The towering gates of the Azure Sky Sect's Hidden Trial grounds loomed before Lin Chen like the mouth of a slumbering beast. Mist swirled beyond the entrance, dense with killing intent and primordial energy. This was no ordinary trial — this was where elites either soared… or died forgotten.
Lin Chen stood calmly, hands behind his back, as dozens of young geniuses bustled with nervous excitement. Their sect robes gleamed with embroidered sigils, but beneath the polish, Lin Chen could see the arrogance in their eyes.
"Trash like you dared to come here? Might as well dig your own grave," sneered one Inner Sect disciple, a lanky youth named Zhao Feng. He flicked his sword, causing sparks to dance.
Lin Chen grinned lazily. "You should save that energy. I heard they don't dig graves in here… they just leave corpses to the beasts."
The crowd tittered. Zhao Feng's face darkened.
Before tempers could flare further, a bell tolled — low and sonorous. The trial had begun.
---
The Wilderness of Trials
Stepping into the misty wilderness, Lin Chen felt the ambient pressure thicken. Strange roars echoed in the distance — spirit beasts, no doubt. He moved lightly, his Qi Condensation 4th layer cultivation circulating smoothly.
Hours passed as he traversed dangerous valleys and crossed poisoned rivers. His robe was already torn at the edges from avoiding venomous vine attacks.
Suddenly, he paused.
A group of disciples surrounded a lone figure — a woman with silver-streaked black hair, standing tall amidst the siege. She wielded a long glaive, and her frosty eyes radiated killing intent.
Lin Chen's gaze sharpened.
Yu Xueqing.
She was no mere participant — she was a widow senior sister, a once-famous beauty who had withdrawn from sect politics after losing her husband. Now, these younger male disciples were trying to "teach her a lesson."
"How pathetic," Lin Chen muttered.
---
First Milf Candidate: Yu Xueqing
"Senior Sister Yu, surrender your trial medallion. This isn't a place for an old widow," sneered one of the attackers.
Yu Xueqing's eyes flashed with frost. "Come and take it."
The battle erupted, but even as she fought, her Qi showed signs of depletion.
Lin Chen yawned and strolled forward.
"Young masters, I heard there's a discount if you gang up on women past their prime. Is that true?" he drawled loudly.
The men paused, faces contorting. "Who dares—"
Before they could react, Lin Chen moved.
His palm struck like a coiled dragon, sending one disciple crashing into a tree with cracked ribs.
"Lin Chen?! That outer sect brat?!" someone shouted in disbelief.
Lin Chen's grin widened.
"Correct. And I charge extra for delivery."
---
Face-Slapping the Inner Sect Genius
Zhao Feng appeared again, recognizing Lin Chen.
"You again! I'll personally cripple—"
He didn't finish. Lin Chen's fist slammed into his face mid-sentence, sending teeth flying.
The watching crowd gasped.
"Lesson one," Lin Chen said, shaking his hand, "never talk with your mouth open in a fight."
The remaining attackers fled in terror.
Yu Xueqing, panting slightly, fixed him with a cool gaze.
"Why help me? I had no need for charity."
Lin Chen shrugged.
"Not charity. I just hate seeing good aunties get bullied."
Yu Xueqing's brow twitched.
"…You have a death wish."
---
An Alliance Forged
Later, as they rested beside a creek, Lin Chen grilled a roasted spirit rabbit.
"You're strong, Senior Sister, but running solo here is suicide. Alliance?"
Yu Xueqing considered him for a long moment.
"…Temporary. Until the end of the trials."
Lin Chen smirked.
"Deal. I promise not to call you 'aunty' again. Maybe 'beautiful widow senior sister'?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"You'll die in your sleep if you try."
Lin Chen laughed.
"Worth it."
---
Cultivation Progress
That night, as the wilderness winds howled, Lin Chen sat cross-legged. The earlier battles had stirred his blood, and his Qi Condensation 4th layer was quivering on the brink.
He inhaled deeply, circulating his Qi through his meridians.
The spirit energy here was chaotic — perfect for tempering his foundation.
Boom!
A muffled explosion echoed within his dantian.
His cultivation surged.
Mid 4th layer Qi Condensation — solidified!
---
As dawn broke, Lin Chen stood and cracked his neck.
His eyes gleamed sharper now, and even Yu Xueqing, watching from afar, noted the faint pressure emanating from him.
The real trials had only just begun.
But Lin Chen grinned at the rising sun.
"Time to go troll some more geniuses."
---
End of Chapter 13.