A Snail's Wisdom

Souji finally finished coughing and turned to Elder Kazane, "Senior sister, can you sense any change in her Qi?"

Elder Kazane was still staring at Kenja, wondering how to respond to him.

"I do not," replied Elder Kazane, "Martial Niece Hirai, did you retain any of the Qi you drew in?"

Kenja smiled and shook his head.

"I didn"t keep any. I thought it would be best to leave the Qi for any other brothers and sisters who wished to partic.i.p.ate in the examination," he lied.

"I can"t let them know the truth. I"m unable to keep even 1% of all that Qi," sulked Kenja.

An area"s Qi would naturally return over time, but cultivators wouldn"t draw in Qi as efficiently as usual until then. This isn"t normally an issue for those below Core Crystallization since their retention and cultivation ability would not be high enough to cause a dramatic change.

The crowd"s eyes widened further from Kenja"s response.

"Sister, who would dare take the examination after your performance?"

Elder Kazane put on a beautiful smile and replied with earnest approval, "How magnanimous! Of course you pa.s.s. And since you"ve been so considerate towards any siblings who wished to prove themselves today, let us wait for them and give them a chance. Martial Nephew Jin."

Jin had still been staring awestruck when he heard his name and jolted back to his composed self. He turned to look at the spectators that were still staring very far away and yelled out.

"Any other examinees may approach the gate at this time."

No one stepped forward. Many spectators did come to take the examination and had been waiting for the princess to enter the sect before stepping forward. But due to Kenja"s performance, half of them had fled and the other half did not wish to display their inadequacy.

Seeing no response, Elder Kazane broke the silence.

"Let us continue with the examination inside. Martial Nephew Jin, remain outside till sunset for any stragglers. Anyone who pa.s.ses this examination will automatically be an outer sect disciple. The inner sect requires a little more backbone and punctuality."

"Understood, Elder," Jin bowed to show his understanding.

Elder Kazane turned to Souji, "Junior brother, would you like to stay and see the remainder of the examination? I will have them bring us some fruit while we oversee the test."

Souji"s eyes glimmered at the mention of fruit. "It would be rude of me to reject senior sister"s offer. It has been a while since I tasted some of the Flowing River Sect"s famed fruit."

She turned and walked into the gate, leading them toward the sect"s building where Bolo stood waiting. Before they walked into the building, Souji turned and whispered to the retinue that he would return shortly.

When they entered, Kenja noticed several oddities about the building. It was deceptively huge with the walls and floor made of wood. Each side appeared to be a giant hallway, lined with doors on the outer perimeter, and the inner perimeter was lined with windows that enclosed a gra.s.sy courtyard. The courtyard was wide and flat with several disciples strewn about in silent meditation or contemplation. Towards the back of the courtyard, a rustic well sat with a pail set on top of it.

Elder Kazane led them down the hallways as she happily conversed with Souji. Princess Hanabi happily walked next to Kenja as if there was nothing else she would rather do, and Bolo trailed behind, disappointed that he couldn"t attract her attention previously.

Elder Kazane glanced back at the examinees and stopped abruptly. Everyone stopped with her, glancing around to see if they had arrived at their destination.

"Martial Niece Ryu, pa.s.sing the first examination means you are officially part of the Flowing River Sect. You may take off your veil. You are safe here, and, as of now, no one would have the courage to curse or harm one who is under my wing."

The princess wore a veil for many reasons; while guarding their chast.i.ty was a benefit, it was more of a preventative measure against curses or harmful spells that targeted the princess" form or ident.i.ty.

The princess was shocked by the imposed suggestion, and she gave Souji a stare of entreaty. Souji frowned and nodded his head. Seeing his response, the light in her eyes disappeared as she closed them and took off her veil.

Her hair was the color of a blazing flame that complemented her eyes, emanating a sensation that any who approached her carelessly would receive a burn. It reached to her shoulders, but it had the appearance of being recently trimmed. Her nose was small and cute, enticing enough to pinch lightly. The lips were an innocent shade of pink that contrasted heavily against her hair and eyes. On her right cheek, she had some type of burn or scar that took the shape of a flame with three tips.

Elder Kazane saw the mark and commented, "Oh, how lucky! Your "Kiss of the Dragon" is so close to your upper dantian. Your brother and sister must be very envious."

More than their red hair and red eyes, the "Kiss of the Dragon" was concrete proof of the Ryu family bloodline. While everyone knew this, many did not know that the kiss a.s.sisted with their cultivation and had a heavy influence on a dantian"s capability. Since the upper dantian is located at the forehead, a positive influence on it would provide a boost in brain function and concentration which is very beneficial for a potential empress.

Seeing Hanabi"s continued silence, Elder Kazane could guess what was wrong.

"With proper medicine and continued cultivation, you will slowly absorb it into your dantian, and the mark will disappear. Your father"s mark was gone by the time he reached Core Crystallization. Don"t lose heart!" she encouraged.

Hanabi only nodded her head before glimpsing at Kenja. Their eyes met, and she immediately turned her cheek away. Seeing the usually fierce and determined princess become so timid, Kenja became unsettled.

"Well, I dug my own grave already. I may as well lie in it now."

"Himesama," Kenja spoke out.

Hanabi looked at him while keeping her right cheek faced away from him.

"The most beautiful and perfect women always have one flaw to shield them from Heaven"s wrath. Now that I have seen your flaw, I can rest easy," Kenja spoke in a way as if he were a teacher relieved at seeing his student safe.

Kenja grew up with two sisters and an old lady, so he was quite well-versed with comforting them when it was required.

The crowd stared at him in silent admiration. Princess Hanabi turned to face him completely and neared him to grab his hands. Her eyes filled with water, but they did not spill. Kenja"s discomfort grew as he saw the timid Hanabi become even more meek.

"From now on, we are sisters. Big sister Hikaru must call me little sister," she spoke with such a happy and thankful tone.

Souji began coughing again which caused everyone to look at him, except for Hanabi who continued to stare at Kenja. They stared at him till he stopped coughing. He looked at Kenja and nodded his head.

"I"ll make sure the emperor knows he has acquired a third daughter," he joked with a smile. Elder Kazane and Kenja widened their eyes at Souji"s words.

Princess Hanabi continued to stare at Kenja as if waiting for his response. Kenja was forced into a corner.

"Of course, little sister."

She gave Kenja a beautiful smile filled with grat.i.tude and genuine happiness.

"Ahem! Disciple, perhaps you can give your sensei a few pointers later on," Snail said in awe.