The Two Outer Disciples’ Examination

I spent the winter training Yingjie, Xiaotan, Haoxuen, and Seiran. During that time, my qi level rose to the Thirteenth Tier. Haoxuen and Seiran’s qi levels also rose, reaching the Seventh Tier.

I thought the reason my qi level had risen to the Thirteenth Tier so quickly was that I had discovered Bewitching King Mushrooms in the Green King Snake’s nest and had been able to make Qi Star Pills, a superior medicine to Qi Prosperity Pills.

During that winter, Yingjie and Xiaotan’s skills had also unquestionably improved. Both of them would probably defeat a Sword-Leg Spider and become inner disciples.

Haoxuen and Seiran had mastered the basics of Thunder Technique Fist. However, they were not yet skilled enough to master its secret technique, Lightning Palm Strike.

I studied the Spiritual Cherry-Orchid Sword of Youjun, a friend of Founder Weiru, and managed to learn a principle called “Enveloping Slash.” It involved enveloping an object in qi or spiritual power and converting it into cutting force. By applying that principle, I had managed to master Dragon Qi Dance, a secret technique of Dragon Qi Sword Art, so I believed it had a broad range of applications.

While researching whether I could apply that “Enveloping Slash” principle in other ways, I discovered that wrapping my hand in qi through the principle truly turned it into a knife-hand capable of cutting an enemy.

However, there seemed to be a vast difference in power between wrapping qi around a hand and wrapping it around a sword. Striking a tree trunk with a qi-clad knife-hand only left a wound approximately two centimeters deep, whereas wrapping qi around a real blade left a wound approximately seven centimeters deep.

I doubted I could defeat a yōma with a knife-hand, but it would probably be useful in combat against people. Throughout the winter, I trained thoroughly in a fighting style that targeted the neck, arms, and other vulnerable areas with an Enveloping Slash Hand, which wrapped my knife-hand in qi through the Enveloping Slash principle.

The season of thaw arrived, and the snow disappeared from Mount Gyorei. Yingjie and Xiaotan, who had been waiting for this moment, went together to see the high disciple Bowen.

Yingjie called out to Bowen, who was training his qi in one of the Main Hall’s rooms.

“Bowen-shixiong, we came to ask you for a favor.”

“Yingjie and Xiaotan? Is this about the inner disciple examination?”

“That’s right. Please allow us to take it.”

Bowen nodded.

“It seems you have obtained weapons capable of defeating a Sword-Leg Spider, so very well. I’ll ask Elder Shanshi and Elder Mon to witness the examination, so come with me.”

Elder Tsuen had previously overseen the inner disciple examinations, but Bowen would be in charge from this examination onward. The three of them first went to see Elder Mon.

Elder Mon appeared to be responsible for deciding the questions for the Immortal Secret Script examination. When they asked Elder Mon, who was in the apothecary, to assist with the inner disciple examination, she accepted with a cheerful smile.

Next, they went to Elder Shanshi, who readily agreed.

“I will accept, but do you truly need me? Their opponents are Sword-Leg Spiders, are they not?”

Elder Shanshi apparently thought that if their opponents were not Thunder Bears, it might have been fine to leave everything to Bowen alone.

“However, those are still the rules.”

When Bowen said that, Elder Shanshi laughed and nodded. Afterward, they chose the examination date and began preparing for the inner disciple examination.

On the day of the examination, Yingjie and Xiaotan went to the Main Hall, where Bowen, Elder Mon, and Elder Shanshi were waiting. When Yingjie and Xiaotan greeted them, the three returned their greetings.

“We will begin with the Immortal Secret Script examination. This is your question.”

Bowen attached a sheet of paper bearing a passage written in Immortal Secret Script to the wall. Yingjie and Xiaotan had to read it and translate it into ordinary writing.

Both of them passed the first examination, and they also passed the qi examination. All that remained was to defeat a Sword-Leg Spider.

“You’re prepared, correct?”

Bowen asked Yingjie and Xiaotan. When the two answered that they were ready, Bowen and Elder Shanshi led them toward the demon realm.

“Were your weapons made from Serpent-Blade Goat horns?”

Elder Shanshi asked while looking at Yingjie and Xiaotan’s weapons.

“That’s right. Kou made this Serpent-Goat Sword for me.”

Xiaotan answered.

“I see. Kou’s skill at crafting treasure tools has improved as well.”

After descending into the demon realm, the four headed toward the Demon Riot Grassland in the north. They passed through the forest spreading across the north, emerged onto the grassland, and headed toward a grove a short distance away. They encountered Fang Rabbits several times along the way, but Yingjie and Xiaotan killed them.

Upon reaching the grove, Elder Shanshi used his Lone Awakening Eye to locate a Sword-Leg Spider. Someone at the elder’s level could detect demonic qi across a wide area.

“Over there.”

When they proceeded in the direction Elder Shanshi pointed, a Sword-Leg Spider emerged from deep within the grove.

“Yingjie will go first.”

After Bowen selected him, Yingjie stepped forward holding his Serpent-Goat Sword.

The Sword-Leg Spider recognized Yingjie as an enemy and approached while threatening him with its sword-like legs. The Heavy Resonance Sword that Yingjie had learned was a sword art that was fought by switching between Floating Yang Qi and Heavy Yin Qi.

Yingjie deflected the sword-like leg thrusting toward him with the Serpent-Goat Sword, circled to the side, and attempted to strike the Sword-Leg Spider’s head. The Sword-Leg Spider blocked the attack with one of its legs. However, the Serpent-Goat Sword’s edge was so sharp that it severed the leg.

Yingjie fought fiercely while constantly moving and succeeded in cutting off one of the sword-like legs. Immediately afterward, he exploited the opening created by the missing leg, leaped in, and slashed apart the head covered in numerous eyes.

“You pass.”

After confirming that the Sword-Leg Spider had stopped moving, Elder Shanshi announced the result.

“Th-Thank you very much.”

Yingjie stared at the fallen Sword-Leg Spider and began grinning.

“Yingjie, I understand that you’re happy, but I’m next, so cut off the sword-like legs and let’s move on.”

After Xiaotan said that, Yingjie hurriedly cut off the Sword-Leg Spider’s legs.

Xiaotan’s turn came next. Elder Shanshi located another Sword-Leg Spider, and Xiaotan stepped forward holding his Serpent-Goat Spear. Xiaotan fought by taking advantage of his weapon’s long reach. It took him longer than Yingjie, but he successfully defeated the Sword-Leg Spider.

Thus, Yingjie and Xiaotan passed the inner disciple examination. When they returned to Gyorei Cave, the outer disciples made a tremendous commotion and celebrated as though they themselves had passed.

“Congratulations to both of you.”

“We’ll aim to become inner disciples too!”

Surrounded by a large crowd of outer disciples congratulating them, the two looked genuinely delighted.