Chương 13: A Wild Gamble

Same place, same feelings, just another morning. But this time, true to himself, Ren stepped into the arena with no hesitation, his favorite song replaying in his mind. The weather warmer, he is colder, four men in uniform— to carry home my little soldier… dat da da. He even hummed the melody.

"Morning," a familiar voice chimed in, accompanied by a crackle of sparks. Baozhai appeared beside him.

"And I expected to drag you all the way. You ruined all my fun." A smirk played on her lips.

"Heh, foolish," he chuckled, tossing his hair back with a flick. It was getting a little too long for his taste, yet for now, it added to the dramatics.

"You think I'd give you a chance to drag my name through mud?" Baozhai sighed, rolling her eyes in a fashion as exaggerated as his. With a deft motion, she reached out to adjust his collar.

"You're already taking care of that part, dear young master." Trying not to squirm under her fingers that lingered a little longer than necessary, his grin took a lazy turn.

"That's your problem, remember?"

"That's exactly why I can't let you wander alone," she muttered, her smile faltering as she lowered her hands. Though she quickly changed into her stern face.

"I've handed this batch to the elders. They'll start from the outer sect, as everyone else does. But those top ten are under our direct care. Do you want to pick them now or wait until they show their real capabilities?" Ren nodded slightly and stared at the ten disciples waiting farther back, sitting on the stands and chatting with each other. This is the point of no return. Time to be an army dreamer.

"Three," he uttered, finding that the words flowed a lot easier than he expected.

"I'll only take three of them. I don't trust myself sparing enough time and effort for every one of them. Instead, I'll take the way I already took, but with three of them." His smile disappeared, leaving its place to resolve.

"Others?"

"Your game, my rules. Since you forced me into this mess, then I guess I can be willful at the very least." She stared deep into his eyes. Watched him. Searched for answers. But she let out a sigh after a brief pause.

"Fine." Her tone didn't change, yet her lips curled up just a little— a triumphant little smile.

"Then I'll also take three, and make a little team. Rivalry brings success after all, and they will be familiar with each other. With one being backup, their number is just enough."

"The other four?" Ren couldn't help but feel a bad taste in his mouth. She gave him a look as if asking, 'Didn't you say you don't care?'

"Don't look at me like that," He scratched his head out of instinct.

"It just… rubs me the wrong way that they won't get the chance to learn from someone like you. Reason? My willfulness. It would be utter nonsense to explain this to them." Baozhai's gaze softened.

"I'll make sure they end up as a disciple under one of the elders." … Choosing recruits, particularly the bright ones, was crucial to any successful business. Shame it was also the part he would gladly pass to someone else. Nevertheless, without fail, Ren always ended up at that table, discarding candidates one after another with the cold precision of an executioner. The necessary evil of the business world, I've returned to your lap here again. Standing before the excited disciples, Ren felt a strange déja vu.

Their puppy-like eyes didn't help either.

"Before we start, let me tell you what I expect from the disciples I'll teach," words poured out of his mouth one after another, perfected over the course of half the night.

"I don't care about talent, nor should you. But dedication? That's the special word you need if you want to survive in this hell of a world. You need to get used to the pain daily, hourly, even. Don't think I'll go easy on you." He let his gaze sweep over the group. Too many bright faces. Too much hope. The kind he hated to refuse.

"My test isn't something complicated. Just stay standing under my regal aura for one minute. However, I'll only take three of you, and your Senior Sister will do the same as well," he continued.

"As for the other four, you don't need to worry— we won't let you down." Some faces fell quickly, while some didn't react. Ren shared a glance with Baozhai. At least it's clear who got the bonus points. Baozhai is stricter than I am.

"Senior brother," Liu Wenhai raised his hand, smiling sheepishly.

"What is a regal aura? I never heard of it." True to the potential of his Yin-Yang thunder fish diagram, he had managed to secure a spot in the top ten. The scrappy kid also stood beside him, lowering his head as soon as he heard the quota.

"It's not surprising you didn't hear it, as only the carriers of sect insignia can invoke it: the sect master and the heir, which is the eldest brother here." Baozhai chimed in.

