Apotheosis – Ascension to Godhood

Chapter 22: Zen’s Anger

As Zen returned to the square along the same path, he felt comfortable. Even though the same pressure was weighing down on his body, he felt as light as a feather, as if he could fly with just a simple jump.

Now that he was at the peak of the organ refining level, his every breath could last longer time than before. Zen also noticed an improvement in his strength. As soon as he could see the square and the pressure decreased, Zen found that he could run the rest of the way.

Those who had not passed the initial exam had already left. And the participants who had succeeded had gathered in the square for the next round. Zen looked around and approximated that about a thousand participants were in the square. Compared to the tens of thousands of participants before the exam, it seemed as though the elimination rate was up to 90%.

Just as he entered the square, Zen could see a man waving at him excitedly. He moved closer to the man and smiled when he saw that it was Nory Mo.

“Hi, Zen! Here! Come here! You passed the initial exam! Congratulations!” Nory looked at Zen's jade pendant, which was now shining bright red.

Zen nodded and said, “Do I need to exchange the jade pendant for the disciple card? Where can I make the exchange?”

“Yes, you need to collect the disciple card. And I know where to make the exchange. I just got my disciple card. Follow me!” Nory answered as he tugged at Zen's sleeves excitedly. On seeing Nory's enthusiasm, Zen smiled and nodded. Then, they headed toward a corner of the square where a long table had been placed. On the way to the corner, Nory explained, “Here we are. After exchanging the pendant for the disciple card, we become temporary disciples of Cloud Sect.”

With Nory's help, Zen was able to take off the jade pendant and ready to make the exchange.

Behind the table, two people from Cloud Sect were busy with the exchange. One of them glanced at Zen and then took the jade pendant from him. He examined it carefully for a while. He appeared to be checking the information recorded in the jade pendant.

When done, the man pulled out a small wooden board wrapped in silver and a tiny graver.

He started to carve on the wooden board. To Zen, it appeared as though the man was waving the graver around the wooden board quickly. The only indication of the engraving process was the fine sawdust pooling on the table. Even before Zen could gauge his movements, the man had finished. The speed with which he had completed his task added mystery to the man's skill. When Zen took the small wooden board and glanced at it, two words, Zen Luo, had been neatly engraved on it.

Zen smiled at the man. The man nodded and said, “Take care of your disciple card and wait there.”

Zen bowed in acknowledgment. With the exquisite disciple card held in both hands, he said, “Thank you.” Even though he had been a slave for two years, Zen was still a courteous young man. Once he had stepped away from the table, Zen examined his disciple card. The silver frame wrapping around the antique wooden board glistened in the sun. It was typical Cloud Sect style, classic and elegant. The free-style strokes with which his name had been engraved on the board showed the other side of Cloud Sect, free thinking. Zen played with it for a while and then walked to Nory.

As Zen stood in the corner with Nory, he studied the other participants. The square was filled with nervous energy. A thousand people stood in the square, waiting silently. Some were standing alone in corners, just as Zen and Nory were. Some had gathered together in small groups. Regardless of whether they were alone or within a small group, they were secretly observing the other participants.

The initial exam did not require the participants to compete with each other. As long as the participants completed the distance prescribed by Cloud Sect, they moved to the next stage. Unless they provoked someone, just as Zen had faced trouble with the four men, passing the exam was quite simple.

However, the next test would be more difficult because it included an elimination system. Eighty percent of the people present would not pass the next exam!

A long time passed before instructors came to the square. Under their guidance, the applicants got together and then left the square.

They trudged through the difficult trails of Cloud Sect until they reached an even mountain. Compared with the other steep mountains of Cloud Sect, this mountain was not high or broad. But it was strange that the whole mountain was blood red.

Not only was the soil on the mountain a deep red, but also all the plants growing on the mountainside were blood red. In the midst of its green counterparts, the mountain stood out for its color.

When Nory saw the mountain, he exclaimed, “This must be the famous Bloody Mountain.”

“Bloody Mountain. Yeah, the name suits the mountain. It is very unique. And it is very unusual too.” Zen was also bewildered by the mystery.

