Kacperix
Making the rounds.
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Just as I finished reading, a new chapter dropped. Thanks!
The surname sounds German to me, idk why.
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How to build a Sect?
- Thread starter Pind_Ala
- Start date
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- cultivation sect building
idkyk
This young master wants some swan meat
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This is a plot hole but im gonna ignore it
Pind_Ala
Know what you're doing yet?
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I am not taking nationality in account when naming characters.
Thank you for reading and leaving such a beautiful review.
Happy Reading.
Pind_Ala
Know what you're doing yet?
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Thank you for informing me bro.
I will try to fix that.
Happy Reading
Chapter 74
New
Pind_Ala
Know what you're doing yet?
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Pure-blooded Human base
"Happy New Year, Shura. That is your name, right?"
"Yes," a weak voice replied.
"So, you are thirteen now," the woman said, offering a gentle smile as she tried to keep the conversation going.
But to her disappointment, the boy went back to ignoring her. She could only smile bitterly and take her leave, gently reminding him to finish his meal before resting.
Left alone, Shura stared blankly at the white ceiling. I miss them... Tears pricked his eyes as he remembered his family. Eventually, he cried himself to sleep.
Outside the room,
"He is still not opening up." The same woman stood respectfully before two men in white robes, delivering her report.
"Keep up the good work," one of the men replied.
With a slight bow, she murmured, "Take care, Supreme Elders," and swiftly took her leave.
Left by themselves, the two elders started walking down the brightly lit hall, quietly muttering a word with each breath.
"Hiroko and the other two are foolish to think they can make use of the boy by teaching him," one elder complained after they had walked some distance. "Hmph. He is thirteen. He has long passed the optimal age and is already tainted with the five diseases."
"So, you also think my idea of him having descendants early is the better path?" the other replied, mildly surprised to find support for his controversial view.
"Let us pressure them in the next meeting."
"Agreed."
Iron Core Dojo
Julian worked alone in the kitchen, meticulously preparing lunch for the few people still remaining in the dojo.
"So, it is just the two of us like last year, huh, Julian?"
Zani strolled into the room, pulling out a chair and taking a seat at a small table near the dividing counter.
"What about Mahi and Ethan?" Julian asked without pausing his knife work.
"They went to the mountains for a picnic."
Julian's hands stilled. He looked back at Zani, his face a picture of pure confusion. "I know, I know," Zani laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Yes, they went despite the snow. Haaa, hopeless little couple."
A faint, nostalgic smile touched Julian's lips. "I think it is alright to be a little hopeless when in love."
"Whatever you say. So, is the food ready?"
"Just a moment."
Time seemed to crawl, with everything in the world placed on hold for the five-day New Year festival. For the first time in a long while, Zani could truly feel the slow passage of time.
Two days later.
"There was no revenue from the New Year's Eve performance we organized. But it covered all its own costs, including the celebration party afterward. So, I would say it was a success."
Ethan, Mahi, and Zani were busy organizing old reports in the office when Zani suddenly asked for their analysis of the recent event's expenses.
"Is that all, Ethan?" Zani asked, nodding slightly before shifting his gaze. "Now then, Mahi. Why were the earnings so low?"
"I think... it is because most of the audience was local," Mahi replied thoughtfully. "They did not buy much food or merchandise while they were inside the venue."
"Correct," Zani said with a smile. "Then, the last question for you two: will we earn anything next year?"
"I think so..." Mahi murmured.
"Yes, we definitely will," Ethan replied with confidence.
"No, incorrect." Zani chuckled at their dumbfounded expressions before explaining the reason to them. "Next year, we will try to invite the best performers available. As time goes on, our Iron Core family will keep increasing, meaning a massive increase in party expenses too. Lastly, the venue has a maximum capacity. So next year, just like this one, we will only be able to break even."
After hearing his explanation, the two youths fell into deep thought, their brows furrowing as they considered the problem.
"Don't stress over it," Zani said, amused at their reaction. "I never intended to earn anything from this event. It is all purely to increase our establishment's prestige in the region."
"Understood, Master," they chorused.
"Hmm, so where were we? Yes, currently we only have two ongoing projects: the Beast Carriage project and the Venue Upgrade project."
They spent the rest of the time organizing the office, carefully putting away the old documents in their proper places so they could start the year with everything in order.
Two days later, it was the final day of the holiday. Normal dojo operations would resume the following morning.
Zani, along with his two disciples, stepped out of the main gates.
Although Zani had originally wanted to bring Julian along, the head chef had flatly refused, insisting that he wanted to continue practicing his knife skills. The man was still training even during the only five days off he had all year.
This is a very strange custom of this world, Zani thought, looking around the bustling village. For the five days following New Year, everyone takes a holiday. No matter their occupation or position, everyone returned home to spend time with their families.
Still pondering over it, Zani continued walking. Just as the trio was about to leave the village perimeter, a familiar voice called out.
"Master Zani! Where are you going?"
Turning around, they saw Elisi walking alongside her parents. After warmly greeting them, the lively eldest disciple decided to abandon her family and happily tag along.
Two hours later, they finally reached their destination at the base of the Brown Earth Mountains.
"So, this is the waterfall," Zani murmured, looking up at the roaring cascade. Despite having purchased this land months ago, it was his first time actually making the trip to see it.
"Yes, Master. This hill and the two adjacent ones all belong to us," Elisi explained proudly. As the person solely responsible for all the dojo's dealings with the local hunters, she was very familiar with the geography of the Brown Earth Mountains.
