"It's not really that much of a trial though,just weeding out the trash." She said with a chuckle, as it dawned at the participants how ruthless the cultivation world is.

As if waiting for her words to simmer, she continued. "In your life as a cultivator,even they we all want to get strong enough to crush our opponents. But it's simply unrealistic to think you'll win every battle,and that's why you have to be adapt at escaping. The test I just gave you,tested that part of you."

While she was saying this,the participants couldn't help but listen keenly, as they were aware how much the advice of a senior could impact their lives. But Icaros couldn't help but wonder with a rare proud smirk on his face,"why do I need to run? when I can just defeat them."

Am not going to say much again or interfere. The one who will be taking over is li Han. You might have known him before or might not,but one thing is clear,he represents the authority of the li sect in this mission,and we are here to help him enforce it,so don't slight him.

She said the last part with a bit of a cold glint in her eyes,before coldly striding inside the ship's interior building with the other female cultivator,but what the other participants didn't notice was that after just entering the ship,just before her figure disappears, her shoulder slumped down a bit. Icaros couldn't help but smirk a bit from this observation, as he thought in his heart, "maybe she isn't that much of a leader"

Icaros found himself in one out of the many rooms in the ship,which have flew off from the li sect.

After Su Yan departed. li Han gave a short speech to the participants, congratulating them on their performance, and instilling the danger of the new mission,which he said was to be in the azure forest. A place Icaros remembered, as where young master Deimos found him,and it was said to be one of the most dangerous zones in the world,although the danger levels increases the more deeper one goes. Which means the mission will likely be in the peripheral area.

This was also properly explained by li Han,when he saw that panic was arising after he revealed the location. He explained that they will only complete their mission in the outer zones,where they can survive with their body refinement realm cultivation, and with the aid of him,li Han,Su Yan with Nelly,who are all spirit realm cultivators, no accidents will occur.

Li Han couldn't help but smile at the thought of accidents occurring,from the knowledge he acquired, other sects and clans where very much wary of the four great superpowers and won't risk any attacks,for any reasons."Well maybe the demon beasts and other hazards",li Han couldn't help but become interested when he remembered that there were bandits in this world,albeit,they were certainly more dangerous, and more ruthless.

He was about to dwell in it more,when he remembered the conversation he has with li Han before he went inside the interior of the ship. After the little competition, the participants were allowed to enter inside the interior of the ship,while taking numbers for easy management. As Icaros made his way to the cue,he noticed a hand signal from li Han to stay back. He couldn't help but stay behind with nothing to do,but caught in the awkward moment,of not staying in the cue,just standing to the side,with li Han. Who doesn't seem to mind,as he cheerfully drank from a small wine bottle,which Icaros doesn't know where he brought it out from and when.

After all the participants has entered the ship interior,and only li Han and Icaros was left on the bow. Li Han said with a huge smile plastered on his face,which wasn't there before,when he was addressing the participants,"you made it!".

"Why wouldn't I?" Icaros said after deciding to be a little more friendly to li Han,after considering the warmth and friendliness he had shown him.

Looks like someone is getting too proud of killing a grade C beast,I've killed worse,li Han said with a chuckle before taking a big gulp from his wine bottle.

Icaros didn't seem provoked at all,as he laughed at it for a moment before saying,"I know grade E beasts are equivalent to body refinement real cultivators. With grade D beast being equivalent to elite body refinement realm cultivators and,should I say"he hesitated slightly before saying,weaker spirit real cultivators,and spirit realm cultivators equivalent to grade C beast,but what's above grade C beasts considering, you just said you've killed worse.

Li Han who was listening intently,as he asked his question,suddenly started laughing,the kind one will use to mock someone foolish.

Contrary to li Han's expectation,Icaros did not get nervous or awkward at all from the laugh. Instead he looked at li Han,as if he was waiting for his answer.

Li Han who was supposedly an old fox himself,laughed some more,without being embarrassed, before suddenly being mean and saying in a strict manner. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Which Icaros raised an eyebrow at,but he wasn't done as he continued explaining,there's a reason the Library is divided depending based on disciples levels. So it is in the cultivation world,biting of more than you can chew,trying to know and poke your nose in what's beyond you,don't usually end well. Take it from me,try to focus on the present things and what you have,and stop chasing clouds. You may think you're strong and you are,but the river is much more deeper than it appears,so be careful not to sink.

