Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo hadn't been idle during this period either. Lin Yaoyao was practicing the Tian Xing Sword Art. Holding her long sword, she danced through the courtyard; the sword light flickered like dancing silver snakes, and the crisscrossing Sword Qi seemed to tear the very air apart. Her posture was vigorous and her movements flowed like water. Every strike and stance was filled with power and beauty, as if she had merged into one with her sword, looking every bit the part of a heroic female sword immortal. system xiao han assisted her cultivation from the side, providing resources and guidance, correcting her mistakes in real-time, and helping her master the essence of the sword art more quickly. With system xiao han's assistance, combined with her own talent and hard work, Lin Yaoyao's Cultivation Base advanced by leaps and bounds, soon reaching the third level of the Golden Core Realm.
Shen Mo, meanwhile, was practicing the Phantom Step. Her form was ghost-like and her Speed was as fast as lightning as she shuttled back and forth through the courtyard like a black specter, making it difficult for anyone to track her trail. Her steps were light and her movement technique was elegant, like a falling leaf dancing on the wind, making her unpredictable. One moment she appeared by the rockery, the next among the flowers, and then under the shade of a tree; it was dazzling, as if she were appearing in multiple places simultaneously, which was the true essence of the Phantom Step. Through constant practice, Shen Mo's understanding of the Phantom Step deepened. Her Speed and movement techniques improved significantly, her form becoming even more ghostly and elusive. Even a Cultivator a full Realm higher than her would find it difficult to capture her silhouette.
In addition to Alchemy, Bai Li also began to learn Artifact Refining. She took out the copy of "advanced artifact refining" she had borrowed from the Scripture Pavilion and studied it carefully. Like Alchemy, Artifact Refining required precise control over Materials and heat, as well as the skillful application of refining techniques. Since Bai Li possessed Mastery of Artifact Refining, learning it was naturally twice as effective for half the effort. She quickly mastered the basic techniques of Artifact Refining and began trying to refine some simple Magical Artifacts.
Inside the Artifact Refining Room, Bai Li sat cross-legged before the artifact refining furnace. Various Materials were laid out before her: rare Ores, peculiar Spiritual Plants, and the hides and bones of various Yao Beasts. Following the methods recorded in "advanced artifact refining," Bai Li placed the necessary Materials into the furnace and controlled the earth fire to begin the process. Inside the furnace, the flames roared, gradually melting and fusing the Materials until they eventually turned into a mass of liquid. Bai Li controlled the temperature and intensity of the fire, letting the liquid slowly cool and solidify, finally turning into a small and exquisite Dagger. The Dagger was silvery-white throughout, with a sharp blade that flickered with a cold light and emitted faint ripples of Spiritual Qi. Though it was only a simple Magical Artifact, for Bai Li, it was an important milestone on her path of Artifact Refining.
"I succeeded on my first try! It seems my talent for Artifact Refining is pretty good too." Bai Li looked at the Dagger in her hand, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. She put the Dagger into her Storage Pouch and continued refining other artifacts. Relying on her Mastery of Artifact Refining, Bai Li soon refined several simple Magical Artifacts, including Daggers, bracers, and Defensive Magic Robe. Although the quality of these artifacts wasn't high, for Bai Li, it was an excellent start.
One day, the academy issued a trial mission requiring students to head to the Monster Beast Forest to hunt Yao Beasts and collect Materials. The Monster Beast Forest was a primeval forest fraught with danger, inhabited by all sorts of Yao Beasts, including powerful high-level ones. The academy issued this trial mission to hone the students' actual combat abilities and give them a chance to obtain some rare cultivation resources.
Bai Li, Lin Yaoyao, and Shen Mo teamed up and accepted this trial mission.
The next morning, the square of Tianxing Academy was crowded and bustling, the air thick with an atmosphere of excitement and tension. Today was the day of the academy trial, and many students had gathered here, preparing to head to the Monster Beast Forest. Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Bai Li also arrived at the square. They were dressed and ready, carrying rucksacks with Storage Pouches hanging at their waists and weapons in hand, prepared to set out. Bai Li's outfit today was still her favorite long white dress, topped with a light blue gauze coat. Her long white hair was tied up with a blue ribbon, making her look exceptionally pure and elegant. However, to facilitate movement today, she had shortened the hem of her dress slightly, revealing her fair and slender calves. Her silver eyes sparkled with excitement, full of anticipation for the coming trial.
