C8 Eighth Chapter

Yang Ying gripped the long sword in his hand, his words deliberate and clear, "I'm going to take part in the Trial Assembly!"

Wang Mingxuan stared at Yang Ying, disbelief etched on his face. Yet, seeing the resolve shining in Yang Ying's eyes, he held back his initial response.

"Senior Brother Yang, if you're set on competing, please be cautious. I'll gather some intel on the Trial Assembly for you in the coming days."

Yang Ying turned to Wang Mingxuan. "Junior Brother Wang, do you know any senior brother skilled in weapon forging? I'm looking to replace this sword." He gestured toward the long sword resting on the table.

"Senior Brother Yang, that's the sword you received when you first started, right? It's high time for an upgrade. Check out mine!"

Wang Mingxuan extended his own sword toward Yang Ying. "I got this new blade at the beginning of the year, crafted by Senior Brother Zhao, a master weapon refiner. It's a medium-grade magic weapon named Luochen, infused with Cold Abyss Stone for unmatched sharpness."

He unsheathed the sword, and a gleam of cold light flashed. "Impressive, isn't it? Leave the sword exchange to me. I'll go ask Senior Brother Zhao right away."

With that, Wang Mingxuan dashed off, only to halt abruptly and spin around. "Senior Brother Yang, any specific requests for your new sword?"

Yang Ying took a moment to reflect. "Give me a moment to think. I'll be wielding it at the Trial Assembly in a month. It must be sharper and more durable!"

"Got it, I'm on it!" Wang Mingxuan didn't wait for a farewell, already sprinting away.

Yang Ying walked back to his bed, musing aloud, "The Trial Assembly is just a month away! I must reach at least the ninth level of Qi Refining, though hitting the peak of the tenth level would be ideal. That's going to be tough. Looks like I'll need to find a way to spend more time in the Back Mountain—maybe even figure out how to stay overnight."

Yang Ying resolved to meditate and settled into a cross-legged position.

By the next morning, Yang Ying had completed his cultivation. He picked up a mission from the Mission Hall and stocked up on provisions before heading out to the Back Mountain.

The two senior brothers stationed at the Back Mountain were well-acquainted with Yang Ying. After exchanging greetings, he ventured deeper into the mountain. His current objective was to hunt level five demonic beasts in the inner regions of the Back Mountain.

Demonic beasts inherently possessed bodies far stronger than humans, making it a rare feat for cultivators to slay demonic beasts of equivalent level.

The heart of the Back Mountain, however, was beyond Yang Ying's reach for now.

Rumors had it that the Back Mountain led to the hundred thousand mountains, one of the five deadliest areas around, inhabited by fearsome Nascent Infant Demon Kings.

With his sword at the ready, Yang Ying sprinted forward. Encountering low-level demonic beasts along the way, he effortlessly employed the Soaring Movement Arts, leaving them bewildered and far behind.

Before long, Yang Ying reached the territory of the level five demonic beasts. He methodically tracked their signs as he had done many times before. Approaching a tree, he crouched to examine the marks left by the creatures.

A demon python was likely in the vicinity, though its exact species eluded him. Abruptly, he looked up, his sword slicing through the air.

The sky was empty until, at the apex of his sword's arc, a massive head materialized out of nowhere.

A level six Black Cloud Python had launched itself at Yang Ying from the tree, forked tongue flickering menacingly.

The Black Cloud Python, vast and dark, was struck across the head by Yang Ying's blade, splattering snake blood.

The python crashed to the ground with a thunderous noise. It lashed out with its tail, coiling and unleashing a formidable power.

Yet Yang Ying remained composed. The Yang Ying of days past would have been at a loss against such a creature. This Black Cloud Python was a formidable opponent among level six demonic beasts.

Having grown significantly stronger over the past couple of days, Yang Ying was brimming with confidence. He deftly used the Soaring Movement Arts to sidestep the python, while his Gale Fast Sword technique targeted the Black Cloud Python's vital seven-inch region. In moments, the beast lay lifeless, succumbing to its injuries.

"Congratulations to the host for slaying a level six demonic beast—the Black Cloud Python. You have earned 45 points of Origin Strength!"

Yang Ying deftly sliced open the belly of the Black Cloud Python with his long sword and extracted the snake gall in one fluid motion.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Yang Ying had encountered only four level five demonic beasts in addition to the Black Cloud Python.

He located a sturdy tree and meticulously surveyed the area. After ascending the tree and completing his inspection, he retrieved a small bottle from his backpack and sprinkled the contents around.

The powder was a popular insect repellent on the Qiming Continent, known for its effectiveness in warding off poisonous insects, rodents, and ants—a must-have for anyone spending the night in the wilderness.

Yang Ying then took out his rations and began to eat.

The food was dry and tough, yet he savored it as if it were a gourmet meal.

While eating, he tallied the day's gains: the level six Black Cloud Python had yielded 45 points, and the four level five demonic beasts had provided a total of 160 points.

The scarcity of level six demonic beasts was concerning. He resolved to continue his search in the area for another day. If the count remained low, he would venture deeper into the territory.

At the break of dawn, a fine mist veiled the forest. The occasional chirp of insects and distant roars of beasts punctuated the silence.

Slowly, the insect chorus faded, leaving only the whispering rustle of the wind through the trees.

Without notice, a leopard materialized in the clearing before the tree. Its movements were soundless—it was a Shadow Leopard.

Yang Ying remained seated in meditation on the tree trunk, seemingly oblivious.

The Shadow Leopard paused to study Yang Ying. Seeing no reaction, it leapt onto the tree trunk next to him.

With a swift bound, it lunged at Yang Ying, claws bared.

In an instant, Yang Ying vanished. Before anyone could tell, he had positioned himself atop the Shadow Leopard. Sword in hand, he thrust downward.

The Shadow Leopard tried to sidestep at the last moment, but it was too late. The sword slashed a gash across its head, marring one of its eyes.

The Shadow Leopard came to a halt beside him, blood streaming from one of its eyes. It lunged once more, but Yang Ying nimbly sidestepped the attack. The beast raised its right claw for another strike.

Yang Ying evaded yet again, and the Shadow Leopard's right claw left a shower of wood shavings on the tree trunk.

Without missing a beat, the Shadow Leopard's tail whipped through the air, the sound of it cutting through the wind like a howl. Yang Ying shifted to the right, above the Shadow Leopard, and unleashed the Gale Sword Arts. His Sword Qi, accompanied by the piercing cry of the blade, cleaved towards the Shadow Leopard's neck.

Caught off guard, the Shadow Leopard was struck squarely by the sword, bleeding profusely.

Yang Ying advanced once more, delivering another decisive blow.

"Congratulations to the host for slaying a level 6 demonic beast, the Shadow Leopard. You have earned 45 points of Origin Strength!"

It was a good thing Yang Ying was always on alert, even while meditating, maintaining a keen awareness of his surroundings. Additionally, having merged with the memories of the body's original owner, his sensitivity to external stimuli was far greater than that of an average person.

Indeed, Yang Ying had sensed the Shadow Leopard's presence the moment it had settled beneath the tree. It was then that he had executed the Soaring Movement Arts, leaving behind nothing but an afterimage.

With his task complete, Yang Ying proceeded with his daily routine of hunting demonic beasts.