"So, uh, what was your name again?"
The drunken midget scratched his head, trying to remember Wade's name for the fifth time.
"Anyways, David, as a senior of many years, I have to warn you. The trials are going to be brutal."
The midget dreamily tapped on the table as he supported his head with his left palm.
"There are going to be many talented individuals who have broken through way before you. You are not yet a cultivator but still dare to take the shot. Quite admirable actually!"
The midget patted Wade on the shoulder, trying to appear encouraging.
"You have got two weeks before that so you will probably figure something out. As for the location…"
The midget reached into his robe and put a brochure on the wooden table.
"...it is here."
The moment he saw it, Wade almost flew into a rage from the sheer frustration he felt. He had to endure this old fart for so long just to be given a common tourist brochure! This was the greatest fumble that he had ever had. The kind that he would be taking with him into the grave.
"Kid, I am not to blame if you lack brain cells."
The midget whistled whilst trying to avoid Wade's maliceful gaze.
"Anyways, kiddo, If you got any trouble visit Forger Haven in the capital. Maybe I will help you become a janitor there."
The midget disappeared into thin air before Wade could even blink.
'These eccentric experts can toy with weaklings however they want…'
Wade tsked and grabbed the brochure.
'The Blood Pagoda, what an original name.'
The description was quite simple. A nine-storey pagoda where the examination of Blood Temple where held.
Enough people had died there for mortals to avoid it like a plague. The examination was the same across all branches and even headquarters.
One had to transcend the first floor to even start the real examination. Every time across all cities, thousands of people would attend it. Only those below the middle phase, aka the fourth stage of the Body Refinement Realm were permitted. The age limit was also quite strict, being just twenty years old.
Most powers in the Sun Dynasty would regard anyone who reached that power level before the age, a genius. Albeit a common one but still a genius nevertheless.
'This is truly one of the Ten Apex Powers.'
'There are still two weeks before the examination. I need to earn some money before that.'
———
Several hours later.
Wade stood over a bear corpse. His hand firmly held onto the bloodied dagger as he took deep breaths to recover from the intense battle.
"Haah~, this is the sixth bear today…"
Wade plopped on the grass and leaned on the tree. He enjoyed the sight of his hard work. A huge puddle of blood and the six corpses that it flowed out from.
"Right now, I should be able to hunt the lowest of Spirit Beasts. These mindless things are truly gifted by nature, a constitution perfectly attuned to their environment and the fact that only their greatest traits fully flourish after becoming Spirit Beasts."
Wade contemplated the fairness of Dao. Did Heavens create man and beast equal? Or was mankind just another beast in heaven's eyes?
"I guess you have to sacrifice something in order to obtain anything in this wretched world. In my case, I lost my status, my clan and my relationships. Yet, I am now on a brand new path that will push me into countless adventures."
"What do I truly want in life?"
———
Deep in the forest.
Wade hid in the bushes while observing a vast pond.
'You gotta be kidding me…'
A group of several dozen people far away stood around a pile of shining colorless crystals. Some wore crimson robes while others had pitch-black ones.
"Get the fuck out of here before I kill you all!"
The leader of the crimson group shouted at the opponent. Spit flew everywhere but the men in black simply dodged it.
"I am from Blood Temple! I was the one to find the Qi Crystals! Scram or die!"
The hostility between both groups shot through the roof.
A woman in black stepped forward from the other group.
"Don't bullshit me. We both found it at the same time."
The tension grew to the limit until someone unsheathed their sword and beheaded one from Blood Temple.
"Bastards!"
A bloody battle ensued. Everyone enveloped themselves in Wards of Qi, forming a protective layer of energy over their bodies.
'Damn, even with the physique rivaling a cultivator's, I am still unable to sense a modicum of Qi inside my body!'
Sparks flew everywhere as swords clashed. Unfortunately for those in black, the people from Blood Temple outnumbered them two to one. Basically turning a skirmish into a slaughter.
"Lady Que, run!"
Multiple people in black gave up their lives in order to protect their leader.
The woman's qi ward was slowly losing its colorless shine. Clearly, her qi reserves were running dry.
"Keke. Did you think you are a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator to contend with all of us?! Just die!"
Wade watched the culmination that was about to unfold. He had no thoughts of intervening.
However, everyone's expression instantly changed the moment Que Ti took out a jade pearl.
"Not a step closer you bastards!"
Even Wade looked at the pearl in shock. That was such a powerful Inscriber Item!
"Y-You wrench, where did you get that?!"
The red leader went pale with fear. Even his goons slowly retreated back.
'The Combustion Pearl, something that can obliterate everyone here…'
Wade crawled backward trying to flee the scene, but he was unfortunate enough to step on a twig. A crisp sound shook the deathly calm, instantly exposing his location.
Dozens of killing intents focused on him and he felt the pearl shift in his direction.
"H-Hey, hey, everyone!"
He slowly walked out with his hands slightly raised. He tried his best to make a friendly smile but pissed off others instead.
However, what nobody expected next was for Que Ti to run toward him. Everybody expected her to blow him up but what followed after was a lover's embrace.