"It embodies the very fate of the sect, a final trump card reserved for the direst of situations. But don't get ahead of yourselves. For you, this trial will involve the most basic use— merely announcing your presence. Even that alone is more than most ever get to see. Be grateful." Her words lit a fire in them as every head turned to him at the same moment. He could feel their curiosity mixed with fear, mirroring his own emotions. This was as much a test for himself as it was for them. A gamble, even.

An excuse to see if that insignia, residing in the deepest part of the soul, was still acknowledging him. Something he desperately wanted to learn. His fingers curled slightly at his side, nails pressing into his palm.

"Do your best to…" he muttered softly.

"Persist." Closing his eyes, he willed it to appear. To show who he was. To announce his regal presence. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. It answered. His eyes snapped open, sharp and sudden, like a sword leaving its sheath. A dragon's roar tore through him, rising from his spine to bellow a challenge at the sky. And as its echo rang out, a grand scale of justice materialized in full splendor behind it.

Everyone shivered, an invisible mountain pressing down on their shoulders. Their breath hitched, the sheer weight of the insignia's majesty forced them to bow down. The silver scale suspended in the air, its chains stretching beyond sight, anchoring somewhere into the heavens and the earth. One side gleamed with the brilliance of dawn, golden and warm. The other dripped with cold twilight, a crescent of pale moonlight glinting like a scythe. The dragon flew around it, its roars shaking souls.

It was not powerful in the destructive sense. It didn't radiate killing intent, nor did it suffocate like the spiritual pressure. Yet Ren knew the sheer terror of it. How it brought forth a crushing urge to submit. Not even an Ascendant's spiritual pressure can trigger such an urge. The disciples faltered. Some tried to straighten their backs in vain. Others looked as if their knees might buckle at any moment. One even fell directly, causing Baozhai to wave a hand and pull him as he struggled to breathe.

Ren threw only one glance, but didn't react. His focus was locked elsewhere. What the… Because his useless system had decided to appear at that moment. [Ding!] [Detected an external interference! Host is under hostile scrutiny through a Primordial's Mark… searching for solutions…] [Ding! Soul searching attempt detected.] I knew it. He didn't know what to say or feel. It wasn't like he didn't fear the consequences if it was revealed he wasn't the true owner of the insignia. Of course he did. [Ding! Host level isn't enough for system interruption. Soul search attempt underway.] Even you can't do anything, huh, system? He felt naked. His heart skipped a beat. But more than that, he felt a strange… peace. That's right. I'm still me. The plain old Ren. Someone— at least something— acknowledging this… is surprisingly liberating. A smile found its way to his lips. Bitter, maybe resigned, but belonged only to him. The feared time has come. He found his gaze instinctively drawn to Baozhai. She was breathtaking.

So beautiful. And hard to forget. I knew this little game of pretending was bound to end one day. Just that day came faster than I expected. I guess this is fine as well. Less tiring. Less catastrophic. Fits for someone like me. He had gambled to convince himself, hoping for that final push to accept the role he was forced into— and lost. Simple as that. His eyes had closed at some point, as he waited for the inevitable— the pain of his soul being searched until not a single secret remained.

It didn't make him wait. The searing grip latched onto his soul, squeezing right at the heart.

'YAYA!' However, just as Ren was about to give in to fate's cruel hand, a baby's angry wail drifted to his ears— hazy, almost unreal. In turn, moonlight energy surged, covering his whole body, its silver light flickering as if it was fighting against the unseen hand. [Skill activated: Primordial Lifeform] [Primordial Lifeform]: As the host of the Nascent-Moonfly Tree, you gained immunity to all mind control techniques or imprints. No curse can affect your mind. Little sapling?! He felt it.

The surge of anger spread to all parts of his being. That colossal, majestic figure of the thorny tree piercing through the heavens flared to life in his mind. The grand scale, the revolving dragon… he could sense their seemingly majestic forms tremble under the wrath of a true Primordial Lifeform.

"Ren! What's happening?!" Ren heard Baozhai's urgent voice, yet he remained silent, a chaotic storm of thoughts passing unprocessed. Only one thing was clear. I'm an idiot. The turmoil in his mind eased all at once. I dared to raise my voice even in front of the ancestor. This thing, a mere mark, how can it define who I am so easily? [Please protect and cherish, Ren.] The words silently burned in his very core. Ren opened his eyes, the world suddenly feeling much brighter, much clearer.

