The efforts of Lu Yuan had borne fruit. Although only a week had passed, his cultivation had improved, opening three more acupoints.
At the same time, by following the instructions in the Sevenfold War Saber Art and regularly sparring with Chen Yao, he had become more familiar with the saber and could now wield it effectively in battle.
By now, he could strike three times in succession, with the final blow delivering twice the power of the first.
If Lu Yuan previously felt that he could fight against cultivators at the 3rd Level of the Spirit Gathering Realm, then now, he was certain.
Such progress in both cultivation and martial skills was quite impressive. If it were anyone else, they'd be thrilled.
But Lu Yuan had no time to celebrate.
Even ignoring the fact that Yang Chen held bad intentions toward him and was scheming something, the Trial next month was enough to keep him alert.
The Azure Cloud Academy opened its gates every few years, selecting students between the ages of 15 and 18.
These students were subsequently taught the Azure Cloud Cultivation Technique and, for the next several years, would be instructed regarding cultivation.
However, such teachings were not indefinite. Once the Academy determined that the students had reached a suitable cultivation base, a Trial would be held to assess their potential.
The Trial differed each time. Sometimes it was a battle tournament, sometimes a test of martial skill mastery, or other challenges that would test the students' strength and qualifications.
At its conclusion, students were ranked according to their performance. Those at the top received rewards, while those at the bottom faced punishment, or even expulsion.
However, that was not all.
Lu Yuan had heard from Chen Yao that a student's performance during the Trial directly affected their treatment within the Academy. Those who excelled would receive better resources, teachings, and guidance.
'Yang Chen is from the Yang family, Chen Yao from the Chen family... even Su Ling'er, though not belonging to any family, has a mysterious teacher.'
'I'm the only one among the top students without a strong background.', Lu Yuan reflected, sitting alone in his residence with the saber resting across his lap.
Although he was a transmigrator and had his own "cheat", Lu Yuan knew that he still had to rely on himself.
The Celestial Stele had remained silent since imparting the Cultivation Technique, while the Everchanging Inner Cosmos Technique, although powerful and grand in concept, still required practice.
As such, Lu Yuan possessed no significant edge over other students and cultivators in general.
'The Trial is very important. As long as I perform well, I'll gain various benefits within the Academy. Perhaps, I may even catch the eye of an Elder and receive their protection.'
Lu Yuan had roughly planned his next steps. For the next period of time, he planned to leave the Academy and train in the Blackthorn Forest.
There, he could improve his combat power through constant battles, and perhaps even obtain something to accelerate his cultivation speed.
**
The Blackthorn Forest was located not far from Meteor City. Just outside of it, teams of cultivators could be seen patrolling, members of the four major forces.
Although the teams were only made up of cultivators coming from the same force, these teams worked together, ensuring that no creature escaped the forest.
Entry into the forest was not prohibited and even encouraged, causing many cultivators to choose to enter, betting on their own luck. Most cultivators formed teams, while others, those daring enough, explored alone.
A figure wearing a hood to conceal their identity could be seen among the crowd, and was none other than Lu Yuan.
Having made a decision, he informed the Academy and, after disguising himself to avoid being followed, rushed to this place.
As soon as he stepped into the forest, Lu Yuan felt a strange sense of familiarity.
'I didn't expect that I'd return to this place so soon.', he thought, but unlike last time, this time he paid closer attention to his surroundings.
Although the Blackthorn Forest housed thousands of monsters, most of its inhabitants were not animals, but plants. They could be seen everywhere he walked, some of them large enough to obscure the ground around them.
Despite their terrifying appearance, most of these plants were relatively harmless. However, a few among them had awakened their intelligence, transforming into monsters.
Compared to animal-turned monsters, like the Shadow Serpent Lu Yuan had met before, such plant monsters were many times more numerous and horrifying.
In fact, just a few minutes after Lu Yuan entered the Blackthorn Forest, he happened to meet one.
Just as he was walking deeper into the forest, Lu Yuan suddenly sensed movement beside him. A patch of crimson grass twitched, and in the next instant, a serrated stalk shot up from the ground, aiming directly at his feet.
Its speed was astonishing, lashing out like a crimson whip. From the gleam on its edge, Lu Yuan immediately knew that if it were to strike him, it would easily tear through his flesh as if it were paper.
Fortunately, he had been on guard since entering the forest. The moment the grass moved, he took half a step back and brought his saber down in a clean arc.
The blade split the stalk in two, but a flash of red light rippled through its severed ends the very next second and quickly regenerated. Then, as if nothing had happened, it struck him again.
Lu Yuan was surprised but not shocked.
He understood that a strong life force was the hallmark of all plant monsters, and precisely why they were so hard to deal with.
'Fortunately, this one's merely a grass... Even if it has mutated...', he thought.
With a flick of his wrist, Lu Yuan unleashed a flurry of saber strikes, each blow faster and heavier than the last. Under such attacks, the crimson grass had no power to defend and could only split and regenerate.
At first, its regeneration was instantaneous, but as Lu Yuan's strikes continued, the light on its surface began to dim.
After half a minute of relentless attacks, he delivered the final slash.
The saber light flashed once more, only this time, the grass no longer moved. The next second, its crimson hue dimmed, turning into a lifeless gray color.
'The Blackthorn Forest lives up to its name. Even a mere grass can sneak attack...', Lu Yuan thought as he lowered his saber.