Chapter Twenty-Two: The Third Trial
After a long while, Chen Qi collapsed to the ground, exhausted from scraping away for half the day.
He had hacked at each wooden figure for ages, yet failed to leave a single notch behind. Instead, he sensed the durability of his long blade had slightly decreased.
Sprawled on the ground, Chen Qi continued to reflect, “If I go all out, I should have no problem passing the trial. If I don’t try to forcefully kill the wooden whip puppet, I should be able to hold out for the time of a stick of incense.”
Soon, Chen Qi revived his spirits, hesitating over whether he should try to strike up a conversation with that inner sect senior sister.
Making a fool of myself by awkwardly chatting up a beautiful senior sister (X)
Humbly seeking guidance about the content of the third trial (√)
...
With a smack to his own forehead, Chen Qi realized he didn’t even know the inner sect senior sister’s name. Moreover, as someone not even an outer disciple yet, he likely couldn’t enter the inner sect at all.
After resting a while, his life force recovered to 87%.
His half-datafied body quickly closed all wounds, and he felt most of his strength return.
After eating a little dry food, Chen Qi set out for the Hall of Trials, intending to ask that inner sect senior sister her name. Yes, he was worried that Elder Chi might target him in the third trial.
Unexpectedly, on the way, he saw a group of outer disciples gathered around the entrance to the Hall of Tasks.
Curious, Chen Qi joined the crowd.
At the center stood the inner sect senior sister in her cloud-patterned green robe!
Several rings of people surrounded her so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through. Chen Qi keenly sensed a sour, pungent stench of hormones in the air.
Pushing his way in, the clash of his blood energy with that of the outer disciples created a subtle collision.
As he struggled forward, he heard a gentle and magnetic voice from the center, “Those interested may sign up at the Hall of Tasks. I have already handed over the commission to the steward.”
Hearing the woman’s words, Chen Qi realized the conversation was drawing to a close. At last, he squeezed to the front.
Within two zhang of the woman, no one stood nearby. She immediately spotted Chen Qi, who was fighting his way forward, smiled at him, and was about to leave.
Chen Qi hurriedly called out, “Senior Sister, may I ask about the content of the solo third trial?”
He approached her eagerly, like a hunting hound.
Seeing Chen Qi catching up, the woman did not pause her steps, replying softly, “You want to know?”
Chen Qi nodded fervently, keeping pace with her.
She turned to him again, giving a radiant smile, then said:
“I won’t tell you...”
Chen Qi, helpless, persisted, determined to get to the bottom of things.
Seeing she wouldn’t answer, he changed tack, “Then, Senior Sister, what was that sign-up you mentioned?”
She finally stopped, her smile bright as ever, “In three days, I’ll be leading a sweep through the mountains around the sect and need a team of outer disciples. Junior Brother, would you like to come along?”
Chen Qi had already prepared his move and replied smoothly, “Of course I’ll participate in anything Senior Sister is organizing, but I’m applying for the solo outer disciple trial. Could you help me, please?”
Her smile froze for a moment as Chen Qi quickly added, “Senior Sister, I managed to cut the wooden whip puppet in half, all thanks to the opening you created!”
Hearing his words, each one meant to flatter, she finally relented. “Fine, I’ll tell you about the content of the solo third trial.”
She stopped, her expression turning serious. “Elder Chi will take you to one of the sect’s forbidden sites—the Cloudshadow Cavern.”
She paused, then explained, “There are many strange stones there. What you will face is a rare Shadowstone, containing the silhouettes of those who have attempted the trial through the ages.”
She waited for Chen Qi to digest this, then continued, “The remarkable thing about the Shadowstone is that the shadows summoned from it replicate one hundred percent of the combat strength of those below inner disciple level, and only ten shadows remain.”
She winked playfully, adding with interest, “Perhaps Junior Brother will encounter my shadow?”
Before Chen Qi could ask more, her graceful figure flashed, and she was already ten meters away.
Chen Qi tried to piece together the information:
In other words, he would be facing the copies of the ten strongest candidates from the sect’s history who had undergone the solo servant disciple trial...
At this thought, his vision darkened.
As far as he knew, Cloudsea Sect had a history spanning hundreds of years. Even without considering the distant past, right now, he had no confidence in dealing with that inner sect senior sister.
His strength was still some distance from even leaving a mark on the wooden figures, much less cracking them.
A sense of pressure weighed on Chen Qi. He needed to use the remaining time to strengthen himself as much as possible.
Currently, there was only one way left to rapidly increase his power: using skill points to raise his skill levels!
He checked his skill panel: he had 3 basic skill points and 1 golden skill point unused.
At the moment, he also had 4100 general points.
To maximize his combat effectiveness, Chen Qi faced a dilemma: should he push the purple-quality active skill, Focused Burst, to level 4, or should he raise both Basic Blade Technique and Footwork to level 4?
Troubled by this choice, Chen Qi found a patch of grass and lay down to ponder quietly.
First, it was clear that basic skill points were an extremely precious strategic resource. This was evident from the hints given by the space and from the contractors he had fought before.
Raising Basic Blade Technique and Footwork certainly wouldn’t be a loss in the short term, and as a foundation, wouldn’t be a waste in the long run either.
However, the manager of the Universal Trade Association had sworn that the Focused Burst skill book had limitless potential and recommended prioritizing its upgrade.
Besides, the output from the newcomer-exclusive world was truly remarkable—this skill book was extraordinary.
Its only flaw was its cost—two thousand general points per level.
Chen Qi’s thoughts grew more scattered as he replayed the battle in the wooden puppet formation in his mind.
If he raised both his Basic Blade Technique and Footwork to level 4, he could easily last for a stick of incense, but he likely wouldn’t be able to defeat any of the wooden puppets!
On the other hand, upgrading the active skill would provide a trump card for a turnaround at a critical moment, but would not increase his effective offensive means.
Yes, Chen Qi was worried he’d be stuck scraping away again in the next trial...
In the end, Chen Qi decided to upgrade his active skill, Focused Burst!
On one hand, he vaguely remembered the hint from “Seedling Space”—the space itself seemed to favor this skill, didn’t it?
On the other hand, well, he had to admit that the Trade Association manager’s brainwashing had indeed been effective.
Surely his creditor wouldn’t hope for him to drop dead from misallocated skill points?
Resolute, Chen Qi opened his skill panel.
[Upgrade skill: Focused Burst lv.2? Consumes 2000 general points and one basic skill point.]
He confirmed the selection, and soon, Focused Burst on his skill panel reached level 3.
[Upgrade skill: Focused Burst lv.3? Consumes 2000 general points and one basic skill point.]
Level 4 was a qualitative leap—Chen Qi hesitated whether to use his golden skill point.
Very soon, thinking it best to use it early to enjoy the benefits, Chen Qi made his choice.
[You have used a golden skill point.]
[Skill: Focused Burst has reached level 4. Please select one of the following enhancement directions.]