Chapter Nineteen: The Monster Forest

The bright moon and the young companions had rested together for three days, awaiting the third round of testing. Their chatter kept loneliness at bay. During these days, many youths approached the bright moon and struck up conversations, while others sought out the cold beauty, Nalan Meidai. The two had become the focal points among the contestants.

Among the multitude of youths, two stood out distinctly: the composed Mu Xiaotian and the ever-smiling Han Ruge. Mu Xiaotian was said to hail from an ancient and mysterious sect, while Han Ruge was reputedly the legitimate son of Elder Han, one of the ten elders of Mount Shu’s prestigious sect.

Early on the fourth day, disciples of Mount Shu led the contestants to a dense, fog-shrouded forest—dark and seemingly endless. Occasional roars of fierce beasts echoed through the air, sending shivers down everyone’s spines. Some were frightened to tears on the spot; a delicate young girl fainted from fear. The sight of such a fragile maiden overwhelmed the crowd with silent disbelief.

By the time the bright moon and her group arrived, the Five Immortals of Mount Shu and numerous disciples had already gathered at the edge of the illusionary forest. Nearby, a large tent was erected, stocked with medical supplies—prepared for any unforeseen emergencies.

The crowd looked upon the Five Immortals of Mount Shu with reverence, none more so than Feng Qingcheng, the foremost among them. In the throng, his unparalleled handsomeness shone like freshly fallen snow. His white robes exuded noble elegance, his demeanor aloof and poised. His phoenix-like eyes lowered with subtle grace, each movement effortlessly revealing an unmatched, ethereal charm.

Upon seeing the bright moon, Hua Qiandu and Qiao Chuya exchanged sly glances and secretly gave her thumbs-up, offering encouragement. Mei Ren smiled silently. Murong Yiwen appeared reserved and stern, his unsmiling countenance making him unapproachable.

Though the bright moon felt a twinge of nervousness, she nodded to them. Hua Qiandu’s eyes sparkled with pink stars as he clasped his chest dramatically. Feng Qingcheng shot a cold glance at him, prompting Hua Qiandu to sit up straight instantly. The bright moon stifled a laugh and quickly turned away.

Beside her, Nangong Yurou blushed coyly and whispered, “Bright moon, that round-faced handsome gentleman is so charming and cute! He was even making fists to cheer us on. And the cold, aloof, handsome one sitting next to him—isn’t that Senior Brother Qiao? Too handsome!”

The bright moon’s eyes gleamed as she followed the direction of her finger and realized the cold, aloof hunk was indeed Qiao Chuya.

Still feeling uneasy and uncertain about the bizarre trials awaiting in the third round, she patted Yurou’s delicate shoulder and whispered, “Let’s focus on passing the test first.”

At that moment, the examiner stood before the contestants and loudly announced the rules.

The third round, lasting three days, was the final stage of the Mount Shu Sect’s grand recruitment trial. Its primary task was to slay demonic beasts—the greater the number and higher the level of beasts killed, the higher the score. This test aimed to evaluate adaptability, combat prowess, and overall quality.

This vast dark forest was a demonic beast forest, created eight thousand years ago by a great deity of Mount Shu who used divine power to carve out the woodland. It housed beasts of various ranks and served as the testing ground for novice disciples.

Before entering, each contestant received a spirit token that recorded their personal score during the trial. Contestants could select their preferred weapon before stepping into the forest. Once entering the passage, they would be transported to random locations within the beast forest.

They would face all manner of situations—starvation, thirst, attacks by large savage beasts, or even assaults by supernatural monsters. Contestants could resolve these challenges alone or band together. The more and stronger the beasts slain, the higher the score; failure meant low points.

Contestants facing mortal danger or wishing to withdraw could crush their spirit token at any time to be immediately transported out, but this meant elimination and expulsion from Mount Shu.

No food or water was allowed inside; carrying any was considered cheating and resulted in immediate disqualification. After three days, all contestants would be automatically teleported out, regardless of success.

Having explained the rules, Mount Shu disciples began distributing precious swords specially prepared for this round. Though most contestants had their own weapons, many, like the bright moon, did not. She picked up a suitable sword for temporary use.

After a brief moment of thought, she whispered decisively, “Yurou, Niu Zhuangzhuang, Ruhua, Moyao, let’s hold hands and enter together. This way, we’ll be teleported to the same place and can watch out for each other.”

The four nodded, and before entering the forest passage, they linked hands. The moment they stepped inside, a thick fog swallowed them, and they lost all sense of where they had been transported.

Seeing the bright moon’s group forming an alliance and entering hand-in-hand, other contestants followed suit, forming alliances before entering.

Nalan Meidai, Jiang Yiyi, and Feng Linchuan also formed a small team, while many others who were familiar with one another banded together.

Mu Xiaotian and Han Ruge formed their own alliance, though many still scorned teamwork and chose to enter alone.

---

Hua Qiandu grinned mischievously at Feng Qingcheng. “Didn’t expect Miss Bright Moon to be quite the strategist. Years ago, you were the first to suggest this tactic, and the five of us teamed up to break through the third round. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Mei Ren sighed deeply. “Feels like we’ve all grown old.”

Murong Yiwen smiled faintly. “There are still some promising contestants this time.”

Qiao Chuya expressed concern, “I wonder if Junior Sister Bright Moon can pass the third round smoothly.”

Feng Qingcheng replied calmly, “Passing depends entirely on personal strength.”

Hua Qiandu punched Feng Qingcheng’s arm playfully. “You always act so indifferent, yet you’re always ahead of us.”

