Chapter 185: Returning to Challenge (1/2)

”I was hiding away and recovering from my injuries”, Ming Yue replied nonchalantly.

”Oh I see, so when the signal from your badge disappeared for over a week, you were hiding, hmm?”

Elder Xiang looked at her carefully, seemingly doubting that this was all that happened.

Despite his words and action, Ming Yue did not crack and nodded.

”Yes, I hid within a small cave and chanced upon some medical herbs. The cave turned out to be a tunnel that led deep underground. I must have missed some incredible treasure if you could not find the signal.”

As she lied, the elder stared at her and grinned.

”Hah! I'll stop prying now. An opportunity you find yourself is for your eyes only. At least I know that you are not as naive as I had thought. Let's depart. If you hadn't sent me that message, I would've given up and left you.”

The both of them boarded the ship and set off to the gates of the garden.

Stepping onto the deck of the ship, Ming Yue was greeted by the fluffy embrace of her pets. Both of whom had charged towards her the moment they saw her. She couldn't help but laugh at their actions and embrace them tightly.

She looked at the elder, who had found a comfortable spot on top of the captain's cabin.

”Did my friends return safely?” she asked him.

”Yes, I picked them up and took them back. They're currently waiting at the gates and hoping that you come back alive. You know, there was only two more days until the thirty day deadline. Once it comes and goes, those that returned safely would have left regardless of whoever was still inside. After all, those that didn't return were probably dead. ”

Ming Yue nodded. She really had gained much from this, more than she would have thought.

”Ah, almost forgot. They had informed me of a scuffle with one of the Saber Hall disciples, right? What was it?...Li Baojun, I think.”

He rolled over and stared at the sky with amusement and interest.

”As far as I know, he has stolen your kill and returned to Heaven's Gate on the interim return ship. Well, now he's become one of those Elite Disciples after handing it in and so he's thrust himself into closed door training.”

Ming Yue listened carefully and looked down at Xiao Yin and Hei Yue.

”I see.”

”Yes, so...this is your chance to finish up that assignment I gave to you. To fight someone and win. remember?”

He sat up and grinned at her.

”Well so far, nothing has reached the criteria until now. You see, the Ren Huan Battelfield trip is one of the larger events that we have. We also make several other expeditions and whatnot to danger zones and all that. There are also many competitions as well, one of which is the Heavenly Gate Tournament. It's not a very creative name but it really is the best way to call it. It is the largest and most important event for everyone. The reason being is the prize, a day inside the ”Empyrean Paradise” which is behind, as you may have guessed, a gate. This gate is known as ”the” Heaven's Gate and can only be opened with the powers of the grand elder.”

”So you want me to enter it?”

Ming Yue knew where he was going but she did not expect his next words.

”Yes, I want you to enter and to win first place. If not, then at least place top ten or else I'm not going to teach you the perfect technique.”

”The perfect technique?!” Ming Yue was taken aback by his claims.

How could there be such a thing? A perfect technique could not exist! It was not possible.

Elder Xiang saw her reaction and his grin curved even more.

”Hah, I can tell you don't believe me. However, I am not an elder of Heaven's Gate for show. Alright, It's settled then, enter the competition, beat up that Li guy, and win! ”

He wagged his finger at her, seemingly enjoying the teasing. Afterwards, he hopped off of the cabin's roof and retreated inside, leaving Ming Yue to her still cuddling pets. She could not imagine what technique the elder had in store and tried to take her mind off of it in vain.