Jack could see all sorts of people at their gathering crowd, old, young, short, tall, fat, and the kind of fit you only see in cartoons. But as much as he would like to say they were from all walks of life, it was obvious they weren't. No, with a glance, you could see that everyone was from somewhere serious. Young masters and mistresses, the extremely talented, the lucky, and many more. No one felt like they didn't belong, in a social sense, except him. He could feel eyes on him as the three of them passed through the crowds to reach a more comfortable spot in the rear. Mainly, it was to avoid unnecessary attention, but it was to avoid any more attention on Sarhou, who was positively seething at the dismissive and pitying glances.

  "So, do we just wait around or what?"

  Both his friends nodded.

  "My father said that as long as we were on time, the guide would let us in."

  Mei spoke up.

  "That is not exactly what Lord Wanang said, but yes, the guide will come down the mountain and let us through the barrier. After that, we will be processed into initiates."

  Jack opened his mouth the ask about that, but was interrupted by a loud clap. The source of that clap was a middle-aged woman, fifties perhaps, wearing a light red Gi-like robe with tucked-in black pants. She wore a sword across her back and a satchel at her waist, a large necklace with some text he couldn't make out from a distance, and a nice-looking hiking stick. Mei pinched him and pointed at the lady.

  "That's the guide, be respectful and don't make a scene."

  Nodding, he gave the lady his full attention as she began to talk.

  "Greetings recruits, I am Fen, Vice-Overseer of the Outer Court, and your superior while a member of the lower mountain. The main Overseer was not available to attend to your guidance as it is a matter of greater importance than this, but know that his eye is on us even still. Any questions before-"

  "Is the overseer playing games with me! I, Houdan Rou, was promised a full procession by the overseer. Not his harlot second!"

  You could hear the crack of wood as the handle of Fen's stick was crushed, despite that her neutral expression remained the same. Throwing the broken piece of wood to the side, she breathed in, then out.

  "I am afraid, Lord Houdan Rou, that the matter was important enough for the Mid-Court to call all Overseers to the Inner Sanctum."

  Whispers and gossip ran rampant as she said those final words, he'd ask later, but He assumed it was important given Sarhou and Mei's concerned faces. The issue, though, is that Houdan Rou was not taking no for an answer.

  "Unacceptable! Get my father, he arranged something! And tell him to punish you for your-!"

  A deep, suffocating pressure gripped their throats as almost everyone fell to their knees, some even straight up passed out. The only ones not forced down were Houdan Rou, Sarhou, a girl who looked rather familiar, and Jack himself, albeit barely. Slowly walking to the loud, foul-mouthed teen, she backhanded him into the pavement, forming a small crater as he was knocked unconscious. A look of satisfaction replaced neutrality, if only briefly.

  "You there, children, you are his companions?"

  Most of the group nodded.

  "Good, carry the young master up with us as we travel, any more out of his mouth and he'll become a demonstration of my silent fist."

  More nods as three of the boys carried him away from the crowds.

  "With that settled, gather your things and prepare, we shall begin the first test on the way to the barrier."

  A test, already? They haven't even learned anything, previous education notwithstanding.

  "It's not that kind of test, if that's what you're thinking."

  "You can read minds?"

  She looked rather amused by that.

  "The mind arts are dangerous and difficult, but one does not need the wisdom of ancient sages to read an open book."

  Mind magic, noted, also that hurt Mei. She smiled but continued talking as they started slowly following the crowd.

  "Likely it's a test to weed out the weak and untalented, from my research prior, most sects have some version of culling their recruits. The Laughing River Gods are known for drowning most of their initiates each year."

  Stolen story; please report.

  "And the Imperial Sect?"

  "Unknown, or rather, undeterminable. Rumor has it they change it each year to fit the state of the Sect. But that is just a rumor, if the most believed. Also, I believe you were going to ask me something?"

  "Huh? Oh right! Once we get there, what will happen?"

  She frowned in concentration for a moment.

  "Specifically, I do not know. Each sect is mostly unique, and so are their inner workings, but, as a whole, they share important titles and procedures. If you pass their initiation, most will induct you into the Outer Court, where, barring special circumstances, you will work some tasks for the sect until they deem you fit to advance. Mostly, they will have us run errands or help deal with mortal issues too expensive to let the commoners deal with."

  They passed through a street full of side cart salesmen and women offering their goods. Spotting a cart with large jars of honey, he asked Mei to wait as he quickly bought a couple and quickly stashed them in his ring, making it look like he put them in some pouch in his clothes.

  "That was necessary, why? Also, where did you get that money?"

