Hearing no response from his master, Xiao Chen wanted to remove all the star rings from his hands. However, all his efforts were in vain.
"My student, why do you keep complaining…"
"B-but master, this weight is suppressing my speed… Damn it, it's not just suppressing! I can barely move!"
"Ckckck! Moreover, I have pressed the weight to two hundred kilograms… Without my formation, your hands might have been torn from your body… Instead of whining so much, you'd better get your body used to this pressure… Oh, I also sense there are a few ordinary beasts around you… If you don't get used to it, you could die foolishly, you know?"
Xiao Chen gritted his teeth. Slowly but surely, he tried to stand. Yet the heavy pressure made his balance falter, and he eventually fell flat on the ground.
This happened hundreds of times. But after exhausting effort, he began to adapt.
"Haaah…" Exhausted from merely balancing his body under immense pressure, Xiao Chen finally fell into a deep sleep on the grass at the edge of Shao Yang Forest.
"Ckckck, forgive me, my student… Who said making a terrifying agreement like yesterday was easy… Although it seems cruel, in the future, who will be able to stop your abilities?"
That night.
Awakening from his sleep, every bone in his body felt shattered.
"Master, are you the one watching over me?" Seeing a protective circle around him, Xiao Chen began to rise.
"Yes, your sleep was too deep… Without that energy, you could have died foolishly by the wild beasts…"
Although annoyed by his master's words, which sounded mocking, another instinct kicked in—he sensed several demonic beasts observing him.
"Xiao Chen, draw your sword… I want to see how you handle it in direct combat again."
"Understood…"
Drawing the sword from his spatial ring, a silver-winged tiger suddenly appeared.
"Master, why is this silver-winged tiger different from the ones I've encountered in the forest before?"
"This is a Tier-Three beast, so it has a horn on its forehead…"
Xiao Chen's eyes widened. He had no idea what his master was thinking. All he felt was a bad premonition.
'Master, my speed is suppressed by the star rings… This is a Tier-Three demon beast, surely stronger than a Tier-Two… Does my master want me to die under its claws?!'
'Chen'er, stop complaining! Watch out, it's about to attack!'
Swuuuuuuush!
The silver-winged tiger dashed forward at incredible speed. Xiao Chen immediately tried to use his Thousand-Lightning Step technique. However, his speed was hampered, forcing him to swing his sword in his hands.
Sriiiiiiiiiing!
Claws and sword collided, the metallic screech deafening. Unfortunately, this was Xiao Chen's first time using a sword in such a situation, and the friction forced it out of his hand.
"Damn it!"
He tried again with the Thousand-Lightning Step, attempting a diversion. But the silver-winged tiger seemed unwilling to release its prey, patiently watching Xiao Chen's every move.
'M-master…'
Swuuuuuuuush! Slaaaaaaash!
The tiger read Xiao Chen's movement, slashing with its claw and tearing the flesh on his right chest. Blood gushed from the wound, and Xiao Chen collapsed. He looked truly pitiful. Rising, the tiger lunged again, swiping its claw.
Slaaaaaaaaash!
The same attack struck Xiao Chen's left chest.
'Chen'er, grab your sword… Turn the situation around with calmness. The speed you see is actually an illusion… Focus your sword strike on a single point. No matter where it hits, be courageous…'
Before the silver-winged tiger could strike again, Xiao Chen ignored the pain. Using the Thousand-Lightning Step, he snatched the Emperor-grade sword lying before him.
Seeing the tiger prepare a third attack, Xiao Chen gripped his sword tightly. He focused on the direction of the claws and finally understood the path of the tiger's speed.
Swuuuuuush!
"It moved?!"
With a slight shift of his feet and body, Xiao Chen swung his sword in a cross motion. The silver-winged tiger's leap revealed a weak spot.
Slaaaaaaaaaaash!
Sure enough, Xiao Chen cleanly cut one of the tiger's legs. The beast began to lose its balance. The situation had clearly turned.
'If you keep relying on others, no matter how strong you become in the future, you'll only be a living puppet… Chen'er, kill it…'
Swuuuuuuuush!
Using the Thousand-Lightning Step again, Xiao Chen swung his sword once more. This time, he aimed for the tiger's head instead of the remaining leg. A crisp sound rang out. The silver-winged tiger's head was severed from its body.
'Chen'er, you are truly remarkable… Now take its soul pearl, and release all your stored soul pearls. After that, cultivate. Ahead, many other challenges await you.'
Xiao Chen nodded. Despite the six claw wounds on his chest, he followed his master's instructions.
Using the Sky-Devouring Dragon cultivation technique, two hundred Level One and Two soul pearls, plus one Level Three, vanished into dust.
Soon, his body began to swell from the overwhelming energy surging inside. Seeing Xiao Chen focusing on cultivation, the star soul spirit quietly emerged from the subconscious, snapping its fingers.
Swuuuuuuuuush!
A thin mist of Qi appeared to protect Xiao Chen.
'The life-and-death trial is resolved… Chen'er, welcome to a world full of cruelty…'