Degrade from Nobility to a Humble Slave novel Chapter 43

As Zen returned to the square along the same path, he felt comfortable. Even though the same pressure was weighing down on his body, he felt as light as a feather, as if he could fly with just a simple jump.

Now that he was at the peak of the organ refining level, his every breath could last longer time than before. Zen also noticed an improvement in his strength. As soon as he could see the square and the pressure decreased, Zen found that he could run the rest of the way.

Those who had not passed the initial exam had already left. And the participants who had succeeded had gathered in the square for the next round. Zen looked around and approximated that about a thousand participants were in the square. Compared to the tens of thousands of participants before the exam, it seemed as though the elimination rate was up to 90%.

Just as he entered the square, Zen could see a man waving at him excitedly. He moved closer to the man and smiled when he saw that it was Nory Mo.

"Hi, Zen! Here! Come here! You passed the initial exam! Congratulations!" Nory looked at Zen's jade pendant, which was now shining bright red.

Zen nodded and said, "Do I need to exchange the jade pendant for the disciple card? Where can I make the exchange?"

"Yes, you need to collect the disciple card. And I know where to make the exchange. I just got my disciple card. Follow me!" Nory answered as he tugged at Zen's sleeves excitedly. On seeing Nory's enthusiasm, Zen smiled and nodded. Then, they headed toward a corner of the square where a long table had been placed. On the way to the corner, Nory explained, "Here we are. After exchanging the pendant for the disciple card, we become temporary disciples of Cloud Sect."

With Nory's help, Zen was able to take off the jade pendant and ready to make the exchange.

Behind the table, two people from Cloud Sect were busy with the exchange. One of them glanced at Zen and then took the jade pendant from him. He examined it carefully for a while. He appeared to be checking the information recorded in the jade pendant.

When done, the man pulled out a small wooden board wrapped in silver and a tiny graver.

He started to carve on the wooden board. To Zen, it appeared as though the man was waving the graver around the wooden board quickly. The only indication of the engraving process was the fine sawdust pooling on the table. Even before Zen could gauge his movements, the man had finished. The speed with which he had completed his task added mystery to the man's skill. When Zen took the small wooden board and glanced at it, two words, Zen Luo, had been neatly engraved on it.

Zen smiled at the man. The man nodded and said, "Take care of your disciple card and wait there."

Zen bowed in acknowledgment. With the exquisite disciple card held in both hands, he said, "Thank you." Even though he had been a slave for two years, Zen was still a courteous young man. Once he had stepped away from the table, Zen examined his disciple card. The silver frame wrapping around the antique wooden board glistened in the sun. It was typical Cloud Sect style, classic and elegant. The free-style strokes with which his name had been engraved on the board showed the other side of Cloud Sect, free thinking. Zen played with it for a while and then walked to Nory.

As Zen stood in the corner with Nory, he studied the other participants. The square was filled with nervous energy. A thousand people stood in the square, waiting silently. Some were standing alone in corners, just as Zen and Nory were. Some had gathered together in small groups. Regardless of whether they were alone or within a small group, they were secretly observing the other participants.

The initial exam did not require the participants to compete with each other. As long as the participants completed the distance prescribed by Cloud Sect, they moved to the next stage. Unless they provoked someone, just as Zen had faced trouble with the four men, passing the exam was quite simple.

However, the next test would be more difficult because it included an elimination system. Eighty percent of the people present would not pass the next exam!