bayedsolid Chapter 199 The Aftermath of the Grand Exam: Xiao Yao's New Path
Chapter 199 The Aftermath of the Grand Exam: Xiao Yao's New Path
Senior Sister Zhao's voice pulled me back from the warm atmosphere created by Wen Chen.
I turned my head and saw that Senior Sister Zhao looked anxious, holding a gold-embossed invitation in her hand.
"Xiao Yao, take a look at this! The new trial starts tomorrow!"
A new trial?
I haven't even had time to recover from the tension of the big exam, and now I have to face new challenges.
As I took the invitation, a chill ran through me the moment my fingertips touched the paper.
The four characters "New Trial of the Immortal Sect" were prominently displayed in gilded lettering, and below them were densely written the trial rules.
The air around seemed to freeze, so oppressive that it made people feel breathless.
"I heard this trial is ten times more brutal than the major exam!" a senior brother next to him said in a low voice, his tone tinged with fear.
"It is said that if you are not careful, you will be eliminated, or even..." He paused and did not continue, but the fear in his eyes said it all.
My heart sank suddenly and a chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.
I quickly skimmed through the trial rules, and the more I read, the more terrified I became.
The trials cover a wide range of topics, testing not only cultivation level, but also temperament, wisdom, and even luck.
"This trial was personally set by Immortal Sun, and it's said to be extremely difficult," another senior sister added, her tone tinged with helplessness.
"Moreover, there are limited spots available for this trial, and only disciples who perform exceptionally well can participate."
I took a deep breath and tried to keep myself calm.
I know now is not the time to panic.
I must adjust my mindset as soon as possible to meet the new challenges.
I looked up at Wen Chen, and he gave me an encouraging look, which immediately filled me with strength.
"I must succeed in this trial!" I vowed silently in my heart.
The disciples around him were all talking nervously, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
I feel a bit of a headache and my body is also a bit tired.
Just then, I noticed that Senior Sister Zhao was standing to the side, holding an exquisite jade bottle in her hand, casually pouring out a pill and swallowing it...
A unique fragrance wafted into my nose, sweet yet refreshing. I instinctively looked at the jade bottle in Senior Sister Zhao's hand.
The jade bottle was crystal clear, with a subtle luster, and it was obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary item.
Senior Sister Zhao noticed my gaze, smiled slightly, and raised the jade bottle, shaking it. "The Mind-Calming Pill helps stabilize the mind and improve concentration. It's a good thing when you're feeling restless after the big exam." Her tone was relaxed, but it was like a sharp needle piercing my tense nerves.
I silently clenched the post in my hand, my knuckles turning white.
I've naturally heard of the Mind-Calming and Spirit-Tranquilizing Pill; it's a high-grade pill that only inner disciples can enjoy.
How could I, a mere outer disciple who has just passed the major examination, be qualified to possess such a treasure?
Zhao's ease only highlighted my embarrassment and unease.
I could almost see a huge chasm between us. I stood on this side of the chasm, looking up at her on the other side, radiant with light.
A sense of powerlessness rose from the bottom of my heart, wrapping around my heart like vines, making it almost impossible for me to breathe.
The exhaustion from the big exam, the pressure of the new test, the lack of resources—all the negative emotions surged in like a tide, overwhelming me.
I feel like a moth trapped in a spider web, struggling desperately, but sinking deeper and deeper.
At that moment, Deacon Lin's icy voice rang out around the trial grounds: "All candidates, enter the designated area. No noise is allowed, and no prohibited items are permitted. Violators will be disqualified from the trial!" His sharp gaze swept across the entire area, locking onto each candidate like a hawk. I felt as if I had been stripped naked and exposed to everyone's gaze, every pore of my body filled with unease.
I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my fear, and walked step by step toward the designated area.
The trial grounds were surrounded by layers of restrictions, shimmering with a ghostly blue light, like cold eyes watching my every move.
I felt like a prey being watched, every movement carefully considered, for fear of violating the rules and bringing about my death.
The oppressive atmosphere and tense emotions, like an invisible net, tightly enveloped me.
I looked up at the sky, which was gray and gloomy, without a single ray of sunshine, as if foreshadowing the cruelty of this trial.
Just when I was about to break down, a warm hand gently took my hand.
I turned my head and saw Wen Chen.
He didn't say anything, but gave me a firm look.
That look in my eyes was like a ray of light, illuminating the darkness in my heart and giving me a glimmer of hope.
"Are you ready?" Wen Chen's voice was deep and powerful, like a thunderclap that exploded in my ears.
I gripped his hand tightly and nodded firmly...
"here we go.
An aged voice came from the void.
Inside the trial grounds, clouds and mist swirled, creating a scene resembling a fairyland, yet concealing deadly dangers.
Sun Xianren's voice echoed in the air, tinged with a hint of mockery: "The first trial is the Illusionary Realm. It will test your minds." As soon as he finished speaking, the scene before them underwent a dramatic transformation.
