No Rules, No Mercy

Jian Mu's breath was unsteady as he gripped the wooden sword in his hands. Around him, chaos had already erupted.

The first trial was simple—survive and obtain a Golden Talisman.

There were no rules.

Some had already formed groups, hunting weaker disciples for their talismans. Others had fled into the deeper parts of the forest, trying to wait out the bloodshed. But there was no hiding forever.

And Jian Mu?

He could barely stand.

The Qi inside him burned through his body like an untamed wildfire. He had power—but he couldn't control it. In the end this power backfired causing him immense pain. His muscles twitched unnaturally, his heartbeat pounded like war drums, and his vision blurred between clarity and madness.

A disciple rushed at him, wielding a jagged dagger.

Jian Mu moved—but too fast, too unbalanced. His body lurched forward awkwardly, and his sword swing missed its mark entirely. His opponent countered instantly, kicking him in the stomach and sending him sprawling into the dirt.

"Pathetic," the disciple sneered. "You don't even belong here."

"Shut up!"

Jian Mu says as he coughed, tasting blood. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to rise, but his body refused to listen.

The disciple striked again this time Jian Mu was not so lucky as he was too slow but before the strike connected against his throat.

A streak of crimson and silver blurred past.

A sword flashed.

The next moment, the disciple's arm was sliced open, his talisman snatched in one clean motion. He screamed, stumbling back. Tears flowed in his eyes as Jian Mu watched.

Jian Mu looked up.

Wei Lian.

A familiar face stood over him, flicking the blood off his blade. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a quiet disappointment.

"You're hopeless," he muttered, glancing at Jian Mu's trembling hands. "Can't even handle your own core of the first realm."

The 1st Realm which was Body Refining.

This was stage, cultivators work to refine their physical bodies, enhancing their strength, endurance, and agility. They have limited control over ki, and their martial abilities are largely dependent on their physical capabilities.

Jian Mu had Qi but didn't even know how to use or control it and he didnt even know marital arts so while having Qi is essential he was no less as strong as a mere human if he didn't even know how to control that Qi.

Jian Mu wiped the blood from his lips, exhaling sharply. "I never asked for help."

Wei Lian scoffed. "I know." He tossed the talisman in his hands up and down. "And yet, you were about to lose everything in the first few minutes."

Jian Mu forced himself to his feet, ignoring the burning pain in his ribs. He needed to move. He needed to act.

Wei Lian sighed. "You always used to say you wanted to prove yourself. That you wouldn't stay weak forever." His eyes sharpened. "Then prove it."

Jian Mu tightened his grip around his sword. His voice was low but firm.

"Who are you...?"

"I'll tell you if you survive this hell" Wei Lian says in tone that almost sounds sorry for Jian Mu

Jian Mu gripped his sword even harder.

No more hesitation.

If he wanted to survive, he had to take a talisman himself.

No matter what it took. No matter how much blood he had to shed, if he wanted to survive he had to do what needed to be done.

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End of Chapter 4