Within the very depths of Hollow Ridge, a sprawling sect could be seen.
The mountain range was like a coiling dragon as hundreds of large buildings with interconnected wooden bridges swung as they wove between the valleys and peaks.
An unending darkness hung over Hollow Ridge as it added to its spine-chilling atmosphere.
The sect which he saw was filled with grandeur as its sheer size seemed all-encompassing; the black and deep red buildings towering into the sky as they pierced the ghostly cloud cover, making everything all the more sinister.
This grand but unearthly scene was the view of the renowned Blood Gate Cult, a local hegemon within the Barbaric South.
From afar, hundreds of cultivators could be seen as they wandered to and fro, riding tamed Vicious Beast or horse-drawn carriages as they made their way into the cult.
The area was bustling as the crowds were directed by the Cult's disciples, each wearing the signature cult uniform.
The disciples were draped in either black or blood-red robes as they all emanated hair-raising and baleful auras.
Xiao LingYue and Deacon He could be seen passing through the cult's Sect Arch as they walked up the winding black steps behind the crowd.
After an incense worth of time, Deacon He made mention of the semi-annual entrance examination as he stated coldly,
"Follow the crowd to the testing area."
As he left with the recommendation letter while walking further into the sect.
LingYue glanced around as he noticed the sheer amount of humans, his disgust palpable as he followed the crowd as they were led to an expansive circular area with a few raised platforms.
Examinees were standing in their specific groups due to previous connections.
He walked to the side as a small group of examinees stood before him. This group was comprised of young men above his age between the ages of 16 to 18.
Their cultivation was pretty average as they were around the fourth realm of The Body Tempering Stage except for one young man who stood out like a crane amongst a flock of chickens.
He was around 17 and his cultivation was at the peak of the fifth realm.
It seemed he was quite well known as he basked in the praise of the other young prospective disciples.
He held his head high as he brimmed with confidence, seemingly thinking everyone was beneath his notice; his long brown hair billowed behind him, his sword-like brows and deep eyes gave him a dashing temperament, his exquisite embroidered black robe made him look quite like the young scions of rich families or the legacy disciples of the righteous sects but had a conflicting ghastly aura about him.
His name was Qiu Zhi, a well-known young swordsman in the Barbaric South and one of the most favoured examinees to become a disciple.
He was known for his [Nine Graves SwordPlay], a sinister and lethal sword movement which he used to slaughter anyone who challenged him or disrespected him in any way.
********************
On the other side of the circular platform, a few disciples were speaking in hushed tones as they furtively glanced at Qiu Zhi.
"Hey, Hey have you heard?" A young female examinee with average looks said.
"Heard? Heard what? There are many things I hear daily, I'm not deaf," a slightly older female scoffed as she responded.
"I'm talking about what happened to Liang Qingling, the pearl of the Liang Clan!" The younger female said as her voice filled with amusement as she continued.
" It was said that Liang Qingling was meant to come to join this time for the Cult's semi-annual entrance examination," she said as she looked towards Qiu Zhi before resuming.
" I had heard that she and Qiu Zhi were planning to become dao companions upon entering the sect together but who'd thought she'd die a vicious death after being abused in the mines to the point of suicide!" she exclaimed as her voice contained her exhilaration.
The other female gasped as she said, " Only the heavens know what sort of cruel and wicked fetish she had to put up with before death, too bad for Qiu Zhi, he ended up wearing a green hat!"
They laughed revelling in the misfortune of others.
Suddenly there was a commotion as Qiu Zhi made his way over, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Its blade slowly drew as he stared menacingly at the two.
"Would you dare to repeat what you said?" He asked; his eyes narrowing slowly as his sinister aura slowly crept over the two.
The two girls shivered like they were stuck in a blizzard as all the warmth left their bodies.
"I'm sorr..."
A glimmer flashed as a scream was heard across the area as everyone's attention was drawn.
A girl was seen kneeling on the floor as her hands cupped her mouth as blood flowed between her fingers, as drop after drop fell to the floor before her.
Her face was stained with tears as she then looked up at him while everyone gasped at the sight of the young girl's tongue wriggling on the floor a couple of meters away.
"You should be lucky I haven't killed you. The only reason you're still alive is that we're at the Blood Gate Cult. " he scoffed as he swished his sleeve before leaving.
Qiu Zhi didn't even let the girl apologize after offending him as he directly took her tongue.
Xiao LingYue's eyes focused on this young man as his eyes narrowed while a smirk could be seen on his face.
'How ruthless,' he thought to himself as he chuckled while walking into the crowd.