Trial

The following day at noon, outside the gates of Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy.

Four carriages stood parked side by side. Their hooves stamped against the ground, and the horses occasionally snorted, puffing out clouds of white mist.

A flag hung from each side of the carriages, embroidered with the words "Flood Peak," snapping loudly in the morning breeze.

On the Outer Court training ground.

Zhao Jing, Su Yuheng, Cao Xuan, and the other three stood brimming with vigor and high spirits.

Zheng Hongfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the six of them.

Beside him stood three true disciples from the Inner Court.

Huo Zheng led them. The other two, a man and a woman, were both formidable figures within the Inner Court.

"This Demon-Hunting Trial is being jointly organized by Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy and Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy."

Zheng Hongfeng spoke, his voice booming.

"You six represent the honor of Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy. Once you reach the Transverse Mountains, perform well and strive to earn the Blood-Gathering Pill reward from me. Do not let those from Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy look down on you."

Zhao Jing stood at the front, his chin slightly raised and a faint smile lingering on his lips.

It was as though the Blood-Gathering Pill mentioned by the academy master was already his for the taking.

His gaze swept over the other five beside him with a hint of lofty scrutiny, as if he were sizing up a group of mere foils.

Su Yuheng's expression was calm as still water, revealing little emotion.

Cao Xuan's eyes burned with eagerness. He could hardly wait to charge into the Transverse Mountains and battle demonic beasts.

The other three also looked solemn and cupped their fists in salute.

Zheng Hongfeng nodded slightly, shifting his gaze from the six of them to Huo Zheng.

"Huo Zheng."

"This disciple is here."

Huo Zheng stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed.

"For this trial, you and your two junior fellow disciples will be responsible for protecting Zhao Jing and the others."

"Although there are not many demonic beasts around the outskirts of the Transverse Mountains, you must not lower your guard. Ensure that they return safely."

Huo Zheng answered in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Academy Master. This disciple will do everything in his power to keep my junior fellow disciples safe."

Yet Zheng Hongfeng was not particularly worried.

The creatures roaming the outer regions of the Transverse Mountains were all ordinary demonic beasts.

Their strength was comparable to that of academy disciples, around the Body Tempering First Layer to the second layer.

With three true Inner Court disciples possessing Manifest Force accompanying them,

so long as Zhao Jing and the others did not foolishly venture deep into the mountains, no accidents would occur.

"Set off." Zheng Hongfeng waved his hand.

Everyone boarded the carriages, and the wheels began to turn.

The four carriages left the academy and headed toward the Transverse Mountains.

Outside the Outer Court gates.

Many apprentices watched the convoy depart.

Their expressions varied—some envious, some jealous, some indifferent.

Discussion rose one after another.

"Senior Brother Zhao will definitely take first place this time. The Blood-Gathering Pill is surely his."

"Not necessarily. I heard Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy has several formidable people as well."

"No matter how formidable they are, can they compare to Senior Brother Zhao? Senior Brother Zhao is the number one in the Outer Court!"

"Sigh, if only I could take part in the Demon-Hunting Trial someday..."

"You? Maybe in your next life."

Fang Han did not stand outside the Outer Court gates to watch Zhao Jing and the others leave.

From beginning to end, he remained in a corner of the training ground, practicing the Gale-Breaking Fist by himself.

It was not until noon, after he had eaten, that Fang Han quietly left the academy.

Azure Cloud City was thirty li from the Transverse Mountains—not particularly far, but not particularly close either.

Fang Han was now at the Body Tempering First Layer. His Blood Qi was abundant, his stamina vigorous, and his speed far surpassed what it had once been.

His steps were light, as if walking on level ground.

Before long, he could see the rolling outline of the Transverse Mountains in the distance.

At the foot of the mountains, several inns were scattered along the official road.

Fang Han slowed down and looked from afar.

Several carriages were parked in the open space before one of the inns.

Flags had been planted on the carriages. One bore the words "Flood Peak," while the other read "Thunderclap."

The disciples of the two academies had already gathered and were resting at the inn. They had yet to enter the Transverse Mountains.

