After everyone left the courtyard, only ten people were left behind, not including Celaine. Of course, Mira, Maria, Asami, and the auburn-haired girl were in this small group, while the other six were women recognized as she had given them quite a few beatings.
They were part of the first group of 20 to make it up the mountain.
Elder Sandra looked at the girls present, including Celaine, and said, "Congratulations on you guys making it into the top ten! Well, there's one of you who technically didn't make it into the top ten, but I deemed this Entrance Exam unnecessary for her as her strength is more than enough to collect more tokens than all of you combined!"
"Now, let's move on to what sort of favor you want from me. It could be anything. Weapons, pills, techniques, rare abilities, a place to boost your Dao comprehension, mentorship, and information. As long as it doesn't exceed a certain limit, I'll do it for you. I'll give you a few minutes to decide. However, if you don't have an answer when the time limit is up, then you'll lose this chance."
Some of the disciples began to panic as they thought they could hold on to this favor until they really needed to use it. Right now, they barely understand what might be best for them in their current state.
Even Mira, Celaine, Maria, and Asami felt the same way. For Mira, she really needs scythe techniques, but she highly doubts that the Battle Maiden Sect will have any high-ranked scythe techniques. Plus, she could just get a scythe technique from the F.LD.I.L, though she had a feeling that the trial would be quite annoying…
Other than that, Mira didn't need much. The environment and Qi density on the mountain are already good enough for her current needs. So asking for resources would be pointless. Ice techniques aren't of utmost importance as her talent and control over the ice element are extremely high. Although having a proper technique might boost her power and reduce its consumption, it's not enough for Mira to want to waste a favor from a powerhouse like that.
She didn't lack a good cultivation technique, nor did she need a place to boost her comprehension, at least not right now.
What she needed the most right now was information, but not just any kind of information. She needed to know more about what a Dao really is, along with Weapon Intent or anything similar.
Learning these kinds of things from someone who was part of the top echelon in this Mortal Realm isn't something she can pass up on.
Oddly enough, Maria and Asami were in the same boat as Mira. Maria has Sage Aila for most things, so she only needs sword techniques. While Asami… well, perhaps the only thing she really lacks right now is a good weapon and proper resources. The resources will come naturally as she doesn't plan to slack off during her time in the Battle Maiden Sect. Thus, she decided to ask for a weapon.
Celaine's choice was obvious. She was going to ask for a proper Saber Technique, which can hopefully make full use of her Saber Intent.
After allowing them to mull it over for a few minutes, Elder Sandra interrupted their thoughts and said, "Alright! Times up! Say what it is you want now or forever lose your reward! We'll start with you." Elder Sandra pointed at a girl standing opposite of Mira's position.
The girl's expression brightened, and she immediately said, "I'd like you to mentor me, Elder!"
Elder Sandra sighed, almost wanting to facepalm as she immediately regretted her decision to say she'll offer a mentorship.
However, she's not one to go back on her words, so she merely nodded and said, "Very well. I'll mentor you for one month. Depending on your performance during that month, I'll think about taking you in as my direct disciple."
Her words caused the other disciple's expression to change, and seeing this, Elder Sandra felt the urge to punch herself in the face for opening her big dumb mouth!
'FUCK!! Why did I have to say that last part?! Now I'm going to have to waste even more of my time on these children!!' She cursed inwardly but ultimately just let out a sigh and moved on to the next person, even though she already knew what they were going to ask for.
"Alright, now on to the next person. What do you want?" Elder Sandra asked with a forced smile.
"I'd like you to mentor me as well, Elder!"
'FUCK!!'
Elder Sandra mentally cursed again but outwardly kept her cool. She slowly nodded her head and repeated the same thing she had told the previous disciple.
This happened four more times until she finally reached Mira's group. Right now, Elder Sandra couldn't even be bothered to keep a fake smile on her face. Instead, she had a slight frown, and her eyes looked droopy.
She looked at Asami with a look that said, "If you ask for me to mentor you as well, I might send you flying."
Fortunately, Asami didn't wish for anything like that.
"Elder, I'd like to ask for a Heaven-Grade Weapon—specifically, a fan," Asami said in a calm voice.
Elder Sandra was a bit surprised by Asami's request, but she was also grateful. She didn't want to have to mentor anyone else!
However, Heaven-Grade fans are quite rare. The Battle Maiden Sect might have a decent amount of Heaven-Grade Weapons, but she's not quite sure if they have a fan lying around.
This made her previous relief turn into a scowl as she realized that she'd probably have to commission a Heaven-Grade fan herself! This might not be as annoying as mentoring those newbie disciples, but at least she doesn't have to pay for that!
Unfortunately, she can't really deny Asami's request as she'd normally be able to procure as many Heaven-Grade weapons as needed if she asked for it. It's just that Asami's request was a bit too unique.
"Alright. I'll have to check and see if we have any Heaven-Grade fans, but I don't think we do. I might need to commission one, so you might want to get yourself a placeholder until I'm able to provide you with the fan." Elder Sandra nodded and explained.
Asami wasn't bothered by this at all and calmly nodded her head in understanding.
Elder Sandra looked at Maria and Celaine as they were next.
Maria said, "I'd like to look for a suitable Sword Technique."
While Celaine said, "I'd like to look for a suitable Saber Technique."
Elder Sandra nodded and told them she'd bring them to the library that only Elders are allowed to look at.
She then turned to the Auburn-haired girl, who said, "Elder, I'd like to look for a suitable Cultivation Technique."
This piques Elder Sandra's curiosity, but she didn't bother saying anything other than, "Alright, I'll bring you to a place where you can choose a suitable cultivation technique."
Finally, she turned to Mira, who she was most interested in. Mira's performance during the Entrance Exam was shocking, and she believed that only a genius like Celaine would be able to rival her.
Mira looked at Elder Sandra calmly and said, "I'd like some information."
Mira's answer piqued everyone's interest, including Elder Sandra's, with that answer. The Elder never thought someone would ask for information.
"Hmm… What kind of information do you want?" Elder Sandra asked with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"I'd like to know more about what a Dao is, the various cultivation Realms in the Mortal Realm, including Body Cultivation, Weapon Cultivation such as Intent, and even Soul Cultivation, if that's a thing. I also want information on Heavenly Tribulations, the grading system for weapons, pills, arrays, etc. If possible, I'd also like to have information on how to create techniques or something like that."
Elder Sandra stared at Mira intently as she wondered why such a monstrous genius would ask for such things, but she didn't really care. Most of what Mira asked for wasn't actually that valuable, but then there were also a few things that Mira wanted that was actually quite valuable.
This caused Elder Sandra's expression to turn a bit serious as she thought seriously about these things, but then a good idea popped up inside her mind.
"Alright, I can do that, but I'll only be handing you the books regarding these topics. I won't actually explain them to you. Whether you can gain something from it is up to you. I'll send these books to you whenever you finish finding or creating your residence. You should be able to pick them up whenever you register. Your name is Mira, right? I'll put them under your name."
Mira nodded as she was more than satisfied with this arrangement. She didn't really want or need Elder Sandra's help or teachings.
After everyone revealed what they wanted, Elder Sandra looked at the eleven disciples in front of her with a slight smile.
"Alight! That's enough of that. I'll come to look for you once your rewards are ready. You may go now!"
With that said, she disappeared, leaving the disciples a bit bewildered.
