Chapter 112: Comprehension

In the end, Long Xiwei followed a traveling super expert and departed from Wandering Valley, choosing not to enter the Blood Moon Holy Land.

She understood that with her talent, entering the Blood Moon Holy Land would most likely result in her fading into the crowd.

It was better to choose a cultivation site suited for her; perhaps her progress would be even swifter there. Though she felt a deep reluctance in her heart, she knew this choice was the wisest path forward.

At the moment of her departure, four words flickered on the transmission talisman held by Lu Jin, who had already entered the Outer Sect of the Blood Moon Holy Land.

Until we meet again.

Lu Jin’s eyes darkened, a strange sensation rising within him.

Perhaps… your choice truly is the wisest…

A flicker of complicated emotion stirred in his heart, but it was quickly shattered by the scene before him.

The group of new disciples had been led into a dim, gloomy area within the Blood Moon Holy Land’s Outer Sect. The entire structure was constructed from massive blocks of profound stone. Upon entering the main gates, an oppressive atmosphere settled over them, making everyone feel instinctively uncomfortable.

However, since they had already come this far, no one raised an objection. They followed the guide disciple deep into the shadows of the building.

“What is this place? Why does the air smell so much like blood?”

Finally, a disciple could not help but ask.

The other disciples were equally desperate for an answer.

Yet, the only response they received was a cold, biting voice.

“Do not ask what you should not ask; you have no right to pester me with questions!”

The guide disciple’s voice was arrogant, clearly holding no respect for this group of newcomers.

The disciples felt wronged, but none dared to speak up.

Lu Jin walked with the crowd, feeling the scent of blood grow increasingly thick. His eyes turned a fraction colder.

It seems they intend to give these newcomers a show of force...*

However… I have zero interest in such things… I wonder where that Blood Dragon Pool is located?

Lu Jin pondered. He had come to the Blood Moon Holy Land with a specific goal; as for cultivating here, it was entirely unnecessary for him.

With the techniques given by the Empress and the martial arts fed back to him by the Heaven Burial Coffin, his cultivation would soar at a rapid pace. Furthermore, the martial arts found here could not even begin to compare to his own.

Since he had come with a purpose, he did not mind enduring for a while. He would wait until he had fully scouted the internal situation of the Blood Moon Holy Land before taking action.

Rumble!

A massive, heavy sound echoed from the dark space ahead. Following the roar, a giant portal radiating blue light slowly ground open.

“This is the Talent Testing Hall of the Blood Moon Holy Land. After your talent is tested, you will be assigned to various halls within the Outer Sect based on your potential.”

The guide disciple spoke from a position of superiority.

“The Outer Sect is divided into halls ranging from the 1st to the 9th Grade. The 9th Grade is the highest, while the 1st Grade is the lowest. You will be assigned according to the height of your talent.”

Hearing this, Lu Jin thought to himself,

*That Long Chengfeng was also from the 1st Grade Hall. So the 1st Grade is actually the lowest? That fellow must have hidden a significant amount of his strength…*

While he was lost in thought, the guide disciple continued.

“On the walls of the corridor before you, the Blood Moon Holy Land has prepared several high-tier Xuan Grade techniques. From the entrance to the exit, the level of the techniques increases sequentially. At the very end, the techniques reach the Heaven Grade, or perhaps even higher! Naturally, the difficulty of comprehension also climbs. You have two days; how much you can comprehend depends on your own luck.”

“If you attempt to force a comprehension, it is highly likely you will suffer a backlash. Act within your means. If an emergency occurs, immediately crush this jade token; the formation power within will teleport you out.”

“Begin.”

Upon hearing the guide disciple’s words, the faces of the new disciples lit up with pleasant surprise.

“Is this even a talent test? This is a massive benefit for newcomers!”

“High-tier Xuan Grade techniques right at the start! In my previous sect, I would have had to complete countless missions just to earn the right to practice such a thing!”

“As expected of the Blood Moon Holy Land! Such a grand gesture!”

“Let’s go, I can’t wait!”

The disciples rubbed their hands in anticipation. After receiving the jade tokens distributed by the guide, they stepped into the corridor with hearts full of expectation.

The walls of the corridor were carved with many powerful martial arts.

Even Tang Liu’s face showed a hint of excitement.

However, two people in the crowd remained entirely unmoved: Lu Jin and Yan Mo.

It was as if those techniques could not pique their interest in the slightest.

“Why do you two look so bored?”

Tang Liu frowned as he looked at their expressions.

Of course, he knew Lu Jin’s cultivation was unfathomable and that the techniques he practiced must be of an extremely high level. It was understandable if Lu Jin looked down on the techniques here.

Consequently, his gaze only lingered on Lu Jin for a second before turning to Yan Mo.

Yan Mo knit her brows. “Tch! Techniques used to welcome newcomers certainly won’t be of a high level. They aren’t worthy of my attention.”

Yan Mo’s disdainful look made Tang Liu sigh.

“Fine, fine, you both have extraordinary talent. I’m the only one with a bitter life who needs to work hard. I’ll go ahead!”

With that, he stepped into the corridor.

“Senior Brother Lu Jin, shall we go join the fun?”

Lu Jin nodded. “Since we are already here, we might as well.”

The two of them entered the corridor together.

However, after entering, Lu Jin’s attention was not on the techniques on the walls.

*Strange… that thick scent of blood has vanished? Where exactly was it coming from?*

With that thought, his spiritual force instantly flooded outward.

The moment his spiritual force began its probe, his expression shifted.

Within this building, there seemed to be a space running parallel to this corridor, and between that space and the corridor, there were several hidden portals.

The scent of blood was precisely what was drifting out from those portals.

*I wonder what their purpose is?*

Lu Jin’s spiritual force permeated into the other space, but he found nothing. Aside from the thick blood mist hanging in the air, there wasn’t a single soul to be found.

He decided to stop dwelling on it. Looking up, he saw that the other disciples had already begun comprehending the techniques on the walls. Even Yan Mo had dropped her previous disdain and was staring blankly at the carvings, lost in thought.

*These techniques are somewhat interesting, but the ones here are a bit too simple…*

Lu Jin glanced at the wall. He didn’t even need to consciously comprehend them; the mysteries within were revealed to him instantly, as clear and simple as water.

Thus, he began walking toward the depths of the corridor.

But as he passed them, all the techniques gave him the same feeling.

Simple. Not worth the effort of comprehension.

“Brother Lu Jin, you mustn’t be overconfident. The techniques further ahead have likely reached the Heaven Grade. You should take it one step at a time; otherwise, if you suffer a backlash, the loss will outweigh the gain…”

A disciple spoke up to warn him.

Lu Jin nodded. “Thank you for the reminder. However, are you planning to comprehend this specific technique?”

Lu Jin did not know the disciple, but sensing the man’s aura and looking at the technique recorded on the wall, his brows furrowed slightly.

***

Footnotes:

TN1: Backlash (反噬): A common cultivation trope where a cultivator suffers internal injury or mental collapse from attempting a technique or breakthrough beyond their current capacity.