Lin Yaoyao was wearing a suit of red martial attire today, which accentuated her graceful figure and gave her a heroic air. A long sword hung at her waist, its scabbard carved with exquisite patterns and its hilt inlaid with a red gemstone that flashed brilliantly under the sunlight. Her jet-black hair was tied high, revealing a smooth forehead and giving her a very spirited look. A confident smile was on her face, and her eyes were filled with determination, as if she were full of confidence for this trial.
Shen Mo wore a suit of black martial attire, which made her tall figure look even more slender. Her jet-black hair was draped casually over her shoulders, giving her a relaxed and unconstrained appearance. A long sword also hung at her waist; both the scabbard and hilt were black, looking simple and unadorned, yet emitting a sharp aura. Her expression was cold and her gaze sharp, like an experienced hunter ready to face any danger at a moment's notice.
"Yaoyao, Shen Mo, are you ready?" Bai Li turned to look at Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo, her tone carrying a hint of excitement and anticipation. Two fluffy fox tails swayed happily behind her—one glowing green and the other pink—like two colored silk ribbons dancing gently with her mood.
"Ready!" Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo answered in unison, confident smiles on their faces as they looked forward to the trial.
"Then let's go!" Bai Li said with a smile, taking the lead toward the academy gates. Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo followed closely behind, and the three of them walked side-by-side toward the Monster Beast Forest.
The Monster Beast Forest was located to the north of Tianxing Academy. It was a vast and boundless primeval forest where ancient trees reached the sky, blotting out the sun. The light within the forest was dim, and the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and the fragrance of various plants. All kinds of Yao Beasts lived within the Monster Beast Forest, from low-level beasts to high-level Yao Kings, making it an excellent place for Cultivators to gain experience and hunt for treasures, though it was also full of danger and challenges.
Following the direction shown on the map, Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Bai Li moved toward the depths of the Monster Beast Forest. Utilizing her sensitive sense of smell and hearing, Bai Li walked at the very front of the group, alertly observing the surroundings. Her two fox tails swayed gently from time to time, detecting movements nearby to warn Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo. Lin Yaoyao followed closely behind with her long sword in hand, while Shen Mo took up the rear to protect the group. The three of them coordinated perfectly, looking out for one another as they advanced cautiously.
As they went deeper into the forest, the environment became even darker and more humid. The towering trees blocked out the sun, and sunlight could hardly penetrate the dense foliage; only scattered, mottled spots of light fell on the ground like stars in the night sky, flickering with a weak glow. The air was thick with the heavy scent of decaying leaves mixed with various unknown floral fragrances, making it feel a bit difficult to breathe. The occasional roars of wild beasts and chirping of birds echoed around them, making the forest seem even more mysterious and dangerous. Bai Li's twin tails swayed alertly and her silver eyes flashed as she remained constantly vigilant of her surroundings, fearing that some danger might approach.
"There's a pack of Iron Armored Pigs ahead!" Bai Li suddenly stopped. A sharp light flashed in her silver eyes as her sensitive nose caught a strong, musky scent. She turned and spoke to Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo also heightened their vigilance. They looked in the direction Bai Li was pointing and indeed saw a group of Iron Armored Pigs foraging not far away. The Iron Armored Pig was a common low-level Yao Beast; they were massive with thick hides and extremely high Defense, but their attack power was relatively weak, making them common hunting targets for trial missions.
"Iron Armored Pig, a Foundation Establishment level one Yao Beast. It has a thick hide and very high Defense, but average attack power. Its weaknesses are its eyes and belly." system xiao han's voice rang in Lin Yaoyao's mind, providing her with information about the Iron Armored Pigs. Lin Yaoyao also knew a fair amount about them; although their Defense was high, their attack methods were simple and their Speed was relatively slow. As long as one responded carefully and struck at their weaknesses, they weren't hard to deal with.
"Just right to use for practice." Shen Mo drew her long sword, the black blade reflecting a cold light in the dim environment. Her eyes were filled with an eager light; she couldn't wait to try out the new sword techniques she had learned. During this time, she had borrowed several sword technique manuals from the Scripture Pavilion and practiced hard; now was the perfect opportunity to test the results of her cultivation.
