The Second Trial
The Sect Leader looked at me with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
"Young Sect Leader. You will soon be celebrating your twelfth birthday, will you not?"
"That is correct."
"I shall look forward to your performance at the Assembly of Gods and Demons."
With those final words, the Sect Leader departed from the training ground.
Ah... Is that really it?
Having been so tense in front of such a large crowd, my energy was completely drained. I could barely even stand.
Even now, my legs were trembling, but...
At any rate, it seemed I had managed to get through it safely this time as well, right?
On one side of the rear garden of the Sun and Moon Sect Headquarters, there was a staircase leading deep underground.
These stairs led to a natural cavern formed beneath the headquarters—the Spirit Star Cave, one of the sect's sacred grounds.
This very Spirit Star Cave was the venue for the Young Sect Leader's second trial.
This brings back memories.
The Assembly of Gods and Demons was a ritual to have one's qualification as the Young Sect Leader recognized before Myeongjon.
In practice, it was a process where the Sect Leader himself verified whether the Young Sect Leader was worthy of standing before the Holy Fire.
During the first assembly, the Sect Leader had made me fight the challenger, Yeongho Bin, in front of the Holy Fire.
Since I didn't have to fight a challenger this time, I secretly hoped that things would go a bit smoother than before.
"May the protection of Myeongjon be with the Young Sect Leader as he faces his second trial."
The Sect Leader and the others gathered for the Assembly of Gods and Demons offered their prayers to Myeongjon. Then, as the Sect Leader operated a mechanical device situated on one side of the rear garden, an entire artificial mountain split open to the left and right.
Through the widening gap, the fabled Spirit Star Cave revealed itself, yawning like a pitch-black abyss.
The Right Guardian approached me and spoke in a solemn voice.
"Young Sect Leader. There is no light within. You must forge ahead relying solely on your five senses and your internal energy."
"I understand."
The Right Guardian then handed me several bundles of tightly bound wooden branches.
"In the deepest depths of the Spirit Star Cave, the Holy Fire burns. Once you light these torches with the Holy Fire and return, the trial will be complete."
"Understood."
"Along the way, there will be demonic beasts seeking to obstruct your trial. You must overcome them with your wisdom."
"..."
"And, as I have said, once you reach the chamber of the Holy Fire, you must not venture any deeper."
"Ah, I said I understand. How many times must you repeat yourself? Do I still look like a mere child to you?"
"...!"
I felt a bit bad for the Right Guardian, but it had been quite a while since I last asserted my dignity as the Young Sect Leader.
When the incredibly young Sect Leader scolded the elderly Right Guardian in front of everyone, the various elders of the Demonic Cult wore complex yet deeply impressed expressions.
"This old man merely spoke out of excessive worry, so I pray the Young Sect Leader does not take it to heart."
The Right Guardian also nodded with a warm, gratified smile.
"Father, I shall return."
"Go."
After offering a final bow to the Sect Leader, I stepped into the depths of the Spirit Star Cave.
As the door of the secret passage sealed shut behind me, I was instantly enveloped in an absolute, pitch-black darkness where I couldn't even see an inch ahead.
Myeongjon? Are you there?
I called out to Myeongjon in my mind several times, but no answer came.
Though I didn't have a 'List of Ancient Ming Sect Sacred Grounds' or anything, the Spirit Star Cave was undoubtedly one of them.
I wasn't sure why Myeongjon wasn't responding to me here, but perhaps it was for the best.
While it was true that I had received Myeongjon's help during the first trial, this time, I wanted to face the challenge solely with my own strength.
But seriously, I can't see a single thing.
With the entrance of the secret passage firmly shut, not a single ray of natural light could penetrate the cavern. Moreover, there were no bioluminescent objects inside, leaving me in a state of absolute, pure darkness.
If it were merely dark, it wouldn't have been much of a problem.
However, the cave was riddled with hazardous obstacles: pits as deep as a man's height, sharp stalactites and stalagmites, and even artificial structures.
