'These Black-clothed Cultivators are at least at the Qi Refining Third Layer, and they have Magical Artifacts. They're not an easy target.'
Watching helplessly as the Black-clothed Cultivator pocketed the Wind Concealing Grass, Qi Yun clicked his tongue.
Ever since discovering that these Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects could speed up the "auto-update" process of his mysterious panel, his desire for them had been growing like weeds.
But desire was one thing.
Going up against a Qi Refining Third Layer Cultivator whose Cultivation far surpassed his own, and who also wielded a Magical Artifact?
That was just asking for death.
Shaking his head, Qi Yun slowly drew back, concealing himself further.
Once he passed this trial and became an official disciple of the Holy Sect, there would be plenty of opportunities to acquire Spiritual Objects. There was no need to take such a risk now.
Having survived four assessments with his below-average aptitude, Qi Yun, a man with the memories of two lifetimes, was far more composed than his peers.
Not too good, not too bad. Not too high, not too low.
It was by adhering to this steady, yet not mediocre, state of being that he had survived in this cruel environment until today.
Watching the Black-clothed Cultivator's figure disappear into the depths of the forest, Qi Yun waited quietly on an unremarkable tree branch, calmly assessing the situation.
'This valley is huge, and I don't know the layout. If I run around blindly, I'll probably run straight into trouble.'
'It's better to wait and see. With my version 2.0 Clear Wind Technique, I can easily retreat even if someone finds me.'
Hidden in the shadows of the branches and leaves, Qi Yun silently suppressed his aura, even slowing his breathing, his vigilant gaze sweeping silently over the forest floor through the gaps in the foliage.
Time trickled by in the dead silence.
Without him noticing, the blazing sun had climbed to its zenith.
It was noon.
Half the time for the trial had passed.
If he could just hold out for another half-day, he would pass.
Licking his somewhat dry lips, Qi Yun rolled up his sleeves, slightly relaxed his tense shoulders and back, and leaned his head against the tree trunk behind him. He slowly closed his eyes to recover his energy.
RUSTLE RUSTLE—
A moment later, the sudden sound of frantic footsteps caused Qi Yun, who had been resting with his eyes closed, to snap them open and look toward the source of the noise.
'Someone's coming.'
Narrowing his eyes, Qi Yun slightly bent the fingers of his right hand, ready to form a Spell.
'If they're coming for me, I can instantly cast the Clear Wind Technique and escape!'
"Tang Shun! You shameless bastard! Even if I die, I'll become a Fierce Ghost and come back to claim your life!"
A stumbling, blood-soaked figure burst into view, fleeing for his life while hurling curses at whoever was behind him.
'Tang Shun?!'
The familiar name made Qi Yun's eyes narrow. He strained his vision to get a better look at the fleeing young figure.
'Is that... Zhou Ling?'
Recognizing the fleeing Cultivator's face, Qi Yun's brow furrowed instantly.
Zhou Ling was covered in blood, especially his legs, which had been pierced by some sharp weapon, leaving several bloody holes.
With every step, a spray of blood splattered onto the ground, leaving a long, glaring trail of red behind him!
"Old Zhou, after two years of cultivation, how are you still so naive? I'd say those two years of your cultivation were a complete waste."
An indifferent voice drifted over as Tang Shun, with one hand behind his back, followed unhurriedly. His steps were leisurely, watching the fleeing Zhou Ling like a cat toying with a mouse.
"What are we?
We're disciples of the Demon Sect.
Disciples of the Demon Sect should act like it."
Completely unfazed by Zhou Ling's curses, Tang Shun gave a faint smile and suddenly waved his left hand.
PSHHH—
A sharp, blood-red Sword Qi with blurry edges shot through the air, letting out a piercing, malevolent shriek.
It was so fast it left only an afterimage!
Blood blossomed once more.
Zhou Ling's left ankle was pierced through, leaving a bloody hole that went straight through from front to back.
