Raja Kint says, “Seems like I’ve picked some great techniques. Now, I just need to learn them.”

Master A responds, “Indeed, learning is what you should do. Therefore, I’ve already decided to give you a cave abode.”

Raja Kint expressed his thanks when Master A spoke again. “You’ll be in that cave abode cultivating until I say otherwise. No more running around outside.”

The smile on Raja Kint’s face disappeared as his mouth formed an ‘O’ shape. Kyoot Kint looked at Raja Kint and said.

“This might be for the best. You won’t have to deal with the others trying to make trouble for you.”

Raja Kint agreed with her when Master A handed him a storage pouch.

“There are materials inside this pouch to help you breakthrough. There’s also some manuals on the basics of cultivation.” He waved his hand as an array disk appeared. The disc is shaped like a flying saucer. “When you’ve found your cave abode, place this disk near the entrance and activate it. Just insert ki into this and the array for your abode will activate.”

Kyoot Kint says, “I’ll show you the available cave abodes. Hah, I also need to train seriously. Without a good showing at this competition I may not be able to compete again,” she turned toward Raja Kint, “We have to work hard to get good placements.”

Master A laughed, “If both of my students can get good showings then I’ll be plenty happy.”

Raja Kint asked, “Do you have previous students who were taken at this event?”

“I haven’t been the Array Director for long. So I currently have no other students. The competition is truly fierce. Supposedly, nobody from our academy ever placed among the top. Sadly, it’s probably the lax atmosphere. Being the hegemon of a small area is weakening the future generations.”

Kyoot Kint asked, “Will you always stay here? You still have plenty of life left.”

Master A chuckled, “Of course I won’t spend the rest of my life here. I wasn’t talented enough to get picked by the higher powers when I was your age. But I was still able to climb step by step to my current position. You both need to focus on your cultivation. Go on now.”

The two disciples thanked their master and left. The two headed for the main grounds and toward the small mountain at the back. As this mountain is where all the direct disciples cultivate. When the two arrived it drew much attention.

Kyoot Kint led Raja Kint to see a few caves and he ended up choosing one next to his senior sister. The mountain held seven levels and they were on the fifth. The two began chatting for a bit as she asked him some array questions.

A cave one ledge above them opened as a young boy with short hair appeared. Raja Kint glanced over to see the young boy was at the outer ki realm seventh stage. During this time he didn’t miss a beat with his conversation.

The young man looked over and said, “It’s nice to see you Kyoot.” His eyes wandered to Raja Kint.

Kyoot Kint was enjoying the conversation with Raja Kint as she was learning arrays more in-depth. But then she was rudely interrupted and simply ignored the young man. The young man’s eyes shifted back to her. He hopped down landing right behind Raja Kint.

The young man said, “Did you not hear my greeting? I greeted you Kyoot.”

Kyoot Kint became slightly annoyed. “I never gave you permission to just say my first name. Secondly, I’m in an interesting conversation with my junior disciple here.”

The young man mumbled, “Junior disciple?” He walked forward to closely look at Raja Kint. “Oh, you’re that new kid who’s freakishly talented and thinks everyone beneath him?”

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He reached his hand out toward Raja Kint. Raja Kint got a good look this time at the young man. He was taller than Raja Kint with a green top and white bottoms. Along with short hair he was quite good-looking.

When his hand reached over Raja Kint could feel ki circulating through the palm. Raja Kint raised his hand in response as he circulated some ki. Even though he could take a bit of squeezing because of how strong his body was. He didn’t want to show so much to others so soon. Instead, he would just show he has acute ki control.

The young man could feel the ki circulating toward Raja Kint’s hand as a smirk appeared. Their hands gripped each other and they both squeezed. Raja Kint had to admit that on ki alone he couldn’t quite compete with a seventh stage. Even with circulating his ki over. Of course, in a battle Raja Kint was sure he could defeat late-stage outer ki realms.

The young man was shocked as he squeezed. He expected to see a wince from Raja Kint but instead felt a great amount of ki that nearly rivaled his own. His eyes narrowed as he attempted to squeeze harder. Raja Kint in response circulated more ki over to combat the stronger squeeze.

Locked in a stalemate the young man finally let go. “You truly are quite something. If you didn’t dabble in arrays you would be a great martial artist. Such a waste, such a waste.”

Kyoot Kint looked at him in anger as she could tell how much strength was being used the entire time. She was also inwardly shocked that Raja Kint could fend off the young man.

The young man went down the mountain. Kyoot Kint says, “Well, I guess you have to cultivate. I’ll also focus heavily on cultivation. It’s obvious that despite what master said. He regrets that he wasn’t picked. I don’t wish to hold those same regrets.” She entered her cave abode and Raja Kint entered his.

Raja Kint set up the array disk and looked around. He could tell the ki here was strong. And he had a big open area with two smaller rooms attached. He sat down and his mind began wandering.

The Shizen Tribe was really nice to me. Although it’s clear they were only that way because I helped them immensely. It still feels nice, although what they showed wasn’t love. It was merely gratitude. His mood imperceptibly changed. Even these disciples in the sect are idiots. To be so lax as to not give everything to cultivation? Idiots.

His eyes wandered to the glowing torches. I don’t understand why Kyoot is so nice. Although, she seems to have the goal of becoming stronger so that’s good. Only when you’re stronger can you do as you wish in this world.

Raja Kint shook his head with a tinge of sadness on his face. He took out the manuals that focused on the basics and began reading through them.

Two weeks passed by and the Headmaster and Master A were meeting.

The Headmaster says, “There were some limbo realms that went into those tribal forests. Trying to bring the appearance of the inheritance forward.”

Master A asked, “So did the inheritance appear?”

“No, in fact, they’ve been secretly surveying them for a few months now. Playing puppet masters. But their plot failed, I heard a bit of news that’s interesting.” A smile crept onto the Headmaster’s face. “Supposedly, a young boy in the outer ki realm fatally wounded a limbo realm expert.”

Master A sighed, “Another talent appears.”

“This boy fatally wounded that limbo expert nearly four months ago. The expert is now no longer alive.”

Master A furrowed his brows before shock overcame his face. “Raja!”

“Shush. You mustn’t carelessly speak about this. I don’t want us embroiled in anything. You know that those people are only pawns to stronger cultivators. What’s important is nurturing him carefully. Plus, it seems that even though the plan fell apart. One of those tribesmen found a path to the limbo realm. He’s currently a limbo corporeal yet is nearly unrivaled in the limbo realm. Heck, limbo realms don’t even dare go anymore in fear of being killed. Not only that, there’s a limbo peak beast that’s on the verge of breaking through.”

Master A was shocked by the news.

The Headmaster continued, “With a path to the limbo realm opened he’s now unifying the tribes. I don’t know how exactly he’s doing it. All that matters is that the inheritance will probably appear soon. It would be good to go out and stretch our legs, don't you think?”

Master A seriously replied, “It would be nice but I can’t leave as long as my direct disciples stay within the sect. I have to properly take care of them.”

The Headmaster chuckled, “The boy will get chosen. The girl also has talent. She started cultivating a bit late but her determination is strong. She’s at the seventh stage anyway. Give her some resources and personal tutoring on arrays.”

Master A could only sigh, “I worry for the girl. The world only becomes more harsh the stronger you become. But… I’ll give her my all.”

The Headmaster got up and left with a smile on his lips.