Though I didn't know exactly what they were yet, if I ventured deeper, the 'demonic beasts' the Right Guardian mentioned would surely appear.
This meant blindly rushing forward in the dark was out of the question.
But that didn't mean I was without options.
Standing still, I channeled the internal energy of the Mystic Demon Scripture—no, the Dark Demonic Inward Heart Method.
Vrrr.
With a subtle vibration, the internal energy surged throughout my entire body.
This alone heightened my five senses to a level incomparable to ordinary humans. I could now perceive the cave's topography through nothing but the faint drafts of air and the sensations at the tips of my fingers and toes.
And if I took it a step further?
Instead of keeping the energy waves contained within my body, I vibrated them outward.
Suddenly, the surrounding terrain—invisible to the eye and untouched by the hand—began to feel as clear as if I were holding it in my palm.
A pit, three paces ahead.
Every Young Sect Leader in history had undergone the trial of the Spirit Star Cave after cultivating their internal energy through the Mystic Demon Scripture.
Of course, entering the Spirit Star Cave a mere year after beginning the Mystic Demon Scripture made me an extremely anomalous case.
Normally, Young Sect Leaders who began the Mystic Demon Scripture around the same age wouldn't face this trial until they were at least fifteen.
It is said that battles between masters of internal martial arts are decided not by the five senses, but by a sixth sense powered by internal energy.
Some call it energy perception, others call it spiritual comprehension.
Navigating hazards in absolute darkness using internal energy was the perfect training for controlling and applying one's Qi.
The trial of the Spirit Star Cave was not merely a test of qualification; it was designed to propel the Young Sect Leader toward a higher realm of internal cultivation.
The passages within the cave were narrow, and occasionally, steep cliffs would drop off just a few paces ahead.
As I forged ahead relying on my internal energy, obstacles continuously blocked my path.
Yet, even in the blinding darkness, my steps never faltered.
I scaled sharp obstacles, rolled when necessary, and leaped across gaps, steadily pressing forward.
The only provisions granted to me for this trial were a single waterskin and two fasting pills.
Thus, conserving both physical stamina and internal energy during the trial was a crucial key to passing.
My cultivation of the Dark Demonic Inward Heart Method over the past year proved to be an immense help.
Because I could effortlessly control my otherwise wild energy waves, I didn't have to worry about my Qi going rampant or running dry, even after channeling it for extended periods.
I might get through this easier than I thought.
My confidence grew with every step.
Above all, I loved that this was a solo test.
Rather than tests that required fighting or interacting with others, a trial I could tackle entirely on my own—no matter how difficult—suited my personality perfectly.
Had about six hours passed?
It was just when I was making pleasant progress.
Is that... light?
I saw a faint glow leaking from around a corner.
Judging by the flickering light casting several shadows, it seemed multiple torches were lit just past the bend.
As I crept forward in bewilderment, the sound of human voices suddenly reached my ears.
"...What did I tell you? I'm telling you, it's a sure thing this time!"
It sounded like several men conversing in gruff voices.
"The Demonic Cult's lair is right above us. That means their hidden treasures must be somewhere in this cave. Hehehe."
"So where exactly is this treasure? We need to tread carefully. If we make a wrong turn, we might end up bursting right into the middle of their nest."
The light and shadows cast by the torches grew brighter, and the voices grew louder.
From the sound of their footsteps, they were definitely heading in my direction.
Above all, the contents of their conversation were highly alarming.
I froze in place, unable to move forward, yet unable to bring myself to turn back.
And then...
"Are you scared already? All we have to do is be careful... Tsk."
Three men stepped around the corner, and we came face-to-face.
"Huh?"
They were robust men dressed in pitch-black attire, each holding a torch in his right hand.
Ah, could this be... that?
I recalled the Right Guardian's warning that demonic beasts would appear to obstruct my trial once I reached a certain depth.
I tilted my head and asked.
"Excuse me... but by any chance, are you the demonic beasts?"
Utter bewilderment washed over the faces of the three men.
Hmm. Looking at them again, no matter how I slice it, they're definitely human.
