Day 20 Smelting Trial some problems are unavoidable

A few hours later, the students were gathered to hunt the demon beasts in the area. Socializing for the first time really with those who were in the other different groups with different teachers.

A lot of the Dark Moon family members were suprised at how fit Liang Yu looked. As wells his more pleasant demeanor. The fact he didn't take anything from them during the last few weeks during training was nice. In fact, he took only what they were supposed to give him initially and told them explicitly to use any resources they received to get stronger quickly while beating them into submission.

Liang Jian had it the worse but he also develops the most. Having the five of them completely loyal to him was only the start. The fighting abilities of the low members of the Dark Moon Family were growing well, but it was not enough to be revolutionary. Not yet anyway.

"So what is this Trial Day about again?" A student asked.

"We are gathered to hunt the demon beasts to wittle them down a bit. As well as gain battle experience. The trial itself will have risks mind you, so a few teachers will follow along but not really help us." Liang Yu said. He recited it from memory. Finding that he was able to remember things a little better now. 'The Astral Sense still works so well for me, why the other is not using it is a mystery.'

Liang Yu was pulled out of his thoughts by the increased shouting that took place. The students were excited and looking at An Xueyun talking with another young lady. Suprised that the silver-haired girl looked to be listening to her friend intently.

This was Xia Yuning, the City Lord's daughter. A disciple of the Headmaster and the successor of the North Guardian Lord's Mansion after the rebellion. But a lot of that turns into nothing really if something is not done and soon. Well, Liang Yu was on it hopefully.

'She is all yours.' Xinghe thought to the other. He received a quick reply back, however. 'I don't have the dragon stuff.'

'Yeah, but the Halberd in the cave.' Liang Yu sent through the use of Astral Sense. Making sure to not turn his head to far and cause suspicion. 'Come on, she is better since you sent the brat An Xueyun my way. The North Lord Mansion has so many to kill for us. The best way to stop the Rebellion is by making them stronger.'

'As long as we are still killing the fake Emperor. But his family members got to go to.' Xinghe could understand to get stronger that way would be best. 'We have to take out some problems during the Smelting Trial to pave the way for later. Guess I can.. help guide her a little. But she is still better off with you in the long run.'

'Something you are not saying.' Liang Yu felt conflict coming from the prime soul. 'I do not think that Ribbon Goddess will be accepting of you. But that is neither here nor there.' With time passing, a few problems were about to start.

'A lot of the affection for her is with you, I think. Besides, you are technically closer to her in age since you were extracted from me. Maybe get them both to have a nice little power structure. If they fall for you of course.' Xinghe spotted the blond haired target. 'I will see if she is the same as before and go from there, but one thing is certain, my sense of morals have changed. Might be a problem.'

The power of the Heart Method had liberated him in a sense. The change to the Flame Vortex Core helped to remind him of that. Feeling the pill still coursing through his body, it was best to dwell on the changes later.

"Good morning, An Xueyun." Liang Yu addressed. She turned to him with a slight blush on her face. "Hey.." The smile he gave her made it worse. "We will do well in trial for teacher Xu." Turning to her brother disciple, she felt trapped a little. "Right Xinghe?"

"Interesting.." Xia Yuning mumbled softly. Seeing her friend's response to the Dark Moon member and the country bumpkin made her wonder what it was all about. 'I smell a story there!'

"We can only try." Xinghe smiled a little. He was not good at acting. Suprised his counterpart was. 'I think I gipped myself a little when transferring skills over.' He eyed them smiling a little more. It came out pleasant enough. "You have grown strong, no need to doubt the outcome."

Receiving the compliment from him, An Xueyun was quite happy. Forgetting her current location. Redden cheeks were pushed further by Xia Yuning poking her in the side making whispers teasingly.

"Ye Xinghe.. you were able to make her so flustered, did something happen during your training with each other that I don't know about?" Liang Yu said in a suggestive manner. Xia Yuning caught this tidbit and her ears twitched like a curious cat waiting to hear more. An Xueyun caught on after a few minutes. "Why so flustered?"

"Don't spread any rumors!" An Xueyun shouted louder than she means to. She covered her mouth after thinking he didn't really say much. 'Ugh, I should have kept quiet. Darn it Xinghe, say something!' She stared daggers at the Star cultivator who only smiled. 'These two are messing with me!'

