Wanmo Mountain.
Yinming Ghost Sect.
Inside a massive cave dwelling, ghostly energy hung thick in the air.
Lu Li frowned, standing in the middle of the hall with his head bowed.
Like him, the nine other newly initiated disciples standing beside him looked tense and anxious, not even daring to breathe heavily.
Before them, a black-robed old man sat on a chair made of white bones. His eyes were crimson like a ghost's, and his entire body radiated a terrifying pressure as heavy as a mountain.
This man was Lu Li's master, Daoist Ghost Demon, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator who was bloodthirsty and loved slaughter.
At the slightest displeasure, he would kill to vent his anger.
"Three months have passed. Today, this master will test your cultivation."
Daoist Ghost Demon spoke.
His voice carried a bone-chilling coldness, as if it could freeze one's very soul into ice.
As he spoke, he raised an arm:
"Xiao Yan, you go first."
"Yes, Master."
The disciple who was called quickly replied, stepping forward in fear and trepidation, and said with utmost respect:
"Master, this disciple specializes in the Blood-Devouring Demonic Art. I beg Master to evaluate me."
Having said that, he began to circulate his cultivation technique.
*Whoosh!*
Accompanied by a rushing sound like crashing waves, a wisp of crimson blood qi emerged from between his brows, swirling around his body continuously with great agility.
This was the blood-devouring demonic qi refined from the Blood-Devouring Demonic Art.
Once summoned, it could pounce onto an enemy and instantly drain them of their blood and qi, making it incredibly eerie and terrifying.
"Agile enough, but lacking in demonic nature. In the future, you must consume more fresh blood—preferably the blood qi of cultivators."
Daoist Ghost Demon said.
"This disciple thanks Master for his guidance."
The disciple named Xiao Yan wiped his sweat, bowed respectfully, and retreated back into the line.
"Han Li, you're next."
Next, Daoist Ghost Demon called upon another person.
The disciple named Han Li stepped out of the line, his face pale as he bowed in fear and trembling:
"This disciple has been practicing the White Bone Heart-Shattering Palm. I beg Master to evaluate me."
He then began to demonstrate the technique in the hall, his strikes fierce and his moves sharp.
But halfway through his demonstration, Daoist Ghost Demon snorted coldly:
"Hmph! Your White Bone Heart-Shattering Palm is soft as cotton, without a single shred of killing intent. You must have only practiced on chickens, ducks, tigers, and leopards. What use is that?!"
With those words,
*Whoosh!*
A streak of black qi shot out from his body, transforming mid-air into a ten-meter-long giant serpent of black mist. Opening its savage, gaping maw, it lunged and swallowed the disciple whole in a single bite.
"Ah! Master, please don't—"
The disciple only had time to let out a single miserable shriek before being swallowed into its belly.
Under the terrified gazes of everyone present, the black mist serpent swirled and shrank, turning into a single droplet of blood that slowly drifted back to float before Daoist Ghost Demon.
Daoist Ghost Demon opened his mouth and inhaled, swallowing the blood droplet. A chilling light flashed in his crimson eyes:
"Hmph! This seat does not harbor trash! If you do not work hard in your cultivation, this will be your end!"
"We understand, Master."
The disciples hurriedly bowed and replied.
A few of them were shaking so violently from fear that their entire bodies trembled.
At the back of the line, although Lu Li was not shaking, his face was filled with bitterness.
With a silent thought, he summoned his system interface.
Host: Lu Li.
Realm: First Layer of Qi Refining.
Blood-Devouring Demonic Art: First Layer (Progress: 1%).
White Bone Heart-Shattering Palm: First Layer (Progress: 5%).
Seven Kills Fist: First Layer (0% progress).
Spirit Ghost Phantom Steps: First Layer (10% progress).
The system's interface was extremely simple.
But it was indeed of great help to him.
That's right, Lu Li was a transmigrator.
Before transmigrating, he was an extreme sports enthusiast. While skydiving, he had suffered a sudden death.
After transmigrating, he became an introductory disciple of the Yin Nether Ghost Sect.
This system became his cheat. No matter what cultivation method he learned, it could cultivate on its own.
However:
"Your Blood-Devouring Demonic Art's mood has plummeted because it hasn't consumed human blood. Cultivation progress has regressed."
"Your White Bone Heart-Shattering Palm is unsatisfied because you have only killed chickens and ducks. Cultivation progress has stalled."
