Lucifer's eyelids fluttered, gradually awakening to the gentle embrace of the forest's tranquility. As the first rays of morning filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns upon his face, a profound sense of relief flooded his being. The throbbing ache that had plagued his skull had dissipated, replaced by a lingering aura of wellness. The gradual recovery of his left arm instilled a flicker of hope, hinting at a future where it would reclaim its former strength.

Drawing in a slow, deliberate breath, he succumbed to the allure of meditation, surrendering to its soothing cadence. The rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds provided a serene backdrop, soothing his restless mind.

With his thoughts unclouded, he embarked upon the task of unraveling the enigma that was the previous night's events. Fragmented memories intertwined as he wove together a tapestry of possibilities. The elusive puzzle beckoned, teasing him with its hidden truths. Above all, he harbored a steadfast conviction: the enigmatic strings that bound him were unmistakably linked to the machinations of the system.

An abrupt surge of anxiety jolted him from his introspection, snapping him back to the present. "Wait, no! System Status!" His voice reverberated through the forest, a desperate plea to preserve the invaluable skill and status window that had become his lifeline. Fear seized him, a chilling reminder that the severing of those ethereal strings might also rob him of his connection to the system's powers.

Devil Transformation System

Identity :

Name : Lucifer

Race : Devil

Cultivation :

Stage : Mortal Body

Exp : 0/100

Stats :

Skill Energy : 350/1000

Soul Points : 1000

Fear Points : 0

Lifespan : 10 years

Skills :

1. Devil's Vision

2. Telekinesis [D]

3. Mirror Connection [D]

4. Ghost Transformation [C]

Devil Exclusive Skills :

1. Deal with the Devil

2. Devil's Subordinates

3. Devil Transformation

Lucifer's tense shoulders relaxed, and a soft exhale escaped his lips as he observed the system status. Despite his profound distaste for the system and all its manipulations, he couldn't deny that, without its abilities, he was as insignificant as an ant. With a cautious eye, he meticulously surveyed the various options displayed on the system status. The memory of his previous oversight compelled him to read everything meticulously this time.

Amidst his thorough examination, two conspicuous changes caught his attention. First, the Fear Points option had reappeared, raising an eyebrow in intrigue. Second, to his surprise, the illusion skill had vanished without a trace. The randomness of these alterations struck him, yet Lucifer knew better than to attribute them to chance alone. His mind set to work, unraveling the implications of these modifications, eventually leading him to two conclusions.

"The system might have deliberately concealed Fear Points option, possibly intending to coerce me into taking lives," he speculated aloud. "And perhaps it used the illusion skill on me to manipulate my actions, which would explain its removal by the sword."

These conjectures sounded like wild notions, yet they were the most logical deductions he could muster.

"Ah, I think I get it now. It's possible that the system deliberately made me kill people, knowing it would mess with my mind. And then, it took advantage of my fragile mental state for using the illusion skill to manipulate me even more. Yeah, that actually makes sense."

"On the other hand, it's also possible that it had already predicted that the first person I would end up killing would be Emily's father....... But honestly, that sounds a bit too unbelievable to me."

With every passing thought, a multitude of ideas and questions inundated his mind. However, Lucifer forcibly quelled them, understanding that arriving at hasty conclusions without substantial evidence would be foolish. Resolutely, he picked up the sword and decided to make his way toward the Dragon Crest Sect.

Activating the Ghost Transformation skill with a swift motion, he set off on his journey. Much to his surprise, the sword remained snugly in his grip. It felt as if the sword itself had undergone its own ghostly transformation, mirroring his skills.

"Now that I think about it," he pondered, his gaze shifting to his clothes, "do they transform into a ghostly form too?" He examined his attire closely, noting that it appeared as pristine as the day he had received it from the system.

"Hmm, could they have been self-repaired?" he pondered, realizing the need to thoroughly comprehend each of his skills upon reaching the Dragon Crest Sect. With this thought in mind, he pressed forward.

