From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 203 The Dilemma of Advanced Studies: Xiao Yao Breaks Through Limits

I took a deep breath, suppressed the unease rising in my heart, and walked towards the main peak square.

A number of disciples had already gathered in the square, chatting in small groups.

I noticed that their gazes were intentionally or unintentionally avoiding mine, and their whispers gradually disappeared as I approached.

Elder Li stood on the high platform and solemnly announced the assessment rules: This assessment would not be conducted individually, but would require group collaboration.

My heart sank.

Sure enough, after the group assignments started, I was the last one left.

Nobody wants to team up with me.

Senior Sister Zhao glanced at me disdainfully, then turned around and formed a team with Senior Brother Wang.

Everyone else found their partners, leaving me standing there all alone.

A sense of loss washed over me like a tide, and the noise in the square seemed to have faded away, leaving me alone to struggle in a silent vortex.

The assessment task was to find a rare herb called "Star Soul Grass" in the training grounds.

The trial grounds are fraught with danger, filled with all sorts of traps and monsters. Entering alone is like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my wildly beating heart, and stepped into the training ground alone.

A thick fog enveloped the entire forest, blocking out the sun and making it impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face.

The ground was slippery and wet, and the rotting leaves emitted a nauseating stench.

The surroundings were eerily silent, with only the occasional low growl of an unknown wild beast that sent chills down one's spine.

I moved forward cautiously, taking each step with utmost care.

Suddenly, I heard a strange noise under my feet. Startled, I jumped back.

Suddenly, the ground where I had been standing collapsed, revealing a bottomless trap.

Cold sweat trickled down my forehead, and my heart pounded violently in my chest.

I dared not advance rashly any further, and could only move slowly, clinging to the tree trunk.

"Found it!" A joyful shout came from afar...

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw Senior Sister Zhao and Senior Brother Wang standing in front of a herb that emitted a faint glow, their faces full of pride.

Star Soul Grass!

They found it so quickly!

A feeling of anxiety spread through me.

I need to speed things up!

I gritted my teeth, quickened my pace, pushed aside the dense foliage, and ran forward with all my might.

The surrounding fog grew thicker and thicker, to the point that you could barely see your hand in front of your face.

The slippery mud and rotting leaves underfoot nearly made me fall several times.

A chilling wind whistled past my ears, as if countless eyes were watching me from the shadows, sending shivers down my spine.

Suddenly, I tripped over something and stumbled forward.

Before I could react, the ground suddenly cracked open, and I fell through!

"Ah!" I exclaimed as my body plummeted downwards.

The wind whistled in my ears, and I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the excruciating pain of hitting the ground.

However, the expected pain did not come.

I felt as if I had fallen into a giant spider web, entangled by countless fine threads, unable to move.

I struggled to open my eyes, and in the dim light, I saw myself hanging upside down on a huge spider web, with a bottomless cave beneath my feet.

The sticky spider silk was tightly wrapped around my body, making it impossible for me to move.

A strong, putrid stench hit me, making me want to vomit.

"Damn it!" I cursed, my heart filled with anger and fear.

This is definitely not a naturally formed trap in the training grounds!

Someone must have set this up on purpose!

Could it be...

Senior Brother Wang?

The thought flashed through my mind and startled me.

Senior Brother Wang has always looked down on me. Could he take advantage of this assessment to get rid of me?

I struggled desperately to break free from the spider silk, but found it to be exceptionally strong, and my struggles were in vain.

Just when I was in despair, I suddenly heard a faint sound above my head.

"Hehe, Xiao Yao, never thought you'd have your day, huh?" A chilling voice came from above, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Now let's see what you've got to compete with me!"

I looked up and saw Senior Brother Wang standing above the cave entrance with a sinister smile on his face.

He held a dagger in his hand, preparing to cut the spider silk.

"Senior Brother Wang, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to remain calm, but my heart was filled with anger and fear.

"What am I doing? Of course, I'm sending you on your way!" Senior Brother Wang said with a sneer. "You, a piece of trash without spiritual roots, dare to compete with me? Today I'll make you disappear completely!"

Having said that, he raised the dagger and swung it downwards sharply.

At that critical moment, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

I took a deep breath, concentrated all the spiritual energy in my body into my dantian, and then exhaled it forcefully!

"boom!"

A powerful gust of air shot out from my mouth, causing Senior Brother Wang to stagger backward.

I took the opportunity to struggle and break free of the spider silk binding my body. Then I flipped over and landed steadily on the ground.

I looked coldly at Senior Brother Wang.

"Senior Brother Wang, do you think you can kill me like this? You're too naive!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly felt a powerful aura coming from the depths of the cave.

"Roar!"

A deafening roar came from the depths of the cave, and the ground trembled.

I was startled and immediately ran towards the cave entrance.

