Chapter 45: Divine Blood

The night passed.

The morning sun, though not as strong as at midday, still assertively poured through the window into the room. It was as if regardless of one's willingness, as long as one didn't choose to hide under the eaves, the sun would relentlessly fall upon the ground and upon one's body. Using its warmth, it awakened all who slumbered.

Xu Qing slowly opened his eyes. Gazing at the light outside the window, his body seemed to absorb a summons from the sunlight. As his blood and qi flowed, Xu Qing stood up. After a brief stretch, he pushed open his room door, cautiously surveyed his surroundings, and swiftly moved away.

Inside the city, after daybreak, everything was different from the night before. Breakfast stalls gradually opened for business, as did many other shops. The crowds slowly grew, yet people remained indifferent and hurried, as if everyone lived under immense pressure. However, occasionally, the sound of children reading could be heard from behind tall walls, which seemed to indicate that a certain order still existed within this main city.

As Xu Qing walked the streets, he thought of a medicinal herb called 'Twin Bloom' that Master Bai had introduced—a peculiar herb that coexisted with light and darkness, inseparable. “Perhaps this is the norm for large cities?”

Young people often adapt to new things faster than adults. This was well exemplified in Xu Qing. Before long, he had already accepted everything, had a simple breakfast, and inquired about the time for the entrance test.

People in the city seemed familiar with the entrance test. After learning that the tests were held daily at noon and their location, Xu Qing spent the entire morning observing within the Seven Blood Eyes main city—a habit of his. Through his observations, Xu Qing gained some understanding of the main city's structure. However, time was too short, and the main city was too vast, comparable in size to tens of thousands of scavenger camps. Moreover, many areas were inaccessible to non-Seven Blood Eyes disciples. Thus, he couldn't observe everything all at once.

But he did find a path leading to the city gate. After identifying the buildings along the way, Xu Qing checked the sky and walked towards the test location he had inquired about.

The Seven Blood Eyes entrance test site was located on the southern edge of the city, at the foot of the Mountain of Truth. Further south were the Seven Blood Eyes' seven towering peaks. From a distance, seven winding mountain paths could be seen, spreading across the different peaks amidst the pervasive greenery. Here, there was a vast plaza, currently enveloped by a light barrier blocking outsiders. Only those holding tokens could enter.

When Xu Qing arrived, dozens of people were already waiting around the plaza. Most of them were seventeen or eighteen years old, their attire ranging from simple to luxurious. Some were impeccably clean, while others, like Xu Qing, were covered in grime. All of them held tokens and had come from various places to participate in the test.

In the center of the plaza stood three middle-aged cultivators. The spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from each of them had reached a terrifying level, seemingly even stronger than the Vajra Sect Patriarch. They chatted and laughed amongst themselves while waiting for the test to begin, but occasionally their gaze would fall upon the disciples around them, as if evaluating them in their minds. This scene made Xu Qing even more cautious.

He wasn't good at socializing, so he quietly found a spot, neither too far nor too close to the crowd. As he stood there waiting, he also noticed that most of the other test-takers around him already possessed a certain level of cultivation. In particular, a young man wearing a blue long gown stood out. He held a fan in his hand, and while his attire was luxurious, his appearance was also handsome. His every gesture and casual conversation attracted the attention of the other test-takers, drawing them closer.

“Allow me to enlighten everyone.”

“The Seven Blood Eyes main city has seven districts, each belonging to one of the seven peaks. These seven peaks specialize in different areas, and thus each has its unique characteristics. For example, the Seventh Peak manages the port district, possesses immense power, and its cultivation methods are very unique. Therefore, its disciples have astonishing combat prowess, constantly travel far, and frequently venture into the forbidden sea. Another example is the First Peak, which acts as the sect's sharp sword. Most of its disciples train within the Phoenix Forbidden Zone, making each of them extremely ruthless combat cultivators. They rarely go to sea; instead, they treat forbidden zones as their graves, fighting and perishing there.

