“So many people…” Wang Zheng was left a little speechless.
But Tree was calm, smiling. “Today’s challenge is the Knife Mountain Trial, so naturally everybody wants to try. The only way for those of the Disciple Level to attain the 16 Point martial arts is to enter competitions. This is a reward for those with talent. Brother Charcoal, you’re so strong, why not give it a try?”
Wang Zheng nodded. Although there were many people, but immediately upon entry, it was really a mountain of knives that greeted them.
The so-called Knife Mountain Trial was to use the Blade Techniques to the limit, rushing through the training route in one go. It tested one’s arts’ usage and breath control. One wrong breath could leave one as a meat skewer.
Not too many people would care about the time reward, but everyone wanted the martial arts. However, those that came to participate were fairly confident in their Techniques.
Beside the Knife Mountain Trial, there was a stone plaque, on which a name was carved – Mu.
Tree’s eyes filled with reverence. “Mu is a legend of this world. He has taken first place in virtually all the trials. Till date, many of his records stand, having never been beaten.”
“Besides getting their name carved, are there other benefits for having the best performance?” Wang Zheng asked.
Tree was taken aback. “I’m sure there are. But that’s impossible. Those that can be beaten have already been beaten. Those that remain are impossible. Mu is one of the 5 Great Saints of the Saint world. Even in the Saint level, he’s an expert.
Wang Zheng rubbed his nose. Seemed like this guy was something.
Perhaps seeing Wang Zheng unconcerned, Tree hastened to add, “In this world, the ones you must not offend are the Saints. Not only is their power unbelievable, but in the real world they’re also important people. Besides, they can all bring their power out into the real world.
Wang Zheng was unconcerned because it was none of his business. A bunch of trial participants had already rushed forward, and were now yelping pitifully.
The realism here was high, and they must be feeling some degree of pain. To Wang Zheng it was nothing more than a drizzle, but for others, it must be a whole different matter entirely.
Although the Knife Mountain route was very long, but any who passed 60m was deemed to have passed. Most were impaled by 30m.
Moving with just one breath required competency in one’s control and usage of the Blade Techniques. Simply guts alone would not get one far.
Wang Zheng stared at the sharp knives. Honestly, it made one’s blood run cold, and such a state of mind definitely affected performance as well.
In a way, such challenge trials did test a wide range of Techniques. Interesting.
The first batch of 20 plus people had been cut to shreds. Failure and death in the Saint world were penalized. Most did not care, but in such a situation, they were accorded respect.
Suddenly, a path opened in the crowd. A person wearing a white dragon-patterned attire strode out.
Tree pulled Wang Zheng aside. “Mouton is here to challenge again. I wonder if he can succeed this time.”
Wang Zheng was just about to go and try. Seeing Tree cling thus left him a little annoyed. Why did this timid guy even come to such a place anyway.
“What’s up with this guy? He’s just a Disciple like us!”
“You don’t understand, many here are already qualified to rank-up, but continue to bide their time in the Disciple level to sweep the records. It’s rumored that ascending to Acolyte class with an engraved record has a different result. To those with talent, ranking-up is not the goal. What they want is to make it to Saint.”
It had to be said that this Mouton had something about him. Those around him broke out in chatter, causing him to raise a handsome eyebrow. These strugglers around the poverty line were clearly different from him. For him, he could easily pass through, but that was not the point. He wanted to enter the Acolyte level with higher status, so that his progression could be better. Otherwise, he would have to work twice as hard.
Therefore, he would rather spend more time on the basics now. But the major trials had been dominated by the 5 Great Saints, and a few other experts from the Saint level.
When those of a higher level descended, the power they could use was capped at the lower levels’ standard. However, their understanding of the martial arts could bring forth power that was not of the same level. In their words, this was a completely different dimension.
Mouton was not satisfied. He was of the Wood affinity, and stood the highest chance of breaking through in the Knife Mountain Trial. Of course, he had passed the trial a long time ago, but he wanted his name carved on the stone plaque, and to replace Mu of the 5 Great Saints. Besides the huge benefits that this would bring, but more importantly, the higher powers would favor him when he entered the Acolyte Tier.
Otherwise, going it alone was too difficult, even for one with talent.
The onlookers were staring wide-eyed at Mouton. Mouton extracted his own Blade Techniques. From the sheen, one knew it was at a high level. It glimmered, which indicated that the mastery was already at a peak.
When the light entered his body, Mouton’s eyes glowed with a resplendent light, and rushed the knife mountain like a tornado.
The Knife Mountain trial was not something easily done in a single breath. Each knife blade needed to be estimated correctly. Missing one added 10m to the required distance, and the distance was not equal. Furthermore, the height of the blades were also different, and the point of descent was different. If one’s sense was too sensitive, one would be easily distracted. Too coarse, and one could not stand it.
