Chapter Twenty-Four: The Cloudshadow Cavern

Bang!

With a thunderous crash as his blade struck the notch, Chen Qi suddenly realized that the feedback from his longsword was much gentler than before.

Steadying his breath, he looked closely and saw that the notch had already deepened several centimeters, revealing a more fragile wooden core. Cracks radiated outward in all directions, densely woven like a spider’s web.

He also caught the scent of burning charcoal wafting from the wooden dummy’s waist.

Letting out a satisfied sigh, Chen Qi slipped away with a trace of guilt.

He was afraid someone might see him damaging sect property—after all, he had been using these precious wooden dummies as targets.

Of course, before leaving, he shot a few fierce glares at the remaining motionless dummies...

Composing himself and settling his mood, Chen Qi made his way toward Elder Chi’s residence.

He was now ready to undergo the third assessment and enter that mysterious Cloud Veil Grotto.

Arriving at Elder Chi’s courtyard, Chen Qi found the gate firmly closed and, feeling somewhat uneasy, knocked lightly.

Clang!

A rush of wind sounded from within, and the door swung open at once. An aged, slightly angry voice called out from inside:

“Boy, you actually dared to show up! Have you always been this bold?”

Chen Qi immediately hung his head, not daring to meet Elder Chi’s irate gaze, and answered meekly,

“Disciple has finished his rest and is ready to attempt the third trial. I ask Elder Chi for your approval.”

Elder Chi was so exasperated he began to cough, and the fit lasted for a while.

Thinking to imitate actors in dramas, Chen Qi stepped forward to pat Elder Chi’s back but was met with a palm strike from afar.

At once, a gentle force sent Chen Qi stumbling backward.

Before he could regain his balance, Elder Chi’s voice came again from ahead:

“Stubbornness runs through Cloud Sea Sect from top to bottom! Enough, just follow me!”

With that, Elder Chi strode out the door, paying no mind to Chen Qi who was still standing dazed.

Snapping back to his senses, Chen Qi quickly followed, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to ease the tension between them.

Soon, he ventured,

“Elder Chi, I know you worry about my health. But I’ve been robust since childhood—these minor injuries are nothing.”

Elder Chi snorted coldly, saying nothing more.

After a long while, Elder Chi suddenly spoke in a low voice,

“My own injuries were all brought on by stubborn pride...”

Chen Qi, unsure how to respond, could only follow in silence.

Amid the quiet, the two pressed deeper into the heart of Cloud Sea Sect, surrounded by towering mountains, rushing waterfalls, and jagged rocks—a truly desolate and unspoiled scene.

As a servant disciple, Chen Qi had never ventured so far; curiosity got the better of him, and he craned his neck to observe everything.

It was his first time seeing such an unpolluted, pristine immortal mountain, and the air here cleared his mind at once.

With his usual spiritual sight, he noticed a faint aura of spiritual energy permeating the air.

Seeing Chen Qi gawking like a country bumpkin, Elder Chi explained,

“The summit ahead is where the inner disciples reside. Our destination lies on the far side of that mountain.”

As he spoke, they reached the mountainside. Elder Chi changed course, heading straight for the mountain’s far slope.

Chen Qi glanced up at the summit but could only make out vague outlines with his current vision.

He felt a pang of disappointment at not being able to witness the inner disciples’ elegance.

Noticing the tense atmosphere, Elder Chi offered a few words of comfort,

“As long as you practice diligently, almost everyone who passes the individual trial becomes an inner disciple.”

With that, Elder Chi fell silent and quickened his pace.

Chen Qi pulled his thoughts together and hurried after him, his mind already shifting to the upcoming test. He asked curiously,

“Elder Chi, I heard from an inner senior sister that the third stage of the individual trial has ten shadows, each representing the strongest servant disciples from past generations. What does it take to pass?”

He added uncertainly,

“I don’t have to defeat all of them, do I?”

Elder Chi suddenly turned to glance at him and replied,

“You’re quite the inquisitive one! Let me tell you: the standard for passing is simply to satisfy me!”

Having gauged Elder Chi’s temper, Chen Qi pressed on,

“And if, by chance, I manage to defeat a few of the shadows?”

Elder Chi’s cold snort, infused with inner force, echoed through the mountains.

At last, he replied fiercely,

“If you can defeat a few of the shadows, I’ll give you an extra reward.”

Chen Qi suddenly realized this exchange sounded oddly familiar.

In a flash, it came to him, and he quickly said,

“Elder Chi, you once promised me a reward for breaking the wooden man. I’ve already split the wooden whip dummy at the waist—about that reward...”

His words were mercilessly cut off. Elder Chi had already turned to look at him deeply and said,

“You still dare to ask me for a reward? I haven’t even demanded compensation for breaking sect property yet.”

Uneasy but unwilling to let go of the matter, Chen Qi forced himself to say,

“Elder Chi is a man of his word. I just don’t want your reputation affected.”

Elder Chi let out a cold laugh, already having made up his mind. He had spent years recovering among the outer disciples, but never had anyone spoken to him so shamelessly. He resolved to make things difficult for Chen Qi in the third trial!

Seeing Elder Chi’s silent, mocking smile and feeling the cold wind blowing around him, Chen Qi was about to speak when Elder Chi’s chilly voice reached him:

“If you can defeat three shadows, I’ll teach you a secret technique. But if you fail, go back to being a servant disciple.”

Every sense in Chen Qi’s body screamed danger; the old man striding ahead radiated an oppressive aura.

Still, he pressed on, unsure if he valued reward over life itself.

At the same time, he wished to test the limits of what rewards could be bargained for in the “Germination Space” world.

Soon, he spoke again, rather weakly,

“Of course, I trust Elder Chi will reward me with a secret technique if I pass the test. But could we settle the reward for the wooden dummy first?”

This time, Elder Chi did not interrupt. He waited patiently for Chen Qi to finish, then replied,

“Didn’t I give you a healing pill? That’s good stuff—consider it your reward!”

He followed his words with a sinister smile.

Chen Qi’s train of thought was cut short; resigned, he accepted this reality. He hadn’t gained anything from this exchange—only succeeded in making his coming trial doubly difficult.

As they spoke, they reached the entrance of a stone grotto, where two inner sect stewards stood. At the sight of Elder Chi, both bowed deeply.

Elder Chi nodded and said,

“I’ve brought this boy for the Shadow Stone assessment.”

With that, he led the way inside.

Naturally, Chen Qi dared not lag behind. He bowed to the stewards, then followed Elder Chi into the grotto.