Chapter Twenty-One: Sect Assessment (Part Two)

As they ventured deeper, they discovered a pit in the ground. At the bottom of this pit was a pool of fruit wine, exuding an alluring aroma of spirits—surely the fabled Demon Monkey Brew crafted by the Masked Ape. Chen Mu licked his lips and turned to Lu Shi. “Junior Brother Lu, let’s split this Demon Monkey Brew. Half for each of us. If you drink it, I reckon your strength will increase quite a bit.”

“Senior Brother Chen, you found it. I can’t possibly take—”

“Don’t you want to earn a good result and enter the inner sect? From what I’ve seen, your cultivation is already late-stage Meridian Realm, but not yet perfected, right? Perhaps after drinking this Demon Monkey Brew, your strength will surge, giving you a chance to withstand ten moves from an inner sect disciple. Don’t you want to enter the inner sect?”

Grateful yet guilty, Lu Shi was painfully aware that he’d been little more than a burden along the way, contributing nothing. After stammering for a while, he gave up resisting, resolving that from this day on, he would follow Chen Mu through thick and thin—even if it cost him his life.

Lu Shi ladled out half of the Demon Monkey Brew and gulped it down, making the Masked Ape, who watched from the side, writhe in distress. Chen Mu also drank his share, feeling a surge of vital energy coursing through his body, nourishing every ounce of flesh and every inch of skin.

The two of them immediately sat cross-legged to refine the effects of the wine. The replenishing power was truly invigorating. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Mu opened his eyes to find Lu Shi still refining the medicine, so he stood guard for him.

The effect on Lu Shi was much greater than on Chen Mu. Lu Shi had originally opened thirty-four meridians, but the impact of the brew forced open two more, bringing him to a total of thirty-six.

As for Chen Mu, he merely felt his vital energy become more abundant and his body a touch stronger, with no further effect.

Just then, Lu Shi, who had had his eyes closed for a long while, suddenly opened them. A perfected Meridian Realm aura spread out from him, making the monkeys shriek in alarm. His breakthrough was entirely thanks to the Demon Monkey Brew, brewed by the Masked Ape—no wonder the creature was so aggrieved.

“Senior Brother Chen, I’ve reached the perfected Meridian Realm! I never thought I’d break through so quickly. This monkey’s brew is truly wonderful,” Lu Shi exclaimed, grinning as he stood up.

“Very good. Let’s get moving. We’ve already lost enough time.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

Chen Mu and Lu Shi exited the cave one after the other, returning along the branches to the mountainside, where they resumed their original route and sped up the mountain.

After half an hour of travel, the path became increasingly steep. They were lucky, encountering only two spirit beasts along the way, both of which Lu Shi dispatched. They also ran into several fellow disciples, who, upon seeing Chen Mu and Lu Shi traveling together, showed odd expressions.

Chen Mu paid them no mind. Activating Meteor Step, he darted toward the summit, with Lu Shi close behind—this time without the previous difficulty. After about another hour, the two finally reached the mountaintop.

There were already about twenty others at the peak. Chen Mu was the twenty-seventh to arrive, and Lu Shi the twenty-eighth—clearly, they had made it in good time. About a quarter of an hour later, the full forty had arrived. Those who came after were deemed unqualified.

The forty successful candidates were led by two inner sect disciples to the area where the inner sect elders stood. The rest, who arrived later, were received by outer sect elders and stayed aside to observe.

As the qualified disciples approached, an elder standing in the center swept a gaze over them, exuding an imposing presence without anger. When his eyes fell on Chen Mu, there was a barely perceptible, fleeting smile before his expression returned to calm. This man was Gu Xingyuan, Valley Master of Starwatching Valley.

Beside him stood Elder Xiao Jueqing of the Disciplinary Hall, Elder Qu Rou of the Pill Pavilion, Elder Li Huaiyun of the Talisman Hall, Elder Yang Ming of the Law Hall, and Elder Hong Changtian of the Armory Hall. These inner sect elders nodded at the assembled disciples.

Once everyone had quieted, Elder Xiao Jueqing addressed them. “First, congratulations to all of Starwatching Valley’s young seedlings. You have passed the first test and now have the chance to climb to greater heights. Those who did not succeed, do not be discouraged. There will be another opportunity at next year’s sect competition. Now, for the second test: the forty of you will engage in a free-for-all within the designated area. The last eight standing will proceed to the third trial. You are not permitted to kill your fellow disciples—only to expel them from the arena. Violators will be executed without mercy.”