"I originally only wanted to buy one hill," Zani chuckled, remembering the bizarre transaction. "But Mayor Chaao later came to inform me that all three are technically part of a 'pack' or something, and then practically begged me to take the other two as a gift. Hahaha."
Zani still remembered how Chaao had desperately made all kinds of ridiculous excuses, claiming the hills simply could not bear to stay apart under different owners.
Standing beside him, Elisi could only force a bright smile while violently cursing the incompetent Mayor for not even fulfilling his part of the deal cleanly.
It was I who asked him to secretly gift the other hills to the dojo! Elisi grumbled in her mind. It was meant to be the compensation for her little brother, a compensation the Mayor's Manor was all too eager to fulfill.
"Let's go up the hill some more," Zani suggested, stepping forward. "Maybe we will be able to spot it from up there."
"What exactly are we looking for, Master?" Ethan asked, trailing slightly behind.
Initially, he had assumed this trip was merely to sightsee and enjoy the snow. But now, it seemed Zani had a very specific goal in mind.
"We are looking for a valley," Zani replied, his eyes scanning the frost-covered terrain.
"A valley?"
"Ohhh, a valley! I know all the valleys around these parts!" Elisi clapped her hands, keeping her expression perfectly natural. But inwardly, she realized what this meant. That time has finally arrived, huh? I knew it.
"Let's see," Zani mused, rubbing his chin. "A valley that serves as a natural entry point into the mountain would be best. And it must be situated inside the land we already own."
"I know just the place," Elisi grinned, gesturing ahead. "Come this way..."
_________________________
[Author Here, Please feel free to ask question regarding anything you do not understand.]
"Happy New Year, Shura. That is your name, right?"
"Yes," a weak voice replied.
"So, you are thirteen now," the woman said, offering a gentle smile as she tried to keep the conversation going.
But to her disappointment, the boy went back to ignoring her. She could only smile bitterly and take her leave, gently reminding him to finish his meal before resting.
Left alone, Shura stared blankly at the white ceiling. I miss them... Tears pricked his eyes as he remembered his family. Eventually, he cried himself to sleep.
Outside the room,
"He is still not opening up." The same woman stood respectfully before two men in white robes, delivering her report.
"Keep up the good work," one of the men replied.
With a slight bow, she murmured, "Take care, Supreme Elders," and swiftly took her leave.
Left by themselves, the two elders started walking down the brightly lit hall, quietly muttering a word with each breath.
"Hiroko and the other two are foolish to think they can make use of the boy by teaching him," one elder complained after they had walked some distance. "Hmph. He is thirteen. He has long passed the optimal age and is already tainted with the five diseases."
"So, you also think my idea of him having descendants early is the better path?" the other replied, mildly surprised to find support for his controversial view.
"Let us pressure them in the next meeting."
"Agreed."
Iron Core Dojo
Julian worked alone in the kitchen, meticulously preparing lunch for the few people still remaining in the dojo.
"So, it is just the two of us like last year, huh, Julian?"
Zani strolled into the room, pulling out a chair and taking a seat at a small table near the dividing counter.
"What about Mahi and Ethan?" Julian asked without pausing his knife work.
"They went to the mountains for a picnic."
Julian's hands stilled. He looked back at Zani, his face a picture of pure confusion. "I know, I know," Zani laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Yes, they went despite the snow. Haaa, hopeless little couple."
A faint, nostalgic smile touched Julian's lips. "I think it is alright to be a little hopeless when in love."
"Whatever you say. So, is the food ready?"
"Just a moment."
Time seemed to crawl, with everything in the world placed on hold for the five-day New Year festival. For the first time in a long while, Zani could truly feel the slow passage of time.
Two days later.
"There was no revenue from the New Year's Eve performance we organized. But it covered all its own costs, including the celebration party afterward. So, I would say it was a success."
Ethan, Mahi, and Zani were busy organizing old reports in the office when Zani suddenly asked for their analysis of the recent event's expenses.
"Is that all, Ethan?" Zani asked, nodding slightly before shifting his gaze. "Now then, Mahi. Why were the earnings so low?"
"I think... it is because most of the audience was local," Mahi replied thoughtfully. "They did not buy much food or merchandise while they were inside the venue."
"Correct," Zani said with a smile. "Then, the last question for you two: will we earn anything next year?"
"I think so..." Mahi murmured.
"Yes, we definitely will," Ethan replied with confidence.
"No, incorrect." Zani chuckled at their dumbfounded expressions before explaining the reason to them. "Next year, we will try to invite the best performers available. As time goes on, our Iron Core family will keep increasing, meaning a massive increase in party expenses too. Lastly, the venue has a maximum capacity. So next year, just like this one, we will only be able to break even."
After hearing his explanation, the two youths fell into deep thought, their brows furrowing as they considered the problem.
"Don't stress over it," Zani said, amused at their reaction. "I never intended to earn anything from this event. It is all purely to increase our establishment's prestige in the region."
"Understood, Master," they chorused.
"Hmm, so where were we? Yes, currently we only have two ongoing projects: the Beast Carriage project and the Venue Upgrade project."
They spent the rest of the time organizing the office, carefully putting away the old documents in their proper places so they could start the year with everything in order.
Two days later, it was the final day of the holiday. Normal dojo operations would resume the following morning.
Zani, along with his two disciples, stepped out of the main gates.
