?


    That was when the youth in in robes snorted and moved to stand in front of the young woman, blocking Ira''s ogling as he snapped coolly, "I am Kairo Wal, an apprentice of Cloudnine Sect''s Hall of Flowers. This is my junior Horey Lindt, and if you ogle her for another second longer, I will gouge your eyes out of their sockets!"


    Ira''s face fell right then, and he clicked his tongue before fleeing, blending in with the crowd.


    Even if his family business had some power locally, they could not afford to mess with Cloudnine Sect, one of the South Sea Four.


    In fact, Kairo could take his eyes as he threatened, and Ira would not be able to do anything in return.


    "Shit, even Cloudnine Sect''s apprentices are here?"


    "When did Kornac''s Keep be so popr?"


    "Tut, tut. I guess this is their moment... But guess what? We''ll be rich too!"


    Kairo did not appear particrly interested in thosements, but at the next instant, he singled out a look of sympathy amid the other worshipful and fearful stares.


    "What?!"


    Kairo turned to find a in-looking man staring fixedly at his junior just like Ira, although there was no lust, only sympathy andmiseration. Still, the look left Kairo bristling, and he red at Frank in turn. "What are you looking at?!"Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Just feeling sympathy for a life lost," Frank replied, still staring at Horey''s stomach.


    Horey was feeling ufortable right then, ncing guiltily at Kairo before ring at Frank. "Y-You scoundrel! Watch it!"


    Frank did not want trouble and turned away, shaking his head.


    However, Frank''s words seemed to linger in Kairo''s mind, and he turned to look suspiciously at Horey, who appeared nonplussed.


    Things stayed awkward for a while, until the deafening ring of a gong resounded from the gates.


    It caught most of the crowd off guard, and they cupped their ears in pain.


    the


    ly white-haired r


    as if


    strode up,ughing eerily


    è relished the pain sheerile


    everyone''s faces.


    to


    ent belongs


    Behind him were over twentyish elders, dressed inly but carrying the scent of fresh herbs.


    Everyone turned serious right then, as they knew that the trial was beginning.


    An elder in ck robes stood at the center of the elders, pping his hands to gesture for the gongman to stop.


    Then, looking around at the crowd,


    he announced solemnly with a nod, "Wee to Kornac''s Keep-it seems that there are more people this year, but I regret to inform you that we''re only taking three apprentices just like we always have.


    ΛΟ


    "There are no changes to the rules


    either, with healers from other sects


    and organizations wee


    exchange knowledge and


    experiences too."