998 The Odd Trial of Royal Stairs

"Name's Leopardo. I am the current Grandmaster of the Southern Stars and also the interim leader for the Southern Region at the moment."

Qiu Yue noticed his physical features intently since they were unique compared to his counterparts. His braided hair was flowing down his shoulders and his unbelievably tanned dark skin showed that unlike the leader's of their world he was not just sitting in some office all day. 

The apparent loss of his right arm and scars all over his body were testimony that he must have been a veteran warrior who had participated in multiple battles. But most importantly, it seemed as if he was able to walk with his eyes closed even though Qiu Yue had a hunch that he still had at least some of his eyesight left.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr Leopardo. You may call me Qiu Yue and I do indeed represent the boss of our secret organisation." Qiu Yue returned the greeting and Leopardo nodded his head. "Please excuse the behaviour of Meomi, I shall see that she does not insult you in any way in the future." The Red Panda Cultivator added as she placed her hand on Meomi's head and forced her to bow apologetically.

"So far, I heard many great things about your organisation, especially the recompensation that you have given our scouting party. Not to mention the amount of spectacular inventions which my comrades have brought back. I do understand that they were on loan?" Leopardo asked.

"Yes, they are. It is just a taste of what your Southern Stars can obtain if they work with us. We have a myriad of items which can increase your fighting capabilities. You provide us with manpower and solid fighters, we will bestow them with weapons that can keep for life." Qiu Yue explained and Leopardo was intrigued enough that he beckoned them to climb the stairs and follow him to the meeting chambers.

However, the moment the two tried to walk on the stairs, they felt as if someone had placed a heavy chain on their legs. They suddenly felt sluggish while being restraint without anything physical holding them on.

Seeing as nobody attacked them, it didn't appear to be a trap, but more a test of sorts. As she looked up top, she saw that the guards were holding their breaths to stop themselves from smirking at their situation.

"Brute force does not solve everything, little girl." Leopardo offered one last piece of advice while waiting for the huge bronze Southern Citadel's gates to open. "You have five minutes to reach the gates before my guards change their shifts and officially close them."

"You are kidding me, right? 'Brute force does not solve everything'? Your entire nation was built upon brute force!" Meomi cursed as she used every ounce of strength to move to the next step.

"But that does not mean you have to work at it alone, Baka Neko." Qiu Yue smiled as she stopped and took a deep breath. The next moment she walked on the steps as if nothing was affecting her. While passing her, she picked up the struggling werecat and dragged her along by pulling her tail.

"Ow! What are you doing! Stop it!" Meomi complained but she realised she was being pulled up the stairs which finally made Leopardo turn and eyed them from the corner of his sights.

"This is punishment for being a naughty cat. So bear with it until the top of the steps." Qiu Yue replied as she continued to pull Meomi's tail while moving up the stairs. That was when the guards at the side of the long steep stairs immediately moved to block them from moving any higher.

"What in the hell are you thinking right now, Leader of the Southern Region." Qiu Yue stopped before getting close to the first guard blocking their way. "Is this a test of some sort or your way of greeting your visitors after you complimented them."

"That's why I said we should have fought him at the start and not listen to his bull crap," Meomi said and Leopardo could only snicker.

"Like I said, the gates are opened for five minutes," Leopardo said once more before descending into the depths of the Southern Citadel.

"Then you know what, forget it. We don't need their help." Qiu Yue decided it was a waste of time and shouted goodbye. The guards were baffled by her behaviour as they always thought that these guests were dying to ask for help.

"Tell that arrogant boss of yours, we will get by without his help. He would only lose out on the amount of gold we are giving him and the thrill of hunting." Qiu Yue said as she walked downwards now without her chi activated. Compared to climbing up, it was so much easier to walk down the stairs.

"Why are you doing this? Don't we need the manpower against them?" Meomi asked while rubbing her tail.

"Well, yeah. We do. But there is no need to bow our heads this low to get it. They already heard from the reports that we are awesome. They just want more proof to see such awesomeness from us. It's their loss really." Qiu Yue replied but as the both of them tried to walk out of the Citadel Gates, only to be barred by the gate guards at the front with spears blocking their way.

"No one disrespects our leader in this way. Get back to the stairs and climb or we will skewer you."

"I am starting to notice a recurring theme. Is that how you and Master Jin gain attention? By walking away." Meomi grinned and her claws were wide and ready to strike.

"Well, people somehow felt offended that we just walked away. You could say it's some form of reverse psychology. Like you are not worth my time and thus they wanted to prove the opposite. However, Jin did not feel this way. He felt that such issues were really not worth his time at all. After all, you know how busy a panda he is despite being a lazy one." Qiu Yue said as she beckoned Meomi to come with her instead.

"What? We are going to try the stairs again?!" Meomi questioned but instead, she saw Qiu Yue sitting at the middle of the stairs.

"No. What are you talking about? We are going to have a tea break right here and now since they do not want to let us go. Or maybe until they got sick of us." Qiu Yue said as she conjured out a bottle of coke and two bags of photo chips.