“Tch!” Gu Qiansi clicked her tongue in irritation upon seeing the smug look on Zhao Yunxiao’s face.
While she had to admit that it was rather amazing for Zhao Yunxiao to have gotten his hands on two spatial escape talismans, she could not stand seeing his ego balloon like it was doing right now.
“This... how can I accept something like this?” Huang An hesitated to receive the spatial escape talisman from Zhao Yunxiao.
“Is it very expensive?” Lu Zhiying asked.
“It will not be expensive if you buy it from its source,” Nie Hanchang explained. “However, it is almost impossible to get it from its source. Therefore, the sheer rarity makes it expensive if you try to get them from resellers.”
“There’s really no need for this...” Huang An said again after hearing Nie Hanchang confirm its cost.
“Don’t worry, it didn’t cost me anything to get them,” Zhao Yunxiao finally explained. “They are rewards from Elder Mo during my trip to the Origin Lake Sect last month.”
“You sure got a lot from that trip...” Gu Qiansi narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously.
“Have you only just realised how capable I am?” Zhao Yunxiao shrugged.
“Even then, I cannot accept something this precious!” Huang An declined once again.
“I’m not telling you to use it,” Zhao Yunxiao chuckled. “Just temporarily hold onto it for safety. If nothing bad happens, you can always return it to me after your trip. But if an emergency does arise, then this talisman is definitely worth less than your life.”
“He’s right, Junior Martial Sister Huang. Just accept it,” Gu Qiansi persuaded. “It’s not like he only has one. And even the one that he still has will probably end up not getting used at all, considering his personality.”
“And what is this personality that you are referring to?” Zhao Yunxiao questioned.
“A very careful and meticulous one,” Gu Qiansi gave him a thumbs up.
Zhao Yunxiao: “...”
Did she think that he would not be able to sense her sarcasm?
“In that case... all right,” Huang An finally received the spatial escape talisman. “I will just hold onto it for now, and will definitely return it to you after the trip!”
“I will be looking forward to getting it back, then,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded with a smile. “But remember, you need to be alive to pass it back to me. So, don’t be too hesitant to use it when danger arises.”
“I got it!” Huang An nodded in determination.
Since Zhao Yunxiao and Huang An still had to attend the second stage of the recruitment test tomorrow, the group did not hang around for too long so that they could go back and get enough rest.
Zhao Yunxiao headed straight for his meditation room upon returning home.
By pushing himself to the absolute limit, Zhao Yunxiao indeed managed to get the most out of the traini- test session earlier. But at the same time, this had also forced his body to undergo an immense level of stress.
At the same time, his injuries inflicted by the Vermilion Bird Sect members had yet to fully heal as well.
This meant that he was far from being at his top condition right now.
Unfortunately, the schedule for the recruitment tests was rather tight, with the two stages held on consecutive days.
And as outer disciples, they did not have much of a say when it came to such matters – all they could do was perform to the best of their abilities regardless of the arrangement.
It was either that, or risk letting someone else take their place.
After all, there were plenty of outer disciples in the Black Tortoise Sect, and even more outside who wanted to become one.
This meant that, despite the current state of his body, Zhao Yunxiao could not use it as an excuse.
If he failed the test tomorrow, nobody was going to give him any sympathy points for being in an injured state.
Therefore, Zhao Yunxiao decided to focus on recovery tonight.
He popped a recovery pill and sat cross legged, circulating his essence energy in a regular rhythm to regulate his body.
Soon, his consciousness entered a state of deep meditation, and the night quickly passed.
***
The next morning, Zhao Yunxiao headed for the test area just as he was told.
Unsurprisingly, it was no longer the same venue as yesterday.
The first stage of the recruitment tests had been conducted separately for each group of districts, so it was only natural for the tests to be held near to the respective districts.
This time, however, everyone would be coming together for the second stage of the test.
For that reason, it was only natural for a more central area to be selected.
Zhao Yunxiao arrived early at the Snow Moon Arena.
It was a huge clearing in the Outer Grounds where several stages had been erected, specifically meant for outer disciples to have friendly spars with one another.
Just about a month ago, this was also where Zhao Yunxiao and Jun Chuan had gotten a public beating by Sun Minhao.
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Today, Zhao Yunxiao had not only returned with injuries inflicted by another party, but also for a different reason.
In a few hours’ time, the second stage of the observer role’s recruitment test would be commencing here.
At this moment, the various stages were all hidden behind a huge concealing array, but it was of no matter.
It was the exact same venue as last year, so Zhao Yunxiao already had a good idea as to what they would be doing today.
They would most likely be going through the same thing as last year – a simulation of the actual event.
If he guessed right, then this would be an individual test that did not require them to directly compete against anyone in particular. All he had to do was put on his best display, and hope that his performance would be good enough to land him a spot on the final list of observers.
Zhao Yunxiao checked the pills in his spatial pouch.
Good, everything was in order.
Now, all he had left to do was wait.
More and more people arrived as they neared the commencement time for the test.
Most of them were applicants who had passed the first stage of the observer test, but there were also others who were here purely as spectators.
Some merely found it interesting, while others wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about the tests in order to do better in the coming years.