THUMP—
With a muffled groan, Zhou Ling, his left foot now useless, collapsed to the ground. Having lost too much blood, he didn't even have the strength to scream, only twitching feebly and gasping like a broken bellows.
'That's... a Sword Dao Technique!'
Witnessing the crimson Sword Qi that Tang Shun had unleashed, Qi Yun's body trembled slightly, his expression shifting several times.
'Tang Shun... How does he know a Sword Dao Technique?'
As prospective talent for the Demon Sect, the prerequisite for participating in this entrance trial was to have a Cultivation of at least the Qi Refining First Layer and to have mastered at least one Magic.
But this prospective talent consisted entirely of orphans and beggars rounded up by the Demon Sect from various places.
How could they possibly be taught profound Magic?
Therefore, the Magic they could actually choose to comprehend and cultivate...
...had always been limited to only five types!
They were the Fire Element Technique [Chi Lian], the Water Element Technique [Ganlin Rain], the Wood Element Technique [Clear Wind Technique], the Gold Element Technique [Thousand Scales], and the Earth Element Technique [Mountain Shadow].
And just as Qi Yun was puzzling over how Tang Shun could use a Sword Dao Technique...
...the young Cultivator, who clearly held some secrets, had already sauntered over to Zhou Ling, who was struggling to crawl forward on the ground.
"Such an admirable will to live."
Planting a foot on Zhou Ling's back, Tang Shun put on a look of pity:
"If not for the circumstances, perhaps we could have truly been friends.
Unfortunately, my Red Night Sword Qi needs a blood sacrifice to be properly honed..."
Knowing his survival was hopeless, Zhou Ling used the last of his strength to spit a mouthful of bloody saliva in Tang Shun's direction, then let out a hoarse, bitter laugh.
"Cut the crap, you pretentious bastard. Your act is nauseating.
Tang Shun... COUGH COUGH... Don't get too cocky...
Your glabella is dark, red threads run through your pupils, and a blue-red aura has surfaced on your face. These are clear signs of imminent danger, an omen of disaster and bloodshed.
I'll go on ahead and wait for you. Sooner or later, you'll be join—AHHH!"
"You're courting death!"
The fake smile on Tang Shun's face vanished instantly, replaced by malice and killing intent. His eyes turned cold. Forming his left fingers into a sword, the crimson Sword Qi flashed again, piercing cleanly and viciously through the back of Zhou Ling's head!
"Curse me? You think you're worthy?"
After killing Zhou Ling, Tang Shun immediately formed a Spell and began muttering an incantation.
Wisps of viscous, scarlet mist rose from the gruesome wounds on Zhou Ling's corpse as if being drawn out, coalescing into fine threads that flowed into the palm of Tang Shun's left hand.
As the blood mist entered his hand, a look of delight appeared on Tang Shun's face.
"Excellent, excellent. Zhou Ling may have had a sharp tongue, but his Cultivation was also the highest.
Now that I've taken his blood and essence, my Red Night Sword Qi is just one step away from maturing."
Nodding in satisfaction, Tang Shun didn't even glance at the corpse on the ground. He turned and walked back the way he came, ready to find his next target to perfect his Red Night Sword Qi.
Standing silently in the tree, Qi Yun watched Tang Shun's departing figure, then glanced at Zhou Ling's body on the ground. His eyes lowered, a cold glint appearing within them.
All of his questions were suddenly answered!
'So that's how it is.'
'Prospective talent? A fair trial? What a joke.'
'The "Talent" will always remain just "Talent".'
'While the real Disciples were Disciples from the very beginning...'
Seeing this naked truth, Qi Yun's gaze grew heavy as thoughts raced through his mind.
'If that's really the case, then the rule about passing the trial just by surviving for a day is probably questionable as well.'
'Disciples of the Demon Sect should act like it...' Tang Shun's words flashed through Qi Yun's mind. He subconsciously narrowed his eyes and looked up at Tang Shun's departing back. After a brief moment of hesitation...
...he transformed into a wisp of Clear Wind and gave chase.
...