Located near the Martial City's northern border, a crowd of like-minded individuals moved to the same rhythm of anticipation. Among the flock of people strolling about beneath the cloudy sky, two stunning women stood out from the rest as they walked side by side, carrying on a lively conversation.
"I still can't comprehend what was so important that you would blatantly disturb my beauty rest this early in the morning..."
The young, amply curved woman with scarlet-and-peach-colored hair and eyes groggily mumbled to her old friend, Julep.
"Come on, stop being such a grouch, Amber. Do you already tire of my company after just a week?"
Julep asked as her snowy-white brows crinkled in dismay at Amber's lack of enthusiasm.
"Don't be so sensitive. It's been five years since we last saw each other at my family's palace. Obviously, I'd be foolish to take our time together now for granted.
I'm just still exhausted from the long, arduous journey over here."
Amber responded while rubbing the sleep from her eyes, trying to muster some much-needed energy.
Reminded of the incident Amber had shared when they first reunited, Julep's expression softened.
"I see. Forgive me. Understandably, anyone would be shaken up by the experience you've gone through, Amber..."
"Shaken? Please, I had them right in the palm of my hand! It was only a slight inconvenience on my end. The real issue stemmed from having to deal with such an unruly annoyance, but I'm already over it now as we speak."
The woman dressed in extravagant crimson-and-gold garments replied with a hiss, downplaying the fact that she had nearly been abducted. Amber's pride simply wouldn't allow her to admit how heavily those events still weighed on her mind.
Having known one another since childhood, Julep understood her friend better than most. Behind the false bravado lay a softer side, one smothered beneath the pressure exerted by her family's prestige and accomplishments.
"Okay, I get it. You're tough as nails. By the way, where did you get that gold bracelet you've been fiddling with since we met? It looks familiar."
Julep pointed out as Amber visibly stiffened.
"It's nothing, really. Just a trinket I happened to take a liking to and bought along the way."
Once again, she concealed her true feelings, fabricating a story on the spot.
Amber failed to mention that she had actually been saved. While she had explained the situation involving the Dark Arts Coalition member known as Purple Tear and his dastardly intentions, she conveniently omitted one important detail.
The youngest daughter of the Zeal Family had made it seem as though she and her guards had driven the assailants away themselves, rather than being rescued by the mysterious Masked Panther.
Thankful and indebted to him, Amber still couldn't bring herself to admit to anyone that she had been rendered helpless.
Though unaware of the full story, Julep had noticed how strangely attached Amber seemed to the bracelet.
"Is that so? Well, from my point of view, you cherish that thing far more than you're letting on. Hey, don't tell me it's from a boyfriend you've failed to mention?"
"Are you ridiculous? I'd rather spend my time honing my craft than chasing after some frivolous relationship with a so-called boyfriend!"
Amber's voice rose as a blush spread across her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Julep continued teasing her, feeling she had struck a nerve.
Soon, their steps slowed as they encountered resistance from those gathered to witness the newest spectacle taking place within the Martial City.
"Back up and make way! Anyone without the proper credentials will not be allowed past this checkpoint!"
One of the guards barked at the gathering crowd.
Most of the onlookers turned away in disappointment, but Julep merely grasped Amber's hand and guided her forward.
An ocean of people parted like the Red Sea as Julep's tranquil Qi gently nudged them aside.
Observing the unusual scene, both guards instantly recognized the exalted figure approaching in a white, blue-crested, double-breasted robe.
"Greetings, Inner Disciple Julep Peng."
The two men bowed.
Julep flashed her identification token and registered Amber as an official guest.
They passed through the checkpoint without issue.
Behind them, a few clueless citizens whispered among themselves.
"I wonder who those two bombshells were?"
"No idea, but I guess they must be disciples of the Martial Alliance."
"You idiots. That wasn't just any disciple. That's Inner Disciple Julep Peng—the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader himself."
The confusion was quickly cleared up by a bystander.
Continuing onward, Julep and Amber traveled down a pebbled path surrounded by rocky woodlands still enclosed within the Martial City's walls.
Eventually, they arrived at the foot of the northern staircase.
The steps were wider than a highway and as steep as a mountain.
Waiting below were several hundred martial cultivators from all walks of life, each vying for the rare opportunity to become an Outer Disciple of the Martial Alliance.
