C2 Being Forced into a Dead End by Fate

Eldest Senior Brother's body instantly vaporized into a cloud of blood mist, dispersing in all directions, felled by a single strike.

Qin Yu let out a heaven-shattering roar, his voice echoing to the sky, "Why, why must you all push me to this!"

He furiously hammered at his chest, releasing years of pent-up frustration and the humiliations he had endured, which now seemed to fade away with each furious bellow.

Meanwhile, within the Clear Essence Sect's Xuan Qing Hall, an old man with a white beard, who had been deep in meditation, abruptly opened his eyes and murmured, "Hmm, this roar... could it be a great demon? I must investigate."

No sooner had he spoken than his eyes blazed with brilliant light, and he vanished from the hall in a swift motion.

In the blink of an eye, several streaks of light shot across the Clear Essence Sect, from the inside out. The more observant disciples recognized that these fleeting glimmers signified the presence of the sect's most esteemed figures.

Surprisingly, the lights all converged toward the service area, a place nearly forgotten by the sect.

Upon witnessing this, someone gasped, "Could it be a major incident?"

The white-bearded elder was the first to arrive, followed closely by the other luminous figures. Upon seeing him, the eminent members of the sect quickly paid their respects, "Sect Master."

The Sect Master gave a slight nod, his gaze falling upon the bodies strewn on the ground. He sniffed the air, taking in the lingering scent of violence, and his face grew stern as he declared, "A demon has emerged. Issue the command for heightened vigilance within the sect. Furthermore, conduct a thorough investigation to apprehend the perpetrator!"

The other high-ranking members exchanged glances, then, after a moment, they respectfully acknowledged the command, "We will heed the Sect Master's wise counsel."

"Let's disperse now. This information must be contained; it cannot be leaked. The Clear Essence Sect is not as formidable as it once was; we can ill afford any further setbacks," the Sect Master murmured, striding forward. With just a few steps, he disappeared from the sight of the onlookers.

Qin Yu had already stealthily returned to his quarters. Yet, he lay curled up at the foot of his bed, unable to sleep. The shock of awakening his Demon Body was too great, compounded by the fact that he had just killed his Eldest Senior Brother. He was acutely aware that the sect would leave no stone unturned in their investigation.

If it were discovered that he was responsible, his life would be at stake!

Throughout the night, Qin Yu was consumed by the fear of being apprehended. It wasn't until the dawn's early light that he confirmed the power of his newly awakened Demon Body and made a daring and desperate decision.

"If I can't avoid it, then I'll just have to take a chance!" he declared, pounding the bed frame with his fist and muttering through clenched teeth.

Qin Yu, who had grown up in the servant's area, was well-versed in the myths surrounding the sect's Core Disciples – the true chosen of the heavens. Within the Clear Essence Sect, genius absolved all sins.

He recalled a disciple who had practiced forbidden arts and slain two Core Disciples. The sect, recognizing his formidable strength, had astonishingly wiped the slate clean.

With this in mind, Qin Yu resolved to challenge a Core Disciple – a thought previously inconceivable to him.

The Clear Essence Sect had a standing rule: defeat a Core Disciple, and you take their place. The resources and privileges afforded to a Core Disciple were incomparable to those of an ordinary disciple.

In essence, if Qin Yu wished to survive, his only option was to risk everything and challenge a Core Disciple, effectively cornering himself. As for the elders' acceptance of his Demon Body awakening, he hadn't given it much thought. His plan was to play it by ear.

After all, when faced with destiny, he had no other choice.

As the early morning sun ascended, the disciples of the Clear Essence Sect sprang into action. But suddenly, the resonant peal of a bell filled the air.

Almost every ordinary disciple paused their tasks and stood rooted to the spot, their faces a mix of shock and awe as they gazed toward the inner hall.

"Someone's ringing the Soul Bell!"

"Indeed, no one's rung it since Eldest Senior Brother did. I wonder which foolhardy soul dares to challenge a Core Disciple."

"Let's check it out. It's not every day someone shows such bravery."

Chattering amongst themselves, the disciples moved in small clusters toward the inner hall, eager for a spectacle that the Clear Essence Sect hadn't seen in quite some time.

At the inner hall's entrance, Qin Yu stood by the towering Soul Bell, relentlessly striking it with a massive mallet.

Soon after, the inner hall doors swung open, and a gaunt middle-aged man stepped through, his eyes razor-sharp as they scrutinized Qin Yu. Noticing no hint of cultivation energy from the young man, he asked with a hint of surprise, "Were you the one who rang the Soul Bell?"

The man was the proctor for the Core Disciple challenge, so Qin Yu was careful to show respect. He bowed slightly and said with due politeness, "I am Qin Yu, a disciple from the Servant Area, requesting to challenge for a Core Disciple position."

Meanwhile, as more ordinary disciples arrived to witness the commotion, some recognized Qin Yu and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Look who it is! Isn't that the hopeless case from the Servant Area who can't even cultivate?"

"Seriously, I'm starting to think this guy's been kicked in the head by a mule, showing up here in broad daylight looking for a beating."

"Please, he's either lost his mind or he's just plain foolish. With his meek demeanor, he's got the nerve to challenge a Core Disciple? He's just asking to be blown sky-high with a single puff!"

The crowd jeered, while some disciples showed signs of disappointment, sensing that the anticipated drama might fizzle out before it even began.

The examiner, momentarily taken aback, quickly grew impatient and warned, "This is the Inner Palace, not a place for your foolish antics. Leave at once!"

Qin Yu clenched his jaw and once more bowed with his hands clasped, saying, "I truly came here to..."

"Can't you understand plain English?" The examiner was clearly enraged as he pointed at Qin Yu's nose and bellowed, "Do you take me for blind? I haven't detected even the slightest fluctuation of a cultivator's aura from you. If a failure like you has the audacity to challenge a Core Disciple in my Inner Palace, then what is this place? A flea market?"

"Now, leave this instant, or I will break your legs!"

Despite the examiner's harsh rebukes, Qin Yu's expression remained unchanged. After taking a deep breath, he lifted the bell hammer and struck the soul bell once more to signify his resolve. Then, he spoke deliberately to the examiner, "I, Qin Yu, hereby challenge the Core Disciple, here and now!"