brother Zhou or Inner Disciple Zhou, take your pick, I don’t actually care.”

“This,” he gestured toward the smiling inner disciple next to him. “Is Inner Disciple Xiang, a talisman prodigy whose generous nature you have to thank for the informative presentation you’re about to receive.”

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Qing continued. “Since the majority of you won’t pass this next trial, I don’t see a point in having you all introduce yourself yet. So, we’ll skip that part.”

“Like I said in the beginning of the evaluation, the White Tiger Sect is one of the principal powers governing the western continent, as such, you can imagine the scope under which it operates.”

Zhou Qing frowned as he detected the confusion on our faces.

“Or you can’t," he sighed tiredly, muttering something about having to deal with uneducated peasants.

“Even if the western continent doesn’t cover as much surface as the other continents out there, it's still home to over two hundred mortal kingdoms, and more than five billion mortals. As the third most powerful sect on the continent, the White Tiger Sect naturally oversees a large portion of the land."

Satisfied with the awe etched across our countenances, Zhou Qing nodded and continued his monologue.

“Every year, the sect accepts new outer disciples—some rise through grit and talent, while others vanish without legacy, their names forgotten."

“Or die.” Inner Disciple Xiang added.

“Same thing,” Zhou Qing shrugged before carrying on. “As a combat-oriented sect, we value strength, endurance, and perseverance above all other traits, including talent. Which is why we're the only rank 4 sect on the continent to accept twelve-star trash into our midst.”

At Zhou Qing's words, frowns spread through the crowd. Put bluntly, if they'd spawned in a different region on the continent, odds were most players gathered here wouldn't even have made it this far.

“So naturally, in order to not waste resources on those who are unworthy, the White Tiger Sect’s entrance exam is a bit... unorthodox compared to the other sects on our continent.”

Inner Disciple Xiang started handing out talismans with the Chinese character for “Outer” on them. Below the character, the number 224 and our names were imprinted in bold letters.

“There are currently thirty-one provisional outer disciples gathered here. And in a couple of hours, I figure a similar amount will pass.” Zhou Qing glanced at the bustling town, his eyes narrowing when he saw how many players were observing us.

“Certainly a sizable amount, at least when compared to previous years.” Then, Zhou Qing’s eyes roamed as he looked over all of us.

“Truth be told, becoming an outer disciple of the White Tiger Sect is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is arrive at the White Tiger Sect’s outer courtyard at dusk in three days, carrying at least two outer talismans with you."

A malicious smile crept up on Zhou Qing’s face as realisation dawned on our faces.

This second trial wasn’t a friendly competition.

“But why stop at two?” Zhou Qing’s grin spread even farther, raising a single finger. “For each additional talisman you bring with you to the outer courtyard, one sect point will be awarded.”

“Oh, and you should know that each sect point is valued approximately the same as a gold sovereign.” Zhou Qing theatrically flipped a yellow gold coin in the air before grasping it tightly. “But then again, they are very rarely exchanged for mortal money.”

Mistrust and suspicion spread in the group as everyone unconsciously began distancing themself from the people standing closest to them. At this point of the game, possessing a gold sovereign was simply unheard of.

Now, every person standing here was worth a fortune.

“And so begins the second test.” Zhou Qing smiled at us. “If you didn’t know already, the White Tiger Sect resides on Mount Longhu, just across the border to the Omowen Dynasty. Even on foot, it shouldn't take a mortal more than two, maybe three days if you make haste. Needless to say, if you're late, no number of talismans will save you."

“Any questions?” Zhou Qing smirked when a number of hands shot into the air. “No? Then you’re dismissed."

Flapping his sleeve, Zhou Qing walked away without another word. Giving us a quick, apologetic look, Inner Disciple Xiang scrambled to follow.

Left to our own devices, a heavy silence descended on the group. Yet, ust as I was about to walk away to recompose myself, Percival suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence.

“Stop.” Percival said to the ones who had started moving. Sighing, he combed his fingers through his hair. “Just… stop for a moment.”

“Why?” Another player questioned, looking wary and on guard.

Before Percival could continue, a third person interjected

“I'm willing to buy your talismans for 100 bucks apiece.” Said a young woman, her eyes cold as she observed the rest of the group. “I don't even mind going through a third party to legitimise the deal.”

Initially, when they'd heard her offer, people had seemed sceptical, but after mentioning the third party, a few actually looked like they were willing to consider it.

“People will do anything for money.” I shook my head, unwilling to even consider her deal. Moreover, I reckoned that our talismans were worth a hell of a lot more than $100 this early in the game.

Then again, $100 wasn't a negligent amount of money either, especially for young people.

“Still, that's not how I want to play this game.” I shook my head.

Standing up I was ready to leave when something tugged at the back of my mind.

I paused, eyeing the wary faces of the other competitors.

“Whatever... Guess this will be my one good deed for the day.”

My decision to throw them a bone definitely didn't stem from any kind of guilt I still felt from all the nasty glares I'd earned lately.

