Better to Let Eternity Be Like a Long Night

Chapter 11: I Would Rather the Ages Be Like a Long Night

The nine great immortal sects all have probationary periods for new disciples to prevent spies from the outer sects from infiltrating their ranks. The content of these trials is extensive, covering everything from progress in strength to tests of loyalty.

Ning Ye was already prepared for this.

He had already fabricated his identity: nothing more than an ordinary citizen from a small village whose family had been destroyed by persecution, leaving him scarred by a great fire, though he had luckily survived.

Events like this occurred every day in the Evergreen Realm and were nothing out of the ordinary. Since the scars on his body could not be hidden, this lie, while simple, was highly effective. To ensure its success, Ning Ye had personally visited a village and investigated every detail of its situation before setting out. Thus, even if the Black and White Divine Palace investigated, they would find that Ning Ye had no issues whatsoever.

Looking at Ning Ye at this moment, Zhang Liekuang's mountain-like, imposing figure suddenly hunched over. He coughed a few times, and his blade-like aura instantly diminished.

Ning Ye was stunned, only to see the old man beside him step forward and gently pat Zhang Liekuang on the back.

After a few pats, Zhang Liekuang spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm. The phlegm struck the mountain wall with a thud, gouging out a crater. Looking around, such craters were everywhere.

"Sigh." Zhang Liekuang sighed, and a trace of helplessness flickered within his unfathomable, piercing gaze.

The bandaged woman beside him explained to Ning Ye, "Master practiced the blade too intensely in his early years, damaging his internal organs."

Ning Ye was stunned: "With Master's cultivation, can he not heal himself?"

Zhang Liekuang shook his head: "If it were an ordinary injury, it would have healed long ago. This is the Seven Killings Blade Intent attacking my heart. As long as I continue to practice the blade, it is destined never to heal. Never mind, after all these years, I have grown accustomed to it. You must also be careful in the future. The edge of the Seven Killings Blade is too sharp, and the killing intent is rampant. While it is the world's premier blade of slaughter, it is easily broken by its own sharpness, causing harm to the wielder. Therefore, one must not practice the blade too recklessly."

The old man and the bandaged woman said in unison: "The disciples understand."

Zhang Liekuang flicked his finger, and two points of golden light fell into Ning Ye's sea of consciousness: "One is the foundational cultivation technique of my Black and White Divine Palace, consisting of nine levels. Completing the first level qualifies you as an official initiate, and completing the ninth level brings you to the peak of the Cang Xiang Realm. This is the path of cultivation; although it lacks combat techniques, it is the root of all power and must be practiced diligently. The other is my Killing Intent Heart Sutra, the general outline for practicing the Seven Killings Blade. You have already obtained the Killing Heart Blade Art; the Killing Heart Blade is the first kill of the Seven Killings—it kills the person by striking at their heart, so the Seven Killings Blade must begin with the heart. However, without the Killing Intent Heart Sutra to complement it, excessive use will only harm yourself, so it must also be practiced well. In short, start with the basics. You may come to collect your spirit stones and pills every month. If you have any matters, find Chenguang."

The old man was named Yu Chenguang, and he was Zhang Liekuang's eldest disciple.

"Oh, right, here is a bag of spirit stones. It is the reward for your first-place finish in this trial competition." Zhang Liekuang raised his hand, and a bag of spirit stones flew into Ning Ye's hand.

So, I really was first?

Ning Ye was not surprised by this answer.

With the foundation of three years of immortal cultivation and the informational advantage of divination and foresight, it would be strange if he hadn't taken first place.

The real good news was the bag of spirit stones.

With the items Xin Ranzi had given him, Ning Ye was not lacking in spirit stones or magical treasures. Although he had placed most of them in a hidden location as a precaution, he had still left enough for the three of them. However, the origins of those items were unclear, making them difficult to use openly.

By comparison, this bag of spirit stones from Zhang Liekuang was different; it could be used publicly.

After giving his instructions, Zhang Liekuang let Ning Ye go.

Yu Chenguang had already found a residence for Ning Ye, but it was not the stone cave from before; it was a remote little courtyard far from the main area.

Ning Ye knew this was intentional—if he were a spy from another sect, he would naturally prefer such an arrangement, as it would be easier to carry out small schemes.