“These two peaks are the banners of the Seven Blood Eyes. Every year, too many people wish to join them. However, these two peaks are very strict in recruiting disciples; it's not you choosing them, but them choosing you. Only those holding specific tokens may enter. As for the other peaks, while a token is still required, it's a mutual selection. Anyone who passes the test can apply. Among them, the Sixth Peak specializes in artifact refining, the Fifth Peak in array formations, the Fourth Peak in beast taming, the Third Peak in strange spell arts, and the Second Peak excels in alchemy.

“However, no matter which peak you join, survival is brutal until you reach Foundation Establishment and gain Seven Blood Eyes' profit rights—unless you are core token holders... As for how brutal it is, you'll experience it yourselves once you pass the test.”

While the young man smiled and introduced these details to the surrounding test-takers, he was also observing them. Not far away, Xu Qing, upon hearing this, noticed the words 'brutal' and 'Seven Blood Eyes' profit rights' in the young man's speech. He understood the literal meaning of the former, but the latter was unclear to him, filling his heart with doubt. However, now was not the time to ponder such things. His priority now was to analyze which peak suited him best.

“I'm familiar with forbidden zones...” Xu Qing felt that the First Peak suited him, but he wasn't sure if his token qualified him.

As he pondered, bell chimes echoed from the seven peaks in the distance. The three middle-aged cultivators in the plaza stopped their jovial chatter and became solemn. One of them scanned the dozens of test-takers outside and spoke faintly.

“Silence!”

His voice, though not loud, sounded like thunder rumbling in everyone's ears. The young man in blue immediately stopped talking, and everyone else grew nervous, looking at the speaking middle-aged cultivator. Xu Qing stood calmly to the side and looked up.

“The test time has arrived. There are three parts in total. Those who pass all parts will be awarded one thousand contribution points. The overall top-ranked individual will receive even greater rewards. The first part of the test is your body's assimilation value! Now, one by one, step forward and submit your tokens, and state your name. Do not conceal it. Violators, if discovered, will be severely punished!”

As the middle-aged cultivator spoke, the young man in blue robes' eyes darted, and he was the first to step onto the plaza, submitting his token and speaking loudly.

“Disciple Zhou Qingpeng greets the seniors.”

His voice was clear and resonant, and as it reached the ears of the three middle-aged cultivators, they all nodded. Then the second person stepped forward. Soon, when only six people remained, Xu Qing walked onto the plaza, respectfully handed over his token, and after a slight hesitation, spoke in a deep voice.

“Disciple Xu Qing greets the seniors.”

After saying this, Xu Qing felt a little dazed. It had been a very long time since he had told anyone his name—nearly seven years, to be precise. Having spoken, Xu Qing lowered his head and quietly stepped back. The three middle-aged men glanced at the token he submitted and didn't pay him much attention.

In this way, once all test-takers had completed this step, the first part of the test officially began. This first part of the test was simple. With a wave of the middle-aged cultivator's hand, a green stone, about ten feet tall, appeared out of thin air with a thud, landing on the plaza and scattering dust.

“According to the previous order, come forward one by one to be tested. Just place your hand on it.”

Zhou Qingpeng immediately stepped forward. Xu Qing observed, and saw that as the other person placed his hand on the stone, the large green stone immediately shone with light, and a human body diagram appeared on its surface. Within this diagram, over forty points lit up.

“Forty-two points, good, passed.” The middle-aged cultivator beside him nodded and called for the next person.

Zhou Qingpeng looked somewhat smug and stepped back a few paces to observe the others closely. Soon, as everyone continued their tests, Xu Qing also noticed some patterns. The more points, the greater the assimilation value within the body. Several individuals exceeded one hundred points and were deemed unqualified.

“I should have none...” Xu Qing narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to expose himself on his first day here, without understanding the situation. This did not align with his character. However, being too mediocre might affect the sect's choice. So, while pondering, Xu Qing lowered his head to look at his shadow and slowly and subtly manipulated a trace of it, integrating it into his body.

