Chapter 74: Endless Trial

On the mountain path not far from the council hall.

"Young Master, Sect Leader Elias has summoned us for a meeting."

The Helmsman of the Crimson Whale Syndicate bowed his head and spoke in a low voice.

"The Silent Thunder Sect. How times have changed."

The Blood-Robed Youth gazed at the mist-shrouded mountain range. He sighed as if struck by a sudden realization.

"What aspect do you mean, Young Master?"

The Helmsman was slightly puzzled.

The syndicate leader had only instructed him to treat this mysterious youth with utmost respect, without revealing much else.

Naturally, he assumed the man must be a scion of some prominent family from the central domains or perhaps a noble son from another province.

From the sound of it, had the Young Master visited the sect before?

"Every aspect."

The Blood-Robed Youth walked ahead with his hands behind his back. He seemed to be in a good mood today, willing to chat a little more.

"What do you think of the current state of the Crimson Whale Syndicate?"

"Our syndicate has numerous disciples, with eyes and ears spread across the province. Wherever the Crimson Whale sails, its commands shake the martial world. We are thriving without question."

A trace of pride seeped into the Helmsman’s tone.

"Hah."

The Youth neither agreed nor disagreed before casually asking.

"And how does it compare to the sect today?"

"Not far behind."

The Helmsman was straightforward.

In terms of influence in the martial world, the sect couldn’t hold a candle to the Crimson Whale Syndicate.

But after witnessing the abundance of talent at the sect evaluation today, he gave a modest evaluation. Otherwise, he would have called it a close match.

"What if I told you that in its prime, even a single peak of this sect could effortlessly crush the syndicate?"

"This..."

The Helmsman was stunned.

He had heard of the sect’s former glory, but never imagined it to such an extent.

Without waiting for his reply, the Youth pointed forward.

"Look at these nine peaks."

"Forging weapons, alchemy, beast taming, compiling scriptures, enforcing discipline, commerce, cultivation. Every facet is covered."

"Tell me, what other sect in this world is so self-sufficient?"

The Helmsman pondered deeply.

Most sects in the world specialize. Those known for alchemy excel in it. Those famed for forging weapons rely on that craft. Each has its own unique expertise.

But one like the Silent Thunder Sect, dabbling in every field, is indeed rare.

Was the Young Master revealing the secret to the sect’s enduring prosperity?

"Your esteemed presence honors us. Forgive our lack of preparation in welcoming you."

Ahead stood a towering giant of a man, clasping his hands in greeting.

It was the peak master of Discipline.

Beside him stood the Provincial Governor and Elder Lucius of Beast Taming Peak.

"To have such distinguished figures greet us is an honor for the Crimson Whale Syndicate. There is no need for apologies."

The Helmsman returned the courtesy.

He was flattered but quickly understood when he noticed the Provincial Governor among them. The Governor was treating the Youth with noticeable deference.

The group proceeded toward the council hall together.

...

Upon entering, they saw representatives from various factions already gathered.

Sect Leader Elias sat at the head. He puffed on his long pipe. His gaze swept through the smoke with an imposing, unshakable presence.

Once everyone had arrived, he spoke slowly.

"All of you must be familiar with the Shadow Syndicate’s Endless Trial."

"Not long ago, a disciple of our sect retrieved an obsidian token during a mission."

As he spoke, a small obsidian coin landed on the long table with a crisp clink.

Many in the hall frowned.

Every Endless Trial inevitably stirs chaos. Though it is the Shadow Syndicate’s method of selecting and training assassins, it always brings trouble.

Those seeking to exploit the turmoil are never in short supply.

"This matter was reported by me."

"The provincial capital is the lifeline of the region. It must not descend into disorder. Thus, I ask for your assistance."

The Provincial Governor stood and declared firmly.

Everyone nodded in agreement, willing to lend their aid, then turned their eyes back to the head seat.

Elias tapped his pipe slowly before speaking again.

"The sect will dispatch several core disciples and one elder to assist."

"This... isn’t the number a bit too small?"

"Which disciples and which elder does Sect Leader Elias intend to send?"

A scholarly middle-aged man from the Blazing Jade Forest spoke up.

Elias glanced at him.

"For disciples, we will select the top performers from the sect evaluation. As for the elder..."

"Vespera has volunteered."

Hiss.

A collective intake of cold breath filled the room.

The Provincial Governor’s expression froze.

Vespera’s chaotic greed was far more dangerous than the Endless Trial.

...

Afternoon.

The sect evaluation resumed as scheduled.

Theo had run into Gael in the dining hall earlier.