“I have reasons to believe…” I said in a tone that reminded me of leading meetings at work, "that some players took part in yesterday's recruitment session."

“So?” One of the twelve-star talents was quick to quip.

Luckily—or perhaps unluckily—not all of my competitors were dull-witted.

“You're implying that there might be an ambush in store for us?” The other fourteen-star talent, Grim, frowned as he considered my warning.

His words, however, had an immediate effect on the group. Suddenly, with a potential mutual enemy out there, there was a reason for us to band together.

I nodded in affirmation.

“So what if there's an ambush?” A familiar voice scoffed. Glancing at the owner, I recognised him as the thug from yesterday.

Though it seemed he'd temporarily lost his gang of rejects. “All we have to do is cut them down first, no?”

Surprisingly, I found myself agreeing with him. If I was right about the ambush, offence might be our best defence. After all, I strongly doubted that yesterday's recruitment had overseen as many participants as today had. It wouldn't have made any sense.

“What about the next batch?” One of the thirteen-star talents questioned. “Are we ambushing them too?”

“Of course not!” Percival answered a bit too quickly in my opinion. Though I ultimately agreed with him, I still thought it was a plan worth discussing. This was a game after all; it wasn't like we would actually be killing people.

As long as they weren't innocent NPCs, I had no qualms about cutting down the competition.

“We're not savages.” Percival added with a sneer.

“Villains, you mean?” The thug quipped with a smirk.

Realising that there was much to discuss, I glanced at the sun blazing in the sky. Time was being wasted just standing here

“I suggest we postpone this discussion until after we've procured some provisions.” I said calmly. Figuring that I wasn’t the only one who had to stock up on some bread before the two-day journey.

Some nodded in agreement, while others looked ready to start running straight away.

“Let's meet up at the town hall in thirty minutes?” Grim gestured at the largest building in town, one that we could all see from the platform. Some nodded and voiced their agreement, while others remained impassive.

And so, the group of provisional outer disciples dispersed, at least for now.

…

I had just finished exchanging my three remaining copper coins for four loaves of bread when a strange feeling caught my senses. After turning a corner, I kept my eyes peeled before confirming my suspicions.

“I’m being followed.” I frowned.

I tried to catch a better glimpse of my stalker without showing that I had caught on to what he was doing, but it’s not like I was proficient in the art of counter-spying.

“One person?” I mused, picking up my pace before turning another corner.

“No, two.” I couldn’t recognise either of them. And based on the angry looks they kept throwing my way, they'd realised that the gig was up.

Fortunately, the streets were getting crowded with players and NPCs frolicking about, and after a few more corners, I was pretty confident I had lost my tail.

“Well that's troublesome.” I frowned as I made my way toward the town hall, keeping my eyes peeled for any potential ambush. “Fortunately, there are plenty of guards patrolling around, especially near the town hall.”

As soon as I saw the town hall, Grim’s searching gaze found me.

“Perceptive fellow, this guy.” I smiled at him as I approached. Yet, before I made it all the way to the town hall, a scream reverberated across the street.

With one hand resting on the hilt of my sword, I readied myself for an attack.

Instead, I saw one of the twelve-star talents from earlier dematerialise into pixels, a look of pain and surprise evident on his face.

“A PK inside town.” I frowned, searching for the culprit but to no avail. Whoever the assassin was, he’d immediately blended with the crowd, most likely a talisman richer.

“An attendee from yesterday’s recruitment?” My eyes narrowed as the possibilities multiplied. “Or one from today? Heck, it could even have been a disgruntled player who wanted to vent after failing.”

Either way, one thing became abundantly clear as the crystalline pixels vanished. The town wasn’t safe for any of the trial participants, not any more. And as one of the two people assessed as a fourteen-star talent, the target on my back was likely bigger as well.

I gave Grim and the gathering by the town hall a final look, before ultimately deciding that it wasn’t worth extending my trust to them; not now anyhow.

There was too much at stake to put my trust in a bunch of strangers who had every reason to stab me in the back.

And so, with four loaves, a talisman, and a sword, I set off towards the gate.

…

“Mount Longhu?” The young guard asked with a surprised expression. “Are you a cho—"

“Yes I am.” I hissed, not exactly happy with him revealing my identity as a provisional outer disciple to any Tom, Dick, or Harry who might overhear our conversation.

Fortunately, the guard didn’t take any offence as his eyes widened, promptly realising the predicament I was in. Evidently, as a native NPC living in Durnatel, the second part of the recruitment was well-known to him.

“To get to Mount Longhu…” The young guard whispered and leaned closer, aggravatingly making us look even more conspicuous to any potential onlooker.

“Head northeast. On foot, it shouldn't take more than three or four days. If you leave right now, tomorrow, when you pass Lingxin's Pass, you should be able to see it in the horizon."

The young guard shook his head wistfully.

"It's hard to miss."

Clasping my hands in gratitude, I nodded toward the helpful young guard before we exchanged our farewells.

Thus, I began heading north-east, unaware of the two players following me from a distance.

…