Chapter 21)Test

After receiving the message that young Longway was ready to undertake his test, the elders were filled with great joy. They knew that this signified his readiness to progress further on the path of spiritual development. However, their momentary happiness was tainted by the fact that Longway's spirit teetered on the edge of madness and could potentially succumb to even greater darkness. Yet, they chose to overlook this unsettling truth, focusing instead on the hopeful future that awaited him and the prosperity it could bring to their clan.

"Prepare the forest meticulously for the commencement of the test. I want everything to be of the highest caliber, both in terms of complexity and available resource. Longway must derive the utmost benefit from this experience," commanded the elders.

"Yes, elders," responded the messenger, bowing respectfully before setting off to carry out their orders. Excitement coursed through his veins, for the successful completion of this test would pave the way for a bright future for the young master and ensure a millennium of prosperity for their clan.

Inside Longway's wooden house, he sat in a meditative posture, revisiting the memories of his recent training sessions. He reflected upon his extensive knowledge of various herbs, spiritual beasts, and diverse spirits. He also revisited the teachings on the clan's cultivation methods and the requirements for passing his test, which would propel him to a higher spiritual rank.

Though he was born with a spiritual strength of 20, he had spent nearly four years solely focused on training his body and refining his spiritual power. He recognized the immense value this would hold for his future endeavors, particularly in his case.

Thus, in the final moments before the test, he decided to enhance the quality of his spiritual power. He knew he was on the cusp of a breakthrough, yet unable to achieve it due to his undeveloped physique. Nevertheless, he resolved to strive for the next realm, understanding that a stronger body would yield greater spiritual power, and vice versa. Rather than waiting for his physicality to catch up, he aimed to augment his spiritual strength.

"You may be an ambitious brat, but the time has come. If fortune favors you, you might break through during the trial. But for now, it's time for you to proceed," remarked one of the demon brothers.

Longway nodded with a tinge of sadness but rose to his feet, following the demon brothers. They emerged into an open field not far from home and created an enormous ice structure in the likeness of an Earth Dragon.

"I still don't understand why you favor a lizard over any other spiritual beast," Longway commented.

"What do you know, brat? This is an Earth Dragon—a creature known for its remarkable speed and efficiency in traversing the earth. Before selecting your preferred method of movement, you must grasp the concept of value for money," the demon brother explained.

"Yes, yes, you've already mentioned that—the clan's reputation and personal dignity. Let's continue; time is of the essence," Longway replied impatiently.

"You have plenty of time, so get in," the demon brother retorted.

And so, they trekked across snow-covered fields until they reached the frozen forest. Aptly named, the forest consisted entirely of ice trees and other frigid vegetation. It served as the ideal testing ground for the clan's youth, boasting an incredibly dense concentration of icy spiritual energy that attracted numerous spiritual beasts. Additionally, the abundance of transparent structures made it an ideal location for constructing illusory arrays.

Determining whether a spiritual beast posed a threat or was merely an illusion proved nearly impossible. Furthermore, safe resting spots were scarce, rendering the forest a deadly place for those lacking the ice attribute in their spirits.

Nevertheless, the fact that the elders' children had successfully passed the test in this treacherous environment attested to its potential for growth. The complexity and dangers were carefully regulated by appointed keepers who decided the level of difficulty each applicant could undertake. As participants progressed through the trial, the difficulty could be adjusted accordingly.

"You've arrived at last. Well, young master, you may proceed. Everything has been prepared, and they await you on the other side," the demon brothers informed Longway.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Longway bid farewell to the demon brothers and entered the forest. After taking a few steps forward, he glanced back to see the illusory array activating, signaling the commencement of his trial.

As Longway ventured deeper into the crunchy forest, he could feel the biting chill in the air. The icy trees towered above him, casting eerie shadows on the frozen ground. The forest seemed alive, whispering secrets and hiding untold dangers within its crystalline branches.

Navigating through the labyrinthine paths, Longway remained vigilant, his senses attuned to every subtle shift in the surroundings. Illusory echoes of rustling leaves and phantom footsteps echoed through the frost-laden air, testing his discernment.

The trial demanded not only physical prowess but also mental acuity. Longway knew that in this ethereal realm of illusions, the line between reality and deception blurred. He had to rely on his instincts and sharpened intuition to distinguish between genuine threats and illusory manifestations.

The sound of a distant roar reverberated through the forest, alerting Longway to the presence of a spiritual beast. His heart pounded in his chest as he cautiously approached the source of the commotion. Through the icy foliage, he caught sight of a magnificent Ice tiger, its crystalline feathers shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

He was extremely careful and condensed an ice arrow that hit right into the tiger's eye. However, there was nothing to be happy about, because it was just an illusion and he disappeared. Frustrated but not losing his vigilance, he continued his journey through the forest until suddenly his intuition began to shout about danger and he erected a barrier around himself, thanks to which he was able to protect himself from many ice shells.

Looking up, he saw a lot of small rodents on the branches of the trees. Which were incredibly accurate in their goals.

"I hate rodents."