Gael was a senior disciple of Beast Taming Peak. He harbored a grudge over the death of Vargas.

The details of their encounter need not be elaborated. It was a rather typical confrontation.

In short:

"If we meet on the stage, I swear I will yank that Crimson Edge right off you!"

That was the gist of it.

Theo noticed that Gael seemed particularly eager to obtain the Crimson Edge, despite not being a blademaster himself.

And guess what?

During the afternoon’s drawing of lots, the two were paired in the very first match of the top eight.

"Inner disciple Gael versus Armory Peak’s Theo!"

The steward announced loudly, holding up two name plaques.

Gael was arguably the closest to the historical standards of the evaluation, and his cultivation level was among the highest in the competition.

Most disciples who reached the Mystic Core realm had already aged out of eligibility.

"Heh."

Gael landed heavily on the stage. His aura surged at the peak of the Inner Scenery realm, brimming with arrogance.

His icy gaze locked onto Theo. Fists clenched so tightly they creaked.

Opposite him, Theo stepped onto the platform as well.

The atmosphere in the arena grew heated.

Seeing Gael’s expression, it seemed he wanted to devour Theo alive.

This time, there was no room for backdoor dealings, right?

After three consecutive forfeits, the famed "Theo the Unchallenged" would finally have to fight.

And to outsiders, the difference was stark.

Gael: Inner Scenery realm.

Theo: Body Cleansing realm.

The gap in cultivation was simply too vast.

On the high platform.

The elders also turned their attention downward, deep in thought.

They had no doubts about Theo’s combat prowess, but Gael was a full generation older.

This bordered on bullying the young.

"This will not be easy."

"Liana could fight at the Inner Scenery realm while still at Body Cleansing perfection, thanks to her anomaly."

As the elders discussed, Vespera’s gaze lingered on Theo.

She hadn’t paid much attention to her disciple’s progress in a long time.

Yet for some inexplicable reason, she felt an odd confidence.

Her precious disciple had the upper hand here.

...

"Theo is amazing! Theo, go for it!"

Corey shouted at the top of his lungs from the audience.

Beside him, Arthur and Kaelen flushed with embarrassment. Corey’s outburst had made the trio the center of attention.

Corey even turned to ask.

"Why aren’t you two cheering?"

"Theo will definitely win, so... no need for us to cheer, right?"

Arthur lowered his voice.

"This is too conspicuous."

Kaelen wished he could vanish into the ground.

"But if we do not cheer, how will everyone know we did not throw our matches?"

Corey’s words struck like lightning.

The two jolted, realization dawning.

"Theo, you are unstoppable!"

"Theo, victory is yours!"

...

When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with fury. The tension was already thick enough.

But hearing those familiar voices cheering for him, Theo felt an overwhelming urge to dig his toes into the ground. He even forgot about Gael’s murderous glare for a moment.

Please, just stop chanting.

"Let us see what you are made of, Theo."

Gael’s internal energy surged. His aura locked onto Theo.

The moment the steward shouted "Begin!", Gael shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.

His fist gleamed with a dark sheen. He wore specially crafted gauntlets.

With a single punch, the howling wind carried the roar of a beast, while the churning of his Inner Scenery energy rumbled like thunder.

Many within the sect recognized this move.

It was a signature high-tier martial art of Beast Taming Peak.

"Good timing."

Excitement surged in Theo’s heart.

Truthfully, this was his first proper duel. The last time, he fought Vargas, who was already on death’s door. They barely exchanged blows before Theo struck him down.

He didn’t draw the Crimson Edge. Nor did he retrieve his hammer.

Instead, his muscles tensed. The energy of his fifteen meridians surged upward. With a twist of his waist, he met the punch head-on.

Gael froze for a split second before a sinister grin curled his lips.

So, he is too proud to use a weapon? Unwilling to rely on an advantage?

Gael had been worried his gauntlets wouldn’t withstand the edge of a supreme blade.

Theo’s choice played right into his hands.

Facing a higher-realm opponent, yet letting pride cloud his judgment.

Today, Gael would teach him the meaning of true cruelty.

"Wait. A Body Cleansing cultivator fighting an Inner Scenery opponent without a weapon?"

"Not just that. He is not even using martial techniques!"

"Theo has a solid foundation in body tempering. Maybe he has a trick up his sleeve?"

"Even if his body tempering reaches the pinnacle, it shouldn’t be this absurd. Otherwise, everyone would focus on tempering instead of learning other martial arts."

"Was he not supposed to be a blade prodigy?"

