How Much For Your Soul?

Shen Yue followed along behind Xiao Yu as they made their way towards a massive forest surrounded by mountains. He had wanted to leave her behind in Tiny World because she would be nothing but a problem, but it would cause complications. Unfortunately, leaving a ‎super genius 7th Grade Heaven Spiritual Root‎ unable to cultivate for five years would be very suspicious, especially when she was the daughter of an outer elder.

Shen Yue could only sigh as he took in the sights while listening to her prattle on about the history of their new Sect. At least the girl masquerading as a man was informative.

"No one knows exactly for how long the Divine Feathers Sect has been around, but they control the entire Eastern region of the Draconic Ruins Realm. The Sect manages hundreds of cities with a total population of over several hundred million. By tallying the number of outer disciples alone, the count would already reach a few million.

The Divine Feathers Sect is then divided into the Heaven, Inner, and Outer Division. Ordinary people would only be able to stare at the Outer Division in longing, and would forever be out of their reach. The Inner Division was even more unknown. As for the Heaven Division, it is so hidden that it is practically a myth." Xiao Yu recited, like a tour guide lecturing sightseers.

The Skysoul Institute was located deep within a mountain range, further concealed by a sea of trees. The vague outlines of buildings could be seen throughout the flourishing forest with only a small path to guide the way through the natural maze. Right now was the recruitment period for the Skysoul Institution, which only happened once every ten years.

"The Skysoul Institute is a massive school with millions of students located in the Inner Division of the Divine Feathers Sect. Geniuses from all the scattered cities and smaller Realms from the Eastern region would be recruited into the Institute to improve their cultivation. Besides in competitions, fighting is strictly forbidden, and severe penalties are dispensed to any brave enough to violate the rules."

As Xiao Yu continued to reveal fun facts about their new school, Shen Yue zoned her out and thought about the different Sects he would have to deal with. Those that were righteous included the Divine Feathers, Heavenly Note, Phaseless, Thousand Flowers, Sky Origin, and the Skyblaze Sects. Those of the evil persuasion gathered under the Demon God, Pentabolt Demon, and Scarlet Moon Sects. The smaller factions would be of no concern, as they were generally subordinate to the primary Sects.

The righteous or wicked label was just a way to divide their allegiance, as they operated with the same lawlessness and ruthless actions once outside the walls of their Sects. They all were happy to engage in slavery or kill for resources, there was no mercy given, even to allies, as they walked the path of cultivation. Shen Yue would gladly take advantage of anything to gain the power to protect himself, but he would be operating from the shadows so as not to be targeted before he is ready to act.

He was not like Nie Li, able to rub shoulders with all the influential players and come out unscathed as he told them to kiss his arse! No, Shen Yue would be keeping as far from the spotlight as possible, perhaps using intermediaries to keep himself isolated from any fallout that may occur if one of his plans fail. Thanks to foreknowledge, he knew which people to be wary of and avoid using in his plans for world domination. This is a vast world that contains many powerful forces, and he intended to reign at the top!

After another hour of navigating the forest, they came to an open expanse populated with thousands of buildings. This was more like an independent kingdom than a school for cultivating. There were so many people that Shen Yue was actually glad he had Xiao Yu to guide them to the administration to be sorted. It would take them all day to find the right place with the thousands of people milling about waiting to register. Escorted by Xiao Yu, they entered a courtyard where some teachers were calling out names. The teachers were wearing long flowing robes and had an aura of prestige emanating from them.

Xiao Yu walked to one of the teachers and said, "This is the referral letter for these four students."

The teacher that Xiao Yu chose was roughly in his thirties and was wearing a silver robe. When he raised his head and saw Xiao Yu, a trace of astonishment flashed through his eyes.

"So it's Xiao Yu!"

Upon hearing this teacher, everyone turned in astonishment to look at the cross-dresser that Shen Yue was reluctantly standing behind. He could only lament, deeming this small bit of attention a necessary evil to fast track their sorting. Even though he didn't want to draw attention to himself, he also didn't want to wait in a line that was thousands of people long. The small bit of exposure was worth it to not be stuck in a place were many young masters with inflated egos lurked ready to prove how great they are.

The first teacher gave a quick once-over of Shen Yue and the three lackeys he brought, before turning his head towards another teacher.

"The referral letter has been received, bring them in."

