The Second Trial

The rest were pills. One bottle contained Qi Recovery Pills for the True Qi Realm, which could instantly restore true energy in the dantian.

This bottle had a decent amount, over a dozen pills.

Next were some healing pills. Only the last bottle was a bit special.

This bottle contained only one pill, a deep crimson color. Lu Ming took a long look and finally confirmed it was a widely circulated Berserk Pill.

After taking it, it could stimulate the body's potential, instantly increasing one's strength by a level.

However, it could only last for a little over half an hour, and afterward, one would become extremely weak.

It could be said to be a life-saving pill for critical moments.

It was a pity that Lu Ming had acted too quickly; the opponent didn't even have a chance to take it.

Carefully putting it away, Lu Ming hurried on his way with all his might. He finally returned to the sect at noon the next day.

After returning the horse, he strode towards the Mission Hall.

Just as he was about to submit his mission, a commotion arose.

"Quick, look! Senior Brother Feng Chao, who took the Level 5, 2-star mission, is back."

Lu Ming looked over at the sound and indeed saw a blood-covered, stern-faced youth striding into the hall.

"Do you think Senior Brother Feng Chao's mission was successful?"

"Whether it was successful or not, just being able to return after facing the Yanshan Bandits is already incredible."

"..."

The crowd chattered amongst themselves. Feng Chao seemed not to hear them. He suddenly stopped in front of a man holding a folding fan and said coldly:

"In the Inner Sect Grand Competition a little over a year from now, I will definitely surpass you."

The man holding the folding fan paused, then smiled and nodded, "I'll be waiting."

He then walked away.

"That's Senior Brother Wei Yu, ranked eighth!" someone recognized the fan-wielding man.

"He's truly as gentle as jade, just like the rumors say," a female disciple's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Don't be fooled by his appearance. He's ruthless when he attacks. Outside, countless people have died under his iron fan."

A male disciple beside her spoke with a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"Hmph, those were all wicked evildoers who deserved to die."

Casually overhearing this argument, Lu Ming helplessly covered his ears. Just then, another exclamation arose. It turned out that after confirmation, Feng Chao had completed his mission.

In other words, he had single-handedly wiped out a Late True Qi Realm bandit, several Early and Mid True Qi Realm bandits, and no less than twenty Inner Qi Realm bandits.

This strength was not to be underestimated.

Lu Ming pondered if he could achieve the same. If he included his nascent Saber Intent, he should be able to do it with all his might.

However, if he could train the Iron Elephant Art to the second stage, it would be even more assured and easier.

After all, he had heard that this group of bandits had powerful bows and crossbows.

Even Late True Qi Realm cultivators wouldn't dare to ignore such weapons.

Amidst the crowd's exclamations, Feng Chao left again. Lu Ming also continued to submit his mission.

"Not bad, killed with a single strike, very clean and swift."

Looking at the corpse of Yu Yuan that Lu Ming presented, the Elder in charge of verification and registration praised him while comparing it to a portrait.

To avoid dirtying his storage ring, Lu Ming hadn't let the Saber Qi from the Soul Chasing Style erupt outside his body, only sweeping it within the enemy.

Therefore, Yu Yuan's corpse only had one wound and was completely intact.

"Your mission is complete. Here are your rewards, take a look."

"Thank you, Elder."

Lu Ming accepted the rewards without counting them and put them directly into his storage bag. After all, the sect wouldn't shortchange him on such a small amount.

With the rewards, plus the spoils from this mission, Lu Ming was now quite well-off.

Therefore, he wasn't in a hurry to take on more missions. Instead, he planned to buy some Spiritual Medicine to advance the Iron Elephant Art to the second stage.

"It's you, you're back after completing your mission?"

As he walked out of the hall, he happened to run into the disciple who had previously said he "couldn't handle it."

"Indeed."

Lu Ming nodded.

"I didn't expect it. You haven't even reached the peak of Early True Qi Realm, yet you could kill Yu Yuan so quickly."

"You are You Feng, ranked 561st in the Inner Sect. May I know your name?"

One truly couldn't judge a book by its cover. Lu Ming hadn't expected this person to be ranked even higher than Chu Yunxiao.

