Instantly accelerating my mind with psionics, I managed to regain clarity of thought. I was already on the verge of considering whether to use my techniques to prematurely end this sadist’s existence in our world. Instead, I focused on closely observing how the incredibly intricate seal of subjugation embedded itself into my body. Fortunately, it didn’t interfere with the workings of my Qi Thread, confining its influence solely to my heart.
Five seconds in real time, an eternity that felt like an hour of virtual torture under my accelerated perception and the seal finally settled into place.
"Impressive, you’re still conscious. Strong indeed!" - the old man praised me before retreating back into his dark corner. My restraints were removed, and I was hastily escorted out of the building. Staggering slightly, I found a spot to sit nearby, trying to collect myself. Curious gazes were cast my way, but I ignored them, focusing instead on regaining my composure.
A minute later, a bloodcurdling scream echoed from behind the door. The crowd flinched and took a collective step back, clearly reconsidering their eagerness to become official sect members.
"Strange, I didn’t hear you scream" - remarked the head examiner, walking over to me.
"That’s because I didn’t" - I replied evenly.
Initially, I was tempted to point out that he might be going deaf in his old age, but decided against antagonizing someone who was still stronger than me for now.
"First time I’ve seen that happen" - he admitted, a hint of grudging respect in his voice.
"Why not just knock the candidates out before inscribing the seal?" - I asked, genuinely curious.
"They wake up anyway. We’ve tried that" - he said with a dismissive wave, clearly in the mood for conversation. - "Besides, Lord Cheon Wan Yu prefers his victims to look at him with eyes full of life. He’s not just a seal master, but also a master torturer. It’s better for you if you never see him again."
"I’ll gladly take your word for it" - I said, recalling the mad gleam in the old man’s eyes. - "Are there any other seal masters in the sect?" - I added casually, mentally beginning to compile a list of my future targets.
"The sect master and his son" - the examiner said, nodding as if agreeing with his own thoughts. - "Cheon Wan Yu is the sect master’s grandson, but he failed to break through to the next stage, so his path in life was sealed. Don’t go spreading this around, though. The master torturer has ears everywhere in the sect, and those who fail to show him proper respect often find themselves summoned for a personal ‘conversation’ in his dungeons. Few emerge from those sessions, and even fewer with their sanity and limbs intact."
This sect was becoming less and less appealing by the minute. Maybe I should have stayed in the village and grown rice instead.
An hour later, the ordeal was over, and every surviving candidate now bore the seal. Unfortunately, only 51 of us had made it through. My consort was among the dead, further adding to my grievances against the sect. At this rate, it seemed inevitable that I would one day wipe out every last member of this sect.
Once we were redistributed into our quarters, Dao Yu once again ended up as my neighbor. Fifteen minutes later, Chu Zhu Zhu paid us a visit. Commanding everyone but the two of us to leave, he addressed us in a far friendlier tone.
"Tan Ji Tao, how are you feeling? Not injured, I hope?"
"No, I’m perfectly fine, Master" - I replied.
"Good, good. Elder Sun Wei Bonk instructed me to prepare a healing pill and give it to you in case of injury. But since you’re fine, I’m allowed to give it to Dao Yu instead. Hear that, junior disciple? You must be sure to thank the elder for this kindness."
"Yes, Master. I am infinitely grateful to him and to you" - Dao Yu replied humbly, though his gritted teeth betrayed his pain. His swollen, mangled right arm looked pitiful.
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With an air of importance, Chu Zhu Zhu produced a small ornate box and removed a glowing, radiant pill about the size of a coin. The energy emanating from it was palpable, lighting up the dimly lit room.
"Master, did you create this yourself?" - Dao Yu asked reverently, his tone awed.
"Yes. To make it, I used remnants of the Ten-Year Sun Grass provided by Elder Sun Wei Bonk" - the teacher said with pride. - "Tan Ji Tao, you should also be grateful to the elder."
"Of course, Master" - I nodded, feigning sincerity.
In truth, the pill was a pale shadow compared to the dozen superior pills I had found in Sun Zi Liang’s ring. Still, considering that the elder was spending his resources on a rootless orphan with no guarantees of loyalty, this generosity seemed like a calculated move to bind me through gratitude and obligation.
