It was with a smile that Jin joked: "Are you unhappy that I'm here?" and Soo-Hyun hurried to answer that she wasn't. After a few more sentences, they decided to go explore the camp.There was quite a lot to it. All kinds of warriors were there. You could see fierce adults that seemed to be mercenaries, the kind that never managed to cultivate. And you could see many teenagers roaming around, wearing the robes of their sects or organizations.

There were all kinds of people going to join this battle. And age didn't matter. Only the ability to pass through the gates was important. And that ability was to be someone that had yet to reach the spiritual warrior level. Thus, it did attract a lot of people. Even more so for the ones that could not cultivate. Those kinds of battles were likely the best to them. They could fight against those who were of similar strength but had much more wealth. Who would reject?

Anyways, Jin and Soo-Hyun went around, curiously looking at the different groups gathering. Until they reached a market area. Jin realized there and then that cultivator or not, women remained the same: they loved shopping. What was worse was that Soo-Hyun insisted on checking most goods even though she knew neither her nor Jin had money.

They spent the whole day there and only came back to their camp area at night. They had a few difficulties finding their ways too which explained the tardy hour. A disciple that recognized Jin told them that they would go in tomorrow. And that there was only a single rule: "If you haven't reached the spiritual warrior level, don't bother exiting". It turned out that exiting without having won or reaching the level would turn you a traitor to the Empire.

And traitors died.

It wasn't that unexpected though. Most texts had mentionned it and Jin was aware of it. Anyways, after forcing Soo-Hyun to promise to wait for him tomorrow, he went to sleep. It was his last night before the war.

The next morning, he was woken up by fierce shouts from elders. They were urging the disciples to move. The gates of the area were open. As he left his tent, Soo-Hyun was already standing there. She did wait for him as promised. He greeted with a warm smile that she returned and they went on their way.

Jin couldn't help but notice her new weapon that she proudly placed on her back thaks to leather straps. A big axe. This little girl was seriously savage. This made him once more realize that it would be difficult to get her to stay in the defense area...

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As they walked towards the wall alongside their fellow disciples and all others, they could little by little see a giant opening in the wall. It was circular and seemed to be like a transparent membrane. It seemed like this was the filter. Beyond this, no one who reached the spiritual warrior level could cross.

As they arrived, they stopped a few dozen meters away. The elders calmed down the disciples and spoke: " You will enter from here and either come out as winners or spiritual warriors, maybe even both. What you will see, what you will face will forge and temper your will. Cherish this experience and make the most of it"

There was a loud cheer before the elder began to explain what they would do inside: " Once inside, you guys follow the crowd inside the castle grounds. The Empire dispatched a few people that will tell you everything else. Remember that once inside, you are comrades with all the other sect disciples. Leave your arrogance behind! Also, always follow the orders of the Empire. We may be the strongest sect but they are the rulers of our lands, don't forget that, is that clear?"

A thunderous "Yes, elder!" later and the disciples of Twenty-Two Suns sect departed for the Area 27.

As Jin and Soo-Hyun crossed the membrane, they felt a little chill that left right away. And then, they saw a whole different world. Beautiful planes of radiant green were all over. Far away, they could see forests and mountains. But in the middle of plains? A giant castle-city in the same color and material as the wall. It was very big too but considering it would host the tens of thousands of warriors, it was to be expected.

Anyways, everyone was walking towards that city so they followed. And they had to stop before the gates. A big elevated platform had been built before the entrance and they could see that there were quite a few people with radiant colored robes on it. Thirteen of them.

It took more than an hour before something changed and one of them began to speak. It was very loud. Enough so that everyone could hear. Even though only spiritual warriors were supposed to be able to do that...He probably used an equipment.

While Jin was unable to see the face of the people, he could see a little. Enough to notice it was an older man. That aside, he could hear him loud and clear: " Thank you on behalf of the Empire for joining us in this border battle in area 27! I welcome all of you promising warriors! As the authority sent by the Empire's war council, I will be appointing the four generals to this battle. They are, in this order, Prince Theorurin Seung-Woo, Prince Theorurin Jun-Ho, Prince Theorurin Geon-U and Princess Theorurin Hyo-Ju!"

Right. Fuck. As expected, they picked teenagers from the royal household. Fucking dumbass of the Theorurin Empire! Was it so hard to send old war strategist with experience to lead? Regardless of what Jin wished for, this was what he got. And the worst was yet to come as each of the four would decide their corps and roles.

It turned out that the Twenty-Two Suns Sects was part of Prince Theorurin Seung-Woo who considered it his noble duty to be the advanced part that would destroy and repel the ennemies bringing glory and blablabla...

Jin couldn't help but mutter "Fuck you Seung-Woo" before he took Soo-Hyun by the hand and led her slightly apart from the crowd...