Despite the pill he had eaten, Alex could still feel the aftereffects of the two day long pill-making session. Walking out of the platform, the sudden presence of Qi was like plunging into cold water on a hot day.
Alex nearly gasped out loud.
He felt his body —without him needing to— draw in Qi from the surroundings. It had been devoid of it for so long that it now wanted to drown in it.
Alex had only made it to the entrance of the hall when he heard a distinct ting~ sound, as though something hard was striking harmonious metal. He turned around and saw what the sound was for.
The number 11 that was in the sky when he failed had now dropped to 10. One of the men far to the other side seemed to have failed. Now, only 10 remained.
Alex entered the hall and was immediately made to go in one direction, where a smaller group of people was gathered. On the other side of the hall was a larger group of participants, who all looked sad and dejected.
