C18 Inner Disciple Assessment(3)

He swung his long blade with force, aiming a vicious slash at the Unicorn Devil Python.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The steel of the blade shimmered with light as it ruthlessly struck the Unicorn Devil Python's body. Yet, its scales were extraordinarily resilient, quickly notching the sharp edge of the blade.

At that moment, Lei Yan had reached the Peak of The Human Soul. With every ounce of his strength, which was at least ten thousand jin, he struck. Despite his might, he couldn't even slightly dent the Unicorn Devil Python's scales.

Puff!

Without warning, the Unicorn Devil Python opened its gaping maw and sprayed a cloud of poison mist.

Swish!

Startled, Lei Yan quickly employed the Nine Profound Steps and vanished in the blink of an eye.

The Unicorn Devil Python, having lost sight of its target, paused in confusion.

Swish!

Seconds later, Lei Yan reappeared, moving like a shadow. In a simultaneous motion, he plunged his blade into the Unicorn Devil Python's right eye.

Puff!

Blood erupted from the creature's bell-like right eye, drenching the ground below.

Hiss!

The next instant, the Unicorn Devil Python emitted a pained hiss. Furious and in agony, it frantically searched for the human that had inflicted such wounds.

But Lei Yan had once again vanished.

Puff!

After half a minute, Lei Yan reemerged and stabbed the Unicorn Devil Python's left eye.

Now blinded, the Unicorn Devil Python grew even more enraged. However, as blood gushed forth, its strength waned significantly.

"Perhaps I can use the Devil Sovereign's Soul Devouring Arts to absorb the Spiritual Power and Soul Power from this grievously wounded Unicorn Devil Python," Lei Yan mused from a distance.

Boom!

A minute later, a peculiar energy enveloped the wounded Unicorn Devil Python, further weakening it.

Simultaneously, its vital essence was rapidly siphoned, transforming into wisps of mist that drifted toward Lei Yan, standing a hundred meters away.

This mist was the essence of the Unicorn Devil Python's Spiritual Power and Soul Power, now converted into a misty substance by the Soul Devouring Arts.

Over ten minutes had passed, and the Rank 1 Unicorn Devil Python was reduced to a mere skeleton, its body nearly devoid of life force.

This massive Unicorn Devil Python was a treasure trove of valuable materials, particularly its horn and scales.

Unfortunately, since Lei Yan had nearly drained all of its Life Essence, these parts had lost much of their worth.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Lei Yan darted through the Ancient Forest with agility. Despite mastering the Nine Profound Steps, he wisely avoided areas heavily populated with Unicorn Devil Pythons.

Another half hour later, he employed the same technique to absorb the Spiritual Power and Soul Power from a severely wounded Unicorn Devil Python.

By then, the Unicorn Devil Pythons within tens of thousands of miles had either been slain or driven off.

The Divine Plant Pill Sect mourned the loss of twelve disciples, while over thirty chose to retreat.

Lee Yunlong, wielding a blood-stained longsword, charged into the thick of the Unicorn Devil Pythons. His swordsmanship was formidable, capable of piercing the creatures' exceptionally tough scales.

He had slain the most Unicorn Devil Pythons, totaling eight, and stored their corpses in his Interspatial Ring.

Yang Yong and Bing'er also performed admirably, each taking down four and three Unicorn Devil Pythons respectively.

Huo Ting was a force to be reckoned with; wherever he went, the Unicorn Devil Pythons scattered to avoid him.

"Your technique is impressive; it turned the Unicorn Devil Python into a dried-up carcass," Lee Yunlong suddenly said, appearing beside Lei Yan to offer his commendation.

"However, I'm determined to be the top contender in today's Inner Disciple Assessment. That Jade Spring Star Pill will be mine!"

The Divine Plant Pill Sect incentivizes the Outer Disciples to vie for first place in the Inner Disciple Assessment by offering a Jade Spring Star Pill as a prize.

The Jade Spring Star Pill, crafted from Jade Spring Essence and Star Grass, is brimming with Spiritual Power and Soul Power, enhancing the chances for a cultivator at the Peak of the Beast Soul Stage to make a breakthrough.

This is precisely why certain unparalleled prodigies, who could have been directly selected as Inner Disciples, preferred to remain as Outer Disciples.

Take Huo Ting, Lee Yunlong, Yang Yong, and Bing'er, for instance. These exceptional talents chose to be Outer Disciples for the chance to acquire the coveted Jade Spring Star Pill.

Swoosh!

In just a moment, Lee Yunlong had surged ahead, putting more than a hundred meters between himself and Lei Yan.

Truth be told, Lei Yan hadn't utilized the Nine Profound Steps at that time. Had he done so, his speed might have rivaled that of Lee Yunlong.

"Lee Yunlong is incredibly fast!"

"He's likely to take first place."

"Look at Bing'er—her identity is shrouded in mystery. She moves as if she's invisible."

Lei Yan trailed behind a group of Outer Disciples, occasionally overhearing their speculative conversations.

Initially, this batch of Outer Disciples numbered over a hundred. Now, fewer than fifty remained, split into two groups. Leading the way were more than ten individuals at the Peak of The Human Soul.

Following closely were over thirty people, most of whom were at Human Soul Level 10 and Level 11.

Lei Yan, however, chose to walk at the very end, keen on keeping his true capabilities hidden from the others.

"Up ahead is a vast grassland. Everyone, stay alert!" Half an hour later, Lee Yunlong, at the forefront, called out a warning.

Beyond the expansive Ancient Forest, the landscape opened up to reveal a lush, sprawling grassland.

Yet, the deep grassland echoed with the roars of Devil Beasts and the distinct, menacing aura they exuded.

"Boom…" Ten minutes into their trek across the grassland, the ground beneath them shook violently.

Suddenly, a dozen centipedes, each a hundred meters long, burst forth. They had been concealed beneath the grass, undetectable by their aura.

"Ah…" Three teenagers at Human Soul Level 10 were instantly reduced to a bloody pulp by the razor-sharp legs of the centipedes.

"Help me!" A girl, about fifteen years old, shook uncontrollably with fear, her screams for help piercing the air.

After being ambushed by such a terrifying attack, she was in a state of panic. In her confusion, she completely forgot to use her Soul Power to activate the Teleportation Scroll she carried and make her escape.

Luckily, Lei Yan was just a short distance behind her, about ten meters away. Witnessing the beautiful young girl on the verge of being slain by a Demon Centipede, he didn't hesitate to employ the Nine Profound Steps.

With a swift motion, Lei Yan materialized beside the girl like a specter, scooped her up, and vanished into thin air.

Half a minute later, they reappeared six hundred meters away in a place of safety, with the girl still in his arms.

"Thank you for saving me," she said to Lei Yan once he set her down. Her face was ashen, and she trembled as she looked at him. It took her a few minutes to fully regain her composure before she could express her gratitude.

"You could have used your Soul Power to activate the Teleportation Scroll and escaped immediately," Lei Yan said with a slight nod, offering a gentle reminder.

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