Chapter 64: The Correct Way to Clear

Everyone stirred, surprised that the Immortal Sect attached such importance to this recruitment selection, with even the Vice-Sect Master making an appearance.

The Vice-Sect Masters of the Four Great Demonic Sects were influential figures throughout the Central Continent, and meeting one on a normal day was an extravagant hope.

Lu Yang, however, felt nothing special; it was merely someone on the same level as an Elder of the Dao Seeking Sect, and he had seen such people before.

"Your current state is merely a wisp of consciousness; your true bodies remain where they are. After the formal trials begin, your cultivation and memories will completely disappear, placing everyone at the same starting point."

The Sect Master highly valued this trial. In the struggle of the great era, what mattered most were prodigies!

If they possessed a single spirit root, an innate immortal physique, or an innate demonic seed, then they would have the capital to contend with the righteous path!

To this end, he dispatched the Vice-Sect Master to meticulously design three trials, ensuring that only true prodigies would be selected!

To prevent cheating, the sect's secret technique would be used to erase everyone's cultivation and memories, thereby reflecting their true abilities.

"The first trial officially begins. The standard for passing is to defeat the Liang Dynasty army."

After the Vice-Sect Master finished speaking, everyone felt a dizzying disorientation, unable to distinguish directions. When they regained their senses, they could remember nothing.

"Where am I?" Man Gu's mind was still reeling when he came to.

He was disheveled and dirty, clutching a broken sword, his armor stained with blood.

Man Gu took a couple of steps, stumbled, and nearly fell. His personal guard quickly steadied him, saying, "General, quickly get on your horse! This is no time for bravado; the Liang Dynasty army is catching up!"

During his escape on horseback, memories related to this trial gradually flooded Man Gu's mind.

"Here are two nations, Liang and Jin. They are sworn enemies, both wishing to defeat the other. Jin is not as powerful as Liang, and I am currently a Jin general, commanding the entire Jin army."

"This time, I was careless and fell for the enemy's ploy. I must compose myself, stage a comeback, and defeat Liang!"

Man Gu forgot this was a trial, remembering only that he was Jin's undefeated general, bound to defeat Liang and protect his nation.

Besides background memories, battle experience also poured into his mind. The current Man Gu had completely transformed into Jin's undefeated general.

Unfortunately, while Man Gu was experienced, the Liang generals were equally seasoned. In their engagements, Man Gu suffered continuous defeats.

Man Gu commanded immense prestige in the army, and his soldiers trusted him implicitly. They believed setbacks were temporary and that General Man Gu would surely lead them to victory.

Man Gu failed again. He was honest by nature and indeed had combat experience, but he couldn't effectively apply it in practice, constantly falling into the traps set by the Liang generals.

"Huff, huff, huff..." Man Gu scrambled to a mountain cave, utterly defeated, having lost his armor and weapons—a disgrace he would carry for life.

Outside, the bleak wind and bitter rain mirrored his increasingly desolate state of mind.

Man Gu thought of his soldiers' trust in him, and the blows dealt by repeated failures. He looked down at the chipped sword in his hand, wishing he could commit suicide!

He just wanted to die, to escape all failures and the fate of Jin, none of which would concern him anymore!

Suddenly, a spider caught his eye.

The spider looked strange, unlike any Man Gu had ever seen.

The spider was weaving its web, but the wind and rain from outside the cave kept blowing it apart.

Each time it was destroyed, the spider would begin weaving again, undeterred.

Watching the spider fail repeatedly and try again and again, Man Gu felt how similar the spider was to himself!

"You will succeed!" Man Gu stared at the spider, hope gradually rising in his eyes.

If even a spider could persevere, how could he, a human, have less willpower than a spider?

Finally, after countless failures, the spider successfully wove its web.

Man Gu sprang to his feet, his fighting spirit rekindled. The spider would succeed, and so would he!

A blazing fire ignited in Man Gu's heart; he would regroup and counterattack Liang!

"Hmm?"

Man Gu unintentionally glanced at the spider, wanting to thank it for the encouragement, but then a praying mantis suddenly appeared and killed the spider.

Man Gu initially wanted to furiously stomp on the mantis, but then he considered how similar the spider's situation was to his own: it had become complacent after success, forgetting the hidden dangers.

He mused thoughtfully, "That's right, perseverance is important, but strategy is equally crucial. Attacking when the enemy is complacent yields unexpected results!"

Ultimately, Man Gu used minor victories to lull Liang into a false sense of security, then unleashed his secretly hidden army to decisively defeat the main Liang forces, achieving a resounding triumph.

Man Gu passed the trial.

At the Immortal Sect headquarters, images of everyone's performance in the first stage appeared on the calm surface of the water. The Vice-Sect Master observed their actions and provided his assessment.

"Well, are there any promising candidates?" The Sect Master appeared as space twisted, "This first stage of yours is not easy. When faced with continuous failures, one must not only learn perseverance from the spider but also understand the principle of catching the enemy off guard from the mantis."

The Vice-Sect Master shook his head. "It's necessary. The righteous path suppresses us, and the Demonic Sect has suffered repeated failures. Some within the sect are already thinking of retreating. Our experience is very similar to Jin's. Through this trial, I intend to select disciples with unwavering willpower, nurture them into talents, and oppose the righteous path!"

"Confronting the righteous path requires more than just willpower; it also demands strategy. If one doesn't learn both perseverance from the spider and opportune attack from the mantis simultaneously, how can victory be achieved?"

The Sect Master nodded. "Indeed, you've spoken well. This is precisely why I had you organize this selection. The outstanding disciples chosen this time must be cultivated with utmost priority. They are our reserves in the fight against the righteous path!"

The Vice-Sect Master pointed to one of the displayed scenes and said, "I have high hopes for this Man Gu. His method of passing perfectly aligns with my intentions. This child is sure to achieve great things in the future!"

The Sect Master glanced at Man Gu, finding him rather agreeable, and said, "Then let's see how the others performed."

The Sect Master and Vice-Sect Master stood together, watching for a while, when the Sect Master suddenly asked, "Do you think there might be other ways to pass?"

The Vice-Sect Master immediately rejected the idea, stating emphatically, "Absolutely impossible!"

"This first trial is a fragment I extracted from history. The Liang and Jin nations existed ten thousand years ago, during a period of great chaos. Cultivators were far fewer back then, and neither Liang nor Jin had many. I have elaborated on this historical basis to ensure maximum authenticity."

The Immortal Sect had invested massive resources to extract these historical fragments, causing the Vice-Sect Master physical pangs.

"The historical Jin general achieved enlightenment in that very cave and defeated the Liang army!"

"This was already a miracle; I refuse to believe there's any other method!"

The Sect Master nodded, having thought the same thing. He had only asked to break the awkward silence and find a topic for conversation.

Then, they saw how Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang passed the trial.