“It seems that the disciples will face the legendary Blooded Test,” Nory said with a smile.

“Is there anything unusual about this Blooded Test?” Zen had never heard about the Blooded Test before, and so he had to ask Nory for more information.

Nory was not as well read as Zen. But Nory had a few advantages when it came to information about Cloud Sect. Born in the capital, Nory had been determined to enter Cloud Sect since childhood. Hence, he had collected information and learned about the rules of Cloud Sect from his families and clan. Compared with Zen who came from a small county, Nory was understandably more familiar with the rules of Cloud Sect and its exams. Since he and Zen were friends, Nory explained to him, “The color of this mountain comes from the unique ore it holds. It's called magic red sand.”

“Magic red sand? The ore that is used to make the magic array?” asked Zen. When he heard Nory's explanation, Zen's eyebrows rose in surprise. He had heard of this magic red sand, which was an essential material in illusion refining. When forging mysterious weapons, refiners would add magic red sand, and the weapon would have confusing effects. In addition, this kind of ore was often used in magic arrays and illusion papers.

Acknowledging Zen with a nod, Nory added, “Yes, I heard that the powerful people in Cloud Sect used magic red sand to transform the whole Bloody Mountain into a large magic array for trial and evaluation. Today, the instructors have brought us here. So, we must be prepared for the Blooded Test.”

Nory had heard about the Blooded Test, but he was unsure about the details. Considering that the magic red sand was used for illusion refinement, the test must be related to unreal illusions.

Although all the participants were curious about the test and the mountain, they got no further information from Cloud Sect's mentors. The disciples had been brought to the foot of the mountain, where they were accommodated in rows of houses located there.

That evening, everyone rested early in preparation for the next day's Blooded Test.

Early the next morning, the disciples gathered at the foot of the mountain.

A long while passed, but they received no orders to go up the mountain.

After waiting for several hours, the disciples finally realized why they had not been allowed to go up. They were waiting for other people to join them.

In addition to the thousand disciples who had passed the initial exam, another group of people would also take part in this Blooded Test. This group of disciples came from the noble clans.

Because of their status, the participants from noble clans did not need to pass the initial exam. They could join the Blooded Test directly...

Compared to ordinary disciples, the disciples from noble clans followed different rules and had special privileges during the test.

Hundreds of chariots filled the sky and hid the sun. The flying chariots flew lower from the sky and landed on the ground, neatly parking in front of the mountain. Three or four people accompanied each participant from the noble clan. Masters who radiated a strong aura were among the people accompanying the participants from noble clans.

When disciples of noble clans saw the thousand ordinary disciples on the ground, their expression conveyed the disdain they had. Considering their families and upbringing, these disciples from noble clans felt superior to the other disciples.

After dismounting from the flying chariots, the disciples of noble clans formed a small group, but they did not come near to the ordinary disciples.

At this time, the thousand ordinary disciples were resentful toward the attitude shown by the disciples from the noble clans. Under normal circumstances, these ordinary disciples would not feel anxious about being asked to wait for several hours. However, they felt that by waiting for the disciples from noble clans to arrive, their time had been wasted.

Although they were angry, the ordinary disciples didn't dare to speak out loud. They mumbled few curse words in a low voice. As they had no influential background, the ordinary disciples knew they could not challenge the disciples of noble clans. They did not have the power or resources to afford offending the noble clans.

What added to their resentment was the unfair advantage the noble clans had. The disciples from noble clans had access to better training since childhood. They also had the resources to acquire all kinds of magic pills that would refine their bodies and skills. As such, their abilities and power would be higher than those of the ordinary disciples. Now, they were competing against the disciples from noble clans. Provoking the disciples from noble clans would not end well for ordinary disciples. They were afraid that the participants from noble clans would gang up against them and attack them during the test.

A murmur rose through the crowd of ordinary disciples when they noticed a small group of disciples from noble clans heading their way.

Feeling the anger radiating from this group, the ordinary disciples subconsciously gave way to them. The crowd dispersed on both sides of the disciples from the noble clans. However, one man stood in their way. That man was Zen. He had closed his eyes in order to meditate.

