Chapter 46

The layered peaks may be real, and the fresh, moist air may be real too.

But nothing can be touched.

After trying for a long time, Lin Mo found he couldn’t reach the stream or climb the mountains behind him—only the winding, twisting mountain path ahead remained open.

Got it—just a predetermined route to clear.

Quite considerate, afraid we’d get lost…

Lin Mo’s lips twitched as he walked straight ahead along the mountain stream path.

The mountain scenery stretched endlessly, like a fairyland on earth.

Too bad, one could only admire from afar, never indulge.

Lin Mo wandered as if strolling through a pre-set trail.

The path wasn’t even bumpy or treacherous.

In less than half an hour, he reached the entrance of a cave.

A foul wind blew from within the cave, sending chills down his spine, accompanied by low growls like those of wild beasts—the atmosphere instantly reached its peak.

So we’re fighting monsters now, huh?

The atmosphere was so intense, he couldn’t help but want to complain.

Before arriving, he’d imagined the Immortal Exam’s secret realm as an ancient ruin or immortal relic brimming with countless opportunities and wonders.

Now it felt utterly disappointing—worse than Qinzhou’s AAA game!

Lin Mo’s lips twitched.

But talk is talk, laughter is laughter—don’t play with your life.

After mentally complaining, he steadied his mind, quickly adjusted his state, and moved closer to the cave entrance.

As soon as he stepped inside, a stench hit him, nearly making him vomit again.

He looked inside and saw a ferocious leopard pacing near the entrance, its body “carved” with intricate patterns, fur bristling, breath exhaling a thick stench of blood.

Lin Mo swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the leopard’s sharp claws, fangs, and tail whip that could snap a man in half.

Clearly, this wasn’t an ordinary leopard—it was a tattooed “big bro.”

Question: How do you act like you know what you’re doing when facing a beast for the first time?

Lin Mo thought for a moment and had no intention of rushing out to fight head-on.

Even though his “Kui Star Stance” had reached the Peak of Mastery, greatly enhancing his physique and reflexes, he still refused to take the risk.

For safety, he’d start with a Thunder Spell—perfect chance to test his new technique.

He pressed his thumb against the Yin seal, clenched his fist to hide his nails, and whispered the incantation:

“Heaven’s thunder rumbles, Earth’s thunder darkens. The Six Jia, the Six Ding, hear my call. Do not linger—bring fortune, descend blessings, eternally guard the Dragon Gods…”

“Go!”

A blue glow faintly emerged from Lin Mo’s hand, then, with a flick of his fingers, a blue lightning bolt shot forth like a startled dragon, striking the spotted leopard with full force.

“Crack!”

The thunder roared—the leopard was hit without warning, its fur instantly torn open, revealing charred flesh beneath.

It staggered a few steps, let out a low whimper, then collapsed helplessly to the ground.

Finally, without ever finding its enemy, it closed its eyes and died in bitter resentment.

【Ding! Successfully slain 1st-rank Spotted Steel-Toothed Leopard ×1, your Immortal Exam score increased!】

As the system notification reached his ears, the beast’s corpse dissolved into spiritual energy, dispersing into the air.

Seems kinda weak?

He thought to himself.

The damage from the “Thunder Spell” was even higher than he expected.

No wonder it’s a mid-tier spell at the Peak of Mastery!

Lin Mo’s face showed a hint of satisfaction.

Yes, in the end, Lin Mo had chosen to primarily upgrade this mid-tier offensive spell.

Aside from the ten thousand-plus merit points spent on Qi Refining cultivation, nearly all remaining merit points went into the “Thunder Spell.”

In the end, the Thunder Spell consumed over seven thousand merit points and rose to the Peak of Perfection.

He’d already tested it in the school gym—its damage was explosive.

The ordinary 1st-rank wooden dummies inside were blown apart halfway, even making the duty teacher think there’d been an electrical explosion.

Now, applied to a beast, the effect was still top-tier.

But the downside was obvious—it drained true qi excessively.

He, at Qi Refining Level 7, had 3,000 true qi points—but one “Thunder Spell” consumed 200.

In other words, even with full true qi, he could only cast fifteen Thunder Spells.

Even counting his natural recovery, he could manage no more than twenty spells per day.

Still need to play it safe…

As Lin Mo calculated in his mind, he hoped the number of beasts wouldn’t be too high.

“Wooohhh!!!”

At that moment, another beast roar echoed from afar, followed by a swarm of beasts surging out of the cave.

The next second, he froze in place.

Inside the cave entrance, dozens of Spotted Steel-Toothed Leopards prowled along the cliff walls.

Foul winds howled, roars rang out—Lin Mo’s scalp prickled, every hair on his body stood on end.

Lucky he hadn’t charged in like a fool.

Otherwise, even if he hadn’t died, he’d have torn his teleportation talisman and abandoned the Immortal Exam.

But here’s the problem…

How do you fight this many beasts?

Lin Mo, stuck outside the cave, pondered carefully—until he noticed the beasts kept rushing but never stepped beyond the cave entrance. Suddenly, inspiration struck.

Could they not leave the cave?

As soon as this thought arose, he no longer hesitated—he immediately formed the hand seals.

“Heaven’s thunder rumbles, Earth’s thunder darkens… Go!”

Another Thunder Spell shot forth—given his high proficiency, the beasts had almost no chance to dodge.

“Crack!”

As expected, after the thunderclap, another Spotted Steel-Toothed Leopard was struck.

“Ooooh~!”

It whimpered and collapsed.

But this time, unlike its “predecessor,” it clearly saw the “old six” standing at the cave entrance.

Not just it—by line of sight, several other Spotted Steel-Toothed Leopards should’ve seen him too.

Yet between them and Lin Mo, it was as if a blurry barrier existed—they showed no reaction whatsoever to him at the cave mouth.

【Ding! Successfully slain 1st-rank Spotted Steel-Toothed Leopard ×1, your Immortal Exam score increased!】

As the system notification sounded again, Lin Mo’s eyes brightened slightly.

Perfect—I can abuse this!

…

…

At the summit of Great Ming Mountain, in the viewing pavilion.

Old Li watched the Immortal Exam candidates vanish one by one from the Ascension Platform, then asked curiously:

“Two Immortal Elders, how long does the Immortal Exam’s secret realm usually last? When will the candidates emerge?”

Meng Xianzhang replied:

“The duration of the Immortal Exam’s secret realm varies each year—sometimes half a day, sometimes eight or nine days. As for when the candidates emerge…”

Here, he looked at Old Li with a meaningful expression and didn’t continue.

Just as Old Li was baffled, a flash of golden light appeared on the Ascension Platform—several candidates reappeared before everyone’s eyes.

Their robes were disheveled, their expressions filled with lingering terror, golden powder still clinging to their fingers—clearly, they’d torn their teleportation talismans to escape the secret realm.

Old Li stared in shock—so fast? Was it even two minutes?

Meng Xianzhang continued:

“Those lacking strength yet insisting on taking the Immortal Exam meet this fate—if they persist, they may lose their lives.”

Old Li’s heart tightened—he immediately scanned the Mirror of Illusions, searching frantically among the returned candidates.

Where’s that kid Lin Mo? Has he already died?!