....

Lucifer arrived at Crystal Wave City after a five-day journey, and he was surprised to find it perched on top of a mountain. He had imagined it to be located near Azure Tide Lake, envisioning a different reality. As he neared the city, he observed the massive mountain with Azure Tide Lake gracing one side, while the city nestled at the foot surrounding the lake. Towards the summit of the mountain, clouds resembling those over the Phoenix Feather Sect, where he associated the presence of the Dragon Crest Sect, obscured the sky.

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Descending gracefully into the forest, Lucifer decided that entering the sect through the city gate would be the wisest approach. However, upon his approach, he discovered a lengthy queue extending before the gate, prompting him to join the line at its tail end. Observing those standing ahead, he noticed a variety of individuals, including merchants with caravans and other townsfolk. Yet, the majority comprised teenagers, approximately fifteen years old.

A revelation struck Lucifer swiftly as he grasped the implications. He turned to the person standing in front of him and inquired about the timing of the Disciple Selection Exam of the Dragon Crest Sect. To his delight, the person confirmed that the exam was indeed taking place on that very day.

As the line slowly inched forward, Lucifer finally reached the entrance of the city. There, he overheard a conversation between a group of people and the guard.

"Is there no entry fee today?" a man asked the guard.

"Yeah, today is the Disciple Selection Exam, so..." replied the guard.

"Isn't this city peculiar? Other cities double their charges during such events," remarked the man.

The guard remained silent as the man entered the city.

Finally, it was Lucifer's turn. The guard scrutinized him closely, assuming a respectful and subservient demeanor upon seeing his attire. "Purpose of entry, sir?" the guard inquired.

"Disciple Selection Exam," Lucifer responded.

The guard appeared momentarily startled before granting Lucifer entry, kindly advising him to acquire a scabbard for his sword.

Once inside the city, Lucifer swiftly inquired about the directions to the sect and promptly made his way there. Along the ascent, he couldn't help but notice the different condition of the city's inhabitants compared to Phoenix Feather City or even White Lotus City. It wasn't that the people in the other two cities were mistreated or oppressed, but the individuals here seemed content—perhaps even satisfied.

Upon arriving at the sect's gates, Lucifer noticed a gathering of approximately fifty individuals, all around the age of fifteen or sixteen. Curious, he approached someone and inquired why they hadn't entered the sect yet. The response indicated that entry was only permitted when the sun reached its zenith directly overhead.

Although the reason eluded Lucifer, he silently found solace under a tree, choosing to meditate while awaiting the opportune moment.

As Lucifer sat in solemn meditation, a boy ventured toward him, stealthily and unannounced. Though Lucifer's eyes remained shut, he had developed an ingrained ritual of keeping his Devil's Vision skill perpetually active within a ten-meter radius. Manipulating the boundaries of this skill had been an intriguing revelation he stumbled upon during his experimental exploits of the past five days.

This boy possessed a visage so profoundly unremarkable, it struck Lucifer with an eerie sense of unfamiliarity. His stature, neither towering nor diminutive, exuded an unsettling mediocrity. Not a shred of ugliness marred his countenance, yet there lingered an indistinguishable quality that seemed destined to fade into obscurity, a face one might easily forget unless subjected to its presence day in and day out.

The boy plopped down next to Lucifer, excitement twinkling in his eyes. "Hey there!!! So, um, why are you here? Before you snap and say, 'Isn't it obvious?' - no offense, by the way - it's actually not obvious to me. See, this is like a sect joining exam for youngsters like me, but what about you?" He beamed, his curiosity bubbling over, eager for answers.

Lucifer decided to ignore him because the child's words made him ponder whether he would be allowed to enter the exam. Although he hadn't heard anything about an age limit.....

