Sorry, I'm Slightly Better Below

Chapter 24: Slightly Better

As everyone's gaze turned towards him, Chen Ze furrowed his brow and took out his Demon-sensing Disk.

To be honest, although he was stronger than Xiao Qing, his strength was still limited, which didn't meet his expectations.

Originally, he had planned to be ahead of the second place by 40-50% in the first three days, then slowly let others catch up a bit in the following seven days, and finally secure the second position.

But he didn't expect these senior brothers to be so capable, only allowing him to lead by a small margin.

"It seems like everyone is not simple," Chen Ze muttered to himself.

If the demonic energy of a low-level Demonic Cultivator was used as a standard, his Demon-sensing Disk contained the demonic energy of about forty Demonic Cultivators.

One gatekeeper was equivalent to more than ten low-level Demonic Cultivators, and with the hidden ones in the formation, he had obtained the demonic energy of about thirty low-level Demonic Cultivators from the Xue family.

The rest was obtained through normal means, totaling about ten people.

In other words, if he diligently used the Demon-sensing Disk to search for Demonic Cultivators, even if he didn't sleep, he would only barely reach the level of Pill and Weapon Peak's disciples.

It should be noted that his true cultivation level was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and his efficiency in killing was far beyond the disciples of Fallen Cloud Peak's Pill and Weapon Peak.

...

While Chen Ze was silently calculating in his mind, everyone also looked at his Demon-sensing Disk. With just one glance, the expressions on their faces became quite interesting.

Shock, disbelief, and astonishment!

What is going on?

The atmosphere in the pavilion became eerily quiet.

Xu Weiran, being more honest, was the first to break the silence.

"So many!"

As soon as she spoke, the others finally reacted.

Just by looking at the demonic energy in the Demon-sensing Disk, this unknown disciple of Rising Cloud Peak, Chen Shidi, actually had more demonic energy than Senior Brother Xiao!

After confirming that they hadn't made a mistake, Yan Qing widened his eyes.

Not getting first place is one thing, but third place?

Did I slack off?

Wei Zhen and Wei Jie exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

We even contacted the undercover agents of the Demon Dao, and we only managed to get fourth place?

Is there any justice in this?

Xiao Qing's thoughts were similar to these two brothers.

He had received support from his father's intelligence, killed a seventh level Qi Refining cultivator in anger, and yet he was only in second place, and it wasn't even stable?

Everyone looked at each other, all wearing expressions as if the sky had fallen.

...

"Senior Brother Chen, what... what is going on?" Yang Guanglu from Pill and Weapon Peak couldn't help but ask.

Although they had an advantage throughout the entire trial due to the Demon-sensing Disk, they couldn't withstand such a large gap after only three days.

"Uh... I accidentally discovered a formation that isolates demonic energy. There were a bunch of Demonic Cultivators hidden inside... Hehe, it's quite embarrassing for all the senior brothers and junior brothers to see," Chen Ze said, taking out the formation diagram of the Demon-sealing Formation from his storage bag and throwing it onto the table in the pavilion to prove that he wasn't lying.

After everyone took a look, Xiao Qing asked in a deep voice, "You single-handedly killed everyone inside the formation?"

"That formation was extremely sealed, and I had some poisonous pills on me. I casually threw a few in, and they all died. Hehe, it was just luck. Please don't mind," Chen Ze said, arching his hand.

After hearing this, everyone fell into silence again, unable to help but feel doubtful.

Luck?

This luck is too good!

Could it be that this person also has support behind him?

...

"Junior Brother Chen, you do have good luck," Xiao Qing finally spoke up after a moment of silence.

Since the situation had already developed to this point, he had no choice but to accept reality.

As for whether Chen Ze's luck was real or not, it would be revealed in three days.

Regardless, he had to come up with a different plan for the next three days.

Because for him, anything other than first place meant that this trial had already failed.

And now, there were three groups of people who posed a threat to him.

With this in mind, Xiao Qing felt an unprecedented amount of pressure.

Because he knew very well that if two of these three groups accidentally surpassed him, he would undoubtedly become the laughingstock of the entire outer sect.

Similarly, Yan Qing, Wei Zhen, and Wei Jie also felt the pressure multiplied.

