Deep in the rock crevice, Qin Tiexin is sitting with his back against the rock wall.
The power of the Healing Pill and the Qi Restoring Pill were dissolved in the body, and combined with the recovery ability of the sixth layer of body tempering, the broken ribs began to heal slowly, and an itchy pain like a new sprout appeared under the charred skin. He looked inwards and found that the injury was recovering faster than expected - not faster, but much faster. Normally, an injury of this level would require at least ten days of rest, but now, he felt that he could move without any hindrance in three days at most.
Was it due to the physical training? He wasn't sure. But it was a fluke that he survived, so he didn't think much about it.
After a few more hours, it was completely quiet outside. The roar of the ground lizard had long gone, and there was only the muffled sound of the ground fire flowing in the depths.
Qin Tiexin slowly stood up and moved his limbs. His left arm was still a little stiff, and the burnt black dead skin on his chest fell off, revealing the tender new flesh underneath. He tore off his tattered shirt, took a clean robe from Storage Bag, put it on, and began to look for a way out.
The stone crevices were narrow and twisty, and in some areas you even had to turn sideways and inhale to squeeze through. He used Divine Sense to find the way and groped forward in the darkness. After walking for about half an hour, a faint light came from ahead.
The exit was a crack in the rock wall, and outside was another area of the ruins. It was already dark, but the dark red skylight that shrouded the ruins all year round could still provide some illumination.
Qin Tiexin climbed out of the crack and identified the direction.
He remembered the meeting point Li Yun mentioned when he left - a grotto with the sound of water dripping deep in the crack on the east side. The situation was urgent at the time, so he only jotted down this feature in a hurry. Fortunately, after Divine Sense was unfolded, he could capture the weak flow of water Spiritual Qi in the air.
Following the guidance, he walked through the ruins. On the way, he avoided two ground fire eruptions and bypassed a group of strange disciples who were searching for fire-patterned jade. An hour later, the faint sound of water drops came from ahead.
The entrance to the grotto is hidden, half-covered by several collapsed boulders. When Qin Tiexin approached, a vigilant cry came from inside, "Who?"
"Me."
Li Yun's figure flashed out from behind the boulder. When she saw Qin Tiexin, she was stunned for a moment, and then quickly stepped forward. Under the moonlight, she could clearly see that Qin Tiexin was wearing a robe, and there were still large areas of charred blackness and bloody scabs on her bare shoulders and chest, and the bandage on her left arm was oozing dark red.
"You..." Li Yun's voice was a little hoarse, and her eyes were slightly red. She didn't say more, stretched out her hand to hold Qin Tiexin's arm, "Come in."
The grotto is not big, about one foot high. There is water seeping from the rock cracks in the depths, forming a small puddle below. Wang Zhong was sitting on the inner wall, with his right chest wrapped in a thick bandage. His face was pale but in good spirits. Seeing Qin Tiexin, he struggled to get up.
Qin Tiexin waved his hand. "Sit."
Wang Zhong did not insist, but he cupped his fists and gave a deep salute. "Junior Brother Qin's life-saving grace will be unforgettable by Wang."
"Fellow disciples should." Qin Tiexin sat down by the puddle. Li Yun took out a jade bottle from Storage Bag, poured out two light green pills, and took out a jar of ointment.
"This is the 'Qing Yuan Dan', and its healing effect is better than ordinary elixirs." She handed the elixir to Qin Tiexin, then looked at the blackened wound on his chest, "Take off your clothes, and I will help you apply the medicine."
Qin Tiexin paused, then untied his robe. The burns on his chest and back were shocking, and the skin rolled up in some places, exposing the tender flesh underneath. Li Yun pursed her lips, carefully cleaned the wound with water, and then applied ointment. The ointment was cool and stung slightly when it touched the wound.
"This ointment was given by my master, and it has miraculous effects on external injuries." Li Yun said in a low voice.
"Thank you."
