Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
While the disciples of the Heaven and Earth Courtyards cultivated with spirit stones and expensive elixirs, the disciples of the Yellow Courtyard could only rely on hard work.
Lin Yuan was no exception.
Every morning, he trained the Body Tempering Fist until his muscles ached.
Every afternoon, he circulated his cultivation technique.
Every evening, he slipped into Mistwood Forest to search for spiritual herbs.
Although he rarely found anything valuable, every herb he obtained was absorbed by the Gray Sapling. With each passing day, the flower bud on its highest branch grew larger.
It seemed to be waiting for the right moment to bloom.
On the fourth morning, a large bell echoed throughout Azure Maple Academy.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
All disciples immediately stopped what they were doing.
Instructor Han stood before the Yellow Courtyard.
"Listen carefully."
"Today marks the beginning of the monthly Academy Trial."
"The trial is not only an examination but also an opportunity."
He pointed toward the mountains behind the academy.
"There is a valley within Mistwood Forest known as Spirit Mist Valley."
"Your task is simple."
"Enter the valley."
"Collect as many Spirit Grass plants as possible before sunset."
"The disciples with the highest scores will receive academy rewards."
The students' eyes lit up.
Even Lin Yuan listened attentively.
"The top ten will each receive a bottle of Body Tempering Pills."
"The top three will receive a Low-Grade Spirit Stone."
A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.
Even one Spirit Stone was worth months of ordinary cultivation.
Instructor Han's expression suddenly turned serious.
"However..."
"Spirit Mist Valley is home to many First-Order Spirit Beasts."
"If you encounter danger beyond your ability..."
"Retreat immediately."
"Your life is more valuable than any reward."
An hour later, hundreds of academy disciples gathered at the entrance of Spirit Mist Valley.
The Heaven Courtyard disciples stood together proudly.
Among them was Mu Qingxue.
Her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul made her the center of attention wherever she went.
She briefly noticed Lin Yuan standing among the Yellow Courtyard disciples.
Their eyes met for only a moment before she looked away.
Neither spoke.
Nearby, Wang Jie sneered.
"So the trash came."
One of his companions laughed.
"Maybe he'll find a rotten herb."
Another whispered,
"If we're lucky, a spirit beast will solve our problem."
Wang Jie smiled coldly but said nothing.
With a wave of Elder Sun's hand, the trial officially began.
The disciples rushed into the valley.
Lin Yuan deliberately slowed his pace.
Most students headed toward the areas where Spirit Grass was commonly found.
He chose a different direction.
"The sapling can sense spiritual essence..."
"If I follow it instead of the others..."
"...I should find better treasures."
As expected, after walking for nearly half an hour, the Gray Sapling began to tremble.
Its leaves pointed toward the eastern side of the valley.
Lin Yuan changed direction immediately.
Soon, he arrived at a narrow cliff hidden behind thick vines.
Growing from a crack in the rock was a crimson herb with five fiery leaves.
Its spiritual aura far exceeded that of the Green Spirit Herbs he had found before.
"A Crimson Spirit Herb..."
Lin Yuan's heartbeat quickened.
This was a much rarer herb.
Just as he stepped forward—
A low growl echoed from above.
He looked up.
A giant black panther crouched on the cliff, its golden eyes fixed on him.
Its body was nearly three meters long, with muscles rippling beneath its dark fur.
A First-Order Peak Spirit Beast.
The Shadow Panther.
Unlike the Gray Wind Wolf, this beast was famous for its speed.
Lin Yuan slowly gripped his dagger.
The Shadow Panther bared its fangs.
Then...
It disappeared.
Lin Yuan's pupils contracted.
"So fast!"
A gust of wind exploded behind him.
He instinctively rolled to the side.
The panther's claws carved deep grooves into the stone where he had been standing only a heartbeat earlier.
Dust filled the air.
Lin Yuan steadied his breathing.
He knew one mistake would cost him his life.
High above, the Crimson Spirit Herb swayed gently in the breeze, its rich spiritual essence calling out to the Gray Sapling.
The flower bud within his Martial Soul quivered as though it, too, longed for the herb.
Lin Yuan tightened his grip on the dagger.
"If I can obtain that herb..."
"I have a feeling..."
"...everything will change."