Chapter 5: Second Stage Still Whoops Your Butt

Chapter 5: Second Stage Still Whoops Your Butt

The spirit realm assessment was completed, and each disciple’s training results were recorded.

Master Zhao was quite pleased; over the past six months, most disciples had made breakthroughs in their cultivation. With the youth thriving, the Xuanyun Sect grew stronger.

Taking advantage of the gathered crowd, Master Zhao had important matters to discuss with everyone.

“After this spirit realm assessment, most of you have made improvements. For those whose progress isn’t ideal, don’t be disheartened; you are still young, and the road ahead is long.”

He paused briefly before raising his voice, “You all should know by now that you bear the responsibility for the world’s masses. With the Demon Sect rampant and ferocious beasts threatening our world, you carry heavy burdens and mustn’t slack off. I am well aware of each of your cultivation levels, and soon, the Xuanyun Sect will be receiving commissions. You will be going out to suppress the demons and beasts; consider this your practical training.”

Master Zhao flipped through the records of their spirit realm, continuing, “Disciples above the third stage and those who have been initiated for over five years should all partake in this practical training. I hope you can apply what you’ve learned in real combat.”

Lin Nuo listened to Master Zhao’s rambling.

Old man, just say that disciples above the third stage and Lin Nuo will be going out. Are you sure there are others for that second condition?

He had a good point; of course, the protagonist would be going to level up at the third stage.

Practical training has its pros and cons—real combat leads to rapid advancement but can also result in injuries.

In his memory, this practical training was the protagonist Su Kexin’s opportunity. Su Kexin had a bloodline explosion physique, and every time she exploded, her cultivation would soar.

With the protagonist’s halo, she wouldn’t die; she’d only grow stronger.

“Our sect will arrange the commissions according to everyone’s cultivation level. Remember, practical training is like a battlefield, so treat it seriously,” Master Zhao concluded, leading to a flurry of discussions amongst the disciples.

Half of the disciples had no combat experience, mostly sticking to Tianling Mountain for cultivation. The sudden announcement stirred both excitement and anxiety among them.

This was the trend of the times. With chaos reigning in the world, esteemed sects like Xuanyun Sect must contribute to alleviating the troubles faced by the people. There simply wasn’t enough time to wait for everyone to mature; disciples above the third stage must engage in real battles to grow.

If he aimed to take down the protagonist, it would be best to tag along with her, but he knew the upcoming arrangements—they would separate for the missions, and when they returned, their powers would be even more disparate.

After the spirit realm assessment concluded, the disciples dispersed for training.

Han Fairy shared some basic instructions on the new techniques with Lin Nuo and told him to practice on his own. By the end of the day, she hadn’t checked in on how he was doing.

However, Lin Nuo didn’t practice the new techniques but sought a place to hide and practice his demonic arts instead.

…

In the evening, the sunset bathed every inch of Tianling Mountain in warm light.

Lin Nuo was preparing to head back when a disciple found him.

“Lin Nuo, Master Wu Feng is looking for you. He wants you to go to the bamboo forest at the back mountain.”

Master Wu Feng, an elder well-versed in martial arts.

The bamboo forest at the back mountain, huh?

Lin Nuo nodded, saying, “Got it.”

With that, Lin Nuo picked up his sword and headed towards the back mountain.

“Doesn’t he even ask what it’s about? Oh well, let’s wait for good news from Third Senior Brother and the others.”

The disciple chuckled to himself.

…

In the bamboo forest at the back mountain, a gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.

“Third Senior Brother, he’s here!”

A disciple hurriedly ran back to report.

“Good, ensure there’s no one else around, alright?”

“I’ve checked. There’s no one!”

The three disciples were all from the same lineage, led by Third Senior Brother Guan Lei, who was at the fourth stage. The other two, both at the third stage, were skilled in martial arts, and they were discussing how to mercilessly beat up Lin Nuo.

Internal fighting was not permitted within the sect, so they decided to lure Lin Nuo to the back mountain for a good thrashing.

“This Lin Nuo is really full of himself, thinking he can pursue Qin Shili without any strength. I’ve never liked his arrogant face; let’s teach him a lesson today.”

Guan Lei cracked his knuckles, eager for action.

At that moment, a white-haired young man with an expressionless face appeared slowly.

“He’s coming.”

The three stepped out from behind the bamboo to block Lin Nuo’s path.

Lin Nuo halted, maintaining his poker face.

Guan Lei chuckled, “Lin Nuo, you’ve been tricked! Do you really think a master would look for you? You’ve been at second stage for five years, and you dare to chase after Qin Shili? Think you’re tough? Looks like a lesson is what you need!”

Guan Lei gestured to his two disciples who nodded, one channeling energy into his fist, launching a fierce punch at Lin Nuo.

【Too slow】.

Lin Nuo easily dodged and retaliated with a punch that sent that disciple flying several meters away.

“Breaking Soul Palm!”

Another disciple gathered energy and struck out, but Lin Nuo dodged again, crouching slightly and executed a shoulder throw, slamming that disciple into the ground, limbs splayed like a dead fish.

“What’s wrong with you guys? Can’t even handle a second stage waste?!”

Guan Lei was furious, his spiritual energy flaring as his muscles bulged ominously.

“I’ll make your face crooked!”

Guan Lei tensed, ready to unleash a punch, when suddenly, a few sharp silver needles shot out from Lin Nuo’s sleeves, piercing Guan Lei’s body.

“This…”

Guan Lei instantly felt his body go numb, unable to exert strength. Lin Nuo swiftly kicked him in the gut, making him spit out saliva.

“Sorry about that.”

Lin Nuo grabbed Guan Lei’s hair and forcefully pushed his face to the ground.

“I’m really quite amazing.”

Guan Lei’s head sank into the dirt and he struggled to break free.

The brawny martial arts disciple was now humiliated, face buried in the soil.

An excellent villain values efficiency, striking decisively without dragging things out, taking down the enemy in no time.

“You… you actually used hidden weapons…! No martial ethics…!”

With his head in the dirt, Guan Lei defiantly protested against Lin Nuo’s underhanded methods.

Lin Nuo snickered, “What kind of person are you to lecture me about martial ethics? Let’s see who the real waste is.”

Lin Nuo pulled out a knife from Guan Lei’s waist and brought it close to his ear.

“Say you’re not gonna need that ear anymore.”

“Lin Nuo, you dare! You’ll be expelled from the sect!”

“Who’s the waste again?”

Lin Nuo ignored Guan Lei’s words as the knife began to scrape against his ear, drawing blood. Guan Lei felt a sharp pain slicing through his ear.

Fear surged through Guan Lei.

Before even heading out for training, he was already faced with life-threatening danger.

Is this person really insane? Is he actually going to cut it off?!

What to do? Call for help? There’s no one nearby, and if the word spreads that he lost to Lin Nuo, where would he put his face?!

But the knife kept scraping!

“I, I am the waste.”

“Can’t hear you.”

Lin Nuo continued to scrape, drawing more blood.

“I, I am the waste!”

Guan Lei shouted, dirt spilling into his mouth.

He had never felt such humiliation, especially in front of a mere second stage weakling.

Lin Nuo stopped scraping, yanking Guan Lei’s hair.

“Like your master, a useless waste.”

Lin Nuo suddenly tossed Guan Lei aside, who fell and rolled several times, covered in dirt and grass.

“Second stage still whoops your butt.”

Lin Nuo said coldly.