Even with the Order's presence, the competition for resources and dominance was still very much volatile among cultivating organizations and it was even more so for those at the bottom. They would compete both openly and in the shadows and the competition was as ruthless as it could get.
It wouldn't be a surprise for some genius from those families 'disappearing' when he or she was out on a mission more so for those who had received some form of training from the Order and showed some potential.
The Murong family was insignificant before, but it had now joined in on the game the moment they got promoted.
While they were happy to become a ranked family, there was also the other side. The dangers of finally being seen.
If Murong Yan wanted a safe room to grow and realize her potential, gaining recognition from the Order with her performance was the best way since the Murong family wasn't anywhere near capable of shielding her.
They could form alliances like the norm, but even they were littered with numerous dangers like back stabbings. The only real and safe option for both her and her clan was to gain recognition from the Order through her performance.
Will the Murong family survive its first test as a ranked organization or will it be buried because of it? Only time will tell.
….
"Big brother Yang Qing why did we have to leave that fast? The good part was about to start?" Zou Yi asked as he pouted.
He had already prepared himself to join in on the fun of the Murong family and let loose but before he knew it, they were already on Ellie's back and the Murong clan's ground was but a dot in the ground now.
"If I remained there, they wouldn't be able to celebrate to their heart's content. They'd be reserved with their attentions subconsciously drawn towards me. A party without freedom is just an event.
It's a great day for them and they should celebrate as loud and as free as they can, while they still can before the dark side of the cultivation world rears its ugly head.
Besides, I have a lot more evaluations to get through," said Yang Qing as he closed his eyes.
With just as many rank 5 promotions they do, the number of rank 5 organizations that disappear into obscurity were just as many. Very few rarely survive beyond a couple of years on their own.
The Order could only do its best by offering them some little bit of training here and there along with tools that improve their odds at survival. But whether that would be enough, depends on their luck and effort.
….
"Like how many?" Zou Yi eagerly asked with his eyes shining. Zou Liqin was looking expectant too.
"Removing the Murong family, I'm left with 1,399 more," Yang Qing said as he sighed. However, to the Zou siblings, it was like they had heard the best news ever.
"Wipe those smirks off your faces. I'll be dropping you both off to my colleague once we reach Deer mountain kingdom," Yang Qing said dampening their mood.
"Can't we stay with you as you do your evaluations, then we can go back together when you return?" Zou Yi asked expectantly.
"Ordinarily I wouldn't mind it but during my stay in Purple city, I may have angered someone powerful who may or may not target me. It's dangerous for you to be with me at the moment," said Yang Qing as he opened his eyes.
"But you're from the Order. Who would be bold enough to target anyone from the Order?" Zou Liqin asked in confusion.
Not even their clan with all its prestige would try something like that.
"Just because your background is powerful doesn't mean someone won't attack you especially if they have the means and the power to do it without anyone noticing. There are numerous ways of pulling it off.
Having a strong background doesn't guarantee your life. Take the Zou clan as an example, since its inception how many talents or other members have died when out of the sect?" Yang Qing softly asked.
The Zou siblings fell silent with pensive looks on their faces. To their recollection, the Zou family had indeed lost a few talents over the years. There was even one whose talents rivaled that of their father but he died when exploring a mysterious realm.
Even though that was the story, the higher-ups always felt that may be their enemies may have had a hand in it, since the realm the prodigy died in, had only three fatalities, of which, one of them was the prodigy from the Zou clan, while the other two were prodigies from rank 3 organizations who had a close friendship with the Zou family.
Everything seemed suspect from that death, especially when their bodies couldn't be found. The only way the Zou clan knew of his death, is the prodigy's soul lamp shattered, indicating his death.
"I hope you can maintain the same cautious and observant attitude you had in Purple city even when you do make it into the Order," Yang Qing solemnly said as the two siblings nodded their heads.
He didn't want them to get complacent into thinking the Order was some omnipotent organization that would guarantee their survival. Especially if they were to be adopted into the shadow hawk division, an abundance of caution and paranoia would be their best friend there.
….
After an hour they were finally within shouting distance of the Deer mountain kingdom.
Yang Qing had already communicated with the branch in Deer Mountain kingdom, to come pick up the two siblings and the blood fiend cultivator before he continued on in his evaluations.
He saw a storm grey-headed albatross flying their way from about five kilometers away.
Ellie seemed to have sensed it as she suddenly released a combative aura with a loud screech that blew the clouds away.
Another screech came from the direction of the storm grey-headed albatross which seemed to collide with Ellie's sound.
The Zou siblings who had been napping on Ellie's back, woke up visibly frightened and confused. As they were looking around they were shocked to see a swirling dark cloud charging their way with occasional sounds of thunder.
"Relax, it's just a friend. He is here for you," Yang Qing casually replied as he chuckled at their frightened appearance.