"Hmm, no response, huh? Well, whatever. I was just wondering if you're a martial artist or maybe a cultivator, you know? But judging by your lack of response, or maybe it's a response in itself, I'm guessing you're here for the exam just like me. Sorry for bothering you, though," the boy mumbled, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Lucifer also harbored concerns about the nature of the exam. If it involved a testing device that directly assessed his abilities, he worried that his distinct anatomy, differing from that of humans, could pose problems. Additionally, he fretted over the possibility of cultivators overseeing the examination, as they might nullify the effectiveness of his telekinesis and other skills.....

"Hey, do you know what tests they make us go through during this exam?" the inquisitive boy blurted out, just as Lucifer was about to shoo him away. But to his surprise, the boy didn't stop there. He pressed on, saying, "So, you don't even have a clue? Sigh. Perhaps that explains why you're only joining the exam now. Well, anyway, let me share some information that I've managed to gather," he stated, a sense of accomplishment evident in his voice.

"Well, you see, in every exam, there are three tests.The first one is all about our physical abilities. It's like a test to see if we're strong, agile, and can endure the martial arts stuff. They wanna make sure we're up for it, you know?

"Then, there's the second test, which is all about our heart as martial artists. It's like checking if we're really committed and determined. They wanna see if we have that inner strength and resilience. It's like a way to measure how much we really want this.

"Now, the third test, man, that's where things get super cool. It's all about our combat IQ. That means they wanna see if we can think on our feet and come up with smart strategies during fights. They check our tactical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how we adapt in the heat of battle. It's a big deal for becoming a well-rounded martial artist.

"But, here's the twist. While these three tests are always there in every exam, the actual challenges and stuff change. They keep switching things up, so we can't just rely on memorizing answers or techniques. Each exam throws us different curveballs, forcing us to think outside the box and use our abilities in new ways. It keeps things exciting, man, and prepares us for whatever crazy situations we might face as martial artists."

The boy's fervent manner of speaking suggested his deep fascination with the subject matter, as if he was eager to share it with someone. However, Lucifer paid little attention to the boy's behavior, as he was primarily focused on the information he had acquired.

"No need to thank me. Just take it as my way of saying sorry for messing up your meditation," the boy said, as if he totally predicted Lucifer's upcoming gratitude

'I need to stay vigilant. As long as there are no testing devices around, I should be safe from detection. But I can't let my guard down completely. I must be ready to make a swift escape if necessary. Also these physical tests are becoming a real concern for me. I've noticed my body is incredibly weak, and I'm not sure if I can handle these tests. Maybe I can use telekinesis to compensate, but that poses a problem if there are cultivators present. Their abilities could expose me......' Lucifer's thoughts were once again interrupted by the boy, causing a brief pause in his contemplation.

"Oh my gosh, hey there! I can't believe I almost forgot to introduce myself, but better late than never, right? So, hey, hey, hey! I'm Maxwell Rivers, but you can totally call me Max. I mean, it's a pretty awesome name, isn't it? Anyway, I'm super into martial arts and cultivation. Like, seriously, I'm obsessed with them! If you happen to know any martial artists or cultivators, you absolutely have to introduce me to them. I'd be over the moon, seriously!

"Oh, oh, oh! And hey, listen, if by some crazy chance you pass this Exam and I don't, you've got to promise me you'll teach me everything you know. I mean, come on, it's only fair, right? We gotta stick together and help each other out in this crazy world of martial arts and cultivation.

"By the way, do you read novels? Wait, don't even answer that, because I already know the answer! I am a huge fan of novels, my friend. I mean, I went all out and used up a whole year's worth of my earnings just to get this one novel. Can you believe it? But let me tell you, it was totally worth it! The story was so epic, it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. So, what about you? Do you read novels too? Why aren't you saying anything? Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to give them to me for free or anything like that. I'd totally work for you, do some tasks or chores or whatever, just to get my hands on some awesome novels. What do you think? Sounds like a sweet deal, right?................" And Max continued talking despite Lucifer not saying a single word. This continued until the gates to the sect opened