Chapter 637: Chapter 637: The Examination Begins
The Qingyun Sword Sect has used the Blackwind Village as a test subject for its disciples for a long time. However, despite its longevity, the sect has been unable to eradicate the village, which has somewhat tarnished the sectâs reputation. If the task remains unaccomplished, the masters of the Qingyun Sword Sect plan to take action. However, this would downgrade the overall assessments of all disciples present today.
Within the sect, rumors about this situation spread like wildfire. Naturally, Qin Hua and Wang Hai had heard these rumors and were extremely surprised when they suddenly heard that a mere menial disciple had accepted the task of eradicating Blackwind Village.
âCould it be that there is such an extraordinary swordsmanship prodigy among the menial disciples?â Wang Hai wondered in astonishment. In the sect, many of the core or directly taught disciples look down on menial disciples and treat them with contempt. It was unthinkable that a menial disciple could accomplish what even the core or direct disciples wouldnât dare to undertake.
âSingularly taking on thousands of bandits with only a sword has the bold style of an ancient swordsman.â Qin Hua expressed her admiration. âAs the path leads, I will follow, no matter the odds. How heroic!â
Listening to their praise, Li Guiqingâs face revealed a hint of embarrassment. He coughed and said, âThis person is no genius. I heard that he has been a menial disciple for three years and hasnât even mastered the basic Qingyun Sword Skillâ¦â
Qin Hua: ââ¦â
Wang Hai: ââ¦â
The two exchanged glances, both feeling a bit embarrassed.
âForget it, if he isnât here yet, letâs not wait. Maybe he ran off somewhere elseâ¦â Li Guiqing said after coughing twice.
âBoy, such a slow learner is indeed a rarity in this worldâ¦â Wang Hai shook his head in sigh; three years and still hasnât learnt the simplest beginner swordsmanship. If it were him, he would have run down the mountain in humiliation.
Li Guiqing stood up, ready to announce the start of the assessment. Suddenly, he squinted his eyes, and his right hand instinctively clenched into a fist. This was his instinctual reaction to danger; he wanted to grip his sword hilt, but he didnât have his sword with him as he was here to assess the menial disciples.
From the entrance of the Qingyun Sword Sect, a figure slowly walked up. This figure was clad in grey menial disciple clothes, which was so soaked in blood that its original color was almost unrecognizable. Even from a distance, Li Guiqing could smell the sharp scent of blood emanating from him.
Song Jian, with a face full of determination, was carrying a cloth bag and took step by step toward the square.
âApprentice Song Jian, I have finished eradicating Blackwind Village, but due to this, I am late for the assessment. I ask for your understanding and a chance to participate!â Song Jian threw the cloth bag aside and shouted at the three people on the viewing platform with his fists crossed in front of him.
âWhat? You have achieved the task of annihilating Blackwind Village?â Li Guiqing shook all over with disbelief on his face.
The BlackwindVillage is home to over 3,000 bandits, with five chiefs each at level 30, and the main head having level 1 combat power. Even Li Guiqing himself didnât have the confidence to defeat them, let alone eradicate the whole Blackwind Village with just a single sword.
âImpossible, did he wipe out the entire Blackwind Village by himself?â Nearby, the Forging Master Wang Hai muttered under his breath.
Li Guiqing was also doubtful and reluctant to believe Song Jianâs words. However, the killing intent still lingering on Song Jian and his blood-soaked clothes all testified to his feat.
âWhatâs in your cloth bag?â Qin Hua pointed to the blood-soaked cloth bag beside Song Jian and asked.
âItâs the item for my task!â Song Jian made a fist-palm salute toward Qin Hua and politely replied.
âTask item? You mean?â Wang Hai stood up abruptly and exclaimed in surprise, âThatâs the head of the main leader of Blackwind Village?â
âSince he brought the head back, it canât be faked, right?â Qin Hua gave Wang Hai a sidelong glance and said in a low voice.
Li Guiqing glanced at the cloth bag beside Song Jianâs foot and composed himself. He smiled and said, âYou have just returned from a task. Would you like to rest a bit? We can put off the assessment for a while.â
The assessment was postponed because of one person, something that was likely to only happen with the menial disciples.
âThatâs unnecessary. Itâs unreasonable for so many fellow disciples to wait for me. Besidesâ¦â Song Jian glanced at the three locations prepared for the assessment and smiled, âThe assessment should not take long.â
Hearing his confident words, the three examiners approved, but the rest of the menial disciples showed expressions of resentment.
Song Jian was popular among the menial disciples. It enraged them to see someone usually looked down upon now bragging here. If not for the three examinersâ presence, Song Jian would have probably been drowned in spit by now.
âAlright, you areâ¦Song Jian, correct?â Li Guiqing stroked his long beard and smiled, âSo be it, you can participate in the assessment. Join the third group.â
Song Jian saluted the three of them, picked up the head of the main leader of Blackwind Village, tucked it into his waist, and strode toward the third group of one hundred people.
Song Jian, now at level 30, had all the seals on his skills and equipment lifted. However, he couldnât show off too extraordinary skills or equipment right now; otherwise, he would be suspected, unless he could kill everyone present.
After recovering, Song Jian, facing these menial disciples whose levels were at most level 10, was unassailable even if he let them attack while he stood still.
The greatest gain for Song Jian from journeying to Blackwind Mountain was finding a way to level up. This world was no different from other levels; he could level up just by killing monsters.
âLet the assessment begin. The last three to stand on the stage will be promoted to core disciples!â After Li Guiqingâs loud announcement, everyone swung their wooden swords almost simultaneously at the person next to them.
There were shouts and cries everywhere. Of the hundred people in Song Jianâs group, 99 of them spontaneously rushed at Song Jian.
âYouâre nothing but ants!â The corner of Song Jianâs mouth twitched as he beat a disciple with his wooden sword. A great force flowed through, knocking down the menial disciple instantly.
System: You defeated a menial disciple and gained 1,000 experience points;
âOh? Even without killing these disciples, I can gain experience points? And this amount of experience is quite high!â Song Jianâs eyes lit up, and he saw these disciples as large experience gifts. He swung his wooden sword and charged at these menial disciples.
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