Although Zani had originally wanted to bring Julian along, the head chef had flatly refused, insisting that he wanted to continue practicing his knife skills. The man was still training even during the only five days off he had all year.
This is a very strange custom of this world, Zani thought, looking around the bustling village. For the five days following New Year, everyone takes a holiday. No matter their occupation or position, everyone returned home to spend time with their families.
Still pondering over it, Zani continued walking. Just as the trio was about to leave the village perimeter, a familiar voice called out.
"Master Zani! Where are you going?"
Turning around, they saw Elisi walking alongside her parents. After warmly greeting them, the lively eldest disciple decided to abandon her family and happily tag along.
Two hours later, they finally reached their destination at the base of the Brown Earth Mountains.
"So, this is the waterfall," Zani murmured, looking up at the roaring cascade. Despite having purchased this land months ago, it was his first time actually making the trip to see it.
"Yes, Master. This hill and the two adjacent ones all belong to us," Elisi explained proudly. As the person solely responsible for all the dojo's dealings with the local hunters, she was very familiar with the geography of the Brown Earth Mountains.
"I originally only wanted to buy one hill," Zani chuckled, remembering the bizarre transaction. "But Mayor Chaao later came to inform me that all three are technically part of a 'pack' or something, and then practically begged me to take the other two as a gift. Hahaha."
Zani still remembered how Chaao had desperately made all kinds of ridiculous excuses, claiming the hills simply could not bear to stay apart under different owners.
Standing beside him, Elisi could only force a bright smile while violently cursing the incompetent Mayor for not even fulfilling his part of the deal cleanly.
It was I who asked him to secretly gift the other hills to the dojo! Elisi grumbled in her mind. It was meant to be the compensation for her little brother, a compensation the Mayor's Manor was all too eager to fulfill.
"Let's go up the hill some more," Zani suggested, stepping forward. "Maybe we will be able to spot it from up there."
"What exactly are we looking for, Master?" Ethan asked, trailing slightly behind.
Initially, he had assumed this trip was merely to sightsee and enjoy the snow. But now, it seemed Zani had a very specific goal in mind.
"We are looking for a valley," Zani replied, his eyes scanning the frost-covered terrain.
"A valley?"
"Ohhh, a valley! I know all the valleys around these parts!" Elisi clapped her hands, keeping her expression perfectly natural. But inwardly, she realized what this meant. That time has finally arrived, huh? I knew it.
"Let's see," Zani mused, rubbing his chin. "A valley that serves as a natural entry point into the mountain would be best. And it must be situated inside the land we already own."
"I know just the place," Elisi grinned, gesturing ahead. "Come this way..."
_________________________
[Author Here, Please feel free to ask question regarding anything you do not understand.]
Chapter 75
New
Pind_Ala
Know what you're doing yet?
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2026
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- 102
- Likes received
- 2,003
[Place Valley of Trials here?]
[Yes / No]
"Yes," Zani murmured.
[Laying the formation. Connecting it to the Host...]
The four of them stood at the mouth of a valley they had already traversed four times that morning. Zani had wanted to be absolutely certain this was the perfect location, pacing back and forth and making his three disciples tag along for multiple exhausting round trips.
Turning his back to the group now, Zani faced the open valley and casually waved a hand. Instantly, a thick, unnatural fog poured out of thin air, swallowing the trees in an impenetrable white veil.
"Why is there such thick fog suddenly?" Ethan asked, taking a hesitant step back.
"It should be noon right now, shouldn't it?" Mahi added, looking up at the obscured sky.
"Worry not," Zani said smoothly, turning to face them with his hands clasped behind his back. "This is a formation at work."
"A formation?" Mahi echoed. Aside from Zani, she was the only one hearing this term for the first time.
"I myself do not know much about its origins, except that it already existed within this valley and I possess the method to activate it," Zani explained, maintaining the mystery. He then shifted the conversation before they could question what he said. "From this day forward, it will be used to check whether someone is loyal to the Iron Core Dojo or not."
Sweeping his piercing gaze over the three youths, he posed a heavy question. "Tell me. What should we do with those who fail this trial? Those who are not loyal?"
Ethan was still reeling from the sudden manifestation of the fog. Is this the same kind of array I read about in the royal libraries? he thought, his heart pounding. But only a Cultivator should be able to command a formation!
He was so immersed in his chaotic internal monologue that he only registered Zani's question when Elisi abruptly answered it. Her chilling words made him snap his head up and stare wide-eyed at the demon.
"We should kill them, Master," Elisi stated flatly.
Even Zani was visibly taken aback by her sheer bluntness. "I think that is a bit too much, Elisi."
"Not at all," she countered without a shred of hesitation. "If a person is not loyal to the faction they swore to join, they are a hidden threat. The Imperial law cannot save them, regardless of whether they are a mortal or a martial artist."
"Elisi..." Mahi whispered, looking at her senior sister in horror. Has this girl finally lost her mind?
Hearing her logic, Zani actually paused to consider it. During all his meticulous planning on how to handle the aftermath of the trial, he hadn't thought about executions at all. But now, pondering the harsh realities of the martial world, her words made terrifying sense. If a core or inner disciple proved disloyal and was simply allowed to walk away with their secrets, it would inevitably lead to disastrous consequences.
Should I actually kill them? Zani wondered, a cold sweat pricking his back.