Feng Qingcheng smiled faintly without replying.

One by one, the remaining contestants entered the forest passage. Once all were inside, the passage slowly sealed shut.

A tall, burly man with jet-black hair and a face that looked barely over thirty stood with his hands behind his back, sighing, “The younger generation is truly pushing the old aside. Now is their world; we’re just relics.”

He was Elder Jiang Yiyue of the Medicine Sect. Though the recruitment trial wasn’t his concern, he accompanied his disciple Murong Yiwen out of boredom.

More importantly, Elder Jiang sought to spot any promising disciples.

Murong Yiwen respectfully said, “Master, you are still young—a model for us.”

Feng Qingcheng bowed in request, “Elder of Medicine, we are about to unveil the Universe Mirror.”

Elder Jiang nodded. Together, the five young masters summoned a luminous mirror that visibly expanded, eventually growing to thirty feet in diameter, hovering before the forest’s entrance. Inside the mirror, scenes from deep within the forest gradually appeared.

They saw some running, others dueling beasts, some lighting fires and cooking, and even one person lying in a tree, apparently trying to sneak through by sleeping.

That sleeper seemed to be dreaming blissfully, oblivious to the enormous snake, as thick as a water bucket, silently approaching and suddenly lunging.

The man screamed, tumbling from the tree and rolling in agony, eyes rolling back. The snake opened its gaping maw and swiftly pursued him. Terrified, the man frantically crushed his spirit token, instantly teleporting back to the entrance, where Mount Shu disciples tended his wounds, bandaged him, and gave him water and food before sending him out.

“This... I’m out already?” The man’s face was pale, teeth chattering uncontrollably.

Everyone watched him silently, incredulous. He’d only been inside for a moment! Such disgrace! Wasn’t it supposed to be three days?

Embarrassed and ashamed, the man eventually gathered himself, filled with regret and fear, then suddenly knelt, sobbing, “Honored immortals, I was wrong. Please allow me to try again—I can’t go back like this, or my father will break my legs. Please, honored immortals!”

Feng Qingcheng waved coldly, “Send him out.”

The man wailed pitifully as he was carried out of Mount Shu.

One by one, contestants crushed their tokens and were teleported out. Some wailed uncontrollably, some laughed maniacally, some resorted to threats or bribery, and a few fainted from the shock of defeat.

“This is harsh reality,” Hua Qiandu lamented. “Back then, the five of us fought beasts together—that was truly thrilling. Haven’t seen such cowards!”

---

Qiao Chuya sighed, “I really miss those days.”

Feng Qingcheng said calmly to Hua Qiandu, “You forgot how you ran wildly from the beasts back then.”

Hua Qiandu scratched his head sheepishly, “Heroes don’t dwell on past glories, haha.”

Everyone gave him a look and instinctively kept their distance.

Qiao Chuya glanced at the contestants being carried out and said, “Only one day in, and nearly half have been eliminated. I wonder if Junior Sister Bright Moon can hold out until the end.”

Suddenly, Hua Qiandu’s eyes fixed on a corner of the Universe Mirror, where four women and one man were locked in fierce combat with a demonic beast. That group was none other than the bright moon and her four companions. He exclaimed, “Is that a high-level beast?”

Feng Qingcheng’s gaze sharpened, his deep phoenix eyes growing serious.

The bright moon and her four companions had barely entered the swirling fog of the forest passage when they were teleported deep into the dark woods. They tumbled to the ground, dazed and disoriented.

Struggling to their feet, they quickly formed a back-to-back circle. Around them, thick fog swirled, visibility was poor, and towering trees blocked out the sun, casting an eerie gloom. Occasional roars of beasts sent chills down their spines.

Drawing her sword, the bright moon instructed, “Let’s stay close and move as one. Everyone ready your backup weapons.”

Moyao summoned a machete, fitting her bold and vigorous style. Nangong Yurou wielded a graceful, exquisite sword. Dou Ruhua brandished a large rice shovel, while Niu Zhuangzhuang sheepishly pulled out an iron rake.

Though the mood was tense, the bright moon and Nangong Yurou couldn’t help but smile. Such unique weapons were a first to see.

Dou Ruhua laughed heartily and explained her weapon’s origin, endearing herself with her character: “My mother used to be the cook for a noble family. I often helped her serve meals and cook, so I got used to handling the shovel. Later, I secretly watched the family’s disciples practice martial arts, and somehow, I picked things up quickly. That’s why I slipped out to join this Mount Shu recruitment.”

Niu Zhuangzhuang mumbled shyly, “I used to be a farmer, often raking grass in the fields. I find this rake very handy. I want to cultivate immortality because I once met a reclusive master who taught me some beginner techniques. I’ve practiced for many years myself...”

Moyao tossed her hair confidently and said, “I like mighty and majestic weapons, hehe.”

The four joked while warily surveying their surroundings. The depths of the magical forest were fraught with danger; demonic beasts might appear at any moment.

The bright moon noticed a stream gently flowing through the thicket, and various wild fruits gleamed strangely among the bushes. Fortunately, water was accessible, and they could find edible fruits to stave off hunger.

After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Shall we actively seek out the beasts? The test lasts three days, and we must kill enough beasts of sufficient rank to succeed. What do you all think?”

Moyao looked around and agreed, “Bright moon’s right. Taking the initiative might give us the advantage.” Nangong Yurou, Niu Zhuangzhuang, and Dou Ruhua all concurred without objection.