Listening to li Han's words and advice,Icaros brows furrowed in thoughts and wonders,but it soon relaxed. As he said with a relaxed expression as if the previous event hadn't occurred at all. He said flatly,I guess you didn't signal for me to wait,all for this?

Li Han smiled before saying with a joyful tone,yeah! Actually, before switching to a flat tone,the young master and the sect upper echelons has decided on your matters,as you're different from the other participants and new intakes this batch.

Icaros eyes focused on li Han as he listened with rapt attention. Who took a deep breath, I can't tell you the details, but the sect has a better offer for you,than a normal disciple, which will be discussed with you after the mission. And speaking of missions,yours will be different and special.

"Special, what do you mean?", Icaros couldn't help but ask. You're much stronger than a body refinement cultivator,and according to the strength you previously shown in the azure forest,you will have no problem taking down a spirit realm cultivator. Which makes you superior to the other participants, so the sect has decided to use this opportunity for a better mission.

What mission? Icaros couldn't help but ask as his brow lightly furrowed. Li Han laughed lightly before saying with a look of someone divulging a very important secret in a gossip. Although the other spirit realm cultivators are here for the safety of the participants,they are actually here for the special mission.

Nelly will overlook the normal mission,why Su Yan,you and I will do something more interesting. Li Han explained, but seeing as Icaros was about to say something, he waved his hands lightly and signalled for Icaros to stop,before saying," Don't worry about the special mission for now,we will fill you in on the details,when the time is right".

Icaros couldn't help but swallow his words with a smile, after some compliments and thanking li Han for the information. Li Han turned to enter the interior,but couldn't hold back his curiosity,he asked."Where did you get that round big wine bottle from,I didn't see it on you earlier"

Li Han revealed a wide smile as he said,with the wind blowing against his green robes,"A magician never reveals his tricks"

Icaros could only roll his eyes at Li Han's silliness, before heading inside.

Seeing Icaros figure disappear,Li Han couldn't help but think, "how much will he affect the storm"

While Icaros was trying to find the room assigned to him,and managing the new information.

Icaros couldn't help but review all this in his room in the ship,he could already guess,that the ship should be at full speed now,tearing through the air.

Just as he was about to consciously decide on and analyze everything he's considered today. A massive tremor hit the ship,sending Icaros rolling on the floor,a thought couldn't help but hit him,"is it the bandits?"

Quickly rising to his feet, Icaros scanned his room, confirming there were no signs of intrusion yet. Before he could even think too much about it. A light of resolve flashed in his eyes. He had made his decision.

Carefully opening his door, he strained his ears, listening intently for any sound. But there was nothing-dead silence. Not even a pin drop could be heard. This eerie quiet sent chills down Icaros' spine.

He analyzed the situation rapidly. The only thing I felt was that massive tremor shaking the entire ship. Nothing else. Could I be wrong? Was it really an attack? Or perhaps something else? Regardless, a tremor of that magnitude cannot be caused by something trivial. I have to check it out.

Making up his mind, he stepped quietly into the corridor. It was empty. Not a single guard was in sight. Icaros knew this ship was vast, with many corridor and rooms, yet there should have been guards stationed here. The emptiness of the corridor was unnatural.

Maybe they were stationed elsewhere, he told himself, trying to push away the dread creeping into his mind.

I have two choices now. Search the other corridors, or even leave the ship entirely to find others... or check the rooms along this corridor first for the other participants.

After brief consideration, Icaros chose the latter. He walked toward the door directly opposite his own.

He knocked gently. "Is anyone there?" he asked, his voice flat and steady.

Silence. He knocked again, ready to call out once more, when his ears caught a faint, weak groan coming from the room next to his.

BOOM!

Icaros burst through the door. He barely suppressed his instinct to use his flying ability to float, which would have made his movement even faster.

The sight that greeted him made his hair stand on end.

