The Inner Disciple Test

Around the time that almost one month had passed, I became able to use Fox-Flame with Floating Yang Qi. Its power increased by about fifty percent, but its form remained the same and did not become like a fox.

“I thought maybe it would, but I was wrong.”

So this time I began practicing activating Fox-Flame with Heavy Yin Qi. But I could not produce much in the way of results, and only time passed. Then, just before the inner disciple test, my qi level reached the Ninth Tier.

Around then, I finally figured out the trick to successfully using Fox-Flame with Heavy Yin Qi. At first I tried sending Heavy Yin Qi through the yang meridians, but that method did not work well. So when I tried sending Heavy Yin Qi through the yin meridians, it succeeded. However, it was a little different from what I had imagined.

When it succeeded, white flames burst out from the Demon Spider Greatsword.

“Huh? Why?”

The original Fox-Flame had been orange, but the improved version of Fox-Flame was white. I understood that the cause was the use of Heavy Yin Qi, but I did not understand the principle behind it.

So when I tested its power, it was incredible. I was able to kill an Armored Boar with a single blow by splitting its head clean in two. With this, I felt like I could even defeat a Thunder Bear.

There was one disappointing point, however. Even when I sent Heavy Yin Qi through the yin meridians, I did not enter the state of Moment of Foam. To unleash Heavy Yin Qi Fox-Flame while maintaining the state of Moment of Foam, I needed to send Floating Yang Qi through the yang meridians. In other words, I had to control two kinds of qi at the same time.

I named this enhanced version of Fox-Flame “White Flame.” After that as well, I continued training and refined a fighting style that made full use of both Heavy Yin Qi and Floating Yang Qi.

Three months passed, and the day came for me to take the inner disciple test. I went to the Main Hall and entered the room that had been designated. In that room, there would be the written test and the qi test.

As I waited, Elder Tsuen, Elder Mon, and Elder Shanshi entered. It seemed the three elders would serve as examiners for the test.

“Then let us begin the inner disciple test.”

Elder Tsuen declared that with an irritated expression, and first the questions for the written test were given out. This was a test of translating a passage written in Immortal Secret Script without using a dictionary.

“In the outer disciple test, you had the lowest score on the written exam. Let us see how much you have grown.”

Had Elder Mon not told him that I could read Immortal Secret Script? Or did he simply not believe it?

“Begin.”

At the sound of Elder Tsuen’s voice, I began solving the Immortal Secret Script questions smoothly, and Elder Tsuen looked surprised.

“You, can you read Immortal Secret Script?”

On hearing that, Elder Mon shot Elder Tsuen a glare.

“I believe I told you that Kou can read Immortal Secret Script. Did you not believe me?”

Elder Tsuen awkwardly averted his eyes. Ignoring that exchange, I continued writing my answers, and when I finished, I handed the answer sheet to Elder Tsuen.

After looking it over, Elder Tsuen snorted as if to say that this much was only natural.

“Hmph, fine. You pass the written test. Next, we will check your qi.”

Elder Mon turned her face toward Elder Tsuen.

“I heard that it was confirmed before.”

Elder Tsuen turned his gaze toward me.

“We will confirm it formally. Understood?”

“Understood.”

I stood in a natural stance and circulated qi through my entire body. Then I refined the qi within my body.

“The Fourth Tier, the Fifth Tier… he has reached the Eighth Tier.”

Elder Mon exclaimed. Hearing that, Elder Tsuen declared, “Pass.”

“If it is only up to here, you can pass through effort. But the next part, the Thunder Bear, will be a matter of life and death. You truly intend to challenge it, yes?”

Elder Tsuen confirmed.

“Yes. I will challenge it.”

“Understood. Elder Shanshi, would you come with me?”

“Agreed.”

Elder Chiu of Goyou Cave, who had already gone home, had also possessed a sturdy build, but Elder Shanshi likewise had a sturdy build. If Elder Chiu was like a one-eyed gorilla, then Elder Shanshi felt like a red ogre.

That day was spent making preparations for going into the demon realm, and I returned to Wallside Hall. I maintained my weapons and went to sleep early.

Early the next morning, I headed for the demon realm accompanied by Elder Tsuen and Elder Shanshi. As expected, it seemed Elder Mon would not go so far as to accompany us into the demon realm.

That day, I was wearing the Gōrō-thread anti-blade vest under my outer clothing, carrying the Demon Spider Greatsword in my hand, and had the blacksteel short knife tucked behind my waist. I had also brought my backpack, but inside it were only a water bottle and lunch.

“What martial arts have you mastered?”

As we advanced through the forest of the demon realm, Elder Shanshi asked me.

“Demonic Horn Warhammer Art, Broadsword Fox-Flame Technique, and Thunder Technique Fist.”

Hearing that, Elder Tsuen made a face like he could not make sense of it.

“There should not be a manual for Thunder Technique Fist in the Wallside Hall library, should there?”

“When I was allowed to read in the Main Hall library for just one day, I read a little of the manual for Thunder Technique Fist.”

Elder Tsuen frowned.

“You’re the sort who never lets down his guard for a moment.”

“In exchange for not receiving instruction from an elder, the condition was that I could read as many books as I liked for one day. That is hardly a problem. More importantly, what is that weapon?”

It seemed Elder Shanshi was more interested in the weapon.

“This is made from the sword leg of a Sword-Leg Spider, fashioned in the style of a broadsword.”

“I see. So you have enough ability to defeat a Sword-Leg Spider.”

Elder Tsuen snorted.

“Hmph. Was that not one Rikyou defeated?”

“No, I defeated it myself.”

“To prove that as well, show us by defeating a Thunder Bear.”

We were heading toward the Crystal Calamity River in the north. The Iron-Claw Bears and Gōrō wolves we encountered along the way were cut down with a single strike of the Demon Spider Greatsword.

“I see. It is a passing mark, but your attacks are repetitive.”

Hearing Elder Shanshi’s words, I shrugged.

“Among the martial arts the inner disciple-shixiongs teach, there are no broadsword techniques.”

“So that is why your attacks are repetitive. In a sense, it cannot be helped. But your Fox-Flame has a rough flame shape.”

“That is because I have not been taught that either.”

Elder Shanshi let out a sigh.