319: Chapter 319: A Night in the Mountains

The Guide Disciple led them up along the stone steps.

This time it was not a run, but a normal walk, and Ling Ye finally had the opportunity to carefully observe the interior of the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate.

The stone steps wound upward, shaded by ancient trees on both sides. Every stretch of the path, one could see a stone lamp embedded with a type of glowing Ore, emitting a soft white light.

Ling Ye took a few extra looks—that was not fire, but the Ore emitting light on its own.

He had seen similar lighting technology in the Star Gate World, but the principles were completely different.

This was a method unique to this world.

After walking for about two quarters of an hour, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A complex of buildings constructed against the mountain appeared before his eyes—gray tiles and white walls, arranged in a staggered and orderly fashion, nestled amidst lush green trees.

A clear mountain stream flowed through the center of the building complex, its water murmuring.

The air was filled with a faint, fresh fragrance, like a mixture of certain flowers and sandalwood, which made one's mind feel peaceful.

The Guide Disciple led them to a row of low houses; they were simple in appearance but kept very clean.

"This is the guest quarters for the outer Sect. Tonight, each of you will have a room to rest in. Someone will bring dinner. Tomorrow at the Chen hour, I will come to take you to the examination grounds for the third trial."

Having said this, he turned and left.

Ling Ye was assigned the room furthest inside.

Pushing open the door, the room was not large. A wooden bed, a table, an oil lamp, and a washstand; the furnishings were simple but complete.

He checked every corner of the room, and after confirming there were no issues, he sat down by the bed. Finally, he had the chance to be alone and organize what he had seen and heard today.

Today's trial confirmed a few things for him.

First, the selection criteria of the Qingyun Sect were very pragmatic—physical strength, observational ability, and willpower; these three were the foundation of Cultivate, and the Sect valued a person's potential and attitude more than their existing strength.

Second, the Cultivate system of this world was indeed completely different from his previous world, but his body's ability to adapt was better than he had anticipated—the energy in the air seemed to be slowly transforming his Physique.

Third, he had bet correctly on the Blood Tendon Grass and the Iron-backed Wolf tooth during the identification trial, but there was an element of luck involved.

His understanding of this world was still far from enough; he needed to make up for this lack of knowledge as soon as possible.

He looked down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them.

He was just an ordinary person with a slightly stronger physical constitution than the average person.

Footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a knock.

"Dinner." A young boy's voice.

Ling Ye got up to open the door. Standing outside was a young boy wearing gray cloth clothes, looking about thirteen or fourteen years old, holding a food box in his hand.

He handed the food box to Ling Ye, bowed slightly, and then turned and left quickly.

Ling Ye closed the door and opened the food box.

Inside was a bowl of rice, a dish of stir-fried green vegetables, a bowl of tofu soup, and a small dish of pickled radishes.

It was very simple, but steaming hot, emitting the simple aroma of food.

He sat down at the table, finished eating quietly, then put the tableware back into the food box and placed it outside the door.

The night grew deeper.

The night in the mountains was even quieter than below the mountain, with only the sound of the stream and the occasional wind.

Ling Ye blew out the oil lamp and lay on the bed, but he felt no sleepiness.

He thought about tomorrow's willpower trial, and about the rumored fourth trial—a real combat confrontation with an Iron-backed Wolf.

If the rumors were true, that would be his first real battle since entering this world.

He did not know if his combat experience was applicable in this world, and he did not know if he could contend with a Yao Beast using only his Physical Body and techniques after losing his extraordinary powers.

But he had no intention of backing down.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to fall asleep.

Tomorrow, even harder trials awaited him.