Seeing this, Fang Han sneered inwardly.

A heaven-sent opportunity!

He had originally worried that if he arrived too late, the disciples of the two academies would already have entered the mountains to hunt demonic beasts.

The outer region of the Transverse Mountains was vast, with towering peaks, dense forests, and crisscrossing ravines.

Trying to find their traces after entering the mountains would be like searching for a needle in the sea.

Now that they were still at the inn and had not yet set out, he had time.

Fang Han did not approach that inn. Instead, he found another inn on the other side of the official road and checked in.

After paying for a room, he requested one by a window on the second floor.

He closed the door, arranged his belongings, and waited patiently.

Night fell.

Fang Han disguised himself, concealing some of his features so that he looked several years older. Only then did he go downstairs to the inn's first-floor hall.

Fang Han sat at a table in the corner and ordered a few simple dishes.

As he ate, he pricked up his ears and listened to the idle chatter of the other guests.

"Damn it, a few days ago, I saw a Lingzhi Mushroom in that ravine to the east. It had to be at least ten years old, but an Iron-Bone Python had taken up residence there. I didn't dare get close."

"An Iron-Bone Python? Those things are no joke. Their hides are thick and their flesh tough; blades and spears cannot hurt them. You're just a hunter, so do not go throwing your life away."

"I was only saying. Still, while the Transverse Mountains are dangerous and full of demonic beasts, the resources in the mountains are truly plentiful. Those rare medicinal herbs can fetch quite a bit of silver in the city."

"Exactly! Last time, Old Wang went into the mountains and found a thirty-year-old Fo-Ti. He sold it to an apothecary for twenty taels of silver—enough to feed his family for a year."

"Twenty taels? What is that? I heard someone once found a hundred-year-old Lingzhi Mushroom and sold it for over a hundred taels of silver."

"Enough, enough. Stop dreaming. When would such good things ever fall into our hands? Those Martial Artist lords would have snatched them all up long ago."

Fang Han kept his head lowered, eating bite by bite as he silently committed their conversation to memory.

Previously, he only knew that the Transverse Mountains contained many demonic beasts and were dangerous. He had not known that the mountains also held so many rare medicinal herbs.

It seemed that while this mountain range was perilous, it was also a treasure trove that drew countless people here to try their luck.

No wonder so many inns had been opened along the official road...

Fang Han pondered secretly.

Once his strength improved further, he could come here and try his luck as well.

Whether he searched for medicinal herbs to sell for money or used them to nourish himself and condense Blood Qi, both were good options.

After eating, Fang Han rose and returned to his second-floor room.

He pushed open the window. The night wind rushed against his face, carrying the distinctive fragrance of grass and trees from the mountain forests.

In the distance.

The Transverse Mountains stretched across heaven and earth. Their dark outline resembled a sleeping dragon, endless and beyond sight.

Fang Han stood by the window, casually sweeping his gaze over the official road.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

A familiar figure appeared on the road, walking alone toward the outskirts of the Transverse Mountains.

Fang Han raised his brows, his gaze locking tightly onto that figure.

Under the moonlight.

The figure's features could not be seen clearly.

But Fang Han was certain—it was Chen You!

He would recognize him even if he turned to ashes!

Fang Han's eyes turned cold, and a chilling curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

He had called it a heaven-sent opportunity during the day. Now, it truly was one!

At this late hour,

instead of staying obediently at the inn, Chen You had slipped out alone. He had practically walked right into Fang Han's sights!

Fang Han had thought he would need to wait until the two academies entered the mountains before finding an opportunity.

He had not expected Chen You to deliver himself right to his door.

If he let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away, even heaven would not forgive him.

Without another word, Fang Han closed the window.

He quickly changed into that worn gray-black outfit, tucked the black cloth into his chest, and fastened the short blade at his waist.

He checked the things he carried.

Only after confirming that nothing was missing did he silently leave the inn.

In the distance.

Chen You had already gone far ahead, his figure flickering in and out of view amid the darkness.

Fang Han strode forward and followed soundlessly, like a nocturnal cheetah.