Chapter 37: What have you been doing?
Seraph gladly accepted them, then went to a corner to change. When he emerged, he was donned in the blue and black robes, looking more handsome and fit.
"Here’s your Disciple Badge. Never lose it."
Seraph collected the badge from Elder Song, then hung it on his chest like all other disciples did. On the badge were two bold words—SOUL PEAK.
"Alright. Let’s get out of here if we’re not punishing anyone."
Elder Lan rolled her eyes, pushing them both out of the punishment hall. She seemed displeased that she hadn’t been useful despite being called.
Elder Song smirked, nudging her in the side. "Hehe, don’t be so glum, Senior Sister."
The woman snorted, then called a disciple who was nearby.
"Take Junior Brother Seraph to the disciple lodging."
The disciple nodded respectfully, then turned to Seraph. A flash of surprise crossed her expression, seeing him clad in outer court disciple robes.
"The outer court section?" She blinked, turning to Elder Lan for confirmation.
Usually, the Soul Peak only accepted disciples who were already in the Inner Court or Core Court. Seeing an outer court disciple being accepted surprised her.
"Yes." Elder Lan nodded. "Just take him there."
The girl nodded, then walked up to Seraph. "Follow me."
The two of them began climbing down the mountain, while the two elders remained outside the punishment hall.
"Sigh..."
Elder Song turned to her senior sister. "You’re going to keep this a secret, right?"
The other woman frowned. "Of course. But we should at least inform the Sect Master."
Elder Song shook her head, her expression subtle. "We can’t do that. You also know what he would do if he becomes aware of such a talent."
A nineteen-ci-aptitude—presumably. It was enough to make even the bigger sects or the imperial family come after him.
Thankfully, Seraph could control the aptitude he displayed.
"But I don’t want it to seem like a betrayal. What if he later finds out?" Elder Lan shook her head, unconvinced.
She wanted to avoid getting on the Sect Master’s bad side. That person... could be insanely cruel to those who offended him.
Elder Song grabbed her hands, looking into her eyes. "Senior Sister. Have you wondered what he could do to us after we tell him this? After all, it’s just two elders who are aware of the boy’s talent—disposable."
Elder Lan’s eyes widened. "You mean... he might kill us?"
Her junior sister lowered her voice and spoke carefully. "Elder Sam disappeared mysteriously. I’m sure more disappearances could happen and no one would be too invested in finding out why."
These words shook Elder Lan’s heart, and she unconsciously clenched her fists.
"In that case..." She looked up with a determined expression. "Seraph Skye truly has a six-ci-aptitude."
Elder Song smiled, patting her shoulder. "Hm, he is really talented. Not bad for the Soul Peak."
"Now, about his affinities..."
..................
Seraph came to the middle part of the mountain with the female inner court disciple. She didn’t say a word, and Seraph didn’t bother saying anything yet. Soon, they arrived at what seemed like a local community.
There were three distinct buildings, having two storeys each. One was painted white, the other black, and the last one gold.
The colors already determined which kind of disciple could reside in the buildings.
"Black for Outer Court, huh..." Seraph took a look at the lone, abandoned building.
It looked like it hadn’t been taken care of in ages.
"You can choose any room you want here. They’re all vacant anyway."
The female disciple said, her expression focused.
Seraph glanced at her, reassessing her quietly. She looked young, definitely not yet eighteen. As for her cultivation... it was better not to probe rudely.
"Senior Sister, is it convenient to tell me your name?"
He asked, his voice carrying an undertone afraid of refusal.
The girl glanced at him, staring deep into his eyes. Normally, she would have ignored him, but she decided not to.
"I am Inner Court disciple Sylvia."
’Sylvia...’
Seraph repeated the name in his mind, nodding slowly.
"Alright, Senior Sister Sylvia. Thanks for showing me the Outer Court lodge. By the way, the elder who brought us here mentioned something about missions. Is there mission hall or something?"
Sylvia turned her head, pointing at a tall building in the distance. "That is the Mission Hall for all Soul Peak disciples. Though you’ll probably have to inform them you’re an outer court disciple before they make you do inner court disciple missions."
