Chapter Ninety-Six: The Deception of the Way, Officially Begins

Inside the ruined temple, the stone statues leaned haphazardly, their forms twisted and menacing. As dusk fell, crows called out and cold winds howled; even as a martial artist, Qin Zhiyan couldn’t help but feel a chill crawl up her spine. Yet her skill gave her courage, and she ventured into the back courtyard. There, several meditation chambers stood, all quite clean. On the eastern side grew a Bodhi tree, from which hung a human face’s skin. Two hollow, black eye sockets stared directly at her, making her freeze and tremble all over.

Though she was just a young woman—even after all she’d experienced in a secret realm—she couldn’t suppress her fear. Beneath the tree was a well, and at that moment, thick locks of hair silently surged out from its depths, spreading rapidly toward her. Simultaneously, she felt a cold sensation at her neck; twisting around, she saw a stone statue had somehow appeared behind her.

“I was nearly scared to death!” Qin Zhiyan recounted in a low voice. “Then I screamed and exploded into action, killing everything in a frenzy, twisting them all apart. But soon enough, they all revived, which left me terrified! It was only after I summoned my sword intent and slew them again that they were finally destroyed for good.”

“What were they, exactly?”

“They’re called ‘Eerie.’ Truly bizarre creatures, possessed of unfathomable abilities, utterly emotionless, cruel, bloodthirsty, and feeding on human blood. To kill them, only the power of intent, Buddha’s radiance, or thunderous force will do.”

Qin Zhiyan described her ordeal. The Eerie were similar to ghosts, yet distinct, truly strange beyond measure.

“The world is vast and truly contains everything!” Jiang Ming felt certain that he, too, would one day encounter such things.

Qin Zhiyan’s experience was straightforward: after the incident at the ruined temple, she found a city to settle in and began her arduous cultivation. Thanks to the sword techniques he’d taught her, she gradually comprehended the intent of water, and, by chance, later grasped the flame’s intent as well.

Of the two, the flame’s intent was deadlier against the Eerie, for fire is the power of the sun, imbued with light.

Of course, she also advanced to the fourth stage of martial cultivation, her strength now much improved.

“Of all my achievements, only one was relatively easy for me,” Qin Zhiyan said slowly. “That was to slay the source of the Eerie within the Eerie City.”

“I thought it would be a simple task!”

“Truly!”

“I waited until three months remained before departure, just in case of any mishap.”

“But when I entered Eerie City, my scalp prickled. By day, the city seemed no different from any other place, but the moment I inadvertently released killing intent, every passerby on the street froze and turned to look at me.”

“Do you know what that feels like?”

“It chilled me to the bone.”

“My scalp felt like it would burst.”

“That night, I stayed at an inn and heard something outside. I opened the window and saw a headless giant, more than ten meters tall, walking down the street. It had no arms but over a dozen tentacles, which it used to drag someone from a nearby house and stuff into the gaping wound at its neck.”

“Black mist swirled around it, the cold was unbearable!”

“One tentacle reached for me, and in my terror, I struck without hesitation, summoning the power of fire’s intent to cut it down!”

“It wasn’t as strong as I imagined!”

“But once I killed it, every window on both sides of the street flew open, and behind each stood a person, all staring at me. Darkness loomed behind their figures, and within that darkness, something seemed to be writhing. The horrifying aura nearly stopped my heart; my blood ran cold.”

“Especially their eyes—icy, utterly devoid of emotion. They looked at me as if I were already dead, no, more like a delicious morsel.”

“Then the doors flew open and a horde of people rushed at me, some wielding forks, others kitchen knives, rolling pins, or even heads…”

“They came from all directions, like a tidal wave!”

“Jiang Ming, what should I have done?”

Qin Zhiyan was still deeply shaken. The scene had been a living nightmare, its aftereffects lingering even now.

“Kill them.”

“Kill? Why?”

“These Eerie are like ghosts. In Eerie City, could any of them be normal? Their behavior was clearly unnatural. Even if they aren’t Eerie, they’re certainly not living humans anymore. Of course you must kill them. When you arrive in a new world, the first rule is to protect yourself.”

Jiang Ming’s tone had grown somewhat indifferent. The first time, he was full of compassion; the second, he only stuck to his own bottom line, helping others when able. But to hesitate in the face of danger, to hold back, was courting death.

“Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit better! At first, I only defended myself, but the crowd was so overwhelming, coming from every direction, even from the rooftops. In desperation, I finally had to strike back. After killing one, I saw their bodies rot away at once, yet even so, I was wracked with guilt. I kept asking myself, when I attack an ordinary person, am I still a good person? Do I still have a conscience? Do I have any moral boundaries left? If they were evil, it wouldn’t matter, but these were just ordinary people!” Qin Zhiyan’s eyes grew confused. “I keep wondering, what is our purpose in cultivating? If the roles were reversed, and I were killed by someone else on a whim, what would I feel? I just want to control my own fate, but what about those I kill?”

“The weak must protect themselves; the strong may help the world. Anyone with desires is selfish at heart. Protect yourself first; if you have the ability, then do good. That already makes you a good person—a very, very good person.” Jiang Ming replied.

“Jiang Ming, I understand now. Thank you!”

The two continued their quiet conversation.

Before long, City Lord Song arrived with others. He looked at Jiang Ming and his companions with solemnity. “Next, the three of you will represent Pingyang City in the competition. Don't feel pressured—just do your best!

“According to this year’s rules, only the top hundred in the provincial preliminaries may enter the provincial exam.

“In addition, between the preliminaries and the provincial exam, anyone who breaks through to the third stage of martial arts can apply to join the provincial exam after passing a certification test.

