Half a month later.
Su Qianyu arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect.
As it was currently the recruitment period for newcomers at the Heavenly Sword Sect, young geniuses from all directions had already gathered here.
Su Qianyu raised his head and looked far into the distance.
The entire Heavenly Sword Sect was nestled among a cluster of mountains, shrouded in thick mist. Towering majestically at various points around the mountain gate were massive stone swords, creating a breathtaking and awe-inspiring sight.
"This is the Heavenly Sword Sect! It's practically a celestial palace!"
"No need to tell me that. The Heavenly Sword Sect is one of the three major super sects in the Northern Spirit Domain; it's definitely something the mortal realm can't compare to."
"As long as I pass the examination today, I'll be a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect in the future. Just thinking about it gets me excited!"
"..."
Amidst the exclamations of the crowd, Su Qianyu caught sight of a familiar figure—Chu Mengyao!
Just like him, she had also rushed to the Heavenly Sword Sect.
At the exact same time Su Qianyu looked at Chu Mengyao, she looked back over at him.
"You actually dare to come!" The moment she saw Su Qianyu, a raging fire ignited in Chu Mengyao's heart.
Su Qianyu glanced at her indifferently.
"What, do you want to call me your ancestor again?"
Hearing Su Qianyu's words, the people all around cast strange looks in their direction. The two of them clearly looked to be about the same age, so why did the woman have to call the man her ancestor?
Seeing this, Chu Mengyao was driven frantic with rage.
Glaring furiously at Su Qianyu, she gritted her teeth and said, "With just that shred of strength, you won't even know how you died. You'd better pray you don't run into me during the examination later, or I guarantee I'll leave your corpse in pieces!"
She was truly infuriated.
Having already been accepted as a disciple by Elder Zhao of the Heavenly Sword Sect, she never expected Su Qianyu to still be so arrogant. Later, she would definitely make him wish he were dead!
Su Qianyu ignored Chu Mengyao's threat, but a cold glint arose in his eyes.
In his past life, you seized first place and enjoyed boundless glory; but in this life, I will surely drag you from heaven straight down to hell!
His path of vengeance would begin right now.
"Silence, everyone!"
Just then, a deep voice rang out.
A middle-aged man in a black robe appeared on the peak ahead of the crowd, his majestic gaze sweeping over them.
"I am the person in charge of this newcomer examination. You may call me Elder Zhao," the man said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Su Qianyu looked up.
This person was none other than Chu Mengyao's master, Zhao Changming.
Seeing that everyone present had quieted down, Zhao Changming nodded with satisfaction and continued:
"This year's examination is very simple. Right beside you is the Death Great Forest. Within three hours, the first ones to walk out of the Death Great Forest and reach the finish line will be considered to have passed the examination and may enter our Heavenly Sword Sect. As for those who fail to pass the examination, get lost!"
The rules were extremely straightforward and brutal.
Walk out of the Death Great Forest and reach the finish line!
"Of course, we have also prepared rewards for everyone this time. Those who finish from fourth to tenth place will receive a Tier 2 medicinal pill, the Gathering Yuan Pill."
"Third place will receive a Yellow-grade top-tier spirit weapon, and second place will receive a Tier 3 medicinal pill, the Condensing Mystery Pill!"
"As for first place..."
Zhao Changming looked around at the crowd, dragging out his words.
Only after this sentence piqued everyone's curiosity did he continue: "The person who takes first place in this newcomer examination will be permitted to enter the second floor of the sect's Martial Arts Pavilion and casually select a Mysterious-grade martial art!"
Upon hearing this, everyone grew excited, their hearts stirring restlessly. Once they entered the top ten, the rewards were exceptionally generous.
Especially that Mysterious-grade martial art!
Those four words undoubtedly held the ultimate temptation.
If they could acquire a powerful top-tier Mysterious-grade or even peerless Mysterious-grade martial art, their combat power would definitely double!
"As expected, the rewards are the same as in my past life." Su Qianyu was lost in thought.
Only, in his past life, first place was won by Chu Mengyao, but in this life, he was determined to secure first place!
"I must also remind you that this Death Great Forest is no joke. Not only are there abyssal swamps inside, but also many powerful ferocious beasts. If you choose to participate in the examination, you will bear all consequences!"
"So now, those who wish to continue participating in the examination may enter the Death Great Forest directly!" With that, Zhao Changming stopped speaking.
The emotionless four words "bear all consequences" instantly sent a chill down the spines of many present.
Chu Mengyao in the crowd gave a triumphant smile: "First place this time is mine!" Then, she shot a cold glare at Su Qianyu.
"I hope you don't get scared out of your wits just like this, otherwise I'll really have to doubt whether you're even a man."
Su Qianyu's expression remained unchanged.
"Whether I'm a man or not, you can find a chance to ask your family's ancestor; she should know very well."
Hearing this, Chu Mengyao turned green with anger: "Just you wait, I'm going to tear you limb from limb today!"
Her voice became somewhat hoarse with rage, and she bolted toward the Death Great Forest at the side without looking back.
Soon, the people present also rushed forward one after another.
The countdown for the three hours had already begun, and if they wanted to secure a good ranking in the examination, they had to race against time.
"Whoosh!"
Su Qianyu also dashed toward the Death Great Forest.
A resolute look filled his eyes: "If I want to rapidly increase my strength, I must first join the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
There were two reasons why he wanted to join the Heavenly Sword Sect. The first was to slaughter Chu Mengyao and Lin Han to exact revenge for his past life.
However, the second reason was the most important one.
It was that he had awakened the Nine Dragons War Body, which was the supreme physique among all war bodies, though the cultivation method for the Nine Dragons War Body was also rather unique.
If he wanted to increase his combat power or evolve it into the even more powerful Nine Dragons Holy Body, he first had to awaken nine dragon veins.
The nine dragon veins corresponded to nine different attributes respectively. Only by refining the energies of those nine different attributes could the dragon veins be awakened.
The nine energies were:
Gold, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, yin, and yang.
Only by refining these nine different energies and awakening the nine dragon veins could the power of the Nine Dragons War Body be unleashed to its absolute limit, and even evolve into the ultimate Nine Dragons Holy Body.
According to the memories of Su Qianyu's past life, the Heavenly Sword Sect possessed at least three of the energies he needed.
Although these energies might be found in other places as well, he was much more familiar with the Heavenly Sword Sect, making it easier to search for them. This was the biggest reason why he was determined to join the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Meanwhile.
Just as Su Qianyu and the others rushed into the Death Great Forest, a slender, cyan-robed figure suddenly arrived at the mountain peak...
The newcomer was none other than Lin Han!