Blood still stained the training ground, corpses scattered across the gravel.
Lin Chen stood alone, dark blue poison veins faintly writhing beneath his skin. His true essence was severely depleted, sending stabs of pain through his chest. Yet his spine remained straight. His calm eyes swept over the remaining participants, who all shrank back in terror, not daring to move.
The gray‑robed elder slowly rose from behind the stone table. His withered gaze fell on Lin Chen, mixed with scrutiny and approval. His voice rasped:
"The Shadow Assassins Pavilion trial values only ruthlessness, speed, and decisiveness. You… have passed."
As he spoke, the elder flicked his finger. A pale white pill, glowing with faint light, shot through the air and landed steadily in Lin Chen's palm.
"This is a low‑grade Cleansing Pill. It purges impure energy and suppresses ordinary poisons. Consider it your reward for passing."
Lin Chen clenched the pill. A cool medicinal scent seeped into his fingertips, and the raging poison in his chest was instantly subdued. He felt a faint sense of relief.
At that moment, a cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Host has successfully passed the Shadow Assassins Pavilion initiation trial, fulfilling check‑in conditions. System rewards unlocked!]
[Congratulations, Host! Obtained: Mid‑grade Spirit Weapon – Shadow Dagger!]
[Congratulations, Host! Cultivation has automatically advanced to Late True Martial Realm Peak!]
A surge of mighty true essence erupted from his dantian without warning, like a roaring river flooding his meridians. His exhausted true essence was instantly replenished—even thicker and more condensed than before.
The dull ache in his severed arm was soothed, and the poison in his chest was forcibly suppressed by the new power. The blue veins faded considerably.
A sharp glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. His aura quietly rose, and the pressure of the Late True Martial Realm Peak spread faintly, drawing a slight look of surprise from the elder.
"Hmm? A breakthrough at this moment? Quite a promising seedling," the elder muttered, but said no more.
Lin Chen remained calm. Mentally, he focused inward. A pitch‑black dagger, covered in faint dark patterns, hovered silently within his dantian. Though small, it exuded a sharp, bone‑chilling cold—clearly a rare mid‑grade spirit weapon.
With this dagger, his combat power had risen sharply.
"Now that you have joined, you are one of the Shadow Assassins," the elder's voice turned cold again. He pulled a black scroll from his robe and tossed it to Lin Chen. "This is your first mission. Within three days, bring me Lord Gou's head. Success: one hundred taels of silver and three Body Tempering Pills. Failure: bring me yours."
Lin Chen caught the scroll. His fingers brushed the cold paper as he unfurled it.
Target: Lord Gou, residing in Gou Manor three li outside the town. Eighth level of Body Tempering Realm. Colluded with mountain bandits, oppressed villagers, and committed countless evils.
The target was simple, yet dangerous.
Lin Chen folded the scroll and carefully tucked the Cleansing Pill into his robes. He gripped the Shadow Dagger within his dantian, his eyes cold and still.
"Understood."
He replied flatly, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.
His lone‑armed figure vanished beyond the Shadow Assassins Pavilion gates.
A new killing was about to begin.