“The top ten students in the preliminary rounds may proceed directly to the finals, while the rest will enter elimination matches. A win earns a point; draws and losses earn nothing. The final ten will advance to the finals.

“The finals are also round-robin, with the same point system. The top five will represent our province in the national martial arts examination.

“During the matches, there are five-minute breaks between rounds.

“The rules are simple!

“Next, each of you will be assigned a virtual battle chamber, made of alloy and sealed until the exam ends.

“I and the other instructors will be stationed outside, with cameras monitoring everything in real time to ensure your safety.

“Attend to your personal needs, then enter your chambers!

“At nine o’clock sharp, the martial arts exam will begin!

“I wish you all the best of luck!”

City Lord Song smiled, especially when looking at Jiang Ming, his eyes filled with great hope.

The group then made their way to the virtual chambers.

As for personal needs?

By the third stage of martial cultivation, there was little waste left in the body; even days without relief posed no problem.

At Jiang Ming’s level, he could completely refine impurities, expelling them through his meridians and pores.

The virtual chamber was no longer just a seat, but a luxurious, semi-reclining chair akin to a massage chair.

After inspection and final preparations, City Lord Song personally escorted everyone else out and locked the doors himself.

No one would be released until the end.

Each chamber had cameras and a special glass window, allowing those outside to see in.

Jiang Ming started the machine. After retina scan and genetic verification, his vision went black, and he found himself seated once more.

“Welcome, Jiang Ming of Pingyang Second High, Class 3-4, to the Tianzhong Province Martial Arts Exam. In the national preliminaries, you ranked first. In the provincial exam, you may proceed directly to the finals.

“You are now seated in the provincial martial arena’s contestant area!

“When the preliminary rounds end, you’ll be notified to prepare for the finals.

“During the finals, opponents will be drawn at random. Once selected, you’ll be transported directly to the arena with thirty seconds to prepare!”

A voice sounded in his ears. A screen appeared before him, scrolling through information.

After reading, Jiang Ming examined himself.

Nothing seemed different.

It was as if he were in his real body. The only change was the absence of the green seed in his dantian. That seed was strange—always present, yet absorbing no energy, stirring no soul power, unmoving and impossible to extract.

“Is this truly false—or real? If it’s fake, then it’s a bit too real,” Jiang Ming thought, once again amazed upon entering the virtual network.

“I suspect it’s real—but so real it feels fake!” a soft voice piped up from the seat beside him. Seeing Jiang Ming glance over, the girl smiled, “Classmate Jiang, I’m Tian Tian, from First High! Hello, Qin. I hope you’ll both look after me!”

“Hello, Tian,” Jiang Ming greeted her.

Tian Tian was petite and sweet-faced—not quite as striking as Qin Zhiyan, but her presence was pleasant. He knew she was a true genius.

She had never entered a secret realm, yet had cultivated her way to the third stage of martial arts and broken into the province’s top hundred.

In terms of talent, even Qin Zhiyan couldn’t match her—she was far behind, in fact.

“Have you both been in a secret realm? Could you tell me what it’s like? I want to try, but my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts—none of them will let me go,” Tian Tian said with a touch of innocence.

Jiang Ming was speechless.

That really was a big family—but was it wise to mention that to an orphan? It sounded a bit like showing off.

“It’s best you didn’t go,” Jiang Ming said coolly. “The secret realm I entered wasn’t just full of monsters, but ghosts. For example, you’re resting, and suddenly open your eyes to a bloodied ghost face; or, while relieving yourself, a ghost hand suddenly appears from below.”

“I experienced an eerie world,” Qin Zhiyan added darkly. “Faces skinned and hung from trees, hair writhing out of wells, statues coming silently to life behind you. Worst of all, the house you live in might wake up, the food you eat suddenly turn to maggots.”

She shot Tian Tian a glance, making her stories even scarier.

Trying to act superior in front of Jiang Ming? Let’s see if I can’t scare you to death.

Tian Tian’s face grew whiter and whiter, and she shivered uncontrollably, her eyes full of fear.

“Some secret realms truly are terrifying—demons, monsters, ghosts, all manner of evil spirits. If you’re faint of heart, you might be scared to death!” said a young man standing ahead of them, turning to Jiang Ming with a clasped fist. “Provincial capital, Long Aotian. Pleased to meet you, Brother Jiang.”

“Long Aotian?” Jiang Ming looked at him with a strange expression.

“My parents’ idea, really embarrassing!” Long Aotian replied with a wry smile, then looked at him with burning eyes. “I thought I’d take first in the preliminaries, but you beat me—and took first in the nation. Impressive. But Brother Jiang, I’m no slouch. Three days ago, I conquered a martial world. This time, if you want first, it won’t be so easy!”

“Enough, Xiao Long!” interrupted a girl in a blue combat suit and single ponytail, giving him a look of contempt. “Jiang Ming made it to the sixth level of the Sky Tower. Are you confident you can beat him now? And it’s been seven days—who knows if he’s entered another secret realm?”

“Lan Xin, third in the province,” she greeted Jiang Ming respectfully, her posture formal.

As for Tian Tian, no one paid her any further attention.

Others also came over to greet them.

The strong are always respected, especially someone who, as an orphan, had fought his way to the pinnacle—the difficulty could be imagined.

If their positions were reversed, how many of them could have done the same?

After a brief conversation, the hour struck nine, and a prompt sounded for all.

The provincial martial exam had officially begun.

Everyone straightened in their seats, Jiang Ming included.

Thanks to the three great benefactors for their support—my deepest gratitude.

It’s the end of the month, don’t hold on to your monthly votes.

I beg for your support!

(End of chapter)