Zen had been standing with the ordinary disciples for a long while. When he realized that it was meaningless to wait for more instructions, he decided to conserve his energy and prepare for the test. Ever since he learned that he could penetrate deep into his consciousness, he often maintained a state of meditation and paid no attention to what was happening around him.

But suddenly he sensed something different was happening around him. A deafening silence replaced the low-toned gossips and chats. When he opened his eyes, Zen saw a group of well-dressed disciples from noble clans heading in his direction.

Unaware of what might have transpired in the time when he was meditating, Zen glanced at the other disciples from the corners of his eyes. Then he noticed that the crowd had split into two, thus allowing the disciples from noble clans to walk straight toward him. Until then, Zen had realized that the group was coming for him.

“Hi, what's up?” asked Zen with a smile. He behaved politely. Since he did not know the intention of these people, Zen tried not to offend them until he had a better understanding of their purpose. He knew that it was harder to make friends than it was to make enemies.

The group of disciples from the noble clans stopped in front of Zen. A moment later, two men stepped out from the middle of the group. One was Billy, and the other was Perrin, Zen's cousin.

On seeing Perrin, Zen narrowed his eyes and gave him a cold look. He withdrew his smile and said in an expressionless voice, “Perrin, are you kidding? Why are you involving so many people in the affairs that only concern you and me?”

Perrin sneered. A wicked smile appeared on his face. He was about to say something, but Billy patted Perrin on his shoulder unexpectedly, and said, “Perrin, let me talk to him.” Then he sauntered up to Zen and laughed. “I heard that you sent a message for me. I should not interfere in the matter between you and Perrin. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is right. Mr. Wang, the friction between Perrin and I is our family affair. And I do not see why you need to get involved,” said Zen calmly. Since Billy was talking to him, Zen decided not to show how angry he was about the interference.

Billy looked down and smiled. Then he grasped a butterfly jade pendant in his hand. He toyed with the pendant as he slowly circled Zen and then he said, “I don't agree with you. In fact, I feel it is my business. Do you have a problem with this?”

“It is our family matter. I hope that you will let us solve it between ourselves.” Even though Zen wanted to tell Billy that the situation was none of his business, he decided to be diplomatic and indirectly convey his meaning. Zen even went as far as to cup his one hand in the other before his chest to show his respect. It would be best for him if Zen could persuade Billy. He did not want to provoke Billy right before the Blooded Test.

“Haha, I take it that you haven't heard the rumors. I have never been reasonable. If you don't want me to interfere, promise me one thing,” Billy raised his head and said.

“What thing?” Zen frowned. He did not think that Billy would compromise so easily.

“Quit the Blooded Test, go to the Wang family shop in the south of the city, and buy a knife. Then go to the Wei River Bridge and kill yourself. After you have done all this, I will not get involved in your family affairs,” said Billy. His tone was indifferent as though he was talking about a trivial matter.

After hearing Billy's words, a flush of red rushed to Zen's cheeks. Anger exploded in his heart. However, a moment later, Zen suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha. What a funny joke!”

Zen had sworn to avenge his father's death a long time ago. Even though Billy sent four men to beat him during the initial exam, Zen had not retaliated much. One of the reasons was that he did not want to provoke Billy. After all, the Wang Clan was a noble clan, and Zen was alone.

After everything Zen had done, Billy was still being inconsiderate and meddlesome. To Billy, it must seem as though Zen was a small ant who could be killed easily. Billy had not taken Zen seriously at all. It appeared as though to Billy, Zen was already a dead man and hence, in no position to negotiate with him.

Compromise was useless when dealing with such people. The only way to get Billy to back off was to use fists, not words.

“Billy Wang, do you think that I'm afraid of you? You want me to quit the Blooded Test? You want me to kill myself? This is the most ridiculous joke that I have ever heard. I am standing here now. If you think you can take my life, just try. Let me see whether you have the ability to kill me!” After saying that, a strong aura burst from Zen's body. Although his face was expressionless, Zen's heart pounded with the anger he felt.