"Your Seven Kills Fist is highly dissatisfied with your kind heart. Cultivation progress has regressed."
"Your Spirit Ghost Phantom Steps lacks energy because it hasn't fused with the soul power of a vengeful ghost. Cultivation progress has stalled."
Looking at the system's cultivation log, Lu Li let out a silent sigh.
He really couldn't abandon his conscience.
Besides, his strength was too weak. He couldn't even beat a servant disciple. Even if he wanted to ruthlessly cultivate demonic arts, he wouldn't be able to kill anyone.
As he was thinking, a blood-curdling scream rang in his ears.
Another person had been devoured!
Lu Li looked up and realized there were only two people left before it was his turn.
Was he going to die again?
Looking at Reverend Ghost Demon sitting on the throne of white bones, a wave of helplessness washed over Lu Li.
"Hmph! The Seven Kills Fist requires killing oneself before killing others. What kind of garbage have you practiced? Die!"
Reverend Ghost Demon snorted coldly.
Bang!
The introductory disciple who had just stepped up to demonstrate his cultivation method exploded into pieces.
Not long after.
"The Spirit Ghost Phantom Steps should be as swift as a phantom, yet your footwork is slower than my grandmother who has been dead for years! Die!"
Reverend Ghost Demon's murderous voice rang out once more.
Bang!
Another introductory disciple exploded, turning into a mist of blood that was instantly sucked away by Reverend Ghost Demon.
Then, a bone-chillingly cold gaze swept over and locked onto Lu Li.
Lu Li sighed inwardly, his face turning slightly pale.
It was his turn!
"Hmm? Lu Li, what the hell are you doing? This seat taught you four demonic arts, yet you haven't made a single shred of progress?"
Suddenly, Reverend Ghost Demon flickered and appeared right in front of Lu Li, asking in an eerie, sinister tone.
"..."
Lu Li smiled bitterly, not knowing how to answer.
Could he say, "I'm a good person, so I'm not suited for cultivating demonic arts"?
Saying that would absolutely get him killed.
Therefore, Lu Li racked his brains, summoned all his courage, and bowed solemnly:
"Master, I have already thoroughly comprehended the cultivation methods. I beg Master to grant me another month. This disciple will definitely satisfy Master!"
"Hmph! If not for your decent aptitude, this seat would have slapped you into a pumpkin pancake! I will give you one more month. If you fail to master them, this seat will skin you alive to make herbal medicine and refine you into a dried corpse!"
Reverend Ghost Demon said gloomily.
Skin him alive to make herbal medicine?
Hearing this, Lu Li's heart trembled, and his face turned deathly pale.
Whoosh.
Reverend Ghost Demon's figure flickered as he retreated back to his bone throne, his gaze icy:
"This seat is highly dissatisfied with this assessment! Next month, if you are still such useless trash, all of you will die! Get lost!"
With that, he waved his large hand.
A violent gale swept up.
In the blink of an eye, the remaining seven introductory disciples were swept out of the cave abode.
"Your disciples take their leave."
The seven introductory disciples did not dare to show any anger. They bowed with clasped hands once more before finally daring to turn and leave.
Before they departed, several of his fellow disciples cast gloating glances at Lu Li.
In the Yinming Ghost Sect, a Golden Core elder would only take two or three disciples at a time. They wished nothing more than for this highly talented fellow, Lu Li, to die an early death so that they might become the personal disciples of Perfected Gui Mo instead.
What should I do now?
Lu Li stood on the mountainside, gazing at the endless sea of clouds before him, feeling utterly lost.
Was he really just going to wait for death?
Transmigrate again?
However, the Yinming Ghost Sect was a demonic sect that specialized in raising ghosts and refining souls. If he were to be killed by Perfected Gui Mo, his soul would undoubtedly be shattered, scattered to the winds.
Would he even be able to transmigrate again after that?
Besides, this was a world of immortals and demons. If he didn't cultivate, wouldn't this entire journey have been in vain?
At this thought, Lu Li felt a surge of reluctance.
He had to cultivate with all his might!
But even if he forced himself to be ruthless, he couldn't increase his cultivation by much in just a single month.
After weighing his options, his only choice was to select a demonic technique that suited him perfectly, cultivate it at breakneck speed, and show enough progress to satisfy Perfected Gui Mo.
He needed to make another trip to the Library of Scriptures!
Having made up his mind, Lu Li set off down the path, quickening his pace as he hurried toward the Library of Scriptures.