In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

"As many of you have probably guessed, we have indeed discovered a hideout that harbors a large number of remnants of the Longevity Cult."

Jiao Lu still had a faint smile on his face and continued to speak to everyone: "Of course, you don't need to worry. These are just a few that slipped through the net. Most of them haven't entered the rank, and although a few have entered the rank, they are basically all at the ninth rank. There are only a handful at the eighth rank at most."

"With your strength, I believe you should have no problem wiping out these remnants of the Longevity Cult."

Upon hearing his words, everyone couldn't help but show expressions of anticipation.

It should be noted that everyone present was a true genius, and most of them possessed first-class physical attributes. Even those with super-first-class physical attributes numbered no less than a handful.

Although he has only been in the Martial Academy for three short months, he has already made great progress thanks to the academy's techniques and resources.

Even though most people were born with a foundation of iron or copper, and directly rose to the eighth rank, it was enough for them to easily deal with these remnants of the Longevity Cult.

As for those top-tier geniuses who rose to the eighth rank with their golden foundation, they were already eager to compete for contributions.

"As with the previous trial missions, you can earn 100 contribution points by capturing or killing any unranked remnants of the Longevity Cult, 500 for rank 9, and 1,000 for rank 8. Once you have accumulated 1,000 contribution points, you can pass this freshman assessment and enter the inner academy."

Jiao Lu's gaze swept over the crowd, and he smiled, "From now on, how much contribution you can gain depends on your individual abilities!"

"Set off!"

As Jiao Lu finished speaking, the group walked out of the martial arts academy in a grand procession.

"Brother Lu Yuan, those remnants of the Longevity Cult seem to be different from ordinary martial artists. Even those who haven't reached the rank of martial artist have extremely tough bodies, and it's difficult to really hurt them with ordinary methods."

As Zheng Xu continued walking with the crowd, he turned to Lu Yuan and said something.

"Indeed, if we hadn't meditated on the Boundless Jade Wall for half a month at Bright Moon Manor and reached the Qi Realm, we probably wouldn't have been able to deal with even the remnants of the Longevity Sect who were at the ninth rank."

Zhang Hu nodded with a somewhat solemn expression.

"What's even stranger is that they seem impervious to pain and death, and the blood they bleed is a disgusting green. If they didn't all have the same appearance as us, we would really mistake them for demonic monsters!"

"Do you think demons and monsters really exist in this world?"

Both Zheng Xu and Zhang Hu showed a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

"This world is vast; demons and monsters may very well exist!"

Lu Yuan pondered to himself.

Even the entire Great Zhou Dynasty is but a small corner of this world.

He has only reached the seventh rank, and may not yet be qualified to come into contact with demons and monsters.

Of course, whether that's true or not, all he can do is continuously strengthen himself.

……

After leaving the county town, the group, led by Jiao Lü, arrived at the edge of a canyon.

"Those remnants of the Longevity Cult have been surrounded in this canyon. You only need to enter the valley and wipe them out!"

Jiao Lu turned to look at everyone, a smile on his face, and continued, "Remember, whether you apprehend them or kill them outright, you must bring them out!"

Everyone nodded, and then rushed into the canyon.

These remnants of the Longevity Cult inside all made contributions.

It not only concerns whether they can pass today's freshman assessment, but also whether they can quickly obtain more and better resources after entering the inner academy.

Lu Yuan was no exception. After entering the canyon, he discovered that there were many caves of various sizes under the cliffs on both sides, which were extremely suitable for hiding people.

Without hesitation, he randomly chose a cave and went straight inside.

Immediately, a bloody stench assaulted the senses, and one could even see severed limbs scattered everywhere.

After advancing to the seventh rank, Lu Yuan's five senses were enhanced once again.

Both their visual and auditory senses are extremely sharp.

Although the cave was pitch black, it did not affect him in the slightest.

"call out!"

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound rang out.

Almost simultaneously, a sharp finger bone came straight at Lu Yuan's face.

He merely trembled slightly, grabbed a fleeting shadow, and easily dodged it.

The next moment, he also raised his hand and waved.

A throwing knife pierced through the void and disappeared into the depths of darkness in an instant.

"laugh!"

With a soft thud, a dark figure fell to the ground.

Lu Yuan walked over and saw a middle-aged man with a somewhat ferocious face lying on the ground with his eyes wide open.

A small knife was deeply embedded between his eyebrows.

Sure enough, streaks of green blood kept oozing from the wound.

Even if these remnants of the Longevity Cult are not demons, they have probably practiced evil arts and are no longer normal people. No wonder they are being frantically hunted down by various forces.

Without delay, Lu Yuan first put the knife back, then searched the body briefly but found nothing useful. He then picked up the corpse and walked out.

As soon as he stepped out of the cave, he found that there were already quite a few people there, all carrying corpses and walking quickly out, just like him.

"Ninth rank, 500 contribution points!"

Jiao Lu glanced at the corpse in Lu Yuan's hand and immediately recorded 500 contribution points for him.

It's unclear whether they had memorized his appearance beforehand or possessed a special method that allowed them to discern his true cultivation level at a glance.

Lu Yuan didn't dwell on it and returned to the canyon.

He only needs to capture or kill one more ninth-rank remnant of the Longevity Cult to accumulate enough contribution points to pass this new student assessment.

Of course, he is about to enter the inner court, so the more contributions he makes, the better.

Before long, Lu Yuan heard a slight noise coming from inside a cave.

Immediately, his body trembled, and he entered the cave.

Just as they stepped into the cave, they discovered that Jiang Ying was walking out.

"There's no one inside, let's go!"

Jiang Ying smiled and said directly.

However, Lu Yuan continued to stare straight at Jiang Ying, showing no intention of turning away.

"If you really want to, this place isn't out of the question..."

Jiang Ying blinked, and then her whole body went limp as she lunged towards Lu Yuan.

Her eyes showed no trace of girlish innocence, but rather an alluring charm.

But as she approached Lu Yuan, the allure in her eyes vanished, replaced by coldness and ruthlessness.

A cold glint flashed, and a dark dagger appeared in Jiang Ying's hand.

It was clearly coated with a potent poison, capable of causing immediate death upon contact with blood.

"You're smiling without fangs? I can tell you're not her at a glance!"

At this moment, Lu Yuan remained completely calm, and then swung his sword directly.

Unsurprisingly, blood splattered everywhere.

The "Jiang Ying" on the ground suddenly began to move, revealing a rather beautiful young face.

Cracking sounds emanated from within his body, and he eventually regained his true form.

"Disguise and bone-shrinking techniques."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. He had seen descriptions of this disguise technique and bone-shrinking skill in a miscellaneous secret manual before. It could replicate another person with 99% accuracy.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ying's smile reveals her little tiger teeth, and she doesn't throw herself at him; otherwise, he might not have been able to tell the difference.

Instead of leaving immediately, Lu Yuan continued deeper into the cave.

"This is……"

Suddenly, Lu Yuan's gaze sharpened slightly.

……