I have the face of a great demon.

After spending the night at Old Zhao's house, Liu Xingchen and Tie Zhu felt refreshed and energetic as they greeted the new day with the first rays of dawn.

After breakfast, guided by Old Zhao, the two arrived at the Cangqiong Sect's headquarters in northern Lingzhou.

Compared to the Ling Shui Gang's shabby headquarters, the Cang Qiong Sect's luxurious residence was comparable to a royal palace.

Within its vast territory spanning thousands of acres, various buildings are scattered in a well-organized manner. The tall walls with red walls and green tiles, and the imposing gates, all demonstrate the grandeur of the sect.

Even the two disciples standing at the door were dressed in white, exuding an extraordinary air.

The two explained their purpose to the gatekeeper, and led by one of them, they passed through the magnificent corridors, crossed small bridges and streams, and arrived at the spacious training ground of the Cangqiong Sect.

By this time, quite a few people had arrived and were waiting to be recruited. Under the arrangement of the deacon in charge of recruitment, they lined up to participate in the assessment.

"Why do we have to take an assessment for this?"

Liu Xingchen sighed. He had thought that only a local sect like the Ling Shui Gang could conduct entrance examinations.

Shouldn't powerful and prestigious sects examine your bones and pulse to see if you have extraordinary talent and are a martial arts prodigy, one in a million, before accepting you?

But that's just how it is; they want to arrange some projects to see what you're capable of.

Liu Xingchen had no choice but to queue up with Tie Zhu and wait for the assessment.

The challenge before us is none other than the legendary plum blossom stake formation!

These plum blossom stakes are as tall as a person and as thick as a bowl. The distance between the two stakes is also different, some are far apart and some are close together.

These plum blossom stakes extend into the distance, forming a winding aerial corridor that ends at a high platform.

As long as you can walk all the way on the plum blossom stakes without falling and successfully step onto the high platform, you are considered qualified.

"That's easy," Liu Xingchen muttered. "As long as I'm careful and don't fall, I'll eventually reach the end."

Tie Zhu scratched his head: "If it's not a matter of strength, I'm a little lacking. Although I've never walked on plum blossom stakes, I often walk mountain paths, so I should be able to get through this."

They thought it was simple, but the sect's assessment was for recruiting promising newcomers, so it couldn't be that simple.

The person in front of me climbed the plum blossom stakes, not rushing, but walking steadily forward step by step, as if it were nothing difficult.

But when the man had only walked a third of the way, a disciple in white robes led out a dog. He slapped the dog's head, and the big black dog leaped onto the plum blossom stake and charged toward the man on the stake.

"Holy crap, a dog that can do plum blossom stakes!"

Liu Xingchen was shocked. Watching the big black dog move as if it were flat ground on the plum blossom stakes and run very fast, he couldn't help but marvel at the strength of the Cangqiong Sect. Even the dog had mastered excellent lightness skills. This sect must be quite powerful.

However, those on the plum blossom stakes have a completely different experience.

His previously calm face contorted the moment the dog barked. Turning around, he saw a dark shadow rushing towards him, which terrified him so much that his face turned deathly pale, even whiter than the snow in winter.

He wanted to run faster, but he didn't have the ability to do so on these small plum blossom stakes. As soon as he sped up, his steps immediately became disordered.

He stepped off course and immediately fell, but luckily he reacted quickly and grabbed a nearby stake, thus avoiding being eliminated upon landing.

He struggled to climb up the plum blossom stake, but before he could reach the top, the big black dog caught up with him, opened its blood-red mouth, and bit his leg.

Those waiting for the assessment felt a chill run down their spines when they saw the man scream and fall off the plum blossom stake.

This is too difficult. They don't even know they can race a dog on plum blossom stakes.

When the defeated warrior limped back, many people saw his bloodied thigh and considered giving up, and the long queue was quickly halved.

The path of martial arts training is inherently difficult, and those who come here to participate in the recruitment are no strangers to bravery. Even though the person in front of them is in such a miserable state, there are still people who will follow one after another to continue to break through the barriers.

Among these people were those who had practiced plum blossom stake training. They moved swiftly on the stakes, a few steps faster than the person in front of them, but in the end, they could not outrun a dog that knew light-footed skills. They followed in the footsteps of that person and met their end amidst screams.

Some people took a different approach: since they couldn't outrun this beast on the plum blossom stakes, they simply stopped running.

Turning back, I stood firmly on the stake, as steady as an old dog, waiting there for the big black dog to come so I could settle things with it.

Once we get rid of this dog, the road ahead will be smooth sailing.

This approach caught the attention of everyone present, who watched the battle between man and dog with rapt attention.

Unfortunately, this dog, which also possessed superhuman agility, was no ordinary creature. It was incredibly fast, and the man's punches couldn't keep up with its speed. The dog bit his hand, causing him to fall off the post in pain, much to the regret of those present.

Although the assessment was very difficult, and most people failed, there were some hidden talents among the recruits, including a few experts.

In the end, some people outran the big black dog with their light-footed skills, while others knocked the dog off the stake and calmly walked to the high platform.

The group gradually dwindled until it was finally Liu Xingchen and his group's turn. This time, Tie Zhu led the way again, testing the plum blossom stakes.

Tie Zhu was tall and strong, and he leaped onto the plum blossom stakes with the ease of a child stepping onto flat ground.

He stood on the stake, his muscles bulging, as steady as a mountain. Even the steward watching from the sidelines couldn't help but cast a few more admiring glances at him, secretly praising, "What a mighty warrior with the strength to uproot mountains and the spirit to overwhelm the world!"

Tie Zhu took a deep breath and strode forward with a pace that seemed capable of flattening mountains and rivers, unhurried and unhurried.

Each step landed precisely on the wooden stakes, as if each step carried immense force, causing the ground to tremble slightly, and each plum blossom stake seemed to be driven deeper into the ground by his footsteps.

After he had traveled a third of the way, the big black dog indeed came again.

Tie Zhu smiled faintly, turned around unhurriedly, his feet firmly planted on the stake, his fists clenched, waiting for the big black dog to arrive.

A moment later, the big black dog appeared in front of him.

A fierce glint flashed in the dog's eyes, and it instantly transformed into a black lightning bolt, rushing straight towards the iron pillar.

Tie Zhu saw it clearly and immediately reached out to grab the big black dog, his large, fan-like hand accurately gripping the dog's neck.

Even the fiercest black dog could only stare helplessly, its limbs struggling in vain, unable to break free at all.

Tie Zhu carried the big black dog and walked slowly and steadily on the plum blossom stakes until he reached the end.

After he went up to the platform, he threw the big black dog to the ground. When he looked at the dog, it was already dead.

Without the big black dog, it'll be Xingchen's turn soon, and he can easily pass the level.

A satisfied smile spread across Tie Zhu's face. He walked to the side and stood with those who had already passed the test, waiting for Liu Xingchen to take the challenge.