Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter Four Assessment

"Have you heard? The guard team is recruiting new members from our mining team tomorrow."

In the dining hall, the disciples who had returned from mining were all discussing the matter.

"A guard team? Really?"

"The notice has already been posted in front of the camp."

Han Yi had heard of the guard team before.

Like the mining disciples, the guard team disciples are also outer disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect. However, the guard team disciples do not have the grueling mining tasks, nor are there any rules about deducting food for failing to complete tasks. Most importantly, the guard team disciples are also given supplements to strengthen their qi and blood every month!

It can be said that the treatment of mining disciples and guard disciples is worlds apart. Every disciple longs to one day get rid of the mining disciple status and join the guard team! "I must seize this opportunity," Han Yi thought to himself. The mining disciples' daily mining tasks are like a frog being slowly boiled in water, which will make them lose their fighting spirit and gradually devour them.

After dinner, Han Yi hurriedly went to the camp bulletin board.

Around the notice board, groups of disciples whispered among themselves, seemingly discussing something.

"Recruiting new members for the guard team. No need to go mining tomorrow morning. Assemble at the training ground."

This doesn't seem to explain the assessment content and standards. With his mid-stage Skin Refining strength, could he pass? Han Yi frowned and wondered.

At that moment, Han Yi glanced over and saw a familiar figure.

The numbers '2~3' floated beside him.

"Wang Shan, is your leg injury still not healed?"

“Yes, Brother Yi,” Wang Shan said with a wry smile, “I’ve barely recovered, but I still can’t use my strength.” “Besides, I haven’t even mastered the Crushing Mountain Fist yet, so I’m afraid I have no hope for tomorrow’s assessment. I’m not going to say anything more, I’m going to go practice in the training ground for a while.”

Han Yi watched Wang Shan stagger away, and a sense of melancholy washed over him. Falling behind in one step leads to falling behind in everything; perhaps this is the tragedy of those who practice martial arts.

The next day, Han Yi arrived at the training ground early.

Inside the training ground, disciples gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves. After greeting a few familiar disciples, Han Yi found a secluded corner, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, everyone was getting impatient, and the training ground was quite noisy.

"Silence!" a sharp shout rang out.

As everyone looked over, they saw four or five people walking toward the training ground.

There were two people leading the group. One was Manager Liu, and the other was a tall, burly man in a dark leather jacket. Above his head was a number '65~85'. "So strong!" Han Yi thought to himself, "Statistically, he could take on a dozen of me..."

"Listen up, disciples! This is Instructor Lin of the guard team. Today's assessment will be conducted entirely according to Instructor Lin's instructions. You all know the benefits of being in the guard team. Today, you must strive to be the best and not disgrace our mining camp!" Manager Liu shouted loudly.

Instructor Lin gave a signal, and the two people behind him neatly arranged the stone locks in the center of the field.

"The test is very simple. Do you see this set of stone locks?"

"As long as you lift each of these stone locks for three breaths, you'll pass!" Instructor Lin said calmly without any change in expression.

As soon as Instructor Lin finished speaking, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Even the lightest stone weight weighs over 200 jin (3 kg), and you have to lift it for three breaths. How is it possible to pass through!"

"Yes, this assessment is a bit too difficult..." "Quiet!" Instructor Lin shouted sternly, the scars on his cheeks twitching and looking particularly ferocious. "Those who don't want to take the assessment can get lost. Now, who wants to be the first to come up!"

The disciples looked at each other, none of them willing to be the first to step forward.

"Hmph, you come here!" Instructor Lin casually pointed, and it landed right on Wang Shan.

"Ah? I, I'm afraid it's..." Wang Shan waved his hands nervously, his voice trembling slightly.

"Why aren't you stepping forward? What are you afraid of? This is your golden opportunity!" Steward Liu shouted from the side.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd and the urging of the manager, Wang Shan, with a long face, reluctantly approached the stone lock.

Wang Shan's face turned red, but even the lightest stone lock couldn't last three breaths before retreating with a flushed face.

"Wang Shan, unqualified!" A disciple who was keeping records had already noted it down. "Next."

"Failed! Next one." "Failed..."

Instructor Lin stood to the side with a cold and stern expression, while Manager Liu, on the other side, kept his eyes down and didn't dare to utter a sound.

Han Yi watched as the disciples had completed half of their tests and thought to himself, "I've observed them enough, it's time for me to go on stage. With my strength, I should be fine."

"Next, Han Yi."

Han Yi arrived in front of the stone lock, loosened his shoulders, and with a slight exertion of his arms, lifted the 200-pound stone lock as if it were nothing.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths!

200-jin stone lock, 300-jin stone lock, 400-jin stone lock!

Han Yi easily lifted the first three stone locks.

"Who is this Han Yi? When did the mining camp get such a formidable figure?"

"Han Yi doesn't seem to have any outstanding qualities when he's working or practicing, but judging from this posture, he's probably already at the mid-stage of Skin Refining!"

The surrounding disciples whispered amongst themselves, discussing the matter animatedly.

"This kid is interesting." A glint of light flashed in Coach Lin's eyes.

Han Yi arrived at the last stone lock, which was also the heaviest, weighing a full 500 jin!

Han Yi took a deep breath, silently circulated his qi and blood, tucked his chest and straightened his back, clenched his fists around the stone lock, and gathered his qi and blood between his arms.

"drink!"

Han Yi shouted loudly, straightened his waist, and used his strength to lift the stone lock up!

Suddenly, the huge training ground became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

It felt like a long time had passed, yet also like only a few breaths had gone by.

"Han Yi, you pass!"

Instantly, the training ground erupted into chaos, like water splashing on hot oil.

"Quiet!"

Instructor Lin came to Han Yi's side and grabbed Han Yi's arm.

Han Yi was startled and subconsciously tried to circulate his qi and blood to resist, but after realizing that Instructor Lin was not exerting any force, he dispersed his qi and blood.

"Your arms are bronze-colored and as hard as cowhide." A barely perceptible smile flickered across Instructor Lin's lips. "Not bad. To break through to the mid-stage of Skin Refining in such harsh conditions at the mining camp, this essence of blood is a reward to you."

Qi and Blood Dispersing!

The two disciples behind Instructor Lin looked on with envy. Qi and Blood Powder can increase qi and blood and strengthen the body. What's even more valuable is that there are no side effects from taking Qi and Blood Powder.

One dose of Qi and Blood Powder is a monthly quota for each member of the guard team!

Han Yi quickly thanked Instructor Lin. Although he didn't know what the Qi and Blood Powder did, he could tell from other people's perspectives that it was definitely a good thing.

Assessment continues

After Han Yi passed, the mining disciples became more enthusiastic. If someone can pass, maybe I can too!