Chapter 34: Recover The Flying Knife
Zen stood among the disciples who had passed the test. One by one, more disciples emerged from the Bloody Mountain. They took turns throwing crystal fragments into the baskets.
Suddenly Zen spotted Nory jumping out of a flying chariot. He gave Zen a cheerful wave before he hurried to the baskets. Zen watched as Nory took out a handful of crystal fragments and placed them into the baskets.
Nory had passed the test too!
Zen was quite surprised. Nory was only at the bone refining level. How was it possible for him to collect ten purple fragments in the test? During the test, Zen had planned to give Nory spare fragments once he had reached the third level. However, Zen encountered the ogre and then, he didn't get the chance.
Zen didn't know how, but it seemed as though Nory had passed the Blooded Test all by himself. It was impossible for a man at the bone refining level to kill the unreal beasts in the third level. How did Nory manage it?
Could Nory have been downplaying his abilities? The thought flashed through Zen's mind.
Smiling, Nory walked over to Zen, obviously pleased with himself. “Ha! I have passed the test, Zen.”
“How did you do that? How did you get enough fragments?” Zen asked.
“Well, it's a long story. The short version is that I got lucky.” Then he told Zen what happened after he entered the third level. Nory happened to see two disciples from noble clans fighting each other for a fragment. At last, both disciples were critically wounded and forced out of the test. Nory took advantage and collected their fragments. That was how he passed the test.
As he listened, Zen couldn't help but marvel at Nory's good luck.
Flying chariots flew back and forth till the last of the disciples had collected in the square.
The Blooded Test was finally over.
While those who passed the test were in high spirits, those who failed looked utterly crestfallen.
The eliminated disciples from noble clans were quickly taken away by their families. They could hardly contain their resentment. Chad Zhuge shot a look of pure venom at Zen before he left. He had always prided himself on his ability before taking the test. Although this was his first shot at the blooded test, Chad had been confident that he would pass it.
After all, it was a rare thing for a disciple from the top seven noble clans to fail the Blooded Test.
Chad had never expected that Zen would defeat him. It certainly didn't sit well with him.
Zen and Nory were talking and laughing at the far side. Of course, Zen noticed the venomous look from Chad, yet it didn't concern him.
Being a body refiner was not easy. It was a long and difficult road, full of peril. Zen felt ready for the upcoming challenges. He would overcome all obstacles in his way. Now that he had decided to go down this road, Zen knew he must not fear making some enemies.
At this point, Perrin and Billy looked the most frustrated and exasperated of all.
Earlier, Billy had sent two of his clansmen who had registered for the blooded test to kill Zen in the Bloody Mountain. But it turned out that he had underestimated Zen.
Dim and Tim also failed the test. They allied with Chad to rob from others. And then they came across Zen. But before they had the time to use their Final Killer, they were knocked out of the test by other participants.
It was downright humiliating.
Even Billy, who always acted casual, was unable to contain his emotions. When he learned of what had happened, he launched a furious tirade at them before allowing his clansmen to be taken away. He would have to spend more time thinking about how to deal with Zen.
As for Perrin, he could only trail behind Billy with a sullen face. Perrin would just embarrass himself if he went to mock Zen. He had never thought that Zen, who had been as insignificant as a tiny ant, would grow into an intimidating opponent.
That night, all participants who had passed the test officially joined Cloud Sect as outer disciples.
Since it was late, the mentors from all thirty-three peaks would have to choose their disciples the next day.
And so, these new disciples had to spend the night at the foot of the Bloody Mountain.
The atmosphere in the dormitory was more relaxed. After a tough haul, the disciples had finally met their first goal.
Some of them were so excited that they could hardly fall asleep. They spent most of the evening talking all about the choices of peaks.
Master Xu from the Skytop Peak was the most discussed person among these newcomers.
There were many tales about Skytop Peak. Topping all other 32 peaks, it was said to cream off most talents in the sect.
Zen and Nory sat at the corner of the room, listening to this discussion.
Nory listened intently. His eyes glittered with anticipation. Zen saw his expression and asked, “So which peak do you prefer? Skytop Peak?”
Nory scratched his head and laughed, “I wish. But I'm afraid I won't qualify for it.”
Nory was acutely aware of what he was capable of. Skytop Peak would choose the disciples who had performed well in the test. He assumed that the big man with a great sword would probably get into Skytop Peak.
“Zen, I have decided to stick with you. I find that I am lucky as long as I stay with you,” Nory said.
