"How is this still a part of our curriculum? Sect master is practically asking us to declare an unending war," Xiao Wu said, gulping nervously.

"Oh, that objective master Zi declared was only the primary objective, disciples," Kong Ye answered. He seemed to have predicted the questions and had memorized the answers to the complaints.

"There are multiple objectives?" Xiao Wu's face turned sour.

"Oh hell no..." Han Xuhan felt waves of dread climbing down his spine.

"Indeed! All elders have already been briefed before coming here. Listen!"

Kong Ye produced a scroll from his robe and read the contents out loud.

"Once the introductory session has successfully been completed, the number of objectives shall slowly be increased per following session.

In the second session, the primary objective is to repeat the measuring competition inside the territories of other sects.

Alongside this, four more tasks will be added.

One, defeat four disciples of another sect in combat.

Two, carry back weapons, food or treasures weighing over 100 kilograms.

Three, demolish a house.

Four, whoever is guarding the treasure you'll have to rob according to the rules of the new mode of competition...make them chase you for 30 seconds before you successfully escape from their island."

Silence fell as Kong Ye finished reading the scroll. Darkness fell as the sun's last trace disappeared from the horizon behind him. Han Xuhan wanted to fall as well, plop onto the ground and beat his own chest in despair. But his heart had grown numb to sorrow by now.

"You're...you're saying we'll have to accomplish those?" Xiao Wu's voice reflected his emotions, rough, gravelly and cold.

"Someone will have to!" Kong Ye shrugged. "You do not need to try all of the objectives. There is no real punishment for failure to do accomplish any of the objectives, primary or secondary, as you've seen. But if you want your skills to progress, if you want our sect to progress, enrich your combat experience, and most importantly, get our newly established mountain peak a decent spot in the list of contributions, you don't have much of a choice. As you may have noticed, our sect master has put more emphasis of this practical curriculum compared to the real competition of the tournament. Why do you think he did that?"

Seeing them silent, Kong Ye answered himself. "This is to ensure a high-quality educational trip for all of you. Master Zi isn't so narrow-minded as to put some tournament trophy ahead of the disciples' interest in his list of priorities. Due to attending in this competition, a vital training regime mandatory for all disciples of the Crimson Snow Sect has been skipped.

Stolen story; please report.

The sect master has adopted this new lesson scheme in order to fulfill that gap in your curriculum.

Out there, in the territories of those foreign sects, you shall face opponents from nearly every part of this planet, wielding techniques you've never heard of, displaying skills beyond your knowledge, in a stage like this archipelago where even we elders do not dare to explore recklessly.

You must bank on the techniques you have mastered till now, the combat experience you've gained so far, the teachings your masters have been imparting to you every day, even right now.

Yes, this will carry with it grave danger, chances of fatal injuries and even death, heavens forbid.

But this is a golden chance for a true genius to shine."

Nobody except Mu Ran seemed particularly delighted upon hearing Kong Ye's fiery declaration. As the man bid them farewell, Han Xuhan approached Yuen Zhou and handed her a pouch full of food for a certain minion of his.

"Little Zhe, go play with aunt Zhou, okay? Papa has some work to do."

Throwing the summoned minion into her arms, Han Xuhan was about to leave right away, but Kong Ye appeared out of nowhere and put a hand on his shoulder, silent as a deadly predator.

Han Xuhan nonchalantly stood still and watched his martial siblings climb their way back to the top of the mountain. Once they were out of audible range, Kong Ye's expression turned serious.

"I have two news for you, disciple."

"One good and the other bad?" Han Xuhan asked.

"You can say that." Kong Ye's face twitched.

Gingerly, he took out a tiny vial, half-filled with greenish liquid.

"Guess what this is, disciple."

Han Xuhan took his time, running his thoughts in every possible direction. In the end, the answer he came up with was indeed good news for him, if true.

"You've found an antidote to the poison, master?" he said, voice shaking, heartbeat erratic.

The Mind Killer. Able to mentally cripple a human, even cultivators weren't safe from its attack. This was the poison he was supposed to use on talented disciples from foreign sects. Otherwise, Fang Xie would have an excuse to snatch him from the shelter of the Crimson Snow sect and 'study' him.

Kong Ye nodded and handed the vial to him. Han Xuhan was half tempted to ask what Kong Ye wanted in exchange...but he didn't have the courage. Instead, he said, "What's the bad news, then?"

"I have managed to concoct only one vial with all the ingredients I could find. Not a drop more can be created. More importantly, the vial you showed me that day was a fairly mild dose, yet it still has enough lethality to fight with this weak antidote. This entire vial can only stand equal to that vial of poison if the victim is lucky enough."

"What are the chances?"

"Eighty-twenty, if you're optimistic."

"And it is impossible to create more? Stronger versions?"

"Can't find the ingredients here in the middle of the ocean, can we?" Kong Ye shrugged.

Han Xuhan let out a deep breath.

"I'll forever be grateful, master."

"That's good. I'd be happier with a promise to not do something terrible with that poison...but I'm guessing that isn't an option, huh?"

Kong Ye seemed to have guessed something. Han Xuhan had contemplated how to answer if Kong Ye tried to help him solve whatever problem he was facing.

But for some strange reason, Kong Ye never offered help in that way. Instead, Kong Ye had directly handed him the antidote to the poison without digging too deep into the matter.

It made things easier, but it made Han Xuhan uneasy.

What did this guy know?

"I wish it was, teacher," he replied in the end.

"Then you better be careful with that antidote. Don't be in a rush to use it. After all, the poison itself is pretty mild in terms of toxicity like I said. It won't kill anyone directly. Only use the antidote if you think...it will make a difference."

Kong Ye left with those words. Han Xuhan stood alone under the darkening sky and mulled over his future plans.

Indeed, what exactly could this antidote achieve? Maybe he could save just one of Fang Xie's victims with it.

How would that help?