The legendary warrior novel Chapter 23

Life was as fragile as glass if it were to be handled by the disciples from the three major factions.

Ricky had knowingly prepared for a life full of danger, yet he knew that if he fell at the mercy of core disciples or Elders, his life would quickly collapse into peril.

Fortunately, they couldn't dare act rashly inside the fields of the Snow Sect.

"The Outer Competition is about to begin," mumbled Ricky, lost in his thoughts. "It'll be inevitable to go out and train if I were to hope for progress. The only problem is, I'd be facing ambushes by large groups of disciples of Blood Purification," he sighed. There was no use in pondering over the outcomes of his possible demise.

The only thing he could do now was to dedicate all his time to improving his strength.

The following day, Grace came back and gave him a token. He appraised its blood-red color and the engraved lion's head on its surface with curiosity and slight bafflement in his gaze.

"Master, what's this?" Ricky asked.

"The token of Iron Blood Trial in Lion King Castle!" she exclaimed in enthusiasm. "That's where I'm going to take you."

He grew more confused and sheepish at his lack of knowledge. "That castle… Master, I'm afraid I haven't heard of it."

"Let's talk as we walk along."

Grace summoned a Snow Vulture as their ride, and left the Snow Sect together.

On the way, she briefed Ricky on the origins of the Lion King Castle and the Iron Blood Trial.

A demi-immortal had built the castle in the far north of the Snow Sect hundreds of years ago.

It had saved an innate spiritual animal; a holy lion with the blood of the heavens, comparable to the intrinsic spirit of human beings.

To repay this act of kindness, the lion set up the Sacred Blood Pond in the Lion King Castle.

He swore an oath; a promise to be fulfilled every fifty years, where the lion grants three drops of blood essence to fuse with the pool and condense it to three pieces of Sacred Blood Crystal. Later on, it was proven that it helped warriors to enter the Innate Spiritual Realm.

It turned into a hugely coveted item, and so to qualify one's entry to the Sacred Blood Pond, one must complete the Iron Blood Trial of the Lion King Castle and secure one of the three top spots in the test.

However, with this year's trial marking the end of the spiritual lion's promise, the chances of surpassing the numerous participating applicants may prove to be slim.

"Lion King Castle… Sacred Blood Crystal!"

Ricky paid no heed to the downside of Grace's narrative. He was excited; his focus solely settled on the image of him acquiring the desired crystal.

The benefits were crucial for his current state, and he would do his absolute best to receive it.

"You must understand; rare goods attract the greed of many, especially the ones who nurture it. The biggest predators will be there, so we only have ten plausible places to join in for the Iron Blood Trial that will still be within the protection of our Snow Sect," Grace continued gravely. Seeing her expression, Ricky felt the firmness of his resolve and gratefulness for his master swell in his chest.

"Thank you, Master!"

He knew he was indebted to her, aware of how much time she must have spent to grant him the opportunity to enter the exam.

He finally understood why she seemed so busy these days, given the countless interested outer disciples in Snow Sect alone.

"If you want to thank me, complete the trial first and take one of those Sacred Blood Crystals!" she said, glancing at Ricky's determined expression.

"Master, don't worry. I'll definitely come back carrying one!" He swore, his eyes reflecting his grit.

"Don't be too arrogant, there'll be warriors who've reached the eighth or ninth grade of Skin Refinement. It'll do you good in keeping that in mind."