For the Black and White Divine Palace, they didn't fear what you might do; they only feared you would act too late. After all, the more powerful the spy, the greater the harm they could cause.

After settling in, Ning Ye first sent his consciousness into the Thousand Mechanism Hall to monitor the surroundings for surveillance. He quickly found several secret monitoring facilities nearby, though most were ordinary.

Since he currently had no cultivation, it was difficult to detect higher-level monitoring methods with just the Kunlun Mirror, but he figured that for a mere ordinary disciple, it was unlikely that any major figures would personally take action.

Knowing the locations of those monitoring points, Ning Ye felt at ease and began his practice. Because he had previous experience in cultivation, Ning Ye's re-cultivation went exceptionally smoothly.

In just about forty days, Ning Ye had completed the practice of the first level of the heart technique, entering the path of immortal cultivation once again.

Thinking back to when he first entered the realm, Ning Ye had been brimming with excitement, but now, his state of mind had faded significantly.

To this day, Ning Ye still remembered that when he first broke through, he had been so ignorant that he had rushed into Xin Ranzi's room, shouting and causing a furnace of pills Xin Ranzi was refining to be ruined.

But Xin Ranzi did not blame him; instead, he praised him heartily.

Even now, Ning Ye could still recall Xin Ranzi patting his head and wearing an expression of approval.

Unfortunately, the person who was good to him was gone, and now, wherever he looked, there were only enemies.

So, did Zhang Liekuang count as an enemy?

As this thought surfaced, Ning Ye couldn't help but shudder.

Times had truly changed; it had only been two months, and he hadn't even met Zhang Liekuang many times, yet he had already developed such a thought?

No, an enemy is an enemy; he must not be soft-hearted.

Originally, Ning Ye had intended to get close to Zhang Liekuang, to make him value him and rely on him as a pillar of support.

But at this moment, he suddenly realized that perhaps he should maintain a distance from Zhang Liekuang and not get too close.

This might be detrimental to his future cultivation, but it would be beneficial to his state of mind.

I am Ning Ye!

I would rather the ages be like a long night, than let a single enemy soul escape!

Taiyin Sect.

Xin Xiaoye sat by the edge of the pond, looking at her reflection in the water.

What was reflected was a hideous and terrifying face, with a scar running from the center of her brow across her entire face, all the way to her chin. This was not a burn she had inflicted on herself, but a wound cut by an opponent during a desperate, exhausting battle in the entrance trial.

Fortunately, her appearance had already been ruined, so there was no need to mind this scar.

"Junior Sister, why are you sitting here in a daze again? I told you, don't look at yourself when there's nothing to do." Behind Xin Xiaoye, a sallow-faced woman spoke in a gentle, consoling tone. She whispered softly: "Let the past be the past. If you are always dwelling on the past, how can you look toward the future?"

Xin Xiaoye forced an ugly smile onto her face: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

Under the Taiyin Sect, there were not many people who treated her well; the Senior Sister before her was one, and her master could also be counted as one.

But unlike the momentary hesitation and wavering of Ning Ye, Xin Xiaoye's heart for revenge was incomparably firm.

Forget the past?

If she truly forgot the past, how could this debt of her father's blood be repaid?

Taiyin Sect, every single one of you, from top to bottom, must die!

If I do not destroy your sect, I swear I will not be human!

Xin Xiaoye hardened her resolve in her heart.

Heavenless Peak.

A group of ragged people were working hard to transport ore under the supervision of a group of cultivators.

The sound of whips cracking rang out incessantly, lashing against the bodies of those laborers.

"Hurry up, don't you dare slack off!" a cultivator roared in fury.

Crack!

Qing Lin took a whip across his back.

He gritted his teeth, saying nothing, and simply continued to trudge forward tenaciously.

He had failed the trial of the Haotian Sect!

It was not because he hadn't worked hard, but because he had been squeezed out of his spot by a few people with connections.

This left Qing Lin filled with grief and indignation.

However, Qing Lin did not give up.

Even if he had to sell himself into slavery, he would enter the Haotian Sect and rise again within its ranks!

Junior brother, junior sister, wait for me; your senior brother will not let you down! Qing Lin shouted in his heart.