Back on the bridge, the downpour was torrential. Thunder echoed off the vast chasm beneath.

A scared voice was heard, “How long is this bridge still? I don’t know how much more I can handle.”

“Relax, Ferjuz. We’ll be at the end soon.” Tybalt said calmly.

Dalian nodded. Since their meeting with the corvine spirit, they hadn’t had any more encounters with spirits. However the group had fallen victim to endless illusions. Nobody went into detail about what they experienced, but he could tell that they all wanted it to be over.

Ferjuz had fallen not long ago, and was being carried by Tybalt over his shoulder. Whether that was allowed, they didn’t know, but he did it anyway.

Out of the three, Tybalt had remained the calmest, Johan seemed like he was just holding on, and Ferjuz… well he had tried.

Just at this moment, Dalian felt a huge presence settle in front of him.

It was another evil spirit, though Dalian wasn’t sure that was the right name for them after experiencing the memories of the carvine.

However the difference between the aura of the two was enormous. If the carvine spirit was a drop of water, then this spirit was an ocean.

Immediately, Dalian could tell that it would be impossible to deal with this one in the same way he had with the other.

Looking at the rest of his group which had already fallen to their knees, he clenched his teeth and tried to think.

When the carvine spirit had been purified, his root had sent out a wave of energy which completely dissolved it. At the moment the two energies met in his body, it was a slaughter and his life energy had won without any resistance.

Perhaps, if he could preempt that reaction from his root, then he would be able to maintain some kind of a barrier to get close and purify the spirit.

He tried to remember how it had felt. The despair wrought by the evil qi, the utter rejection by his body, the swelling of power within the core of his being and the explosion of energy that resulted.

Back when he had done it, it had been instinctual. This time, he had to do it purposefully. The energies in his root, they had flowed in a strange way before.

He tried to control them, to encourage them to do the same thing. It was like he was trying to recall a dream.

He sunk his concentration deeper into himself. Then, he felt something. His root had responded to his prodding. The tranquil reservoir of life became agitated. Repeating what he had done. It became turbulent. Once more, and the dam was unleashed. A flood of life pumped into his body, coalescing into a tiny barrier all around his skin.

The heavy aura was dimmed, and Dalian immediately felt at ease. He didn’t know how much time he could maintain this state for, so, without thinking, he charged forward into the spirit's body and prodded his core once more, allowing it to erupt into an explosion of ecstatic aura.

The bindings of qi fell apart, and the original spirit was revealed.

Originally human, she was an elder of the Azure Light Sect. Specifically, she had been the test administrator. Her name was Shelu Ale.

Dalian could feel that her insanity had been taken away for a moment, and her consciousness returned to its normal state. Shelu realised it too, however instead of saying anything, she simply sent a series of memories to him.

Dalian opened his mind and accepted them.

—-

“Alano! What are you doing, we are both elders of the same sect!” Shelu shouted.

In a cave, deep underground. Elder Alano, who was administering the test to Dalian’s cohort, stood opposite Shelu. He was younger, still having the same face of a thirty year old, however Dalian knew from Shelu’s memories that he was 60.

“Oh you want to talk about being part of the same sect now? Why didn’t you remember that when you found good fortune? Why did you just have to keep it to yourself?”

Shelu was shocked. “What are you talking about?”

Alano laughed. “What am I talking about? You know damn well what I’m talking about. The inheritance! You used the key I gave you to make out like a bandit. Those fire stones you gave me. I know that was just the tiniest part of it.”

“It’s the truth, I was rejected. That was all I could get.”

“So? Give me the key, and I’ll deal with it.”

“I can’t, I left the key in the formation.”

“Then tell me where the formation is!”

Shelu bit her lips. “I wish I could, but the formation disappeared after I was rejected.”

Alano’s face darkened. “You really won’t tell me where it is?”

Shelu felt helpless. “I can’t. Please believe me!”

