Neither of us actually voiced his intention to join the Azure Flame Abbey, because we knew if we did, even if his results so far were darn good the others would stare at us like we had 6 heads apiece. The Abbey was notorious for accepting almost no disciples from this exam. Only five Academy alumnus so far had managed it, and a sparse three from the subordinate sects of the alliance. They had set their requirement from the tests so high that the other three sects had gotten them to write it into their part of the alliance agreement that they were not allowed to refuse someone who met the requirements for any reason.
That disallowing didn't go both ways, did it? Even if it didn't, there would definitely be consequences for picking the Library if I also met the Abbey's requirements. But then again, there would be consequences for switching to the Abbey.
"Oh, I finally spotted Jue Zhu," I said, pointing to the line, "10, 20, 40…he's a bit more than 60 people away."
"There's Senyu Quan too, right in front of him," said Shokoya.
"Yeah, and he doesn't look so good."
Once he was at the front of the line, Quan managed a good game face at least. I was relieved when he managed 15 steps without really struggling, and he ended up stopping at 23.
Then at last, it was Jue Zhu's turn. Over a hundred examinees had stuck around after they'd passed, and every one of them fell silent as he took his first step. 20, 30, 40, he passed the mark I'd set of 42, that no one else had even matched, as though he was on an afternoon stroll. I was almost starting to think he'd cross the entire pond without struggling, when he noticeably slowed on the 56th step. For just a moment, I thought I saw an expression on his face like "oh, that's what happens," as he kept going. The further he went, the more violent the ripples in the pond became. With a mighty effort, he cleared the 70th step with what was more like a stomp, considered for a minute, then turned back.
"Congratulations young man," said Elder Shin, "that was well over the previous record of 52 steps. We had thought the Academy's description of your abilities somewhat exaggerated—not an uncommon thing to happen, you understand—but clearly they underestimated you instead."
If he's that talented now…what will he be when he gets his hands on the treasures in the Temple of Ox? It's like I've been sharing a guild team for a little while with a future world champion. I can't even be mad.
"We going to go ahead to the site of the third stage, or do you want to watch the rest of the Academy grads, Z? I think the spear-shield pair are near the back of the line."
"No need, let's get going." But when I saw how many of the people around us were crowding toward the portal doorway to get through it, I amended, "on second thought let's wait until after that rush."
So, we headed for the portal after watching two more examinees. On the other side, I immediately felt strangely at ease. We'd stepped into a room with a luxurious wood-panel floor and painted windows. An artificial stream ran along the walls, filling the spacious chamber with the sound of running water. Past where Shokoya and I had entered, those who'd gone in before us were already lining up, the line terminating where a pair of purple-clad Elders stood on either side of a massive lectern, upon which was the largest book I'd ever seen.
Well, second largest if you counted Dive Games, although that one I had my doubts as to whether it actually functioned as a conventional book, so it might have been more of a book shaped object.
After waiting in the line for about ten minutes, Shokoya tugged at my arm. "Do you need to go to the bathroom or something, Z? Your fidgeting is getting hard to ignore…"
"Sorry. I want to ask the person in front if they heard anything about what the next test is, but there's no obvious honorific to use. I know I should show deference a little since I'm asking for someone's help, but we're all from different sects here so 'apprentice brother' is no good…"
"When there isn't a sect or alliance or other group in common, you use 'fellow Daoist', unless the addressee is obviously stronger than you. You got the second highest score out of anyone in the Pond of Evaluation and there can't be more than a handful here in the 8th Realm. Only the supervising Elders are obviously stronger than you here."
"I—sorry, I should have thought of that."
"Seriously…you were #1 on every exam in the Academy, and I'm having to tell you this?" Shokoya had a good snigger at my expense as I turned to get the attention of the person in front. It turned out they didn't have any more idea, but that the Elders should give us instructions once we reached the front of the line. As we neared the front, though, it seemed the only instructions being given were "write your name on the next empty line, remember the number of the line you wrote your name on, and wait on the other side for further instructions."
I don't like it, it seems a little suspicious, but I suppose it was said that we must follow the instructions of the Elders overseeing the tests without fail. I took the pen from the person next to me in line as they returned from the lectern, and peered over the book. It was so large, 500 lines, well over half of them filled, fit easily onto the page it was open to. I also noted a number 11 in the upper-left corner, just above Line 1. Not daring to delay any longer, I quickly found the lowest-numbered open line at 254, and signed. Though Xu Zuhui wasn't my birth name, and I thought maybe something would happen to alert the elders of that, nothing did.
Those who had already gone through the process had gathered in a crowd past the lectern. I joined them, and soon Shokoya did as well. Compared to waiting in line for the last test, there wasn't nearly as long to wait for the last of the remaining examinees to sign their names in the book. Once everyone had, Elder Shin stood alongside the two other Elders to speak.