While still thinking about this mysterious Guildmaster, Zuri leaned in closely and whispered into John's ears.
"There's also rumors that the previous Guildmaster, the one who established the Guild all those years ago never actually died, but instead handed the reigns to the current Guildmaster. According to these rumors, the first Guildmaster still lives, and operates in the shadows," she whispered and paused for a moment, then continued. "And some of the rumors state that the first Guildmaster is even stronger than the current one."
John's eyes widened slightly, the thought of someone stronger than an Early Holy Manifestation cultivator. That was someone even stronger than the Grand Abbot, and most likely strong enough to fight evenly against the Jade Dragon Emperor. Even though the Jade Dragon Emperor was wounded and far from his peak power, that was still a frightening level of power.
Walking at the front, the Grandmaster smiled lightly, a smile that went unnoticed by the others. He led the group through the maze-like hallways, all of the same design.
'Unless someone has been here many times before, it would be incredibly easy to get lost in these labyrinth-like hallways,' John thought. 'That's most likely the intention. If a spy ever gets in, or this place ever gets invaded, navigating these hallways would be a nightmare.'
The group took dozens of turns, went up and down stairways, and cut across large rooms of other purposes to get where they were going. John had peered into rooms with open doorways on their trip through the headquarters, and had seen other members going about their business in a variety of different ways.
He had seen classes where a World Expansion member was teaching newer members assassination techniques, stealth techniques, and more. He had seen something akin to an acting class, where the members were forced to play roles and act convincing, a skill no doubt useful in the field.
Other rooms were filled with members battling each other, either by trying to successfully land stealth attacks on their opponent, or playing games of cat and mouse, practicing both assassination techniques and evasive techniques.
The hallway they were walking down eventually led to a massive open chamber, over a mile in each direction. Dozens of other hallways led to this chamber, making it appear like the heart of the headquarters, and the hallways the veins. Hundreds of guildmembers went about their business, a mix of black and gray robes visible.
Some of the guildmembers wore their hoods, shrouding their features, while others walked about with their hoods down, faces exposed. Groups of youths, ranging from what appeared to be ten years old to late teens were being escorted by senior members of the guild, most likely teachers and the youths students.
John was surprised to see how young the guild recruited, but nodded his head in understanding. The younger they were recruited, the more loyal they would be to the guild, and the more the guild could mold them into the perfect assassins.
Other than the groups moving about, John spotted some tables with gray-robed members sitting at them, near the center of the room. The ten tables formed somewhat of a circle, with a large board located behind each table. The boards were all covered with pieces of paper, which were missions from what John could tell at this distance.
"Keep up," Zuri said to John, who came to and realized he had stopped to take in the scene. He quickly caught up and followed the group, noticing that almost everyone's eyes drifted towards them, no doubt because of the Grandmaster's presence.
Those expressions changed from curious respect, to surprise, and then excitement as many of the younger guildmembers in the chamber moved towards John's group, as if knowing what was going on.
"They're heading towards the trial halls!" John heard a youth around his age say to a nearby companion.
"Who is being trialed? Is it that boy in the back?"
"Must be. He's the only one I don't recognize."
Hushed conversation filled the chamber, as many curious guildmembers followed behind John's group. Some of the groups consisting of students in class tried to follow as well, but were quickly rebuked by their teachers. Groans of disappointment drifted out from those groups as they left the large chamber, unable to witness the newcomers' trial.
"It's not often a Grandmaster will watch over a Trial of Shadows," Zuri said to John. "It means that the one being trialed is strong enough to have someone like a Grandmaster interested, which no doubt means an interesting trial."
"Will the others get to watch my trial?" John asked curiously. He thought it would be a bit more…secretive, being an assassination guild and all.
"They will," Zuri nodded her head, and then noticed John's frown. "Each member who can watch is already sworn to the Guild's secrecy codes. And even then, one will require a certain clearance level to watch your trial. Only those who can be trusted fully, even under capture and torture, will be able to watch you."
"How can you be certain they won't reveal any information they see if they are captured?" John asked curiously. Shadow Four had given up information regarding the Guild, so why couldn't others.
"Because," Zuri said, frowning, clearly recalling the bitter memory of Shadow Four. "Unlike Shadow Four, everyone with the proper clearance has gone though countless torture training scenarios, and each has proven themselves to be willing to withstand anything before giving up information. Shadow Four was unable to pass those trials, unlike those stationed here."
She glanced at John, a mixed expression on her face.
"If you want to obtain a high enough rank, one that can search through the guild archives for information about your companion, you will have to endure such training as well," she said with a heavy tone.
John shrugged, a calm expression on his face.
"I'm sure I've endured worse."
Zuri raised an eyebrow at his nonchalant attitude towards enduring torture trials, and then sighed.
"We'll see," she said, clearly not believing John.
By now, the group arrived on the opposite side of the large chamber, where a large double-door guarded the way forward. The two guards posted on either side opened each door as the Grandmaster approached, nodding at him respectfully. John followed the group into the room, where a large theater-like room came into view.
Thousands of seats stretched downwards before him, all looking at a large blank wall of some obsidian-like material. At the base of that wall was a large door, leading to another room.
The Grandmaster stopped and turned to John, gesturing to that door.
"Your trial awaits beyond. Good luck."
