Chapter Thirty-Five: Entering the Trial Grounds

Within the Moon-Watching Sect lay a mountain range known as the Turtle Spirit Mountains. Stretching from south to north and covering tens of thousands of kilometers, the Turtle Spirit Mountains were a grand domain set aside by the sect for its disciples to undergo trials—a truly remarkable gesture.

The range was divided into southern and northern zones. The southern zone was reserved for disciples at the Qi Refining stage or those below the fifth tier of physical cultivation, while the northern zone belonged to disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage or those above the fifth tier. As for those who had advanced to the Core Formation stage, they were already considered formidable experts within the Cloud Sea Dynasty, and their growth and trials took place beyond the sect’s borders.

To the sect’s leadership, the Turtle Spirit Mountains were a crucible for disciples; but for the disciples themselves, it was a treasure trove where they could earn sect contribution points. Within its expanse grew rare and precious herbs, and dwelled valuable spirit beasts.

Yet, as with all things in this world, where there is reward, there is risk. The Turtle Spirit Mountains were rich in wonders, but whether one could claim them depended on one's own strength and luck. The beasts active in the range were mostly vicious and bloodthirsty. An encounter meant a deadly battle: victory brought bounty, defeat meant annihilation.

Spirit beasts were divided into nine tiers, each comprising the ranks of novice, intermediate, advanced, and pinnacle. A tier-one novice beast equated to a human cultivator at the first to third stage of Qi Refining, and so forth; a tier-one pinnacle beast matched a human at the peak of Qi Refining.

Most beasts found in the southern zone were tier-one, though occasionally a tier-two would appear. These creatures were ferocious and relentless; for a cultivator entering the trial zone, an encounter was a fight to the death. Earning contribution points was thus no easy task, and each year, many disciples perished during their trials.

Ji Mo had been in the sect for six years, yet this was her first time undertaking a trial task. Before she set out, Lei Wei gave her a general overview of the trial zone, but withheld the finer details. For a genius to grow, suitable soil was essential, but so too was constant tempering; without it, even the greatest talent would come to nothing. Lei Wei understood this well, and so he would not arrange everything for Ji Mo.

Ji Mo’s task was to capture a lightning cub. After recovering from her injuries, she took up her newly trained White Dragon Whip and headed toward the southern zone. At the entrance, she encountered a group of sect disciples also preparing to enter the trial zone. Among them was a youth in green, about fifteen or sixteen years old, whose eyes lit up upon seeing Ji Mo. He greeted her with pleasant surprise, “Sister Ji, are you entering the trial zone today as well?”

“Yes. Are you also a disciple of Thunder Peak?” Ji Mo looked at him in surprise, vaguely recalling that he had supported her during her bout with Mu Baiyun.

“That’s right. My name is Wei Qiu, a newly admitted disciple under the second elder of Thunder Peak,” replied the youth.

“So you’re Senior Brother Wei.” Ji Mo smiled at him, acknowledging his greeting. In the Moon-Watching Sect, seniority was determined not by strength, but by the rank of one’s master. Ji Mo apprenticed under Lei Wei, while Wei Qiu was under the elder of Thunder Peak; since Lei Wei and the elder were peers, Ji Mo and Wei Qiu were likewise of the same generation.

“Sister Ji, we’re about to enter for our tasks. Would you like to form a team with us?” Wei Qiu gestured to the other three standing with him.

There were two men and one woman with Wei Qiu, both men appearing just over twenty; one was a seventh-stage Qi Refiner, the other eighth-stage. The woman wore a blue dress, her beauty striking, and looked only about seventeen or eighteen, also a seventh-stage Qi Refiner.

“Are they all from Thunder Peak?” Ji Mo glanced over the trio and asked.

“This is Senior Sister Zhong, Senior Brother Jiang, and Senior Brother Chen. They’re disciples who joined Thunder Peak last year,” Wei Qiu introduced them one by one.

“Ji Mo greets the senior brothers and sister,” Ji Mo offered a slight bow to the three.

“No need for formality, Sister Ji. You’re the pride of Thunder Peak; how could we accept your courtesy?” The woman in blue, Senior Sister Zhong, arched her brows and gave a perfunctory smile, stepping aside.

Senior Brothers Jiang and Chen seemed a bit embarrassed but did not move. After receiving Ji Mo’s greeting, Senior Brother Chen, whose cultivation was higher, spoke up, “Wei is right, we’re here for tasks as well. Would Sister Ji be willing to join us?”

“It’s my first time in the trial zone, so I have little experience. If you don’t mind me slowing you down, I have no objections.” Ji Mo smiled in reply. This was her first time formally interacting with other Thunder Peak disciples after six years in the sect; naturally, she did not wish to make enemies without cause.

“Haha, you’re too modest, Sister Ji. Mu Baiyun of Sword Spirit Peak is known as unbeatable among disciples below ninth-stage Qi Refining, yet you fought him to a draw. If anyone’s gaining an advantage, it’s us,” laughed Senior Brother Jiang.

After a few exchanges of pleasantries, they registered at the entrance and entered the trial zone. Before them stretched a lush forest, its towering trees densely interwoven. The ground was covered in thick moss, and a pale mist hung among the trees. Sunlight, filtered by the mist, could not fully penetrate, and though the spiritual energy here was not as rich as Thunder Peak, it carried a primordial flavor.

The group walked about five or six miles through the dense forest when suddenly a foul wind swept past, followed by a piercing roar. Ji Mo looked up and saw a formidable saber-toothed tiger standing only five or six meters away, blocking their path.

The beast stood eight feet tall, its coat a deep brown, its long tail trailing on the ground. Its jaws were slightly open, revealing two rows of serrated teeth that glinted coldly in the dim light. Its lantern-like icy green eyes stared chillingly at the group. Ji Mo, unfamiliar with this creature, showed no reaction, but Senior Brothers Chen, Jiang, and Senior Sister Zhong all turned pale at the sight.

“Is this saber-toothed tiger very dangerous, senior brothers?” Wei Qiu, who had only recently broken through to the fifth stage and was entering the trial zone for the second time, was also unsure.

“Of course it’s dangerous. This beast is one of the most troublesome in the southern zone. Tigers are already formidable, and this saber-toothed tiger is a high-tier, tier-one spirit beast. Even a ninth-stage Qi Refiner would struggle against it. Its strength is astounding, and its speed equally so. If we can’t defeat it, there’s no escape,” Senior Brother Jiang said gravely.

“We have so many people; surely we can handle this beast?” Wei Qiu said uncertainly.

“Hmph, that’s naive. In the past five years, seven eighth-stage Qi Refiners and three ninth-stage have died at the jaws of this saber-toothed tiger. You’re only at the fifth stage; you’d be lucky to survive a single blow. In a real fight, what help could you possibly be?” Senior Sister Zhong snapped, her face dark. Encountering such a troublesome beast right at the start had soured her mood.