The Second Trial

The rest were pills. One bottle contained Qi Replenishing Pills for the Zhen Qi Realm, which could instantly restore True Qi 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 recognized it after some thought: it was a widely circulated Berserk Pill.

After taking it, it could stimulate the user's potential, instantly boosting their strength by one level.

However, it only lasted for a little less than two hours, and afterward, the user would be extremely weak.

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

It was a shame Lu Ming had acted too quickly; the opponent hadn't even had a chance to take it.

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

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

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

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

Lu Ming looked over at the sound and indeed saw a boy covered in blood, with a cold gaze, striding into the hall.

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

"Whether it was successful or not, just coming back alive after facing the Yanshan Bandits is already amazing."

"..."

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

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

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

He then walked away.

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

"Just as the rumors say, gentle and refined like jade," a female disciple's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Don't be fooled by his appearance. When he attacks, he shows no mercy. Outside, countless people have died under his iron fan."

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

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

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

In other words, he had single-handedly wiped out a late-stage Zhen Qi Realm bandit, several early and mid-stage Zhen Qi Realm bandits, and no less than twenty Nei Qi Realm bandits.

Such strength could not be underestimated.

Lu Ming pondered if he could achieve the same. If he added his nascent Saber Intent and went all out, he should be able to.

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

After all, he heard that these bandits had powerful bows and crossbows.

Even a late-stage Zhen Qi Realm cultivator wouldn't dare to ignore such weapons.

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

"Not bad. A clean kill with one strike, very swift and decisive."

Looking at Yu Yuan's corpse 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 his Soul Chasing Style erupt outside his body, only sweeping it within Yu Yuan.

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

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

"Thank you, Elder."

Lu Ming accepted them without checking and put them directly into his storage bag. After all, the sect wouldn't shortchange him on this amount.

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

Therefore, he wasn't in a hurry to take on another mission. Instead, he decided to buy Spiritual Medicine to advance the Iron Elephant Art to the second level first.

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

As he walked out of the hall, he coincidentally met the disciple who had previously told him he "couldn't handle it."

"Indeed."

Lu Ming nodded.

"I didn't expect this. You haven't even reached the peak of early-stage Zhen Qi Realm, yet you could kill Yu Yuan so quickly."

The man was somewhat surprised. He then cupped his hands:

"I am You Feng, ranked five hundred and sixty-first in the Inner Sect. May I know your name?"

You really can't judge a book by its cover. Lu Ming hadn't expected the person in front of him to be ranked even higher than Chu Yunxiao.

He cupped his hands as well, "Lu Ming, ranked one thousand and first in the inner disciple rankings."

Currently, he was among the bottom five, with only the four disciples who passed the assessment with him trailing behind.

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

"That low?"

You Feng was surprised again. Logically, someone who could kill a peak early stage Zhen Qi Realm cultivator shouldn't be ranked so low.

He then seemed to realize something and asked, "You're a disciple who just passed the assessment, right?"

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

"Then you're quite bold to dare take on missions so soon. You remind me of our Senior Disciple Brother."

"He also took on missions frantically not long after entering the inner sect," You Feng said.

"Senior Disciple Brother?"

This title sounded a bit unfamiliar.

"The one ranked first in the inner sect. Below the core disciples, he's the boss, which is why he's called Senior Disciple Brother."

The two chatted as they walked.

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

It was said his sword techniques had reached a realm of the uncanny, appearing slow yet being impossible to defend against.

Many people who fought him inexplicably lost.

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

"Slow yet 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 proposed to take his leave.

"See you next time then."

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 True Qi and punch you?"

"I'm sure."

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

"Then here I come."

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

Bang!

A dull thud echoed. Lu Ming's body didn't move an inch. Moreover, a repulsive force suddenly emerged from his body's surface, pushing Cui Bai back.

"Hiss, your [Iron Elephant Art] is indeed not simple."

Cui Bai stopped, rubbing his slightly numb hand.

After Lu Ming felt the situation within his body, he said, "Add a bit more strength."

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

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

Then it was seventy percent strength, and finally full power. Lu Ming only took a few steps back and wasn't injured internally.

"You're a freak. My full-power punch couldn't even break through your protective True Qi. This [Iron Elephant Art] is truly extraordinary."

Cui Bai's arm was completely numb now.

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

He wasn't lying. Based on his estimation, although he had cultivated the [Iron Elephant Art] to the second level, he could at most withstand attacks from the mid-stage Zhen Qi Realm.

To resist late-stage Zhen Qi Realm attacks, he would need to cultivate to the third level, where dragon and tiger converge, and the internal and external merge.

"Even so, that's freakishly strong."

After a long period of interaction, 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 Skills he obtained from the Wuji Mountain Range.

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

Cui Bai chuckled, "I've long since come to terms with it. If I compare myself to you, I'm afraid I'll die of frustration sooner or later. So, I'll proceed at my own pace."

"That's for the best," Lu Ming also smiled. With his friend being so open-minded, 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 bid farewell and went to cultivate alone. Lu Ming also began practicing the leg and palm techniques he had just obtained.