“All right, everyone. All applicants here to join the second stage of the observer test, come forward,” the administrative deacon finally announced.
This deacon was a familiar face to Zhao Yunxiao – the tanned and burly Fei Weng.
Fei Weng usually acted as the administrative deacon at the Yellowshell Mine. But during the annual opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, he would always double up as the deacon in charge of the observer team.
It would appear that this year was no exception.
Huu-!
Zhao Yunxiao let out a deep breath before stepping forward, joining the rest of the applicants in front of the stages.
There were only five applicants in his group during the first stage of the test.
But now that everyone had come together, Zhao Yunxiao easily counted more than a hundred applicants here today.
Among them was Ze Qifa as well, the only other applicant from their group who had passed alongside Zhao Yunxiao.
“For those who don’t know me, I’m Fei Weng, the deacon in charge of the observer team during the opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm,” Fei Weng introduced. “First of all, congratulations on passing the first stage of the observer test. As long as you pass this stage as well, you will be officially selected as a member of the observer team. Do note that once that happens, you are effectively committing your time for the entire event. So, if you have something going on, or are unable to commit to this role for any reason, let me know right now.”
Unsurprisingly, no one raised any issues.
Everyone knew that before coming today, so it would be strange if anyone dropped out right now.
“Good! Now, come forward to collect your test scrolls,” Fei Weng instructed.
As instructed, the applicants queued up in an orderly manner, taking turns to receive their individual test scrolls from Fei Weng.
“Here’s yours, Little Zhao,” Fei Weng said as he passed Zhao Yunxiao his test scroll. “All the best. I hope to see you on the team again this year.”
“Thank you, Senior Fei,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded. “If you truly hope for that, I wouldn’t mind you helping me out a little later...”
“Dream on,” Fei Weng cut him off immediately. “Next!”
Zhao Yunxiao quickly scurried out of the way before unrolling his test scroll to have a look.
Written in it were his name and district, which served as proof that he had passed the first stage of the test.
But more importantly, there were also detailed instructions for the upcoming test.
Indeed, it was the same as last year’s.
Zhao Yunxiao let out a sigh of relief.
As someone who had passed the test last year, Zhao Yunxiao naturally felt good that they would be doing the same thing again.
Yet even though he had the advantage of familiarity, he knew better than to assume that he would definitely pass again this year.
While the test was the same, the people were different.
He might have become more skilled than he was last year, but so had the others.
Just because someone did not do well last year did not necessarily mean that they would make the same mistake this year.
If he wanted to secure his spot on the observer team, then he definitely could not afford to get careless!
“All right, read through your test scrolls while listening to me,” Fei Weng said.
With a tap of his feet, the concealing arrays cleared out, revealing the numerous stages of the Snow Moon Arena.
The usually empty stages were now filled with line after line of jade tablets, each with a different name written on it.
“The second stage of the observer test is simple – you will be doing a simulation of the actual event. The detailed instructions are in your test scroll. But to put it simply, each of you will be in charge of observing a number of tablets,” Fei Weng announced. “This simulation test will last for two days, and those who perform the best will be selected as part of the observer team. You can use any means at your disposal to help yourself. However, anything that disrupts others will not only result in instant disqualification, but also additional punishment. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Senior Fei!” the applicants responded in unison.
Zhao Yunxiao looked at his test scroll to confirm the names under his charge.
Unlike the observation test of the first stage, the jade tablets that he had to keep an eye on were all placed together, making things slightly easier.
During the actual opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, each participant would form a spiritual link to a jade tablet prior to entering the mystic realm.
Since only the participants would enter the mystic realm, this was a method that the Four Great Symbol Sects had come up with for the sect administrators to monitor the progress of the participants from the outside.
These seemingly simple-looking jade tablets were more than met the eye, capable of telling the current condition of the participant.
When necessary, they could even be used to force a connection with the participants.
This connection provided two options – allowing the sect administrators to communicate with the participants, and also allowing the participants to directly escape from the mystic realm in the case of an emergency.
Unfortunately, doing either of these came with a hefty cost, so it was never done unless absolutely necessary.
On top of that, choosing to escape from the mystic realm through this connection was also considered shameful for the participants since it indicated a failure to survive in the mystic realm with their own capabilities. Therefore, participants avoided doing so also due to a matter of pride.
In fact, there had been plenty of past cases where participants pushed themselves too far in the mystic realm, and eventually ended up suffering heavy injuries or even dying instead of utilising this escape option.
Of course, this was ultimately the choice of the participants, so they only had themselves to blame.
All Zhao Yunxiao had to do as an observer was report the condition of the participants according to what was reflected through their jade tablets.
Anything that followed would be the responsibility of the sect administrators and the participants themselves.
“All right, get ready!” Fei Weng cautioned. “The second stage of the observer test shall commence in five seconds.”
Hearing that, Zhao Yunxiao promptly extended his spiritual sense to cover the jade tablets that he was in charge of.
Five...
Four...
Three...
Two...
One...
Weng-!
With a low buzz, every jade tablet lit up in unison.
It was like a sea of stars had suddenly formed within the Snow Moon Arena, marking the official commencement of the second stage of the observer test with a beautiful start!