The night passed without any significant events. Roan had slept for 4 hours again, and Rean slept after him. In the morning, Roan stuffed even more food into their bags before departing once again.
By now, it became quite hard to see other kids anymore. The significant majority didn't know who to regulate their pace. Sure, there were a few ahead of them as the same as behind. But the numbers had been continuously decreasing.
Roan kept regulating how they would keep moving in this journey, always selecting the best moment to take rests. They didn't know, but their group was already in the top 50 kids at the front. The only ones ahead of them were kids who also received proper training other than just cultivation and battle.
Another day went by uneventfully. Just like the previous time, they advanced another two posts. Roan already noticed that they were placed around 50km between each other, so now that they arrived at the forth, it meant that there was only one more. After the next, it would be the Sect entrance.
Once again, Rean and Roan shared the times of watching while Malaka and Julio slept. Although it looked like nothing much, over ten thousand kids already gave up for several motives. Sure enough, without the adults watching over them, most just couldn't keep their focus on this task.
The third day Rean's group was caught by some rain, which soaked them completely. However, it also helped with the heat. Finally, around midnight on the same day, they were able to see the Sect entrance. It was also possible to see a board at the front with a few names and positions on it.
Immediately, Rean and Roan noticed that those were the kids that arrived before then. In total, the board had 42 names, making their group the numbers 43 to 46. They didn't feel sad, though. As much as they excelled in this first test, the fact is that it was quite strenuous.
Malaka, especially, couldn't care less about her position anymore. The moment she passed through the Dalamu Sect entrance, she collapsed on the ground. Of course, Roan knew very well that it was just her playing dead. She simply didn't want to do anything anymore.
Malaka then raised her head to say.
"Rean, please carry me. I can't walk anymore."
Chop!
Another hit on the head, and she quickly looked at Roan with an angry expression that couldn't really scare anyone. If anything, people would only find it cute.
"Stop wasting time and come. They also prepared a place for us to rest, so let's go."
Rean shook his head, but he didn't help her either. Spoiling Malaka too much wouldn't be right. He preferred to pat her head as a reward for when she finished her tasks. They haven't really ended the run yet, which wouldn't be over before they reached the post a few hundred meters ahead.
Julio, on the other hand, found it very funny.
Finally, they arrived at the post prepared for this first test and gave their name and ages.
"Rean Larks, 12 years old."
"Roan Larks, 12 years old."
"Julio Riveria, 12 years old."
"Inna Malaka, 9 years old."
As discussed before, Rean and Roan would pose as older than they really were. Malaka was the only one who would use her real age.
"Very well, you can go to the building over there."
The man behind the counter on that post said while pointing at an enormous building a few tens of meters away.
"You will find beds, food, water, and everything else there. This test will last another 2 days. So you can take your time to rest and prepare for the next part of the exam."
At the same time, a disciple put Rean, Roan, Malaka, and Julio's names on the board. The board only had enough space for a hundred names, though. Those who arrive after would not be put in there. For now, no one knew why that board was there.
Two days later, the first exam was over. Just as Rean expected, although the first five thousand would pass, not even half of this number completed the marathon. In total, 1736 kids arrived at the Sect Entrance. Of course, some arrived in the last hours, so they were ultimately not in the condition to continue.
That being said, the Sect gave the kids another two days to rest before going over the next test.
During those two days, all the adults who came with those kids arrived in the Sect, including Alanda. When he was passing by the Sect Entrance, he couldn't help show a smile on his face when he saw the board. However, he wasn't surprised. He knows very well what Rean and Roan were capable of, so seeing them in the top 100 was well within his expectations.
In fact, he believed that if the twins were alone, their position would have been much higher.
'But you two would never leave Malaka behind, that's for sure.'
He didn't take long to find Rean's group.
"How was it?"
Roan nodded.
"It was simply an endurance test, nothing to worry about. They gave the last kids to arrive two days to rest, so we are waiting now. As for what the next test is, I have no idea."
Alanda was satisfied with that.
"That's good enough. The Dalamu Sect won't accept anyone below the Yellow Color talent, so you will most likely be doing the aptitude and elements affinity test next."
Rean and Roan agreed with Alanda. This endurance test was most likely made to screen out all those who didn't have the willpower. Or those who only cultivated their entire lives without putting any effort into training the body.
Alanda then commented.
"I heard from the other guys that the elder this time around was someone who values effort over talent. Otherwise, a bunch of those pampered kids would be participating in the next test with you. From what I saw back in the city, most wealthy people had to take their kids back. Some were even cursing their luck to bump into this Elder Hulian tests. Every time he is presiding it, the majority of the wealthy kids fail."
"On the other hand, those not so wealthy or even poor have a much higher chance of passing. After all, they probably had to work a lot as kids as well, just like you and Malaka, helping their families, tribes, etc. So they were used to putting the effort and had stronger willpower and natural bodies."
Roan nodded once more.
"I was already expecting it. Anyway, you should make use of your time, Alanda. The Spiritual Energy in this mountain is several times higher than back in the Tribe. Even if you can only stay a few days, you should take this chance to cultivate."
Alanda agreed with Roan.
"I know, I was already planning to do it anyway."
Sometime later, Julio came to pay a visit to their group together with his Uncle.
Uncle Wen then stepped forward and bowed to Rean and Roan.
"Thank you for helping Julio getting a good position."
Rean smiled, not minding it too much.
"He helped us back in the city, so it was only proper that we helped him back."
Uncle Wen laughed, and their group talked for a few minutes before Uncle Wen and Julio left. They, too, know that they should not waste much time and prepare.
Time passed, and two days went by in a flash. Suddenly, everyone heard the same elder's voice in the building.
"Gather in the testing field. Follow the Outer Sect disciples if you don't know where it is. You all have one hour."
The second test was about to start!