I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 786: Chapter 787: Sword Sect Assessment
 

A pile of Immortal Stones, Magic Treasures, and Demonic Beast materials exploded into the void, all swept into a pouch by the blood-colored tentacles.

“Hehe, Young Master Li jests. The young lady is too grateful for being saved by the young master to ever fear him!”

“I believe that Young Master Li is a good person!”

Zhen Jian managed a weak smile and said, feeling as though she had entered a den of thieves.

Even though she was the one hidden in the shadows, why did she always feel like she was being watched?

She was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Sword Sect, who, upon seeing the wanted poster issued by the Great Flame Dynasty, had joined a group of cultivators from the Human Immortal Realm to approach Li Xiaobai, thus orchestrating this farce.

The original plan was for her to infiltrate the ranks of the four notorious villains while the others would stand by outside, communicating and passing messages, but she never expected that Li Xiaobai would, without a word, kill all her companions, leaving her as the sole commander standing.

Seeing that the people inside the carriage still did as they pleased without paying her much attention eased her mind.

As she looked around and silently observed the people in the carriage, her heart clenched again. The purely white little dog was actually reciting scriptures, and even more bizarre was the steady increase of the golden Merit Value above its head. Even though it increased by only a little each time, over a few breaths, it had risen by more than a dozen points.

To think she spent half a year reciting scriptures to accumulate barely a hundred Merit Value points, and now this little dog could surpass her with just a few idle movements of its mouth?

The chicken beside them was also out of the ordinary, gaining a point of Sin Value for every little bug it ate. In just a short time, its head had accumulated several hundred points of Sin Value.

And that ragged old beggar, with his beady eyes scanning her back and forth as if trying to see right through her—what truly captivated her, however, was the peculiar smoke he exhaled with every breath.

Just one inhalation gave her a sense of enlightenment, as if all the problems she struggled with could suddenly be solved with ease, and her understanding of Cultivation Techniques was elevated to a new level—a substance so divine she had never heard of it before!

For a moment, she even wanted to take a few more drags, but alas, the old beggar took a few puffs and then put out the fire.

“Smoking Huazi is bad for your health, young lady. Don’t always crowd around the old beggar here!”

The old beggar said indifferently.

“So it is; thank you for the reminder, senior. You should smoke less, too, and take good care of your health.”

Zhen Jian secretly resented in her heart, silently noting the name ‘Hua Zi’. If they wouldn’t give it to her now, once she dealt with Li Xiaobai, she would have ways to make these people willingly offer it to her!

Her gaze flitted to Li Xiaobai at the driver’s seat, a hint of mockery flickering through her eyes. Just a brash young man, full of youthful vigor—watch how I’ll tame you into submission!

“I have yet to ask for your esteemed name, young master.”

“If you ever join the Sword Sect in the future, I must repay your kindness well!”

Zhen Jian turned her head with a smiling gaze and asked Li Xiaobai.

“My name is Li Xiaobai. Have you heard of it?”

Li Xiaobai asked indifferently, chatting with Zhen Jian in a rather detached manner.

“I am ignorant and have never heard the name. Seeing the way Young Master acted so magnificently earlier, I surmise you must be an extraordinary genius!” Zhen Jian said with a smile.

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“Of course, the number one person in the Human Immortal Realm, that would be me, the genius cultivator Li Xiaobai!” said Li Xiaobai.

“Cough cough, speaking of which, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Human Immortal Ranking List. The rankings of those prodigies haven’t been changed for quite a while.”

Zhen Jian spoke somewhat awkwardly, rolling her eyes inwardly. This guy is really something else, isn’t he? Boasting about being the top person in the Human Immortal Realm when you haven’t even made it onto the Human Immortal Ranking List?

The ones on that list are real prodigies, disciples from the Great Sects. The top person of the Human Immortal Realm should at least be at the level of a Closed-door Disciple of the Sword Sect.

This Li Xiaobai is merely a bumpkin who ran up from the Earth Immortal Realm. How dare such a frog in a well contemplate the vastness of the sky?

“That’s because they haven’t encountered me. Otherwise, all the cultivators in the Human Immortal Realm would have to move their ranking down a notch.”

Li Xiaobai said lightly.

Zhen Jian was speechless and replied perfunctorily, “Young Master Li is truly formidable.”

“Speaking of which, since the young lady is a disciple of the Sword Sect, you must know what the trials in the Sword Sect entail, right?”

asked Li Xiaobai.

“Of course, I’ve been in the Sword Sect for over three years, and I’ve witnessed several trials and exams. The content of the trials is the same every year. Although they’re not easy, with Young Master’s abilities, I believe you’ll easily pass,”

Zhen Jian said with a smile. Finally, the topic had turned to this. As long as she could follow these four notorious figures during their trials, there would be countless opportunities to tip off the cultivators of the Enforcement Team and report their whereabouts at any time.

“Then please tell me what these trials assess?”

Within the carriage, the one person and two beasts who had been lost in reverie also perked up, silently listening to Zhen Jian’s explanation.

“The trial is divided into two parts. The first stage checks the cultivators’ accumulated Merit and Sin Values. A Human Immortal who has reached two hundred in Merit Value, or ten thousand in Sin Value, may pass the first test. Those insufficient in these values will be eliminated.”

“The second stage throws the remaining cultivators into a perilous mountain range for training. They must kill Demonic Beasts and gather materials. After a week, the disciples who come out alive may become Sect Disciples of the Sword Sect. Those who perform exceptionally might be promoted to Inner Sect Disciple cultivators and have the chance to receive personal guidance from an Elder.”

As she spoke, a hint of yearning flashed in Zhen Jian’s eyes. An Inner Sect Disciple, that was an exalted status in her estimation.

“Does the Sin Value really need to be as high as ten thousand? Doesn’t that mean being branded as following the Demon Path?” the old beggar asked, puzzled.

“The Sword Sect does not judge right from wrong by Sin Value alone, and many other schools do the same. Many distinguished cultivators kill demon heads, accumulating countless sins, but they are not punished for it. Only those few who truly commit heinous acts will be expelled and hunted down.”

“With the words of the Elders, anyone can manage to accumulate a couple of thousand in Sin Value. But garnering attention from the Enforcement Team after reaching five thousand, and still managing to survive and continue to rack up ten thousand in Sin Value—that’s the real skill. Thus, they are acknowledged,”

Zhen Jian said slowly. The valuation of heroes by their numbers is just a way to weed out the less capable. The Great Sect’s principle is to accept as disciples anyone with the talent and the skill.

“What about a cultivator like the old beggar here, who has neither Merit nor Sin Value? How should one cope?”

continued the old beggar. Since coming to the Central Origin Realm, he had neither chanted scriptures nor killed anyone, making it quite difficult.

“If a senior has great strength or has done something significant, the Sword Sect would also open its doors wide. But if you have nothing, I’m afraid you would be sadly eliminated,”

Zhen Jian said cautiously, knowing full well in her heart. The four notorious figures had a bad reputation. Revealing it wouldn’t be a problem to pass the first level of the test.

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