Over six hundred years ago, the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families united their resources and manpower to defeat the oppressive Demon Lord and his Demonic Cult.
The war had seemed endless.
Yet through blood, sweat, and sacrifice, the Martial Alliance eventually shattered the Demonic Cult's stranglehold over the continent.
Even so, rumors still persisted that the Demon Lord had survived and remained hidden somewhere in seclusion, biding his time until he could rise again.
Following the war, membership within the Martial Alliance became one of the most coveted honors in the martial world.
Cultivators sought access to its resources, territory, prestige, authority, and cultivation opportunities—benefits rarely offered elsewhere.
Standing among the spectators observing these hopeful candidates, Julep and Amber listened intently.
"Attention, candidates who have traveled from far and wide across the Eastern Continent. I, Sensei Haruto Namgung, welcome and congratulate you all for passing the first three evaluations on your path toward becoming an Outer Disciple."
Front and center stood a middle-aged man with a ponytail, dressed in a white, dark blue-crested, double-breasted robe.
His voice was calm, yet powerful enough to carry throughout the entire gathering.
Among the thousands who began this process, only around four hundred remained after a week of testing.
Mixed among those candidates were Zeke and the other eight members of the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows.
Meanwhile, Bookie stood on the sidelines alongside various masters whose disciples still had a chance of joining the Alliance.
...
The first evaluation had consisted of a written examination covering the Martial Alliance's history, chain of command, morals, and core principles.
Those who passed advanced to the second evaluation, where their cultivation aptitude was assessed.
At minimum, candidates needed to possess the strength of a Stage 2 Disciple.
However, evaluating cultivation wasn't the only objective.
The examiners also searched each candidate's Eternal Energy for traces of demonic arts or other suspicious influences.
This included identifying methods such as the Blood Centipede.
Anticipating such scrutiny, the Three Reapers had already removed the Blood Centipedes beforehand.
Instead, they relied upon a far rarer alternative.
A Brain Parasite.
Like the Blood Centipede, it served as a means of control.
Unlike its counterpart, however, it was virtually impossible to detect below the level of a Stage 5 Grandmaster or a Seventh Circle Mage.
Should anyone somehow discover its existence, the parasite would instantly destroy the host's brain.
Before traveling above ground, Zeke had even gone as far as recreating the Blood Centipede he previously removed.
Still concealing the fact that his Blood Physique rendered him immune to such tactics, he quietly neutralized the Brain Parasite as well, leaving the Three Reapers completely unaware.
The third evaluation consisted of a martial demonstration.
Each candidate showcased their abilities alongside the master who accompanied them.
Bookie handled the presentation personally.
As expected, all nine members operating under the Chameleon Clan alias passed without issue.
...
Returning to the present, Haruto continued explaining the final evaluation.
"The last step toward your ambitions stands before you. Reach me at the summit within one hour, and you will officially become a member of our grand Alliance."
With that, Haruto shot toward the peak of the staircase and instructed the candidates to wait for his signal.
Many scratched their heads in confusion.
The task sounded almost too simple.
"There has to be a catch, right?"
Kenshin asked while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Zeke.
"What do you think?"
Zeke replied dryly.
Meanwhile, from a short distance away, Julep and Amber continued observing the candidates.
"Is this what was so important? Hmph. I thought you knew me better than this, Julep. I have no interest in watching these weaklings."
"Would you quit with the sour-puss routine already, Amber? Since the Martial Alliance was first established, nothing like this has ever happened before. This gathering will go down in history.
So consider yourself fortunate.
Besides, you never know. There may be someone here who catches your fancy."
"Psst, I highly doubt it."
Amber scoffed.
Several more minutes passed as additional Inner Disciples arrived to observe the proceedings.
Then Haruto's voice echoed through the air.
"Begin!"
Although the candidates couldn't physically see the two-hundred-meter summit, every cultivator present could sense Haruto's position.
At full speed, most estimated the climb should take less than half an hour.
A portion of the candidates immediately charged forward.
Others remained still, wisely using the overeager volunteers as test subjects.
Surely there had to be some hidden gimmick.
Moments later, they received their answer.
The candidates who rushed ahead suddenly collapsed onto the stone staircase as though an invisible mountain had fallen upon their shoulders.