As the Elder had guessed the night before, Xiao Feng appeared in the pavillion alongside the breakfast.

He looked haggard and even his usually joking tone had a slight tinge of tiredness.

As Xiao Feng only briefly excused himself for yesterday's disappearance and did not explain further, Wu Guang did not ask anything, supposing that if Xiao Feng did not talk of it most probably he could not.

"The application for the tests is today. As you will accompany me and the clansmen, you don't have to wait in line and can directly register when arriving. After you pass the registration and get your participant token, you will be forbidden to leave the sect grounds and will have to camp there until you either pass or fail the tests. Supplies for camping are provided and food is sold in the bazaar so don't worry" Changing the theme Xiao Feng explained

"Understood. About the bazaar, can I find anything useful there?"

"Some of the disciples run stands and some Halls also sell common resources, so if you meant things meant for low-level cultivators, you will be able indeed. As for more advanced things and cultivation resources, I really doubt that there will be anything good"

"I see. Are we leaving now?"

"As soon as we finish eating we will go to the inn entrance and wait for Lang Zheng"

"Entrance?"

"Yes, they did not stay in the inn during the week. Lang Zheng actually decided to make a small expedition towards the plains. I don't know if it's training or a clever way to save money by camping, but we agreed to meet today two hours before midday. Most probably you will not be able to return to the city for at least a month, anything you need to buy before we leave?"

"Well, I bought several weapons that I would like to bring with me. Would it be problematic?"

"There should be none as it's your property, but during the time you camp outside for the tests, I doubt you will have the place or manage to look after it. So leave the weapons and anything else except the most basic necessities in the storage. When you enter and either get assigned or rent a place to stay I will take care that everything is sent there"

"Rent?"

"Do not think about that right now. The elders responsible will explain everything better. The only thing that you should know is that any transaction with the Sect will be made with contribution points. Points are gained by completing missions or assigned as rewards but again, the elders will cover this fully"

"Understood. Give me some moments to inventory my stuff and I will be ready to leave"

"I will wait here for you. Go"

Wu Guang returned to his room and after quickly decided to bring the minimum amount of things. He only took basic necessities, one change of clothes, the rune books that Elder Sishi let him keep as a gift, and his calligraphy set.

With this small bag packed he equipped himself with the hunting knives on his ankles and the harness with the throwing daggers on his chest. Both of these weapons were hidden under his robes so the bow strapped on the quiver that he put on after moving the rest of his things into the storage was the only weapon he carried openly.

This done, Wu Guang returned to the pavillion and after informing Xiao Feng he was ready both of them started walking towards the central plaza.

***

They reached the plaza only thanks to the sect's uniform that Xiao Feng was dressed in opening them the way. If not for this, the enormous amount of people occupying the streets would possibly never let them reach their destination.

On the way, Xiao Feng explained that most of these people were either applicants for the tests or accompanied one. The city had around seventy thousand people living in it normally, but during the test period this quantity almost doubled and it was extremely overcrowded.

Arriving near the entrance of the inn they quickly noticed an empty space. Nearing it they found that open space was formed by Lang Zheng who had activated his aura. The latter was standing in the center of this circle and only the six teens from the clans remained nearby. Noticing their arrival, Duqi and Lang Juan came closer to greet them.

Afterward, Xiao Feng greeted Lang Zheng and explained that they will have to use the East Gate and then they will enter the Sect grounds after walking for a pair of miles. Nodding in response Lang Zheng adjusted his aura to cover the two arrivals and pushing people aside, started walking towards the street leading towards the East. They arrived at the gate quickly and with no incidents. Although some people tried to complain, noticing Lang Zheng's expression and the uniform of Xiao Feng everyone shut up almost instantly.

The guards near the gate were standing in full armor and with weapons unsheathed. They did not stop anyone from exiting but did limit the amount crossing the gate at the same time as to let the returning people enter as well. These returnees were failed applicants and people who accompanied their friends or relatives, but entering the city was harder than exiting because everyone would be checked on the entrance.

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Wu Guang's group crossed the sea of people near the gate like a hot knife and when the guards saw Xiao Feng recognizing him or the uniform they quickly shoved some of the people aside as to let them pass without waiting.

