Chapter 24: The Second Trial

At the center of the martial arena.

Qingxi completed his final martial technique and took a moment to steady his breath.

Over the past two days, he had demonstrated all one hundred and ten martial techniques he’d taken, each brought at least to the stage of minor proficiency.

Lei Yao, who had observed the entire process along with a crowd of disciples, stood rooted in place, utterly stupefied.

Scratching his head, Qingxi looked at Lei Yao. “Elder Lei, how do you find my progress with these techniques?”

Lei Yao was momentarily at a loss for words.

Just a few days ago, he had claimed it was impossible for Qingxi to master over a hundred martial techniques in three days—yet the boy had accomplished it in only two.

To say Qingxi had done well was to slap himself in the face, but to say otherwise—who in the world could claim that mastering over a hundred martial techniques in two days was not good enough?

For a moment, he was silent.

Then Lei Yao’s eyes flashed as he thought of a decent way to resolve the situation. Putting on a stern expression, he declared, “Your learning speed is indeed remarkable—across the entire Yun Chuan Prefecture, few could match learning so many techniques in just two days.”

“But remember this: it is better to master a few techniques deeply than to dabble in many. Now that you have learned so many, I hope you will devote yourself to perfecting them. Only then, when you learn new techniques in the future, will you not confuse one with another.”

Lei Yao’s remarks, which he found quite reasonable, made sense to Qingxi as well.

“I will heed your guidance, Elder. I shall master these techniques thoroughly,” Qingxi nodded, though he was not concerned in the least.

With the system’s healing of internal injuries from overtraining, he could disregard any limits on practice, and with his passive ‘epiphany’ ability, he could advance every technique to mastery—or even perfection—in less than a month.

Hearing Qingxi’s promise, Lei Yao narrowed his eyes and thought, “This boy’s comprehension is monstrous, but he’s too easy to fool. Mastering over a hundred techniques should take at least three years… but with him, perhaps a year… no, nine months! At least I’ll finally have some peace and quiet.”

Under the admiring and awestruck gazes of all present, Qingxi returned all the ancient texts and left the library pavilion.

In the crowd, Wang Miao gripped his long hair, feeling as if what he had just witnessed was nothing but an illusion.

“Why is it always him?”

“It was one thing for him to advance in cultivation so quickly, but now he makes mastering martial techniques look effortless too?”

“No, this cannot stand. I am a proud genius with a Spiritual-grade root—losing to Lin Feng, that fat fool, was bad enough, but how can I be surpassed by someone with a defective spiritual root?”

In the past two days, he had learned from his master, the Grand Elder, that within the Lingyuan Sect, the position of future sect leader was not reserved solely for the disciples of the current leader.

Anyone who became the chief disciple of the sect could compete for succession. If they could defeat all other leader’s disciples in the competition, they could be anointed as the next sect leader.

When he first heard this, Wang Miao’s hope was rekindled.

He believed that with enough effort, he would one day rise above Lin Feng and earn the recognition of Sect Leader Qiu Mingzi, becoming the next leader himself.

But today, he suddenly realized that Qingxi was an even greater threat than Lin Feng.

To master over a hundred martial techniques in two days—this was a feat that far outstripped even the legendary Spiritual-grade prodigy, the senior sister.

Wang Miao’s hard-won hope was mercilessly extinguished.

“No, I must learn martial techniques too!”

“If he can do it, why can’t I, with my Spiritual-grade root?”

Wang Miao rolled up his sleeves, carefully selected ten martial techniques, and returned to his quarters to begin his studies.

Yet to his mounting frustration, these techniques were fiendishly difficult. Even after sleepless nights and wild, disheveled hair, he still couldn’t fathom their intricacies.

Worse still, he seemed to have confused the meridian routes of the ten techniques.

“No!”

Sitting cross-legged atop the mountain, Wang Miao howled his anguish at the distant setting sun.

His elongated shadow stretched across the ground, adding to the desolation.

...

Qingxi, meanwhile, had no idea that Wang Miao was driven mad on his account.

At that moment, he had just finished a hearty meal at the sect’s dining hall and returned to Ouyang Changfeng’s residence.

A few days prior, Ouyang Changfeng had mentioned that the content of the second trial would be revealed in three days.

And today was the day.

As the sun set, Qingxi bathed in the warm light, lifting his head to see Ouyang Changfeng descending the stairs. With a wave of his hand, the latter said, “It’s time to announce the content of your second trial.”

“Your disciple is all ears!”

“My child, have you ever heard of the sect’s Disciples’ Merit Ranking?”

“The Merit Ranking?”

Qingxi furrowed his brow, then quickly realized what Ouyang Changfeng meant. “I have heard of it. It’s a list that only outer disciples can access. All disciples who complete sect missions earn merit points. To encourage fair competition, the sect keeps a ranking of the top hundred, updated every six months, with minor adjustments each month.”

“You are well informed. So, do you know what your second trial will be?” Ouyang Changfeng smiled kindly.

“Master, do you mean for me to take on sect missions and strive for the rankings?”

“Exactly.”

As expected, Qingxi thought to himself and asked, “What must I do to pass your second trial?”

“It’s the end of June. Tomorrow brings a major update to the rankings. My requirement is simple: within one month, enter the rankings; within three months, reach the top fifty. If you succeed, then in October, you will proceed to the third trial.” Ouyang Changfeng extended three fingers, his gaze shifting from kindly to solemn.

Qingxi’s heart tightened. He agreed without hesitation.

That night, Ouyang Changfeng, playing the role of a warm and caring elder, talked with Qingxi throughout the night, sharing much information about sect missions.

However, when Qingxi asked if he could provide material support, Ouyang Changfeng replied righteously, “What? You want a Superior-grade Frostlight Sword? Do you have any idea how many merit points that’s worth? A hundred! What if you sold it for points? That would be cheating!”

Hearing this, Qingxi could only roll his eyes.

Despite his words, Ouyang Changfeng did give him a few bottles of pills and a Low-grade Frostlight Sword.

“My child, your second trial begins tomorrow. Do your best. I won’t disturb you further. Farewell!” With a mischievous laugh, Ouyang Changfeng vanished in a puff.

Standing under the moonlight, Qingxi looked at the battered, pitted Low-grade Frostlight Sword, which seemed ready to shatter at a touch, and his lips twitched.

“What a master, always shortchanging his disciple!”

He covered his face and tucked away the battered sword.

Just then, he thought of Lin Feng.

The day they had visited the Forging Peak together, Master Li had given Lin Feng a Low-grade Frostlight Sword, and yet his own master, a dignified Inner Sect Elder, was so miserly.

The contrast left Qingxi exasperated.

“I found a true friend, but ended up with a sham of a master. Poor me…”

The next morning.

With the battered Frostlight Sword strapped to his back and his Outer Sect Disciple’s token in hand, Qingxi entered the imposing Mission Hall.

Before his eyes stretched a massive leaderboard.

“The Disciples’ Merit Ranking.”

Raising his head, Qingxi murmured, studying the board closely.

The top ten names shone in gold.

The first name in particular drew his attention.