frightfiction Chapter 126 Leaving No Trace in the Snow
Chapter 126 Leaving No Trace in the Snow
In the backyard of the Xiao family, a secret passage leads underground.
The instructors led all the trainees into the secret passage, while the others went to the council hall.
The council chamber has a large screen that clearly shows the view below the secret passage.
The secret passage leads down to a hidden world, a mechanism designed by the Xiao family ancestors, ingenious in every detail.
"There are seven levels ahead. Based on your performance, you will receive one of four ratings: A, B, C, or D. If you encounter danger and want to give up, shout 'I give up!' Your score will be based on the previous levels."
After the instructors finished their introduction, they were allowed to begin the challenge.
Apart from Xiao Chen and Xiao Yichen, everyone else was under immense pressure.
Xiao Feifei and Xiao Lin were afraid of receiving a grade C rating and losing their eligibility to be seeded.
Others were afraid of being rated as "D" (low-level), so even if they went to the main family, they would only be there as bystanders and wouldn't get any resources.
"I'll give it my all! I have to get at least a C grade!" Xiao Qiang and Xiao Xiong gritted their teeth, their faces filled with ruthlessness.
Xiao Chen glanced at them.
According to memories from my previous life, this trial was actually more difficult than everyone thought.
Only Xiao Yichen received a Grade A, Xiao Yaheng received a Grade B, the other two seeds received a Grade C, and the rest received a Grade D.
In the words of the Xiao family's senior members, the overall quality of this generation of disciples is not very good.
"You two, come here," Xiao Chen called out.
"Chen Ye, what are your orders?" Xiao Qiang and Xiao Xiong approached and asked cautiously.
After Xiao Chen became a seed, they became even more respectful towards him.
"One pill each, swallow them." Xiao Chen took out two pills and handed them to the two of them.
"Master Chen, what is this?" The two asked curiously.
"Just eat it." Xiao Chen was too lazy to explain.
Without any hesitation, the two swallowed it.
"Do your best, don't force yourself," Xiao Chen said before walking forward.
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
This kind of trial, whether you want to or not, is a chance to change your destiny.
Soon the group arrived at the first checkpoint.
The road ahead is paved with square floor tiles.
Xiao Yichen walked over without pausing for a moment.
When he stepped on the paving stones, the first one was fine, but the second one sank in.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..." Hidden weapons suddenly shot out from the left and right holes at great speed.
Xiao Yichen moved with graceful ease, as fluid as a swimming dragon, and various hidden weapons couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes.
"Is the first level this tough?" The various flying projectiles made the faces of the people behind turn pale.
Xiao Yichen had an easy life, but it was difficult for them.
If you get shot, at best you'll lose flesh and bleed, at worst you could lose your life...
"With your protective gear, you won't die," the instructor's voice came.
Looking at the protective gear that could only cover the vital areas, everyone felt like crying.
Xiao Yichen passed the test quickly, without even turning his head, and continued on his way.
"Look at our Yichen, how elegant and powerful he is! Can anyone else compare to him?" Xiao Yiyi looked at the screen with a face full of pride and fascination.
The second group to attempt the challenge were Xiao Feifei and Xiao Lin.
The two people taking turns supporting each other can reduce the difficulty.
They worked together seamlessly and passed the first challenge quickly.
He looked relaxed, but his face was actually covered in sweat.
After all three could no longer see him, Xiao Chen set off.
He didn't make any big movements; he just walked straight past as usual.
Even after they finished walking, not a single hidden weapon was fired.
"Holy crap! What kind of luck is this? It's unbelievable!" The crowd behind him stared wide-eyed.
Those who were interested quickly noted down Xiao Chen's footsteps, preparing to imitate him.
"Cheating! Xiao Chen is definitely cheating!" Xiao Yiyi, who was watching the screen, couldn't stand it anymore and shouted.
