71 The Chase 1

The administrator inner disciples started to brief the outer disciples on the first stage of the Outer Disciple Competition. The objective was to cross through the Shadow Grove Forest. Inside, was an environment filled with Demonic Beasts caught by the Southern Wind Academy. The strength of the Demonic Beasts vary between the weakest Grade one Demonic Beast up to the Grade three Demonic Beast. A Grade three demonic beast was equivalent to the Core Establishment Stage. It was a cultivation realm that most outer disciples could not contest against.

Almost all demonic beasts are stronger than their equivalent realm of the human race. It means that a Body Enhancement Stage cultivator may not necessarily win a grade two demonic beasts. Rather, there is a high chance that they may lose if they face it on their own.

The center of the Shadow Grove Forest was where the Grade three Demonic Beasts lurk around. As such, the administrators had warned the outer disciples not to ever step foot into the center regions. The normal route to cross through the forest was to make a roundabout the outer regions. This route would typically take two days, and three days for the weaker disciples.

All the contestants would be given a signal device created using artificing. If any of the outer disciples were to face any danger that he or she was unable to deal with, they could activate the signal device to notify the inner disciples. The inner disciples that were dispatched throughout the forest would interfere and protect them from dying. Of course, the outer disciple would have to fend for themselves for at least ten breaths worth of time, before the inner disciple could save them. By activating the signal device, it would mean that they are disqualified from the competition.

"We shall now dispatch you in batches, so as to reduce overcrowding at places." One of the administrative disciples instructed. The order went by the School of Sword Arts and Sabre Arts, the School of Hidden Weapons, the School of Fist Arts, the School of Pole Arts and finally, the School of Artificing.

There was a slight time advantage for those that left first. However, the journey was meant to take two days and so, a few hours gap is not too important.

"Big sis Rou Xuan.." Wang Li Tian's expression got slightly complicated. From the beginning, he realised that he would not be leaving in the same batch as Jiang Rou Xuan.

Yet, the youth calmed his emotions down within seconds. The state of Calm Mind attributed to the Braveheart Manual allows Wang Li Tian to think sensibly. He could always just increase his travelling pace or just meet her in the next stage.

"Wait for me, big sister."

"Could the School of Artificing get to the entrance position?" It was finally Wang Li Tian's turn. He made sure to arrive at the entrance quickly, allowing him to get the frontmost position. The Shadow Grove Forest was located directly beside the mountain ranges that belonged to Southern Wind Academy. Cultivators only had to descend down several hundred steps to arrive at the entrance of the forest.

When the outer disciples had more or less grouped up, the administrator gave the signal, "You may depart now!"

With a contracted lower body, Wang Li Tian sprung forwards once the signal was given. The burst of speed completely stumped the disciples in the front. What the fuck was that? That dude disappeared from my vision in an instant!

No matter how they tried looking for the grey robed youth, they couldn't find a trace or shadow of Wang Li Tian. Even hideous looking Tie Gang turned even uglier when he realised that Wang Li Tian was no where to be seen. He wanted to follow the little kid around the forest and eventually, eliminate him from the competition.

Within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Li Tian had already caught up with the slower disciples from the School of Pole Arts. Some of them were in the midst of fighting with Grade one demonic beasts. Even though they were in the body enhancement stage, the strength of grade one demonic beasts was strong enough to put up a good fight.

Of course, Wang Li Tian ignored those battles and proceeded onwards. His speed of travelling was so fast that grade one demonic beasts could not even catch him off guard. After training in the dwelling of Deathwater Mountain, using his master's arrays, Wang Li Tian's bodily physique is far more durable and strong than other outer disciples. To add on, he was not one bit scared of the Demonic Beasts.

Over the four years of his childhood, he would constantly see powerful grade three demonic beasts traversing the mountain. His master's array would prevent Wang Li Tian from dying, but the demonic beast aura would still be present. Compared to the outer disciples that lived in cities their whole life, they would be completely stumped when they finally face their first demonic beast. For Li Tian, it was like a fish traversing in water.

His goal was to run straight through towards the Sword Art disciples. That way, he may get a chance to find Jiang Rou Xuan. Blitzing forward, his right arm clung onto his sword while his left arm thrusted forward non-stop. Eventually, as the youth only continued to run forward, Wang Li Tian had reached the periphery of the center area of Shadow Forest.

There were two inner disciples from the School of Pole Arts stationed at the periphery of the center area. Sitting high up on the trees, they conversed quietly.

"Do you think anyone would be stupid enough to enter the center area of the forest?" The disciple with thick eyebrows asked.

"Well, normally, there would always be around ten disciple that end up running into the forest. However, that is usually because they are being chased down by other demonic beasts. Even then, there is a warning array that would activate when he or she crosses into the center region." Just like the explanation that came from the disciple with small eyes, the academy had already set up a warning mechanism. As such, disciples would know of the danger.

"That is true. Not only that, we are stationed at the front of the entrance. No outer disciple would be retarded enough to run straight through the forest." The disciple with thick eyebrows agreed. After a few short moments since their conversation, the pair heard light crunching sounds coming towards them. Thinking that it must be some stray demonic beast, they did not make a move as their job was to just observe.

However, the crunching sound only got louder and louder, eventually, the two inner disciples looked downwards to see what was passing through them.

"What the fuck!?!?!"