"Master, if it truly is a trial as you say, then let the three of us attempt it first," Elisi volunteered, side-eyeing Ethan, who swallowed audibly.
I don't even know if my true loyalty lies with the Iron Core or the Empire! Ethan panicked internally, his face turning pale. Will I really be killed by Master if I fail?!
He hesitated, his feet glued to the earth. But then, a soft, warm hand firmly grasped his own and gently pulled him forward.
Mahi.
Watching the young couple start walking, Zani pushed his dark thoughts aside. He sat down cross-legged on a nearby rock as his three disciples marched into the dense fog.
How long will this illusion last? Zani thought, staring into the swirling white mist. I really hope they all pass...
Half an hour drifted by in heavy, suffocating silence.
Suddenly, the translucent blue interface flickered to life in his vision.
[Elisi passed the trial.]
[Deol Earth passed the trial.]
[Mahi Aranea passed the trial.]
"What the actual-" Zani clamped a hand over his mouth.
Did I just curse out loud? No, keep your cool. Try to understand this rationally.
"Yes, Zani. Take a deep breath. Haaaaa..." He muttered, pep-talking himself with his eyes squeezed shut until his racing heart finally began to settle.
Opening his eyes again, he saw that the System messages were still hovering mockingly in the air.
"Ssssss~" he exhaled sharply through his teeth.
Am I losing my mind? he thought, rubbing his temples. So, little Leo was not the only one. Just how many damn big shots are hiding inside my dojo?!
He thought back to all the numerous tasks he had forced them to do, and the harsh scolding.
He had never heard of the surname 'Aranea'. Were they high-ranking nobles? Or perhaps an Immortal lineage? But while Mahi's heritage was a mystery, he absolutely knew the horrifying weight of the surname 'Earth'. That was the Imperial Family. His cowardly, perpetually stressed disciple Ethan was actually Deol Earth, the Third Prince of the Empire!
When did this happen?!
But the most disturbing and incomprehensible fact of all was staring him right in the face: these figures were genuinely loyal to the Iron Core.
Wait. Am I actually some kind of hidden expert and I just don't know it yet? he mused wildly. No, let's not go down that rabbit hole. I absolutely must not let them know that I know their true identities. If they realize I know who they really are, they'll wonder how I found out. How am I supposed to explain that? I must act normal!
"Thinking about it... is everyone with the 'Talented' tag a hidden young master in disguise?" Zani wondered aloud, shaking his head at the sheer absurdity of what he thought.
"Master Zani~"
A cheerful voice broke his trance. Elisi was the first to emerge from the fog, skipping toward him with a cheeky smile, as if trying to hide her amusement over something she had seen.
Why is she smiling like that? No, don't overthink it. Just act normal.
"Elisi. So, you are out," Zani said, quickly adjusting his robes and adopting his usual stoic posture.
"Yes," she nodded. "But I don't know if I passed or failed."
"I got- I mean, I can tell. You passed," Zani corrected himself smoothly.
"Oh, sweet!"
"What about us, Master?"
Mahi and Deol stepped out of the mist a moment later. Both of them looked at him with expectation and uncertainty.
"You all did," Zani confirmed with a warm, reassuring smile.
"Alright! I told you we would, didn't I?!" Mahi cheered. She jumped with joy and tightly hugged Deol.
The disguised prince could only smile awkwardly as he patted her back. Deep down, he was having a violent existential crisis, wondering whether he should rejoice at surviving, or bitterly lament the fact that he had subconsciously shifted his loyalty from the Imperial Crown to a rural dojo.
Watching the happy couple for a moment, their innocent relief bringing a faint smile to Zani's face. The bizarre revelations still lingered in the back of his mind, but he decided to push them aside for now. "So, what exactly did you see inside the array?"
"After walking into the fog for a while, I was forced to shut my eyes," Elisi replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Then I was in a dreamland. I found myself answering a bunch of weird questions I sometimes subconsciously think about. Like what to eat for dinner, or how to beat up a boy if he ever goes after Leo, and stuff like that." She giggled, clearly recalling an amusing scenario.
"Yes, it was incredibly realistic," Deol added, shuddering slightly. "It is only after we woke up from those visions that we realized what we had just lived through was a trial, and not reality. After that, we just walked a little further and found ourselves back out here."
And you exited in the exact same place you entered from... Zani noted mentally. I should have thought this through more before choosing a valley. He had originally planned to use the Valley of Trials as the sole gateway leading into his future sect. But it seemed the mechanics of this System's reward did not work as he though.
"Alright, let us head back," Zani announced, turning toward the village path.
"What about the trial?" Mahi asked, looking back at the swirling mist with deep concern. "Won't someone notice it if they wander up here?"
"Do not worry. The formation only activates when I am nearby and explicitly wish for it to operate," Zani reassured her smoothly.
With their anxieties settled, the group began their descent down the mountain.
For the entire journey back, Zani remained lost in his thought, agonizing over how to handle the terrifying truths he had just uncovered. Sometimes, ignorance truly is a blessing. Knowing their real identities meant he would now have to think twice before casually ordering to do any task.
Seeing their Master's silence, Deol and Mahi naturally assumed he was solemnly pondering the ethical dilemma of how to handle disciples who failed the loyalty test.
However, walking slightly behind him, Elisi watched his stiff posture with knowing eyes. Unlike the others, she knew exactly what was currently plaguing his mind. Sadly, she could not help him ease that burden.
Not yet.
