99 Preparing for the grand competition. (1/2)
Li Yang and the 17 other disciples were brought back to the clan, to the same stone stage where the first trial of the rank-up test had taken place. After bringing them all back here, the elderly white-robed Elder Mujin had finished his role, so with one last wave of his hand, he vanished from the area, directly teleporting away.
After Elder Mujin left, the golden-haired Elder Su swept the 18 disciples in front of her with a quick gaze. The various disciples tensed up slightly, straightening their backs and raising their heads to show themselves off a little bit more now at the last second. Elder Su swiped her interspatial ring and took out 12 orbs of emerald-colored jade.
Back when Li Yang had first joined the Yuan clan, the elder overseeing the process had also taken out jade orbs, but those had been yellow in color. These jade orbs served the same function, tracking the contribution points of the disciple as well as notifying the clan if the disciple should die. The only difference between the two different orbs was that this emerald-colored one could only be used by inner disciples, it was a mark of honor of sorts.
Elder Su stretched out her right arm, the 12 orbs spinning around each other in the air above her palm. The disciples looked at these orbs with wanton desire and excitement, wishing they could just jump forward and snatch one for themselves. Elder Su swept the disciples with her completely white eyes, calmly speaking up.
”There are 18 of you, but only 12 of these orbs, meaning that there are six among you who have not passed this rank-up test. Yan Hu, Kang Xia, Ren Jie, Cao Jin, Quan Hao, and Feng Xue, please step forward.”
The six people who were called up stepped forward with bitter expressions, lining up a few steps away from Elder Su. Of the six that didn't pass, five of them were actually Kang Xia and the four people who had joined him in speaking up against Li Yang's plan. Elder Su looked at the six people with an encouraging expression, talking to them in a comforting tone.
”You were all close to completing the test, but there are some things you must improve before you can become inner disciples. Yan Hu, you were good at following orders, but you lacked a little when it came to formulating a plan and reacting to unexpected situations, try to put yourself in situations where anything can happen, train yourself to be better to react and then come back to us. Kang Xia, Ren Jie, Cao Jin, Quan Hao, Feng Xue, the five of you were originally on track to completing the test perfectly, but you stumbled right at the end.”
The expressions of Kang Xia and the four others sank further, turning even more bitter. To hear that they had failed right at the finish line, how could they not be disappointed? Elder Su gave them a short moment to calm themselves again, continuing with her explanation.
”You did well when it came to making plans and reacting to unexpected situations, but you are too hasty, too eager for glory. The glory and reputation of the clan mean nothing if they come at the cost of the lives of our disciples, the safer plan that ensures the lives of the disciples is always the better one, trying to ruin the plan just because you want to show off is foolish. Take a year to temper your minds, quell the fires in your hearts and aim for stability rather than glory. The clan expects great things from all of you, so we will call all six of you again next year, I hope you will have improved by then.”
She didn't try to put them down or make them feel bad about how they had failed, she simply guided them in an earnest fashion, hoping that they would prove that they were as good as the clan believed them to be. The six that failed straightened their backs and then gave Elder Su a deep bow.
”We are sorry that we failed your expectations, we won't fail you again next year!”
The six of them left the stone stage after bowing. Since they had failed, this was no longer a place they could stay, they would have to wait until next year before they would hopefully get the chance to stand here again. With the six failing disciples leaving, Elder Su turned her gaze onto the 12 that had passed, one of the 12 orbs floating over to each of them.
”Congratulations, all of you have passed the rank up test. As inner disciples, you will only have to clear one clan mission every five years, and every month you will receive 100 Spirit grade Spirit Stones. As for the bowl of cultivation resources you used to receive once a year, you will receive an upgraded version of this bowl every three months.”
The disciples couldn't help but bubble with joy when they heard the rewards, even Li Yang feeling somewhat surprised at how generous the rewards were. Just the amount of Spirit Stones they would receive was 10 times greater than that of an outer disciple. Elder Su pointed at the 12 orbs, continuing to talk.
”Once you bind those orbs using your blood, they will fuse together with the ones you received earlier, officially marking you as inner disciples. They will also lead you to your new abodes, so take some time to familiarize yourself with your new environment. But don't forget to cultivate, the grand competition organized by the Huo clan will start soon, and the clan still has two open spots for newer inner disciples like you.”