Chapter 3789: Combat Assessments

The laughter from the previous assessment had barely settled before Little Bull was brought toward the next testing grounds.

This was the section that many elders considered the most important: Combat.

Knowledge could be taught. Techniques could be learned. Experience could be accumulated. But battle instinct was different. Some people possessed a natural understanding of combat that others could never replicate no matter how many years they trained.

The Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect placed great importance on such things, especially for recruits. After all, many disciples eventually became combatants of the sect and some would even join the Immortal Court for all kinds of missions.

A disciple who froze during combat would rarely survive for long. Thus every recruit underwent some form of combat assessment. The methods varied from sect to sect.

Some sects forced recruits to fight one another, others used puppets, and many relied on strength measuring formations. Several famous sects specialized in illusion trials, but the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect employed a combination of methods.

The first was an Illusory Combat Array and the second was direct evaluation by elders. The elder evaluation was reserved for exceptional recruits whose talents warranted closer observation. Ordinary recruits never reached that stage. The illusion array, meanwhile, served as the primary test.

Thousands of participants could enter simultaneously as the risks were minimal and injuries were nonexistent. Everything occurring inside was merely an illusion. But the damage felt real and fear felt real.

The combat itself was real, yet no actual harm came to the participants.

As Little Bull approached the entrance, the Junior Elder explained the rules. "Fight whatever appears."

Little Bull nodded. "What if it wants to eat me?"

The Junior Elder laughed. "Then hit it."

Little Bull grinned. "I can do that."

Several disciples nearby chuckled.

One of the observers shook his head. "I swear this boy only understands fighting and eating."

Meanwhile, above the assessment grounds, countless eyes watched eagerly. This was the test many had been waiting for. The vitality assessment had revealed monstrous physical potential and the affinity assessment had revealed unprecedented talent.

Now they wanted to know if Little Bull could actually fight as they knew natural strength alone was never enough. Many powerful individuals became useless the moment battle began.

Combat instincts separated true fighters from mere talents. Little Bull stepped into the formation as the world changed instantly.

The assessment hall vanished and a vast forest appeared around him. Ancient trees stretched toward the sky, the scent of grass filled the air, birds chirped in the distance and the buzzing of insects could be heard while wind blew gently.

The illusion was convincing enough that ordinary people would never realize it was fake.

Lin Mu glanced around calmly. He had entered countless arrays throughout his life. This one was impressive by normal standards, though far from enough to deceive him. Still, he had no intention of exposing that fact.

Instead he looked around curiously like a villager seeing a new forest.

Then the first opponent appeared: A Spirit Wolf.

Its fur was gray, its body was roughly the size of a normal wolf and it was at the Qi Refining Realm. It was the weakest category available in the assessment.

The wolf growled and lowered itself into a hunting stance while Little Bull blinked.

A moment later, he smiled. "A puppy."

The wolf immediately lunged as its jaws opened wide and sharp fangs aimed for Little Bull’s throat. Before the spectators could properly observe anything, Little Bull stepped forward and threw a punch.

Boom!

The wolf exploded into particles.

One hit. One kill.

The hall became quiet and several disciples blinked.

"Well..."

"That was quick."

A few elders nodded as the result wasn’t surprising to them. Given Little Bull’s earlier displays, defeating a Qi Refining beast should be effortless. Soon the formation shifted as another beast appeared.

It was a Core Condensation Realm Ironback Boar.

The creature charged immediately as its massive tusks tore through the earth. Little Bull waited till the boar reached him before throwing out a fist.

Boom!

The boar exploded!

Another one hit kill!

The spectators exchanged glances.

"Still normal."

"Expected."

The assessment continued as a Nascent Soul Realm Crimson Fang Tiger emerged from the forest. This time the beast moved significantly faster while its claws gleamed with spiritual energy.

The tiger circled Little Bull before pouncing and seeing this the spectators leaned forward slightly. But Little Bull simply turned and waved his hand, letting his fist meet the tiger’s skull.

Crack!

The beast vanished.

It was one hit kill again. Though now, the reactions began changing as several disciples stopped talking and a few elders narrowed their eyes.

The assessment advanced further to the Dao Shell Realm.

A massive Stonehide Rhinoceros emerged and its body resembled a moving fortress. Earth Spirit Qi flowed around its hide, showing the beast’s genuine defensive capabilities.

The rhinoceros charged, making the ground shake. It mowed down several trees, shattering them in the process. But Little Bull was not scared at all and merely planted his feet.

And the moment it was within his range, he punched.

BANG!

The impact created a visible shockwave as the rhinoceros was thrown backward through multiple trees before disintegrating. Seeing this, the spectators fell silent. That punch had looked simple but the force behind it was absurd.

One of the body cultivation elders stroked his beard. "He doesn’t waste movements."

Another nodded. "Direct."

"Efficient." A third elder frowned. "Too efficient."

The beasts continued growing stronger and reached the Dao Treading Realm.

The first beast to genuinely challenge Little Bull’s reactions appeared, a Shadow Wind Leopard. The creature was very fast and the moment it appeared, it vanished into a blur. Even many ordinary immortals struggled to track its movements.

Little Bull swung and missed as the leopard reappeared elsewhere. Several disciples immediately brightened seeing this.

"Finally."

"A challenge for the big guy."

The leopard attacked repeatedly and each strike came from a different direction as Little Bull turned constantly. He looked confused and frustrated, just like a strong villager trying to catch an annoying animal.

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