When Linyu, Mo Tian, and Bai Zinghe approached, Jin Minzhe couldn't help but stare at Mo Tian. He noticed that this was the same person his mother had been observing earlier. Although he was confident in his father's love for his mother, Mu Xin currently held no place in her present heart. It made him disdain any man who might try to woo her. Despite his bitterness towards his father for kicking him out, he couldn't ignore the many sacrifices Mu Xin had made for their family. The least Jin Minzhe could do was to drive away any potential suitors, ensuring no one distracted his mother from him. He couldn't help but feel possessive of his mother's time.
"Master, I brought him over," Linyu announced.
"En. Mo Tian, we meet again. I believe you still remember me," Yi Ling said. Even though she hadn't spoken much before, she trusted that Mo Tian was smart enough to recognize her. She wouldn't be placing her bets on him if he weren't.
Mo Tian and Bai Zinghe clasped their fists and bowed toward Yi Ling. Although Bai Zinghe didn't know the young man's identity yet, the fact that Elder Linyu acknowledged him as master meant only one thing—it was the Sect Master. Despite being weak and timid, Bai Zinghe was perceptive and smart.
"En. I remember the young master. May you tell this lowly one your identity now, young master?" Mo Tian asked.
"My name is Yi Jin. I am the Sect Master of the Blue Rose Sect. You've met your elders—Minzhe, Linyu, and Haoran—as well as your senior, Xiang He," Yi Ling gestured at the individuals beside her.
Mo Tian clasped his fists and bowed to everyone. "Mo Tian greets his superiors." Bai Zinghe copied Mo Tian's actions.
"Is he your partner, Mo Tian?" Yi Ling asked.
"Yes, Sect Master. This is Bai Zinghe. I've just learned a while ago that he also comes from Feng Country."
Bai Zinghe rubbed his nose when his name was mentioned. Yi Ling looked at him and then at Mo Tian.
"This is good. Xiang He, you may take these two and start the task I have given you. I have met Mo Tian and his family a year ago. He should be capable enough for it. I believe he will cooperate willingly."
Xiang He stepped forward and eyed the two. Seeing that his master trusted Mo Tian, he nodded at them.
"Xiang He will follow Master's wishes. Mo Tian and Bai Zinghe, follow me. This will be your test for entering the Blue Rose Sect."
Before Mo Tian could react, he was dragged away again. This time, Xiang He actually pushed the two in front of him to start walking. His master, Yi Jin, had assigned him another task—to build a Contribution System and Rewards System within seven days. These two better do it right! He didn't want to be embarrassed in front of his master.
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When the trio left, Yi Ling glanced at Minzhe. She had sensed hostility from Minzhe towards Mo Tian. It puzzled her, but she didn't ask. When everyone had found their respective partners, Linyu spoke.
"Since everyone is ready, you must go inside the Goblin Forest. Your partners will have different tasks assigned by me earlier. Your task is to help your partner finish their task as soon as possible. In short, you will act as their guards. Your time limit is seven days. If you finish your tasks earlier, you may return to this area and wait. The two of you must return together. If one is missing, you will be disqualified. Additionally, if you fail to complete the task assigned to you, you will also be disqualified," Linyu said, looking at the weaker participants.
"The Goblin Forest may be considered among the lowest spiritual beast territories, but I advise you not to let your guard down. Many spiritual beasts still lurk inside the forest. Your safety and life depend on your teamwork. Death may be inevitable once you enter the forest. Keep this in mind. Also, no sabotaging is allowed. As I've said, you all have different tasks. Now, dismiss!" Linyu waved his sleeves, signaling the start of their test. They slowly made their way toward the Goblin Forest. Most of the fainted ones were scared witless, and even their partners felt uneasy. Defeating a spiritual beast was still a risky move, even for weaklings in the hierarchy.
They all had different tasks, as Linyu mentioned. Some were assigned to obtain various herbs, spiritual beast parts, particular stones, rocks, or minerals. The ones assigned to gather spiritual beast body parts had the hardest task. They all sighed as they walked towards their expected challenges.
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Yi Ling wanted to test the efficiency and speed of her sect's operations. She believed that her soon-to-be disciples wouldn't lose out. She would help them gain a stronger hold and bring them to greater heights. If she wanted to be strong, she also had to be responsible for all the people around her. Since everyone had left, Jin Minzhe transformed back to his 5-year-old self and held his mother's hand.
Everything was going according to Yi Ling's plan. All they needed to do now was wait until the seventh day. They soon headed toward the deeper parts of the Red Pass. Yi Ling had a different task for the trio beside her. She smiled while looking at the three.