He also cupped his fists and said, "Lu Ming, ranked 1001st in the Inner Sect."

He was currently ranked fifth from the bottom, with only the four people who passed the assessment with him behind him.

Of course, some people must have passed the assessment during this time, but he hadn't bothered to check.

"So low?"

You Feng was surprised again. Logically, someone who could kill a person at the Peak Early True Qi Realm shouldn't be ranked so low.

He then seemed to realize something and asked, "You're a disciple who just passed the assessment, aren't you?"

Lu Ming nodded. "I only passed the assessment a while ago."

"Then you're really bold to dare to take on missions so soon. You remind me of the Senior Disciple Brother of the Inner Sect."

"He also took on missions frantically not long after joining the Inner Sect," You Feng said.

"Senior Disciple Brother?"

That title sounded a bit unfamiliar.

"The one ranked first in the Inner Sect. Below the core disciples, he's the boss, which is why they call him Senior Disciple Brother."

The two continued to chat as they walked.

Lu Ming later learned about this Senior Disciple Brother. His name was Chi Xuan, and he primarily cultivated sword techniques.

It was said that his sword techniques had reached a realm of unfathomable mystery. They were clearly slow, yet made it impossible for opponents to defend against them.

Many people inexplicably lost to him in battle.

Furthermore, an Elder had commented that he was highly likely to comprehend Saber Intent.

"Appears slow but is actually fast?"

Since he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Lu Ming couldn't quite grasp it.

"Alright, that's all for today. If there are any team missions in the future, I'll let you know."

After talking for a long time, You Feng decided to take his leave.

"See you next time."

Lu Ming parted ways with him and headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Pavilion.

In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.

In the courtyard, Cui Bai confirmed again, "Are you sure you want me to channel my true energy and punch you?"

"I'm sure."

Lu Ming nodded very seriously, then assumed a horse stance and bared his chest.

"Then here I come."

Seeing this, Cui Bai didn't hesitate. He channeled his true energy and punched towards Lu Ming's chest. Of course, fearing he couldn't control it well, he only dared to use thirty percent of his strength.

Bang!

A muffled sound echoed. Lu Ming's body didn't budge. Furthermore, a repulsive force suddenly erupted from his body's surface, pushing Cui Bai back.

"Hiss, your [Iron Elephant Art] is indeed extraordinary."

Cui Bai stopped, rubbing his slightly numb hand.

After assessing his condition, Lu Ming said, "Put more strength into it."

"Again?" Cui Bai was stunned, then said, "Alright, I'll use fifty percent of my strength this time."

Another punch. This time, Lu Ming's body swayed slightly, but he was unharmed.

Then came seventy percent strength, and finally full strength. Lu Ming only retreated a few steps and wasn't injured internally.

"You're truly a monster. My full-strength punch couldn't even break through your protective true energy. This [Iron Elephant Art] is truly remarkable."

Cui Bai's arm was completely numb.

Lu Ming tidied his robes and said, "When your realm improves, I won't be able to resist."

He wasn't lying. By his estimation, although he had cultivated the [Iron Elephant Art] to the second level, he could at most withstand attacks from the Mid True Qi Realm.

To resist the Late True Qi Realm, he would need to cultivate it to the third level, where dragon and tiger converge, and the internal and external merge.

"Even so, that's monstrous enough."

After a long period of contact, Cui Bai had become numb to Lu Ming's cultivation speed.

They had entered the Inner Sect together, yet Lu Ming could already take on missions, while he hadn't even fully learned the two martial arts he obtained from the Wuji Mountain Range.

"Don't worry, take your time," Lu Ming comforted him.

Cui Bai chuckled, "I've long since accepted it. If I compare myself to you, I'm afraid I'll be angered to death sooner or later. So, I'll proceed at my own pace."

"That's for the best," Lu Ming also smiled. With his openness, he believed there wouldn't be too much of an obstacle to improving his strength.

After all, his state of mind was clear.

Next, Cui Bai took his leave to cultivate alone, while Lu Ming began practicing the leg and palm techniques he had just acquired.