"Wow, that is quite the dramatic statement," Quan said while looking at Chiro uncertainty.

"Fucking hell, why would you give him something like this, Chiro?" Asha swore.

"My ears! I've never heard such language from you!" Quan laughed.

"This isn't a joke. A sword like that puts a target on your back. You cannot possibly defend it. It's a death sentence to own it at your level. Maybe even at my level." Ash fumed. "I can feel the aura and unused power rolling off it. How did you even do this? What is it made of? If the sect learns you can make weapons this strong and haven't been; or worse are giving them to children..." Asha paced away, the sentence unfinished, and let out a little scream of frustration.

"I did use some precious materials that felt right along with some items Quan provided from his encounter. Then I mixed it with Quan's blood so its potential should be equal to his own and support his elements when they come out." Chiro answered calmly. "It did turn out a little better than I had imagined."

"A little?" Asha scoffed. "I can feel your core is nearly drained. You worked on that thing for days. How much Ki did you pour into it during that time? And what are those runes? I don't even recognize them!"

Chiro finally looked a little unsure. "I think the sword spirit gave them to me. They felt right. Like they belonged."

"A full spirit sword," Asha cried. "Let me guess that's a piece from Quan's stash. Which means it's a spirit that probably outclasses anything in the realm. I could just kill you both."

The courtyard sat in silence as Asha fumed. No one wanted to push her anger further. Quan was just happy it wasn't directed at him yet.

"Okay, here's what we are going to do." Asha declared with a tone that dared anyone to argue. "I am going to take my luck-prone student home. I am going to activate every privacy ward I have as if I was about to breakthrough. Then Quan and I will work on his sword and aura control until the very moment the realm opens."

"Your student? He's my student too."

"Nope, you gave up that right when you tried to get him killed with a giant target on his head." Asha seethed.

“Oh, be reasonable," Chiro objected. "He still has to form a team and be seen around town. How are you going to teach aura control before he even finishes his meridians?"

"He will be done in a few days with his idiotic speed. Until then, sword training to push him."

"You can't demand that without risking a backlash. You’re angry, and I'm sorry, but overreacting won't fix it either."

"Okay," Quan shouted, "Please don't squish me as I step between you. But do I get any say in this?"

"No," They both said at once.

They fell silent then until Asha turned to Quan and said, "What?"

"You're right to take this seriously. I have a handful of reasons for someone with power to snap me up, and that would probably be the end of me. I don’t need to advertise it any more than possible, but it’s done now, and there are steps we can take.” Quan took a deep breath and continued. “I should push through the last of my meridians very soon. You’ve already hinted that this a fairly major step. I have no problem hiding out and training. We only have a few months to get some basic skills with a sword And if aura control is next, let's do it. But I do need to form a team, even if I just tell Qin yes and let him do the rest, it will take a little time."

"As for the sword, beautiful work Master Chiro. So much more than I could have dreamt of. Its weight and balance are amazing. It's beautiful and deadly. I have lots of room in the storage ring if I need to hide it for now." Quan paused and looked closely at the sword. "I will need time to bond with the sword, but for now." Quan held the blade before him, and the rune quit glowing. The sparks of electricity vanished. “We have no idea what the sword is capable of. As I understand it, a spirit is at least somewhat aware and intelligent. Let’s see where things stand when we decide what I’m taking with me into the testing realm.”

~

“I’m glad we could meet,” Qin said as Quan sat beside him. Qin motioned for a waiter to bring fresh tea for them both at their table on the establishment’s patio. “So it’s true, you have a spirit pet too!” Qin said as Rukh Khan padded along beside Quan. His white and black stripes captured the eye as he peered around their table.

“No, just a normal pet, we rescued him and his sister after their mother died,” Quan said. “He’s still a baby even if he is huge.” Rukh stood beside Quan’s chair and leaned against him, his back reaching up to Quan’s sitting waist. “He’s growing fast, though.”

“Will you be bringing him inside the challenge?” Qin asked.

“I don’t know,” Quan answered, “He’s pretty young for it, and there will likely be dangers, but there might be opportunities I regret not taking him for later. I have two months left. We’ll see how well he obeys and listens between now and then.” Quan motioned for him to sit, and after glaring at him, Rukh complied to lie on the ground beside him.

“Well, he’s beautiful anyway. If he stays with you, he’ll be amazing when he’s full-grown,” Qin said with a bit of envy.

“Oh, I know, I can hardly wait,” Quan grinned back. “Now, where do we stand with the team?”

“Tram is out, he’d like to join us, but he accepted a new discipleship with Elder Tang, and his new brothers in training are going to be escorting him to treasures like a favoured prince.”

“And the brothers?” Quan asked.

“Do we want them?” Qin countered. “I like them, but they nearly got us killed.”

“Maybe, we all agreed to the job, so I don’t blame them completely. Unexpected things happen. If we want a life without risk, we should retire and give up the path to immortality now. Are they still out with their Grandfather training?” Quan asked.

“They are. Their great grandfather was agitated, to say the least, at their performance,” Qin said.

“Then let’s let their grandfather decide.” Quan proposed. “We can announce we’re holding spots for them on our team, and so long as their grandfather feels they are ready to take them, we are willing to work with them again. Unless you have a better idea.”

“Not really. I could join one of my master’s teams. But I’d be a junior partner and get only the dregs of anything we find. It’s why I’m trying to form a younger team, get a bit of luck and earn some decent prizes ourselves.”

“So we’re aiming for others around 17 or 18 and leaving the older ones to take the best prizes?” Quan frowned, “I don’t like setting out to be second best from the start.”

“Well, the test is meant to provide everyone with their best opportunity. Some parts will test you as a group and parts as an individual. In the end, it rewards you based on what the founder thinks your potential to be from how you perform. The founder didn’t set up a system that would miss a brilliant 15-year-old in place of a poor twenty-year-old. But don’t go to the other extreme and think competition doesn’t matter. It’s a balancing act. We need to walk carefully.”

“Asha is going to have me in isolation as long as she can. She’s obsessed with pushing my skills to their limit before this thing. So I’m not sure when we’ll be able to meet again. I’m sorry for that.”

“I had hoped to do another group mission with a final roster.” Qin objected.

“I bet we don’t see the twins till the day of either.” Quan said. “Any chance you can find a healer for the spot Tram is leaving open?”

“Healing isn’t really a cultivating art. It’s more of an off-shoot,” Qin answered. “I’ll see what’s available, though. I don’t want us needing another potion during this.”

“I’ve only got one more, and the healer has sworn me to only using it if the person is guaranteed to die without it. The after-effects might be worse a second time around. So someone with some skills could make a big difference.”

“Okay, well, if you can’t get away from your master, you’re stuck with whatever I find anyway, but I’ll do my best.”

“Good, I hope you spend the next two months preparing some surprises as well. Go sneak some favours from your parents and grandparents, and whatever family you have to help us!”

“We are supposed to take the test on our own strengths,” Qin said.

“You are. Having a strong family is a massive strength you’d be a fool to ignore.” Quan said, "even if they just tell you stories of their time inside, hints could be vital. I’m pushing Asha and Chiro for every detail I can get.”

“In two months then, may the gods bless our efforts.” Qin cheered.