When he heard Bran's explanation, Kai was a little surprised. He had expected things to look a little different.
- Wow... It turns out that everyone takes the test in the same place... - Kai said thoughtfully.
- Exactly. When you enter the Shadow Dungeon, there might be other students there. They might be taking the High Apprentice test at the same time as you. Although it doesn't happen that often. - Bran confirmed.
- I was more surprised that Personal Apprentices also take their test in the Shadow Dungeon... - Kai replied
- Well... It's a bit of a different story with them. To become a Personal Apprentice, you not only have to reach level 5, but you also have to be approved by one of the Elders. The more powerful an Elder is willing to accept you, the more status the apprentice has! For some, quarrels even start among the Elders! Haha. - Laughing, Bran said.
- Hehehe, even so? - Smilingly asked Kai.
- It's over! If a disciple is very talented, then a lot of people will want to get their hands on him! If you're just a good sprout, then you need someone to be interested in you. Then you will rise to the level of a Personal Disciple... But according to the rules, if you couldn't reach the 5th floor, then no one has the right to accept you as a disciple! This is also done to avoid corruption! - Bran explained.
- Hmm... Look Bran, I'm sorry to ask you this. But if the test is like this, doesn't it mean that everyone could eventually become a High Apprentice? You just have to keep trying... - Kai asked.
- No... On entry, the array determines your age. The older you are, the more powerful the destructive energy will be. The Shadow Dungeon basically tests talent! If you couldn't make it to level 3 at 20, you're unlikely to make it to level 3 at 30. Unless you meet some lucky chance of metamorphosis. There's a lot of things in this world, sometimes not very strong wizards can find a chance to change their destiny in their wanderings...' Bran said sadly.
- I see your point... Thanks again for the information! - Gratefully replied Kai, stopping his questions.
'I see... Hiding my age won't work...' - Kai thought, walking quietly behind Bran.
Kai didn't understand how they would determine his exact age. But he had no doubt that the Shadow Sect had that capability. There was no point in hiding, he needed to give his best. The faster he advanced in the Shadow Sect, the faster he could progress in his cultivation.
This was critical to him as he still had one more promise left. He wanted to try and prolong his Master's life. So far, he was too weak for that.....
Kai decided that he had to maximise his strength. And then, he would go to his homeland to check on his old man.
As they walked along the streets, they exchanged phrases from time to time. Kai no longer asked about the structure of the Shadow Sect. They mostly just chatted about routine matters. Bran would tell them where Kai should definitely go. It was obvious that he knew very well where good alcohol and beautiful women were in the city.
'Hehe... Well now it's a little clearer why you couldn't get any further.' - Kai thought with a smile.
He didn't judge Bran, as he realised that everyone has their own path. Not everyone wants to constantly strive to evolve. In fact, the path of a martial arts master was not as fun as it seemed. It is a road of hardship and endurance... Many people will find this way of life strange. Isn't it better to enjoy the moment and all the other delights of life? Weren't beautiful women and a good holiday, or a quiet family life the best way out?
Half an hour later, they started to get closer to the huge white palace. Only now did Kai realise that it was not one huge building. It was a whole complex of intertwined structures! They were all built on a small mountain. They seemed to cover the mountain from all sides. And instead of the top, it was the biggest building!
- Wow... - Kai said with his mouth open.
- Surprised? That building at the top is called the Shadow Palace! All the Great Elders and the Patriarch dwell there! Personal Disciples are allowed to live there too. But only if you have enough money to live there! - Bran proudly announced.
- No wonder it's the centre and highest point of Shadow City! - Kai said admiringly.
- Well, you'll see more of it, come with me! We are not far from one of the entrances to the Shadow Dungeon. - Bran said and started moving again.
- Are there more than one? - Kai asked.
- Of course there are! The Shadow Sect's territory is large, and there are several entrances located at different points for convenience. The dungeon is right under the main mountain, on which all the main buildings are built. So it's not very difficult to make several paths to get there. - Bran explained.
- I see... - Kai said.
- As a matter of fact, here is one of them! - Bran announced cheerfully, pointing forwards.
When Kai shifted his gaze, he saw a beautiful white square, with a large fountain in the centre. And twenty metres away from it in the wall was a huge black door!
- This door... - Kai started to say.
- This is the entrance to the Shadow Dungeon! Okay Kai, good luck! I should be getting back to my post by now. Hehehe. - Laughing Bran said and patted Kai on the back.
- Thank you. I hope to see you again! - With a smile Kai replied, saying goodbye to the guard.
After saying goodbye, Kai started moving towards the entrance.
'It's huge...' - Kai thought.
The door in front of him was ten metres high. It was tar-coloured, which was a great contrast to the rest of the city. It was like a patch of concentrated shadow.
Looking a little better, Kai saw that there were decorative carvings all over the door. It depicted a variety of animals and scenes.
- Beautiful... - Kai said to himself.
At the entrance stood a middle-aged man who was in a rather agitated state. It was obvious that he was puzzled about something, but also a little excited.
- Hello, I wanted to take the Basic Apprentice exam. Here is my letter of recommendation! - Kai said politely, and handed the bundle to the man.
- Oh! You're the new applicant? - Said the man, and examined the scroll.
He read it carefully, with a slight change in his face.
- Is everything alright? - Asked Kai.
- Yes, of course. There's nothing wrong with the letter of recommendation... Except... - He started to speak from afar.
- Excuse me, is there a problem? - Not understanding the situation said Kai.
- No problem at all. It's just that today, at the same time, there will be a test for a Personal Apprentice. There's an applicant that several Elders are interested in. They seem to say that even the highest of them will be watching! Taking the exam at this moment isn't a good idea...'' The man said quietly.
It seemed like he was a good enough person. He was saying all this to help Kai. Except Kai didn't really understand why....
- So what of it? - Kai asked without understanding.
- Ehhh... I have to explain everything to you... - the man replied sadly, - The perception of the Elders is terrifying. If they are watching an applicant for Personal Apprentice, they will simultaneously see everything that is happening in the Shadow Dungeon! If you even embarrass yourself a little... Then your path will most likely be closed forever! - He said seriously.
- Ahh... Well, if that's the case, then no problem. I'm quite confident in myself. - Kai replied calmly.
Hearing this, the man slightly bulged his eyes, but then shook his head and said irritably:
- Tz! You are young, you never want to listen to the advice of your elders... My business is to warn you, if you want it so much, I won't discourage you! Come with me! - Mumbled the man.
- Let's go! And thank you for your concern. I appreciate you trying to warn me. Hehe. - Said Kai with a smile.
- Eh... Yeah, yeah. If you fail, don't come crying to me later and beg for a second chance! - Grumblingly replied the man.
- I wouldn't dare! Hehehe. - Laughing Kai said.