655. Returning from the Trial (Patreon)

Light swirled just outside the closed door. Hui appeared moments later, dressed in his new robes, still in his crystal form, his hands behind his back. He smiled up at Shuhang Han. “Senior, you didn’t have to wait for me!”

Shuhang Han stared. “You survived?” And hold on, where did those robes come from? He looked Hui up and down, startled. A new hair ribbon, shiny and bright. Blue robes as clear as the midday sky. A black sash, counterpoint to the robes, and matching black slippers. His brow furrowed. Did he visit a clothing store while he was in there?

Hui tilted his head at him. Nodding, he prompted Shuhang Han, “Of course. Just as Senior had faith I would!”

After a moment, Shuhang Han coughed. “Yes, yes. I was waiting for your successful return! I knew you could clear that trial. No one else has, but I took one look at you, and I knew you would be the one! Haha!” Shuhang Han thumped Hui on the back. He immediately drew back his hand, rubbing his palm. Ow! When did he get so hard?

“Yes, yes. It’s good that Senior had so much faith in me!” Hui agreed, laughing along.

“Of course. Of course!” Shuhang Han grinned.

“Ah, but, I think body cultivation and I don’t have much karma,” Hui said, shaking his head. Or rather, I don’t want to stick around you, you snake! No wait, Zhubi’s a snake, and he’s good. You… worse than a snake! I barely know you ten seconds, and you’re already trying to kill me? That treasure room was packed full. How many people have beaten this trial? Has anyone? You sent a fourth-stage cultivator in…you sent me to my death!

Did you see my cultivation technique and instantly decide to kill me? It’s not that heavenly! I swear it isn’t! I figured out crystallization at… fourth, fifth realm? It’s a low-level technique. Like this lowly cultivator, not worthy of Senior’s attention! Senior has no reason to kill this small cultivator to gain my technique.

Or is Senior merely jealous of me? Jealous of this small cultivator? What do I have to be jealous of? Or rather, does a Tier Master possess jealousy even for a mere fourth tier disciple, a small child like myself? Does Senior’s jealousy know no bounds? Tsk! Senior, please! Spare me!

Ah, whatever it is, the one thing I know is that I definitely want to leave Senior behind, far behind me! To think, I had such a good impression of body cultivators as simple, upright, and open personages, when Senior in fact desired to immediately kill me upon first sight!

Sending me into that trial is a clear attempt to murder me. Even the assassin tier didn’t do that! They put me in danger, certainly, but always openly. They never invited me to participate in a trial far above my level without warning me of the danger or telling me there was some punishment ahead. And this isn’t even punishment! He simply attempted to murder me, plain and simple, using the trial as a scapegoat. Hui shook his head regretfully, releasing a long sigh. He looked at Shuhang Han from the corner of his eye and shook his head again.

Shuhang Han shivered. He looked away. Why do I feel pressured by this disciple? But… he did defeat that trial. Even I never defeated it. At its highest levels, it should be able to slice a ninth-realm cultivator to death!

But wait, did it hit those highest levels? It stopped abruptly in the thousands… huh? Shuhang Han tilted his head, brows furrowing. Did he somehow break the trial before it ended? How? The blades are near-Immortal strength in the first place. Although they don’t use their full strength immediately, the blades themselves shouldn’t be breakable by anyone under ninth realm… unless he truly has a heavenly body cultivation art!

I’m even more interested in this disciple now! I must learn this art of his. It might be the key in breaking through to the next stage! My arts and secrets far outnumber his, but this disciple’s single art might be more pure than all of mine combined!

Shuhang Han shook his head at Hui. “No, no. You’re the first to pass the trial in a long time. You have incredible karma with body cultivation. Stick around. You’ll have great success, as long as you remain in this tier!” Stay here. I want to learn your secrets!

“No, no. I think I’ve seen enough already. Enough to know that this small cultivator has no talent,” Hui demurred, shaking his head. Haa? You want me to stay? After you attempt to kill me, and not only that, admit it? I’m the first to pass the trial, huh? Ha! The first to survive! From the start, you were aiming for my little life. I’d be a madman to remain around you. He strode forward, quickly leaving the body cultivation tier. I want to find a new tier, but this clearly isn’t the one.

Am I going to end back in Jizhi Zhimei’s tier after all? Could it be? Is the assassin’s tier actually the safest tier of all?

Surely not. And yet, it was relatively above-board! They admitted attempting to poison us disciples. They openly attempt to assassinate one another! Not like this Shuhang Han, who smiles at my face while pointing a dagger at my back!

“If you must go, then please always remember that you have a place here, among us. You might not feel your karma with body cultivation today, but in the future, I’m sure that your true path will guide you here,” Shuhang Han insisted

“Ah, I’ll remember, I will definitely remember my experience here,” Hui said, nodding. I’ll remember how you tried to kill me!

Well, it’s not like it’s all bad. I had a breakthrough in strengthening my body while I was here, using the compression technique. Still, it’s a breakthrough I’d rather not have! Better if I’m not under deadly danger while I’m learning. Far better!

At the borderline between the third tier and the second, Hui bowed a final goodbye. “Farewell, Senior. It’s a pity that I wasn’t suited for body cultivation.”

“No, no, not at all. You are suited, you will be suited. You’ll be back sooner or later,” Shuhang Han said confidently. I won’t allow you to escape. You clearly belong to my tier!

With one last bow, Hui stepped into the second tier. I don’t think I will! I’ve seen enough, Senior!