152 The Beginning (1/2)
Chapter 152: The Beginning
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
The path before them was treacherous. Every step and every wave of their arms seemed to require every effort they could give. The young people walking along the path of the mountain behind the Academy looked like puppets controlled by strings. While they could not see their expressions, those in the Academy could feel the strain and pressure on them clearly.
The selection test for the Second floor was simple yet amazing. Young cultivators from all around the world would become like clumsy wooden puppets upon stepping onto the steep mountain path. The scene before them was shocking. Other than those currently on the mountains, no one could guess what was happening. Even officials like Moli who had cultivated for many years had never experienced this and would not dare to guess.
However, everyone believed that the Academy would not let these young people come to harm. Most would feel bored after looking at them for long. Giving a glance at the people standing around in the courtyard of the Academy, it seemed that no one else would give the test a try. The bigwigs from the circle of envoys gradually relaxed and started talking amongst themselves.
The Academy had provided some snacks and the bigwigs had brought their maidservants with them. Before long, there was tea and food laid out on the tables and the conversations started.
The topics of the conversation between the envoys surrounded the Prince, Princess Lee Yu as well as Priest Moli of the Revelation Institute. These countries represented by the envoys have always been docile and submissive to the two superpowers, Tang and the West-Hill Divine Palace. They have never considered which party to submit to, for they were all two-faced.
Other than managing the relationship their country had with Tang and the West-Hill Divine Kingdom, there was another important reason for their trip to the Academy. These envoys wanted to see if there were any young talents from their country who would be lucky enough to enter the Second floor. They would then try to make contact with them. Even if no one could enter, they would still take note of any young cultivation talents for the court.
The envoy from the Great River Kingdom was talking animatedly to a deacon from the West-Hill Divine Kingdom. He suddenly stood up and looked at an approaching mud dragon amidst the laughter and conversation filled with mock humility and flattery. His expression changed as he pointed at that spot with a shaky voice and asked, ”What's happening?”
The mud dragon was actually four Academy deacons carrying a stretcher. Their fast pace had caused the grass beneath their boots to tear and yellow dirt to be kicked up, causing a flurry of dust particles. The four carrying the stretcher had reached flat plains from the mountain quickly. They were not panting and looked extremely at ease. It was evident that they have done this frequently.
The envoy from the Great River Kingdom looked upon the scene incredulously. On the stretcher laid the comatose young cultivator from his kingdom. He sighed and wondered why the first to be defeated in the entrance test today had to be a subject from his land.
The true reason for his low spirits, though, laid in not knowing how the cultivator had been defeated. He asked angrily beside the stretcher, ”How did he faint ascending the mountain?”
The deacon beside him answered expressionlessly, ”Fainting is common in the Academy. Going upstairs would result in one throwing up blood, not mention to ascending the mountain.”
”Please, move aside.” The deacon said to the envoy impolitely. He lifted the stretcher and continued running towards the Academy, leaving behind a trail of mud dragon and unheard complaints.
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”Move aside. Water.”
The four deacons returned with the second mountaineer. An instructor of the Academy brought along ginger soup and medication.
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”Move, we need more water today. Don't block the way!”
The deacons had returned once more with yet another stretcher in their hands. They yelled loudly and their return definitely generated more fuss than when officials of Tang leave the city.
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Chu Youxian could not help but think about all the fainting incidents over the past year when he saw this. He turned to look at Ning Que.
Ning Que looked at the four deacons who were running back and forth the mountain and his mouth fell open slightly. The scene before him was extremely familiar and even slightly heartwarming. However, it was still a bad experience after all and the scene made his hands tremble and his tummy churn and he felt slightly nauseated.
His face began to pale and he sighed miserably, ”It's still the four of you.”
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Behind the mists that covered the mountain path, the young cultivators trudged on slowly. Occasionally, one would fall to the ground groaning in pain and lose consciousness before being carried back quickly. Xie Chengyun was in the middle of the pack and continued plodding on even though it was difficult. It seemed to be easier for the young monk from Yuelun Kingdom. His tattered robes floated behind him in the wind as he walked ahead of the pack. He would look around him occasionally. It didn't look like he was admiring the scenery but more like he was looking for a certain path.
Prince Long Qing surpassed several people ahead of him and had his arms behind his back as he continued walking as if he was admiring the view around him. His expression was serene and there was no pride nor scorn on his face no matter how many people he surpassed or how many unconscious bodies he saw by the side of the path. He did not look at the young monk even when he surpassed him.
There was a thick cloud of fog at the end of the path.
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Those who had stayed behind at the Academy were silent as they looked at the steep path with doubt and shock at its marvellousness. They wondered what manner of restraints the Academy had set to make the path so painful and difficult for the young cultivators from different lands. Ning Que who stood in the corner was analyzing the situation as well. His main point of concern was not the path, but what was waiting at the end beyond the fog.
Prince Long Qing had arrived before the fog. If he wanted to ascend the mountain, he had to at least enter the fog. No matter how dangerous the path was, he had to continue on.
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