For this trial, they and their respective families have made significant sacrifices. If they fail to enter the top two in the end, they will suffer a great loss.

"Now that everyone has an idea, let's disperse and meet again in three days at noon. I hope no one will be late."

After saying that, he glanced at Liu Ming and Jin He from Fallen Cloud Peak, then looked at Yang Guanglu and Tao Zhiquan from Pill and Weapon Peak before leaving the pavilion.

"I'll take my leave as well."

Yan Qing also glanced at the four of them and left with a solemn expression.

"Goodbye."

The others got up one after another, and soon only Chen Ze and Xu Weiran were left in the pavilion.

"Senior Brother Chen, I... I also need to go."

This time, Xu Weiran made progress and didn't wait until the last person to leave.

"Go ahead."

Chen Ze waved his hand and started thinking about the strategy for the next three days.

...

A moment later, outside the mansion walls, Xiao Qing stood quietly under a big tree.

Liu Ming and Jin He walked over when they saw this.

In just three days, these two had already seen the situation clearly.

They realized that there was no hope for them to enter the top three no matter what.

The world was so realistic, and hard work alone was useless.

They struggled for a while, only to prove this truth once again.

But they had their own way of survival, which was the experience taught to them by their senior brothers and sisters from Fallen Cloud Peak.

"Senior Brother Xiao, I wonder why you called us..."

Liu Ming was about to greet, but Xiao Qing interrupted, "Junior Brother Liu, Junior Brother Jin, let's not beat around the bush.

There is no hope for the two of you to compete for the top three. As for the rankings after that, they all contribute fifty points, which is not very meaningful.

So instead of wasting the next few days, why not come and support me?

I promise that regardless of the outcome, after the trial is over, I will exchange resources worth fifty contribution points for each of you. How about that?"

"Since Senior Brother Xiao is so straightforward, I will also be frank.

In addition to the fifty contribution points, after Senior Brother Xiao is promoted to an inner disciple, he will also need to take us on two slightly more difficult tasks."

Liu Ming also spoke frankly.

When they left just now, Yan Qing also gave them a signal. If they went to Yan Qing at this time, Yan Qing could probably offer fifty contribution points as well.

But they preferred to choose Xiao Qing.

Because Xiao Qing was ultimately the strongest among them, with the greatest potential for the future.

By establishing a good relationship with Xiao Qing in advance, they could gain more benefits in the future.

"Alright, I agree.

In that case, if I can take first place in this trial, we can spend more time together after we return, doing tasks together."

Xiao Qing immediately promised.

"Good, it's a deal."

Liu Ming and Jin He smiled. At this moment, the pressure in their hearts suddenly decreased.

No matter the outcome of this trial, they had already earned more than one hundred contribution points each.

"I wonder how Senior Brother Xiao wants us to help you?"

After reaching an agreement, Liu Ming asked again.

"For the first three days, I will search for nine hours each day and rest for three hours. How about this, for the next three days, when I'm resting, the two of you can use my Demon-Sensing Disk to search for Demonic Cultivators.

And during the nine hours that I'm searching, besides resting, you can help me investigate any relevant clues about Demonic Cultivators. It would be best if you can capture a few Demonic Cultivators for me to kill. How about that?"

After a moment of thought, Xiao Qing said.

Liu Ming nodded, then solemnly promised, "Okay, Senior Brother Xiao, rest assured, we won't take advantage of you for nothing. We will do our best in this trial to help you take first place!"

"Good, I appreciate it."

Xiao Qing arched his hand and then looked in the direction of the mansion gate.

Seeing that the two from Pill and Weapon Peak hadn't come, he had a clear understanding.

Those two were either still holding onto illusions or had joined Yan Qing or the Wei brothers.

But he was more inclined to believe that they still held onto illusions.

Because he had seen their expressions before, and it was obvious that they hadn't given up hope.

Thinking of this, he didn't continue to wait and turned to Liu Ming and Jin He.

"Junior Brothers, let's go. We need to make good use of our time."

Thank you for your monthly votes and recommendations. Please continue to support and vote for this story.

Thank you to the reader with the ID 20210827163908424 for the ten thousand-point reward.

(End of this chapter)