There was some degree of truth in Nory's conclusion. If it hadn't been for Zen, Nory might not have passed the initial exam. And if Zen hadn't helped him during the Blooded Test, Nory would have been eliminated already.
“What if I go to Drizzle Peak?” Zen asked, smiling.
The question brought Nory up short. Then after a moment's hesitation, he exclaimed, “Are you kidding me?”
According to Zen's brilliant performance in the test, he could get into any peak he wanted.
But now, Zen was considering going to Drizzle Peak. Nory had to remind him, “Bro, Drizzle Peak is at the bottom of all peaks. You know that, don't you?”
Zen nodded as Master Su's face flashed through his mind. If it hadn't been for her, he would have been disqualified by Joshua in the test. But if Drizzle Peak ranked last, then its support couldn't compare with any other peaks. Its disciples would have two strikes against them when it came to their quota of pills, refining methods or other monthly supplies.
Zen hesitated for a moment.
As the night wore on, Zen shoved everything else out of his mind and focused on something more important.
He had to get his knife back even if it meant that he had to turn Bloody Mountain upside down.
After Nory drifted into a deep sleep, Zen slid out of the room. He went to the foot of the mountain under cover of darkness. Vaguely, he found the trial he had taken earlier and began to ascend the mountain.
The magic array was inactive at this hour, and so, there weren't too many unreal beasts. Since the magic red sand had made the mountain inhospitable to animals, even real beasts were rare.
The mountain seemed different without the magic array. Zen dashed around for a while as he searched several places and tried to find the spot where he had fought the ogre, but it all came to nothing.
His knife was buried deep in the huge mountain. Trying to find it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
He searched for about an hour and then completely lost his bearing in the dark. It seemed that Zen would have to go through every corner of the mountain to get his knife back.
It was such a great weapon. It was a pity that he had only used the knife once.
The result disheartened Zen. Suddenly, not far away some twigs rustled and swayed, then a woman dressed in green walked out from the trees.
As the women sauntered over, her beautiful face gleamed in the moonlight. She was wearing a green floating dress, which showed off her perfect curve. She was stunning, and for a moment, Zen was enchanted.
As soon as he recognized that the woman was Master Su from Drizzle Peak, Zen withdrew his gaze immediately and greeted her with a smile, “Hi, Master Su.”
“What are you doing here so late? You are supposed to be in the dormitory.” Master Su asked. Her lips curved into a sly smile.
“I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk here...” Zen's face grew hot since he was telling a blatant lie.
“Is that so?” Master Su took two steps toward Zen, her bright eyes surveying his face. “Why did you choose to come here, the Bloody Mountain, for a walk?”
Her voice was clear and pure. Zen could tell that her tone was mischievous.
“Exactly,” Zen spread his hands and shrugged. He returned her smile.
“Well, I don't think so.” Master Su shook her head and said, “I think you are looking for something.”
Zen coughed in embarrassment. Then he scratched his head, surprised by her acute judgment. “I guess that is a private matter, Master Su.”
“Oh, if it's private, then I will respect your boundaries and be on my way. Bye!” Master Su replied as she swung a knife in front of him.
Zen's eyes brightened when he saw the knife. He said quickly, “Master Su, the knife…”
“Is it yours?” Master Su turned with the grace of a fairy and looked straight into his eyes.
Of course, she knew it was Zen's knife. She was the only master who had witnessed firsthand the whole fight between Zen and the ogre. She knew where the knife had fallen and retrieved it easily in the night.
Zen nodded, “Yes, it is my knife, Master Su.”
“Well, it is a cracked knife, but it is powerful. Good stuff. I can give it back to you, but…” Master Su added, “on one condition.”
“Name it.” Zen said.
“You join Drizzle Peak,” Master Su said with a sly smile.
Zen had been expecting her to say that. All this while, he had been hesitating about which peak to choose.
But now he knew without a doubt which peak he would pick. His choice seemed to be influenced by Master Su. Her behavior seemed a little shady, but she had found his knife.
He might never have found the knife had it not been for her assistance.
As he thought of this, Zen nodded and said sincerely, “I will choose Drizzle Peak tomorrow.”
Master Su gave him a sweet smile. She tapped the ring on her slender finger. A second later, two small rings appeared in her palm. “Your knife is cracked, plus you can't control the knife with your life vitality unless you reach the nature level. That is why you can't make the knife return after you throw it. Here is my 'welcome to Drizzle Peak' gift. Take it.”
Zen looked at the two small rings and blinked. He had no clue about the function of the gift.