Did I misspeak?
The three men exchanged glances, and then, in unison, unsheathed the swords at their waists.
"It's just a single brat. Kill him first!"
"Damned Demonic Cult bastard!"
"Hyah!"
Without warning, they lunged at me all at once.
*Thump.*
I couldn't comprehend what was happening at all.
However, I had heard them talking about the Demonic Cult's lair.
More importantly, with them rushing to kill me, I had no luxury to sit and ponder.
"KILL THEM!!!"
Faced with a threat to my life,
the Heavenly Killer Star activated of its own accord.
My vision stained crimson, and my heartbeat accelerated.
As blood rushed to my limbs, the internal energy of the Dark Demonic Inward Heart Method began to vibrate.
*Slash!*
The intruder at the front swung his sword diagonally with ferocious speed.
My five senses and energy perception had already been honed to a razor's edge while navigating the darkness. With the Heavenly Killer Star further boosting my internal energy and physical capabilities, I could clearly perceive the man's movements and the trajectory of his blade.
Furthermore, by that point, the Qi channels in my limbs had completely reorganized, allowing me to effortlessly and stably control the fluctuations of my energy waves.
Without even needing to retreat, I simply tilted my body. The intruder's sword grazed past my shoulder, slicing through empty air.
As the first man stumbled, losing his balance, the second intruder thrust his sword toward me in the blink of an eye.
*Tap!*
Without a second thought, I grabbed the first man's arm and pulled him directly into the path of the second man's thrust.
*Squelch!*
The tip of the second intruder's sword pierced straight through the first man's back.
*Cough!*
The man whose chest was impaled coughed up a spray of blood. Before a single drop could hit the ground, I closed the distance to the second intruder.
Lifting my elbow, I struck the second intruder hard on his temple.
Struck squarely in his vital point by an attack infused with internal energy, the man couldn't even attempt to dodge. His legs stiffened instantly, and he collapsed forward, never to rise again.
*Thump, thump!*
The screams of the Heavenly Killer Star echoed incessantly in my head, and my heart pounded so violently I could hear it in my ears.
Having killed two people in an instant, the voice of the Heavenly Killer Star grew incomparably louder, and its influence over my body surged in tandem.
"They're already dead?! No!"
Yes. It's over now.
"There must be more alive! Find them...! Hurry!!"
No, there are no more. Go back to sleep.
"There's one right there! Kill him! Raise your blade...!"
This is enough for now.
The internal energy of the Dark Demonic Inward Heart Method was circulating through my body with unbelievable intensity, and my five senses and energy perception had become preternaturally sharp.
I could practically count the number of ants crawling behind my back.
It wasn't a particularly pleasant sensation.
But one thing was clear: even with the Heavenly Killer Star manifesting more powerfully than ever before, my ego was not consumed by its murderous impulses.
There, there. Good boy.
"Aww...!"
I had been worried, so this was a relief.
Even at this very moment, my desire to avoid taking lives if possible remained unchanged.
I looked at the third intruder, whose legs were completely frozen in terror after witnessing his two companions perish in an instant, and spoke.
"Surrender. There is no need to throw away your life."
However, hearing my words seemed to have the opposite effect on the third man.
"You damned demon! Die!"
Every single one of his movements—raising his sword, stepping forward, and swinging his blade—appeared as clear as day to me.
As if my body were reacting on instinct, the diagonal trajectory of his sword mapped itself out in my mind.
Without needing to think, I stepped back, dodging the attack.
*Thud!*
Following a dull impact, my fist came to a halt, and so did the intruder.
However, unlike before, I had plenty of leeway, so I didn't put much force into it.
The third intruder collapsed with a heavy thud. He was no longer moving, but he was still breathing.
Searching the fallen man's robes, I found a sturdy rope. I used it to bind his arms and legs tightly, completely immobilizing him.
Is that it...?
The torches they had dropped were still burning on the ground.
Picking one up, I took a few steps forward. As I rounded the corner, a bizarre sight unfolded before my eyes.