_____________________________
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[Yes / No]
"Yes," Zani murmured.
[Laying the formation. Connecting it to the Host...]
The four of them stood at the mouth of a valley they had already traversed four times that morning. Zani had wanted to be absolutely certain this was the perfect location, pacing back and forth and making his three disciples tag along for multiple exhausting round trips.
Turning his back to the group now, Zani faced the open valley and casually waved a hand. Instantly, a thick, unnatural fog poured out of thin air, swallowing the trees in an impenetrable white veil.
"Why is there such thick fog suddenly?" Ethan asked, taking a hesitant step back.
"It should be noon right now, shouldn't it?" Mahi added, looking up at the obscured sky.
"Worry not," Zani said smoothly, turning to face them with his hands clasped behind his back. "This is a formation at work."
"A formation?" Mahi echoed. Aside from Zani, she was the only one hearing this term for the first time.
"I myself do not know much about its origins, except that it already existed within this valley and I possess the method to activate it," Zani explained, maintaining the mystery. He then shifted the conversation before they could question what he said. "From this day forward, it will be used to check whether someone is loyal to the Iron Core Dojo or not."
Sweeping his piercing gaze over the three youths, he posed a heavy question. "Tell me. What should we do with those who fail this trial? Those who are not loyal?"
Ethan was still reeling from the sudden manifestation of the fog. Is this the same kind of array I read about in the royal libraries? he thought, his heart pounding. But only a Cultivator should be able to command a formation!
He was so immersed in his chaotic internal monologue that he only registered Zani's question when Elisi abruptly answered it. Her chilling words made him snap his head up and stare wide-eyed at the demon.
"We should kill them, Master," Elisi stated flatly.
Even Zani was visibly taken aback by her sheer bluntness. "I think that is a bit too much, Elisi."
"Not at all," she countered without a shred of hesitation. "If a person is not loyal to the faction they swore to join, they are a hidden threat. The Imperial law cannot save them, regardless of whether they are a mortal or a martial artist."
"Elisi..." Mahi whispered, looking at her senior sister in horror. Has this girl finally lost her mind?
Hearing her logic, Zani actually paused to consider it. During all his meticulous planning on how to handle the aftermath of the trial, he hadn't thought about executions at all. But now, pondering the harsh realities of the martial world, her words made terrifying sense. If a core or inner disciple proved disloyal and was simply allowed to walk away with their secrets, it would inevitably lead to disastrous consequences.
Should I actually kill them? Zani wondered, a cold sweat pricking his back.
"Master, if it truly is a trial as you say, then let the three of us attempt it first," Elisi volunteered, side-eyeing Ethan, who swallowed audibly.
I don't even know if my true loyalty lies with the Iron Core or the Empire! Ethan panicked internally, his face turning pale. Will I really be killed by Master if I fail?!
He hesitated, his feet glued to the earth. But then, a soft, warm hand firmly grasped his own and gently pulled him forward.
Mahi.
Watching the young couple start walking, Zani pushed his dark thoughts aside. He sat down cross-legged on a nearby rock as his three disciples marched into the dense fog.
How long will this illusion last? Zani thought, staring into the swirling white mist. I really hope they all pass...
Half an hour drifted by in heavy, suffocating silence.
Suddenly, the translucent blue interface flickered to life in his vision.
[Elisi passed the trial.]
[Deol Earth passed the trial.]
[Mahi Aranea passed the trial.]
"What the actual-" Zani clamped a hand over his mouth.
Did I just curse out loud? No, keep your cool. Try to understand this rationally.
"Yes, Zani. Take a deep breath. Haaaaa..." He muttered, pep-talking himself with his eyes squeezed shut until his racing heart finally began to settle.
Opening his eyes again, he saw that the System messages were still hovering mockingly in the air.
"Ssssss~" he exhaled sharply through his teeth.
Am I losing my mind? he thought, rubbing his temples. So, little Leo was not the only one. Just how many damn big shots are hiding inside my dojo?!
He thought back to all the numerous tasks he had forced them to do, and the harsh scolding.
He had never heard of the surname 'Aranea'. Were they high-ranking nobles? Or perhaps an Immortal lineage? But while Mahi's heritage was a mystery, he absolutely knew the horrifying weight of the surname 'Earth'. That was the Imperial Family. His cowardly, perpetually stressed disciple Ethan was actually Deol Earth, the Third Prince of the Empire!
When did this happen?!
But the most disturbing and incomprehensible fact of all was staring him right in the face: these figures were genuinely loyal to the Iron Core.
Wait. Am I actually some kind of hidden expert and I just don't know it yet? he mused wildly. No, let's not go down that rabbit hole. I absolutely must not let them know that I know their true identities. If they realize I know who they really are, they'll wonder how I found out. How am I supposed to explain that? I must act normal!
"Thinking about it... is everyone with the 'Talented' tag a hidden young master in disguise?" Zani wondered aloud, shaking his head at the sheer absurdity of what he thought.
"Master Zani~"
A cheerful voice broke his trance. Elisi was the first to emerge from the fog, skipping toward him with a cheeky smile, as if trying to hide her amusement over something she had seen.
Why is she smiling like that? No, don't overthink it. Just act normal.
"Elisi. So, you are out," Zani said, quickly adjusting his robes and adopting his usual stoic posture.
"Yes," she nodded. "But I don't know if I passed or failed."
"I got- I mean, I can tell. You passed," Zani corrected himself smoothly.
