Tainted will

The bright morning sun shone on Xuan mountain.

Eight days had gone by since Bai Ming had acquired the first place in the assessment.

Right now Bai Ming was on his way towards the academy "Today will be my third time entering the martial scripture hall, I have already completely mastered both the layers of the primeval sword art. Now I can begin to learn the drifting steps movement art. Learning movement arts can increase my ability to survive."

"Learning tyrant fist is just a precaution, if I am in a situation without a sword I would have to depend on my bare hands, But learning drifting steps is my priority." Bai Ming continued to walk toward the academy as he was evaluating his options. A few minutes later he was already at the entrance gate of the academy.

But when he had just entered he noticed that a group of youths were surrounding the academy notice board. These youths had all kinds of expressions some had looks of worry painted across their faces and some looked bloodthirsty and excited. This naturally caught his eye.

He walked towards the notice board, but because of the crowd, he couldn't see it properly. His aura which was completely concealed suddenly bust out like a volcano. The youths who were boisterous suddenly felt great pressure and turned deathly quiet, when they turned their heads to look at the source of this pressure they instinctively made way for him.

Bai Ming was deadpan as he moved forward, only when he was right in front of the notice board did he restrain his aura. He ignored the gazes of the crowd which contained envy, jealousy, displeasure, and fear as he began to read the notice.

"Ten days later the mid-year examination will be held, All students must attend. The objective of the exam is to hunt tier-1 demon beast hell wolf. Those who collect more cores of demon beast will get a better ranking. At the end of the exam, these cores can be exchanged for spirit stones; tier-1 low-grade cores can be exchanged for 4 spirit stones, tier-1 mid-grade cores can be exchanged for 8 spirit stones, As for tier-1 high-grade cores can be exchanged for 15 spirit stones. Furthermore, there is no restriction about hunting in groups and the test will begin in the morning and end at sunset." Bai Ming finished reading the notice as he fell into contemplation.

"Mid-term exam...Every tier 1 high-grade core for 15 spirit stones, this price is very high compared to the market price. This should be the academy encouraging us. Should I buy some cores from the market and take them out during the exam? No, how can it be that easy? There probably will be experts watching us from the dark. If I do something that stupid I will definitely get caught, it's not worth the risk."

"Right now I am in the 6th layer of the bone forging realm and have mastered primeval sword art which allows me to just barely contest and avoid dying quickly against a high-grade tier 1 demon beast. There still are 10 days left for the exam, I will break through within two days reaching the 7th layer and I have confidence in learning the drifting steps till initial mastery before the exam. But just this much won't allow me to have absolute victory, But with some effort, there is a decent chance of winning, because demon beasts lack human intelligence, at the end of the day they are just stupid animals."

Tier-1 demon beast in strength are similar to bone forging realm cultivators, low-grade teir 1 beast has strength ranging from 1st to 3rd layer of bone forging realm, and mid-grade tier 1 beast similarly has strength ranging from 4th and 6th layer, the same applies to the high-grade tier 1 demon beast having the strength between last three layers.

"But why do I suddenly have this feeling of unease?" Bai Ming slightly shook his head as he continued to walk towards the scripture hall. His heart felt a bit of unrest.

10 minutes later in the scripture hall.

Bai Ming began to check for the drifting steps art, he first checked at the place where he had placed it last time. But seeing that it wasn't there he began to search the other shelf, but it wasn't there either. He then placed his attention on the youths, After carefully inspecting he saw that a beautiful young girl had taken it. She was reading the book with a serious look which made her appear even more enchanting.

Bai Ming's gaze turned slightly cold, he moved towards her with steady steps. He stopped when he was right in front of her, he spoke plainly "Classmate would you mind letting me borrow this book, I already had an eye on it long ago."

Lin Lan was startled, she never expected the aloof Bai Ming to talk to her. She always thought that Bai Ming was very mysterious but that's all, she replied in a timid and loveable voice " Classmate Bai I am at a crucial moment in comprehending this art, how about this I will give it to you in the next visit.."

Before she could even finish her words, a demonic hand placed itself on her snow-white neck, at the same time slowly pressing it with force. Lin Lan's expression changed, her pupils shrunk to pin size, and her voice was full of panic "Classmate Bai what are you doing?!"

Bai Ming's eyes were cold and ruthless as he stared her in the eye, his face showing a sickening smile as if he was taking immense pleasure in this. His hold on her neck grew stronger.

"Can't breathe, someone help! please help! " Lin lan already had difficulty breathing. Her tender hands gasped at Bai Ming's hand, trying to get free. But Bai Ming's hand was strong like steel, they were unmoving.

The surrounding youths were incomparably stunned watching the scene before them but when they heard Lin Lan crying for help, anger flooded their veins.

But before they could even take a step they froze, their anger was replaced by deep fear when they saw Bai Ming's demonic crimson irises which shone with cruelty and desire for blood staring back at them. They subconsciously lowered their heads not daring to look at him directly.

Bai Ming's grip was getting stronger, Lin Lan's eyes were full of tears. She wanted to scream but was incapable. She then started to resist fiercely, for she was really suffocating!

Just when Bai Ming was about to loosen his iron grip, there was one courageous youth who couldn't take it anymore, He ran towards Bai Ming shouting loudly, and swung his fist at Bai Ming.

Bai Ming snorted coldly, he threw Lin Lan against the shelf like a piece of rotten meat. Then he caught the boy's arriving fist with ease. His right palm furiously cut forward. His movements were quick and precise as they hit the brave youth's neck in a chopping motion. Instantly the youth's vision darkened as he directly fainted on the spot.

Bai Ming didn't waste much time as he walked toward the pitiful Lin Lan. She was violently coughing nonstop, her breathing irregular. But when Bai Ming's shadow cast on her she forgot to breathe. She slowly raised her head looking at Bai Ming with pure terror on her face.

Bai Ming looked at her gently as he placed one of his hands forward.

When she saw Bai Ming's gentleness her body and soul started to tremble. For a second her entire life flashed before her eyes, the regret in her heart growing deeper.

But she noticed that Bai Ming's hand was stationary, she quickly understood his meaning. She tried her best to lift the book with both of her trembling hands and placed it on Bai Ming's palm.

After receiving the book, Bai Ming turned around and walked away. He chose a vacant corner to sit down. From here he could observe everyone in the hall.

It wasn't that Bai Ming desired to act like a cold and heartless person, but if need be he would gladly become a cruel individual. He wanted to learn the fist technique quickly before the exams, how could he waste time by letting her practice?

Bai Ming unquestionably didn't want incur public rage but he had to do it for his safety, he didn't dare underestimate the dangers lurking in the mountains after all the death of his mother had a lot do with demon beasts.

As for being afraid of the academy elder punishing him for his barbaric act, Bai Ming couldn't care much about it. Of course, he did consider a few things before acting so unrestrained. He had already collected information about the family members of his classmates long ago and since that girl had no core formation realm experts in her family, Bai Ming wasn't really restricted. And he also didn't really injure Lin Lan physically, as for the boy he only knocked him unconscious. Since it was only a littel scruffle between classmates, the academy elder wouldn't really be heavy-handed when dealing with Bai Ming. At most Bai Ming would get suffer a littel beating or would just be scolded and made to apologize publicly.

After sitting down, he stared in direction of the youths calmly. He saw that Lin Lan's face was pale as paper, her body still trembling. But she tremblingly neared the fallen youth, then with her quivering arms, she tried to help the youth.

Bai Ming retracted his gaze, he spoke mentally

"Such a caring girl, how cute." he then began to comprehend drifting steps.