Chapter 239: Choices (1/2)
The chilling feeling continued to pulse out periodically from behind the ancient wooden door, putting fear into the students' hearts.
A fear of the unknown.
As the door opened, Su Xin shouted her commands. ”Besides the Violet Vibrance mentors tasked to protect the school, the rest will follow me in now.
”Students, sort out the pairings amongst yourselves.”
Streaks of resonant power shot forward, hovering in front of the door to the Umbra Cave.
These were the Violet Vibrance mentors, a formidable force commanded by the school.
”I'm going in too,” Chi Chan said to her squad. ”Find a Three Star squad willing to pair with you. They will instruct you on the specifics of what to do inside.”
They could hear the concern in her voice, even though they could not see her expression behind the veil.
”I hope to come back and see you three safe.”
”You take care too, Mentor.”
She inclined her head and turned to join the others in front of the door.
And then the Violet Vibrance mentors disappeared through the gap.
”What a force...”
Li Luo marveled. These Violet Vibrance mentors were all Dukes. Seeing them move in force was an impressive sight. They could probably trample House Luolan's special defensive wards without a second thought.
Such was the might of the Astral Sage College.
Vice Principal Su Xin herself entered, and now the students were left whispering amongst themselves.
The remaining mentors yelled for order. ”All students, prepare! If you need to pair up, pick among yourselves now.”
They dissolved into a chaotic discussion.
Li Luo noted that the Four Star students remained above the uneasy mood. They quietly went about their preparations, their calm belying their experience in the Umbra Cave.
Still, the dangers of the Umbra Cave were not merely overcome with experience. Each purging mission saw casualties—both death and injuries. Once they entered, it was almost certain the same number of people would not be coming out.
Unlike the first years, the Four Star Hall students were already used to the casualties. Neither expulsion nor entering the Umbra Cave was an inviting option, but by their fourth year, many students had come to silently accept this deadly responsibility.
After all, they had all developed some sort of affection for the Astral Sage College after their years of cultivation here.
”Leader, are we going to go find a Three Star Hall team?” Bai Mengmeng asked anxiously.
From what Vice Principal Su Xin had said, a team as green as theirs would be much safer with a stronger Three Star squad.
All of the other Violet Vibrance squads were heading over to the Three Star Hall students.
The senior students were avoiding them scrupulously. Of course they would rather pair with the Two Star squads, even if the other option was the champion of the One Star Hall...
The additional responsibility of protecting new students was a very tiring one.
Of course, mentors were clarifying the additional rewards for successfully bringing back a newcomer team. It was making some of the Three Star squads reconsider.