"Lin Tian, I'm sorry." As Lin Tian emerged from the chamber, Du Yuejiao hurried to catch up with him.
"You needn't apologize," Lin Tian waved her off. If it had been anyone else, witnessing such a scene might have provoked scolding or complaints. Yet Du Yuejiao, instead of resentment, offered a sincere apology, which earned Lin Tian a greater measure of respect and fondness for her.
"By the way, what are your plans now?" she asked, glancing at him.
"I haven't decided yet. But after offending your mother, I doubt I can remain in the Du clan much longer," Lin Tian replied with a wry smile. Having forced Yue Ning to kneel earlier, staying in the Du household would likely have invited further wrath.
"If you don't know where to go, why not come with me to participate in the Xuanwu Sect's recruitment tournament?" Du Yuejiao suggested earnestly.
"Xuanwu Sect?" Lin Tian's brow furrowed in confusion. "Shouldn't I still be on the Zhuque Continent? Why would I need to go to the Xuanwu Sect for a recruitment tournament?"
"That's right. The Xuanwu Sect is the originating sect of our Xuanwu Continent. Its spiritual energy is dense, far surpassing that of Mengze Village by tenfold or more. Those who enter can cultivate at an accelerated pace. The sect also possesses countless rare techniques, elixirs, and formation methods. With good fortune, one might even receive a spiritual artifact from the elders," Du Yuejiao said, her eyes shining with longing.
At her current level, even spending ten years in Mengze Village might not guarantee advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage. But within the Xuanwu Sect, she could potentially reach that level in less than two years.
All senior members of the Du clan who had achieved Foundation Establishment or higher had previously entered the Xuanwu Sect. Though their stay might have lasted only two years, their power had undergone a remarkable transformation during that short period.
"When does the Xuanwu Sect recruitment tournament begin?" Lin Tian asked, intrigued. Though uncertain whether he could absorb the sect's spiritual energy, he recalled that the sect also taught artifact-crafting techniques. Previously, he had needed help assembling spiritual devices. If he could master the methods himself, it would save him considerable trouble in the future.
"My father said the tournament will begin in three days. All one hundred and eight major cities on Xuanwu Continent will hold simultaneous preliminary competitions. Only the top fifty participants from each city will be admitted into the sect," Du Yuejiao explained.
"Fifty? That's a lot," Lin Tian remarked, slightly surprised.
"Fifty? That's nothing!" Du Yuejiao rolled her eyes. "Though Xuanwu Continent is relatively modest among the continents, each major city houses millions of people. During recruitment, tens of thousands apply. Without exceptional talent, gaining entry is sheer fantasy."
"When do we depart?" Lin Tian asked, glancing at her.
"My father wants us to leave today," she said sincerely, winking.
"Today? But your injuries haven't healed yet." Lin Tian's expression darkened. Though the rogue spiritual energy had been expelled, Du Yuejiao's organs had suffered significant damage. That Du Tianheng wouldn't even allow her proper rest before departure seemed utterly unreasonable.
"It's because of you," Du Yuejiao muttered, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "You embarrassed my mother earlier. She would slice you to pieces if she could. If you stayed in the Du clan now, you'd be courting disaster. My father doesn't want to see you harmed here."
She handed him a vial of medicinal elixir. "This is a healing miracle of the Du clan. My mother mistakenly attacked you before; with this, your wounds will heal quickly."
"Then I won't refuse," Lin Tian said with a slight smile, taking the bottle.
Soon, a Du clan carriage arrived. Three hours later, the pair reached Hongye City, the principal city of Mengze Village.
Stepping from the carriage, Lin Tian was immediately struck by the scene. Hongye City teemed with people, crowded to the point of overflowing. Inns were packed to capacity, and tents had been erected outside the city walls.
"You mean we'll have to stay outside the city?" Lin Tian asked, incredulous.
"Don't worry. The Du clan owns property here, so accommodation is taken care of," Du Yuejiao assured him confidently.
"That's a relief," Lin Tian said, feeling reassured. Though his life in the Lin clan had been harsh, he would not have to sleep in the wilderness.
"However, there's one thing I must tell you," Du Yuejiao continued, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"What is it?" Lin Tian asked, curious.
"The Du clan didn't expect an extra person on this trip. You may have to share a room with one of our younger clan members," she explained.
"No problem," Lin Tian replied without hesitation. Having lived in a communal dormitory during university, sharing a room was no issue for him.
"According to my father's arrangements, you will share with Du Feng," Du Yuejiao said, a hint of unease in her expression.
"Du Feng? What's wrong with him?" Lin Tian asked, puzzled by her concern.
"Du Feng is among the top three of our younger generation in terms of talent, but his temperament is extremely peculiar. You'll need to be cautious living with him," she advised kindly.