Core Disciples

"You!"

One of the young cultivators yelled.

Everybody kept still from their positions and instantly looked at the direction of the voice despite the fatigue creeping all over their bodies.

Everyone practically wanted to fall from where each of them stood but felt that disrespecting the call of the young cultivator would be unwise—so all of them looked silently and readied themselves to listen to whatever would come out from the young cultivator's lips.

"This is the territory of the Purple Mist Sect," the young cultivator slowly but arrogantly explained, "aren't you courting death for intruding."

Everyone felt fear for their lives.

They knew they could not simply deny the fact that they trespassed. And they also knew that, at that point, there were only two possible ways to deal with the matter—one was to reasonably surrender, which appealed to their senses as the better option; and the other one was to fight their way out should the two young cultivators turned out to be unreasonable.

But after some moments, Shu Wei finally gathered his courage and broke their silence.

"Young Sages," he politely addressed as he took a deep breath thereafter.

The cultivators looked at him in the eyes as if they were already killing him.

"I am Shu Wei and we're here for an errand..," he cautiously added. "We come from the Gale and Moon Villages down south.."

"We already know from where you are," the other young cultivator overbearingly interrupted, "speak your reason for being here.. and I shall decide weather you live or die."

Everyone swallowed their salivas—even the demonic beast Shandian felt the pressure coming from the two.

"We were really at fault for coming without notice..," Shu Wei said with bowed head, "..but this matter is about the wasteland."

The two young cultivators looked at each other for a moment before one of them asked.

"And what of it?" the young sect cultivator said.

The two cultivators from the sect were actually surprised and, at the same time, confused with the said purpose of the intruders.

"You see, young Sages..," Shu Wei explained, "..we would actually like to offer our services to the Purple Mist Sect's plan of entering the Wasteland.. and we are here to request for an audience with the Sect Master for that matter."

The two young cultivators curled their brows as they listened intently.

And upon noticing their reaction, Shu Wei naturally stopped from saying another word.

"Shu Wei's family lives on a plateau in the borders.."

A soft stammering voice echoed.

It was the Gale Village Chief who interjected in a very polite manner.

"It is actually the nearest human settlement to the Wasteland..," he added, "..and we thought that Shu Wei's place would be a good stop for all the cultivators who would participate in the event.."

After the village chief paused, Shu Wei finally regained his courage to speak.

"Actually," he said. "We like to be of service to the sect by accomodating your guests in our territory."

"Ah."

**************

After some more explanations, the two got the idea why these village cultivators tried to reach the sect.

They obviously could not make a decision for the Sect Master—and since the matter concerned the sect's affair, killing the guests right there and then might not be wise. So they thought it better to take them in.

"The two of us are among the core disciples of the sect," one of them who had the Water elemental affinity said before he paused and allowed the other to continue for him.

"My name is Chu Feng, and I am a direct disciple of the Sect Master," the other with the Wind elemental affinity said. "Come with us, we'll take you to the sect."

The group felt relieved.

"Wait."

A soft but clear voice quickly echoed.

Everyone looked at the direction where the sudden voice came from.

It was Qai.

"Can we take the beast cores first?" he shamelessly asked.

Everyone was speechless.

To the two sect disciples, the cores and hides of the demonic beasts lying around them were of little value so taking them never crossed their minds—but to Qai and his group, they naturally meant fortune!

Nobody moved.

Everyone clearly hesitated. No one knew what exactly the sect disciples' response would be.

As each of Qai's group silently tried to glance at each other, another voice echoed—this time, it had a commanding tone.

"Fifteen minutes," Chu Feng said.

As soon as they heard his words, all of them hastily acted.