Chapter 107: Those Who Passed (1/2)
Dragon Nine swatted someone away with ease, but suddenly sensed a threat from its rear. It turned around and snarled in a rage just as a silver needle stabbed into its tail through the void, prompting an anguished howl. The woman who’d shouted out its weakness wasn’t wrong; the meatball on a sylvan dragon’s tail was a weakness, but while many Innerverse powers knew that, few at the same realm could break through its defense. Dragon Nine hadn’t expected to meet such a person in the Outerverse, but thankfully, the attacker did not continue. The injury she had left was only minor, and she used the distraction to break through the blockade and enter the beam of light. The sylvan dragon vented on everyone else.
On the limestone platform, Lu Yin was gazing at the distant rain, his heart calmed by the constant patter. He felt like it wasn’t simple, a hypothesis that was shared by Lulu who similarly immersed herself. A new figure blinking in among them disrupted that immersion, prompting several astonished gazes at the average-looking man who’d joined. The one captivating thing about him was his black hair; it wasn’t reflecting any light at all. The hair seemed like a void that captured all light, adding a sense of mystery.
The newcomer didn’t bother with the crowd, standing motionless in his original spot, but another figure appeared not long after. This one was female, and Coco shouted in delight when she noticed, “Sister Zora!”
The woman saw Coco and her face brightened, “Coco! Are you alright? Did you get injured?”
Coco shook her head and looked back with excitement, “How about you? Are you wounded anywhere?”
“No.” Zora promptly shook her head.
“Oh.” Coco was disappointed.
“Sister Zora, let me introduce you, these are Brother Lu Yin and Sister Lulu. They’re the reason I could pass this exam; I wouldn’t have made it myself.” Coco pulled Zora to the two others she had traveled with. Lu Yin nodded towards this woman who also seemed to be from the Windrift Hall, while Lulu maintained a polite indifference. Zora thanked them and then pulled Coco aside to speak to her.
At the end of another Melder path, a deathly silence pervaded the sweltering atmosphere. The ground seemed to have been flattened out by something and there was no one alive; even the expert from the Ross Empire that was guarding the light beam had turned into scrap metal covered in blood. This was a path of absolute extermination.
“Incredible, that black-haired youth has an excellent innate gift.”
“Pity it’s too fatal.”
“That is fine, given his experience. We need such people.”
For those who were waiting in the sky, two more screens lit up. One read “Zora—Windrift Hall” while the other only mentioned “Darkvoid” with no origin.
……
Arshim enjoyed watching their expressions change from hope to despair. This was why people like him looked down upon the Outerverse; it only produced weaklings. However, he was stunned when a beautiful silhouette walked out of his flames, her gait an alluring dance atop the fire. Most people’s gazes locked onto the dark red eyes in her pretty face as well as the graceful snow-white hair. Many choked on their saliva and looked blankly at the absolutely charming girl, her bare feet treading on the flames to pass Arshim and enter the light. Only after she’d vanished did the crowd realize that he hadn’t obstructed her at all.
Arshim was rooted in place; he recognized the woman the moment he saw her; this was Michelle, the Red Lotus Witch. She was the younger sister of the Red Lotus Witchbow Mira, not someone who could be provoked.