Chapter 178: Combat Collab Testing
Over the next few days, the Mystical Qilin Sect received more guests than they did in a hundred years. After some of the more important representatives returned to their sects, the best warriors for each sect showed up for the first combat collaboration initiative to test the effectiveness of the cross-training program.
Wei Jie remained behind as the best warrior. However, he summoned three other warriors from the White Tiger Sect who specialised in different weapons. They arrived two days after the meeting concluded and were almost captured upon arrival because the senior researcher in charge thought they were demonic cultivators because of their bloodthirsty auras. It was unsurprising. Even Bai Dajin had that savage, bloodthirsty aura and unruly appearance that made him look more evil than good.
After apologising for the mix-up, Anji’s next surprise was when her older sister and mother arrived. Gu Ying also participated as the combat force representing the Celestial Dragon Sect. According to Zhao Wanting, Lizi wanted to sneak in to see Anji but was not good enough to represent the sect as an esteemed warrior. Her father would have participated too. However, it would be unfair to others with someone of his skill level for a training trial. After all, Zhao Mingfeng was the hero who defeated the demon lord in the last murim war. Not to mention, someone had to oversee the sect.
Unlike the Celestial Dragon Sect, the other sects sent in their most promising disciples for the cross-training program. The Azure Dragon Sect sent Shao Yin, an elite disciple whom Anji had briefly seen at the Rainbow Alliance Meeting. Likewise, the Heavenly Phoenix Sect sent Hao Yizhen, who also participated in the martial exchange a few years ago. Back then, she seemed very inexperienced. However, Anji could see a different type of confidence and strength in her eyes. Not to mention, Yizhen was promoted from a mere inner disciple to a core disciple who reported directly to Liu Yanxia and acted as her disciplinarian.
Hosting the exchange program from different sects made Anji very busy. Although she wanted to spend more time catching up with her family, her duties as the successor came first.
"Welcome, esteemed representatives. Your travel must have been tiring. Although the Mystical Qilin Sect is humble, we have prepared only the best accommodation for you. Please follow me."
Unlike her usual bubbly behaviour, Anji smiled serenely like a small fairy, guiding the group of over twenty guests to the newly rebuilt mixed martial village for outside students to live in while they were here for training. It took a lot of effort to demolish the academic central and rebuild it into a facility capable of preserving the Mystical Qilin Sect’s prestige.
Leading the guests to a gate different from the one other inner disciples used, Anji gestured to the senior sisters and brothers to hand out the specially prepared entry tokens for the exchange martial artists.
"This entry and exit token is issued specially for guests allowed within the inner courtyard. It differs from the barrier entry access token registered using your qi signature. Unfortunately, our sect’s internal security is weaker than the outer security. Please refrain from losing the token or misusing it. Due to the short notice, this was the best we could do. It consists of many complicated spell talismans and is rather expensive to create. I hope everyone can treasure this token until it is time to return it. The token is carved from a qi-imbued stone slab with runes embedded. It would allow you access to all the places that are safe for guests to roam. However, if you accidentally venture into strictly forbidden zones, it would alert the security team. If you have no further questions, please step into this portal one by one. The senior researchers have checked the teleportation gateway multiple times. It is safe for use by a single person. Remember, a single person only. The Mystical Qilin Sect will not be responsible for any casualties caused by gate misuse and failure to adhere to safety regulations."
The last emphasis on safety regulations made everyone more curious and cautious about the teleportation portal. From its external appearance, it was a slab of stone with many carvings that included the rules of usage and step-by-step instructions about how to properly access the gate. Many cautionary advice and emergency protocols were written on it that Anji skipped over casually.
"I have a question!" Wei Jie yelled from the back. "Is it safe for us to carry weapons through the portal?"
Smiling serenely at the unruly advanced disciple from Bai Dajin’s sect, Anji promised that anything non-organic would pass through without a problem.