On the bed lay a participant, the sheets soaked crimson with blood. Towering over them was a figure-an enormous humanoid creature, nearly eight feet tall. Its skin was the color of bark, yet possessed the slippery, unsettling texture of a snake. It was rough and uneven, clearly not human.

The moment Icaros entered, the creature turned with terrifying confidence. As it shifted, Icaros caught sight of a female body beneath it, blood pouring from gaping wounds in her torso and throat as she gasped for air.

The creature's face was disturbingly human-like, yet twisted and rough like wood.

Icaros had no intention of talking to a murderer. He was ready to strike-when suddenly, the creature's head shifted and morphed, transforming into the face of a fair-skinned young man wearing an arrogant, malicious smirk.

Icaros raised an eyebrow, his muscles coiling tight like springs, his eyes locked onto the enemy.

"You have surprised me," the hybrid said, the smirk never leaving his face. "To make such bold decisions at your age and experience level... you are quite sharp."

Icaros frowned. How could he know what I did in the corridor? Unless...

"With your talent, you could have become an outstanding disciple of the Li Sect after your first mission," the creature continued. "It is merely by chance that you were in the last room. I was just about to pay you a surprise visit before you interrupted me."

"I only have two questions," Icaros interrupted calmly, cutting off the monologue. "What are you? And what do you want here?"

The creature chuckled, then his face swiftly twisted into pure rage. "Impudent!"

His massive arms split open, erupting into countless writhing tentacles that slithered like snakes. His legs dissolved into wood splinters and viscous fluid, allowing his body to undulate like a serpent.

"There is an old saying: A dead genius is no genius at all," he hissed coldly. "You were never meant to leave here alive. And now... for your insolence, I will tear you to pieces! Nothing will remain!"

By now, his head nearly touched the ceiling, towering over Icaros like a living disaster. Yet Icaros stood his ground, his fear gone, replaced by unshakable confidence.

The creature's face reverted to its bark-like form, fangs bared as it roared.

Icaros moved to strike-but instantly, the floor shattered. Countless tentacles burst forth, seemingly having been hidden there all along. They lashed out, coiling around his limbs and lifting him into the air, spreading him wide and immobilizing him.

The monster wore a ghastly grin. It was confused for a second as to why Icaros hadn't tried to dodge, but the thrill of victory clouded its judgment.

It drew closer, looming over Icaros like impending doom. The tips of its tentacles hardened into sharp spears. Its murderous intent was undeniable.

Just a foot away, it slammed its other limbs into the wall and launched itself forward at blinding speed, aiming to impale Icaros.

It streaked across the room, weapons poised to strike.

But in that split second before impact, a smirk appeared on Icaros' face.

CRACK!

The tentacles binding his right arm were ripped apart as if they were paper. Icaros drove his hand forward, shaped like a sharp blade, straight into the creature's incoming abdomen. The monster was moving too fast to stop.

Their bodies collided. The creature's sharp weapons failed to pierce Icaros, but Icaros' hand sank deep into its body.

Shocked, the monster realized Icaros had struck directly where he had moved his heart, using a special technique to protect it. It was futile. Icaros gripped the organ tightly and ripped it out violently.

Hot blood sprayed across Icaros' grey robes.

"H-How...?" the creature gasped weakly before its body went limp, crashing to the floor.

Icaros stood there, drenched in red, holding a still-beating heart in his open palm.

With a crunching sound, Icaros crushed the creature's heart before tossing it aside.

Looking at the massive body, Icaros wondered, "How did it know my previous actions?" But just as he was about to dwell on his thoughts, a reaction from the corpse drew him back.

The body and tentacles, once full of life and vitality, rapidly dried up and turned into a desiccated husk. It was clear all life had left it.

Furrowing his brow, Icaros noticed something abnormal hidden within the husk-it looked like human skin.

Bracing himself, Icaros reached out while remaining vigilant. He brushed away the dried remnants, and there revealed...

A shriveled human face, staring soullessly into his eyes. But Icaros, having seen his fair share of horrors in his past life, felt no fear.

However, a dangerous thought struck him as he focused his enhanced sight. It was indeed the same light-skinned face the creature had revealed earlier.

