Chapter 89
The Clan Trials, it is a competition held once every 2 years to gauge the abilities and skills of the young members of the clan. This will show if the clan is able to teach their young one properly and will showcase the things they learned from their practice. The clan trials are always held by various clans of the town for their youths to be tested and experience true battle either alone or by a group.
Although there is no actual death during the clan trials, as every time there is a threat in a youth's life, they would immediately be teleported out of the Dark forest. But there are cases where the rune would fail and death is inevitable, though not common still it happens.
In preparation for the clan trials of the Nian clan, the alchemy house of the clan has prepared a lot of potions and healing herbs just in case heavy wounds are inflicted upon a person. And also those who are proficient in healing are sent to the teleportation exit waiting for those youths who will be booted out.
Today was the day of the clan trials and many young men and women of the clan are already waiting in the entrance of the state. Numbering more than 500 people, the participants are the young members of the Nian clans but each of them is permitted to bring at least 3 servants. This would help the young masters on training their own people and train them in commanding their own forces.
The number of people began to increase as the time drew closer. When Zen Nian group arrived at the place, it's already packed with many people. Then suddenly someone notices them and said in a loud voice.
"Well, well… isn't this our young master Zen Nian? It's nice for you to be here. I guess you can't wait to get beaten up once again."
"Hahaha…" the people around them suddenly boomed in laughter.
"Hey, hey… everyone don't be like that to our young master. Without him, our clan trial won't be as fun as it should be."
"Ow, I have an idea! What if we will do the same thing as the last clan trials? Let's bet who can find and beat young master Zen Nian first. I bet 20 low-level spirit stones!"
"Yeah! I also bet 20 low-level spirit stones."
"I'll bet 50!"
"I'll give 30!"
The insult that the people are giving Zen Nian is not new as he is already used to this. Shin Jiao, on the other hand, felt a little angry, but he can still put his emotion in check. The people around them didn't bother with their feelings and just they treated like everything is a betting game. Right now Rat Ling is also boiling in anger but he keeps it to himself, deep inside he could not wait to see who will be the first to find their group.
"These people are too despicable; I can't wait to smash their faces." Rat Ling said under his breath.
Though his voice is low, some people are still able to hear it which made them sneer in contempt.
"Just a lowly servant and you think you have the ability to say those words." A young member of the clan said as he walks towards Rat Ling.
But then before he could do something, an elder of the clan walks to the front.
"Dear members of the young generation of my Nian clan. I welcome every one of you in the clan trials. This year I hope that a lot of you can gain great harvest and benefits for this year's clan trials. Remember to be vigilant and work hard to prove yourselves to be a strong and worthy member of my Nian clan." The elder said.
"Now, as for the rules it's the same as every year, those who can remain will be rewarded according to your harvest. But this year we are honored to have a special guest… a member of the Xi empire royal family is here to participate, let me introduce to you princess Yun Bo Xi."
When the elder said this a beautiful delicate young woman slowly walks forwards in front of the audience. As they saw her gasp of admiration can be heard everywhere. The aura radiating from the young woman shows that she is truly from the royal family.
"The princess is truly beautiful."
"I heard that she came to the kingdom of Wu with the 2nd prince of Xi. I guess she is left here while the prince goes to the front lines."
"Right! But princess Yun Bo Xi is truly beautiful."
"Sigh… I think I've fallen in love."
"Hahaha… you're like a toad eating a swan. What a shameless person…"
As the crowd became rowdy, the princess just bowed her head and walks forwards joining the group of youths with her two female servants.
"She really is joining the clan trials! I can't wait to meet the princess in the Dark Forest."
"If I see her there I would surely protect her."
"With what? Your meager ability? All you can do is beat the young master and no one else."
"Hahaha!"
From within the crowd, the oldest young master of the Nian clan walks forwards and stood beside the princess of Xi. Making the eyes of the onlookers throw jealous gazes on him.
"Hey, young master Nian. I'm glad to see you here!" Princess Yun Bo Xi said showing her beautiful smile.
"It's my honor princess." Wei Qi Nian greeted with a polite bow.
