"AWOOOO!"
A suppressed, furious roar, tinged with the struggle of its final moments, echoed through the Daoist Temple as a [Warrior] unleashed its everything.
The sound lingered for a moment.
After the storm had passed and the [Warrior]’s eruption was over, the main hall’s doors quietly opened, and a neatly dressed Daoist You strolled out.
In her hand was the body of a [Warrior], riddled with holes. As a tool, it was clearly and utterly spent. Its body, which should have been impervious to blades and spears, was completely destroyed, leaving no chance for it to be restored with Magic. Yet, despite this, the expression on the [Warrior]’s face was still serene.
There was even a hint of joy.
To have been used to this extent meant that Daoist You had been very fond of it. As a [Warrior], its value as a living sacrifice had been recognized to the fullest.
Not far away, Wang Ping watched, his scalp tingling with fear.
He had witnessed the entire "battle." The one that had just been destroyed was, without a doubt, the finest among the ten [Warriors].
Especially its [Qi Confinement] which had reached Great Perfection.
’Impervious to blades and spears...’
Wang Ping was a hundred percent certain that not even Shouchong Old Bi Deng’s flying daggers, which were powerful enough to shatter a rockery, could have left so much as a scratch on it.
What did that mean?
’A [Warrior], a mere tool meant for manual labor for the disciples in an Immortal Sect, could probably sweep through all of Da Shun undefeated if it were sent there?’
This was no longer just a gap in power.
It was a chasm.
Like heaven and earth, destined never to meet. The mere understanding of it was enough to drive one to despair, and it made Wang Ping’s heart grow ever more anxious.
’If this continues, I’ll just end up following in its footsteps.’
Six days had passed since he became a [Warrior]. During that time, Daoist You would randomly select one [Warrior] each day to train with her.
Wang Ping, naturally, had been chosen once. However, his quality as a [Warrior] was mediocre. While not the worst, he was far inferior to the one that had just been completely destroyed. Even going all out, he couldn’t satisfy Daoist You’s needs, so he had only trained with her that one time.
And yet, that single time...
The "wear and tear" on the tool afterward forced him to "shut down" for three days. He had only barely recovered yesterday, and his physical condition remained poor.
’Look on the bright side.’
’At least by being bedridden for three days and desperately circulating [Qi Confinement] to repair the damage, my mastery of this Magic has improved significantly. It’s a blessing in disguise.’
Wang Ping tried to find some solace in his misery, thinking to himself:
’The art of [Qi Confinement] can convert essence, qi, and spirit into [True Qi]. Its effects, from lowest to highest, are stanching bleeding and regenerating flesh, mending bones and knitting tendons, and finally, becoming impervious to blades and spears.’
’In this body of a [Warrior], the knowledge of [Qi Confinement] was directly inscribed into my instincts during my creation. An ordinary person learning this Magic would have to start from stanching bleeding and regenerating flesh and improve step by step. But I don’t need to learn it intentionally; I can reach the highest level of being impervious to blades and spears right from the start.’
This was both a good thing and a bad thing.
The good thing was that there was no cost to learning the Magic. The bad thing was that everything relied completely on this [Warrior] body. Without it, he was nothing.
’Fortunately, things are different now.’
’I’ve figured out the key principles for casting [Qi Confinement]. Even without the boon of this [Warrior] body, I’m confident I can cast it again.’
Of course, the effect would be greatly diminished.
At the very least, he couldn’t possibly reach the realm of protecting his body with True Qi and becoming impervious to blades and spears. However, stanching bleeding and regenerating flesh should still be possible. It was a useful skill to have, all the same.
’That’s fine too. After returning to Da Shun, with this skill of stanching bleeding and regenerating flesh, I can at least make a name for myself as a Divine Doctor. I’d never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of my life...’
Just then.
THUD!
Inside the storehouse, Daoist You casually tossed the tattered [Warrior] onto the floor. The light in its eyes, still filled with joy, gradually faded.
Meanwhile, Daoist You paid it no mind. Her gaze, still tinged with a lack of satisfaction, swept over the other [Warriors] before she picked out another one.
Seeing this, Wang Ping’s heart was free of hesitation.
’...Time is running out.’
He had only survived the past six days because the best-quality [Warrior] had been taking the brunt of it, absorbing most of Daoist You’s exploitation and the risk of death.
But now, it was spent.
’The remaining [Warriors] are far inferior to it. I’m afraid they won’t even last a day. If this keeps up, my survival will depend entirely on my luck.’
He might be chosen by Daoist You tomorrow and be exploited to the point of sudden death. Or it could be the day after, or the day after that. No matter which day it was, death was ultimately inevitable. The countdown to that moment was nothing but cruel torture. At this thought, Wang Ping did everything in his power to overcome his fear.
Time ticked by.
The sun set, night fell, and the cries echoing within the Daoist Temple once again ceased. It was obvious that the [Warrior] she had just taken had been used up and broken by Daoist You.
’Now’s the time!’
Wang Ping’s heart pounded with excitement. Based on his observations over the past six days, Daoist You always entered a relatively long period of silence after she finished her training.
More importantly—
’It’s past midnight! The seventh day is finally over!’
His consciousness dove into the [Morgue]. Looking at the majestic tome, he saw the words [Outer Heaven Demon] finally light up again. Wang Ping almost broke down and cried.
’I’m not missing anything now!’
Without a doubt, this was the perfect time to escape.
If he succeeded, he could explore the Immortal Gate World from a different perspective. If he failed, he could still return to the Da Shun Dynasty with the [Qi Confinement] Magic and dominate the weak.
’It’s do or die. I’m leaving tonight!’
With this thought, Wang Ping immediately focused his attention on his body, trying to feel his hands and feet. The whole process was like shaking off the numbness from his limbs.