The disciples ascended the prepared platform, warily eyeing those around them. Some formed alliances, such as He Lang and his group, as well as Chen Mu and Lu Shi.

At the signal, the melee began. Watching from the front, Elder Xiao Jueqing smiled and said, “Sect Master, which disciple do you favor? I think that Liu Yunqin is quite promising. In just a year and a half since entering the sect, he’s reached the perfected Meridian Realm—a rare talent.”

Gu Xingyuan chuckled. “Junior Brother Xiao, I beg to differ. I suspect this year’s champion may come as a surprise.”

“Oh? What do you mean, Sect Master? Is there someone stronger than Liu Yunqin?”

“Just wait and see.”

As Gu Xingyuan and the elders chatted, Liu Yunqin charged forward with overwhelming momentum toward Chen Mu and Lu Shi. Chen Mu, seeing this, slipped through the crowd, avoiding direct confrontation with the more reckless participants. He and Lu Shi adopted an evasive strategy, blending into the throng. If they couldn’t dodge, they’d simply kick an opponent off the stage before melting back into the crowd.

The melee raged on. Liu Yunqin, in a fit of battle frenzy, unleashed a sweeping attack on the crowd before him. His domineering move infuriated the other disciples, turning him into the focus of their combined assault.

Before long, Liu Yunqin was sent flying off the platform.

“What is Liu Yunqin doing? Has he no brains? Inciting everyone to attack him—does he really think he’s invincible?” Elder Xiao Jueqing frowned, clearly displeased by Liu Yunqin’s conduct.

Liu Yunqin himself hadn’t anticipated the consequences of his actions, but it was too late for regret.

At this point, Chen Mu and Lu Shi began clearing the platform, one after another kicking opponents down. For the most part, it was Lu Shi who handled the cleanup, while Chen Mu simply directed him.

When only eight remained, Lu Shi stopped, and He Lang—panting—managed to hang on till the end, glaring venomously at Chen Mu and Lu Shi as he sat down.

On the high platform, the elders exchanged knowing looks at Chen Mu and Lu Shi, having clearly noticed their opportunistic tactics and subsequent purging of the area.

Xiao Jueqing’s face darkened. He snorted, “Two cunning youngsters. Even if they advance, the next round will be a true test of strength. No more winning by trickery.”

Elder Qu Rou of the Pill Pavilion, however, was unconcerned. “Any method that defeats the enemy is a good method. Hmm? Isn’t that Chen Mu the one everyone calls a failure? I’ve heard Liu Quan mention him—diligent, but his cultivation was stuck. Who would have thought he’d make it to the second round? Impressive…”

Xiao Jueqing snorted again. “That boy Chen is up to no good, always using underhanded tricks instead of the proper path.”

Elder Yang Ming of the Law Hall said, “From what I see, Chen Mu’s technique is Meteor Step. To wield it so adeptly—he’s quite the character. Lu Shi’s not bad either; his strength now rivals Liu Yunqin’s.”

All the elders except Xiao Jueqing nodded in agreement.

After the second test, everyone rested quietly at the side, with elders tending to their wounds and restoring their vital energy to ensure they’d be at their best for the next round.

About half an hour later, all eight victorious outer sect disciples had finished recuperating, and it was time for the final, one-on-one duels.

The duels would use a double-elimination format, split into winner’s and loser’s brackets. After the first round, winners advanced in the winner’s bracket while losers moved to the loser’s bracket for another chance. Each match in the loser’s bracket would eliminate a competitor, while losers from the winner’s bracket would drop down. Only a second loss in the loser’s bracket would mean elimination.

Chen Mu and the other eight drew lots at the front of the stage. Chen Mu was number three; Lu Shi, number six; Liu Yunqin, by luck, was number eight.

The first match featured two outer sect disciples whom Ye Wangchuan did not know. After the formalities, they launched into attack and defense. Fireballs flew, flashes of light streaked across the stage. One disciple hurled a ball of flame, then instantly appeared before his opponent and brought his blade down. The other, quick and agile, retreated and blocked with his axe. With a clang, they separated again. After more than thirty tense exchanges, one disciple finally exhausted his strength and withdrew in defeat.