Signing Up for the Benefits!
...
After a few minutes, Azmodeus found himself standing in front of a large red and gray building with an old-eastern-style appearance.
This building was the Sect Registry Grounds, and it was also the place where all Sect Disciples went if they wished to exchange beast materials and apply for a higher sect position.
Although one could become an Entry Disciple purely by reaching the Middle Stages of the Flesh Refining Realm, to become an Outer Disciple, one needed to compete in a competition known as the 'Outer Disciple Admittance Competition'.
It was a fairly common set of bouts in which all Entry Disciples could participate to compete for the chance of becoming an Outer Disciple.
There were usually hundreds of Entry Disciples who participated every month, and of those hundreds, around five to ten of them would successfully become Outer Disciples.
And it was precisely this type of competition that Azmodeus was aiming to sign up for.
-
*Tap Tap*
Azmodeus took slow and calculated steps through the doors of the Sect Registry Building, swiftly made his way around a set of spiraling stairs, and walked up to a large counter.
He wasn't the tallest around, and the counter nearly trumped him in height, but he was still able to poke his head over the top as he asked, "Can I sign up for the Outer Sect Admittance Competition?"
"???" The lady receptionist looked down from a mirror she held within her slender hands as she saw the sight of a slightly adorable boy with big black eyes staring at her.
"Are you lost by chance, kiddo? You do know this is the section for the Outer Sect Disciples, don't you?" She asked with a mildly friendly voice.
This receptionist didn't much like kids; however, this one was quite cute, so she felt it wouldn't harm her to show a little compassion.
"..."
Azmodeus gazed up at the 'kind' lady, as he felt a little weird upon being the recipient of such kindness.
But if he remembered correctly, then this receptionist was anything but nice to him the last time he met her…
Has something changed with me? Why else would someone like her start being friendlier to someone like me…?
Azmodeus had an inherent doubt about the intentions of all those around him.
It was something that originated from all the years he spent being shunned by everyone he met; no matter if they were 'kind' people or not, everybody always gave him the same look.
It was a look that practically emitted all the disdain that everyone felt for him just because he existed…
However, things were different now, and if he wished to adapt and evolve, then he needed to understand that things were changing…
He was changing…
-
Azmodeus looked up at the friendly receptionist and responded, "I know where I am, Miss, and that is why I've come to ask you if I can sign up for the Outer Disciple Admittance Test."
"???" The lady receptionist was more confused than ever, but she still replied, "You do know that you have to be in the Viscera Training Large Success Realm and possess a combat strength equal to or above your realm to apply, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. So, can you sign me up? My name is Azmodeus," Azmodeus asked with a small smile on his kid-like face.
"!!!" Did this kid just say his name was Azmodeus!? Like the one who killed four Outer Sect Disciples in cold blood!?
The lady receptionist could hardly believe what she was hearing, as she felt that she should report this in, so that's exactly what she did.
A hand signal was made by her, directed toward an old, hunch-backed man sitting on a crickety chair behind her.
"Hmm…?" The old man slightly jarred open one of his eyes as he saw the signals that the receptionist was making behind her back.
Ahhh, so we have that Trial Disciple in our midst, eh? It looks like I need to report this back to the head of the Black Tiger Family…
After this thought entered the old man's mind, his figure disappeared as he darted in the direction of a large and expansive black and white building with tiger stripes plastered across the sides.
"So I can sign up, right?" Azmodeus asked with a slightly impatient tone.
It almost seemed like the receptionist was stalling at this point, and there was the fact that the hunchbacked old man had gone off somewhere.
Furthermore, it wasn't like he was an idiot, as he understood that something fishy was going on in the Yang Sect, but in the end, he still wanted to become an Outer Sect Disciple and obtain greater rewards.
Everything he did was for the benefits! In fact, he couldn't give a damn about the Yang Sect, but missing out on benefits was a big no-no!
However, he was soon taken out of his thoughts by the voice of the lady in front of him…
"...D-Don't worry, Young Sir! You have already been signed up for the Outer Sect Admittance Competition!" She spoke with an anxious tone, sweat beads forming on her forehead.
I have no choice in this matter, little boy... As cute as you are, no one can deny the authority of the Black Tiger Family, and although I did sign you up, it's not like you will make it through the night to participate in the competition tomorrow…
The lady receptionist fiddled with her long blonde hair with sweaty hands as her expression became increasingly fretful.
"..."
Azmodeus looked at all the signs, as he had already deduced the facts just from the mannerisms of this receptionist.
A set-up, huh…? It looks like I have a long night ahead…
Sigh…
Following a soft sigh, he said, "Thank you, Miss! I will be on my way now!"
After getting out those words, he walked out the doors of the Sect Registry Building under the shocked eyes of all the people inside.
Everyone eavesdropped on the conversation the young boy had with the receptionist, and they understood the gist of the situation.
Realizing this, they all began to panic as they prepared to leave the Yang Sect.
No one wanted to be around when the Black Tiger Family came around to get their revenge, and there was no way in hell that they were willing to be collateral damage!
...…