Xiao Feng seeing that Lang Juan had a hint of disapproval quickly explained

"By the city laws, any sect disciple or elder passes without waiting. This also applies to anyone with them or on official sect business. Actually if not for this, the Sect would never build their main entrance facing the city"

"I understand now. Thank you for the explanation"

The road that started from the gates had a constant flow of people, but thanks to the city guards only letting a limited amount of people pass at the same time it wasn't so bad as before. Lang Zheng mostly recalled his aura as well.

This road was going upwards and thanks to the books and maps that Wu Guang memorized he could instantly conclude that they were ascending the Central Hill, which was considered the center of the region and also the official entrance to the Sect grounds.

After walking exactly two miles they arrived at the peak of the hill. Although called a peak, it was actually an enormous plain area covering almost a square mile. At the opposite end of the area, an open gate was seen. This gate was enormous, judging from the size they saw at this distance it should actually be at least two hundred feet tall. The gate also was extremely wide, occupying about a quarter of the horizon. No walls were seen on the sides, but Xiao Feng had said before that the sect's walls were covered with invisibility runes and would be seen only if someone tried to attack them, so normally they could be only felt if touched.

Arriving near the gate after about half-hour, Xiao Feng directed them towards one of the tables where sect disciples were sitting while registering the applicants.

The outer disciple responsible for the table quickly stood up and saluted when he saw the approaching inner disciple.

"I was tasked with escorting a group of people for the tests. Please call one of the elders responsible for the area"

Hearing this the outer disciple quickly bowed and rushed towards one of the towers that flanked both sides of the gate. Several minutes later he returned with two middle-aged men.

One of these men was dressed in blue robes similar to Xiao Feng's uniform and a bronze badge hanging from his belt indicated his position as an Elder. The other man was also an elder but his robes were colored in a lighter shade of blue, similar to the ones that external disciples used. A quick glance at the copper badge hanging at his waist confirmed Wu Guang's guess, this elder was of lower standing - an outer elder.

"Disciple Xiao Feng greets the Elders" although Xiao Feng greeted both of the elders with his words, he only bowed towards the bronze plaque Elder.

"Welcome back to the sect disciple. I was informed of your mission. Elder Di will take care of the registration procedures. If I am not mistaken, there should be 6 teens from the clans? Who would be the other young friend I see?"

"Reporting to the Elder. This young man is Wu Guang, during my stay in the Sect's Boundary city Tower Wu Guang also was accidentally involved in an investigation led by Head Enforcer Zhen, and because of his participation invited to travel with us" Xiao Feng answered with an explanation that Elder Chen and the Enforcer Zhen gave to him for this case.

"I did not receive any instructions about him, so I take he will be taking the entrance tests?"

"The Elder is right, he is here to take the tests"

"Elder Di, take care of the applicants. The other young man will be also allowed to register right away, but send him to the full tests. Disciple Xiao, enter the sect grounds and report at the Mission hall before anything else"

"Understood" After this Xiao Feng said his farewells to everyone in the group and left the area.

As Xiao Feng left, Lang Zheng suddenly spoke

"Please call for Master Chen"

"Hmm? And who would you be? A Palace Master is very busy after all to be called here by anyone" The Elder rebuked

Lang Zheng did not say anything more but produced a silver token with the 'Wisdom' character engraved on it from his pocket. The Elder who was staring at him mockingly shuddered and changing into the image of servility started talking far quicker than one would expect

"Esteemed Guest! Why did you not mention that you have a personal invitation? I will instantly inform Palace Master. Please wait here" And rushed towards the tower he had appeared from.

The outer elder who was mentioned to be surnamed Di was fat, bald, and of short stature. With a round face covered with a permanent smile if not for the robes he was dressed with, one would never take him for a Sect elder. Until now he had remained silent and continued to do so after noticing Lang Zheng glance that almost verbally said him to do so and stay still.

Several minutes passed before the middle-aged elder returned accompanied by Elder Chen.

Wu Guang and the rest of the company bowed in salute. Lang Zheng motioned for the youngsters to move away, and then simply said

"I have come as we agreed"