While he stood beside the princess he is showing his gallant demeanor and strong aura. His imposing appearance made everyone in that place felt like both the princess and him are a perfect pair made in heaven. A lot of envious eyes are sent their ways making Wei Qi Nian prouder and feeling smug.
Not long later, the start of the clan trial was announced and each member of the clan with their group started to walk towards a platform which sends them to a random place in the Dark forest. When Zen Nian's group arrives near the elder who is assisting with the teleportation, Shin Jiao noticed a glint of ruthlessness in the elder's eyes.
"Hmmm... there is something fishy about this elder. I have to be more vigilant, I feel that there is something going on here." Shin Jiao thought.
Though he is a bit suspicious, he didn't care that much as he is already confident in the strength of Zen Nina and Rat Ling. For the past few days that they have practiced and cultivated, both have already reached the peak of the spirit refining realm, and this clan trial would consolidate their cultivation further.
Their cultivation is already enough to preserve their lives, coupled with the technique he taught it is enough to take care of even a level 3 beasts. What Shin Jiao worries now is himself as he is too weak and is unable to use spiritual or natural energy. He didn't want to be a burden to the two and as a teacher, he didn't want to drag his students down.
When Zen Nian's group disappears from the teleportation platform, the elder assisting suddenly smirked.
"The eldest young master will be eliminating you today. Then our Nian clan would lose the shame of the clan. Although the clan head didn't want to eliminate you, however, an accident is inevitable in these kinds of situation. Hehehe…" the elder thought.
In the clan, Zen Nian is actually the source of their shame. Though he is the youngest son of the clan head, his cultivation is too slow and is always causing the clan a lot of embarrassment. Since this world always goes with the law that the strong rules and the weak are trampled, Zen Nian's condition is actually already favorable. Hence most elders are unsatisfied with this, not only that, even his older brother who is ruthless is also dissatisfied with Zen Nian.
…
Zen Nian, Rat Ling, and Shin Jiao suddenly appear within the Dark forest. The teleportation is set at a random location and judging from the dim light and the spiritual fluctuations in the area, they seem to appear near the middle of the forest.
"This… how can this be? This is the innermost part of the forest. Only gold core realm experts can enter here." Zen Nian suddenly said.
"What? Then master… this is a… trap?" Rat Ling blurted in fear.
"I knew that there is something fishy about it, how can they do this to you young master?" Rat Ling added.
"Guys, focus… I think we have a guest." Shin Jiao said as he suddenly turns his gaze behind them.
Then from the bushes, a group of demon beast appears, they look like lynx but their fur is dark red and their eyes are glowing yellow.
"Hmm… this is the first time I have seen a demon beast. It seems that demon beasts look different from normal beasts. The only difference is in their eyes… it looks like they are possessed. And the feeling I get from their aura seems stronger and eerie." Shin Jiao thought as he analyzes the beast in front of them.
As the group of lynx-like demon beast walks closer, Rat Ling and Zen Nian now had a horrified look on their faces. The demon beast lynx is considered as a group type beast, they would always gather in packs when they hunt. The minimum number would always be around 5 to 12 lynxes in each pack. They would always put a team of cultivators into a disadvantaged position as their teamwork is always superb.
Upon seeing the 3 humans in front of them, the lynxes cautiously approached and encircled the humans.
"Young master, I'll distract them and the two of you run and escape this area." Rat Ling suddenly said as he already decided to sacrifice himself.
"Pfft! You are still looking down on your own skill… Young master Nian can already take care of himself. Why don't we have a contest? Let's bet who can kill the most lynxes? The winner will have 50% of the demon beast crystals?" Shin Jiao suddenly blurted.
"Haha… Shin Jiao is right, let's do it this way then." Zen Nian suddenly became calm and a glimmer of excitement suddenly appears in his eyes.
If his servant/teacher is not afraid of the danger even without his cultivation, how much more he who is already at the peak of the spirit refining realm? This only shows that with this life and death trial, he can temper himself and become stronger. So with that decision, the three took out their swords and readied themselves to fight against a pack of 5 lynxes.