Dao Yu lay down on the pallet as Chu Zhu Zhu placed the pill into his mouth. The effect was nearly instantaneous. The pill's energy dispersed throughout his body, healing every injury. Bones realigned and fused, cuts sealed, bruises faded — it was as if nothing had ever happened. In just five minutes, Dao Yu was completely healed. Meanwhile, in those same five minutes, I gained a basic understanding of how to use Qi for healing. It was hard to comprehend how a pill could contain a spell capable of such intricate work. And knowing that our teacher had created it raised even more questions.
"Ah, the divine energy of the Ten-Year Sun Grass is astonishing" - the alchemist sighed in admiration. - "This is only the second pill of its kind I’ve ever created in my entire life, and I have every reason to be proud."
"Congratulations, Master" - I replied, bowing with both hands clasped before me, a standard respectful gesture in this world.
It seemed the magic lay in the herb itself. Properly harnessed, it could create miracles or atrocities, depending on one's perspective. However, this wasn’t my way. I preferred to rely on my own skills, rather than on incomprehensible miracles that might work one day and fail the next. The whole process reeked too much of ritualistic magic for my taste.
Having deemed his mission complete, the alchemist departed. Finally, I had the opportunity to feign sleep and examine the mark that had been placed on me. I barely understood how it worked, but the enchantment could be divided into three parts.
One part formed the “tattoo,” which could be revealed or hidden by channeling Qi into it. The second part handled the transmission of a “friend or foe” signal and identified other marks in proximity. It also activated the third part of the spell, which was designed to inflict severe pain on the cultivator or, if necessary, destroy their Qi channels and physical heart.
Given these delightful prospects, I decided to prioritize “blocking” the third part’s functionality and then work on erasing it altogether. At this stage, the Qi embedded in the mark was too dense for me to exert significant influence, but I managed to identify “key nodes” in its complex mechanism and “jam” them by infusing my own Qi. This would disable the mark’s pain-infliction mode.
I also deliberately isolated the mark’s Qi from my own, ensuring that they wouldn’t integrate. From studying the marks on the guards and the chief examiner, I had a rough idea of how these things “rooted” into the body, making them nearly impossible to remove. But for now, it remained a foreign entity within me, not yet fully integrated.
The next morning, at the crack of dawn, we were assembled in the courtyard once again. The same man in armor appeared before us.
“Alright, my name is Chi Hua Hua. Today, is the most significant day in your otherwise insignificant lives. You will undergo a trial that might grant you great fortune, making you powerful cultivators. But before we proceed, there’s a small issue to resolve. The trial allows for only fifty participants, and there are fifty-one of you. So, those who arrived last yesterday will fight to the death.”
I glanced at Dao Yu, whose face displayed stern resolve. His opponent was bulkier and older, but his expression betrayed fear. The two stepped forward before our ranks, and Chi Hua Hua gave the command to begin.
Dao Yu immediately lunged forward, striking with enhanced strength fueled by Qi. The pill he had consumed the day before had left an excess of energy in his system, which he now unleashed in the fight.
His opponent, on the other hand, was sluggish and focused on defense, a strategy ill-suited for the situation. Within seconds, Dao Yu broke his arm, delivered a blow that fractured four ribs near the heart, and finally twisted the boy’s neck, snapping it with a sickening 360-degree rotation.
“Excellent!” - Chi Hua Hua clapped, clearly pleased with the display. - “This is what a true cultivator should be: energetic, decisive, and ruthless. Remember this when you face today’s trial.”
Dao Yu returned to the line, and the examiner walked along the row, assessing our potential.
“Now, I’ll explain how today’s trial will unfold. Your chances of survival are higher than yesterday’s, but don’t get complacent. The success of this trial will determine your future. Whether you rise to become one of the sect’s elders or rot in a ditch will be decided today. So, listen closely and don’t interrupt.”
He then launched into a fascinating explanation of the trial.
After breakfast, we were to ascend the gorge and enter the Valley of Deprivation. In that valley lay the tomb of an immensely powerful ancient cultivator who, before dying, had decided to bless future generations with their secret knowledge.