Calm and windless

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Walking the solitary path proved impossible; taking a risky approach lacked courage. For a moment, everyone turned to look at Zhang Ling. Zhang Ling surveyed his surroundings and said, “It seems we must resort to brute force. You are in charge of drawing the stone monsters’ attention. Ye Yu Mi and Tang Yong, you two will restrain and rescue, while Song Linjie and Mo Li, you will alternate attacks. One of you should defeat a stone monster while the other recovers your energy as quickly as possible. Of course, if anyone does not wish to cooperate, speak up now—I promise I’ll only cripple them.”

The disciples from various sects, whose martial skills were mediocre, couldn’t help but shudder and swallowed nervously. How casually he spoke of such peril! Those inexperienced in the world’s dangers would never guess what a bloody outcome awaited in his company. Song Linjie, somewhat slow to catch on, asked, “And what about you?”

Zhang Ling glanced at a rugged, squat tree, confirmed there was neither trap nor venomous snake, lightly tapped his foot, flipped himself onto a sturdy branch, and declared, “I will oversee the entire situation and direct you all. This is also to ensure your safety. Any objections?”

He looked toward Fang Haiding in the distance, whose expression was dark, and gestured, “You go first.”

Everyone’s gaze settled on him; the collective will was such that even if you were unwilling, you had to comply. Zhang Ling sighed inwardly; he had become the sort of person he disliked.

Fang Haiding, nearest the stone monster horde, hesitated, gripping his long blade tightly. He gritted his teeth and finally walked toward the stone monsters.

As he stepped within their attack range, a four-armed, double-headed stone monster shook and launched a furious assault, four fists pounding toward him. Fang Haiding did not hesitate; his front foot twisted, his rear foot shot back like a wind-blown arrow, and he burst into retreat. Once he exited the danger zone, the four-armed, double-headed stone monster was still five feet away.

Seeing how quickly he slipped away, no one showed disdain; compared to him, the shameless Mo Li and Zhang Ling seemed more reliable.

Zhang Ling looked at Mo Li and nodded. Mo Li wasted no time: clenching four blades between his fingers, he hurled them, pinning the monster’s four arms, then seized and broke them. Drawing a long, flexible sword from his waist, he wrapped it around the entire stone creature, causing chunks of stone to fall. Mo Li charged forward, flung the monster skyward, and it crashed down among the unmoving stone monsters, shattering three innocent creatures along with the remaining double-headed one.

Song Linjie, seeing Mo Li dispatch four at once, felt his fighting spirit ignite. He shouted, “Anyone who dares interfere, I’ll fight them!”

His words held; no one moved. After all, it was a miserable task—better to avoid it if possible.

Song Linjie strode alone into the danger zone, nearly touching the stone monsters. Three creatures immediately sprang at him, pouncing on the reckless youth. Song Linjie threw his Heaven-Forging Blade skyward; his body instantly lightened. The so-called Swift Leaf technique was as light as a goose crossing green waters, without even a hint of clumsiness. He soared overhead, and the three monsters missed entirely.

The Heaven-Forging Blade gathered momentum like a tide. Holding only the scabbard, Song Linjie plunged it into the midst of the clustered stone monsters. The accumulated force erupted from the scabbard, leaving each monster damaged, while the scabbard itself remained unharmed.

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The three stone monsters staggered to their feet and rushed Song Linjie again. He retreated explosively, and as they pursued him, he spun, drew his Heaven-Forging Blade, and brought it down like a mountain, shattering the first to reach him. He then used the scabbard to drive back the next, stomping down and splitting it with the scabbard.

After weaving through them, he finally dispatched the last one.

Song Linjie regulated his breath, then stepped two feet deeper into the danger zone. Two stone monsters leapt up.

It took him about two-thirds of a quarter hour to eliminate them both.

Standing tall and satisfied, he retreated. Those who had exerted little effort now offered token assistance, while the rest praised Song Linjie for his exploits.

Zhang Ling’s golden pupils darted about, searching for any hidden dangers. As he drew back his gaze, he caught sight of the sullen, resentful expression on Fang Haiding, as if he intended to slaughter everyone present.

Why should Zhang Ling command? Why, among peers, could Song Linjie and Mo Li possess such skill? Why, after years of hard training, could he never catch up to these so-called geniuses? He refused to accept it—so they might as well all die!

Fang Haiding, with thoughts hidden from others, was obsessed with trampling everyone beneath his feet. He flashed a sinister smile, then quickly concealed his toxic intentions. Such dangerous thoughts must not be exposed—but they would come true; inside, his madness twisted and snarled.

With the Insightful Golden Eyes, Zhang Ling could analyze people’s thoughts from their subtle expressions and movements. He noticed the genuine, unguarded smile and grew wary.

As the sun rose higher, only thirteen stone monsters remained out of dozens. Song Linjie stepped six feet into the danger zone. The most human-like, diminutive stone monster at the center stirred. Its face was carved with a fierce, green demon visage, exuding a savage vitality.

Song Linjie was unimpressed, ready to punch it away. The intricately carved Green Demon Stone Monster moved its stone arms with uncanny agility, clashing its terrifying fist against Song Linjie’s. Song Linjie was forced to retreat repeatedly, while the monster stood firm, steady as resilient bamboo.

From his perch atop the tree, Zhang Ling saw through it instantly: someone had cleverly infused internal energy into the monster, granting it such powerful punches.

Mo Li, observing from the side, sensed trouble and prepared to intervene, when a gust of wind swept past. The Green Demon Stone Monster was poised to cripple Song Linjie with a punch, descending rapidly—only to have its lifeline severed in an instant by an unknown force.

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The sword technique: Three Forms of Wind Cage. The first form, Stillness Without Wind, was something Zhang Ling had learned from the book gifted by the white-robed elder. He had only understood it in theory before, but in this moment, he truly grasped its essence.

When the scabbard settles with the wind, the sword emerges to sever the wandering dragon.

The others finally reacted and looked over, seeing Zhang Ling returning just as quickly as he had rushed out. Only Mo Li and Fang Haiding, who had been watching closely, understood what had just transpired. Fang Haiding’s resentment deepened.

Zhang Ling sat back on the tree and called out, “Song Linjie, don’t try to show off, or you won’t even know how you died. Ye Yu Mi, go help him. Everyone, keep going.”

When all the stone monsters had finally been cleared, Zhang Ling glanced at the sky. There was still about an hour before sunset; whatever unknown dangers remained ahead, there was still time and strength to spare.

He jumped down from the tree and addressed the group, “Congratulations on completing the trial. I hope to see you all at the Academy soon. Let’s move on.”

Except for the two unfortunate souls who had been accidentally killed, eleven remained. The Academy’s trial truly was one in ten thousand.

Everyone departed, heading toward the exit.