Death... and me

The worker then looked at Luan, who was in Roan's arms. "There is indeed a test to go through. Are you going to try it alone, or do you want your son to take part as well? We have no restriction on age here. In fact, quite a few people send their children to participate in the Mercenary Guild's test. Of course, the tests and missions that we give the kids are based on their age and strength, so you don't need to worry about them being in harm."

Roan didn't care that the worker thought Luan to be his kid. What caught his attention was that it was quite a good system if they really had a Mercenary Guild test made for children. He still remembered how he had to force Malaka and the other kids around his age in the Varen Tribe to go into the demon beast forest nearby. Naturally, he wouldn't make it easier for Luan. "You heard the guy. Since they have a Mercenary Guild test for cultivators of your age, you will take part in it as well."

Luan couldn't help but get nervous when he heard that. "B-But... what if I can't complete it?"

Roan shook his head, saying, "You have been training with me ever since we got together. It has been a few months already. If you fail, then you better be prepared for punishment."

Luan felt a chill on his back as determination filled his mind. "I'll succeed!"

Roan nodded, satisfied. "Very well." He then looked at the worker before asking, "I'm at the Peak Stage of the Elemental Transformation Realm. What kind of test do I need to take?"

The worker shook his head in response, telling him, "At your cultivation level, there isn't really a need for a test. Only those at the Saint Realm and below have to take tests."

It was then that Roan remembered something. "Could it be that it's the Mercenary Guild test that's happening on the other side of the island?"

The worker nodded, replying, "That's correct. At the moment, I believe they should be reaching the end of the test for Nascent Soul, Core and Soul Fusion, and Core Formation Realm cultivators. The next one will start tomorrow, and it's directed at Foundation Establishment kids." In the Realm of Gods, Foundation Establishment kids were a very common sight.

Roan couldn't help but ask, "So you'll have the entire backside of the island for Foundation Establishment Realm kids, huh?"

"Yes." The worker immediately nodded his head. "The other side of the island is very big, after all. However, stages won't matter. In short, the Foundation Establishment Realm test can have everyone between the Initial Stage and Peak Stage."

Roan looked at Luan and pondered over it for a bit before asking, "Can I put my disciple in the Foundation Establishment test?" Roan believed Luan could even fight some of the Core Formation Realm guys if he wanted to. After all, during this time, he helped Luan achieve a breakthrough to the next realm. Right now, Luan was at the Peak Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, he really had been training him for way too little time. Roan wanted to test if Luan could deal with people at his level first, especially since he doesn't really have an Elemental Affinity to use. He couldn't use spatial powers yet, so he would have to rely on the few sword skills he taught Luan until now. Well, at the very least, Rean forged a good sword for him.

"No problem." Naturally, the worker didn't see a problem putting Luan in the Foundation Establishment test.

Luan, of course, was nervous. He wasn't as confident in his abilities as Roan. "C-Can I not?"

Roan glanced at Luan in his arms with a cold expression before snorting in response. "Hehe. Sure. I will simply change your Mercenary Guild test with a few tests of my own. I wonder which one will make you suffer more."

Luan immediately gave up on the idea after that. "No! I'll take the test! I'll take the test! Forgive me, dad!"

"I'm not your father," Roan said after. "Anyway, register this kid in the Mercenary Guild's test for Foundation Establishment kids. It's quite unfortunate that killing isn't allowed, but anyway. I guess it makes sense since we're talking about kids."

The worker didn't know whether Roan cared about the kid or hated him. "Er... sure..."

A moment later, Roan got two new badges. One for his entrance in the Mercenary Guild, and another one for Luan to take the test. Following that, Roan took the chance to ask something else that was bothering him. "I arrived on the island through the wrong side, so I ended up meeting a guy who seemed to be above the Void Tempering Realm in cultivation. Are people in this island all that strong?"

The worker pondered in silence for a bit before he understood what was happening. "Oh! You're probably talking about the Guild Master."

"Your Guild Master?" Roan was surprised to hear that. "You have your own Guild Master overseeing the tests?"

The worker shrugged his shoulders in response. "Normally, guilds wouldn't send their own Guild Masters to do such a thing. However, our Guild Master is quite an eccentric guy. He likes to check the tests himself. He says it's funny to see the new low-level candidates competing against each other."

Roan understood after that. "So, that doesn't mean everyone is as strong as him, right?"

"That's correct." The worker confirmed Roan's words. "Our Guild Master is one of the three cultivators in Utari City that's at the Space Bending Realm."

That was the first time Roan heard the name of the realm above Void Tempering. "Space Bending Realm, huh? That explains why he's so strong." Roan then thought, 'He was still weaker than Sally, though. Sally's Divine Sense was much more powerful. If that's the case, how strong was Wekil?' He then shook his head and put those thoughts away for now.

Luan then asked the worker, "Sir, what is the test about?"

The worker smiled at the kid in response. "What else could it be? Being a mercenary means that you need to be strong. Obviously, it's a test related to strength."