Cannon fodder in a classic cultivation story

2. You'll regret this!

Su Jing found a large rock and chose to sit on it as she massaged her feet. Now that she finally looked, her shoes were with some blood, signalling how her pain wasn't for nothing.

What did she do to have such a wound?

Not having anything, Su Jing broke one of her inner sleeves and wrapped her feet. Although still in pain, she felt a bit more comfortable now.

As the Sixth Elder directed his attention to the group, Su Jing became alert and eager to hear what he had to say.

"The Gate of Immortals is the only way mortals can reach the immortal realm, as few of you probably know already. Everyone is welcome to try their chances to reach the immortal realm, but take notice. If you weren't selected in our previous test, your journey from this point would be without Heavenly Clouds Sect's protection."

He paused, his gaze taking in the massive group of people who had not accepted. " Staying too long on this mountain path would make the demons flourish inside your soul by lengths and bounds, risking easily a death. I hope you will take care of your decision."

Su Jing gazed up the stairs, a bit overwhelmed by their size. She had followed these people because she did not know where else to go, but now, after hearing the elder's words, she regretted not choosing the other group that went down the slope!

Rummages and howls were constantly heard as if telling her the way back wouldn't be easy. The woods were all of a sudden dark to take without the master.

She seemed to be the only one fighting the worries inside her head. People began to step on the stairs, their figures getting lost one after another in the view. Many were excited and happily talking to each other as if the word "death" had not escaped the immortal's mouth.

The master turned towards the three chosen persons and started instructing them separately. He did not seem surprised by the mortals' reaction.

Now that Su Jing looked over, she observed that the two young immortals weren't with him. Were they so powerful they could go on their own?

Su Jing rose from her stone and approached the stairs, hobbling, wanting to eavesdrop on the master. She did not walk much, though. A cold, soft hand touched her shoulder, making Su Jing flinch in fright.

"Oh, my apologies. I did not want to startle you."

Su Jing turned and was surprised to see Bai Xiu Ying!

Young Master Zhu was behind her, with his arms crossed as he stared elsewhere, clearly disgusted at interacting with Su Jing. Su Jing could only bow her head, feeling a somewhat numb pressure on her stomach now that those two were around her.

"Immortal Bai, Immortal Zhu."

The soles of her feet still hurt, and as she lay her face down, she couldn't help but notice the beautiful shoes that Bai Xiu Ying and Young Master Zhu wore. While hers were bluish with a soft touch of flowers, Young Master Zhu wore a pair of resistant and comfy boots—something Su Jing would die to have right now.

"Older Sister does not need to greet us like that. Although our origin is immortal, we are still young."

Looking up, Su Jing saw Bai Xiu Ying gently smiling, unlike Young Master Zhu, who beat his finger impatiently against the forearm.

She next stretched out her hand, holding a green jade bottle in her palm. Su Jing took a moment to stare at it, not recognising what it could be—it was too small to be a bottle of water and yet too big to be used only for decorative purposes.

"I actually approached you to give you this elixir. I saw you limping during our walk here, and I figured out you were wounded. It can heal any injury or wound instantly."