<Chapter 1217> The Path of Radiant Ascension
After the full moon had passed, we returned to the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect. Wrapping up the affairs of White Mountain City was now the responsibility of the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect’s White Mountain Branch. With almost everything laid out for them, unless they were utterly incompetent, they’d surely dominate White Mountain City successfully.
The results of this trial were announced on the day we arrived at Demon Gate Academy.
“I will announce the squads that completed their missions and accumulated the most merits. Squad 1, Squad 4, Squad 11….”
Demon Gate Academy Principal Bae Taek-ju calmly called out the squad numbers. There was no dissent regarding his judgment. Especially when Squad 1 was called first, everyone accepted it without question.
Squad 1 consisted of exceptional individuals even among the top tier. They received far more challenging missions than other squads and performed exceptionally well in battle, with Na Ye-ha’s brilliance shining particularly brightly during the war.
Due to her performance, Na Ye-ha earned herself a new nickname.
White Mountain Witch (白山魔女). This nickname, given for her actions in White Mountain where she wielded white blade energy to slay enemies, also signified her complete recognition as a member of the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect, as the character “마 (魔)” was included.
“Next, I will announce the squads that failed to meet standards. Squad 15, Squad 19, Squad 21…. A total of 17 squads have been demoted. Among them, 46 members are expelled. The announcement is now.”
Bae Taek-ju called out the numbers. Those who were called hung their heads low. Today would be their last day at Demon Gate Academy.
While some might find another decent sect after leaving the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect, most would likely join another division within the organization and continue to serve as believers. After tasting the power of the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect, it’d be hard for other random sects to catch their eyes. Additionally, having survived six months at Demon Gate Academy made it easier for other departments to accept them. In a way, this was also part of the Celestial Horse Spirit Sect’s intentions.
I subtly glanced around by moving only my eyes.
“The number of those remaining at Demon Gate Academy is roughly three hundred.”
Only half a year of training remains. By the time graduation comes, there won’t even be a hundred left.
“If things go according to the original story, fewer than fifty will remain… but I can’t be certain if events will unfold exactly as they did.”
I thought nonchalantly.
Most of the time, if the protagonist or important supporting characters from the original story don’t die, things tend to follow the original storyline when left alone.
“This test was special. Though you were being evaluated, you also worked for the sect. The sect does not forget favors or debts. We will reward the top performers with spirit pills. Number 567, step forward.”
Na Ye-ha stepped forward. Bae Taek-ju opened the wooden box he received from the instructor so everyone could see.
Inside the box was a single black pill, emanating a sharp fragrance along with pure demonic energy. Everyone swallowed their saliva.
“To the top ten performers, including Number 567, we will award the Demon Essence Pill (魔晶丹), and to the others, the Ghost Shadow Pill (鬼影丹).”
The Demon Essence Pill increases one’s internal energy and purifies impure demonic energy to some extent.
The Ghost Shadow Pill, three levels lower than the Demon Essence Pill, still boosts one’s internal energy upon consumption.
“Number 88, Number 366, Number 123, Number 290….”
Bae Taek-ju called out the numbers. Including myself, the list continued for Squad 1…
The squad had all received the Martial Spirit Pellet.
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the Martial Spirit Pellet inside the wooden box.
‘Honestly, this won’t really help me.’
I’m right on the brink of the Triple Clarity Realm. It’s not a towering or insurmountable wall—I just need to step over it—but for some reason, it’s not easy. A mere spirit pill like the Martial Spirit Pellet won’t be of much use to me.
‘I should pretend to eat it and give it to someone else. It would feel weird giving it to either Nan Gong Xue or Nan Gong Lin though. The Martial Spirit Pellet is specialized for martial artists who practice martial arts after all.’
After pondering for a moment, I decided what to do with the Martial Spirit Pellet.
•••
The recruits were granted a week of rest.
We could leave the Martial Aspirant Academy if we wanted, or stay inside to train—no one cared. Most people left the academy to relieve stress.
Now that half a year has passed, the instructors’ supervision has loosened. Both the recruits and the instructors have grown accustomed to each other. At this point, there are hardly any troublemakers left in the academy. With only half a year left until graduation, no one wants to ruin their grades by causing trouble.
Anyway, the important thing is that the instructors also got a break, and their monitoring became more relaxed.
I called Ximen Xiaoliao to the back of the training ground, where there was no one around.
Hidden behind Lian Ye Xia’s beauty, Ximen Xiaoliao was actually an incredible beauty in her own right. She was tall—about 5cm shorter than me.
She had long limbs, with her lower body proportionally longer than her upper body. Her chest was about C-cup size, just enough to fill one hand. However, her hips were even more developed than her chest.
Her voluminous black hair was tied into a high ponytail that reached down to her thighs.
Her face was clean-cut, with flawless white skin and sharp features. Her bangs were parted 80-20, revealing her broad forehead, which was one of her most attractive traits.
“Number 123, what is this ‘important matter’ you wanted to speak about?”
Since I remained silent, Ximen Xiaoliao spoke first. Her voice carried a hint of sharpness but remained clear and refined—she’d make a great news anchor.
“I have a proposal.”
“A proposal? Go on.”
