He just needed to exploit the system.
Thinking this, Erwin suddenly understood. He mentally focused, willing his internal restrictions to release. Immediately, he felt a binding shackle within his body snap free. His hands moved in rapid hand seals, conjuring a fireball that shot from his palms. But that was just the beginning; several more fireballs followed, forming a relentless stream that slammed into Quincy Shen.
The brush in Quincy Shen's hand moved frantically as he drew runes at breakneck speed. Golden barriers appeared, shattered, and reappeared, barely holding against the onslaught. Every few seconds, Erwin had to dodge lightning strikes that rained down from the sky, severely hampering his casting speed.
Meanwhile, the crowd below the mountain was dumbfounded.
"What the hell? Is this how you use elemental magic? That's not what I learned!"
"My god, it's ridiculous! The fireballs are flying in a continuous stream!"
"If Shen didn't have to draw talismans constantly, his barrier speed couldn't keep up with Erwin's attack rate at all!"
"Senior, explain this!"
Even the proctors—the veteran students—looked as though their understanding had short-circuited. They stared wide-eyed at Erwin unleashing a magical barrage and were completely speechless.
"Wait, is this how you use magic?" one muttered. "He's created a magic machine gun!"
"I've been at this mountain for so long, and I've never seen anything like it."
High in the clouds, the Elders were also silent.
Finally, one Elder broke the silence. "So, do you think he met our expectations?"
"Maybe? I'd say he exceeded them!"
"No, is he really that amazing? Our intention was for him to learn the secrets of Shen's repeated technique-casting, but this is too fast!"
"Does it matter? The most outrageous thing is that he wasn't struck by lightning. We placed Shen in the lightning scenario to force him to learn repeated casting, yet Erwin absorbed the lesson instantly! How did he do it?"
The other Elders were bewildered. They hadn't sent Erwin up the Celestial Path for no reason. They wanted him to become stronger, so they'd designed the assessment with special techniques—methods Kunlun would usually pass down only to its most elite disciples. They were just testing the waters; if he learned it, great. If not, it wouldn't matter.
But to increase his chances, they'd even manifested Quincy Shen's echo, allowing it to demonstrate the technique.
And yet, this was the result.
The Elders turned their gaze to a young man standing nearby. He was in his early twenties, incredibly handsome, with an ethereal air about him—ignoring the heavy gold chain around his neck.
"I don't know!" the young man waved his hands frantically. "Elders, don't look at me! He's far more talented than me. I can only cast three techniques simultaneously at most. Could you ask him to teach me? I really want to learn!"
This was Quincy Shen.
"Alright, get out of here," an Elder grumbled. "Stop wandering around with that gold necklace. Do you look like a Kunlun disciple? You might as well hang a sign saying 'I'm a rich kid.'"
"No, Elders," Quincy Shen said with an aggrieved tone. "If you send me away, I have to go home. My grandmother bought this for protection!"
One of the Elders glared. "Get lost! If you want protection, pray to the ancestors. What's the use of praying to gods? The old gods disappeared long ago! Go home and spend two years with your family."
A hint of reluctance flashed in the Elder's eyes.
Quincy Shen smiled, his tone suddenly serious. "Old man, when did you become so hesitant? Don't worry, I'm prepared. When the crisis comes, no one can escape. I've already accepted my fate. As for my family..."
He hesitated, a pang of sorrow in his eyes, but quickly hardened his resolve. "I believe the community will take care of them. They would support me! As long as I live, I will protect everything. This is my duty."
"Disrespectful!" The Elder cursed, though his eyes were reddening. "Get lost!"
Quincy Shen smiled, summoned his flying sword, and soared away.
After he left, the Elder wiped his eyes. The others comforted him, "Don't be sad. We're just preparing for the worst. Maybe it won't come to that."
"I'm not fragile," the Elder sniffed. "Although he's my disciple, all of yours are prepared as well. It's fate. Alright, let's watch the trial. I want to see him pass the fifth level!"
Their gazes fell on Erwin, filled with complex emotions. Once, their disciples had risked everything to pass these trials. But unlike the rumors, they weren't risking their lives just for graduation. Many didn't want to leave Kunlun; they were fighting for a specific, terrible opportunity.
When Kunlun students graduate, the Elders tell them that passing the Celestial Path grants a chance to fight when the crisis comes—a chance that almost certainly means death.
The real graduation test happens before the Celestial Path. If a disciple doesn't want this burden, they graduate directly and enter the mundane world, never to return. But those who choose the Path are the true disciples.
Even knowing the risk, they choose to attempt the challenge.
Back on the stage, Erwin dodged another lightning bolt, eyeing the three layers of barriers around Quincy Shen.
This isn't working, Erwin thought, a fierce glint in his eyes.
In that case, let's go all out!
---
Don't go anywhere! Today's 5 daily chapters are officially live. Another 5 Bonus Chapters are coming SOON!
I'm dropping them shortly, so make sure to Push on Your Notifications so you don't miss the second wave!
Want to keep these double-drops coming? Smash those Power Stones right now and let's show everyone the strength of this community!
— MrGrim