Thunderous Beast Lands

The Roc's vast wings spread out as they continued to beat at the wind, propelling itself forward with the charges across its back. Qing watched on in fascination as many mountain peaks and strange lands passed by below, all a blur of motion as they stormed forward, any wayward or estranged beasts that sought to fight the giant Roc were repelled by its fierce-some shriek.

It was a lord in the sky, only the truly powerful could attempt to fight this legendary beast.

Looking around the flat peak Qing saw many groups of disciples communicate amongst each other to find potential allies or rival against common foes. The newer disciples were anxiously trying to collect as much information as possible whilst promising help for aid given during the test, whilst the older disciples remained seated and cultivated, confident in their chances to succeed with the experience of the previous test.

Playing with the green piece of jade in his hands Qing was still amazed by the amount of information it contained, hundreds if not thousands of tasks were recorded inside for the disciples to complete whilst surviving in the thunderous beast land. As for the exact ranking of the tasks he wasn't too sure, but it didn't bother him, he had his own goals.

Holding the green jade he compared it to the blue piece that now adorned his neck, held on by an exquisite and resilient black thread. It had been a farewell gift from Zhong before he had begun his return to the Sect, he could only put his duties as Master Alchemist aside for so long. Looking at it the blue jade was shaped into the image of a fish curled in mid jump, all of its scales finely carved and given individual marks making it seem as if it were alive and moving in the sun. He had worn it so he would not lose it as Zhong's final words filled his mind.

"Take good care of this Qing, it is Ming's best work to date, she made it hoping it would keep you safe. Wear it at all times and show it no one, especially that scoundrel of an Elder."

"Good luck Qing."

Tucking it beneath his robes once more, he felt its comfortable cool sensation as it rested upon his skin, strangely even as he rested and admired the sites below he found his mind being drawn back to the image of Ming and the others as they said their goodbyes. He had been alone for so long that it felt wrong to be accepted by people so easily.

Smiling once more Qing closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation as the wind caressed and tugged at his robes, playfully mocking him for his dreams of wanting to fly as the Roc in the sky.

Whilst flying many leaders of the outer disciples thought about or attempted to recruit Qing guessing him to be some secluded expert or survivor on a dangerous mountain, they were all rebuffed with his gentle silence as he enjoyed the solitude that he had come to know so well. Many cursed or threatened him with trouble as their faces were slapped with his lack of care, the smarter disciples chose to ignore this unknown figure, choosing to rely on their group's unity instead.

All of the disciple's movements and machinations stopped as the Roc let out another ear-piercing shriek, longer and louder this time. They had arrived at the Thunderous beast lands. Running to the edge of their plateau the disciples gaped in amazement and horror at the lands that lay before them, the view slowing becoming clearer as the Roc began its descent.

The sky shone a deep crimson hue as dark clouds formed and grew, venting out their unearthly frustrations as rain and lightning lashed at the lands below. Broad mountains and desolate forests took the brunt of the attack as beasts roared and cried into the sky, the hideous downpour doing little to affect their spirits. There were no rays of sun falling on the land as its illumination was blocked by the stormy skies, just an ethereal tinge and afterglow bathed the surroundings in a bloody light, truly not a place fit for humans to live in.

This beast land was one of the smallest in the Azsire region but still spread further and longer than the Mistfire sect itself. This was humanity's natural foe and nemesis, stuck in a constant battle to prevent the Demonic beasts from spreading their reach further as humanity aimed to push them back and reclaim the lost land.

Many had been lost in this on-going battle, nobody safe no matter where they hid.

Only Qing stood in silence as his eyes drank in the sight of the beast land before him, some wild part of himself drawn to it, his blood accelerating furiously as he wanted to jump and howl into the air. Subconsciously he relaxed his self-control as his wild animalistic aura spread out, forcing the nearby disciples to step away, scared by the sudden outburst of the silent figure, only a few stronger disciples stepped closer, all wanting to challenge this strong figure to progress in the world of cultivation.

Qing unaware of all of this just wanted the Roc to descend faster as his long black hair released itself and floated around him, also feeling the call of the wild.

