After the rankings were announced, most people weren't surprised. There wasn't anything upsetting with the points either.
Even though the disciples that didn't get good rankings were rather unhappy due to their low rank, but they couldn't get mad over it. Most of them knew that they were too weak this time around as there were just too many monsters.
Some were jealous of Mira and the Battle Maiden Sect, but after she displayed her strength and bloodlust during the war, any ill thoughts were wiped clean in an instant. They didn't want to turn into pet food if they were to upset Mira, so they could only accept everything.
Honestly, Mira was a bit surprised at how well-behaved the other disciples were acting. She was expecting some dumbass to speak up about how he can't accept the results or someone coming up to her trying to challenge her, but there was none of that!
They all gritted their teeth and accepted it! But this is better for her since she just can't be bothered to deal with idiots.
"As you can see, these are the current rankings for the Inter-Sect Tournament. Congratulations to those who performed well and to those that didn't, well there is always the next Inter-Sect tournament 20 years from now, but I doubt you'll still be a disciple in a Sect by that point. Also, feel free to enjoy the City now that the tournament is over! Sect Leaders, come see me after this so we can discuss the quota limit for each Sect! You are all dismissed now! " The City Lord announced and walked off stage to wait for the Sect Leaders.
The disciples and Elders from the Sects all up and left. Some wanted to explore the city, others wanted to go back to the inn and rest, while some were just eager to leave so they can start training for the Secret Realm.
"Hey Mira, do you want to walk around the city and eat some food before going back to the inn? I'm sure Dominique would enjoy it!" Maria asked curiously.
Mira glanced at Dominique and saw that she was looking at her with expectant eyes, so Mira just nodded her head.
"Yay!"
The three of them walked around the City a bit. They bought walked down the streets and bought some food from the food stalls, but when they tried to pay the owners rejected and said that this is the least they can do for the Hero of Lunar Fox City.
Mira didn't reject as she didn't want to waste any of her Spirit Stones on food even if it is only a few.
This also made Dominique extremely happy since she got to stuff her face full of food and Mira would even give her share to Dominique as well. Eating essentially becomes obsolete when one enters the Foundation Realm since their bodies are nourished by Qi, the energy of Heaven and Earth.
If it doesn't bring benefits then why waste time and money on it? This is Mira's motto. If eating brought her benefits then she would eat, but since this food doesn't then she doesn't feel like eating it.
The three of them walked through the city and chatted for a while before going back to the inn.
Vulcan and Rhydian were still sleeping so Mira didn't bother them.
Dominique, on the other hand, wanted to practice with her new Butterfly Swords some more. Mira was going to begin cultivating, but she knew she might be gone for a while in the Secret Realm and she didn't want Dominique to fall behind in her practice while she's gone so she decided to give her some pointers and advice as she practiced.
2 days went by like this and it was now time for the Battle Maiden Sect to return.
"It's now time to return back to the Sect. We have one month until the Secret Realm opens so you should spend this next month preparing. I'll discuss the details about the Secret Realm when we return to the Sect. Alright, let's head out!" Sect Master Jane said and they immediately made their way back to the Battle Maiden Sect.
At their pace, it didn't take them more than half a day to get back. When they returned, the Sect Master made an announcement for all of the Disciples to gather. After an hour, every disciple in the Sect made their way towards the Sect Master.
"Hello disciples, I don't know how many of you were watching the Inter-Sect Tournament, but our Battle Maiden Sect returned… Victorious! We were able to place first in this year's Inter-Sect Tournament! This brings not only the Sect but you disciples various benefits!"
"We will be receiving more resources, more treasures, and other things on top of that. Our training centers will be upgraded along with there being more of them. We'll be getting more resources for various jobs like forging or alchemy. Essentially, you guys should be able to experience a rise in strength a bit faster."
"Not only that but with the recognition that our Battle Maiden Sect has now after winning the tournament, there should be more requests which will allow you guys to make more Spirit Stones."
"But the biggest thing is that we have more quotas for the Secret Realm. Since we achieved first place, we will be getting 20 slots! The 15 that participated in the Tournament will be taking up 15 of those and as for the rest of the slots… It'll be based on your Ranking in the Arena! So if you want to take part in the Secret Realm exploration, then work hard and advance higher up on the rankings!"
"As for the Secret Realm itself, well let's just say there are treasures, inheritances, rare ingredients, rare magical beasts, and many more. But you will have to brave the dangers that come with it. You will be stuck in the Secret Realm for 3 months. The Secret Realm is a very hostile place where anything and everything can kill you. The weather in there is also ever-changing with rain as sharp as knives, razor-like wind, sporadic lightning, scorching sun, and a freezing moon. But those who enter the Secret Realm always see a drastic rise in strength if they are able to return alive. Even if you do nothing in the Secret Realm and just survive, you'll see a drastic increase in strength just due to the weather."
"That's all I have to say, now go prepare!" Sect Master Jane explained and the disciples started discussing this Secret Realm.
"That place sounds amazing! I've been feeling like my cultivation is taking forever to increase, maybe I'll be able to find something there?"
"Hmm... if even just staying inside of it will improve our strength then what about the treasures? I guess I'll have to see if I can occupy one of the remaining slots."
"I'm going to go train right now! One of those slots is mine!"
Everyone was interested in this Secret Realm. They all knew that if they want to progress further in their cultivation, then risks are a must! What cultivator here hasn't taken some sort of risk before?
Mira just ignored everyone and walked back to her room.
When she came back, she spotted Dominique training with her weapons like there's no tomorrow. Mira just shook her head a little at this sight but didn't say anything. This girl was very talented with these Butterfly Swords and everything she said stuck to her like glue. Mira could also tell that she was simulating the fights that she saw during the Tournament to shadow fight, which is very impressive.
Mira started to feel like having this child around wouldn't be the worst thing in the world whenever she saw her practicing. She then decided that she'll give her a bit of help during this next month so she can spend the next 3 months absorbing everything.
Mira went back to her room and the first thing she did is set up the Qi Gathering Array she got as a reward from the City Lord.
This Qi Gathering Array is very good and is only slightly inferior to the Cultivation Caves here in the Sect. The main premise of the Qi Gathering Array is the take the atmospheric Qi and condense it into a specific area. One can also use their own Spirit Stones to increase the density.
Just turning this Qi Gathering Array on makes the inside of it only slightly inferior to the Cultivation Caves within the Sect. But if Mira wants to reach the level of density of the Cultivation Caves, she needs to use her own Spirit Stones to help out. Though this isn't a problem for Mira since she just received 5,000 of them from the City Lord a few weeks ago.
After setting it up, Mira took a few Jade slips and paper so she can record down some things for Dominique.
Mira proceeded to spend the next 48 hours writing, drawing, and recording stuff. Mainly tactics, techniques, footwork, and stances. She did this for both martial arts and Butterfly Swords, or at least from what she understood, but just this much should be more than enough for Dominique to spend the next 3 months practicing.
Mira walked out of her room and over to Dominique.
"If I see you making good progress with your Butterfly Swords during this next month, I have a surprise for you," Mira said and walked away, leaving the stunned Dominique.
"Surprise? Did Mira really just say she has a surprise for me?! Hehe! I won't let you down! I must get this surprise!" Dominique said with determination and started training even harder.
Meanwhile, Mira made her way towards the Cultivation Caves.
"Time to break through to the Late-Houtian Stage."