Alano grimaced. “Then we’ll see if your spatial ring tells the truth. Die!”

A huge burst of qi erupted out his body, and the memory ended.

Dalian found himself in the expanse of his mind, where an apparition of Shelu was standing in front of him.

“Thank you.” She said, “I lost myself over these years. But you were able to help me bring an end to it all. Tell me, what has become of the Azure Light Sect.”

Dalian was surprised but quickly gathered himself. “I don’t know, I’m just entering the sect.”

Shelu fell into thought, before speaking. “Then you won’t be able to answer any of my last regrets. If that’s the case, then for my last moments, I’ll answer any questions you have.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Dalian considered how he could best use this resource. She could certainly tell him more about cultivation, but Dalian felt that he would soon be learning the basic information in the sect. Then, it should be something he couldn’t otherwise learn.

“Please tell me about the inheritance, Elder Shelu.”

She sighed. “It’s gone. I didn’t lie in my memory.”

“Where was it?”

“I won’t tell you. It’s a death trap, especially for someone as weak as you.”

Dalian was unconvinced. “I won’t go until I reach a higher strength than you.”

She laughed, “stronger than me? Boy, you’ll have to cultivate for a hundred years before you can say that.”

“Then, I’ll wait a hundred years. What is that in the face of immortality!” Dalian slightly shouted. Still Shelu was tranquil

“Even if you obtained the inheritance, it has no use for you. If I’m not mistaken, you have a life grade root. The inheritance is of the fire aspect.”

“Then I’ll-“

“Enough.” She said calmly, “I won’t be telling you where it is. I can’t let my saviour suffer”

Dalian could tell she wouldn’t budge, perhaps it was due to the fact that she was in his mind, but he was sure.

“Don’t think that I’ll let you lose out though. If you can’t decide what you want, I’ll choose for you. I was the former test administrator, so I know where all the treasures and opportunities of the testing regions are. I don’t know how long it has been, perhaps they’ve all been taken by now, but depending on your luck, you may be able to obtain some benefits.”

Dalian felt several sets of memories be transmitted into his mind. Locations of trial grounds, natural treasures and more hidden within the sect’s grounds. He tried to quickly remember them, but he found they were already deeply embedded within his mind, unable to be forgotten.

Looking at Shelu, he saw that she was dissipating.

“Before I go, remember this. If he’s still alive, you must never trust Alano.”

Dalian tried to ask further about their relationship, but she had already faded into nothingness.

He returned to reality and found that there was still a thunderstorm. However, now that Shelu’s spirit was gone, he could see the lights of the mountain peak. He forced himself to ignore what he had learnt to face the immediate danger.

“Come on brothers, the finish line is in sight. Follow me.”

—-

The group tiredly staggered onto the mountain peak. Johan, Tybalt and Ferjuz collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, as well as relief that the test was finally over. Dalian noticed that the rains had stopped, and the roaring of the thunder had become considerably muted.

As he looked around, he found himself under the cover of another pavilion. Aquamarine lamps lit the area with a warm sea glow. He saw that his group weren’t the only ones who were completely fatigued. About thirty others were sitting down, mostly with their backs laying against a wall. Continuing to scan the area, he locked eyes with Mersault whose jaw was slightly gaping and was walking over.

“Now, just how did you cross that bridge?” He asked in confusion.

“What do you mean?” Dalian replied.

“It shouldn’t have been possible for you without a spirit root. But not only have you managed it, you’ve even done it with energy to spare.” He said, motioning to the three collapsed on the floor.

“Good luck?” Dalian said, not wanting to reveal anything.

Thankfully, Mersault seemed to understand. “Whatever. Since you’re through, then that’s good. But you only have slavery to look forward to. Do you still think you made the right choice?”

Dalian thought for a moment. “Definitely. Already I have seen some amazing things.” In his mind, he added that it wasn’t certain whether he would really be a slave now that he had a spirit root. He just needed to wait for the right moment to reveal it, so that Elder Alano would be too embarrassed to press it.

