The Sixth Test Part 1

The group of cultivators arrives at a small forest outside of Jian City. In front of the group is a small rectangular table. A woman is sitting behind the table. On the table are small piles of wooden numbers. Ranging from 1 to 5. The instructor looks at the group of cultivators as Zhihui and Mors walk away, as their job is done.

"This is the last test you all will be doing. Unlike another test in this one, you can fail" A small audible gasp escapes the mouths of some cultivators.

"Based on your performance in the previous tests you will be awarded a point from one to five. I will call your name and give you a number. After that, I will continue explaining later"

Names started to be called one after the other. The most common points given were one and two.

"Bai Wei" Wei walks towards the table. The woman hands her wooden number five "Five points."

"Wow, I bet most of those points come from that nut kick."

'Shut up!'

Xia screams at the old ghost in his head as he fights the redness in his face. There were two more number fives awards after Wei. Each award gathers the same amount of surprise and attention.

"Jinshu Xia" Xia walks towards the table. The woman awards him with a wooden number 3. "Three points"

"Eh, better than I thought."

Kathako old voice echoes in Xia mind. Xia was surprised too. He took the number three with a smile on his face as he walks back to the group. The remaining people were called on and given their numbers. Once everyone had their numbers the female instructor started to speak.

"As you can see I gave you a number. To pass this test you need a total of ten points. To earn those points you must take them from someone else. If you lose all your points then you would have failed the test. "

"Before the test starts, I will give you some safety weapons to fight with. Don't worry if you are heavily wounded you will be treated right away. This comes without saying, but killing someone is forbidden. Doing so will land you in jail."

"You will have 30 mins to enter the forest and find a spot. Alright come here and get your weapons."

The instructor said as she started to give the cultivators weapons as they walked toward her. A neat line forms as everyone waits their turn. Xia receives a hammer and a shield as he walks the forest under the guidance of Kathako.

"This will be very different from the one v one fight. In here you need tactics as well as personal strength"

"This might be the most important test."

Xia said after making sure there were none around him.

"You have no reason to hide and wait in ambush. You need to make sure you aren't ambushed."

Kathako said with a serious tone. Xia had no illusion of being a grand assassin that takes opponents down without being seen. So Kathako did not shatter any dream.

"Find a good place to stay put till the signal is given."

"Signal?"

"What? You thought they aren't going to give you a signal for when the 30 mins are done?"

"Ah-"

"….you are really slow sometimes."

Xia bites his bottom lip as he continues to walk. Soon the sound of a horn echoes through the forest. The sound wave shook the top leaves of the tall trees.

"That is the signal"

Xia nodded his head as he walks with a hammer in one hand and a shield in another. Xia continues to walk while darting his eyes around. Kathako constant warnings about being ambushed keep replaying in his mind. Xia hears some breaking of sticks, his attention focused on the medium bush that made the sound.

Sweat rolled down the back of his neck. His shield is placed in front of his chest, his wooden number hanging from his neck. He lets the hammer sly down as he grabs the very end of it. The head of the hammer is very close to the dirty and mud floor.

"Nothing?"

Xia says out loud as he gets closer to the bush. He hits the bush with the iron hammer. Breaking some of the branches. Xia lowers his shield somewhat as he sees nothing in or behind the bush.

Swoosh!

The sound of something flying enters Xia ears. He turns his head and body as a dagger hits his right shoulder. Piercing the skin and clothes. Drawing bright red blood. From a treetop, another dagger comes flying toward Xia. This one he blocks with his shield. The dagger bounces off the shield and lands near his feet.

He pulls the dagger that is embedded in his shoulder out and throws it on the ground as well. He kicks one of the daggers as far away as possible.

"Looks like we got ambushed."

Kathako said in an "I warn you" tone. From the same tree top where the daggers came from, a figure jumps down. A woman with a lean and petite body. On the skinny side with short red hair. Hanging from her waist is a wooden number two, next to four other iron daggers.

The woman those not even speak as she gets down and rushes toward Xia. Dragging her hand across the floor. When she arrives in front of Xia she threw a handful of dirt at his face. Xia knew of this strategy as he keeps his eyes open as the dirt gets on his face.

His eyes became to tear up as the edges become blood shoot red. With his shield, he delivers an attack on the left side of the woman. Who with her nimble feet was able to dodge in time. She takes out two other daggers from her waist. Her plan to finish the fight as fast as possible has failed.

The first hunt has finally begun.