"This disciple trial match is to assess the results of your cultivation over these past two months. The Glazed Illusionary Realm will be opened shortly, and all disciples will enter.
Your task is to search for Glazed Spirit Stones within. The one who finds the most will receive a Heaven-grade cultivation technique.
Of course, even if you don't get first place, the Glazed Stones you obtain will be exchanged for sect contributions, which can be used to purchase sect techniques, spirit weapons, and so on.
Furthermore, those who perform exceptionally well will have the chance to be taken in as disciples by the Grand Elder. The duration is ten days. However, there is one point I hope you will all remember: the dangers you encounter within the Glazed Illusionary Realm are all real. Do not be careless and lose your lives.
If you are unable to cope with the dangers, simply shout 'I give up' to withdraw from the trial. Disciples who choose to forfeit will have their Glazed Spirit Stones reset to zero. Finally, I hope everyone can return with a full harvest!"
As the Grand Elder finished speaking, a young sect disciple in purple-gold robes stepped to the edge of the high platform and announced the rules in a clear voice.
"Search for Glazed Spirit Stones?" Lin Chu frowned slightly after hearing the rules from the purple-gold robed man. He suspected that once they entered the Glazed Illusionary Realm, the competition would be extremely fierce. Even based on the information obtained so far, one could already discern this.
First place would receive a Heaven-grade cultivation technique, and the Glazed Spirit Stones collected could be exchanged for sect contributions. These two points alone were enough to excite everyone. Not to mention the opportunity for outstanding disciples to be taken under the Grand Elder's wing.
"I'm afraid that once we go in, everyone will be fighting for themselves," Lin Chu took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes to conserve his energy.
As the purple-gold robed disciple finished speaking, the Grand Elder's figure moved and floated into the air. He then formed hand seals, and Lin Chu immediately felt a tremor beneath his feet.
Opening his eyes, he saw two massive pillars slowly rising not far from the high platform. Carved with a dragon and a phoenix, they appeared lifelike from a distance, as if they had come alive.
When the two stone pillars reached a height of a hundred zhang, they slowly stopped. Then, the Grand Elder's hand seals changed, and a stream of pure spiritual energy instantly gathered from all directions, flowing into the two stone pillars.
*Hum.*
As the spiritual energy was absorbed, the two stone pillars instantly lit up. A screen of light, like a thin membrane, slowly appeared.
"Let us begin," the Grand Elder said softly, landing on the high platform as he looked at the emerging light screen.
As soon as the Grand Elder finished speaking, the purple-gold robed disciple loudly declared, "The disciple trial match, now begins!"
Lin Chu glanced at the crowd upon hearing this and walked directly towards the light screen between the two pillars. The disciples closest to the pillars, as soon as the purple-gold robed disciple finished speaking, moved swiftly and rushed in.
*Hum.*
Lin Chu took a step forward and immediately felt his surroundings change. It was as if he had entered a deep mountain forest.
The vast, hazy sky made the Glazed Illusionary Realm appear fraught with peril. Moreover, the entire forest was eerily quiet, like a beast preparing to hunt, awaiting their arrival.
"Is it a random teleportation?" Lin Chu stood still for over three minutes, and finding no other disciples around, he moved swiftly towards a towering ancient tree. He touched the nearby tree, his eyes narrowed as he glanced in a direction, and then plunged directly into the depths of the forest.
On the sect's high platform, the Grand Elder and the others watched as figures gradually appeared on the light screen, their eyes narrowing.
Bai Yuwei, seated beside them, her gaze darted rapidly and soon found Lin Chu's location. Seeing Lin Chu's current predicament, her expression softened considerably.
*Rustle.*
In the Glazed Illusionary Realm, Lin Chu, hearing the sound of flowing water not far away, paused with a thought.
Over the past two months of cultivation, Lin Chu's perceptive abilities had achieved a minor success. Although he couldn't sense very far, he had a grasp of everything within twenty meters of him.
As Lin Chu arrived at this location, he sensed a place with a relatively dense concentration of spiritual energy nearby.
"This is a Glazed Spirit Stone?" Lin Chu pushed aside a mound of earth and looked at a round stone emitting spiritual light, murmuring to himself.
He was quite lucky. Lin Chu smiled slightly, casually pocketed the first Glazed Spirit Stone he found, and stood up to move on.
Time gradually passed, and in the blink of an eye, two days had quietly slipped by. The stone pillar light screen below the high platform had begun to display the names of the top ten disciples who had obtained Glazed Spirit Stones. Many core disciples glanced at it and then whispered instructions to their followers.
"Strange, look, why isn't Lin Chu searching for Glazed Spirit Stones anymore?" Among the elite disciples, those who were paying attention to Lin Chu began to discuss.
"That Lin Chu has been sitting cross-legged for a full three hours. It looks like he's absorbing spiritual energy to cultivate?"
"Lin Chu is quite diligent, not forgetting to cultivate even during the disciple trial match."
"..."
"Huh? Someone seems to have found Lin Chu's location. Look, that person is heading towards Lin Chu now!"
