From the carriage, Li Mo gazed into the distance and could already see Rare Beast Peak.

Rare Beast Peak was the last peak of the Qingyuan Mountain Range and the closest to the wilderness.

Ahead, there was a vast gathering of people, clearly divided between Outer and Inner Sect disciples.

Without exception, they were all new disciples who had not yet participated in the Sect Trial.

As soon as the Sect Master's carriage stopped, it instantly became the center of attention.

"Is that the Sect Master's True Disciple, Ying Bing?"

"Hiss... That junior sister is stunningly beautiful."

"Keep your voice down. I heard from Elder Qian's True Disciple that she's already at the eighth meridian of the Vital Energy Realm and was gifted a set of Black Cloud Gauze Undershirt because of it."

"How long has she been in the sect? Already at the eighth meridian? A prodigy!"

"No one could possibly take the top spot in the Sect Trial in their first year, right? That would be extraordinary."

"Who's that next to her?"

"That's True Disciple Li, who entered the sect with her."

"I know, True Disciple Li is a really good person!"

A quick look at "pawread.com" will leave you more fulfilled.

Hearing the discussions of the other disciples, Li Mo's mouth twitched slightly.

Thanks, I do good deeds without leaving my name, no need to give me a Good Person Card.

"Moonwatch Cliff seems to be deep within the trial grounds."

Scanning the map, Li Mo found the place he had agreed on with Ying Bing.

The deeper into the trial grounds, the stronger the Exotic Beasts.

Moonwatch Cliff was quite remote, and one had to pass through territories of late-stage and even peak-stage Ninth-Grade Exotic Beasts.

Without some real skills, it would be impossible to venture there.

"One hour..."

Li Mo looked at Ying Bing, who had moved to the front of the crowd, and silently encouraged himself.

Don't underestimate us transmigrators!

Suddenly.

Li Mo noticed a familiar gaze fixed on him.

Wang Hu.

At this moment, Wang Hu still had that defiant look, but a hint of sickness in his brows made him seem gloomy.

Meeting Li Mo's eyes, he blankly drew his hand across his throat in a throat-slitting gesture.

"What’s with this guy again?"

Li Mo was speechless, instinctively feeling that something was off with Wang Hu's state.

So he focused his mind, using the Divine Fate Eye to scan over.

[Name: Wang Hu]

[Age: 16]

[Constitution: Tiger Arms, Leopard Waist.]

[Realm: Eighth Meridian of the Vital Energy Realm.]

[Fate: Black]

[Evaluation: Some talent, but if he studies diligently, he might achieve something in the future. However, he is narrow-minded, vindictive, and arrogant, prone to taking an extreme path.]

[Recent Encounter: Deeply influenced by a beast seed, he has strayed far from the right path. His own vital energy is insufficient, preparing to consume Exotic Beast blood, gradually losing his sanity.]

"Beast seed?"

Li Mo raised an eyebrow.

What puzzled him wasn't Wang Hu's fate, but that he had contact with the Demon Summoning Cult.

Before the Sect Trial, Outer Sect disciples are not allowed to leave the sect unless they withdraw.

If Wang Hu had always been within the Qingyuan Sect, where did this beast seed from the Demon Summoning Cult come from?

"This Sect Trial will likely be unusual."

Li Mo pondered for a moment.

Hmm, if the Daughter of Destiny is involved, if everything were normal, that would be abnormal.

According to the usual plot, Ice Block should turn the tide, maybe even pull off a comeback from a desperate situation?

But since I know...

"Master!"

Li Mo ran directly to where the elders were seated.

"Hmm?"

Shang Wu was originally dozing off, but upon hearing his disciple's voice, she scratched her head sleepily:

"Is it time to eat?"

"I'll treat Master to a meal after the trial, but I have something to report."

Li Mo spoke, sharing his judgment.

He found a reason to cover up the use of the Divine Fate Eye with another explanation.

When the words 'Demon Summoning Cult' came out of his mouth.

Xue Jing and Qian Bufan immediately became serious, and even the drowsiness in Shang Wu's eyes disappeared.

"Are you sure it's a Demon Summoning Cult member? This is no joking matter."

Qian Bufan's voice was low, with a hint of worry in his brows.

"My father serves as a County Constable and once captured a Demon Summoning Cult member. I just felt the aura was similar, not entirely certain, but considering the gravity of the situation, I thought it best to report to the elders. Even if it's a misjudgment, it's better than knowing and not reporting."

Li Mo's words were reasonable.

"Little Mo is prudent in his actions."

Xue Jing pondered for a moment, then said:

"There's a ninety percent chance that this Wang Hu kid has practiced the Demon Summoning Cult's evil technique, the Hundred Beast Blood Refinement."

"They've extended their claws into our Qingyuan Sect."

Elder Yin Huaxuan of Rare Beast Peak suddenly stood up.