As if challenged by the humans in front of them by drawing their weapons, the lynxes suddenly growled fiercely and they suddenly pounce at the three.
Swoosh! Clang! Swish!
Sounds of clashing metal can be heard suddenly which permeated the air as a group of humans and lynxes clashed.
The group immediately faced each other: Rat Ling is now facing two lynxes, while Zen Nian is also facing two lynxes, and Shin Jiao is facing only a single lynx. Seeing this Shin Jiao smiled, he knows that the lynxes seem to have their own strategy on how to take care of their group. But alas, they didn't know that it was their mistake to belittle the abilities of the humans in front of them.
Rat Ling brandished his sword as he impatiently rushed towards the two lynxes.
"Shadow movements, shadow strike." Rat Ling thought as he did the two movements one after another.
A streak of silver light suddenly appears upon the disappearance of Rat Ling's body. The strike is directed towards one of the lynxes in Rat Ling's right side. When the silver flash approached the lynx with its sharp beast sense immediately acted by instinct and jumped back. But it was to no use as Rat Ling's sword is actually a thrust directed to its chest.
Puchi!
The blade enters the body of the lynx making it fell down rolling on the ground lifeless, the strike directly hit its heart. The other lynx was stunned upon seeing its companion fell lifeless. But it didn't stay stunned as it immediately snarled at Rat Ling and pounce towards his back which is wide open.
Sensing that he is in danger, Rat Ling hurriedly rolled on the ground to evade the danger, and then he jumped back up after rolling a couple of times. A smile appears on Rat Ling's face as he knows that the lynx missed. But before he could act, he suddenly feels a throbbing pain at his lower back.
"What? I was hit? Damn you!" Rat Ling muttered gritting his teeth as he suddenly feels a pang of pain.
But the beast didn't wait and continued pouncing towards Rat Ling's direction. Each slash from the lynx's claw gave off a deathly feeling which made Rat Ling shudder, as his body has already experienced the terrifying might of the lynx's claw.
Evading is his only choice as he tried to steady his body and wait for an opening. It was at that time when the lynx suddenly jump towards him. It seems that the demon beast is already losing its patience that it wanted to tackle Rat Ling. So seeing his chance, he once again did a shadow movement skill and evaded the tackle of the lynx. Then while the beast is still airborne Rat Ling slashed his sword while also in the middle of his Shadow movement.
His sword made a long gash at the demon beast's side which made it howled in pain.
"The wound is too light; I should have use thrust to pierce its chest, damn!" Rat Ling thought with a little feeling of regret.
He thought that he could cut the beast in half, but since its body is a little sturdy than normal his slash only gave the beast a long gash on the side.
"Come on beast!" Rat Ling shouted in agitation.
He carefully sidesteps as the two circled feeling each other and waiting for anyone who would make the first more. As the demon beast felt the pain on its side throbs more, anger suddenly filled its eyes and impatiently jumped towards Rat Ling.
Seeing the action of the beast, a sneer appears on Rat Ling's face as he lowered his sword and focused on the approaching beast. As his focus deepens everything suddenly slowed down, this made Rat Ling's heart skip a beat in excitement. He knows that he gained enlightenment with regard to spiritual sense focus.
Shin Jiao has already explained to him about this phenomenon where he can gain enlightenment making his senses so sharp that time seems to run slowly. If someone gained this enlightenment, that someone would be unrivaled in the battlefield when it comes to evasion and attacking the enemy's vital points.
Holding to this wonderful feeling Rat Ling didn't waste any more time and immediately move his sword. With a quick move, a silver flash suddenly appear and a sword tip can be seen on the opposite side of the lynx's body, then it suddenly disappears. As the beast's lifeless body fell on the ground, Rat Ling's expression became elated.
Then before he could jump in delight two clapping hands suddenly enter his ears.
On the side, two figures are leisurely sitting on a fallen tree. Upon seeing this Rat Ling gave off a sheepish smile while scratching the back of his head.
"It seems that I was the last, Hehehe…"
But before they can rejoice, the bush suddenly moved making the three jump up in alert.