A Body Cleansing cultivator, bare-handed, brawling with an armed Inner Scenery opponent.

Who wouldn’t be baffled?

Yet. In the blink of an eye, their fists collided.

Clang.

Flesh against metal. The impact resonated like a temple bell.

A shockwave of dust erupted from the point of collision.

One figure staggered back, leaving deep footprints in the stone.

When the crowd saw who it was, they froze as if they had seen a ghost.

Gael.

His face was pale, his smile stiff.

The arm he used to strike trembled uncontrollably.

He hadn’t tempered his body, but his physique wasn’t weak.

And he had just channeled his Inner Scenery energy.

How is Theo’s strength so monstrous?

Before he could process the thought, the young man vanished.

Not literally, of course.

Gale Shadow Step.

Gael instantly activated his own movement technique.

But Theo’s figure was like a storm wind. Relentless. Inescapable.

What was going through Theo’s mind right now?

Deliberate killing wasn’t allowed on the platform. He debated whether beating his opponent to death would be too much.

Forget pulling out his hammer.

Even if he used his blade, the sheer sharpness, combined with the combat instincts he honed between sparring with Liana and Elara, would be far beyond what Gael could handle.

Besides.

He wanted to test the limits of his body. A body that even a supreme martial art couldn’t push into the Inner Scenery realm.

In an instant, Theo appeared right in front of Gael.

Their eyes met.

Under the gaze of those fiery pupils, Gael’s throat tightened. An involuntary gulp escaped him.

But then shame ignited into rage.

In the history of the sect evaluation, no Inner Scenery cultivator had ever been humiliated like this by a mere Body Cleansing opponent.

His fury burned, but it was useless.

A devastating pain exploded in his kidney, short-circuiting his thoughts.

"Inner armor?"

"So you are quite the punching bag, huh?"

Theo frowned.

His fist hadn’t struck flesh. Something blocked the impact.

"Wait—"

Gael’s heart lurched, but before he could speak, another thunderous punch met his face.

Crack.

The gauntlet caved inward.

Seizing the moment, Theo pressed his advantage like a wolf mauling its prey. An elbow smashed into Gael’s chest.

The principle of unified force executed flawlessly.

Punches, elbows, knees.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Gael, clad in his inner armor, was pinned to the platform and pummeled relentlessly. His liquefied inner energy was utterly useless, only good for protecting his vitals.

He tried to counter.

He couldn’t even break Theo’s defense.

"Sto—stop—"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"I—I surren—"

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The stone platform was now a spiderweb of cracks.

This wasn’t a duel between masters.

It was a one-sided beatdown. Like an adult thrashing a child.

The scene was downright brutal.

...

"Sweet heavens... what the hell is Theo?"

"Thank the ancestors I listened when he told me not to relieve myself in public. Otherwise, I might have lost control right now."

"He always seemed so gentle. Who knew he would turn into a demon when fighting?"

"Have you forgotten who his master is?"

Many couldn’t bear to watch.

Especially when Gael tried to crawl off the platform to surrender, only for a hand to seize his ankle and drag him back. Fingernails carved ten desperate trails into the stone.

Cold sweat drenched every spectator’s back.

Too savage.

Those with children quickly covered their eyes.

"Whew... glad I never fought Theo."

Corey exhaled deeply.

Frankly, Gael was stronger than Corey. Without his hidden mentor’s help, his chances of winning would have been less than ten percent.

"Master, is this the advantage of a stronger foundation in the Body Cleansing realm?"

"Were you this powerful back then?"

The inexperienced Corey asked internally.

"Ah... well... close enough."

The remnant soul’s voice wavered slightly within the ring.

"Master, why do you sound uncertain?"

Corey was puzzled. Had the restorative items not restored much of his master’s vitality?

"Ahem. It is just... this young friend is unexpected."

The aged voice of the mentor lacked its usual profound mystique.

He was stunned.

Just how many meridians did this kid open?

Did he misjudge him?

"Being alive is truly a blessing..."

Arthur swallowed hard, his palms sweaty as he wiped them frantically against his robes.

Though Theo’s fists hadn’t landed on him, just the thought of it sent a chill down his spine.

"Mm! Mm!"

Kaelen nodded vigorously.

Thankfully, he reacted quickly back then. Now that he thought about it, it was the wisest decision he ever made in his life.

By now, the gazes fixed on them from all around held no trace of doubt, only admiration and praise.

This was no fixed match.

This was foresight.

On the high platform, Vespera swung her delicate fists, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with pride. She definitely made the right choice taking in this precious disciple of hers...