A few people heard the talking and started to gossip. Wondering on what that could really mean. Some thinking maybe he would be kicked out soon others thinking he would be married off to another family. None thinking he would leave considering or would really be ousted since he lit up 6 of the stones.

An Xueyun nudged her back to focus. Before she could talk with Ye Xinghe, another student made their way over. A young man dressed in a warm yellow robe with deep blue-green eyes came over. None other than Ling Hong, the rebellious traitor.

Liang Yu didn't bother to even talk to that kid in false pleasantries. Only thoughts on how to kill him really passed briefly. After all, he caused so many problems and needed to be put down during this time now. Plus he didn't like him really.

"Big brother Xinghe, how are you? Lady An." He spared a simple nod to An Xueyun. Aware she had been spending time with Liang Yu caused a bit of change. 'Should push a little harder to get him away from the Nobles.'

"Hehe, calling me big brother might be a little to much." Xinghe chuckled a little embarrassed. Consider he was going to kill the kid, it was hard not to restrain himself this very moment. Playing nice even more so. "How goes training?"

As the two talked, the wounds on Lin Hong became noticeable. Offering to heal them was both a way to sell some help and drop his guard. But it also allowed Xinghe to track him easier.

"Wow.. I feel great." Ling Hong marveled at his hands completely healed. The qi still lingered a little internally but not enough to cause a problem. Very watered down with just Star energy and not qi from the Flame Vortex Core. "Xinghe, although this ability is quite outstanding, I need you to remember one thing."

"Hmm?" Cocking his head to the side, he was generally confused. 'What in blue blazes is this blond tart babbling about?'

"You shouldn't help others so easily." Lin Hong said gravely. "If unnecessary, do not do it."

"Right." He just blinks not taking it to heart. If people came after him for it, it was just a faster way to gain corpses for refinement. "I will try to rememebr that." Even nodding dumbly to help sell it. 'That little seal on his arm, no reason to even mention it. Haa, so many to eat while in the Smelting Trial.'

*Babump!* The Heart method stirred on its own from his thoughts. Taking in the surrounding feelings with ease. So many people were having negative thoughts. The pill dissolving faster within.

The female student Mo Yu gawked at his healing ability. Endearing herself a little that another commoner like herself seemed to be doing good.

It wasn't long before the traitor teacher Chu Xian arrived. Despite how much Xinghe didn't like him, the man had nice threads. The martial vest was quite nice. Giving him an appreciative look over and making a mental note to add that to his clothing later.

"You kids seem to be in high spirits!" Chu Xian's voice boomed outward. He looked around at the students giving slight nods. Eyes stopping on Liang Yu for just a second. "Well, time waits for no man, you come with me. We need to prepare for the smelting trial."

"Yes!" The students salute at once. Ye Xinghe doing so but not Liang Yu and the Dark Moon Family. Only giving the bastard a grin of provocation.

They left off at once after.

.

Smelting Trial-

.

The students broke off into groups of 16. Each having a teacher tell them some small rules as they moved. The view of the mountain was breathtaking in the distance, taking up most thoughts.. The clouds containing a peaceful qi that Techlis fretted a little. Wanting to fly off and bask in it.

"Calm down, we have time later." Xinghe gave a pet to the head to calm it down. The demon beast burrowed into his clothes to feed off the Frost Air qi he exuded. "Greedy little thing."

As they walked, the group came up to a large pillar sticking up in the forest. It reached up pretty high by the student's standards.

"Remember, the First Smelting Trial Area has a number of Low-Rank Fire Bird monster beasts." Chu Xian said wisely. "This is the perfect place for practical exercise!" Looking to Ye Xinghe, he received a frown. "It may be best to leave your pet behind."

"No." He closed his eyes not paying any ming to the teacher at all. 'Think I don't know about your little plan, please. I do not plan on letting Techlis go and deliver letters to ruin your plan later, that is bad for me.'

Not having a real say in the matter considering old Xu permitted it, the traitor teacher had to bite the bullet and push on. A few students grumbling among each other in regards to the situation.

"Why in the world is this pillar here? Matter of fact, what is it?" Mo Yu asked in awe.

"It's a Star Pillar." Liang Yu said. Not wanting the teacher to get any time of respect or admiration by answering.

It would cause unrest but he knew the man would make a move eventually considering Liang Yu was a noble that pushed his buttons, so why not have some small joys and make things difficult further?

