(7 hours later, sunrise, Martial Training Grounds.)

Sweat poured down Xuan’s body like a waterfall, and after so many tiring hours, he felt the fatigue finally hit him. His next punch didn’t even connect with the straw puppet. Instead, it flew to the side as he fell face first onto the arena’s floor.

Ugh... Shit. Xuan grumbled. I haven’t felt this tired since that day I had to run across the entire country with a bag full of guns.

Naturally, had he stopped, he would be executed on the spot. After all, the laws were very strict against guns.

And now, this training session made him just as tired. He even got calluses all over his hands and feet.

But my body does feel sturdier? Or is it my delusions talking? Who knows~? Xuan thought. I guess my actual stats still count for something, but in no way will they bridge the massive gap between me and Spirit Warriors or Spirit Masters.

His thoughts were cut short when someone suddenly grabbed him by collar and lifted him up.

Of course, that certain someone was Huizhen.

"What are you doing...?" Huizhen asked with a frown. "No matter how sturdy your body is, you need rest. Otherwise, you’d be overworking your muscles and crippling yourself."

Xuan scoffed. "Trust me. It’s not my first time doing something so physically taxing. If I let my body rest, then I’ll get lazy."

Huizhen stared at him for a few moments, then let out a sigh. "Do whatever you please. You’re not one of us just yet, so I couldn’t care whether you live or die here. However, the disciples are entering, so get in line."

With those words, he tossed Xuan to the other end of the arena.

To Xuan’s surprise, there were already several dozen monks gathered, and each one sat cross legged with their eyes closed.

"Now now." Huizhen spoke, straightening his posture, his eyes lingering on Xuan. "Everyone must be seated immediately."

Xuan took the hint and sat down right away, paying close attention to what was about to happen.

"Good." Huizhen nodded, scanning the many monks. "You’ve all done splendidly. Those of you who we’ve recruited from this lower world especially. You have blended in amongst the Lower Heaven disciples, and for that, I shall offer you an opportunity."

He walked toward the crowd and tapped the shoulders of exactly nine disciples. Xuan wasn’t sure if he imagined it, but there was a faint glint of pity in Huizhen’s gaze.

Even so, the monks immediately stood up and walked to the front, near the straw puppets.

Huizhen smiled. "All nine of you have been granted permission to enter the Lower Heavens."

The nine monks stared wide eyed, unsure of what to say. Eventually, the shortest one spoke up.

"Head Monk, does that mean we can skip the other worlds?" the monk asked in an excited tone. "Will we join the actual Grand Jade Temple branch?"

"Of course," Huizhen affirmed. "Your progress warrants at least that much. And as a special courtesy... Today, the nine of you will act as instructors."

He turned around, pointing at all the other monks. "You will fight all of them. The one who manages to defeat the most disciples, will get a Spirit Ranked pill."

Hearing that, the nine chosen disciples burst out into cheers, clear excitement on their faces.

On the other hand, Xuan looked like he had just stepped in shit.

This guy definitely did it on purpose. Is he out to get me from day one? Tsk tsk... Xuan grumbled. But so be it. It’s not like I can hide in the shadows anyways.

So with that in mind, Xuan was determined to get this annoyance out of the way.

"Line up accordingly," Huizhen instructed the monks. "Oh, and if someone manages to beat one of the nine disciples I picked out, they will earn their spot in the Lower Heavens. Good luck to you all."

Huizhen flashed everyone a small smirk and vanished from sight, reappearing on a nearby rooftop right beside the bell.

The monks didn’t need anyone to lead them as they gathered in single file lines, facing each one of the nine monks head on.

Then, without warning, the first monk dashed toward one of the nine chosen monks. Without him even being able to land a single hit, his left wrist was broken, and then all it took was a palm to the diaphragm to send him flying off to the side.

Even when there wasn’t a lot of room to fight, the nine monks seemed powerful and composed.

Too composed. I’m fucked. Xuan nodded to himself. Though, Yuelan did get a swordsmanship passive skill. Maybe if I get one as well but for my fists, I’ll be able to compete with these guys.

But that was a plan for another day. Now, he simply waited his turn. After nearly half an hour it was finally time for him to step up.

Xuan was in front of the eighth disciple. It was a surprisingly skinny man with a sharp chin. He looked like a snake at a glance, but Xuan knew that this guy was at least on the high end of Spirit Warrior, if not directly Spirit Master.

The eighth disciple cupped his hands and bowed. He was about to introduce himself, but when he spotted the cuffs on Xuan’s hands, he simply grinned and clicked his tongue.

"Thanks for coming to me. I’ll give you lunch for your sacrifice," the disciple cackled, and entered a fighting stance.

Xuan’s brows twitched as he did the same. Then, like a flash of lightning, the disciple dashed toward him, not giving him much time to react.

Yet Xuan soon realized something. Even if his Qi was sealed inside his Dantian, it was still passively nourishing his body. In turn, his reaction speed remained the same.

But despite him being able to see the attack, it didn’t change the fact that he was too slow to actually react to it.

"Gah!"

His body flew backward, unable to evade the fist in time. He collided against the other monks, nearly toppling them over.

Dazed, Xuan slowly stood up and immediately realized his forearm had fractured, causing a frown to appear on his face.

He glanced over to the disciple who did this to him, but he didn’t even notice Xuan. Instead, he continued fighting the other disciples without a care in the world.

It really was a reality check. He had come here with a very grand goal, but no one was even acknowledging him.

Xuan glanced at his shattered forearm, then clicked his tongue.

I really signed up for some bullshit this time, haven’t I?