Chapter 22: Sect Trial (II)

Sliding the emerald green ring onto his middle finger, Qiu Han opened the jade slip and sent his spiritual sense within to examine its contents. The first thing he saw was a dense array of words—practice incantations for several advanced spells were listed: “Fire Manipulation,” “Five Elements Escape,” “Wind Command,” “Lightning Transformation,” and “Wind Blade,” among others.

Fire Manipulation was an improved and elevated version of the basic Fireball Spell, a higher-level fire technique. Cultivators who mastered it gained deeper control and power over fire, able to ignite a much wider area and burn through almost any material. Its range and force surpassed that of Fireball.

The Five Elements Escape was a spell for evasion, allowing its user to flee through any material of the five elemental attributes—such as tunneling underground or slipping away through water. It was a practical technique for escape.

Wind Command refined the basic flight spell, enabling greater speed and the ability to carry others while flying.

Lightning Transformation, as its name suggested, called down the thunder of heaven and earth, a formidable offensive magic to be used against adversaries.

Wind Blade was a high-level attack spell of the wind element, one of the most potent techniques in its class.

All these spells could only be learned and used during the Foundation Establishment stage, for their power was considerable. It was not that Qi Refining cultivators could not study them, but the consumption of spiritual sense and energy required was too great for most low-level practitioners to cast successfully. However, Qiu Han’s spiritual sense and energy surpassed his peers, so he could barely manage it.

Mastering these spells was not difficult, and with Qiu Han’s aptitude, he should be able to learn them within a month. As his cultivation improved, their power would grow even greater, and for now, they would serve him well.

Having memorized all the incantations, Qiu Han continued reading. Next came the trial instructions set by his master, Gu Sui Feng: “A month from now, you will set out from the western outskirts of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, gradually venturing inward. Your task is to fight continuously—battle with demonic beasts to improve your cultivation and real combat experience.

I and several elders have already made arrangements with the beasts of the Hundred Thousand Mountains who have achieved human form—they will not attack you trial disciples. The third-rank beasts, equivalent to Foundation Establishment cultivators, have already retreated deeper within the mountains. As long as you do not venture too far inside, you should not face excessive danger.

Those beasts of human form are comparable to Nascent Soul experts; they can speak, and if you happen to encounter one, present my token—the jade slip—which contains my spiritual sense. Upon seeing it, they will understand.

Your task is to kill one hundred top-tier first-rank beasts, and ten second-rank beasts. With your current strength, second-rank beasts will be challenging, so you must rely on your wit to overcome them. I require you to fight second-rank beasts, equivalent to Foundation Establishment, because I have foreseen that you will soon face a tribulation, though its nature remains unclear. This is so you may grow more rapidly. The corpses of these beasts are useful; bring them back in your storage pouch.

There is more. During your year-long trial in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, I want you to seek out the following spirit herbs—names and descriptions are recorded in the jade slip. If you find them, bring them back to the sect.

Before departing, you may use my token—the jade pendant—to go to the sect’s supplies hall and collect all the needed spirit stones, pills, and talismans. You may also receive a high-grade storage pouch, with much greater space than ordinary ones. There are also spirit beasts in the mountains; if you encounter a young creature you like, you may tame it as your spirit pet. Spirit pets cannot be stored in storage pouches, so collect a beast pouch at the sect. Prepare everything, and depart in a month.

When your year is up, you must return to the sect. Then I will help you establish your foundation, and you may compete in the sect’s grand tournament. Win glory for me—the final reward is a priceless Spirit Transformation Pill, which greatly increases the chance of advancing to the Core Formation stage.

Qiu Han, within this year, should you face mortal danger, you must activate the ring I gave you—it will ensure your safety. Remember this!”

After finishing the contents of the jade slip, Qiu Han stored it and the talismans in his storage pouch. He lifted his head and gazed toward the lofty building where Gu Sui Feng resided, bowing deeply.

Since arriving at the sect, aside from Zhou Yi and He Yitong, Qiu Han had clearly felt how much his master Gu Sui Feng cared for him—far beyond what he showed to Zhou Yi and He Yitong. Whenever their eyes met, Qiu Han could sense the loving tenderness in his master’s gaze, like a father looking at his son.

Qiu Han did not know why he, a newly joined disciple, received such attention. He recalled his first encounter with the tiger, when Zhou Yi said the master had already noticed and sent Zhou Yi to rescue him; it seemed Gu Sui Feng was always watching and protecting him from the shadows. Even during the confrontation with Chi Yi and the others, it was the master who arrived in time to dispel their peril.

Qiu Han pondered for a long time, unable to imagine what could cause Gu Sui Feng to treat him with such special care. Suddenly he remembered the jade slip, where his master mentioned a coming tribulation, though its exact nature was unknown.

A tribulation—could it be related to the ancient immortal’s legacy?

At this thought, Qiu Han’s heart tightened. It was his deepest secret, one he could never reveal to anyone. He checked the storage pouch taken from the Nascent Soul cultivator again, ensuring nothing had been discovered, and felt a bit more at ease. Remembering the dream he had, Qiu Han clenched his fists and vowed inwardly to strengthen himself as quickly as possible, so his parents would never come to harm.

Ten days passed swiftly, and the results of the trials among the disciples were announced. The hundred victors were almost all at the twelfth layer of Qi Refining or above, with many reaching the fifteenth layer—the peak of Qi Refining.

Yet a few were only at the tenth layer, and their victory showed their extraordinary strength, far surpassing others of their realm.

Each of these hundred disciples received a jade slip with identical instructions: set out from the southern edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, enter from the outskirts, slay demonic beasts, collect spirit herbs, and upon reaching the required quota, complete the trial.

Most of the group were of similar cultivation, or close friends, forming teams of three to five. This allowed for mutual support and made dealing with danger easier. Some acted alone—usually the strongest, who relied on their own power and disdained companionship. Traveling together meant the spoils would be divided, requiring more time to complete the tasks, though the risks would be lessened.

There were still three days until Qiu Han’s departure. That day, he sat in meditation in his room, then rose, ending his practice, walked outside, and stretched his limbs, gazing into the distance toward the southern expanse of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

“Those trial disciples have been gone for over half a month now. In three days, I will set out from the true west of the mountains. A year’s time—I wonder how much my cultivation will rise when I return. The sect tournament—I must claim first place!”