The once flat ground turned into a rugged mountain path, and the surrounding trees transformed into bizarre and grotesque monsters, baring their fangs and claws as they lunged at us.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
During the big exam, I also experienced a similar illusion. I closed my eyes, concentrated, and felt the fluctuations of spiritual energy around me.
Sure enough, behind the seemingly realistic scene, there was a subtle flaw.
I opened my eyes, a slight smile appearing on my lips.
This flaw is the exit!
Without hesitation, I walked toward the flaw, the surrounding demons roaring and trying to stop me, but I remained unmoved.
I moved with light steps and agile movements, like a butterfly flitting through a dense forest, easily dodging their attacks.
Soon, I emerged from the illusion and arrived at an open space.
The other disciples were still struggling in the illusion. Some were panicked, some were running around in all directions, and some were even bewitched by the illusion and fell into a state of madness.
I stood on high ground, looking down at them, my heart filled with confidence.
The experience I gained during the major exams gave me a significant advantage in this trial.
"Junior Sister Xiao Yao, you actually came out so quickly!" Senior Sister Zhao's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of surprise and admiration.
I looked back and saw that Senior Sister Zhao and several other disciples had also walked out of the illusion one after another, their faces showing a hint of fatigue and relief.
"Xiao Yao, you do have some skills after all." A sarcastic voice rang out.
I turned my head and saw Senior Brother Wang standing not far away, with a hint of resentment and jealousy on his face.
He was disqualified from the big exam for cheating and has held a grudge ever since.
"Senior Brother Wang, you flatter me." I replied casually, not wanting to get entangled with him any further.
"Hmph, don't get too cocky! This is just the first hurdle. In the trials to come, I'll show you what I'm capable of!" Senior Brother Wang said through gritted teeth.
I sneered, about to retort, when I suddenly felt a gust of wind behind me.
I instinctively dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a fierce attack.
"Senior Brother Wang, what do you mean by this?" I glared at Senior Brother Wang, a surge of anger rising from the bottom of my heart.
Senior Brother Wang grinned maliciously, "What do you mean? Of course, it's to let you taste my power!" A sharp dagger suddenly appeared in his hand, gleaming coldly, pointing straight at my heart.
"How dare you!" I roared, and a long sword appeared in my hand, its tip pointing directly at Senior Brother Wang.
The surrounding air froze instantly, the atmosphere tense and ready to explode at any moment.
"Let's see if I dare..." Senior Brother Wang smiled coldly, and suddenly thrust out the dagger in his hand...
The dagger came hurtling through the air with a piercing whistling sound.
I dodged to the side and narrowly avoided the fatal blow.
A hint of surprise flashed across Senior Brother Wang's face; he clearly hadn't expected me to be so quick.
I sneered and thrust my sword straight at him, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.
This training ground is filled with restrictions set up by Immortal Sun, prohibiting disciples from killing each other.
Senior Brother Wang chose to attack me here, clearly intending to use the restrictions to prevent me from launching a full-scale counterattack.
What a treacherous fellow!
I cursed inwardly, but kept moving forward, pressing on step by step, forcing Senior Brother Wang to dodge in a panic.
He was already feeling guilty and was wary of the restrictions, so how could he be a match for me?
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a protruding rock not far away, and an idea immediately came to me.
I pretended to be outmatched and retreated step by step, leading Senior Brother Wang closer to that rock.
As expected, Senior Brother Wang fell for the trap, thinking I was about to run out of strength, and his attack became even more intense.
Just as he was getting carried away with his smugness, I suddenly turned around, led him to the rock, and then kicked it.
With a loud "boom," the rock shattered, sending fragments flying everywhere.
Caught off guard, Senior Brother Wang was struck by the falling rocks, staggered backward, lost his footing, and fell into a hidden trap.
"Ah!" A scream came from the trap, and Senior Brother Wang's figure disappeared.
The surrounding disciples were stunned. They never expected me to be so clever as to use the environment to fight back and subdue Senior Brother Wang.
Senior Sister Zhao was even more amazed and gave me a thumbs up.
"Xiao Yao, you're amazing!"
I smiled slightly, but I didn't feel much pride inside.
This was just a minor incident; the real challenge was yet to come.
Deacon Lin rushed over upon hearing the commotion, glanced at the trap, then at me, and said, "Xiao Yao, you did very well. This trial tests not only cultivation but also the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. You did a great job."
I smiled modestly and didn't say anything.
Deacon Lin waved his hand, signaling the disciples to continue their trials.
I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the gray sky, and golden sunlight streamed down, illuminating the entire training ground.
"The second trial begins." Sun Wukong's voice rang out again, tinged with mystery. "This time, the test for you is..."
Before he finished speaking, a sudden gust of wind swept through the training grounds, carrying sand and stones that blotted out the sky.
I felt my body being pulled up by a powerful force, and I was involuntarily thrown into the air...
"Wen Chen..." I murmured his name in my heart, a strange unease welling up inside me.