After treating the wound, Li Yun took out the Storage Bag and placed it in front of Qin Tiexin: "Ten chalcedony mushrooms are inside, as well as blood-corroding grass and fire-patterned jade. You keep them."
Qin Tiexin glanced at Storage Bag, but did not answer, "According to the points mentioned before. I will take two chalcedony mushrooms, I will keep the blood-corroding grass, and you guys must make up the number of fire-pattern jade first."
"No." Wang Zhong said anxiously, "Junior brother Qin, you almost..."
"It's agreed." Qin Tiexin interrupted him, "Senior Brother Wang, you need resources to heal your injuries, and Senior Sister Li also needs Foundation Establishment to make preparations."
Li Yun stared at him. "What about you?"
"I have the skill to refine weapons, and I have no shortage of it." Qin Tiexin said, "And the value of the Hunyuan molten core is not low, so I won't suffer any loss."
The two were silent for a moment. Wang Zhong's eyes turned red again and he looked away. Li Yun took a deep breath, took out two chalcedony mushrooms from Storage Bag, separated four more fire pattern jade, and placed them in front of Qin Tiexin: "Take these. I will share the rest with Senior Brother Wang."
Qin Tiexin didn't refuse this time and put it away.
"How did you escape?" Li Yun asked.
"It was a fluke to use the terrain to maneuver around." Qin Tiexin said simply, "The ground lizard was big and turned slowly in the mine tunnel. I caused it to collapse several rock walls, delaying time, and finally got out of a rock crevice."
He didn't mention the mountain-shaking step that shook the ground, the self-destruction of a useless shield, or the forceful carrying of a sword in a wave of fire. But both Li Yun and Wang Zhong could imagine the brutality of that scene - a fourth-level Qi refining person, escaping in a roundabout way while being hunted by Foundation Establishment Demon Beast, could not be summed up by just "lucky".
Li Yun didn't ask any more questions, but just took out another bottle of Qi Restoration Pill and put it in Qin Tiexin's hand. "Get some rest, there are still one and a half days until the end of the trial. We have collected enough Fire Pattern Jade, and we will wait for you to recover."
At noon on the tenth day of the trial, a long bell rang over the ruins.
The trial tokens on the waists of all the disciples glowed at the same time, and teleportation formations appeared under their feet. A white light flashed, and everyone returned to the outer gate square.
Of the five thousand disciples, nearly a hundred were missing when they came back. Some were seriously injured and were sent out early, while some were completely left in the ruins - casualties are allowed in the trial, which is normal in the world of immortality.
The atmosphere in the square was heavy. Many disciples were injured, their robes were in tatters, and they looked tired. But there were also people with happy faces and bulging Storage Bag hanging around their waists.
Qin Tiexin The three of them were standing in the crowd. Li Yun and Wang Zhong's injuries had stabilized after a day and a half of nursing care. Qin Tiexin The burns on the surface were scabbed and new flesh was growing. They still looked a little scary, but their breathing was stable.
Not far away, Chen Feng was also teleported back. His face was as pale as paper, his right wrist was wrapped in a simple bandage, and his whole body was sluggish. When he saw Qin Tiexin, fear and resentment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly lowered his head and hurriedly squeezed into the depths of the crowd.
The trial deacon began to count the fire pattern jade. When it was his turn, Qin Tiexin handed over four pieces. The deacon glanced at him while recording, and his eyes stayed on the wound on his chest for a moment without saying anything more.
After the count was completed, the deacon announced a two-hour rest, and then announced the results of the trial and distributed rewards.
Just then, the news began to spread.
At first it was just sporadic whispers, like ripples on the water. Several disciples who were near the crack and witnessed the appearance of the ground lizard mentioned "a big disciple cutting off the rear alone" when describing the horror of Demon Beast.
Then, when Wang Zhong was talking to several familiar earth disciples, he said with red eyes, "If it weren't for Junior Brother Qin, Junior Sister Li and I wouldn't be able to come back."
Although Li Yun didn't take the initiative to say anything, when someone asked about her injury, she was silent for a moment and said softly, "Junior Brother Qin saved her."