Mersault nodded. “This test will only be the start of our troubles though. Life in the sect is intense and difficult. They won’t support any freeloaders, you have to earn your keep.”

“Even if I’m a slave?” Dalian asked.

“To an extent. It’s more so that the immortals can get as many slaves as they want. So you can be replaced at the snap of a finger if you make a mistake.”

Dalian nodded and was about to reply when a thin ghoulish figure sauntered over.

“Well, well, well. Looks like a piece of dirt has muddled its way into the purity of the immortal sect. How distasteful.” Bartholdt said with a snivelling tone.

“Bartholdt don’t forget yourself.” Mersault said. “Between you and me the difference is as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. And in the future, Dalian will be under my protection. So don’t even think of trying anything.”

Bartholdt’s face contorted a bit, before a sleazy grin took over. “Is that so? Do you think you’re untouchable just because of your top grade spirit root? Have you settled things with your elder brother? Because I can’t imagine he’d take kindly to such a talented rival to the throne following him to the sect after he destroyed you back in the empire.”

Mersault had a grim expression and Bartholdt continued talking. “I think he’d more than welcome my loyalty, and who knows? Maybe I’ll even get a few benefits.” He said, and turned his gaze to Dalian.

Dalian was a bit agitated after hearing him go after Mersualt’s weakness and spoke. “Be careful that you don’t bite your tongue or your mouth full of shit will go into the wound.”

“Slave bastard!” Cried Bartholdt, before lunging for him.

Dalian easily stepped to the side and dodged his rage-filled attack, leaving him stumbling as he tried to right his balance. Just as he did so, and was about to attack again, a throat wrenching scream was heard, and a female test participant came running off the bridge.

Dalian got on his guard as he saw the same look of madness in her eyes which had taken the boy who he chucked over the edge. However, she ran straight past him, going towards Bartholdt.

“Bartholdt! I hate you!” She screamed, straining her vocal cords.

“Crazy bitch!” Bartholdt shouted out and got ready to attack.

The girl charged at him, and Bartholdt tried to reproduce Dalian’s dodge, however he was still caught. The girl got on top of him and started releasing blows at his head, continuously bludgeoning him.

Although, there were several people sitting down watching the fight, as well as a girl also standing who looked to be full of energy; nobody went over to help.

Dalian saw Elder Alano and Elder Yue, the one who had taken the failed participants away in the first test, talking to each other. Elder Yue raised her open palm towards the girl. Qi started coalescing and looked like it was about to be released when Elder Alano lowered her arm with his hand.

She looked confused, as she watched him conjure up a cage of blue light around the boy.

“Disciple Dalian.” Elder Alano said loudly enough for all to hear.

Now Dalian was even more confused than Elder Yue. How was he involved in this? Was it because Bartholdt had foolishly tried to copy his dodge?

“My fellow elders and I have discussed and found that it is unsuitable for you to become a slave, given that you have a spirit root.”

More than Bartholdt’s beating, this drew everyone’s attention. Dalian immediately began groping for hints that he had given up to show he had a spirit root. He thought of the evil spirit’s he had purified and realised they must have been watching somehow.

“Disciple is honoured.” Said Dalian, putting on a reverential tone. Inwardly, he felt a strong distaste for the man after seeing Shelu’s memories.

“You don’t know this yet, but the sect runs on contribution points. They are what you get for helping the sect, and are the only way to get resources.” He motioned to the insane girl. “Here is an opportunity to earn some. Purify this girl as you did the remnant souls on the bridge and earn this sect another member. If you can succeed, you will earn a hundred points.”

Dalian felt unsure whether he should trust him. He looked over at Mersault, who was completely shocked. Seeing his gaze, Mersault vigorously nodded to encourage him.

“Disciple accepts.” Said Dalian, and he walked over, ready to try his hand at his newfound powers.