Mouton was challenging it for the 12th time. Each time he refined his attempt, although his approach was fairly regulated. This time, he had confidence in breaking 70m. By his calculations, Mu’s record was only 70 plus meters, because once past 80m, the knife blades became random, appearing and disappearing. Below the knife blades was boiling magma. It was rumored that those who fell in would ‘enjoy’ the feeling of being roasted alive. Of course, nobody had done so yet.
Everybody was watching intently. Mouton’s movements were fast and stable. The control of Blade Techniques was competent. Most importantly was his manner, which was calm and composed.
The corner of Wang Zheng’s mouth quirked. Not bad.
This Knife Mountain trial’s setup seemed to be a simplification of the Plum Blossom Stakes, although the variations were less. For this guy to have made it this far, he must have put in a lot of thought and effort.
If Mouton could hear his thoughts he would have burst with rage. He had spent huge sums to specially build a training room that simulated the changes of this Knife Mountain trial, especially the different changing routes. He had even hired a few professionals in order to help him break the record.
Mouton smoothly passed the 60m mark, advancing towards the 70m mark. Everybody’s eyes were filled with admiration and respect. Some had tried over 100 times but still not passed it, whereas he cleared it with ease. Once past the 60m mark, the difficulty rocketed. But he had gone through it before, and continued steadily past the 70m mark. By this time, the huge energy expenditure had left him pouring with sweat. He had passed his own previous record, and was now in untrod territory. Each step brought him closer to the record.
To knock Mu off, he would then be one of the Saints’ new generation!
Wang Zheng shook his head slightly. At that moment, Mouton’s foot stepped out, but his leg wavered…
The slight waver was enough to cost Mouton his balance, and he fell.
In the next instant, Mouton was returned to the starting point. He received no prize, because he had already passed it before. But he had not broken the record, achieving 78m!
God, everybody sighed in regret.
Just 2m more, and he would have made the record. Mouton felt his whole body go limp, although his eyes held a look of disappointment and regret.
He firmly believed that as long as he reached 80m, he could replace Mu. Of course, this was not to say that Mu was any weaker than he was, but that this record was made when he had been at Disciple level. Comparing between levels was pointless.
He told himself that if he failed this time, he would ascend. He could not spend forever in the Disciple level. To challenge the Saints… perhaps it was too difficult.
Mouton’s score still intimidated many. In an instant, nobody dared to go. Whoever went and succumbed early would feel ashamed.
At this time, a person wearing a black metal mask walked over.
Wang Zheng stretched his arms and legs. Who cared about things like Saints or Rich Women? If there were benefits, that was enough for him. He had to make a living, and this deal seemed better than robbing people.
Wang Zheng took out his Blade Techniques. Instantly, the trial arena was completely silent. Even Mouton, who had been resting on the ground, was shocked.
Following that, the whole place burst out in disbelieving laughter.
“Damn, this guy is crazy in the mind. A Basic Point Blade Technique actually came to trial?”
“Charcoal, this name is old-fashioned. Wearing that broken piece of metal to act cool.”
“If he passes 10m, I’ll change my name to Ash!”
The crowd eyed Tree. The fool seemed to be accompanying him. At that instant, Tree’s expression turned strange.
Ping… the Blade Technique entered the body.
Wang Zheng was quickly floating on the knife tip, advancing steadily. His speed was not fast, and he seemed a little unstable. The laughter grew.
But after a few seconds, the laughter had frozen, as though they had suddenly been slapped mid-laugh.
Wang Zheng’s speed was increasing, and he passed 30m in a flash.
The Knife Mountain trial was supposed to get harder and harder, with the distance past 80m in the fog. Therefore, everybody’s speed got slower with progress. But this person was different. He was actually… speeding up.
The figure was like a puff of wind, jumping on the knife tips. In an instant, he had passed 60m.
Was this the end?
Nope!
This was just the beginning!
The person called Charcoal showed no signs of slowing. Mouton’s expression had turned sober. He among them knew best. How could someone with a Basic Point Blade Technique pass 60m?
70m…
Gods, was this a dream???
Was he able to go further? Would he still go further??
Even for an Advanced Point Blade Technique user, 70m would test one’s spirit and stamina heavily. Even the circulation of martial arts would reach a wall.
Especially such a breakneck pace, was simply asking for trouble.
But, with a quick whirl, Wang Zheng paused in mid-air for a moment, and was on his way. The formation of the knife tips became more and more complex, but they seemed unable to stop him. The only pity was that they could not see Wang Zheng’s expression.
78… 79… 80…
This…
Ping…
Once Wang Zheng reached 80m, the moment he treaded down, the fog disappeared, and a wave of fire burst to the sky. In an instant, he was surrounded by a lava hell, the knives flickering in the fiery trap.