Second Time

Chapter 44 - Combat Trial

After the provided four hours had elapsed and everyone had demonstrated what they had managed to learn, the proctors gathered everyone's attention.

"Anyone below twenty points, leave now," the axe-wielding man declared. "We'll be moving on to the combat test. All your potential means nothing if you can't make use of it in a fight."

The disciples who had entered before stepped forward and formed a line.

"Everyone will have to fight one of our disciples. You have to fight someone one realm higher than you. Nascent Soul cultivators have to fight Spiritual Manifestation cultivators, and so on. You may not use contracted monster beasts for these fights. We will grade you based on your performance. Accidents may happen, so do your best."

Whispers spread through the crowd as everyone sized up the disciples, considering which one to challenge. They had been reduced to a fifth of their original size, so it wouldn't take too long to go through everyone.

"Once your fight finishes, you can stay to watch the other matches. If your score is above thirty, you may continue on whenever you wish. But first, this year we have a rather exceptional applicant. After her test concludes, the rest of you can start."

Wen Huifang and Yun Chunhua moved to an open area of around fifty square meters and smiled at Shao Yue. "Since we can't have an Emperor fight you, the two of us will conduct your test."

Shao Yue nodded and walked over. "Sounds good."

Yun Chunhua pulled out a long spear. Wen Huifang tied her hair back and drew a saber. Both were grade seven weapons. In comparison, Shao Yue's grade four sword seemed a bit lackluster.

They started on some imperceptible cue. Wen Huifang kept close to Shao Yue, delivering a barrage of saber attacks. Yun Chunhua stood behind the other woman and weaved from side to side, covering the angles that Shao Yue would most like to dodge towards, her spear lashing out any time Shao Yue sidestepped an attack, keeping her on the defensive.

"This will never end like this," Wen Huifang said. "We'll start using qi!"

Wen Huifang was a water qi cultivator, the same as Shao Yue. Each saber slash became like a tidal wave crashing against her opponent, a massive weight behind each swing.

Yun Chunhua cultivated earth qi. When she stabbed with her spear, a projection shot out and wound around Wei Huifang like a viper, lashing out from impossible angles at incredible speeds, preventing Shao Yue from taking advantage of Wen Huifang's slower strikes.

The pressure Shao Yue felt actually eased when they started using qi. She easily parried their attacks, even having the time to counter attack occasionally. Her techniques were far more profound than the other two women's, and she'd been practising them for thousands of extra years. They couldn't be compared. Not to mention, she knew both of the other women's Spirits and fighting styles, while they had no idea about hers.

Realizing this, the two attackers swiped a hand through the air and called out in unison.

"Saber Domain!"

"Spear Domain!"

The two Domains enveloped Shao Yue, suppressing the sword laws in the area. It was an indescribable feeling, as if some deity had declared, "Swords are not allowed to be powerful."

Fortunately, Shao Yue's swordsmanship didn't rely only on sword laws, and she could create a Domain of her own.

Shao Yue raised her left hand. A sphere of darkness expanded outward, swallowing the other two women. Countless tiny lights sparkled within the sphere. A primordial, unquestionable pressure suffocated the two.