By the time Yi Ling and Jin Minzhe reached their destination, Haoran and Xiang He had just finished explaining the tasks to their group. Yi Ling planned to assign different tasks to them, along with Linyu's party. Besides the Burdened Forest, adjacent to it was a low-level spiritual beast territory called Goblin Forest. She intended to send them in two-man teams, pairing one from Haoran's group with one from Linyu's. This way, the weaker ones would have a guard along with them.
Haoran personally assessed his group's cultivation status. Being in the Sainthood Stage, he easily determined their levels. After explaining the basic information about the sect, he outlined their task.
"You will pair up with one member from Elder Linyu's group. Choose your teammate freely. I will give you tokens. Once you have a partner, Elder Linyu will give you your test." Haoran ensured everyone understood. Xiang He stood silently behind him. Without a mask, he was recognized as the Emperor of Xiang Kingdom. Those from the low-rank kingdoms were informed by others who knew him.
When Yi Ling and Jin Minzhe arrived, Minzhe was in his adult form. Seeing the same purple-robed man return made the crowd nervous. He emitted a dominating aura that made everyone jittery. With him was another masked man, a bit younger.
Haoran and Xiang He noticed the two and bowed to Yi Ling. Despite not always following Yi Ling's commands, Haoran respected her, especially since she was his king's master.
"Let's go," Yi Ling's deep manly voice commanded. She turned and left with Minzhe.
Haoran, Xiang He, and the crowd followed. When they arrived, Linyu was already waiting.
"Master, I have finished my task," Linyu said, bowing.
"En." Yi Ling looked at both crowds. It was easier guiding the younger and weaker ones than the arrogant and strong ones. Among Haoran's group, she noticed a familiar faceβMo Tian.
Mo Tian had been quiet the entire time. When he saw Linyu earlier, he couldn't say anything as Haoran had already led him away. Technically, he followed willingly. The point was, he had finally found the two people he had been searching for, and it seemed he was right before. This young man indeed had a higher status than Elder Linyu. While thinking of a way to talk to them, he didn't notice Yi Ling looking at him.
Although they had a brief interaction, Yi Ling didn't sense any ill intentions from Mo Tian. She guessed he had grown stronger since the last time she saw him. She rubbed her chin. Jin Minzhe, always observant, looked in the direction she was looking and furrowed his brows.
"Since everyone is here, you may choose your partner now. After choosing, exchange your tokens and write your name on your partner's token. This way, it will form a bond for both of you," Linyu ordered the two groups to start.
While the crowd looked for their partners, Yi Ling gestured for Linyu to come near her.
"Yes, Master?"
"Bring Mo Tian here."
"It shall be done." Linyu bowed and left. He noticed Mo Tian earlier but didn't think much of it. They were just acquaintances. If his master acknowledged his presence, then that would be it. If not, it wouldn't bother him. He walked towards Mo Tian and saw him talking to someone. Mo Tian was trying to gain a partner by getting to know him. They were about to reach an agreement when he saw Elder Linyu approaching. His eyes lit up.
"Elder Linyu!" He clasped his fist and bowed. His partner followed suit.
"En. Have you got a partner?" Linyu looked at the person standing beside Mo Tian. It was a young man in the 3rd rank of the Qi Cultivation Stage. He was one of the weaker ones who fainted.
"En. This is Bai Zinghe." Mo Tian patted Bai Zinghe's shoulder.
Bai Zinghe blushed. He was always timid and shy. He also came from Feng Kingdom like Mo Tian, but his family wasn't as noble. Mo Tian didn't know him, but he knew Mo Tian well. After the commotion the Mo Family caused in the low-ranked kingdom, it gained them fame, especially Mo Tian. He was kind of like his idol. He, too, liked studying medicine but couldn't afford the luxury.
"I see. My master wants to talk to you. You may bring Bai Zinghe along." Without waiting for a reply, Linyu turned and walked back to where Yi Ling was standing.
Mo Tian's eyes glittered with excitement. He couldn't believe his luck! He patted the shy Bai Zinghe and followed Elder Linyu. Seeing that he was invited as well, Bai Zinghe followed him like a tail.