The fight continued, becoming more frantic by the minute, both girls pushing their bodies with abandon. Ren could recognize that both of their circulation accelerated beyond what they were capable of before.

Xiao Bao thrust her sword towards Xin Jing, who parried it with the flat of her right hand, a multicoloured trigram flashing for but a second. The older girl used her left hand to control the trajectory of her sword directly back on course, the attack transitioning into an elegant slash accompanied by a forward half-step that tried to predict Xin Jing dodging backwards.

For a moment it looked like the fight would end there. A seemingly endless exchange culminating in a simple feint to end their confrontation. Unfortunately for Xiao Bao this was not how it ended.

Xin Jing did indeed try dodging back, but just as the edge of the blade was about to cut into her face, she instinctively lowered herself and spun into a half moon kick, deflecting the sword with her shin.

Having broken Xiao Bao's rhythm for a moment, she transitioned into another kick by spinning herself and directing her spirit to accompany her momentum. Xiao Bao could do nothing but hastily defend with the flat of her blade. A clear sound rang out when the younger girl's foot connected. It was reminiscent of metal clashing, and, clutching her sword, knuckles turning white, Xiao Bao flew across the clearing.

Xin Jing gave chase without hesitation, and suddenly it was Xiao Bao who was on the defensive. Ren had never seen her trying to block hits so desperately that her offensive completely ceased. The two of them danced across the clearing, leaving the waterfall behind, as Xin Jing was gaining more and more momentum, culminating in a last push to misdirect the sword that was still alight with violet spirit, ready to cut her down, and entered into Xiao Bao's guard.

Her hand was open and aiming at the older girl's abdomen, but what made Ren, Han Ting, and Shen Junan widen their eyes was the complexity of the patterns that the attack was weaving. It was far and above anything that they had seen her use, giving the impression of a miniature world bearing down. They were certain that neither of them could block this attack. Shen Junan tried to drag Xiao Bao away, to at least give her the time to mount a defence, or even save her, but to his continued shock, Xin Jing's palm followed ruthlessly, and after a few meters of dragging, Shen Junans spirit was cut off by her and locking her opponent in. There was no other way to avoid now other than to take it head on.

Just before Xiao Bao was hit though, Ren could sense two people approaching the clearing. One of them was immediately upon the confrontation, appearing before Xiao Bao.

Xin Jing's hand connected with Cloudgrass', but despite what Ren sensed of its vastness and destructive force, all its power simply broke upon contact. It was like a single ripple trying to disturb the depths of an ocean. Utterly futile.

"That was quite a bit of power, Novice Xin." Cloudgrass said, withdrawing his hand, while Xin Jing quickly withdrew hers. His expression was mild, but still made the girl before him flinch when she met his gaze. Not paying her any more attention, the Grandmaster turned to regard Xiao Bao, who was stumped by the situation's development, and still had her sword and spirit at the ready.

"It is just like you said young Zhi Mu, this girl underwent a remarkable transformation, and If I am not mistaken should even be able to take the last step towards becoming an Adept when she has familiarized herself with her own spirit once more." The old man said, his eyes boring into her, revealing her secrets, and making her feel like a candle in the eye of a storm.

Zhi Mu stepped out from the same direction Cloudgrass came, and while he wasn't hurrying for the last part of the way, he didn't use a movement technique, there was still an unmistakable urgency to his steps. He gave Xin Jing a reprimanding glance, obviously not thrilled with her almost going overboard, or even fighting in the first place when he told them to stay put, Ren couldn't tell. Addressing the first elder of their sect, Zhi Mu was serious and his tone respectful, very much unlike his behaviour at the summit of the mountain, where Ren met him for the first time. "Elder, how should we continue from here, and what should happen with the Novice who used the Violet Ascension Art?"

Cloudgrass hummed to himself while scratching his chin, seemingly deeply in thought. "Well, there are a few things that will naturally have to run their course, as you well know. As for the girl... Why not ask her first?"

The man once again swung his focus onto Xiao Bao, this time smiling without any pressure in his gaze, trying to put her at ease. She was still intimidated of course, but as she came to realize the implications of the situation she drew her spirit back, sheathed her sword, and saluted with a polite bow, almost bending ninety degrees at the waist.

"This Xiao Bao greets you, honoured elder, and thanks you for protecting this one's little life. This one will naturally refer to your judgement on what needs to be done." Xiao Bao returned from her bow and met Cloudgrass' eyes. This time, she remained steadfast, even while clearly being uncomfortable under the old man's scrutiny. Ren could feel her spirit instinctively drawing itself into a coil, and little droplets of sweat running down her back.

Cloudgrass remained silent for a long moment, letting the pressure build to the point that it became awkward. Xiao Bao started thinking that she might be expected to say something more, or that she had offended the elder in some other way. Those concerns were all unfounded though, as Cloudgrass began chuckling, confusing Xiao Bao and the others, except for Zhi Mu who looked more exasperated than anything.

"Good, very good. Novice Xiao Bao, for now you shall join our group then. I, Zhang Jin, shall accompany you to the summit, as I am of the belief that your little sightseeing tour has unfortunately come to an end. The matter of your future cultivation will need to be further discussed, but I will say that I am cautiously optimistic, and so should you."

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They spent the next few hours climbing the mountain, even having to slow down about halfway up as both Xiao Bao and Xin Jing were too exhausted from their exchange, but didn't want to admit to it. When their group of seven reached the top, looking down into the green valley, the two of them were sweating like crazy, though they immediately rid themselves of it with their spirit, it did nothing to hide their wrung out state.

"Heheh, so this is what the summit looks like. I didn't think little sheep would be the first thing to greet us." Xiao Bao said, as multiple sheep began flocking around them as they neared the estate in the centre of the valley. Most of them gathered around Zhi Mu, clearly comfortable with him, but like the first day Ren spent among them, the sheep were quite curious and eyed each of them.

The moment was a picture of serenity, Xin Jing and Xiao Bao were playing with multiple sheep that enthusiastically chased after them, their previous quarrel already forgotten. Shen Junan and Han Tian joined them shortly after, the taller boy carrying a rumbustious sheep on his shoulder that was making indignant noises.

Zhi Mu and Cloudgrass meanwhile only observed from the sidelines, sitting down, and taking it all in. It reminded Ren of grandparents watching over their offspring. Cloudgrass even had a slight smile upon his face. Ren was ready to join in, but before he went, he had a question for the elder.

"Elder Cloudgrass, what about the Novice trial, will Xiao Bao be able to join in?" Ren got a little nervous when the old man only looked at him with one eye open, as if it wasn't even a question in the first place, but he answered regardless.

"Obviously, she will not join the trial. There is no point for her to participate, after all it is used to determine who has the potential and drive to become an Adept and even reach higher, giving them more incentives and access to arts. Novice Xiao Bao has no need to prove herself thusly any more, as I have seen enough." He paused, making Ren doubt what came next. "And she will naturally be receiving those privileges, but due to the nature of the art she practised she will have to stay at the summit for the foreseeable future, until a further decision is made. Does this answer satisfy you, Initiate Ren?" Cloudgrass said, again closing his eyes, and resuming a comfortable meditation position.

Ren was indeed satisfied, and immediately said so, politely saluting. "Yes, thank you very much, first elder."