"Oh, sweet!"
"What about us, Master?"
Mahi and Deol stepped out of the mist a moment later. Both of them looked at him with expectation and uncertainty.
"You all did," Zani confirmed with a warm, reassuring smile.
"Alright! I told you we would, didn't I?!" Mahi cheered. She jumped with joy and tightly hugged Deol.
The disguised prince could only smile awkwardly as he patted her back. Deep down, he was having a violent existential crisis, wondering whether he should rejoice at surviving, or bitterly lament the fact that he had subconsciously shifted his loyalty from the Imperial Crown to a rural dojo.
Watching the happy couple for a moment, their innocent relief bringing a faint smile to Zani's face. The bizarre revelations still lingered in the back of his mind, but he decided to push them aside for now. "So, what exactly did you see inside the array?"
"After walking into the fog for a while, I was forced to shut my eyes," Elisi replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Then I was in a dreamland. I found myself answering a bunch of weird questions I sometimes subconsciously think about. Like what to eat for dinner, or how to beat up a boy if he ever goes after Leo, and stuff like that." She giggled, clearly recalling an amusing scenario.
"Yes, it was incredibly realistic," Deol added, shuddering slightly. "It is only after we woke up from those visions that we realized what we had just lived through was a trial, and not reality. After that, we just walked a little further and found ourselves back out here."
And you exited in the exact same place you entered from... Zani noted mentally. I should have thought this through more before choosing a valley. He had originally planned to use the Valley of Trials as the sole gateway leading into his future sect. But it seemed the mechanics of this System's reward did not work as he though.
"Alright, let us head back," Zani announced, turning toward the village path.
"What about the trial?" Mahi asked, looking back at the swirling mist with deep concern. "Won't someone notice it if they wander up here?"
"Do not worry. The formation only activates when I am nearby and explicitly wish for it to operate," Zani reassured her smoothly.
With their anxieties settled, the group began their descent down the mountain.
For the entire journey back, Zani remained lost in his thought, agonizing over how to handle the terrifying truths he had just uncovered. Sometimes, ignorance truly is a blessing. Knowing their real identities meant he would now have to think twice before casually ordering to do any task.
Seeing their Master's silence, Deol and Mahi naturally assumed he was solemnly pondering the ethical dilemma of how to handle disciples who failed the loyalty test.
However, walking slightly behind him, Elisi watched his stiff posture with knowing eyes. Unlike the others, she knew exactly what was currently plaguing his mind. Sadly, she could not help him ease that burden.
Not yet.
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Chapter 76
New
Pind_Ala
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Today, as the disciples and staff finally returned from their holidays, Zani did not welcome them back. Instead, he led the massive crowd of nearly three hundred people directly to a valley filled with unnatural, swirling fog.
Julian looked toward Zani with a slightly nervous expression. "So, we need to pass this trial, or we will be kicked out?"
"Yes," Zani answered, turning to address the masses. "This trial will determine not only if you stay, but also if you become permanent members of the Iron Core family. Outer disciples and guards will be given a chance today to elevate their status to inner disciples. Staff from the Pavilion, the Forging Union, and the beast caretaker group will receive a salary increase and a promotion to permanent positions."
Zani then announced additional benefits the other groups would receive, pausing to let his words sink in before repeating his earlier warning. "However, those who fail will be kicked out."
The gathered crowd consisted of individuals holding important positions. Even the construction managers, elite hunters, and blacksmiths who are partners with Iron core were present. Zani had also considered inviting Roasty and the two honorable elders from the Forging Union, but he ultimately decided against it. If they ever discovered the trial's true purpose, it would permanently ruin his relationship with them.
Even now, the people standing before him only knew they had to walk into the fog and come out of it. They had no idea what the trial actually tested, firmly believing they would merely be dismissed if they failed.
Zani swept a final gaze across the crowd before fixing it on a specific veiled girl. "Leo, you do not need to go in. Come here." He then swept his hand toward the valley. "Everyone else, enter."
People slowly began walking toward the thick white mist, anxious murmurs rippling through their ranks.
"We finally have the opportunity to become inner disciples! I must pass this trial!"
"Promotion! Promotion! Here I come, baby!"
"It won't be anything dangerous, right?"
"Hey, Mom, is the Master serious about kicking us out?"
"I have done so much for the forging union..."
"This fog is unnatural. Could it be..."
"Pedi, I am hungry. Let us hurry."
One by one, they disappeared into the dense fog, leaving only a small group behind near the entrance.
Deol walked over and sat down beside Zani. "So, how are we going to handle the disloyal?" he asked.
"I will mark everyone as passed for now," Zani replied, keeping his voice low. "We will silently capture the disloyal ones later. There is no need to make the true purpose of this trial public."
"I like this approach, Master," Elisi chimed in cheerfully. Opening the wooden box she carried, she pulled out a batch of steaming buns. "Here, let us eat." She casually tossed one to everyone present, before happily hoarding the rest for herself and taking a massive bite.
"Hey! Leo bought those for everyone!" Mahi protested immediately. "How come you are eating the rest all by yourself?!"
Her complaints fell on deaf ears. Getting even a single bun was already a rare blessing born of Elisi's exceptionally good mood. Seeing the futile argument, Deol could only sigh and hand his own share over to Mahi.
Having head Zani casually discuss capturing people, Leo could no longer hold back her curiosity. "What exactly is happening here?"