“Number 290, this might make you uncomfortable. I’ll say it upfront: if you refuse, I’ll back off and forget this ever happened.”
“Yes, please continue.”
Ximen Xiaoliao replied expressionlessly.
At first glance, she might seem like Lian Ye Xia, but knowing the original story, I know she’s actually quite fiery. She’s more suited to the righteous sects than the Demon Sect.
Ximen Xiaoliao joined the Celestial Devil Sect because she’s a woman without any established sect backing her. She learned martial arts from a reclusive sage who only taught her combat skills—and those were specifically martial arts.
“I want to hold you.”
Ximen Xiaoliao’s face froze coldly.
“…I knew you liked wine and women, but this crosses the line.”
A gust of wind swirled around her as her inner energy surged. I didn’t counteract it—if I used my inner energy here, it would mean we were fighting to the death.
Instead, I took out two wooden boxes from my robes.
“Of course, this isn’t a random suggestion. I’ve prepared compensation.”
I opened the boxes.
Two spirit pills revealed their presence.
One was the Wisdom Refinement Pill (智城丹), which Ximen Xiaoliao needed most now that she was nearing the Enlightenment Realm.
The other was the Martial Spirit Pellet I’d received yesterday.
Ximen Xiaoliao sucked in a breath. The sight of such amazing items deflated her aggressive aura.
“…Number 123, are you serious? Wisdom Refinement Pills and Martial Spirit Pellets… You could sell these and buy several pleasure houses and still have money left over!”
“But without you, what’s the point of owning pleasure houses? I want to hold you.”
“…Hah, this is ridiculous.”
Of course. There probably isn’t anyone in this world crazy enough to trade Wisdom Refinement Pills and Martial Spirit Pellets just to hold a woman. Especially Martial Spirit Pellets, which are practically treasures for martial artists practicing martial arts. And treasures aren’t exactly common…
The more, the better. Even though she’s already received the spirit pills, greed will arise within her. As proof, right now she’s seriously considering my proposal.
If this had been the Xumen Suoliao from a month ago, the proposal wouldn’t have worked.
But the current Xumen Suoliao is different. She yearns for power now.
‘She must’ve been inspired by Lian Yexia’s performance in the Baeksan War. Ever since that day, Xumen Suoliao has been diligently practicing every night. The reason she hasn’t left Yima Temple during this rest period is also for training.’
Right now, the probability of her accepting my offer is about 70%. Unlike Lian Yexia, she doesn’t have any background ties. There’s no particular reason for her to uphold chastity.
“… I’m curious why you’re using spirit pills. If you eat them, won’t you become stronger too? Besides, you’ve already mastered the Siphon Art. Shouldn’t you purify your demonic energy?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“I’m just asking because I don’t understand.”
“I’m far more compatible with the Siphon Art than you think. The instructors who observed how I use it were astonished. And I’m not so weak that I need those spirit pills. I desire something greater from you.”
“… Are you serious?”
“Right here, right now, I can give these to you.”
“What if I take the spirit pills and pretend I don’t know you?”
“You’re not that kind of woman.”
“… You’re an idiot. What do you really know about me…? But I must admit, it feels kind of nice.”
“So, are you accepting my offer?”
“…”
Xumen Suoliao stared intently at the spirit pills with greedy eyes before quietly shaking her head as if cutting off her own greed.
“It’s not worth selling my life for just two spirit pills. My value is much higher than that.”
“I agree. Let’s change the terms then. One month. Be mine for thirty days.”
“… What’s your purpose?”
“Are you dissatisfied?”
“Of course not. This is a good deal for me. It’s almost too good to be true.”
“There’s no special agenda. Within thirty days, I’m confident I can make you fall for me and become mine completely.”
“…”
Xumen Suiliao’s expression momentarily froze. Then, she tilted her lips upward and smirked.
“123rd time saying this—You’re surprisingly entertaining.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. So, are you accepting my offer?”
“… I need some time to think.”
I stepped closer and handed her the box.
“Do as I said earlier. I’ll wait for your answer here, at the same time tomorrow. If you reject, return the spirit pills to me.”
“… You really trust me with these pills?”
“Didn’t I say I trust you?”
“… I’ll definitely give you an answer tomorrow.”
Without hesitation, I turned and left. Nagging her would only backfire.
Xumen Suoliao will definitely show up tomorrow.
•••
Back in her room, Xumen Suoliao placed the three spirit pills on the desk and gazed at them.
Two spirit pills. One wisdom pill.
For someone at the 10th level of Inner Mastery like her, the wisdom pill was what she needed most. Using it would increase her chances of reaching the Outer Will stage and prevent disasters like losing control of her energy.
Outer Will.
The realm where one projects their energy outward and imbues it with their will.
People call martial artists who reach this stage “masters.”
Xumen Suoliao instinctively reached toward the wisdom pill but stopped herself mid-motion.
‘… If I take this wisdom pill… I’ll be no better than a prostitute. Not for money, but for selling my body for spirit pills.’
Her teeth clenched.
Throughout her life, no matter the difficulties, she never sold her body. Despite many attempts on her virtue, she managed to protect her chastity through fighting or fleeing.
‘No. I can’t break down here.’
Though she screamed “no” inside her heart, she couldn’t withdraw her hand hovering in the air.
