265: Chapter 260: The Trial Ends

The journey of three thousand li was not easy.

Chen Zhiwen did not choose the flat official road, but specifically selected rugged mountain paths and dense jungles.

This was a severe test for the physiques and endurance of the Disciples.

For the first few hours, the Disciples were able to maintain a decent speed relying on their Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation.

However, as time passed, the consumption of spiritual power and physical exhaustion began to constantly assail them.

Many Disciples who were used to being pampered had already started panting, and their footsteps became unsteady.

Chen Zhiwen walked at the very front of the team, his pace unhurried, as if he were strolling in a courtyard.

He did not look back, nor did he urge them on.

However, his invisible Aura consistently enveloped the entire team, making it impossible for anyone to even think of slacking off.

After traveling for about four hours, a continuous mountain range, coiling upon the earth like a black Dragon, finally appeared at the end of everyone's field of vision.

Above the mountain range, black mist swirled, and demonic winds blew in gusts.

From far away, one could hear the heart-palpitating roars of beasts coming from within.

That was the Black Wind Mountain Range.

"Rest in place for one hour."

Chen Zhiwen stopped his steps and ordered indifferently.

"After one hour, enter the mountain range, and the trial begins."

Upon hearing this, the Disciples felt as if they had been granted amnesty.

They collapsed to the ground, took out Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones, and began to recover their consumed spiritual power, racing against time.

One hour later, when all the Disciples had recovered to their Peak state, Chen Zhiwen slowly stood up.

"Remember, your goal is to temper yourselves, not to throw your lives away."

"If you encounter danger that you cannot handle, you may crush your Sect token to call for help."

"However, you only have one chance."

After speaking, he glanced at the depths of the mountain range, his figure flickered, and he vanished into thin air.

The Disciples knew that Peak Master Chen had already hidden in the shadows and began to observe them.

After a brief exchange of glances, all the teams took a deep breath, gripped their dharma swords, and like trickling streams merging into a great river, they entered the Black Wind Mountain Range, which was filled with the unknown and danger.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhiwen was quietly floating a thousand zhang in the air, obscured by a layer of light clouds and mist.

His Divine Sense, like an incredibly dense heavenly net, clearly brought the movements of the nearly two hundred Disciples below under his control.

The trial officially began.

Inside the mountain range, ancient trees towered, blocking out the sky and sun.

Rotten leaves piled up in a thick layer, and stepping on them produced a "rustling" sound.

The air was filled with a damp, fishy, and foul odor.

Each team carefully made their way through the forest.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, a loud roar erupted from a nearby bush!

A Yao Beast wolf, the size of a calf and covered in black scales, lunged out, its blood-red eyes staring fixedly at a five-person team!

"It's a Black-Armored Yao Wolf! A Foundation Establishment Stage fourth-layer Yao Beast! Everyone, be careful!"

The captain shouted a warning, and the five immediately set up a defensive sword formation.

The battle erupted instantly!

Similar scenes began to unfold continuously in every corner of the mountain range.

Some teams, with tacit cooperation, killed the Yao Beasts without incident.

Other teams, lacking experience, were flustered, and soon Disciples were injured, their blood staining their clothes.

Chen Zhiwen, high above, saw everything clearly.

His expression did not change in the slightest.

These were all prices that must be paid for growth.

His gaze focused on his four Disciples.

Zhao Qian and the other three had also encountered a tricky Yao Beast at this moment.

It was an "Iron-Backed Yao Bear" at the Foundation Establishment Stage sixth layer; it had thick skin and flesh, infinite strength, and a pair of bear paws that, when slammed down, could cause the ground to tremble!

"Zhang Meng, contain it from the front!"

Zhao Qian, acting as the temporary captain, commanded calmly.

"Yes!"

Zhang Meng roared, his Foundation Establishment Stage sixth layer cultivation erupting fully.

Carrying an Aura of indomitable force, his long sword charged straight towards the Iron-Backed Yao Bear!

"Sun Jing, Li Xiu, harass it from the left and right, attack its lower body!"

"Yes!"

Two figures, like ghosts, flanked the bear from the left and right towards its rear.

"I will find its weak point!"

Zhao Qian himself had sharp eyes, his figure constantly moving, looking for an opportunity for a fatal strike.

Although it was the first time the four had joined forces to face an enemy, there was already a hint of tacit understanding in their cooperation.

Seeing this, Chen Zhiwen could not help but reveal a look of approval in his eyes.

The three months of teaching had finally not been in vain.

The battle lasted for three whole days.

During these three days, the Disciples went from initial fear and panic to later calmness and decisiveness.

They learned how to utilize the terrain, how to identify the weaknesses of Yao Beasts, and how to cooperate tacitly with their companions.

Their swords no longer hesitated.

Their eyes became resolute.

During this period, several teams encountered powerful Yao Beasts whose strength far exceeded theirs.

These Yao Beasts were exceptionally ferocious, plunging these teams into extremely dangerous life-or-death situations.

Just as the Yao Beasts' sharp claws were about to tear them apart, at this critical moment, suddenly, a mysterious Sword Qi descended from the sky like lightning.

Its speed was astonishing, and the target of this Sword Qi was extremely precise, striking the Yao Beast's head directly without bias, instantly piercing through it.

This sudden turn of events left the Disciples, who had been hanging by a thread, astonished.

They hadn't even had time to react before the terrifying Yao Beast had already collapsed and died.

Chen Zhiwen, who had saved their lives, turned and left without looking back after completing this feat, as if nothing had happened, completely ignoring those Disciples who had just survived the ordeal.

After experiencing such a thrilling scene, these Disciples were initially so scared that their bodies went limp.

But soon, a longing for greater strength ignited in their eyes.

They realized that only by possessing sufficiently powerful strength could they survive in such dangerous situations.

Thus, time passed day by day, and finally, it was the evening of the third day.

The setting sun was like blood, spilling over this mountain range.

The last team, after enduring all kinds of hardships, successfully killed their target.

Just as they were panting heavily from exhaustion, Chen Zhiwen's voice resonated in everyone's minds like a great bell: "The trial ends. Gather outside the mountain range for the return trip."

On the open ground outside the mountain range, nearly two hundred Disciples gathered again.

At this moment, although everyone was injured and their clothes were torn, each person had an air of murderous, battle-hardened ferocity.

Everyone's cultivation had improved to varying degrees after these three days of life-and-death combat.

In particular, the four Disciples of Hidden Sword Peak were the most outstanding among them.

Zhang Meng's cultivation had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage eighth layer!

Zhao Qian and Sun Jing had both stepped into the Foundation Establishment Stage seventh layer realm!

Even Li Xiu, who had the worst Aptitude, was firmly standing at the threshold of the Foundation Establishment Stage sixth layer!

Their progress made all the Disciples from other Peaks look on with envy and admiration.

Chen Zhiwen's figure slowly appeared before everyone.

He looked at these Disciples, who were disheveled but had a completely new mental outlook, and finally, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"What are the casualties?"

"Reporting to Peak Master, no deaths, seven people seriously injured, thirty-four people lightly injured."

A representative of the Disciples stepped forward to report.

"Very good."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

"For this trial, everyone has completed the task."

"Return."

There was no excessive praise, nor any unnecessary chatter.

He turned around again, leading this team that had begun to transform, and set off on the journey back to the Sect.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their figures long, very long.