"History says it comes from a Primordi Era Ruin. On full moon, endless power over Stars gathers at the pillars. It is unclear to most on how it currently operates." Both himself and Ye Xinghe did. It was a very dangerous object that required a keen hand against it. "But defintely an ugly monument."

He was quite bitter by the looks of it.

The students stared at Liang Yu in awe. Teacher Chu hiding a slight scowl. An Xueyun mumbled something about the Star Pillar and looked at Ye Xinghe. Her look did not go unnoticed by Xia Yuning.

The two started whispering in secret. Creating quite a spectacle. Seeing the looks towards Ye Xinghe, one of the students became upset. Liang Yu caught note of it and moved to intercept.

"Cousin.." Liang Jian was suprised by this action. He was told to restrain himself, but he still wanted to cause a problem. Mostly because he thought Ye Xinghe was trying to make a move on An Xueyun and Xia Yuning. "..this sl.. student needs to be taught a lesson!"

"Not worth it, besides he didn't really do anything." Liang Yu said calmly. "You must forget the nonsense that happens outside the academy and leave it there. This is not the Dark Moon family grounds or territory. Besides.." he gestured at the students and towards the teacher. ".. you might get jumped with an attitude like that. The woods have no allies, terrible place to sow strife."

"Tch!" Liang Jian clicked his teeth in anger. "Just.."

"I am saying this for your own good.. cousin." Liang Yu said softly. He placed his hand on his cousin shoulder to get him to settle down further. Leaning in, he whispered grimly. "A few people are actually trying to cause trouble later on. You messing with him will help this justify things."

"Hmm?!" Liang Jian rembered a little of what his family told him about the unrest in some areas. If what his cousin said was true then it would have spread to the academy as well. "I.. I.. I understand. Thank you. No sense fighting right now, the commoners won't make it anyway."

Liang Yu almost facepalmed. The arrogant fool actually said it pretty loudly. Enough that the others were incensed to cause an issue. Can't fix indoctrination and an attitude of this level easily.

"What did you say!?" A commoner student said angry. Next to him, one of the members of the rebellion had egged him on. He moved over determined to stir the pot so to speak. Ye Xinghe stopped the idiot from getting hurt. "Why did you stop me?"

"I think it best we all calm down. I am sure there is an explanation for what he said." Ye Xinghe looked towards Liang Jian expectantly. 'I really want to speed this along!'

"I don't owe you any explanation!" He felt ashamed having someone he thought lesser stand up to stop a fight he was sure he could win. "You need to stay in your place!"

"Oh boy." Liang Yu sighed in frustration. He would have a talk with his cousin later about this. Staring into Lian Jian's red eyes he spoke sternly. "You should really change the way you talk to people. Like really soon. Not gonna make friends that way."

"Humph!" Liang Jian looked away but made the mistake at looking at the other students. The looks were not friendly at all. "Oh..."

"If young master Jian truly has the skills he should grant us, commoners, a fair fight, a duel to see who's the strongest!" Lin Hong would not let the chance to show up the nobles pass. He was worried that Liang Yu would diffuse the situation. "Don't tell me the Dark Moon family has cowards?"

It was a low blow but enough that it would cause problems if Liang Jian or Liang Yu did not handle it correctly. Liang Jian was quite angry and was about to lash out. Until Liang Yu stepped in front of him calm as can be.

"Cousin.." Liang Jian grimaced from the pain.

"This little bitch boi riled things up good enough and you fell into the bait." Liang Yu said over his shoulder. His eyes glowing a haunting purple with a tinge of lightning in it. Liang Jian stepped to the side slightly afraid. He turned back to the instigator. "A fair fight is really impossible since station start, body, mentality, and even surrounding can change things in ones favor. Try not to say such stupid words like that in the future. It might make people think you are trying to angle something, like a different meaning really."

"A duel would solve this." Lin Hong said.

"Duels are for kids, real men do life or death matches." Liang Yu said with malice. His eyes locked on Lin Hong. "Since you want to fight so badly, let me and you enter a life & death match with everyone as the witness. I will even let you attack first to make it a "fair fight" and to prevent any boohooing or mudslinging after."

"A Life or Death match..." A few students mumbled. Not thinking things would not go this far. At this time the commotion had everyone paying attention now. The teacher was moving closer to get involved.