Chapter 51 - Trials Day (1/2)

When the sect leader left, Hei made sure that she came entirely out of his sight before returning hastily with Lian inside the spiderweb house. Waiting for him were his mother and his two little sisters who had listened to everything that had been said between him and the sect leader.

”Mother, I guess you heard it all, right?”

”Yes, my little one. I heard everything. Tell me, what are you going to do?”

”I do not know. Overcoming the five waves is the goal that I think I'm aiming for, but the test to enter the continent worries me. Even with passing only the five waves, I would get more attention than I already have; but if I pass the next wave, I don't know what could happen. Honestly, I'm curious to see what that continent's trial consists of, but I'm hesitant because no one has ever managed to overcome it.”

'Because you are my son, I am sure you will be able to overcome it as well as Lian. However, if you pass that test, you would create an enormous commotion not only in the Flower Sect but throughout all the Rainbow Island. The news could also spread to other islands. Even if the sect leader blocked the information leak, it doesn't mean that one of the elders could not try to do something or that there isn't another sect's spy in the inner sect.'

”Yes, as I imagined. So I have to give up once I get over the five waves?”

'It could be an idea, but there is something that worries me. From the sect leader's words, it seems that those imaginary opponents are generated based on the age of the challenger. The problem is that the assignment should be calibrated on the results achieved by the Rainbow Island's martial artists. Therefore, an opponent of your age, and with the same strength doesn't exist here.'

”Mother are you saying-?”

'Yes, if the formation measures the five waves based on the island's strength criteria, it could immediately create an opponent on the continent's level.'

”But then how can I pass the test? If it doesn't make me fight against the five waves and sends me directly to the test to enter the continent.”

Hei's tone of voice became slightly alarmed. He wasn't afraid of his imaginary opponent's strength, but he didn't like the implications behind his eventual victory.

If he won, he would surely get fame and attention from everyone, but he didn't care about those things. They were just useless baggage. If it weren't for the rewards, he would have been satisfied with a mediocre score. But even if he were to receive more resources for passing the continent test, the negative aspects were higher than the positive ones. He didn't want to have to end up in a situation that required the intervention of his mother. Not now that she was resting and recovering her strength.

'There is a method, and you could easily do the test without being discovered.' Bao Bei thoughtfully said as she looked at her son before continuing.

'I can cast an illusion on all those present and show them what I want. The level at which the sect's martial artists are is low, so there would be no problems that they discover something during the test. They will only think that you have passed the five waves but failed the continent test. The only thing is that I should first see what happens when the five waves are completed so as to generate all the details and not to make them suspicious.'

At Bao Bei's words, the spiderweb house's residents were impressed. Although they knew that she was able to generate illusions and had seen her doing that during the bandits' attack on the Leaf Village, they were still affected when they heard this. Creating an illusion on multiple people without them realizing that they didn't see the reality but an illusion, it was something incredible.

With this method, they could cover every trace, and if they wanted, they could abuse it in any situation. But never Hei would do it. First, he wasn't the type that would cheat just to get rewards, second, and that was the most important reason, that method implied that his mother would have to consume her strength.

”No, mother. We can't use it. You're finally starting to regain your strength. I can't let you consume your energy.” Hei said firmly.

He wouldn't allow it to happen even if it meant giving up the combat trial and, therefore, the rewards offered by the sect. However, Bao Bei would certainly not let him give up such a good opportunity for his future.

'I know what worries you, but you don't have to. I have recovered enough energy, and creating such an illusion isn't a problem. Furthermore, as I told you, the targets are extremely weak from my point of view so I won't be spending too much energy. Listen to me well Hei, I like how you care about my health, but I'm your mother. My job is to help you on your path to the future. It is normal that if you are having a hard time, I come to help you, and even if it means consuming my energies, I will do it anyway because that is what it means to be a mother.'

The tone of Bao Bei was firm and contained a strong pride. With her eight eyes looking straight at Hei's, she announced that she wouldn't accept further protests on the issue and that he could only resign himself to her decision.

After a while, Hei sighed and couldn't help but accept the situation.

”All right, we'll do as you want, mother. But I won't let you consume too much energy. I will beat my opponent as soon as possible. I swear.”

Hearing this, Bao Bei chuckled.

”I am pleased to see you pumped about the test, but remember that it would be better something more relatable. Maybe just a bit faster than the second-fastest, alright?”

Hei nodded reluctantly and could only pray that the elder and sect leader's personal disciples were really talented as they were called and would pass the test as soon as possible.

Bao Bei actually wanted to use this method to train Hei and Lian for the dream trial as well. By generating illusions against them, she wanted to prepare them mentally; with adequate training it was indeed possible to obtain some self-control inside an illusion. Moreover, because it was a test designed for the island's young martial artists, it shouldn't be such an advanced and frightening illusion.

However, she knew that if she proposed it, her son would surely refuse. He would never let her do it even if it meant disobeying her. And indeed, even though creating such trivial illusions didn't cost much energy for Bao Bei, the very fact of activating her spirit power accelerated the process of decay she was undergoing.