Seraph nodded in understanding, clasping his fists toward her. "Thank you for telling me all these, Senior Sister. I appreciate."
Sylvia nodded, then walked away.
Now left alone, Seraph stared at the lonesome black building, feeling like it was a haunted house.
’Interesting.’
He rolled his shoulders and stepped into the building. Just as he thought, it wasn’t sparkling clean. It was dirty. Abandoned.
’Guess I have a lot of work to do.’
Thankfully, his water and wind affinities would work perfectly in this situation.
He began cleaning the entirety of the building, sweeping out the dust and repairing the broken windows.
In just an hour, the place was as good as new. Standing outside, he placed his hands on his waist and looked up.
’Since it’s my apartment now, I can decide to decorate it with some light bulbs right? If anyone asks, I’ll just say it’s something we produce in my hometown.’
Nodding, he suddenly facepalmed. Even if he wanted to create the light bulbs again, he needed materials.
"Ugh. Such a hassle."
He missed the days when the Chief Blacksmith and Elder Cassius would always provide him with the materials he needed.
’I should visit the Mission Hall later and see a mission I can take.’
Sighing, he prepared to go back in and choose a room for himself.
"Oi, you. What’re you doing here?"
Hearing the tone in that voice, Seraph groaned internally.
’An arrogant disciple archetype. Tch.’
Turning around, he was met with a bald inner court disciple who had a haughty look on his face.
Seraph offered a pleasant smile. "Hello, Senior Brother. It seems we’re fellow disciples of the Soul Peak."
"Hah?" The disciple blinked, a scowl twisting his lips. "You must be kidding me! The Soul Peak isn’t a place for outer court weaklings like you."
Seraph’s smile didn’t change, but it became somewhat taunting. "Heh~ do the Soul Cross Sect Inner Court disciples really think the elders of the sect make foolish decisions? This is really... enlightening."
The disciple’s expression darkened. "What do you mean? We don’t doubt the elders’ judgements at all. Still..."
He gritted his teeth.
"... Who knows if you’ve used some tricks to get in?"
Seraph closed his eyes, placing a hand on his chest and pretending to be hurt.
"Senior Brother, you shouldn’t speak like that. Why would you think a young boy like me used tricks just to get into the Soul Peak? That’s a heavy accusation."
He paused, his eyes growing sharp.
"Or are you saying that the Soul Peak elders can be easily fooled by an outer court disciple?"
The disciple’s expression darkened further, and veins popped up on his bald head.
"You cheeky brat... you’re good with words, I agree."
He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched.
"Better don’t let me find a reason to deal with you."
Seraph rolled his eyes, cupping his fists pretentiously. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he spoke.
"Of course, Senior Brother. Thank you for magnanimously retreating from me."
The disciple was infuriated, but reigned in his anger. He turned away and returned to the others, his expression dark.
Seraph straightened, his smile still present. He ignored the faint whispers about him in the distance and walked into the building.
’Sigh... I guessed this would happen. But I guess I can tolerate it for now.’
After realizing that he was the only outer court disciple present in the Soul Peak, he automatically knew he would be looked down upon.
It was natural, and he didn’t have anything against it. However, the process was boring and tiring.
Putting these thoughts at the back of his mind, he chose a room at the top floor—a room where he could get a good view of the situation outside.
"Perfect."
Grinning, he sprawled on the bed tiredly and decided to take a quick nap. Having spent hours at the selection and some time with the two Soul Peak elders, he believed he needed some rest.
...............
When he woke up, he realized it was already evening time. Straightening, he went downstairs and out of the building, heading towards the Mission Hall first.
Although he was feeling a tad bit hungry, he decided to get himself a mission before heading to the cafeteria for dinner.
"Let’s see... what’s the possibility that they don’t have any mission I can handle?"
Speaking to himself, he headed to the Mission Hall.
["Zero."] Halo unexpectedly replied, almost startling him.
’Geez, you just had to do that. Tch.’
Snorting, Seraph rolled his eyes and asked. ’What have you been doing by the way?’