In the Glazed Illusionary Realm, Lin Chu was observing a seal in his mind that had just been unlocked when he suddenly felt a danger approaching and immediately opened his eyes with a thought.
"Are you Lin Chu?" Chen Daosheng asked cautiously as Lin Chu opened his eyes.
Lin Chu glanced at the approaching person, his expression indifferent, and said slowly, "Do you need something from me?"
"I heard you challenged elite disciple Qiu Shaoming. Many of us new disciples look up to you as an idol." Seeing that Lin Chu had confirmed his identity, Chen Daosheng excitedly said.
"If there's nothing else, then leave," Lin Chu frowned slightly and said again.
Chen Daosheng's excitement visibly waned. He then glanced around, seemingly making a difficult decision, and threw a piece of paper at Lin Chu. With a move, he quickly disappeared into the grass.
Lin Chu's eyes flickered with suspicion at this, but seeing that Chen Daosheng had already left, he slowly stood up and picked up the paper Chen Daosheng had dropped.
As Lin Chu unfolded it, the corners of his mouth curved upwards, and a cold sneer appeared.
On the paper spread out in Lin Chu's hand, there were only five words: Beware of those around you.
"Has Qiu Shaoming finally lost his patience?" Lin Chu waved his hand, crushing the paper into powder. Looking in the direction where Chen Daosheng had disappeared, a hint of eagerness flashed in his eyes. Then, he moved and set off again.
On the third day, Lin Chu exhaled a breath of turbid air and slightly opened his eyes. He glanced around, observing his surroundings with vigilance, then moved like a startled rabbit, darting into the forest.
At this time, in the disciple observation area below the high platform, Qiu Shaoming looked at Lin Chu's movements with a hint of mockery on his lips. He then glanced at the screens showing other disciples, and the coldness in his eyes intensified.
"Brother Zhiming, since Lin Chu dares to challenge Senior Brother Qiu Shaoming, his background must be considerable. If our ambush succeeds, fine, but if it fails, our situation within the sect might be..."
On a lush grassland, several figures were lurking, having seemingly waited for hours. At this moment, a thin man, sweating slightly, said with a worried expression.
"Wu Wenlin, are you scared? Lin Chu may have the Holy Maiden's backing, but we have the Grand Elder's backing as well. Moreover, with so many of us, can't we deal with him?"
"Don't forget that Lin Chu is just an ordinary disciple, while we are all elite disciples. During these two months of cultivation, Senior Brother Qiu Shaoming has taught us a lot. If we can't even handle this small matter, you won't be able to bear Senior Brother Qiu Shaoming's punishment, will you?"
Hearing Wu Wenlin's words, Gong Zhiming snorted disdainfully and glanced at Wu Wenlin.
After hearing Gong Zhiming's words, a complex emotion flashed in Wu Wenlin's eyes, and he fell silent.
"Everyone, be vigilant. We strike as soon as Lin Chu arrives!" Gong Zhiming said again as Wu Wenlin fell silent.
"Senior Brother Zhiming, are you sure Lin Chu will pass through here?" A disciple asked at this moment.
Gong Zhiming's face showed a smug expression. "Before we entered, Senior Brother Shaoming gave me a map of this Glazed Illusionary Realm. Once you enter the deep mountains, this Liuguang Grassland is a necessary route. Haven't you noticed that many disciples have already passed through here?"
"Senior Brother Zhiming actually received a map from Senior Brother Shaoming, no wonder he brought us here to wait as soon as we entered the Glazed Illusionary Realm. It seems Senior Brother Zhiming is deeply trusted by Senior Brother Shaoming. Senior Brother Zhiming, when you achieve great success in the future, don't forget us."
Hearing this, everyone spoke up.
Gong Zhiming's face showed a hint of satisfaction, and he then slightly composed himself. "As long as you all teach that brat Lin Chu a lesson for Senior Brother Shaoming this time, there will be plenty of benefits for everyone later."
Time passed. Although it was an illusion, Lin Chu still felt a sense of heat. Along the way, though he hadn't encountered any wild beasts, Lin Chu dared not relax his vigilance in the slightest. Moreover, he had a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen.
*Whoosh.*
Feeling the breeze, Lin Chu wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up.
In the past three days, he had only collected a meager handful of Glazed Spirit Stones. Although he wasn't particularly interested in the Heaven-grade cultivation technique for first place, if he ranked at the bottom, his sister would likely not be very proud.
Thinking this, Lin Chu looked up and continued his trek.
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Chu suddenly felt a sense of openness.
A lush expanse of greenery met his eyes. A smile gradually appeared in Lin Chu's eyes. He hadn't expected to find such a scenic grassland in the deep mountains.
"Brother Zhiming, look!" Just as Lin Chu was admiring the scenery of the grassland, one of the figures lurking in the grass suddenly spotted Lin Chu and whispered urgently.
Gong Zhiming followed the other's gaze. Upon seeing that it was Lin Chu, his face lit up with excitement.
"Everyone, get your spirits up! The target has appeared!" Gong Zhiming shouted in a low voice, his gaze locked onto Lin Chu.
