Chapter 12: Killing Trial

He was precisely the youngest disciple among the nine inner disciples of Peerless City, known as the Peerless Nine Dragons.

He was also one of the culprits responsible for the massacre of Bai Wuxie’s entire family that day, bearing the title [Alligator Dragon].

Among the black-clad assassins who invaded her home that day, he was the smallest in stature—the most recognizable of them all, easily identified at a glance.

Let’s clarify something: the so-called Peerless Nine Dragons doesn’t refer to nine specific people, but rather to an inheritable position.

So even if the Eight Dragons killed off Huilong, it wasn’t a big deal, because a new “Ninth Dragon” would soon take their place.

In this world of martial heroes, no one cares about someone who suddenly vanishes without a trace, let alone dares to investigate a silent massacre that wipes out an entire family.

Looking at Alligator Dragon’s calm expression, it was clear he felt no psychological burden from slaughtering his senior brother’s entire family not long ago.

Bai Wuzhuang’s heart was weeping blood, yet her face remained completely impassive.

She gnawed furiously on a strip of beef jerky, venting her rage in this way.

Only she knew the truth of what had happened, and only she could take revenge.

“Greetings, young hero. Even at such a young age, you already have the bearing of a king. I am Qing Shaofei, Young Master of the Qingfei Gang.” Qing Shaofei immediately cupped his fists in greeting, ten times more enthusiastic than last time.

“Young Master Qing, greetings. I am an inner disciple of the Wushuang City Lord, one of the Peerless Nine Dragons, called Alligator Dragon.” Alligator Dragon also cupped his fists with a beaming smile.

“So you’re the esteemed disciple of the Wushuang City Lord, what an honor!”

“What are you saying? The Qingfei Gang and our Peerless City have always been on good terms. Meeting Brother Qing here is truly wonderful.”

Judging by their attitudes, it seemed like the two were about to swear brotherhood on the spot.

Not only Qing Shaofei, but other Qi Cultivators also came forward to greet Alligator Dragon of Peerless City.

Most of these Qi Cultivators were core disciples of prominent orthodox sects. For now, they formed a temporary alliance, agreeing to tackle this Secret Realm together.

The atmosphere was harmonious and lively.

But if you actually believed such pretty words, you’d be far too naive. In reality, everyone harbored their own motives.

That’s why Bai Wuzhuang and Dong Huiting weren’t worried at all; they simply watched as these so-called reputable disciples called each other brothers, knowing full well that the moment their interests clashed, they’d turn on each other instantly.

In short, to survive in this world, you had to rely on true strength—connections alone weren’t enough.

But that’s not to say connections were useless; they still served their purpose.

If someone needed to be sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder, it would definitely be outsiders like them, not the disciples of the great sects.

“Everyone’s here, let the trial begin.”

Suddenly, a phantom image of an elderly cultivator appeared on the ceiling of the Inn’s main hall. His deep, resonant voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

The twelve Qi Cultivators present were all struck with awe, bowing low in respect.

This was a lingering wisp of spiritual power from a cultivator who had remained in the mortal realm.

To display such an ability, the cultivator must have reached the Nascent Soul Out-of-Body stage.

This senior’s true body had most likely already ascended, entering a higher plane of existence.

Secret Realms were gifts left behind by immortals for future generations, but one had to survive a gauntlet of brutal trials to claim them.

Though everyone was inwardly shaken, they maintained their composure, gathering before the Immortal Remnant Soul with grace and poise.

“……”

The Immortal Remnant Soul said nothing more, slowly turning and drifting away.

In the next instant, a wooden door appeared out of thin air where there had only been a wooden wall.

At the same time, the entrance through which everyone had entered vanished.

Led by Qing Shaofei, the Justice League was the first to push open the door and step outside, followed by everyone else, who exited the Inn through the new wooden door.

Outside was a massive, ring-shaped cavern.

The group wandered around like flies trapped in a spider’s web, each person wearing a dazed, bewildered expression.

“Stay close to me, watch out for traps,” Dong Huiting said coldly.

On either side of the circular cave were twelve small stone doors, while three enormous stone gates stood directly ahead.

However, all the doors were tightly shut.

Just as everyone was at a loss, the Immortal Remnant Soul reappeared, floating in midair with hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the group.

He raised both hands—three fingers extended on the left, seven on the right, two extra fingers appearing out of nowhere in a most uncanny fashion.

Everyone remained puzzled, unable to make sense of it.

“Each of you will have your own cave, rest for three hours, and receive your [Identity Token].”

“Among you, three wolves will emerge, and seven sheep.”

“The wolves’ task is to kill all the sheep. The sheep’s task is to survive to the end. The victors will receive the generous rewards I have left behind.”

The immortal’s phantom explained, his voice devoid of emotion.

With that, he once again turned to mist and disappeared.

These few simple sentences sent a jolt through the twelve Qi Cultivators present, their hearts trembling.

Some were stunned, while others quickly regained their composure. Yet all of them instinctively spread out, eyeing everyone else with cold vigilance.

The Justice League, only just formed, immediately disbanded—no one spoke of alliances or pacts anymore.

And since everyone here lived by the sword in the world of martial heroes, no one found this cruel test inappropriate; they accepted it with remarkable speed.

There was nothing more to say, nor did anyone want to exchange pleasantries.

Each person chose a cave and slipped inside.

“Rumble! Rumble!”

Dong Huiting and Bai Wuzhuang naturally entered one of the caves together, and a heavy stone door quickly dropped, sealing the entrance.

Inside the stone cave was a stone bed and some wooden furniture, furnished much like a room in an Inn. All in all, it wasn’t bad.

“What’s going on here? Did you understand what that immortal said just now?”

Dong Huiting sat by the bed, her face blank with confusion. She scratched her head, looking like a total fool.

Yet in the eyes of the other Qi Cultivators, she had seemed cool and aloof the entire time, appearing knowledgeable and ruthlessly cold.

But now it was clear her acting skills were simply too good—she’d fooled everyone.

“According to the immortal, this Secret Realm trial is meant to force Qi Cultivators to kill each other,” Bai Wuzhuang answered.

“Is that so?” Dong Huiting exclaimed in surprise.

“There will be three playing the role of wolves and seven as sheep, with two left for some unknown purpose. The wolves are to kill all the sheep, while the sheep must survive and escape the Secret Realm.” Bai Wuzhuang analyzed.

“……”

Dong Huiting’s expression froze, and she shuddered.

“You’ve never killed anyone before?” Bai Wuzhuang asked.

“I’m not a mad dog—who goes around killing people for fun? I’m a traditional Qi Cultivator, I spend all day cultivating in my sect.” Dong Huiting muttered quietly.

“My guess is that after three hours, the stone doors will open, and Lady Dong, you’ll receive your so-called Identity Token and learn whether you’re a sheep or a wolf. The most important rule in this kind of death trial is to never let anyone know your identity—no matter who asks, you can’t tell them, and you can’t trust anything anyone else says,” Bai Wuzhuang said.

“Do you have to say it? Do you think I don’t understand anything? I’m not an idiot!” Dong Huiting snapped, forcibly regaining her composure.