As if ready to drag Wang Hu up for interrogation.

"Yin Hua, you're too hasty."

Xue Jing stopped him, looking at Li Mo with a bit more satisfaction, and said:

"We understand. You go back and participate in the trial as usual, as if nothing happened."

"Yes."

Li Mo complied easily.

Old Xue probably has other plans.

In the Qingyuan Sect, if the elders can't handle something, there's no point in him worrying about it.

...

Half an hour later.

Qian Bufan, with his hands behind his back, stood before everyone, announcing the trial rules:

"Ordinary beasts do not count towards the score."

"Ninth-Grade early, mid, and late-stage Exotic Beasts are worth 1, 3, and 15 points respectively."

"Of course, peak-stage Ninth-Grade Exotic Beasts are worth 100 points, but without combat power comparable to the Inner Breath Realm, it's best not to attempt it lightly."

"Upon successfully killing an Exotic Beast, or in case of emergency, you can release a Screeching Arrow, and an Inner Sect Steward will come."

After Qian Bufan finished speaking, he returned to his seat.

As his words fell, the disciples received their Screeching Arrows and selected suitable weapons.

Then, over a thousand people entered the forest in a grand procession.

"Junior Brother Yin Hua."

Xue Jing suddenly spoke.

"Yes."

Yin Huaxuan nodded.

He blew a bone whistle, and hundreds of birds flew out from Rare Beast Peak, some flying into the forest, others circling in the sky.

...

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

A Screeching Arrow echoed through the sky.

Then an Inner Sect Steward returned, dragging the corpse of a black leopard. The leopard was as big as a calf, its eyes wide like copper bells, its ferocity still frozen on its face.

The fatal wound was on its throat, a single sword strike, with no blood spilled.

Because the wound had been frozen.

"Ying Bing, one point," Qian Bufan nodded in admiration.

"There are many disciples who can kill Ninth-Grade Exotic Beasts, but to do it so cleanly, without using any extra effort, is rare."

Yin Huaxuan's eyes flickered.

"Even if I suppress my realm to the Vital Energy Realm, I can't achieve that level."

Xue Jing clicked his tongue in wonder.

"Little Bing'er didn't seem to have any combat experience before."

Shang Wu's almond eyes shone brightly.

The first time killing an Exotic Beast, it was as easy as killing a chicken.

Many disciples with high talent, despite their strong abilities, would be intimidated by the aura of an Exotic Beast and couldn't exert even thirty percent of their strength.

But some people grow stronger when facing challenges, like herself.

Shang Wu called it the Innate Battle Saint Physique.

"My dear disciple hasn't made a move yet?"

The Master propped her chin with one hand, her half-closed sleepy eyes seeming ready to doze off again.

Woo—

Another Screeching Arrow sounded.

"Li Mo, killed one early-stage Ninth-Grade Exotic Beast!"

The Exotic Beast dragged back by the Inner Sect Steward left many elders in deep thought.

After a long look, Xue Jing hesitantly said:

"Is this thing... a Wing-Fanged Serpent?"

Honestly speaking.

If Old Xue hadn't just used Wing-Fanged Serpent scales to refine medicine, he wouldn't have recognized what this thing was.

This 'serpent corpse' had its head blown apart, fangs broken, and all its bones shattered, causing the long snake body to be crumpled like a crushed soda can.

Too brutal.

Completely opposite to Ying Bing.

Qian Bufan, holding his chubby belly, fell into contemplation:

"Junior Nephew Shang Wu, isn't Li Mo practicing sword techniques?"

"His Six Harmony Fist has also reached Major Mastery."

Shang Wu shrugged, indicating it had nothing to do with her.

Yin Huaxuan picked up a fragment of a snake fang:

"The Wing-Fanged Serpent's most durable part is its fangs, yet they were shattered along with its body by a punch."

"This kid's current realm is not lower than Ying Bing's."

"And he has practiced some kind of body refinement technique?"

Xue Jing's scalp tingled.

The elders had no objections; with their keen eyes, they could discern much from the battle traces.

Judging by the results against an early-stage Ninth-Grade Exotic Beast, Li Mo's performance was no less impressive than Ying Bing's.

But the elders opened their mouths, unsure whether to praise or not.

This combat style was too reminiscent of someone...

One Shang Wu in the Qingyuan Sect was headache enough!

What if there was a second one?

"Sigh, Old Xue, you were muddle-headed. Why didn't you take Li Mo under your wing back then?"

"?? My True Disciple slots were full. Elder Qian had slots, why didn't he take him?"

"I wanted to, but didn't Junior Nephew Shang Wu get to him first?"

"You were muddle-headed!"

"Is it still possible to guide him back on the right path?"

The elders sighed.

Shang Wu suddenly stood up, one hand on her hip, the other making her fist crackle:

"If anyone wants to poach my disciple, they can try. Whoever beats me can have him."

The stage fell silent.