Lin Chu glanced into the distance and moved swiftly, heading down the mountain.
At this moment, by the high platform, Qiu Shaoming's expression became slightly agitated as he watched Lin Chu appear on the Liuguang Grassland.
"Attack!"
Gong Zhiming, seeing Lin Chu enter their encirclement, shouted. Sun Yuhang moved first, thrusting his sword towards Lin Chu's chest.
*Huh?*
Lin Chu, who was walking rapidly, suddenly felt a sense of danger. He immediately moved and punched out towards the source of the danger.
*Boom!*
As the punch passed, patches of grass were swept away. Gong Zhiming and the others, who were lurking in the grass, swiftly emerged, blocking Lin Chu's escape route.
"Huh? Someone's already making a move on Lin Chu?" In the area for core disciples, someone said as they saw Lin Chu surrounded by Gong Zhiming and his group.
Upon hearing this, everyone followed their gaze.
Bai Yuwei, on the high platform, frowned slightly but remained silent. However, the coldness in her eyes was exceptionally intense.
"Holy Maiden, disputes between disciples are very common within the sect. I believe the Holy Maiden wouldn't have any thoughts about this, would she?" Sensing Bai Yuwei's chill, the Grand Elder glanced meaningfully at Bai Yuwei and said indifferently.
"Disputes between disciples are my business. As for the Grand Elder, perhaps you should focus on managing your own affairs. If you were to capsize in the gutter, it would surely diminish your authority."
Bai Yuwei responded indifferently and then closed her eyes, no longer speaking.
Seeing Bai Yuwei's demeanor, the Grand Elder's eye twitched for a moment before he withdrew his gaze.
Meanwhile, within the Glazed Illusionary Realm, Lin Chu and Gong Zhiming's group were in a standoff. Looking at the seven people before him, Lin Chu showed no signs of nervousness.
"You were sent by Qiu Shaoming?" After a moment, Lin Chu looked at Gong Zhiming, who was leading the group, and asked indifferently.
"What Qiu Shaoming? Kid, obediently hand over the Glazed Spirit Stones you've obtained. Otherwise, we won't mind taking them by force!"
Gong Zhiming was too foolish to reveal his true intentions. Moreover, Gong Zhiming knew clearly that the current scene was likely already being seen by those outside.
Lin Chu's lips curved upwards, a smile appearing. "So that's how it is. I thought you were just lackeys sent by Qiu Shaoming. But if you want the Glazed Spirit Stones on me, I'm afraid there won't be enough to go around."
Lin Chu finished speaking and casually took out his Glazed Spirit Stones, spreading them in his palm. Gong Zhiming saw that Lin Chu only had five Glazed Spirit Stones in his hand.
"In three days, you've only collected five Glazed Spirit Stones? Kid, stop playing coy. If you know what's good for you, obediently hand over all your Glazed Spirit Stones, otherwise... don't blame me for being rude!"
Gong Zhiming had been looking for a suitable excuse to attack, and seeing Lin Chu's Glazed Spirit Stones, he was overjoyed. He advanced slightly.
Lin Chu's smile grew even wider. "Alas. I've been wondering how to collect more Glazed Spirit Stones, and now someone has come to my doorstep. How about this: leave your Glazed Spirit Stones behind, and I'll let you go?"
As Lin Chu's words slowly fell, the expressions on Gong Zhiming and the others' faces turned unsightly.
"Are you sure you're not talking nonsense? With you, an ordinary disciple, how could you defeat so many of us? Wu Wenlin, show him a taste of your skill!" Gong Zhiming said with a grim expression, shifting his gaze to Wu Wenlin as he spoke.
"Lin Chu, you should still listen to Senior Brother Zhiming," Wu Wenlin said, a complex emotion flashing across his face. However, under Gong Zhiming's aggressive gaze, he had no choice but to step forward and face Lin Chu.
Lin Chu smiled faintly, seeming to see the hidden meaning in Wu Wenlin's eyes. "I'll give you another chance. Either get out of the way or choose to stay. However, you'll be responsible for the consequences."
Seeing Lin Chu's composure, the young sect disciples who had surrounded him felt a sense of unease and began to shift their gazes towards Gong Zhiming.
Gong Zhiming, seeing this, shouted sternly again, "Wu Wenlin, what are you hesitating for! It's just an ordinary disciple, has he scared you?"
"Alas, forgive me!" Wu Wenlin helplessly shook his head and clasped his fists in greeting to Lin Chu. As he spoke, his fist transformed into a palm and struck towards Lin Chu.
On his palm, there was a faint gust of wind, indicating that Wu Wenlin had successfully transitioned from an ordinary person to a cultivator during these two months of training. And to be able to generate such a powerful gust of wind from his fist, he had clearly reached the advanced stage of the Qi Refining realm.
Seeing Wu Wenlin's palm strike, a hint of surprise flashed in Lin Chu's eyes, but his movements did not falter. He also struck out with a palm, meeting Wu Wenlin's palm with his own.
*Bang!*