On top of a cliff face stood all thirteen of the new disciples with several of the guiding disciples standing ahead go them. Disciple Ton was currently speaking to one of his fellow core disciples while they waited for Yin Ma. Most of the new disciples had nervous expressions, they had some idea about this exam and the notion that they would possibly be fighting sky realm beasts terrified them.
“Quit the group we have here” a smooth voice sounded in everyone’s ears. ‘What’s that’ Wan Kun quickly turned his head, Shi Xuegang and the rest followed this action. Hovering above them was the red badged elder Yin Ma, his short greenish silver hair blew in the soft wind. He flew forwards until he landed on the edge of the cliff face taking one look at them and mumbled to himself “the elders were right, they are quite a bunch” before walking towards them.
“Congratulation on entering our sect. It is not easy to meet the requirements of entry so I commend you on your efforts. However don’t go thinking you’re all that, you may be heaven defying geniuses out in the world but here? You’re noting, we have geniuses by the millions” Yin Ma then stopped speaking. He reached into his robe and pulled out a bronze coloured talisman and held it out for everyone to see.
“This here is an identification talisman which some of you may have seen before. You’ll all be receiving one of these.” Yin Man waved his hand and several more of these talismans flew out towards Wan Kun and the rest, “Keep them on you at all times, they signify you as a new outer court disciple. If you lose them, the wild beats wouldn’t hesitate to kill you”.
“You should listen to him” knowing how much Wan Kun liked danger and trouble, Wan Kun’s master warned him to closely safeguard it. “Ok” Wan Kun surprisingly enough agreed, this could be because he was still fatigued from his battle with FengHuang yesterday or the more likely reason that being he didn’t want to listen to his master nag at him.
Yin Ma went on to explain more about the exam, “As you all know, this exam have nothing to do with your acceptance, you’re already a disciple. However you are not the only batch this year, several groups have arrived before you and will be joining you in this exam. In fact, here they are now”. In the distance, another group were heading up the cliff face led by several core disciples followed by another group led by similar individuals.
“I guess they’re our competition” one of the new disciples from Wan Kun’s group observed the new arrivals. Shi Xuegang and Da Chang were quick to notice a few high level powers from among them. Shi Xuegang also recognised a few of them, ‘more scions of noble clans, I shouldn’t really be surprised’.
“Disciples greet elder” the newly arrived core disciples all cupped their hands and bowed to Yin Ma, the new disciples behind them adopted a similar stance towards Yin Ma. Nodding in satisfaction Yin Ma signalled for all core discipled to come to his side, “Good work, you’ll all be rewarded for your contributions”. All the core discipled bowed again, “Thank you elder”.
This show of generosity actually surprised many of the new disciples. Normally sects, even holy grounds like the Holy Saint Temple would hesitate to give out free rewards for just any mundane task. The generosity Yin Ma displayed were generally unheard of in the cultivation world.
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“Not too different to you back in your hometown eh?” Wan Kun’s master jabbed at the teen. “San, Ping and the others doo good work, it’s only natural I reward them” Wan Kun replied, he was used to giving out mass rewards to people who served him. Wan Kun wasn’t a selfish individual by any means except when it comes to his own cultivation, Xue’er and his parents.
Yin Ma turned his attention away from the new disciples and gazed at the area behind him. When they arrived, this area was covered in thick clouds that shrouded everyone’s view. With a wave of his hand, Yin Ma dispelled all the clouds revealing a massive ten metre tall Paifang to the new disciples.
“Beyond this gate is the basic beast forest. This will be the ground in which your exam will take place” Yin Ma snapped his fingered and large dome like barrier showed itself covering the space behind the Paifang covering the entire basic beast forest and the distant mountain. The dome glowed in several rainbow colours before disappearing again, “This dome will isolate you from the outside world while you undergo this exam. The basic objective of this exam is to determine your value to the sect as a whole, you’ll need to survive one week inside the this domed area. You may keep any items you find inside the dome including herbs, beast corpses and other valuable magic treasures. Also do not be worried of death, with your identification talismans the beast wouldn’t dare kill you, they will however brutalised you without a second though” this last sentence terrified many in the groups, they might be free from death but they still need to be careful not to get beaten half dead.
“Now be wary, there isn’t just the beasts to worry about. There is in fact many hazards we set up to trap and confuse you lot as a means to test you. The forest is also home to many species of flora that’s very valuable to cultivation and of course dangerous to obtain” Yin Ma stopped for a second to let the information sink in. He smirked “Of course, the last thing to worry about is yourselves, this is a free for all survival game with very simple rules. Them being, there are no rules. Lie, cheat, steal to your hearts content, the more rewards you obtain the faster your cultivation. This exam is also one of the fastest way for you to find recourses to cultivate”.
Many of the new disciples were also shivering with anticipation. Among them were individuals with scores to settle and others who wished for good treasure hunting. Even Wan Kun was eager to see what rewards he’d obtain. “This’ll be good” Wan Kun was fully prepared to obtain the most so that he could increase his cultivation quickly. At the same time he was also anxious about Xue’er’s whereabouts.
“Now, there are 132 of you here today in total. You may all begin” Yin Ma floated into the side and announced, “Let the third exam begin”. Following his announcement, the mass of new disciples all marched into the Paifang entrance.
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Up in the viewing pagoda sat 9 very exited individuals. “The Exam should be starting soon, sister Ao open the observation cloud” Feng Huang notified the middle aged woman who grumbled “I know” while also throwing some powder into the plate with the taiji symbol. The dark skinned Caribbean looking baskirk waved his hand, his dreads flew up slightly as a mystical energy flashed creating a multitude of delicious cuisines on the table, “My best chef prepared this, enjoy”.
“Don’t mind if I do” Xue Hui, Hou Jin and FengHuang immediately started enjoying themselves as the rest of the elders also indulged in some fine wine.
Ao Shuidi walked towards the plate with the taiji symbol. She took a small glass bottle from her sleeve and unplugged pouring its contents into the plate so that the clear date that came out was enough to fill the bottom. She mixed the powder with the water and began chanting and spell.
A blue smoke cloud flowed from the plate and grew in size as it expanded to reach the edges of the room and the ceiling. The blue smoke slowly formed a large image that coved most of the smoke. This newly formed image showed a scene of 132 individuals walking into a Paifang. “Looks like it’s already starting” Orochi remarked while enjoying a biscuit.
Ezzel noticed Shi Xuegang amongst the new disciples and turned to Hei Hainan, “Is that the one you wanted me to keep an eye on?” Hei Hainan responded, “Yes, that is the one”.
The various grand elders were quite interested to see the upcoming results, even the great elders one floor below them were curious. The third exam had finally started.