As Ling Xuan wandered out of The Bamboo Grove, he noticed that ahead of him ,jagged cliffs rose sharply, their rough surfaces etched with time-worn cracks and crevices. Large boulders jut out precariously, casting long, ominous shadows. Narrow ledges wind along the cliffs, barely wide enough for a single footstep and covered in loose gravel.
"Where the heck am I" Ling Xuan's face was filled with incredulity as he observed the environmental change from a lush grove to a barren wasteland filled with rocks and cliffs.
Far in the distance he could see a waterbody.
"That should be The Lake of reflections. " Ling Xuan analysed and stated his journey.
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"I expected someone to ambush me but it looks like there is no one here except me." Ling Xuan muttered with boredom, it had been about a few minutes since he began walking and until now nothing had happened.
He suddenly stopped, and looked around the barren wasteland.
" You know you guys are not that good at sneaking up on someone." Ling Xuan sighed.
WOOSH !
A figure jumped out of one of the boulders and struck Ling Xuan in the head.
BAM !
Ling Xuan easily caught the attack and pulled the assailant against him.,
BANG !
A swift and precise punch to the head was enough for this 'assailant' to be thrown back.
"I know there are others, so come out everyone ! " Ling Xuan in boredom shouted.
SWISH !
Numerous figures jumped out from their hiding places and circled Ling Xuan.
"Junior, I suggest you beg for mercy and give us your valuables, you will regret any other decision !" One of them spoke.
"Huh you people do know that you are in the testing grounds for the selection of disciples for THE 12 SECTS right?" Ling Xuan asked.
"Of course we know that you idiot, the rules never said that we couldn't rob people now did they ?" One of the youths refuted.
"Do you guys not fear the young masters ?"
"Hah of course not ! The rules of The Xia protect us ! After we complete this trial, we can easily pledge loyalty to the great family and then those wimpy sects won't be able to do anything !"
Hearing this Ling Xuan couldn't help but feel respect and pity for the group. Respect for them bad mouthing one of the 2 Great Forces of the World and pity for not realising that the probability of the Xia Clan actually bothering to protect them over a feud with the 12 Great Sects was unsurprisingly quite low.
"Well anyways since I think you have finished talking let us begin, I'm sorry by the way." Ling Xuan shrugged and took a battle stance.
"Truly a pity then, worry not we don't hurt people much just enough to incapacitate them." One of them sighed.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by sor-" Suddenly the one speaking fell down to the ground.
All the members were shocked.
What happened !
Meanwhile Ling Xuan just stared at them, while bending down to pick a pebble.
"This should be non fatal for you guys." Saying that, Ling Xuan threw the pebble.
WOOSH !
The pebble flew with great speed and easily hit the stomach of one of the bandits forcing him to the floor.
The others realised what was happening and acted immediately.
SWONG !
One of them took out a metal baton and struck Ling Xuan.
BAM !
Ling Xuan easily dodged it and landed a hit on the temples causing the attacker to stumble, giving enough time for Ling Xuan to attack once more.
BANG !
With a swift kick, the person was thrown towards the other attackers causing all of them to fall.
While they were trying to stand, Ling Xuan picked up the fallen baton.
"Although it ain't big, it'll work for now." Ling Xuan gripped the baton tightly and began to absorb Qi from his surroundings.
Legacy Technique - Crimson Barrage !
BANG !
BANG !
BANG !!
Just like that, all of Ling Xuan's attackers were knocked unconscious.
"That was easy." Ling Xuan sighed and continued forward, taking the baton with him.
—--------------------------------------------
As Ling Xuan moved forward, somewhere else hiding behind one of the boulders was a boy with silver hair.
He was actually watching the entire scuffle from the beginning and watching Ling Xuan fight, only a single word could be used to describe what he saw.
Monster.
Ling Xuan was without doubt holding back perhaps more than 90% of his strength during the battle and yet it was enough to easily knock out a group of Low Adepts.
"He has at least gotta be of the High Adept Rank, with such a strength probably more !" The silver haired thought with cold sweat.
"I have to report this talent to the Sect !" The Silver Haired youth quickly took out a piece of parchment and an ink brush from his robes and began writing.
After finishing, he hurriedly began to climb the boulder he was hiding behind and took out a silver whistle.
PHEEEWWWW !
A loud and high pitched sound was produced which travelled into the distance.
KRIEKKKKKKK !
Another noise followed suit, originating from somewhere else.
Far in the distance, a bird appeared and flew towards the Silver haired youth.
KRIEK ! KRIEK !
It perched on the youth's shoulder and started screeching.
"Ok ok I know you want food, here take it." The Silver haired youth quickly fed it some dried smelly fish he had in his robes and gave it the parchment.
The bird grabbed the parchment with its mouth and flew off.
"The other scouts should have also noticed the talent. I guess it's now down to who has the faster method of communication." The Silver Haired youth frowned and looked towards Ling Xuan's direction.
Suddenly he noticed another bird flying in the distance, following which another bird flew out.
"And so it begins." The youth sighed and jumped off the boulder.