As he continuously extracted the anomalous substance, exclamations of surprise came from all around.

“Thirty-four points, excellent!” The middle-aged cultivator's voice carried a hint of fluctuation. Xu Qing immediately looked up and saw a girl about his age standing beside the green stone. The girl's attire was similar to his, her face was dirty, evidently also a scavenger. She seemed very nervous, keeping her head down, not daring to look at anyone. After bowing to the middle-aged cultivator, she quickly moved to the side.

“Her name seems to be Li Zimei.” Xu Qing recalled her earlier name. After withdrawing his gaze, he walked forward. Beside the green stone, he calmly raised his hand and pressed it onto the surface. As light shone, within the human figure diagram that appeared on it, dozens of light points slowly emerged, appearing somewhat unstable and still flickering.

“Forty-three points, good, passed.” The middle-aged cultivator glanced over and nodded.

Xu Qing quickly withdrew his right hand and moved to the side. The anomalous substance within his body, which he had just suppressed to prevent his shadow from absorbing it, now rapidly merged into his shadow and disappeared. Forty-three points—this score wasn't excellent, but it wasn't bad either. Xu Qing felt it was acceptable. Indeed, this was true. Among the sixty-plus test-takers, only nineteen had scores below fifty, while twenty people had scores exceeding one hundred. These twenty people now all looked pale.

“The three parts of the test will be graded based on a comprehensive calculation. The second part tests your will. Now, everyone, step forward and sit cross-legged.” The one who spoke was another of the three middle-aged men. He had a long face, a solemn expression, and a hoarse voice.

As his words spread, everyone came forward and sat cross-legged. After Xu Qing sat down among the crowd, he looked up at the long-faced middle-aged man. He wanted to know how one's will would be tested. The moment Xu Qing looked, the long-faced middle-aged man waved his hand and produced a small metal bottle. The bottle was silver, engraved with numerous runes, appearing very ancient while also containing a remarkably unique aura. After taking it out, he and the two others beside him all became much more serious.

“Inside here is a drop of blood, diluted countless times. Once activated, it can form a deterrent. If you cannot bear it, you may bite your tongue to give up.”

After speaking, he opened the bottle and poured its contents onto the green stone. Xu Qing gazed intently. Soon, he saw a drop of golden liquid fall from the metal bottle. The liquid was very viscous, seemingly forming its own distinct entity. The moment it fell and touched the green giant stone, the green stone immediately shone with light. As golden light suddenly enveloped all directions, a roar, seemingly from ancient times, erupted from the spot on the green stone where the golden blood had fallen.

With the eruption, a giant eye seemed to faintly materialize within it. This eye had a vertical pupil, and countless tentacles grew within it, swaying outwards as if trying to crawl out. While extremely bizarre, it also carried a hint of divinity. It was like a supreme deity, looking down on all living beings, gazing at everyone with extreme indifference.

All the test-takers sitting cross-legged here felt their minds explode in an instant, as if divine thunder had erupted in their heads. Their bodies trembled intensely, as if all the flesh and blood in their bodies had lost control, each becoming a separate entity, threatening to tear away. A sense of tearing emerged, and at the same time, their expressions rapidly changed. A shiver from the depths of their souls, a powerful crisis from their life instinct, erupted frantically in their hearts, making these test-takers seemingly lose their minds in an instant. Three people even directly spurted blood, wailing as they collapsed to the ground. Even Zhou Qingpeng and Li Zimei instantly turned pale, their entire bodies trembling violently, nosebleeds flowing, and their eyes bloodshot.

Only Xu Qing, though his body also trembled at this moment, felt an even stronger shock within his heart.

Because... this eye, he recognized it!

Compared to what he saw when the deity opened its eyes that day and he looked up at the sky, while not entirely identical, the sense of deterrence was...

Exactly the same!