It had been 2 months since Ren had started regularly participating in the beast waves, and he had never been busier. Every day was filled, and it was only thanks to the endurance of his 8th layer constitution that he could last this long. His breakthrough had happened fluidly with no signs of a bottleneck, and Ren could only wonder how long his fortune would hold out.

  He had continued to practice his martial skills at the frontlines and had gained a lot of useful experience. He had even addressed one of his biggest flaws and found a technique to help deal substantial damage and end fights. Growing accustomed to his moves had helped him link them together smoothly, and it wasn’t wrong to say his battle prowess had almost doubled even without a significant increase in strength. The flow of battle was easier to comprehend, and many others around him relied on his sharp eyes and quick moves to deflect the worst dangers.

  Not ones to be left behind, Bao Hua and Mei Ling had also garnered renown. Bao Hua was well regarded for his strength and ability to protect those around him, but it wasn’t the only reason. Sharing some of his wine after battle had made him immensely popular. He would slip in an experimental drink and eagerly anticipate their reactions. People didn’t mind the occasional batch that made them think they were drinking vinegar because the successful batches were worth it.

  Mei Ling, after Ren had convinced her to practice her healing skills on the frontlines instead of only in class, had become known as a skilled new healer with a sharp tongue. It had begun because of a misunderstanding. As someone who had made it far in the outer sect tournament, people thought she was a strong, cold beauty, and the fact that when she fought the beasts, she wielded a whip and threw out poison needles, reinforced it. Not to mention her new pet, a Silent Jade Spider, which she had hatched from an egg obtained from the exchange stele. It was an extremely deadly beast that, when grown, would be as tall as 3 men and was known for its fearsome yin aspect venom. While still young and small enough to ride her shoulder, its cold gaze would unnerve people. Then no matter how much she said otherwise, she was called the icy healer.

  Ren and Hua would tease her, and when she inevitably exploded with rage, they would laugh and say, “What Icy Healer? I can directly feel the fiery flames!”

  At the weekly market, the three of them had set up shop next to each other. Hua sold wine and some experimental talismans from his new hobby. Ren sold weapons and medicinal pills, as he had begun walking the path of an alchemist, albeit one without even a proper cauldron. Mei Ling treated injuries and sold medical herbs and poisons. As she often told Ren, medicine can very easily become poison in skilled hands.

  They would enjoy conversation and relax at those times even as they made money. Following senior Chun Wei’s advice, he made sure to ask his fellow disciples to seek him out at his stall instead of his courtyard. Already it was showing results as many gathered to hear common advice, which even increased his ability to provide introductions and references. More importantly, he was interrupted far less at home. The three of them were regarded as rising stars of the sect, and their words had weight.

  As for Ren’s cultivation, he had been reading as much as he could about Karma and working on the Causality of Karma. Every day he dug deeper, he felt he uncovered another aspect that raised more questions than it answered. It was an esoteric power for a reason. The seeds of intent he had practiced were now much closer to complete. When he formed one mentally, it felt like it had a strange pull, and when he used it according to the manual, the action he performed would feel different. He couldn’t yet identify what exactly was different, and the only impression that was even close to it was the feeling of importance. Any action infused with a seed of intent felt important.

  It was with that advancement in his cultivation that he had built his second trial. His designed formation was meant to confuse the senses and keep someone away from the eye of the formation by misleading them. He had combined multiple formations that employed illusionary mists, beguiling scents, and even mixed his modified security formations. It was so good that he debated deploying it in his own courtyard before deciding it was over the top.

  Ren had implemented it near a lake close to the border of the central mountains. Just like his first challenge, the area had few disciples exploring and of the appropriate power level. This challenge could be broken by non-array masters by either having a strong perception skill or by having a resolute will. The latter was far harder, but it wasn’t impossible, as there were many cultivation techniques in the Heavenly Sword Sect that cultivated a strong will as befit those walking the path of the sword. His own technique, Third Eye Sense, could only barely guide him through, but that was because it wasn’t a very good technique. Ren just hadn’t bothered to get a better one.

  As for the reward, he had planted a Glass Lily, infused with a seed of intent, which was a herb that was often used in pills to enhance sight. It was perfectly suited to those who won by their sensory techniques. At the boundary surrounding his formation, he marked an arbitrary warning, “2nd trial. Trust not your senses. But if you do, you may find something of use within.” He so wanted to be more poetic, but he had always been weak at classical studies. His tutor would often say, “You probably have 10 good poems within you, Young Master. Don’t waste them on frivolous things and save them for when you need to win yourself a beauty.”

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Similar to his first challenge, he set up a flat rock to record the victor’s name if they wanted to. He also set up his improved recording formations that would obtain more information about the trial takers but still couldn’t get images. Ren often thought of his first trial. He had visited it a few months after he had set it up. He had been pleasantly surprised to see that it had been challenged, but no one had emerged victoriously yet. In that time, the wind leopard flower had fully matured. So he used a common herb cultivator technique to make the plant bear seeds instead of harvesting it. Armed with enough seeds, now if someone were to win and take away the next flower, he could just plant another, enough for the next 10 inheritors.