The pieces were pieced together and gradually took shape.
"Have you heard? There is a body-training junior who, in order to protect his fellow disciples, blocked Foundation Establishment Realm's lava lizard by himself!"
"Real or false? Foundation Establishment Demon Beast? Then you should be slapped to death?"
"It's absolutely true! At that time, several people saw the Earth Lizard chasing their team. The junior brother asked his teammates to leave first and stayed behind. Later, the team escaped, and the junior brother returned to the team after a day, covered with injuries..."
"What's his name?"
"Qin Tiexin. I used to be a handyman in the Waste Equipment Pavilion, and the weapon refiner Xiaobi entered the top ten."
"Common servant disciple? Fourth level of Qi refining? Block Foundation Establishment Demon Beast?"
"I train my body, and I heard that my physical body is ridiculously strong..."
The discussion spread like a tide. Countless eyes turned to Qin Tiexin, the tall, silent young man standing in the corner. The scorch marks and blood scabs on his chest were particularly dazzling in the sun, like some kind of silent medal.
When Zhao Yan came back with his team, he happened to hear these discussions. He stopped and looked at Qin Tiexin, his eyes gradually changed from the initial surprise to seriousness.
"Senior brother, this..." the square-faced disciple beside him whispered, "Could it be an exaggeration?"
Zhao Yan shook his head. "I know Wang Zhong, and he is not someone who brags. Li Yun is neither." He paused, "And look at the injuries on his body - they were left by Fire Element Demon Beast. They cannot be faked."
"Can Foundation Establishment Demon Beast..."
"There is no Foundation Establishment Demon Beast here, it should be half a step Foundation Establishment, which is also the threshold of Foundation Establishment." Zhao Yan said, "Being able to survive the Demon Beast pursuit is strength in itself." He turned and walked towards the registration office, his voice low, "It seems that he is underestimated. In the weapon refining competition, there is another opponent."
On the other side, Zhou Chongshan also heard the rumors. The top disciple in the competition stood alone, his waist as straight as a spear. He looked at Qin Tiexin, his eyes were complicated - there was surprise, there was scrutiny, and there was also a hint of the burning passion of meeting his opponent.
He walked over and stopped in front of Qin Tiexin.
Qin Tiexin looks up.
Zhou Chongshan cupped his fists and said, "Junior Brother Qin, you are so responsible."
Qin Tiexin replied, "Senior Brother Zhou is too complimentary."
Without saying another word, Zhou Chongshan nodded and left. But this move added a little more weight in the eyes of others - even Zhou Chongshan took the initiative to greet him. This Qin Tiexin, I'm afraid it's really not simple.
Two hours later, the deacon announced the results of the trial.
Most of the disciples just completed basic tasks and qualified for the competition. A few outstanding performers received additional rewards for their good deeds. When the deacon read the name Qin Tiexin, the square was quiet for a moment.
"Disciple Qin Tiexin, for bravely protecting his fellow sect in the trial, fending off powerful enemies on his own, showing the responsibilities that a sect disciple should have. Special reward for low-grade Spirit Stone: 100 points, and 100 points of good deeds."
One hundred Spirit Stone! One hundred good deeds!
Many disciples' eyes are red. Good deeds can be exchanged for Cultivation Method, elixirs, and Law Artifact at the sect. One hundred points of good deeds are enough to exchange for a good mid-level Cultivation Method. Not to mention there are one hundred Spirit Stone, which is almost half a year's income for ordinary outer disciples.
Qin Tiexin stepped forward to receive the reward. When the deacon handed him a small cloth bag and a jade plaque for good deeds, he whispered, "Deacon Xu of the mission hall wants to see you, and you will stay after it is over."
Mission Hall Quiet Room.
Deacon Xu is a middle-aged man with a gentle face, wearing a blue deacon's robe. He is sitting in front of the case and reading files. Seeing Qin Tiexin come in, he puts down the file and points to the chair opposite. "Sit."
Qin Tiexin Sit down.