"Elisi will tell you everything," Zani smiled, casually taking another bun from the box. "Just know that this trial only works on those whose strength is lower than mine. And I trust you enough not to need it."
Elisi glared at Zani as he took a big bite. "Stinky Master, that was mine!"
Meanwhile, deep inside the base of the Pure-Blooded Humans.
Shura stood rigidly before a round table occupied by five imposing figures, the Supreme Elders
"If I do as you say... will I be allowed to go home?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"No," one of the Supreme Elders replied, not even looking up. "Your teaching has already begun. In the future, you will learn secrets that cannot be leaked to the outside world. However, if you truly insist on leaving, we will allow it, only when your strength matches ours."
The elder immediately returned to his inaudible, repetitive chanting, completely dismissing the boy.
"Then I will not do as you say," Shura spat through gritted teeth.
He was initially grateful that these people had saved his life, but being treated like a prisoner was suffocating. To make matters worse, they had just ordered him to marry and have children, treating him like a mere breeding tool. If they refused to let him return to his family even after he fulfilled their demands, what was the point? The sheer helplessness of his situation filled him with a volatile mix of anger and frustration.
"You have no choice in this matter," another stated flatly. "We have already selected two women for you. Go back to your room."
A moment later, a man dressed in white robes entered the hall and grabbed Shura's arm. Although the boy wanted to struggle, it was utterly futile in the face of absolute power. He was forcefully escorted away.
BANG!
The moment the heavy doors closed behind him, Hiroko, the only female Supreme Elder, slammed her fist into the round table, splitting the solid stone right down the middle.
"Is this the brilliant plan you convinced us all to accept?!" she demanded, her aura flaring with fury.
"Stay calm, Hiroko," one of the men replied smoothly. "This is indeed for the best. Teaching a child from birth is the easiest path."
"Shura is also a child!" she shot back. "He is merely thirteen! How could you force him to-"
"The decision has been made, and we cannot revert it," another elder interrupted, his tone filled with authority. "You knew this going in. Dismissed."
With that, the meeting concluded. The four men stood up and left the grand hall one by one, leaving a seething Hiroko behind.
A short while later, inside her private quarters.
I joined the Pure-Blooded Humans because they preached about finding a route for advancement, one that did not require sullying our bloodlines with beasts or other races, Hiroko thought bitterly, pacing across her room.
Her blood was still boiling over the rigid decision the other elders had forced upon the boy. Why imprison him? It was not as if members hadn't left the faction before. Over the decades, she had watched countless colleagues give up halfway, freely walking away and abandoning their pride to merge with other races for power. Yet, those old fools were treating a thirteen-year-old like a captive, completely ignoring the fact that the boy had not yet learned anything that wasn't already known to the outside world.
It was nothing but hypocritical control from men who had given up on their own futures.
I am the only Supreme Elder who still possesses enough lifespan to actually attempt an advancement. The others are just rotting fossils. Even if the heavens handed them an opportunity, their withered bodies could never break through to the next realm.
She knew the ugly truth. The only reason those men remained here was because no powerful race has accepted them, and their arrogance prevented them from mingling with the lower-born races they despised.
So... should I leave?
She stopped pacing, her gaze drifting toward a piece of parchment resting on her desk.
Although I am finally on the verge of conquering the Five Diseases... what about the other two conditions? We do not even know what they are yet.
The ancient texts spoke of a forgotten era.
Three kin condemned to final breath,
Wove spite into the loom of death.
A venom spat to starry heights,
That plunged the realm to endless nights.
The great behemoth, crowned in gold,
Whose grasp the earth and sky controlled,
Was shattered by the wrath invoked,
Its sovereign dominion choked.
Throne of dirt and crown of air,
Lost to a triad's dying prayer.
Name the kings who fell from grace,
Now prisoners in their own space.
Hiroko walked over and picked up the parchment. It was a copy of her very first discovery, the ancient text that revealed the terrifying truth: supposedly, in the distant past, humans had been the leaders who controlled both the land and sky, until the heavens placed three distinct restrictions upon them, forever cutting off their advancement.
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Julian looked toward Zani with a slightly nervous expression. "So, we need to pass this trial, or we will be kicked out?"
"Yes," Zani answered, turning to address the masses. "This trial will determine not only if you stay, but also if you become permanent members of the Iron Core family. Outer disciples and guards will be given a chance today to elevate their status to inner disciples. Staff from the Pavilion, the Forging Union, and the beast caretaker group will receive a salary increase and a promotion to permanent positions."
Zani then announced additional benefits the other groups would receive, pausing to let his words sink in before repeating his earlier warning. "However, those who fail will be kicked out."
The gathered crowd consisted of individuals holding important positions. Even the construction managers, elite hunters, and blacksmiths who are partners with Iron core were present. Zani had also considered inviting Roasty and the two honorable elders from the Forging Union, but he ultimately decided against it. If they ever discovered the trial's true purpose, it would permanently ruin his relationship with them.
Even now, the people standing before him only knew they had to walk into the fog and come out of it. They had no idea what the trial actually tested, firmly believing they would merely be dismissed if they failed.
Zani swept a final gaze across the crowd before fixing it on a specific veiled girl. "Leo, you do not need to go in. Come here." He then swept his hand toward the valley. "Everyone else, enter."
People slowly began walking toward the thick white mist, anxious murmurs rippling through their ranks.
"We finally have the opportunity to become inner disciples! I must pass this trial!"
