Three months later, Yan saw Bai Jin at the venue, and his first reaction was that his legs hurt.
Bai Jin sat beside the steps with a list in hand, discussing with the Deacon in charge of setting up the venue whether they could move the seats of honor somewhere shadier.
The sun had only just come up.
"He made us run up a mountain last night. Said the morning air was good for us," Xie Yue muttered.
Yan gritted his teeth.
"I heard that." Bai Jin did not look back. "We'll use a different mountain tonight."
Hu Liena nudged the two of them forward half a step, signaling them to stop talking.
For the past three months, they had not traveled far. They trained separately by day and together at dusk, and every other day they had to enter a training ground Bai Jin had marked out. The ground there could suddenly cave in. A Moon Blade they threw might curve back and chase its owner. Even the fire Yan buried underground could be moved right beside his own feet.
The smooth bluestone field today felt unsettling by comparison.
Most of the sect representatives seeking selection had arrived. The disciples of the Elephant Armor Sect stood together, their massive frames completely blocking the seats behind them.
Huyan Zhen was speaking with Qian Renxue.
"I have no objection to letting sect disciples join the Joint Patrol. But whoever leads them must be able to protect them."
He looked toward Hu Liena and the other two. His manner was courteous enough.
"Young people improve quickly, but when they truly encounter a high-level Soul Master, someone must be able to hold the line."
Yan was about to speak, but Hu Liena raised a hand to stop him.
She asked, "How would you