Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 167: Test

Liam’s focused expression told the Disciplinary Elder that the test had started, so he diverted his attention to address the other disciples.

"You can disperse," The Disciplinary Elder declared. "The Black Bow’s test is long and arduous. You won’t see any results today."

"Disciplinary Elder," Joel called before the Elder could turn. "The Sect’s records state that time flows quickly inside the test. Won’t that make immediate results possible?"

"Disciple Joel, your research is accurate," The Disciplinary Elder praised, crossing his arms to wear a stern stance, "But incomplete."

The Elder looked at the sitting disciple again, and everyone on the plateau followed his gaze.

"The Black Bow’s maker famously believed that cultivators’ overreliance on Qi hindered the pursuit of true skill," The Disciplinary Elder revealed. "The test reflects that belief, depriving a cultivator of Qi, physical enhancements, and inborn advantages."

Surprise spread among the audience. The Qi was the foundation of the cultivation world. Learning to use that energy was the first requirement for a cultivator, and its continuous circulation became the norm after that step.

Yet, the Black Bow seemed to reduce cultivators to mortals, depriving them of the skills that made them superior existences to test something else.

"The test is a challenge of mental endurance and pure archery skills," The Elder explained. "It features targets that multiply with each cleared round. From one, to two, to four, to tens of thousands, purposely hiding how many the challenger has to overcome."

That short description already highlighted plenty of difficulties, especially on the mental side. The lack of a clear goalpost could drive anyone crazy, crushing their resolve while the targets reached unfathomable numbers.

"To make things worse," The Disciplinary Elder exclaimed, "Missing a target restarts the test, forcing challengers to face rounds they have already overcome again."

The additional requirement made the test border torture. It was more than challenging. It was soul-crushing.

"Disciple Liam might indeed be experiencing entire hours in the span of seconds," The Disciplinary Elder commented, "But his failures would eventually drain him mentally and force him to come out."

The four rooting experts felt ready to leave at that explanation. They had wanted to see the Sect’s genius in action, but the day promised to be uneventful, and they had a better use for their time.

However, Joel remained in his position, his unwavering stance claiming his Brothers and Sisters’ attention, acting as a silent declaration.

"Disciple Joel, fear not," The Disciplinary Elder reassured at that stance. "It is my duty to watch over Disciple Liam during the test. I won’t let him drain himself senseless."

The Elder had mistaken Joel’s stance for care, only for the following question to reveal his misunderstanding.

"Disciplinary Elder," Joel called. "If I may, how long did the last owner take to tame the Black Bow?"

"Two weeks," The Disciplinary Elder responded, "With one spent resting completely. Disciple Joel, Disciple Liam may be exceptional, but this test is something that talent can’t affect."

"Disciplinary Elder, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Junior Brother’s archery skills," Joel stated. "If it’s all the same, I’d request to remain here."

Joel’s stance affected the other rooting experts. His behavior vouched for Liam, making them believe that something incredible might happen soon, removing any idea of departure.

The Elder didn’t try to contradict Joel. In a way, he even understood that faith in Liam, no matter how misplaced it was.

Liam had indeed achieved incredible feats, even showcasing pristine battle sense and training. The last part hinted at a dark history, but that was beside the point.

The Elder believed that Liam could be good at archery, but he remained young. Liam couldn’t have possibly had the time to master that with his fighting prowess. One had to give, and the Elder knew which.

Of course, the Elder also believed that Liam would eventually become good enough to clear the Black Bow’s test. It would simply take some time.

"Very well," The Disciplinary Elder exclaimed, turning toward Melissa. "Disciple Melissa, ignore your Brothers and Sisters and begin with the advanced offensive stances."

The Disciplinary Elder was ready to hear Melissa’s usual dutiful cry, even preparing a satisfied nod, only for silence to ensue. Surprisingly, she diverted her detached gaze, looking at the sitting figure behind him.

The Elder was about to don his sternest stance. He couldn’t stand for such distracted disciples, but the groan that reached his ears made him fall prey to that same trend.

"Why did they have to spin so quickly?" Liam groaned, almost losing his balance, stopping himself from falling back by placing his hands on the ground.

Liam squinted his eyes, and his dizziness quickly receded. He regained his bearings enough to stand up, ignoring his surroundings to explore the new information in his brain.

’It sounds powerful,’ Liam thought, his gaze eventually falling on an isolated training dummy.

Truth be told, the Disciplinary Elder felt disappointed. He knew Liam couldn’t have possibly succeeded on his first day, but he had expected him to have a far higher mental endurance.

Giving up so quickly spoke poorly for Liam’s resolve, making the Elder reconsider his opinion of him. However, everything soon turned out to be another misunderstanding.

’Let’s try with just a bit of Qi,’ Liam considered, pulling on the heavy string.

The black string was truly heavy, but Liam’s Qi-enhanced physical strength sufficed to draw it. Meanwhile, a small amount of his energy flowed into the bow, giving birth to a dark, ethereal arrow.

Unlike Maxwell’s weapon, the green tones were absent now, but Liam didn’t dwell on that and released the arrow, hitting the dummy right in its wooden head.

Yet, a mere fraction of a second after the ethereal arrow pierced the wood, an explosion unfolded, sending splinters everywhere, leaving the dummy headless.

’Finally!’ Liam cried in his mind, looking at the Black Bow from behind his blinding smile. ’Finally something cool!’

Liam couldn’t indulge in that giddy mood since he soon became aware of the many looks on him, the heaviest eventually drawing him to the Elder’s stern face.

"Disciple Liam," The Elder called at that direct look, unable to suppress his surprise completely, "For you to complete the test so quickly, how many times did you repeat it?"

Liam blinked, not sure what to say, but trying anyway. "Disciplinary Elder, do I have to repeat the test?"

As impossible as it was, the Elder felt he understood something, prompting a more direct question. "How many times did you miss?"

Liam tilted his head in confusion. He had yet to finish exploring the new information in his brain, but addressing the Elder took priority.

"Disciplinary Elder," Liam muttered, "Why would I miss?"