Lin Yaoyao also drew her long sword. The pure white blade emitted a soft glow like moonlight, illuminating the surrounding trees. "Let's finish this quickly, don't waste time." She spoke in a calm tone. The academy's trial missions had time limits, and they had to complete the task as soon as possible to strive to return to the academy within the allotted time.
Bai Li nodded in understanding. The tips of her two fox tails emitted a faint pink glow, the light intertwining to form a patch of illusory mist that drifted toward the pack of Iron Armored Pigs. Bai Li intended to use illusions to interfere with the pigs' movements and throw them into chaos, creating an opening for Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo to attack.
The pink mist silently enveloped the pack of Iron Armored Pigs. After inhaling the mist, the pigs' eyes began to grow glazed and their movements became sluggish, as if they were drunk. They wobbled around, bumping into one another and letting out grunting noises. They had fallen into the illusion created by Bai Li; the world before them began to twist and deform. The original forest turned into a multicolored sea of flowers, and they felt as if they were in a dreamlike world, forgetting everything around them and even where they were.
The illusory pink mist shrouded the Iron Armored Pigs like a veil. Their originally fierce gazes gradually became blurred, and their clumsy bodies began to sway as if they had drunk too much wine. They looked around blankly; the once clear world was now distorted in their eyes. The dense forest had become a vibrant sea of flowers, the towering ancient trees had turned into bizarre candy trees, and the air was filled with a cloyingly sweet fragrance. They seemed to be in a dream world, intoxicated and unable to pull themselves out.
Seeing this, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo seized the opportunity and leaped forward. Their figures were like two bolts of lightning cutting through the air as they launched an attack on the entranced Iron Armored Pigs.
Lin Yaoyao's sword technique was light and elegant. Her sword light flickered like a wild silver snake, every strike accurately piercing the eyes of an Iron Armored Pig. Although the pigs' Defense was high and their hides thick, they were as flimsy as paper before Lin Yaoyao's sharp Sword Qi. The sharp sword tip pierced their eyes and blood sprayed out. The Iron Armored Pigs let out painful howls, struggling within the illusion but unable to break free from its shackles. Lin Yaoyao moved nimbly, weaving through the pack with ease. Every strike was precise, and every strike took the life of an Iron Armored Pig. The long sword in her hand was like the scythe of a reaper, harvesting their lives.
Shen Mo's sword technique was bold and powerful. Every strike carried the sound of whistling wind as she hacked heavily into the bellies of the Iron Armored Pigs. The belly Defense of an Iron Armored Pig was relatively thin, making it their fatal weakness. Under Shen Mo's fierce assault, hideous wounds were carved into their bellies, and blood gushed out, staining the ground red. The Iron Armored Pigs let out mournful wails as their massive bodies crashed to the ground; after a few struggles, they stopped breathing. Wielding her long sword, Shen Mo was like a general fighting a bloody battle, charging through the ranks on a battlefield, invincible.
Bai Li continued to maintain the illusion and used Fox Fire for auxiliary attacks. The tips of her two fox tails emitted a faint pink glow, the light intertwining to sustain the illusion and prevent the pigs from waking up. Meanwhile, she condensed white Fox Fire in her palms and shot it at the wounded pigs. The white Fox Fire was like a maggot on a bone, clinging to the pigs' wounds and searing their flesh with a sizzling sound, further weakening their combat power and accelerating their deaths.
Under the combined attack of the three, the pack of Iron Armored Pigs was soon completely wiped out, leaving a ground full of corpses and a thick scent of blood. The air was filled with the smell of blood and scorched hide, which was enough to make one gag.
After the battle ended, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo sheathed their swords and walked over to Bai Li's side.
"Bai Li, are you alright?" Lin Yaoyao asked with concern. She looked Bai Li up and down, only relaxing when she saw that her clothes were neat and she was unharmed.
Bai Li shook her head. "I'm fine, Sister Yaoyao." Her silver eyes sparkled and her two fox tails swayed gently behind her like two white silk ribbons dancing with her mood. "These Iron Armored Pigs were too weak; they were no match for us at all." Her tone carried a hint of pride. She was full of confidence in her illusions and Fox Fire; in the battle just now, she had hardly consumed much Spiritual Qi.