At the outer exit of the Beast Forest.
The rising sun had already climbed above the eastern horizon, its morning light sweeping away the darkness of the night.
At this moment, Sect Master Xuan Xiao, along with the other elders of the Xuan Sect, had long since gathered at the exit, waiting in silence.
"Elders," Xuan Xiao said slowly as he stroked his graying beard,"Who do you think will be the first disciple to reach the finish of this trial?"
"Reporting to Sect Master," Elder Xuan Yi replied—the same elder who had called out Yefan and Xuanzhenxi's names during roll call,"I believe Elder Changxi's son, Xuanzhenxi, will undoubtedly take first place. With his strength at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, sweeping through the outer region of this Yellow-ranked Beast Forest should pose no difficulty at all."
"Sect Master," another elder beside Chu Tianyang spoke calmly, seemingly contradicting Xuan Yi on purpose,"I believe Chu Tianyu has a greater chance. He is meticulous and cunning, with a cultivation at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. His younger brother has also reached the third level. Working together, they are no weaker than Xuanzhenxi."
"Heh."
Elder Xuan Changxi let out a cold laugh.
Cunning? Only someone rotten to the core would devise such despicable schemes.Sharp-minded? Indeed—when it comes to harming others.
Bitterness surged in his heart. If he had known Yefan would end up like this, he would never have allowed him to participate with only second-level Qi Condensation cultivation. Five years later, with Yefan's relentless effort, even with only a Mystic-grade spiritual root, he could have reached the third or fourth level—and would have had a real chance of entering the Xuanling Sect.
Now, all Changxi wished for was Yefan's safety.
Entering the Xuanling Sect no longer mattered.
Within the outer region of the Beast Forest—
Bang! Bang!
Three figures sprinted wildly through the forest.
Upon closer inspection, they were Xuanzhenxi and the Chu brothers—and Xuanzhenxi was actually running ahead of them.
Xuanzhenxi looked battered. Several parts of his robe were torn, clearly the result of prolonged combat with a large pack of Wind Wolves.
The Chu brothers fared no better—sweat drenched their bodies, their breathing ragged, as if they might collapse at any moment.
"Water Bullet!"
"Earth Tremor Art!"
Suddenly, the Chu brothers halted and formed seals simultaneously. A torrent of water shot toward Xuanzhenxi, while the ground beneath his feet shook violently, making it hard for him to keep his balance.
"Tricks like these are nothing!"
Xuanzhenxi swung his greatsword. Flames surged forth, effortlessly dispersing the incoming water. He then slammed the blade into the ground, forcibly suppressing the trembling earth through sheer physical strength alone!
"Damn it!"
As time passed, the medicinal effects sustaining Chu Tianyu gradually faded. With only fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivation, he could no longer contend with Xuanzhenxi—let alone Chu Tianxi, who was merely at the third level.
"They're out!"
"Look!"
"Xuanzhenxi! Congratulations to Xuanzhenxi—the first to reach the finish!"
"Second place, Chu Tianyu! Third place, Chu Tianxi!"
Just as Xuan Yi had predicted, Xuanzhenxi claimed first place. The Chu brothers followed closely behind.
Chu Tianyu panted heavily, utterly unable to accept the outcome before him.
"A monster… Xuanzhenxi is a monster!"
"I calculated everything perfectly! Xuan Wufei's ambush, the Wind Wolves' pursuit—nothing went wrong! Then why?! Why did he still take first place?!"
His expression twisted grotesquely, revealing the vile darkness buried deep within his heart.
In truth, Chu Tianyu knew better than anyone—he had been utterly crushed.
No matter how elaborate his schemes were, he could not account for Xuanzhenxi's overwhelming strength. Even while being hunted by a massive pack of Wind Wolves, Xuanzhenxi had slaughtered his way forward and caught up. Even facing the Chu brothers' combined attacks, he had easily neutralized them with sheer mastery of techniques—backed by the crushing advantage of sixth-level Qi Condensation cultivation.
Once the medicinal effects faded, Chu Tianyu stood no chance.
This was absolute domination.
If Chu Tianyu failed to overcome this inner demon, his cultivation would likely stagnate forever.
"Xuanzhenxi?! Where's Yefan?!"
The moment Xuan Changxi saw Xuanzhenxi arrive first without Yefan, panic surged through him.
Before he could finish speaking, Xuanzhenxi lunged forward. His palm swung sharply—
Slap!
A crisp sound echoed.
"That bastard!" Xuanzhenxi roared, eyes blazing with fury."He framed us! He had his brother lure the Wind Wolves and ambushed Yefan in the cave while he was injured—beating him until he was drenched in blood!"
He tried to strike again, but an invisible force seized him, halting his movement mid-air.
"Chu Tianyang?!"
Bang!
Xuan Changxi slammed his palm onto the wooden table, shattering it instantly. In the next instant, he shot forward like lightning, palm aimed straight at Chu Tianyang.
Prepared for this, Chu Tianyang calmly tapped his storage pouch. A massive shield materialized, glowing with deep blue light.
Boom!
Changxi's palm struck the shield with a deafening crash—but failed to break through. After several tense breaths, both men were forced back.
"That's enough!"
Sect Master Xuan Xiao's patience snapped. A burst of early Foundation Establishment pressure erupted, causing both men to stiffen.
"Are you trying to disgrace the Xuan Sect while the Xuanling Sect envoys are still present?!"
"Sect Master," Xuan Changxi said, forcibly suppressing his rage and cupping his hands,"My son Yefan has suffered grave injustice. If I cannot even protect my own child, how can I remain loyal to the sect? I beg you—please grant my son justice!"
Xuan Xiao frowned deeply.
If I go easy on Chu Tianyu, Changxi will never let this go.But if I punish him harshly, Chu Tianyang may retaliate by reducing pill production…
For the sake of the sect's future, he hesitated.
"Elder Changxi," a calm voice interrupted."Our Xuanling Sect will investigate this matter thoroughly and give your son a fair answer. Please, remain calm."
Envoy Xuan Qi descended from the sky on his sword, landing lightly.
"Yes… thank you, Envoy Xuan Qi."
"I'm going in to save Yefan!" Xuanzhenxi shouted, charging forward.
A sword barred his path.
"Junior Brother Xuanzhenxi," Xuan Qi said evenly,"Though you have taken first place, you may not interfere with the trial."
Xuanzhenxi clenched his fists, glaring at Chu Tianyu before sitting down heavily.
Chu Tianyu's heart raced. He silently cursed Yefan to die within the forest—vanish without a trace—otherwise, the punishment awaiting him would be unimaginable.
Half an hour passed.
One side prayed for Yefan's safe return.
The other prayed for his death.
"Look!"
"Another disciple's coming out!"
Leaves rustled.
A graceful figure emerged.
"Senior Sister Xuan Yubing!"
"As expected—she's already at the fourth level of Qi Condensation."
"Wait… there's someone else!"
"The last slot… who will it be?"
A disheveled figure stepped out, his left shoulder still bearing scorched marks.
The crowd froze.
"Xuan… Wufei?!"
Xuanzhenxi cried out in disbelief.
(To be continued…)