In the early morning, everyone who had passed their foundation test huddled in a row, the dense forest at their backs and the edge of the cliff with its infinite abyss stretching before their eyes.
All minds were preoccupied as they stood there, dreading the danger filled Wild Lands they would have to survive in for three whole days in order to fully become disciples of the Forgotten Waters sect. Li Meirong was probably the only one actually wondering where even those so called "Wild Lands" were, and how they were supposed to get there with the forest on one side and the bottomless drop on the other. Surely they weren't expected to jump..?
The previous night's chill still lingered in the air. The sun's rays had yet to warm the earth and the clouds were dark grey. The ominous rumblings of a thunderstorm could be heard in the distance.
Li Meirong rubbed her hands furiously against each other. Her small body was now clad in the outside disciple garments which had been handed to all the pre-qualifiers. It was a loose, light blue robe with a black sash tied around the waist. A very simple design, and very unfitting for the cold.
She wasn't the only one shivering, she could see when she glanced at both sides that her fellow disciples were also freezing. Shu Qianqian clung to Mo Cheng's side. At first, Mo Cheng resisted her clinging hands but after continuous whining, he relented and let her do as she pleased. Mo Jing's shoulders were shaking but his expression matched the rest of the scenery. Freezing cold.
In front of them, from the dark skies slowly formed the intimidating shape of a senior disciple flying on what appeared to Li Meirong as a huge Red Tiger with a pair of horns and flaming twin tails. It was a truly majestic scene to behold.
The rider and her Spirit Beast glided swiftly through the skies, slicing straight through the clouds to land gracefully in front of the crowd.
When the cultivator dismounted from her beast, Li Meirong instantly recognized her as the eyebrowless senior disciple from the other day, who said she was offended by her presence. Her formidable size and impressive height commanded everyone's attention.
Frowning, Li Meirong calculated how this might affect her odds of survival. She now had a strong group to cling to for help and support, but on the other hand, the person in charge of it seemed to hate her guts.
The Tiger lounged on the ground comfortably. His mere presence was enough to frighten the young ones standing in line, scrutinizing them with his predatory eyes.
Not long after senior cultivator Liang made her entrance, several other senior disciples arrived, flying on large swords and landing on the cliff's edge.
'It might take me a little while to get used to this fantasy land.' Li Meirong thought as she marvelled at the sight of people gliding on inanimate objects and riding majestic flying beasts. Besides her, no one else seemed to think all this was anything out of the ordinary.
All the people present wore virtually the same sect robes, however, only the new recruits were shivering in the cold. The seniors acted as if they didn't feel the slightest chill. Some even had their collars loose and their sleeves rolled up.
The senior disciple who had arrived on the Tiger, also known as "No Eyebrows Lady" in Li Meirong's mind, paced back and forth as she spoke.
"My name is Senior Sister Liang. You will henceforth address me as captain Liang. I am the second in command of the bestiary coalition as well as your supervisor for this upcoming test. The Forgotten Waters sect has accommodated you with our outside disciples' robes but that doesn't mean you have been accepted as official disciples. You are yet to become part of the sect. Only those of you who are worthy, who survive and complete three days of waiting and enduring in the Wild Lands will be officially accepted."
She paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "You may go into this test solo or divide into groups of no more than three, the decision is up to you. You may kill for survival anyone or anything except your fellow participating disciples. You may not purposely harm each other.
"Keep your wits about you. Be vigilant and most of all remember, if you feel that your life is in danger, don't hesitate to use the signal stone." Captain Liang held her hand high in the air to show everyone a stone the size of a pebble, rather like a regular green jade.
"We will provide each of you with a signal stone, take good care of it. If you spill one drop of your own blood on the stone, a senior disciple will come to your rescue and you will be immediately disqualified but your life will be saved. Don't die for foolish reasons.
Remember that in the wild lands nearly everything and everyone is hostile, just like in the Thousand Beasts forest, even the plants and insects are carnivorous and there are regions with toxic poison around but I'm sure you all know what you signed up for when you chose to come here." She finished her speech and shot a sharp look at Li Meirong.
Under her scrutiny, Li Meirong felt her throat tighten. She gulped audibly.
Yesterday, Captain Liang's look of disdain would surely have caused her to look away in shame. Now, however, after that speech all she could think of was of the injustice of her getting caught in this entire situation altogether.
She glanced to her side at her fellow companions. Resolutely deciding that she would definitely have to stick to them like glue!
In low murmurs, the new recruits began choosing their teams. Some had decided to go solo while others grouped up in twos and threes for better chances for survival.
The problem was that their own group amounted to four people. That is if Li Meirong was to be included. One of them had to be left out.
"Brother Cheng, we should definitely go together!" Shu Qianqian exclaimed.
Mo Jing shook his head, exasperated and Mo Cheng chuckled patiently in response.
"Little Qianqian, Li Meirong is the only one among us who doesn't know how to fight. It's best if two of us go with her. I am strong enough to survive alone. I will leave it to you and Mo Jing to protect our fellow junior sister!"
Li Meirong felt touched. She just met these kids, but they were already treating her like a comrade. Despite the bitter cold, she felt very warm inside. No matter what, she would have to find a way to repay them for their kindness later on.
Shu Qianqian complained but eventually consented, nodding enthusiastically. "I will definitely take care of sister Meirong, don't worry about us!"
Mo Cheng bade them good luck, and Mo Jing led the rest of the group away. As they reached the edge of the cliff, a Senior Disciple made an intricate hand gesture, sliced through the air with his fingers and uttering a short chant which then caused a rift in space, cutting through the natural skyscape and opening up a portal to the unknown.
Most of the recruits hesitated before stepping through the mysterious opening. All they could see before going through it was endless darkness within. The fear of falling down the cliff was inside everyone's hearts.
Mo Cheng confidently stepped through and disappeared into the blackness. Mo Jing glanced back and told the girls, "Follow closely behind me." before stepping in after his brother.
Li Meirong closed her eyes and did as she was told.