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\'A hidden gem indeed,\' he thought.

Arthur decided to keep tabs on him and focused on his test.

"I get it now!"

An excited voice spoke from beside Arthur and Zaith flung open his eyes, and the Slaughter intent around him changed.

\'So he did it?\' Arthur wasn\'t too surprised as he expected this.

\'He is from that clan after all...\'

"Congratulations," Arthur smiled at Zaith.

But Zaith acted like he didn\'t hear and moved to stand on the tenth step. Only he was a second late.

*Tap!*

"Too slow, Zaith!" Arthur said after climbing the tenth step just a bit faster than Zaith.

*Step!*

Zaith climbed too and did not ignore Arthur this time. Although he just stared at him and said nothing.

Arthur noticed that something has changed with Zaith. He speculated that it might have something to do with his slaughter intent, but he couldn\'t be sure.

Arthur shrugged and looked at the stairs ahead, and wondered how much further he could go.

By reaching the tenth step, he and Zaith had already passed this test, and going any further would only be for the sake of training.

\'Or to gather more attention from the sect,\' Arthur wanted to continue, and by the looks of things, it seems Zaith wanted to do the same too.

But as Arthur was contemplating climbing more, he heard an announcement.

"Time\'s up!"

"This test has come to an end!"

After that, a calm wind blew on Arthur and the rest and they found themselves on the floor with the Sword Stairs out of sight.

"Oh come on!"

"Yeah, that was too short!"

Many began to grumble and complain that the time given for the test was too short.

Arthur only looked around and kept silent.

Elder Maten stepped forward and said, "The time was more than enough for what I needed of you all."

"But..." A participant wanted to complain but stopped when he saw the Elder raise his hand.

"All those who had climbed up to the fourth step and above are considered to have passed!" Elder Maten announced.

"What?!"

The participants were shocked.

"I thought we had to reach the tenth step to pass?"

"Yeah, I could have put more effort to reach the fourth step if I knew it was like this," said a dismayed participant.

"Well, long story short...I lied. Now do not ask any questions, follow the disciples behind me who will direct those that passed to their temporary residence," Elder Maten signaled to a group of disciples there.

"As for those that failed, leave the premises immediately without fail!"

The Elder tapped his leg on the ground and flew to the air, leaving them behind.

"Alright, all those who pass come with me!" A male disciple wearing blue robes stepped forward.

This time, no one tried to sneak in among those that passed as they knew they would be found out. And that might attract punishment from the sect that they were not willing to face.

Arthur and the rest followed the disciples whom he found out to be outer disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, with the one in lead an inner-sect disciple.

\'So outer-sect disciples are dressed in white robes then?\' Arthur noticed.

Soon after, they arrived deeper within the sect at a building that had enough rooms to accommodate them all.

Luke quickly located Arthur and came to stay at his side.

The outer-sect disciples gave everyone one a card with a number on it that corresponded to a room at the building.

After that, the inner-sect disciple stepped forward and addressed them.

"Listen up!"

"As at this moment you are considered outer disciples of the sect, but that is unofficial."

"Your admission will become official by tomorrow after you take a final test. And do not worry about taking another test as this is not one where you get sent home if you fail."

Everyone was listening attentively to the information being given.

"In the sect, there are different rankings and your rank on these rankings would determine the number of resources that would be given to you."

"By taking tomorrow\'s test, it would allow the sect to get an understanding of your ability and also give you a rank."

"So I urge you all to rest well and do your best tomorrow," the inner disciple smiled and left with the others.

Almost everyone began to go to their rooms as they were all tired, and also they wanted to cultivate a bit in preparation for tomorrow.

"What now, Master?" Luke asked Arthur for any instructions.

"Make the necessary preparations for tomorrow. I have already given you the best resources so you have no problem in that regard. But we need to rise up quickly in the sect, so do your best,"

Arthur walked to his room as he spoke, which was coincidental with Luke\'s assigned room. So they walked together.

"Yes, Master."

"And one more thing. There are some people I want you to watch out for and try to scout for any information about them if you can."

Arthur described the haggard-looking barefooted young man he saw previously, and also the other participant his Fate Sense noticed during the Sword Stairs test.

He also told Luke about the silver-haired girl and did not bother to talk about Zaith.

\'I will deal with that one myself.\'

"I understand." Luke nodded seriously.

After that, they entered their assigned rooms and sat down to cultivate without rest.

***********

At a hidden location within the sect...

Two old men sat down and drank tea as they conversed. They were Old Man Whitebeard and Kira\'s grandfather.

"Hahaha! Zephilus, how is being the Supreme Guardian eh?" Old Man Whitebeard asked Kira\'s grandfather.

"Well, I am doing just fine. At least it is way better than you...Guardian of Books...hahaha!"

"Hey, it isn\'t just books that I guard!"

"Yeah? Tell me about it then."

"Sorry, Royal Secrets," Old Whitebeard waved his hand.

"Now, unto serious matters," Zephilus expression became serious.

Old Man Whitebeard finished the cup of wine in his hand and became serious too.

"So the tournament has been brought forward?" Zephilus asked.

"Yes, I just received the news. It appears that the Martial Emperor Realm will be opening much sooner than usual," Old Man Whitebeard said with a sigh.

"This isn\'t too good. Our youngsters are not ready for this just yet. And we still have no figure amongst them who can stand up to the geniuses of the other continents," Zephilus rubbed his temples.

"Don\'t worry, I believe we will be ready this time," Old Man Whitebeard said with a smile.

"I hope so..."

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