Accidentally Married a Fox God

Chapter 17: Stepping Into The Wild Lands

In the early morning all the folk who passed the test for their internal strength huddled in a row in front of the same mountain, at the edge. With the abyss in front of them, in the danger filled wild lands they will have to survive for three whole days.

It was chilly so early in the morning, the sun rays have yet to warm the earth, the clouds were dark grey, the sound of thunder resonated in the background.

Li Meirong rubbed her hands furiously against each other. Her small body was covered now in the outside disciple garments which has been handed to all the pre qualifiers. It was a loose light blue robe with a black sash around the waist. A very simple design, and very unfitting for the cold.

She wasn't the only one freezing, her fellow disciples were also shivering. Shu Qianqian clung to Mo Cheng's side, at the beginning Mo Cheng resisted her clinging hands but after continuous wining, he relented and let her do as she pleased.

Mo Jing' shoulders were shaking but his expression fit the rest of the scenery. Freezing cold.

In front of them, from the dark skies slowly formed the formidable shape of a senior cultivating disciple. She was flying on what appeared to Li Meirong as huge red tiger with a pair of horns and flaming twin tails. It was a true majestic sight to behold, Li Meirong was in speechless in awe.

The rider and her beast flew swiftly through the skies, slicing straight through the clouds to land gracefully in front of the crowd.

When the cultivator descended from her beast, Li Meirong instantly recognized the her as the senior disciple who said she was disgusted to be in her presence. Her formidable presence and impressive height were too noticeable.

Frowning, Li Meirong calculated the odds less in her favor. She now has a strong group to cling to for survival but the person in charge seems to hate her guts.

Not long after, several senior disciples flew on swords and descended on the cliff's edge.

'It might take me a little while to get used to this fantasy land' - Was Li Meirong's thoughts as she stared in wonder at the amazing view of people flying on swords and tigers with horns descending from the skies. Besides her, all the others treated the sight as a casual occurrence.

The Tiger sat down comfortably while his intimidating gaze scrutinized the young ones at the front.

All the people present wore practically the same sect robes, however only the new recruits were shivering in the cold. The seniors acted as if they didn't even feel a slight chill. Some had their collars loose and their sleeves folded up.

The senior disciple who descended from the Tiger, whom Li Meirong recognized as no eyebrows lady, paced back and forth as she spoke.

"My name is your senior sister Liang. Address me as captain Liang henceforth. I am the second in command of the bestiary coalition as well as your supervisor for this test henceforth. The Forgotten Waters sect has accommodated you with our outside disciples' garbs but it doesn't mean you have been accepted as official disciples. You are yet to be part of the sect. Only those worthy, who survive and complete three days of waiting period in the wild lands will be officially accepted.

You may go into this test solo or pair into group of no more than three people, the decision is up to you. You may kill for survival. You may kill others for survival, except for your fellow participating disciples. They must not be harmed.

Use your wits about you. Be vigilant. Most of all remember, if you feel that you are under threat of life, don't hesitate to use this signal stone. We will provide this signal stone for each of you, take good care of it. If you drop your blood on the stone, a senior disciple will come to your rescue and you will be disqualified on the spot, but your life would be saved. Don't die for foolish reasons.

Remember that in the wild lands nearly everything and everyone is hostile, tread carefully. Just like in the thousand beasts forest, even the plants and insects are carnivorous, there are regions with toxic poison around. I'm sure you all know what you signed up for when you arrived here." Captain Liang held her hand high in the air to show the signal stone. It was the size of a pebble and looked like a regular green jade. She finished her speech and gave a sharp glance to Li Meirong.

Under her scrutinizing stare, Li Meirong felt her throat tighten. She gulped audibly.

Captain Liang's look of disdain yesterday would have surely made her avert her gaze in shame, but now all she could think of is of the injustice of getting caught in this predicament.

She doesn't even practice cultivation. Her wits are the only thing she could depend on.

She glanced to her side to her fellow companions..

She'll definitely stick to them like glue!

The new recruited disciples congregated into groups, in low murmurs some have decided to go solo while others paired up for better survival.

The problem was that in Li Meirong's group there were now four people including her. One had to be left out.

"Brother Mo, we should definitely go together!" Shu Qianqian exclaimed happily.

Mo Jing shook his head, exasperated. Mo Cheng chuckled in response

"Little Qianqian, Li Meirong is the only one among us who doesn't know how to fight, it's best if two of us go with her. I am strong enough to survive alone. I will leave it to you and Mo Jing to protect our fellow junior sister!" Mo Cheng tried to persuade Qianqian to see reason.

Li Meirong felt touched. She just met these kids, but they were already treating her like a comrade.

She felt very warm inside. No matter what, she will have to find a way to repay them for their kindness later on.

Shu Qianqian complained, but eventually consented, she nodded enthusiastically. "I will definitely take care of sister Meirong, don't worry at all!" She proclaimed.

Mo Cheng separated from the group and Mo Jing led the way. As they reached the edge of the cliff, a senior disciple made an intricate hand gesture and with a chant opened up a portal.

All the recruits stepped hesitantly through the portal, all they could see after all was only an abyss in front of them, the fear of falling down the cliff was in everyone's hearts.

Mo Cheng confidently stepped through. Mo Jing glanced back and ushered the girls. "Follow closely behind me."

Li Meirong closed her eyes and stepped through.