  With less than 6 months to go for the inheritance trial and Ren doing his best. He was on track to break through to the formation establishment stage if he didn’t face a block in his cultivation. Breaking past the 9th layer of the qi gathering realm was the true test for cultivators. He was also building his wealth and skills. His friends were already going to participate with him, but he was also building a network of allies. When faced with the numerous talents of the sects invited to participate, they would need to stand together or face the wind alone. The whole sect was gathering momentum as the event neared, and nobody could predict what might happen.

  At a private pavilion, in the depths of the Heavenly Sword Sect:

  A meeting of great import was taking place in an isolated but beautiful garden. Priceless herbs and ancient trees dotted the landscape. A small waterfall from a stream that leads to a deep pool with magnificent red carp leaping every now and then. Beautiful and pure cranes with feathers like soft snow gracefully walked about. And amidst all this, a richly carved pavilion with a table seating 9.

  The figures seated had a subdued presence, but if one looked closer, they would feel a terrifying aura being strictly controlled. At the head of the table sat an elderly man in pristine white robes. An amulet hung at his waist with the characters "Heavenly Sword" carved on it. He spoke softly, but everyone was listening with rapt attention.

  “We will not be taking a loss if we allow 150 disciples from the Golden Light Monastery. The Jia'an region they offered is large and prosperous. It borders our territory, and recruitment is sure to bring in more talents in the future.”

  Another elder spoke up, “They do have more incidents of demonic cultivators wreaking havoc, but I see that as a benefit. Those driven by revenge or justice, if they last long enough, become unrivaled under the heavens.”

  Murmurs of agreement rose.

  The sect leader spoke again, “Allow 200. The foundation establishment realm trial they host will be open in 4 years. We can seek greater benefits if we allow them this much. The Golden Dharma trial is already explored, but our Blood Moon trial is opening for the first time. The allure of treasures yet to be discovered is to our benefit. And regarding the trial, Elder Jiao Yue, what clues have been uncovered from our archives?”

  A beautiful lady barely looking middle-aged spoke in a clear voice.

  “The trial opening is indeed linked to the Blood Moon rising. I have precisely calculated the day and hour the trial shall open. Initial estimates restrict the trial takers to foundation establishment realm and below. This increases the odds that it contains an inheritance. I have also found records that it has some relation to the Moon Elder from our sect’s history. Whether it is his trial or a trial he found and influenced, it seems they are linked.”

  “As you all know, he suffered from cultivation deviation and nearly ruined our reputation at the time. If he does have something to do with this trial, then it is uncertain if it was established before or after he went mad. Either way, this will not be a simple trial, and we should expect high casualties.”

  The solemn air of the pavilion was filled with murmurs once again.

  An elder sitting to the right of the sect leader spoke, saying, “If there are to be casualties, we should handle it carefully. If we simply push the other sects to absorb the worst of it, they will come clamoring at our doors, claiming compensation. Nor should we allow our disciples to take the lead alone. I have some news that could solve this issue and others.”

  Having said this, he looked to the sect leader as if for approval. When the sect leader gave it, the elder continued speaking.

  “The Celestial Instruments sect is willing to trade a shoot of their sect’s treasure, the Celestial Bamboo. This, on top of their initial offer, is to allow them to invite the Hidden Sea Sect. We don’t yet know what they offered the Celestial Instruments sect to plead their case, but it can’t be simple if it caused them to bring out their treasure. They have always been extremely protective of it.”

  A gruff voice from the end of the table said, “Didn’t we suspect the Hidden Sea Sect to have demonic influences? Should we really be associating with them? If the mortals found out, it would be hard to stop riding that tiger.”

  “Even if they found out, so what? Mortal memories vanish along with their fleeting lives. But that’s a separate issue. I’m saying we use them as our meat shield. Toads lusting after swan flesh. If they want a chance at the unknown treasures of the trial while only giving a single treasure, then they should be prepared for that much.”

  There were some arguments back and forth between elders, but eventually the sect leader said,

  “Enough. The Hidden Sea Sect shall be allowed to participate. However, they aren’t allies or guests and can only be treated as visitors. But restrict their numbers to 50 unless they provide additional gifts.”

  Everyone immediately understood the unspoken words behind that declaration. Those disciples would be hovering between life and death.

  He continued speaking in an even more serious tone. “You all know what we will soon be facing. We need to conserve our strength and bring up talented young disciples to add to our numbers. This trial and the Golden Dharma trial will be our final chances to do so. Word has already come down from the Azure Mountains and Elder Yun has begun making preparations. Elder Sha, continue as you were. Young Li Feng is a very promising youth. The rest of you already know what needs to be done.”

  The decisions made in this short duration would impact the lives of countless others but it was impossible to know if those involved treated it lightly or not.

  “Dismissed!”

  The soft-spoken yet resolute voice rang out in the quiet garden with the sound of the birds and the stream filling the silence soon after.