Following behind Xiao Yu, Shen Yue was deciding how he was going to deal with the first retard of the Draconic Ruins. Hua Ling held the same position as Xiao Yu, a guide for new recruits of a small Realm under an Enforcer of the Outer Division of the Sect. As it was unavoidable, he would just have to keep quiet and let Xiao Yu take the verbal abuse. Hua Ling was only a minor annoyance that could be handled easily in the future, no need to put him on guard and complicate matters.

They passed through several corridors and arrived in the main hall where thousands of more students were gathered to test their Spiritual Roots. Xiao Yu turned to look at Shen Yue and his three minions.

"Before the talents from various cities and realms are allowed to join the Skysoul Institution, they must first undergo a test that determines the grade of their Spiritual Root. They are divided into Heaven, Earth and Man. They are then further divided into nine grades with the higher the grade of a person's Spiritual Root, the stronger their talent would be. This would make their Heavenly Energy cultivating speed much faster."

Shen Yue had already briefed his men on how to act once they reached the Skysoul Institute, so they all just stared at Xiao Yu before she blushed and turned away. They didn't ask any stupid questions and just quietly lined up behind her as they waited for events to transpire. Sure enough, not even five minutes later, a group of people walked over. The one leading them was an eighteen-year-old that had a trace of an evil aura emanating from him and wore a provocative little smile.

Hua Ling clicked his tongue and then proceeded to speak in a peculiar voice. "Well, if it isn't the super genius Xiao Yu from our West District! I had never thought I would meet Young Master Xiao in a place like this, what a coincidence!"

"Hua Ling, speak if you have anything worth saying. Otherwise, get lost! I don't have the time to have an idle chat with you." Replied Xiao Yu with a cold look on her delicate face.

Hua Ling laughed and tried to hook his arms around Xiao Yu's neck, but Xiao Yu knocked them away. Hua Ling retracted his arms as he chuckled, "Young Master Xiao is still the same as usual, so impolite!"

The scene played out exactly as it did in canon except for an idiot escalating the argument by responding to the childish teasing. It had nothing to do with Shen Yue, and he didn't feel the need to defend Tiny World's honour as it would one day soon rule this universe! As for the constant remarks about their talent? It could only help their image as weaklings to be ignored, even Xiao Yu looked at them in disappointment.

The cowardly comments from not rising to the bait, however, would be addressed later when they met outside the Sect! Shen Yue had never been good at letting grudges go, and this one would be repaid at a later date. It wasn't long before Hua Ling furrowed his brows, tired of waiting, and decided to use his status to jump the queue. With thousands of people waiting to be tested, it would be many hours before they were sorted to their divisions.

Hua Ling approached a blue-robed middle-aged man and lightly smiled as he greeted him. "Enforcer Gu, it's been a while."

"Young master Hua Ling, why have you come?"

"I brought some disciples from my Little Heaven Realm here to participate in the test, I hope Enforcer Gu will take care of us!" Hua Ling smiled, and with a twitch of his right hand, he materialised an object to give Enforcer Gu.

Luckily for Shen Yue, Xiao Yu was not one to ignore an injustice like this and threw herself into an argument that would end up letting them also jump ahead of thousands of people waiting patiently. He could only shake his head as he watched the righteous woman that dressed as a man act hypocritically and not even notice.

"Enforcer Gu, aren't you being inappropriate? We were before Hua Ling, and they end up before us in the line? Such bias, I'm afraid it won't be nice if rumours spread!"

It was uncanny watching a scene that he had read before play out, the awkwardness of Enforcer Gu, the backhanded compliments from Hua Ling, Shen Yue smiled as he watched it all play out. Hua Ling and Enforcer Gu came up with a painfully lame excuse for their favouritism and line cutting, while jealous potential students looked on with impotent rage. In the end, Xiao Yu talked herself into taking the position behind her hated foe.

"There's no need. It'll be our turn soon anyways, we will just wait behind Hua Ling." Xiao Yu knitted her brows slightly for a brief moment. If she were to queue in front of Hua Ling, then doesn't that mean that she's the same kind of person as Hua Ling?

Shen Yue thought it funny as he watched her justifying her actions, he could practically see her thoughts as they crossed her face. Skipping thousands of people to stand behind the evil line cutter was somehow justified and their testing now imminent.