Even if I'm not him, even if I didn't choose this willingly, this is the mantle I inherited. Who the hell are you to pry into my matters?! The pressure suddenly skyrocketed. He saw three disciples already fallen, and others on the verge of falling, fear written on their faces. Yet they persisted. [Ding! Detected the Primordial's Mark is being overwritten by the skill: Primordial Lifeform.] [Ding! Absorbing!] [Ding! Growth: 189/10000] [Ding! Growth: 232/10000] [Ding! The absorption of the Mark might have unwanted consequences. Continue or integrate it into a skill?] The dragon wailed in pure terror. The scale groaned, chains trembling. At the same time, Ren whipped his head around, his eyes locking with another dragon rising over the highest peak of the sect. This dragon, though resembling the one behind his back, was so enormous that comparison would be nothing more than an insult. But strangely, he could feel its interest and even a hint of… excitement. Master. [Ding! The deletion of the mark might have unwanted consequences. Continue or integrate it into the skill?] The system asked once again, its panel flickering as if trying to get his attention. He didn't hesitate. Integrate! [Integration started… Primordial Lifeform deactivating…] [Ding! Integration completed. New skill gained: Primordial's Wrath] As soon as the notification flashed, the dragon soared through the air, roaring with all its majesty toward the colossal entity. The scale's creaking also ceased.

A silvery sheen coated both, but Ren barely spared it a glance as the minute had already passed, and only three remained standing. I might've gone a little bit too overboard. Without even reading its description, he willed for the Primordial's Wrath to stop. The pressure quickly faded into nothing along with the dragon and scale, letting the disciples breathe. The dragon hovering over the distance took one last glance and also disappeared silently.

The arena felt eerily quiet after the pressure faded, as if the world itself were holding its breath. Ren exhaled first. A long, tired breath.. His body felt fine, but underneath the calm surface, his mind was still playing catch-up. Movement flickered at the edge of his vision, and Baozhai held his arm right before he swayed, supporting him. Her brows were furrowed, her lips pressed thin.

"That," she whispered, "was a little too exaggerated for a little trial." No scolding tone. Just a simple statement.

"My bad," Ren replied, brushing back his damp hair.

"Been a long time since I used it. It worked in the end. Three must be my lucky number, huh?" A flicker of relief crossed her face, vanishing as quickly as it came. She didn't press further. Smart woman.

"I'll handle others," she said, her tone shifting back to business.

"You have your trio. Introduce yourself properly at least. You might have scared the life out of them."

"That was the point." But even as he said it, a tired smile tugged at his lips. His gaze turned to the three, also noticing the scrappy young man lying behind them. From his blood-covered face, it was clear he did his best. No, he must've surpassed his best. Yet it's not enough. Three was the exact number he thought he could handle. One more, and he might be overwhelmed. No matter how much he liked the kid— which was surprising considering his standards— an exception was out of the question. Sorry, kid.

Ren let out a sigh. I'm sure Baozhai will take care of you. Now, let's arrange the matters of my amazing line-up; more talking, less thinking. The first was a girl. Pale as snow, sharp featured, her gaze as cold as an iceberg. Unlike others, she didn't flinch even under his gaze. Despite her legs trembling ever so slightly, she held herself straight as a blade. A dangerous girl, no doubt. The second was someone familiar. The loudmouth: Liu Wenhai.

He was definitely in the worst state among the three, but there he was— grinning like an idiot, refusing to fall. Ren could work around that. And the last… was a headache in human form. Leaning lazily, swaying like she might topple any second, arms crossed, wearing a wide smile. He didn't even know what to say. Setting aside her 'quirky' state, she had green hair, an anomaly even in this world. Second, she had a strange straw in her mouth. The tricky sort. Yet, she seemed the most relaxed one among them.

"Good." Ren nodded, his voice coming out rougher than he expected.

"You didn't let down your brother's name, Wenhai. And you two, you did great too." He turned around, carefully avoiding the other seven disciples' disappointed looks. He already had a lot on his plate, and he didn't want to sauce it with guilt.

"Come with me, kids. It's time to choose some techniques for you." He smiled at Baozhai reassuringly before she let his arm go. Let's go and make a good mess.