Hua!" yelled Fei Fei as she attacked the monster, which was still bowing before me.
"Why isn't it attacking back? Is it dead?" I thought, seeing the monster struggling in pain after being cut by Fei Fei's sword.
"Everyone, bring out your rings!" yelled Muyang, and everyone started bringing out the rings that were given earlier by the trial coordinator.
We all pointed them at the monster, and there was a flash of blue light that suddenly appeared, making the monster burst into a thousand pieces.
My waist and hand hurt so much as my hand bled profusely, and I winced in pain.
"Are you okay?" asked Fei Fei worriedly as she helped me to my feet. She ripped out part of her undergarment and wrapped it around my wound.
"We're saved!" yelled the other cultivators happily.
I'm saved at last, but I'm sure I heard a voice. Was I really hallucinating? It can't be that the monster talked to me. But I was the only one at that spot with it. Is it because I was about to die earlier? I thought with my hand placed on my chin.
Oh, I understand. People seem to experience different things when they're about to die. I'm not Cinderella who talks to birds and rats after all. Or am I Yang Hua who talks to monsters instead? I thought and couldn't help but laugh out loud after trying to fix my confusion but to no avail.
"What's wrong?" asked Fei Fei, her brows raised at me, with the other cultivators who had stopped cheering as they all stared at me awkwardly.
"It's nothing, all of you. I'm just so happy we're finally saved," I said, as I forced out a smile that they all believed.
"The magical realm door is opening," yelled Mimi as she jumped up happily.
Everyone had started going through the door now, and I had no choice but to do the same as Fei Fei helped me up so I could walk.
"Out of seventy participants, we have forty alive. Congratulations to all of you, and may the souls of the others rest in peace," said the man dressed in blue, more like the trial coordinator.
Only then did everyone start to feel sad again. The trial is indeed a tough one. We had to witness the death of several people, all in the name of the trial.
"We've prepared forty pieces of recovery pills for surviving participants. It will help you recover in a short period of time. You should all go home and recover so as to prepare for the second trial," said the trial coordinator.
"What about the bodies of dead participants? Shouldn't they at least be given a proper burial?" said one of the participants.
I happened not to see him at all in the magical realm. How come? Where had he been hiding? Well, I don't expect to know all participants. I was busy fighting for my life too, I thought, with my gaze fixed upon him.
"And who are you?" asked the trial coordinator.
"I'm Yu Ming. So what about their bodies? Will they be given to their family members?" he asked with seriousness in his tone.
"I don't know if you weren't paying any attention to the rules earlier. I thought I mentioned not being responsible for anyone's death. It's the magical realm. The monster would have eaten them or, better still, they'll vanish with the magical realm," replied the trial coordinator.
The recovery pills were being handed to all participants, and we all swallowed them at once.
Woah, they work like magic after all. I'm kind of feeling better, I thought with a smile.
"This is amazing," said Fei Fei with a cute smile.
"Everyone should leave the sect premises now and resume in two days' time for the second trial," said the trial coordinator, and with this, the gate was opened as every participant started to take their leave.
"Where are you headed to?" asked Fei Fei, as we both stood outside the sect.
"Your... My lady," yelled Luli, running towards me as she hugged me happily.
"How was it? Were you injured? Oh my goodness, how did you hurt your hand?" she asked, looking all worried.
"Enough with the questions, I'm good," I replied, as I rolled my eyes at her.
"You're from a noble family? Which family did you come from?" asked Fei Fei with a serious expression.
"How can you stress someone who is this injured? You don't need to know about her family. You'll see each other another day," said Luli, dragging me along with her out of Fei Fei's sight.
Fei Fei tried to stop us to no avail, as I turned back to look at her, but she was a distance far away from me already.
We'll both meet another time. I didn't even get to thank her properly, I thought, now releasing myself from Luli's grip.
"How can you be so rude to her? You spoilt brat!" I yelled angrily.
"But... I just told her the truth, and moreover, she's not angry. You have to get treated after all," she said sadly.
"You should have allowed me to thank her at least. She'll think I'm ungrateful," I said with a gloomy face.
"I'm sorry. I just want you to eat and recover quickly. I've prepared lots of food for you. You can greet her during the second trial," she said sadly, with her head bowed.
"Food! I haven't eaten anything today. Please take me to where the food is. Is there lots of chicken available?" I asked, with my hands placed on my stomach.
"Yeah... Your Highness," replied Luli, as she held onto me and we both walked our way home.
On getting to the inn, I had a warm bath in medical herb with the help of Luli. After that, I was served with plenty of dishes before me, accompanied by beautiful music.
"This is quite delicious," I said with a mouthful of chicken.
"I thought Your Highness was going to die, as you have sealed all your powers. But I'm glad you came out alive," said Luli happily.
"Heaven is really helping me. I also thought I was going to die by the hand of that three-headed monster. It was like Temple Run mixed with a horror movie," I said as I sighed in frustration.
"Three-headed monster, Forest Demon?" asked Luli, shockingly.
"What forest demon? It was an ugly monster. It almost swallowed every participant," I said, as I rolled my eyes away from her.
"You had a cut?" she asked, as she held my right hand.
"It's the work of that monster, actually. I even started hearing voices as I was about to die. I even thought it was the monster talking to me. How silly of me?" I said with an outburst of laughter.
"Your blood actually saved you, Your Highness. What word exactly did you hear?" asked Luli, as I could sense seriousness in her tone.
"Something like 'long live Your Highness'," I said as I stared at her awkwardly.
"Even though your powers are sealed, your blood is still magical. The Forest Demon was able to recognize you due to your blood, or else you would have been killed with the other participants. Since you all haven't mastered any spells, you were sure to die," said Luli with seriousness in her tone as she glared at me.