Forest of the Dead
The disciples looked at Chen Ning with expectant eyes, their gazes filled with fervor.
Yesterday, the sect leader made a sacred vow at Verdant Peak, dispelling the inner demons of many disciples.
Today, will he also utter a few words of wisdom to be passed down through the ages, so that we may all have a good understanding of them?
However, Chen Ning did not speak.
Instead, his gaze darkened slightly.
Because a system notification sounded in his ear.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered a sect-related quest [Disciple Trial (Beginner)]!"
"Mission Introduction: As an exceptional sect leader, how can you not be diligent and dedicated, wholeheartedly considering the cultivation path of your disciples? Please personally lead a portion of your disciples to the Forest of the Dead for a ten-day trial to test their strength."
"Completion of the mission will grant a unique reward [?]"
"Completing the mission will grant a sect-wide group reward [random group buff]"
"Task Restrictions: 1. The number of disciples under your command cannot exceed 100; 2. The number of disciples who die cannot exceed one-third (otherwise it will affect the task completion rate)."
After listening to the mission briefing, Chen Ning fell into deep thought.
It's a group sect mission?
This is the first time this kind of task has been triggered.
The rewards seem rather mysterious, a bit like opening a blind box.
Who could refuse that?
Looking at the group of disciples who had become his fanatical followers, Chen Ning's heart stirred.
Okay, you're the ones I've decided on.
"Lu Ping, go and inform the top 100 disciples of Vermilion Bird Peak that they will accompany me on a training expedition tomorrow."
Chen Ning gave a casual instruction.
They have their own plans.
Since there is a limit to the number of disciples who die in battle, the best outcome is naturally for everyone to be safe and sound.
I can also perfectly accomplish the task on my own.
Get the hidden bonus.
Therefore, it is necessary to select some disciples with strong abilities.
Upon hearing this, the disciple named Lu Ping was first taken aback, then overjoyed.
The sect leader personally leading everyone on this training trip is an incredibly joyous occasion.
More than the experience itself, traveling with the sect leader is their fortuitous opportunity.
These sacred words, passed down through generations, bring immeasurable merit. As long as one does not perish along the way, one will surely attain sainthood in the future.
Such a legendary sect leader will personally lead the team.
How could Lu Ping not be overjoyed?
He nodded emphatically and replied, "I will obey the sect leader's decree."
"Good."
Chen Ning uttered a single word and turned back.
This Lu Ping was a disciple he recognized quite well.
Within the entire Dragon-Seeking Sect, it ranks eighth among the inner sects.
He is now a martial artist at the Spirit Martial Realm Fifth Heaven.
He was two minor realms higher than Qin Lie, the one they had encountered before who refused to give up the Golden-Winged Peng.
However, compared to his own abnormal leveling speed, he was naturally far inferior.
Looking back, I was just an ordinary person who hadn't even reached the Human Martial Realm.
Now, Chen Ning's cultivation level has actually surpassed that of so many disciples.
A cultivator at the Ninth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm would be a formidable expert even in the outside world.
As for the mission of this trial, let Lu Ping organize his fellow disciples.
Lu Ping is a reliable person who handles things properly.
If I leave it to him, he shouldn't make any mistakes.
Back in the somewhat quiet courtyard, Chen Ning found himself missing the little girl a bit.
Chen Ning had spent the whole night with Cang Yue and hadn't gotten much rest. He also had to lead his disciples to the trial tomorrow, so he decided to catch up on his sleep.
Take a good rest.
Early the next morning.
The group of one hundred disciples descended the mountain in a grand procession and began their journey.
The Forest of the Dead isn't considered a particularly dangerous place.
Therefore, the disciples were relatively relaxed.
A great battle took place here over a thousand years ago, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.
Corpses littered the field.
Countless martial artists died far from home and were buried in this forest.
Thus, this name was derived.
The Forest of the Dead is also a burial ground for bones.
It is said that at nightfall, some people have seen wandering spirits, and more than one person has seen this.
This also adds a touch of mystery to the place.
But in terms of the level of danger, it's actually not too bad.
There are more mutated spirit beasts here.
Many poachers also choose to come here to explore, and if they encounter rare mutated spirit beasts, they can often sell them for a good price.
Even just the fur and bones would be a considerable fortune, not to mention the even more precious beast souls.
The beast souls obtained from slaying spirit beasts have endless uses, whether sold or used to forge weapons.
The souls of high-level spirit beasts are priceless.
It exists where there is a price but no market.
Several hours later, the group entered the Forest of the Dead. The moment they stepped inside, many disciples felt a chill.
The forest was eerie and terrifying.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't dare to set foot here easily.
But Celestial Person and the sect leader leading the way, the disciples' courage grew.
Chen Ning was pondering how to get through the ten-day trial as quickly as possible.
Due to the limitations of the system, he also had to protect his disciples.
This is quite a challenge.
But Chen Ning now has a few trump cards to protect him.
I'm not worried at all.
"Awooo!"
Soon, the group encountered their first target.
Several Thorny Wild Boar roamed through the forest.
They were very fast, and their backs were covered in thorns, making them awe-inspiring. They gradually approached the group, wanting to have a feast.
Wild boars are just ordinary wild animals.
It cannot be considered a mythical beast.
However, due to their long-term survival in the Forest of the Dead environment, they mutated and grew thorns.
At this moment, its strength was equivalent to that of a second-tier spirit beast at its peak.
It's roughly equivalent to a martial artist in the Middle Stage of the Human Martial Realm.
The disciples found it relatively easy to handle.
Immediately, more than a dozen disciples rushed forward.
"Kill!"
The disciples, well-trained and wielding various weapons, charged towards the Thorny Wild Boar.
Most of the disciples watched the battle from the rear.
These few wild boars are more than enough for these ten or so junior disciples to handle.
But then, something unexpected happened.
One of the Thorny Wild Boar seemed to have gone mad, its thorns on its back becoming thicker and its eyes turning bloodshot as it charged wildly toward a disciple.
It looked like it was about to be overturned.
This Thorny Wild Boar not only has its back covered in thorns, but also several sharp thorns on its head.
If I were to get hit hard like that, I might lose my life.
The surrounding fellow disciples were also terrified and brandished their swords and knives, slashing at the enraged wild boar.
But they couldn't break through the opponent's thorny defense.
At the critical moment.
An arrow of Essence Power shot out like a streak of light, piercing directly through the body of the raging wild boar.
The wild boar died instantly, and its spirit emerged.
The disciples looked over and their expressions changed; it was actually a third-tier beast soul.
No wonder the attacks just now couldn't hurt it at all.
A third-tier spirit beast possesses strength comparable to a martial artist at the Peak of the Human Martial Realm.
I never imagined that this wild boar would mutate to this extent.
This time, they really underestimated their opponent.
Everyone looked at Chen Ning, appearing somewhat ashamed.
If it weren't for the sect leader's intervention, they would have surely lost one of their members.
Thinking this way, he felt even more reverence for the sect leader.
But Chen Ning's gaze turned cold as he said, "If you think this trip is just for sightseeing, you can quit now. This is a trial! With such laxity and underestimation of our opponents, how many lives do you have left?"
Upon hearing this, the disciples all fell silent.