The young cultivators eagerly gathered at the entrance of the forest, their hearts filled with excitement and anticipation. They had been waiting for this moment since they awakened.
They knew that the test ahead of them would not be easy, but they were determined to do their best and prove themselves worthy of being accepted into the Celestial Harmony Sect.
As they stood there, waiting for further instructions, disciples of the sect approached them and handed out the contract amulets. The young cultivators eagerly took the amulets, examining them closely and wondering how they worked.
"The contract amulet is a powerful tool that will help you establish a contract with the beast," one of the disciples explained.
"All you need to do is put your blood on the amulet and then throw it at the beast. The amulet will help you establish a connection with the beast and form a contract." the disciples explained again to them.
The young cultivators nodded in understanding, grateful for the explanation. They knew that the contract amulet would be a valuable tool in their quest to contract an Advanced-Stage Awakening Realm beast.
The disciples then gave them a final warning, reminding them that the forest was a dangerous place filled with all kinds of beasts and monsters.
They also advised the young cultivators to be careful and work together, as their chances of success would be much higher if they did.
After hearing the disciple's suggestion, some of the young cultivators began to gather and form groups.
They knew that working together would increase their chances of contracting an Advanced-Stage Awakening Realm beast, which was required to pass the entrance test for the Celestial Harmony Sect.
The groups of young cultivators consisted of those who had similar cultivation levels and skills. Some groups were formed based on the same clan or sect, while others were formed based on personal connections and friendships.
Orion looked around at the group of young cultivators. He didn't really know anyone here, so he didn't group with anyone. He also believed that he could do this even without a group.
As he was contemplating his next move, he suddenly heard a voice calling out his name. He turned to see Aurora, the young woman he had met before, approaching him with a smile.
"Orion," she said, "it seems that you are alone. How about we team up, considering we are from the same school after all?"
After Aurora approached and talked to Orion, the young cultivators around suddenly looked at Orion.
Some of them felt envious and thought, "How lucky he is to team up with such a beautiful girl."
While others were shocked and whispered among themselves, "Isn't that Aurora Winteria, the princess of the Winteria Clan? How can she easily group with him?"
Orion felt a mix of emotions as he realized the attention he was receiving. On one hand, he was grateful that Aurora had offered to team up with him.
On the other hand, he was aware of the expectations and assumptions that came with being associated with someone of Aurora's status and beauty.
But he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. He knew that if he worked together with Aurora, the task could become easier, and it was not even a loss to know someone from a prestigious clan after all.
He smiled at Aurora, grateful for her offer. "I would love to team up with you, Aurora. Thank you."
Aurora smiled back, and they set off into the forest together, their contract amulets at the ready.
As Orion and Aurora made their way into the forest. The forest was dense and filled with all kinds of beasts and monsters, each one more dangerous than the last.
After walking for some time, Orion suddenly turned to Aurora and said, "Let's stop here for a moment." He pointed towards a massive tree nearby, and they made their way over to it.
Orion gestured for Aurora to sit down on one of the tree's thick branches, and she did so with a small smile. From their vantage point, they could see the vast expanse of the forest, stretching out in every direction.
Orion sat down next to Aurora, his heart racing as he tried to think of a way to uncover the truth behind her sudden interest in him. He scanned the surrounding area for any signs of movement, trying to keep his guard up.
"Aurora," he said, turning to face her, "I want to know, why do you want to team up with me?" His voice was laced with suspicion, and he watched her closely for any signs of deception.
Aurora remained calm and composed, her eyes locked onto his. "It's because we are from the same school," she replied, her voice even and unwavering.
Orion wasn't convinced. There was something about her that made him feel uneasy, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something from him. He pressed on, hoping to uncover the truth.
"Is it because of my awakening two days ago that you're following me?" he asked, his tone challenging.
Aurora smiled in response, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're quite perceptive, Orion," she said. "But it's not just because of that. I have my own reasons for wanting to team up with you."
Orion was taken aback by her response. He had expected her to deny his accusation, not confirm it. He wondered what her true intentions were and whether he could trust her.
"Alright," he said, relaxing slightly. "So, why do you want to team up with me?"
Aurora's smile widened. "I'm just curious about you, Orion. You seem different from the other cultivators at our school, and I want to know why."
Orion raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What do you mean by different?"
Aurora shrugged. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but you have a certain...aura about you. It's almost like you're hiding something."
Orion felt a shiver run down his spine. He had been trying to keep his true talent level a secret, and he wondered if Aurora had somehow figured it out.
"What do you mean?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Aurora leaned in closer to him, her eyes intense. "I don't know exactly, but there's something special about you. I can feel it. And I want to know what it is."
Orion felt a mixture of fear and excitement at her words. He knew that his true talent level was above average, but he had been trying to hide it to avoid drawing unwanted attention.