"Xiao Yao, you can't escape!" Senior Brother Wang realized what was happening and quickly chased after her.

I glanced back and saw a huge monster slowly emerging from the depths of the cave.

The monster was covered in black scales, had a pair of sharp horns on its head, and its eyes gleamed with a fierce light.

My heart sank, and I knew that today was probably the day when my chances of survival were slim.

Just then, something suddenly occurred to me.

I stopped abruptly and turned to face the monster.

"You beast, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

I roared and released all the spiritual power within my body.

A powerful gust of air erupted from my body, causing the monster to stagger backward.

I seized the opportunity to leap into the air and land on the monster's back.

"You beast, today I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

I roared and plunged the dagger in my hand into the monster's neck.

The monster let out a shrill scream, and its massive body crashed to the ground.

I jumped off the monster's back, my heart filled with excitement and exhilaration.

I actually killed that monster!

Just then, I suddenly heard a gasp from behind me.

I turned around and saw Elder Li and the other disciples standing at the cave entrance, looking at me with shock.

"Xiao Yao, you actually..." Elder Li said in surprise, "You actually killed this monster!"

"Elder Li, it's nothing," I said calmly. "I just did what I was supposed to do."

"Xiao Yao, you're amazing!" Senior Sister Zhao also came over, looking at me with admiration.

"Xiao Yao, you are truly my idol!" Senior Brother Wang also came over and said with a fawning expression.

I gave Senior Brother Wang a cold look and didn't say anything.

But I don't care.

Because I know that I will be the ultimate winner.

I turned and walked deeper into the cave, my heart filled with confidence and pride.

"Wait, where are you going?" Elder Li asked.

"I'm going to find the Star Soul Grass," I said without turning my head. "I want to prove that I am the strongest!"

My figure disappeared into the depths of the cave, leaving Elder Li and the other disciples standing there sighing.

"Xiao Yao, you will definitely succeed!" Elder Li murmured to himself.

As I continued along the cave, I suddenly sensed a powerful aura emanating from ahead.

"Who is it?" I asked warily.

I held my breath and carefully walked forward.

The light was even dimmer deep inside the cave, and a strange fragrance filled the air, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

After turning a corner, I saw a herb emitting a soft white light, which was the Star Soul Grass!

It grows quietly beside a sacred spring, as if bathed in moonlight, radiating a holy glow.

However, the guardian of the Star Soul Grass is a massive demonic beast—the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf.

Its body was covered in black fur, its three eyes gleamed with an eerie green light, and its sharp fangs sent chills down one's spine.

I took a deep breath, knowing that this battle was inevitable.

I didn't rush in recklessly, but carefully observed the wolf's movements.

It is extremely fast and incredibly powerful; a head-on confrontation would clearly be unwise.

I've decided to outsmart them.

I quickly made a hand seal and used the Illusion Technique to create several illusions of myself, distracting the demon wolf.

The wolf fell for the trick, howling wildly at the illusion, but it could never catch the real me.

I took the opportunity to circle around behind the demon wolf, gathered my spiritual power, and transformed the dagger in my hand into a streak of light, stabbing towards the demon wolf's weak point—the back of its neck.

The wolf cried out in pain, letting out a mournful howl before its massive body crashed to the ground.

I dared not be careless, and once again gathered my spiritual power, delivering a fatal blow to it.

I carefully approached the Star Soul Grass and uprooted it. A rich spiritual energy instantly filled the air, refreshing and invigorating.

I placed the Star Soul Grass into a specially made jade box, my heart filled with joy.

When I emerged from the cave, all eyes were on me, filled with shock and admiration.

They never expected that I would actually be able to defeat the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf and successfully harvest the Star Soul Grass.

Senior Sister Zhao and Senior Brother Wang were dumbfounded. They originally thought I would die in the trial field, but they never expected that I would not only come out alive, but also achieve such great success.

"Xiao Yao, you're amazing!" Senior Sister Zhao exclaimed sincerely.

Even Senior Brother Wang, who is usually indifferent to me, couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect you to actually do it."

I smiled faintly, my heart filled with confidence.

This assessment not only allowed me to obtain the Star Soul Grass, but also proved my strength, greatly enhancing my prestige within the immortal sect.

Elder Li walked up to me and nodded approvingly: "Xiao Yao, your performance was impressive. In this assessment, you not only demonstrated outstanding strength, but also your wisdom and courage."

I humbly bowed slightly to express my gratitude.

"Alright, that concludes today's assessment," Elder Li announced. "Everyone, go back and get some rest, and prepare for the next assessment."

The next assessment?

A chill ran through me, and a strange premonition welled up inside me.

There seemed to be a deeper meaning in Elder Li's eyes...

"The final test..." He paused, his gaze falling on me, "is in the forbidden area behind the mountain."