"Promotion! Promotion! Here I come, baby!"
"It won't be anything dangerous, right?"
"Hey, Mom, is the Master serious about kicking us out?"
"I have done so much for the forging union..."
"This fog is unnatural. Could it be..."
"Pedi, I am hungry. Let us hurry."
One by one, they disappeared into the dense fog, leaving only a small group behind near the entrance.
Deol walked over and sat down beside Zani. "So, how are we going to handle the disloyal?" he asked.
"I will mark everyone as passed for now," Zani replied, keeping his voice low. "We will silently capture the disloyal ones later. There is no need to make the true purpose of this trial public."
"I like this approach, Master," Elisi chimed in cheerfully. Opening the wooden box she carried, she pulled out a batch of steaming buns. "Here, let us eat." She casually tossed one to everyone present, before happily hoarding the rest for herself and taking a massive bite.
"Hey! Leo bought those for everyone!" Mahi protested immediately. "How come you are eating the rest all by yourself?!"
Her complaints fell on deaf ears. Getting even a single bun was already a rare blessing born of Elisi's exceptionally good mood. Seeing the futile argument, Deol could only sigh and hand his own share over to Mahi.
Having head Zani casually discuss capturing people, Leo could no longer hold back her curiosity. "What exactly is happening here?"
"Elisi will tell you everything," Zani smiled, casually taking another bun from the box. "Just know that this trial only works on those whose strength is lower than mine. And I trust you enough not to need it."
Elisi glared at Zani as he took a big bite. "Stinky Master, that was mine!"
Meanwhile, deep inside the base of the Pure-Blooded Humans.
Shura stood rigidly before a round table occupied by five imposing figures, the Supreme Elders
"If I do as you say... will I be allowed to go home?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"No," one of the Supreme Elders replied, not even looking up. "Your teaching has already begun. In the future, you will learn secrets that cannot be leaked to the outside world. However, if you truly insist on leaving, we will allow it, only when your strength matches ours."
The elder immediately returned to his inaudible, repetitive chanting, completely dismissing the boy.
"Then I will not do as you say," Shura spat through gritted teeth.
He was initially grateful that these people had saved his life, but being treated like a prisoner was suffocating. To make matters worse, they had just ordered him to marry and have children, treating him like a mere breeding tool. If they refused to let him return to his family even after he fulfilled their demands, what was the point? The sheer helplessness of his situation filled him with a volatile mix of anger and frustration.
"You have no choice in this matter," another stated flatly. "We have already selected two women for you. Go back to your room."
A moment later, a man dressed in white robes entered the hall and grabbed Shura's arm. Although the boy wanted to struggle, it was utterly futile in the face of absolute power. He was forcefully escorted away.
BANG!
The moment the heavy doors closed behind him, Hiroko, the only female Supreme Elder, slammed her fist into the round table, splitting the solid stone right down the middle.
"Is this the brilliant plan you convinced us all to accept?!" she demanded, her aura flaring with fury.
"Stay calm, Hiroko," one of the men replied smoothly. "This is indeed for the best. Teaching a child from birth is the easiest path."
"Shura is also a child!" she shot back. "He is merely thirteen! How could you force him to-"
"The decision has been made, and we cannot revert it," another elder interrupted, his tone filled with authority. "You knew this going in. Dismissed."
With that, the meeting concluded. The four men stood up and left the grand hall one by one, leaving a seething Hiroko behind.
A short while later, inside her private quarters.
I joined the Pure-Blooded Humans because they preached about finding a route for advancement, one that did not require sullying our bloodlines with beasts or other races, Hiroko thought bitterly, pacing across her room.
Her blood was still boiling over the rigid decision the other elders had forced upon the boy. Why imprison him? It was not as if members hadn't left the faction before. Over the decades, she had watched countless colleagues give up halfway, freely walking away and abandoning their pride to merge with other races for power. Yet, those old fools were treating a thirteen-year-old like a captive, completely ignoring the fact that the boy had not yet learned anything that wasn't already known to the outside world.
It was nothing but hypocritical control from men who had given up on their own futures.
I am the only Supreme Elder who still possesses enough lifespan to actually attempt an advancement. The others are just rotting fossils. Even if the heavens handed them an opportunity, their withered bodies could never break through to the next realm.
She knew the ugly truth. The only reason those men remained here was because no powerful race has accepted them, and their arrogance prevented them from mingling with the lower-born races they despised.
So... should I leave?
She stopped pacing, her gaze drifting toward a piece of parchment resting on her desk.
Although I am finally on the verge of conquering the Five Diseases... what about the other two conditions? We do not even know what they are yet.
The ancient texts spoke of a forgotten era.
Three kin condemned to final breath,
Wove spite into the loom of death.
A venom spat to starry heights,
That plunged the realm to endless nights.
The great behemoth, crowned in gold,
Whose grasp the earth and sky controlled,
Was shattered by the wrath invoked,
Its sovereign dominion choked.
Throne of dirt and crown of air,
Lost to a triad's dying prayer.
Name the kings who fell from grace,
Now prisoners in their own space.
Hiroko walked over and picked up the parchment. It was a copy of her very first discovery, the ancient text that revealed the terrifying truth: supposedly, in the distant past, humans had been the leaders who controlled both the land and sky, until the heavens placed three distinct restrictions upon them, forever cutting off their advancement.
___________________________________
Support me and read next 10 chapters right now, https://www.patreon.com/c/unpaid13