On the morning of the last day of training, Yuki and Nana were cleaning up and preparing to leave. Once they finished getting ready, the two exited the cave where Elder Nishikawa was standing there waiting for them. “You girls….” 

Elder Nishikawa stepped forward and pulled both girls into a huge. “I am glad you are both alive.”

All elder Nishikawa got back in response was two stiff girls with shocked expressions. They did not expect Elder Nishikawa to hug them suddenly. Of course, Elder Nishikawa also did not expect them to answer her since they rarely spoke, but she had seen that they would talk to one another quite a bit over the past few months. It made her feel… Left out! She wanted to talk to her disciples!

“But before we return, I need to tell you one thing. Yuki….” Elder Nishikawa pulled back from embracing the two girls and looked at Yuki with a serious expression. “What you did to Kenji and his party is to be a secret. I already sent a message to the elders to say that they were attacked by a wandering female cultivator who they tried to take advantage of. No matter how much they try to put the blame on you, this will be the sect’s story until the end. Even the sect master has passed down an order saying this. But you must be careful when you leave the sect. We can only protect you inside the sect. It is unknown if Kenji’s family will try to make a move on you outside the sect or not, so be careful no matter what.

“As for the demonic beast wave you encountered. It is still being investigated. You both make me proud. One was willing to hold off the demonic beasts to allow her team members to escape, while the other was willing to go back to save the one who stayed behind. You both are examples of what it means to be part of the Heavenly Cloud Sect. I hope the two of you will continue to look after one another. I will also do what I can to allow you to grow to be strong cultivators.” Elder Nishikawa smiled warmly at the two as she cupped their cheeks with her hands. 

“Okay, we will now go. I will take you back to the outer ring. From there, you will have to make it out on your own.” Elder Nishikawa swiped the ring on her finger, and a wooden boat suddenly appeared. It was not all that big, but it was enough to fit five people. 

Yuki looked at Nana, and Nana looked at Yuki. Both of them nodded at one another before turning to Elder Nishikawa and bowing their heads. “Master, thank you for coming to rescue us.”

Elder Nishikawa froze. She turned to look at the two girls who were still stoned faced as ever with tears brimming in her eyes. “You girls! Mmm! I would never leave my precious disciples!”

While the two girls could not fully open up to Elder Nishikawa, they were willing to speak a bit more with her. The way to the inner ring was filled with chatter as they talked about cultivation and other things. To Elder Nishikawa, this was a really good step for these girls who seemed to have gone through so much. She hoped in the future, they would open up more to her.

When they reached the edge of the inner ring, the boat landed, and Yuki and Nana got off. “You girls, be careful. There still might be a few rank three or four demonic beasts in the area that lingered behind for easy hunting. If you need to run, run east. Do not run west, or you will be going further into the forest.”

“We will return by morning, we promise,” Yuki replied while bowing her head. “Master, thank you once more.” 

Elder Nishikawa shook her head and tapped the boat, making it float into the air. “It should be me who thanks you for being able to stay alive. I wish I could do more about Nana’s scar. But the beautifying pill has long been hard to get. I will try to find one if I can. It’s just that the ingredients for it are very rare. And Medicine Pill Valley never sells more than three a year and at a huge price.”

    “It’s fine. I do not need it.” Nana rejected. “Cultivation is not a path for those who care about beauty. It is not like I am trying to find a marriage partner. I am trying to grow stronger. Yuki and I are trying to become the strongest in the world. That is the path we have chosen.” 

“I see… But still…” Elder Nishikawa couldn’t help but want to help Nana. Her eyes slowly landed on the scar across Yuki’s stomach as well. It was clear as day with how Yuki was dressed. She did not know how Yuki got such a scar, but she knew it was not made by a demonic beast. It was a clean cut, but it looked to have been cut open multiple times. Just looking at it made her heartache. 

“I am fine as well.” Yuki noticed Elder Nishikawa’s gaze. Her scar was a reminder not to trust easily. To always be wary of those around her. And a reminder of the man she had to kill. 

Elder Nishikawa let out a sigh. “Alright! I will not bring it up again. Just make sure you reach the entrance by morning. The results of the training will be out, and those in the top five will gain a reward.”

With these last words, Elder Nishikawa flew off in her boat, leaving questioning gazes on Yuki and Nana’s faces. Nana looked at Yuki and asked: “Do you think we did well?”

    “I have no idea since I do not know what they judge things on. Not that it matters. I am sure the reward would just be contribution points anyways.”