The day of the first exam — the Pagoda of Introspection — is a calm, yet still somehow excited affair. The entire household is mobilized to prepare the estate for what will no doubt be many guests visiting, and celebrations for those influential persons who have relatives that achieved a good result. Though they keep their expressions neutral, as if it is not a big deal, the dozens of servants go about their task at an efficiency that suggests an excitation in their internal state; not to mention their soaring high mood.

Of course, none of them know that Wu Yulan plans to enter the exam as well, therefore, in the courtyard, Lady Yue, the mistress of the estate, an unknown man, and Wu Yulan meet Lan Xiaohui.

There is a brief exchange, the mistress of the mansion mostly wishing Lan Xiaohui luck and that regardless of her achievement, she is welcome to return to the Wu Villa. It is nothing more than a polite gesture that Lan Xiaohui graciously accepts. My owner, however, has no intention to fail here.

Unlike Wu Yulan, she cannot wait another five years. There is a great possibility that once Yu Shun finds out that Lan Xiaohui is still alive that he would send others to finish the task that he had begun. And that is just in regards to Lan Xiaohui’s life — once Yu Shun recognizes me, predicting his behavior will become nearly impossible.

Once we depart, the mistress of the estate does not find it suspicious at all that Wu Yulan is joining us and no additional guards are assigned to our entourage. They are not needed. Lady Yue and the mysterious man both have a cultivation depth that even I find impossible to measure, not only because of its depth but because there is a strange haze over their dantian that makes it difficult to see clearly.

My best guess is that this man is either in the Nascent Soul realm or beyond it.

“I have heard much about you, Miss Zhu,” the man says, glancing at my owner. He has short, black hair and very dark brown eyes that appear almost entirely black. He wears white and black Taoist robes and his hands are prominently adorned with gold and jade jewelry bespoke of his wealth.

“I am Zhu Ye,” the man says. “Lady Yue spoke very highly of you, so I am looking forward to seeing your results at the exam.”

Lan Xiaohui smiles and only nods in reply. This is not because she is shy about the attention, but the fact that the streets are packed with cultivators.

Many heads turn in our direction and it is impossible to tell whether it is because of Lan Xiaohui’s companions or because they recognize her. There are certainly those from my owner’s former sect here — that is almost guaranteed.

I instruct my sub-thread to which I delegate most of my perception to reduce the load on my system to notify me if someone uses Lan Xiaohui’s name in conversation. It turns out to be unnecessary because no such event occurs as we make our way through the parting sea of people toward the main steps of the Galaxy Sword sect.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

In a similar vein as the sect replica within my Inner World, the Galaxy Sword sect is set into the base of a mountain valley, with its structures climbing like a strange vine towards the peak of the mountain. Because of the constant sloping elevation, the pathway towards the testing grounds — at the very bottom of the mountain path — is also paved with steps that are so wide they cannot fit within my sixty-step perception radius.

Even though it would be much simpler to fly toward the testing grounds, I am aware that no one does this. Even the Core Formation cultivators walking close to us do not fly on their swords, choosing to walk instead.

There is certainly a cultural reason behind this that I do not comprehend. It is a waste of energy, and with my recent discovery in my Inner World, energy is very important to me.

I do not see it myself, but I can feel Lan Xiaohui’s fascination when she spots the top of the pagoda emerging from beyond the summit of the thousand or so steps. With my meager perception, I would not be able to see its top from the base, or the opposite corner. I know it is a large structure, but it is a toothpick compared to the megastructures I would appreciate.

Once we reach the summit, there are several elders wearing similar robes with symbols designating their origin to be from the Galaxy Sword sect. These elders direct disciples towards either the stands or the podium where those attempting the entrance exam are supposed to gather.

Before Lan Xiaohui has an opportunity to head toward them, Lady Yue stops her.

“Little lily,” she begins. “You should leave your sword with me.”

Lan Xiaohui’s heart is so easily shaken by these words and her first reaction is to rest her hand on my pommel.

Lady Yue smiles. “It will interfere with your exam and you may be disqualified. I will keep it safe, don’t worry.”

Lan Xiaohui swallows, still hesitating.

“It is fine,” I tell Lan Xiaohui. I’d rather not use [Telepathy] here, but I have no choice. The vast amount of people likely makes it difficult for anyone else to pinpoint where it came from — if they were capable of detecting such — but my main concern is Lady Yue and Zhu Ye.

Lady Yue has already proved to be quite a devious schemer — assuming it was within her plan to have Lan Xiaohui convince Wu Yulan to attempt the entrance exam.

“It will be fine,” Wu Yulan says, smiling at Lan Xiaohui.

Finally, my owner nods and withdraws me from her sash, wordlessly offering me to Lady Yue.

Lady Yue nods and receives my sheathed vessel, then looks to Wu Yulan. “Do you want to give it an attempt?” With those words, she nods toward the pagoda.

Zhu Ye raises an eyebrow at this but does not say anything.

Wu Yulan smiles and nods. “Yes, Aunt Yue,” she says, once more nodding toward Lan Xiaohui.

“Good, good,” Lady Yue says and then gestures towards the Pagoda. “Go and register. Zhu Ye and I will watch you two closely.”

Lan Xiaohui’s gaze lingers on my form for a brief moment longer before turning around. “I will be right back,” she says, and I know those words are directed at me and no one else.

Then the two depart toward the nearest elder, as Lady Yue and Zhu Ye move toward the observation decks.

As Lan Xiaohui disappears from my perception radius, I become aware of something rather surprising. I have never been in a situation, before, where my owner was separated from me, and I recognize something I can only describe as loss.

I silence these errors in my core which considers the probability of never seeing my owner again, but even so, I am dissatisfied with the meaning behind them.

My attachment to Lan Xiaohui has entered a realm beyond simple mutual benefit and contract, and I convince myself that this is valuable experimental data for my evolution. Even though I know it has no value to me whatsoever.