The Bloody Truth

Mu Chen looked up at the man on the city wall, his expression unreadable: "Chu Qi?"

"Indeed, I am Chu Qi. Everything before this was just a misunderstanding."

The handsome youth, lounging lazily against the battlements with a proud and composed air, cupped his hands toward the figure below: "Your heroic bearing, sir, truly fills this Chu with admiration."

"Why don't we call a truce and join forces— BOOM!!!"

Before the self-proclaimed human genius Chu Qi could finish his sentence, his vision went black. A thunderous roar echoed in his ears as a tall, slender figure suddenly materialized before him.

Raising a pair of iron fists, the figure struck directly at his face.

Caught off guard, Chu Qi had no time to block. The immense force sent him tumbling backward, his internal energy spiraling into chaos as he collapsed, unable to steady himself.

"You're insane! This is the Sanctuary! Violence is forbidden here!"

Chu Qi rolled across the bluestone path before stumbling to his feet. Disheveled and trembling, his face a mask of terror and fury, he stared at Mu Chen in disbelief.

This was the mysterious genius who, in a fit of rage, had leaped from the ground straight onto the city wall.

In the Sanctuary, violence was strictly prohibited—an iron law.

Minor offenders were stripped of their eligibility; major offenders were executed on the spot.

"BOOM!!"

Before Chu Qi could even steady his stance, Mu Chen, who had vaulted onto the ramparts, was already upon him. Less than a yard away, he unleashed another Martial Saint Fist, fierce and unstoppable.

This time, Chu Qi finally managed to track Mu Chen's movement.

Terrified, he frantically crossed his arms in front of his chest to block the blow.

Crack. A sickening sound of splintering bone echoed through the air.

Chu Qi let out a muffled groan, his arms hanging limp at his sides, his eyes bloodshot with agony.

This time, the insult was even greater. In full view of everyone, Mu Chen blasted him right off the city wall, sending him crashing into the entrance of the city gate, shattering the stone slabs beneath him.

"There. Now we are outside the city. This is no longer the Sanctuary."

Mu Chen descended, standing beside the crater, and spoke indifferently.

A clamor erupted as the crowd of onlookers surged forward.

A powerhouse had descended! If this wasn't a peerless powerhouse, what was?

Having been hurled from such a height without any spiritual energy to protect his body, Chu Qi had broken countless bones. He lay motionless, unable to rise.

He tried to crawl out of the crater several times, but failed each attempt.

"You dare to violate the iron law set by the Five Great Academies in front of everyone? You destroy the rules and defy the majesty of the Five Great Academies—heaven will not tolerate this!"

"I will go to the City Lord's Mansion and report this to the three Guardians stationed there. I will have them hunt you down and execute you in public!"

Chu Qi twisted his head, glaring daggers at Mu Chen.

"Foolish. You still don't understand that every rule in the Spirit Road is designed to cultivate insects—to select the strongest human genius. Everything else is mere illusion and trivial detail."

"What are the rules of the Sanctuary?"

"Just a minor regulation under the Spirit Road's rules, still meant to serve the selection of the elite."

"Do you think the Guardians above don't know that you ordered your subordinates to forge orders and collect entry fees? Of course they know."

"But why do they say nothing?"

"Because you are strong enough. You are talented enough."

"Because to other geniuses, this is also a form of tempering and trial."

"Now, I have defeated you as easily as slaughtering a chicken."

"Why would the Guardians kill someone stronger than you just for a minor infraction?"

Mu Chen shook his head after speaking, seemingly deeply disappointed by Chu Qi's performance.

As he laid bare the cruel, bloody truth of the Spirit Road trial for all to hear, the sanity of this human genius completely collapsed.

"Mu Chen, if you have the guts, kill me! Kill me!!"

Upon learning Mu Chen's name, Chu Qi roared with impotent rage.

Mu Chen ignored him. He crouched down, silently searched his robes, took the Blood-Colored Token, and stripped him of all his points before walking into the city without a backward glance.

Sometimes, such silent disregard was even more humiliating than verbal abuse, especially for someone as arrogant and self-important as Chu Qi.

"Ahhh! Mu Chen!"

Lying on the ground, Chu Qi watched that retreating figure, letting out a howl like a wounded beast, filled with despair.

Many geniuses who had arrived to see the commotion looked on with a hint of pity.

Chu Qi, a half-step Level 6 existence and a top contender for the King Rank, had been easily broken by this mysterious youth named Mu Chen.

Unless a miracle occurred, he was completely finished.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

As for the group of subordinates Chu Qi had previously recruited, the faction led by the youth in yellow never appeared from start to finish to clean up the aftermath.

"Not bad seedlings. Their talent, temperament, and foundation can all be described as monstrous."

"Indeed. The other four Sanctuary locations have all seen the birth of king-tier figures."

"Mu Chen, is it? My Wu Ling Academy..."

On the distant city walls, three mysterious figures stood with arms crossed, conversing in low voices.

In the Sanctuary, each person only has three opportunities to enter, with a maximum duration of three days per visit.

This rule is clearly intended to prevent cheating, such as someone hiding in a shelter until the very end to emerge, or entering and exiting frequently to exploit loopholes.

In the center of the city stands a Blood Stele that records the information of those who enter.

Once the time limit is reached, one is automatically expelled.

The streets within the city are relatively empty, filled with vacant houses.

After Mu Chen activates his Blood-Colored Token beneath the Blood Stele, he can use it to unlock the restrictions of any house, ensuring no one can intrude, allowing him to catch his breath and rest for a while.

Over the next two days, Mu Chen left early and returned late every day, scouring the area for information.

In this world, there are five Sanctuary locations in total.

The one he is currently in is the one to the east.

The other four Sanctuary locations have all seen the birth of multiple Level 6 or higher spirit bodies—what people refer to as king-tier contestants, such as Ji Xuan, Wen Qingxuan, Yang Hong, and Zhou Ling.

Of course, the Spirit Road Selection has not yet concluded, so these cannot be considered true kings just yet.

"Are there any more? Have any other formidable figures emerged?"

Mu Chen stood on a street, urging the human youth running a stall to continue speaking.

This is his third day in the Sanctuary, and also his last.

Despite Mu Chen's extensive inquiries, he still hasn't gathered any intelligence on that young girl.

Damn it, wasn't it said that he would meet Luo Li during a siege?

Seeing that half of the two-year-long Spirit Road Selection has already passed, why hasn't he encountered his destined girl yet? Forget about a beauty; he hasn't even bumped into a "beautiful pig."

So much for the hero saving the beauty!

Mu Chen silently complained to himself.

He came to the Sanctuary mostly to scout for information on Luo Li; is he really going to return empty-handed?

"Uh, Brother Mu Chen, are you looking for someone?"

The stall-running youth, being quite sharp, probed tentatively.

This is a marketplace within the city, and it is very lively.

It is used by human geniuses to exchange goods, resources, and even information.

Thanks to the scene at the city gate a few days ago, nearly half of the Sanctuary has heard of Mu Chen's name, creating a situation where it feels like everyone under the heavens knows who he is.

PS: The contract status has changed, and some readers have already started tipping and casting monthly votes, with one brother even giving a ten-thousand-point reward.

While Old Li bows in gratitude, I must also remind everyone to act within their means and consume rationally.

I know that a large portion of my readers are students who are not financially well-off. I also came from my student days, and back then, I was poor—my pockets were so empty they clinked, and I had to budget carefully even for breakfast.

I personally feel that subscribing is a duty, while tipping is a gesture of affection.

Therefore, brothers, you could have waited until the book is officially published to subscribe; please do not let tipping affect your normal lives.