Realizing this, Icaros hastily tore away more of the husk. Just as he suspected, it was a human being-now nothing more than a dried-up corpse.

The realization hit him instantly: "That wasn't a creature or a demonic beast. That was a human."

"I knew you wouldn't die so easily!"

A voice suddenly interrupted him. Icaros nearly attacked out of shock, but stopped instantly upon recognizing Li Han's voice.

"I guess I lost focus on my surroundings after that discovery. That's how he managed to sneak up on me," Icaros analyzed inwardly, turning to face Li Han. The crimson blood on his robes and arms glaringly obvious.

Li Han stood at the door with his usual carefree attitude. However, instead of his wine bottle, he held an unsheathed sword, stained with what Icaros assumed was blood.

"I want answers," Icaros demanded, not entertained by the endless mysteries. "What the hell is happening?"

Li Han, seemingly unwilling to ramble, replied shortly: "We are under attack. That is what is happening."

Hearing this, Icaros couldn't help but roll his eyes. Can't he just give me details? he thought.

As if reading his mind, Li Han explained slowly, "It was a coordinated attack."

"A warship ambushed us. Before we could even react, it struck us with an energy beam-that was what caused the massive tremor."

Icaros listened intently, then pointed at the husk. "What about this?"

Li Han's expression shifted slightly into a frown before returning to his casual demeanor. "When they breached our ship, they simultaneously launched these... cannon fodder, inside."

"Cannon fodder?" Icaros asked, surprised. How could such a terrifying creature be considered mere fodder? He conveniently ignored the fact that he had killed it easily.

Li Han seemed eager to answer, puffing out his chest slightly. "What can this thing really do against cultivators like us? It might be a threat to Body Refinement Realm cultivators, but to powerhouses like me? They are nothing."

Icaros chuckled at the boasting, his expression lightening briefly before turning serious again. "What exactly are they? And what is our current situation?"

Li Han sensed the shift in mood and grew serious as well. "They aren't actually creatures. They are mortals and Body Refinement cultivators who have hit a dead end in their cultivation-people with no future and hope."

"When they are at the end of their rope, the Nine Transformation Demonic Sect takes advantage. They offer them a deal: a chance at power and greatness. With no other choice, these people risk everything."

"And then what happens?" Icaros asked quietly.

"The Sect uses a secret technique to grant them transforming abilities," Li Han explained, walking closer to the corpse. "But it is a grotesque art with a hidden flaw-it constantly consumes their life force, keeping them always on the brink of death."

"To survive, they are forced to do the Sect's dirty work. By killing and absorbing the life force of their victims, they extend their pathetic existence. If they absorb enough quickly, they can temporarily grow stronger."

"Though they can never kill a Spirit Realm cultivator, they become deadly nightmares for Body Refinement cultivators, and absolute disasters for ordinary mortals."

Icaros took a deep breath, processing the information. His eyes fell on the dried-up body of the creature's victim nearby. It had been completely drained.

"I see..." Icaros muttered.

"Now that you understand," Li Han continued, "we were hit hard before we could react. These abominations killed many participants and guards, but Nelly and I managed to save some. I have to admit, their method is terrifyingly efficient-they absorb, grow stronger, and destroy faster."

"I guess you weren't fast enough then," Icaros said with a sad smile. "And why didn't I hear the main forces fighting?"

Li Han returned the sad smile. "Our hands are tied. Su Yan activated the protective formation to keep the main enemy force out for now. But she has to stay there constantly supplying energy to keep it running."

"These creatures, while weak against us, have a unique ability to spread their tentacles underground. The more victims they take, the larger their area of influence becomes. They even possess a form of sensory perception within the range of their tentacles, knowing exactly what is happening."

Icaros breathed a mental sigh of relief. No wonder it knew what I was doing, he thought. Feeling slightly more grounded, he asked, "So what now?"

Li Han's eyes flashed with heroism,as he said boldly and valiantly, imitating a peerless hero. "We are facing an alliance between the Nine Transformation Demonic Sect and the Battle Force Sect. Follow me! We charge ahead to battle!"

Icaros couldn't help but laugh loudly at his act, his spirit rising. "Yes, Senior!"