"How could not a single mechanism be triggered? Who would believe it if you said it wasn't a conspiracy!" she shrieked.
“Every trial in the first branch family is absolutely fair. If you have any questions, you can go to the main family to discuss them,” Xiao Yuanshan said coldly.
Xiao Yiyi then fell silent, her face full of resentment.
Turning his head, Xiao Yuanshan's eyes revealed a hint of shock.
Facing the probing gaze of the Xiao family patriarch, he uttered four words meaningfully: "Leaving no trace in the snow!"
The head of the Xiao family shuddered violently.
Leave no trace in the snow...
That's an extremely high level of lightness skill, and very few people can reach it.
Has Xiao Chen, at such a young age, already reached the pinnacle of lightness skill?
He walked right over the mechanism without triggering it—something even Xiao Yuanshan himself couldn't have done...
How many more surprises does Xiao Chen have in store for them?
"Ouch……"
"I...I abstain!"
"too difficult!"
After Xiao Chen went over, the others took turns trying.
They had it much harder, getting shot by hidden weapons and crying out in pain.
No one passed...
Only Xiao Qiang and Xiao Xiong remained, hesitant.
Both of them were sweating profusely, and their legs were trembling.
"No matter what, let's give it a shot!" The two looked at each other and followed Xiao Feifei and Xiao Lin's example, stepping onto the stone bricks one after the other.
"Whoosh whoosh..."
The hidden weapon was launched, full of threat.
Instinctively, the two twisted their bodies to dodge.
Then they dodged it and weren't hurt.
"what?"
"I wasn't hit?"
Xiao Qiang and Xiao Xiong were both stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
They were aware of their own limitations; given their abilities, it would be nearly impossible for them to dodge such a fast-moving projectile.
But now, both of them easily dodged...
"What's going on? I feel like the hidden weapon isn't going as fast as it used to..."
"I also feel much more agile."
The two looked at each other and were both startled.
They remembered the small pills that Xiao Chen had given them.
"It's Master Chen..." The two realized what was happening and were overjoyed.
Who would have thought that those two pills would have such a great effect, improving them so much?
"Medicines that enhance strength are very precious, and Master Chen actually gave them to us..." The two were incredulous, their hearts filled with gratitude towards Xiao Chen.
With renewed confidence, they continued onward.
Just like before, the hidden weapons couldn't hurt them, and even after they passed the test, the two of them still couldn't quite believe it.
"Passed, now Grade C." The instructor's voice brought them back to reality.
Passing the first hurdle means you'll get a grade C.
"Great!" the two cheered.
Filled with excitement, we continued onward.
The second and third levels are still the same old traps and hidden weapons, the only difference being the increased speed and quantity.
Xiao Yichen, as always, passed the test with ease.
Xiao Chen adhered to the principle of not getting a single leaf on him and passed through without any reaction.
In the second challenge, Xiao Feifei and Xiao Lin were in a flurry of activity but managed to get through it safely.
The third challenge was difficult for the two, and they had to stop and catch their breath several times.
When Xiao Chen, lagging behind, floated past them, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
They could see clearly that Xiao Chen had stepped on the places they had walked on, but there was no reaction.
The two could only watch Xiao Chen walk away unwillingly, until his figure disappeared from sight.
"Did he... cheat?" Xiao Lin was very indignant.
He really didn't want to admit that Xiao Chen was better than him.
“I’ve heard that there’s a realm called ‘walking on snow without leaving a trace,’ but I never expected to see it in him. He’s not from the same world as us…” Xiao Feifei said with a bitter expression.
"Generally speaking, only those above the Martial Arts Grandmaster level can reach that level. Those who are not Martial Arts Grandmasters and can reach it are all exceptionally talented, and he is clearly one of them."
"What?" Xiao Lin's face turned pale, both surprised and distressed.
"What kind of monster is Xiao Chen? The Nancheng branch family doesn't have any lineage..."
He cried out in frustration, his expression dejected.