From above Elder Chen appeared, over looking the disciples, his eyes set on the ones that he wanted to groom into talents under his name, but with Qing, he didn't know what to make of him. He was tempted to make the test more difficult by sending him a few problems, but he knew better, Zhong had left him with a clear warning to not abuse Qing. In all the years he had known Zhong he had only seen him angry a few times and it was a scary sight to behold, there were no good endings for those who crossed Zhong, he was a ruthless and cold man when pushed.

Pushing the thoughts of Qing out of his mind Elder Chen decided to let the matter lay for now, he had to break through to the heavenly stage first, then he and Zhong would have words.

"DISCIPLES."

Chen's voice echoed out assaulting the disciples as they all peered up, unaware of when Elder Chen had arrived.

"The Roc is landing and this fortress will serve as a mobile base for the duration of your test. In a moment you will all be transferred out in your groups to random parts of the first layer. I recommend finding water and shelter first."

"You are only allowed back on this fortress to hand in time-sensitive plants and treasures or to trade in captured beasts. If you choose to remain and seek aid on this fortress then you will have failed the test and be disqualified, unable to move up into the Inner court."

"My last warning to you all is this," Elder Chen's voice took on a darker more morose tone as his features grew shaded as he spoke, "fighting and death are common, but any malicious or evil actions will be punished. You cannot steal the points of another but treasures are a different matter. Weapons, pills and other goods can be redeemed here at the cost of points, think carefully as a few points could mark your failure but wisely spent can encourage success. When you hear the summons then the test will officially be finished."

None dared to speak as they all stood in silence, their minds gripping at the new information Elder Chen had just given them. Determined faces looked ahead in anticipation ready to pass this test and become inner court disciples.

With a clap of his hands, the mountain top lit up as the Roc landed, the giant buffets of wind held at bay by the formation that appeared. Glittering and arcing runes of intricate design encapsulated the groups of disciples as they began to disappear in flashes of bright light, just small twinkles in the distance marking where they had landed.

The last to go was Qing, stood still like a tree entrenched into land for thousands of years, there was no hesitation or fear in his heart, just exhilaration and excitement, even the hope that he could find Shade a friend in these lands.

With the last flash of light Qing was gone, transported into the Thunderous beast lands, his survival in his own hands as Elder Chen watched on impassively, more concerned about the fates and tasks that awaited the Inner court disciples further in.

The test had begun but he could only hope that the strong would survive.

…

Deeper in the fort lines and lines of robed figures stood in formations as they breathed in unison, all wearing the same purple and red robes of the Mistfire Sect.

These were the Inner disciples.

Hundreds of them stood still as Elder Chen watched on, his fists clenched nervously beneath his robes as he knew they wouldn't all return. Whilst the newer outer court disciples underwent their tests to survive, these inner disciples would be protecting their lives and the lives of all the people in the lands of Aszire.

They had come here not to partake in a test but push back the floods of beasts that constantly sought to invade their lands and wipe humanity away in a tide of red. There was no room for failure, this was an army with a sworn duty to protect.

"Disciples," Elder Chen's words boomed out, not to shake the disciples like he had for the outer ones but instead his words were filled with strength and vigour, respecting the disciples who had accepted this task.

"You have earned the respect and gratitude of every living person in the land of Aszire, you are paving the way for the future generation whilst aiding in the task of saving our race. You no longer need to bow your head to any man."

The disciples shuffled whilst standing in line, their hearts filled with pride as they looked up to Elder Chen with heads raised as he brought himself down to their level, no longer standing above them.

"Your task is to slay as many beasts as you can and stop them from the source, we will accompany you for as long as we can," at the mention of 'we' a procession of elders stepped forward, all heads and leaders of different peaks and departments, all prepared to aid the disciples in their task.

Prepared to lose their lives if necessary.

"Many brothers and sisters have left before you, using their own bodies to pave the path ahead, to set a road for you to travel, their is no dishonour in joining them."

"Let us begin."

Another deeper voice spoke as Elder Chen bowed his head, they had earned his respect.