Murim's Weakest Princess-Chapter 252: Sightless Trial

The forbidden mountain range in the Mystical Qilin Sect held many secrets. One of these secrets was the successor’s trial chamber created by the founder himself alongside the sect’s powerful territory barrier. Rumours say it was forbidden because the founder was testing the prototype barrier in the cave when the gate to the afterlife was accidentally opened.

Anji believed none of those rumours. If the gate to the afterlife had truly been opened in the successor trial chamber, why hasn’t anyone died in there?

Sometimes, the logic of the sect’s smartest researchers can be very questionable. Even if they were the most advanced in mathematics, the superstition was still almost as deeply rooted.

Known only to those in the top brass, the successor’s trial was actually a sightless trial. The reason was due to the lack of physical light. Although it was not against the rules to try to activate sight, all light-emitting devices and spells were banned. Even if they were brought in, the successor chamber would devour them instantly.

To minimise the risk of light re-exposure upon her exit from the trial chamber, Yan Ping consulted Doctor Yun, who recommended that Anji wear a blindfold throughout the trial so that, when she found the exit, she would not be blinded by the light.

Humans could often adapt to seeing in the dark with enough time. It was an evolutionary trait and a risk, because Anji was a young child who had not yet fully grown. Hence, a special blindfold was created with a spell that allowed only Yan Ping to undo it after Anji cleared the trial.

Anji agreed to wear the blindfold. Her preparations were already completed. All that remained was to give her family a call one last time before she began her trial. Yan Ping scheduled the call first thing in the morning so that Anji could have a good last meal with Aunt Wine and a briefing in the afternoon before entering the trial chamber at night, after the sun had set. Visiting the sightless trial chamber with minimal light was the easiest way to ease the eyes into darkness, or so Doctor Yun concluded.

Contrary to her expectations, Zhao Mingfeng and Zhao Wanting sent their daughter off with proud smiles instead of tears. They also offer their congratulations in advance, though they told Anji to prioritise safety over success. Zhao Mingshen promised to prepare clothes of all sizes that would suit Anji, no matter what age she became, after she completed the trial. There were clothes from the size she currently wore all the way to Zhao Ruiting’s figure at sixteen. Anji was very touched by the gesture, and they spent more time joking to reduce Anji’s nerves about the trial.

After the light-hearted call, Anji visited the Western District’s cafeteria and had a heavy meal. Aunt Wine did not just prepare Anji’s meal. She prepared a huge feast that stumped Anji until other people started showing up.

"The Sect Leader told us that we were hosting a party," Senior Researcher Mo smiled. "Although not everyone can make it, some elders took time out of their schedule to show up in person. Senior Researcher Ke and Senior Librarian Pearl will be coming. Doctor Yun and Doctor He will take turns showing up briefly, but everyone hopes to be able to see you off in advance."

Moved by the surprise party and gesture, Anji ate to her heart’s content and chatted with everyone. The unofficial banquet lasted hours, but not once did Anji see her teacher. Still, she thanked everyone for coming and the kitchen staff for planning such a wonderful event amidst the chaos in the sect due to the war.

It was evening by the time the banquet ended. Anji had a great time and thanked everyone for the well-wishes. She returned on a familiar path to her shifu’s hut and took a bath. By the time she donned the special robes for her successor’s trial, imbued with protective spells, it was time to meet her shifu at the forbidden library.

Yan Ping was waiting alone. Despite her calm outer appearance, her mind was a whirl of thoughts. Back then, she did her successor trial blind, no pun intended. Her teacher refused to prepare her for what was ahead. Although no teacher was meant to help their students cheat, other sect leaders had given a few pointers to their successors before escorting them into the trial chamber. Yan Ping remembered how her teacher merely laughed when she brought up challenging the trial chamber and wished her luck without seeing her off, giving her the key to open the chamber herself.

Naturally, now that Yan Ping was the teacher herself, she would not do such a thing to Anji.

The polite knock at the door told Yan Ping her successor was here.

"Come in," she called out. "You’re early."

Anji smiled sheepishly. The sun was still setting, but it should soon be down. Truthfully, Anji wanted to spend a little more time with her shifu before the trial.

"I came to see you, shifu. I saw everyone else today except for you."

Hiding her smile, Yan Ping gestured for Anji to sit beside her. The tea had been prepared a while ago and kept warm because she had been expecting Anji.

"Are you nervous?"

Anji received tea from her teacher and shook her head. Instead of nervous, Anji felt determined.

"With all the tips from shifu and advice from elders, there is no way I will fail. Besides, you’ve checked my backpack. Everything I need will be there. Survival first, passing second. You wanted to remind me to prioritise my safety over breaking your record, yes?"

Ever since Anji understood empty compassion, she had gotten cheekier, seeing Yan Ping as an older sister more than a teacher. Yan Ping did not mind entirely. It only meant she could now reach out and pinch Anji’s dumpling cheeks as payback for the cheekiness.

Anji protested when she felt her teacher pinch her cheek instead of her ear. It was not painful, but the gesture reminded Anji why it was sometimes better not to tease her strict teacher.

Truthfully, Anji took the words right out of Yan Ping’s mouth. She knew that she had become naggy. Perhaps it was the overly protective instincts she had over the youngest candidate ever to attempt the trial. However, there was more to just succeeding in the trial. Yan Ping even gave Anji a lifeline imbued in the blindfold. Should Anji’s life ever be in critical danger, it would automatically teleport Anji out of the place and disqualify her from the trial. She would rather Anji lose her position as the successor than endanger her life. This remained a secret from her student, however.

"Shifu is not worried that you will fail," she explained and released the reddened cheek. "Shifu just wants you to take your time in there. After all, it is a place full of wonders and mystery that can only be entered when you are a successor."

Hearing Yan Ping’s advice, Anji thought about it. Truthfully, she never considered enjoying the trial as a process. Her objective has always been to clear it quickly to join the war. Now that Yan Ping mentioned it, Anji agreed. She had roughly a year to spend in there. There was no need to rush.

"Anji understands," she bowed and grinned. "I’ll come out right before my tenth birthday instead. Can I request to receive a present from shifu? I was thinking of getting a dagger imbued by shifu."

That was not a bad idea. Yan Ping liked the thought of gifting her student her first weapon and quickly agreed. They spent time talking about the dagger Anji wanted until the hour to leave for the trial chamber arrived.

"Let’s go," Yan Ping stood up, and Anji followed.

Without another word, they stood in a teleportation array and arrived right outside the forbidden mountain zone. From here onwards, it was a hike to the trial chamber. Anji picked up the backpack she had left near the teleportation array and followed after her teacher, already practising her second sight.