Deacon Xu looked at him for a moment and glanced at his wound. "How is the injury?"
"It's no longer a serious problem."
"That's good." Deacon Xu nodded, "After the trial, I heard reports from several supervisory disciples. I blocked the lava lizard by myself and bought time for my fellow disciples to escape - well done."
Qin Tiexin Silence.
"There is no need to be modest." Deacon Xu smiled, "Although that Earth Lizard is only half a step Foundation Establishment, but Demon Beast has a strong body, even if you are at the peak of Qi refining, you will retreat. Your ability to escape has proven your strength and character."
He paused, took out a white jade bottle from under the case, and pushed it to Qin Tiexin: "This bottle of 'Bi Yuan Dan' has miraculous effects in healing and strengthening the body. It is an additional reward from the sect for your responsibility."
Qin Tiexin took it. "Thank you, Deacon."
"In addition," Deacon Xu leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice a bit, "Several elders were also paying attention to the trial process. Your performance this time is in line with the sect's teaching of 'protecting fellow disciples and moving forward bravely'. They are very satisfied."
Qin Tiexin's heart moved slightly.
"Keep working hard." Deacon Xu looked at him meaningfully, "Perform well Dabi. The sect needs disciples like you."
"Disciple understands."
After exiting the quiet room, Qin Tiexin grasped the jade bottle in his hand. The body of the bottle was warm and moist, and inside were three turquoise elixirs. The elixir pattern was clear, and Spiritual Qi contained the essence - it was indeed top grade.
He walked out along the corridor, Deacon Xu's words still echoing in his ears.
The elders are concerned... the sect needs...
He looked up at the mountains in the distance. The thirty-six peaks of Liuyun Sect were looming in the clouds and mist. There was the inner gate, where Foundation Establishment and the Golden Core monks were located, and the real path to immortality.
It used to feel very far away, but now it seems a little closer.
When I returned to my residence, it was already dark.
Qin Tiexin Close the door and light the oil lamp. The dim yellow light illuminates the simple house, with a bed, a table and a stool, and ores and waste materials piled in the corners.
He sat down by the bed and began to take stock of what he had gained from this trial.
A piece of Hunyuan molten core, weighing about 10,000 kilograms, is already in Storage Bag. Three strains of blood-corroding grass are sealed in a jade box, which is the key to breaking through the seventh level of body quenching. Two strains of chalcedony and Foundation Establishment pill auxiliary medicine are temporarily unavailable, but they are valuable.
There are also one hundred Spirit Stone, one hundred good deeds, and a bottle of Biyuan Dan.
The price was that his arm shield was destroyed, and although most of his body recovered, it still needed to be recuperated. In addition, his reputation spread - he was just an inconspicuous handyman disciple in the past, but now, many people know the name "Qin Tiexin".
It's a good thing, but it's also stressful.
He reviewed the entire trial.
Chen Feng's betrayal reminded him that in the face of big enough interests, the friendship between fellow students is as fragile as paper.
The pursuit of the Earth Lizard made him realize the gap in strength - at the fourth level of Qi Refining, he was still insignificant before the threshold of Foundation Establishment.
Deacon Xu's summons allowed him to see another way - in addition to strength, character and responsibility can also win the favor of the sect.
The world of immortality is complex, but it is not without rules.
He put away his thoughts and took a Biyuan Pill. The pill entered his abdomen and turned into a warm and moist medicinal power that spread into his limbs and bones. The hidden wounds in his internal organs were slowly nourished, and the charred dead skin fell off at an accelerated rate.
Running "Hunyuan Jue", spiritual power circulates in the meridians. Blood Qi of the sixth level of body tempering surges in the body, combining with the power of the medicine, repairing every damage.
The moonlight outside the window is like water, shining on the bluestone ground.
Three days later, the outer gate's large-scale weapon refining project will officially begin.
By then, the name "Qin Tiexin" will no longer be just "the dark horse".
But a real competitor standing in the ring.
He closed his eyes and fell into concentration.