  "Sarhou gave it to me, as for the honey, I'll tell you if my idea works, but please, continue."

  Her eyebrow remained raised for a second before resuming.

  "From there is the Middle Court, the point at which the common rabble sages stop their learning. At this point, you have proven a resource to the sect and have been granted better benefits, resources, and servants if you did not have some already. You are, however, given more responsibility, managing villages and small towns, putting down criminals and weaker demon beasts. But the most loved and hated of these is your mandatory Demon Realm service, a mandate all sages of Mid-Court rank or equivalent are sent to fight against the constant incursions of dangerous demons."

  Jack asked for another quick pause as he grabbed a thing of eggs, a skin of milk, a small bag of sugar, and something that smelled like cinnamon. Discreetly, he hid them in his storage ring, feeling the space fill up slightly from his purchases alongside the cultivation stuff he hides in there. One thing he was deeply curious about was the mechanics of what was essentially a pocket dimension. Also, part of him wanted to see if he could make a black hole with them.

  "Continue, please."

  "Is there a purpose for these trivial purchases? My fiancé is happy to support you financially, but I will not tolerate wasteful spending."

  He held his hands up as the group stopped outside of a gate that started opening slowly.

  "Don't worry, Mei, if my plan works, then I'll be able to make my own money, and it'll be delicious."

  Jack felt he was getting increasingly used to her glares, he wondered how Sarhou feels about them.

  "Hmph, finally is the Inner Sanctum, only the greatest of the sect reach that level, at that point, you are more than a resource or a set of hands, you are a prized member worth vast resources and respect. These people have not only survived their tour of the Demon Realm but have become mightier from it. Returning as hardened veterans with great treasures and wisdom to impart to their subordinates."

  "Nothing higher?"

  "Of course, but few wish to be bogged down by the bureaucracy that comes with the title of Sect Master, despite the benefits. But achieving even the Middle Court would be an impressive feat for most, especially you."

  "Ouch."

  "I am not insulting you, simply stating a fact. Few like the tribes, and even fewer would accept them into such an ancient and sacred place. I doubt whoever accepted you into the sect would let you fail, unless you proved too weak or talentless, so I have no doubts you will enter with us. But, unless the one vouching for you is of a high station, it is doubtful you'll go far."

  He didn't know what would be worse, if he told her the straight truth of who let him in, or the why of how he was let in. Still, he didn't think that shouting such information was good for his long-term health.

  As the gates finally opened, they walked on a road made of glassy stones, coming to a stop at the side of the road. Sweeping her gaze across those gathered, Fen nodded and lightly touched her throat.

  "In the distance, you can see the barrier that protects the glorious lower mountain. Your first test will be to get there."

  A random guy further up in the group spoke up.

  "Apologies, but is that all? I thought it would be more... more?"

  Fen chuckled as she gestured for him to go start.

  "If you believe so, then."

  "Hmph, perhaps Lord Houdan was correct, well, as the second son of the Yun family, I shall take my place in the Outer Court!"

  Peeking around the side, he saw the guy, probably eighteen or so, start running across the grass, only to vanish as a giant mouth closed on him. He got a fairly far distance from the road, but even so, everyone could hear his bones cracking, and his screams grew less as the monster uprooted itself from the ground. It was frog-like, but most of its body was a mouth with dirt and grass-covered brown skin.

  Fen laughed as she looked at most of their horrified faces.

  "Thought yourself too mighty for even our most essential ceremonies, eh? Well, think again, children, all must take this test to enter; failure is a sign you should give up cultivation."

  Another stranger in the crowd raised their hand.

  "I'm not your nanny, ask your question or be silent."

  "Well-um- what other monsters are there?"

  "Heh, you'll just have to figure that out, I guess. But if I catch anyone leaving, they will be branded cowards and traitors, food for the Unseen Plains Devourer."

  He could see the concern on most people's faces as they shuffled off the road and towards the plains. It took little time for someone else to get snatched by a frog, causing panic for most as they started jumping and sprinting towards the distant barrier. Most... didn't make it, with many being gulped up by hungry monsters. Jack himself stepped into one of their mouths, only getting out by using the searing power of Apostate, burning a hole in the creature's vast mouth and causing it to thrash around.

  Feeling someone behind him, he saw the guide with an approving look.

  "Good job, but do kill the creature fast, it's death cries will draw bigger ones."

  "Why make us do this? I thought everyone was already in?"

  She smiled evilly.

  "Perhaps, but the culling is still necessary to our sect's prosperity."

  She held out her arms in some grand gesture.

  "And I do enjoy bringing prosperity."