Special Assignment

That Jade Temple disciple kept her promise and didn't bug me with more questions about Bai Ye, letting the last two days of the lessons pass in peace. At the end of the week, their Keeper announced with excitement that it was finally time for the real purpose of the trip—the tournament—to begin.

I wasn't nearly as excited though. Like what Wen Shiyin had said, the tournament was a hunting game composed of two rounds, one for groups and one for individuals. Each round would last as long as it takes for the top prize to be found, which could easily be up to a week. Since the entire game was to be held in a designated area away from Jade Temple, it would mean that I'd barely get a chance to see Bai Ye for the remaining time of this trip.

Bai Ye saw my disappointment when I returned to my room that night. "Don't like the assignment?" he asked.