Chapter 121 - Elder’s Trial (2) (1/2)

Simon got up from bed as he normally would. Sleeping on a different bed did not really affect his sleeping patterns, but it still felt a bit strange. He would get used to it with time, as he would with anything else.

In a three story mansion, Simon had more than enough space to be alone and peaceful. Without Blue, he could relax and train without worrying over an unknown factor affecting his training and shouting while he is relaxing. All in all, the mansion was something that he d.e.s.i.r.ed very much, cherishing it dearly. If he could sleep alone and wake up without an annoying voice blasting through his skull, he would be more than content.

”Hmmm… perfect place for my family.” Simon navigated the mansion and smiled.

There were 10 bedrooms, a huge dining hall, a kitchen, library, three study rooms, and 10 bathrooms scattered around the mansion. Simon decided to take a room at the top of the mansion, complete with an en-suite bathroom for convenience.

Today would be the day for the Elder's trials, so he hurried and made a breakfast that consisted of meat, bread, and spinach. After finishing his food, he left the mansion and headed straight to the Main Hall.

”Greetings, Brother Hui.” Wu Zhong greeted Simon at the gates, smiling warmly as he ushered Simon in.

”Is there anything important that I should know about the trial before it begins?” Simon asked. In truth, he did not know a clue about the trials. He did not want to run blindly into gunfire, so a simple question needed a simple answer.

”Hmmm...The trial involves a game of tactics and a duel. You just need to beat both components to officially become an elder. Once you do so, things will become much easier. With talent such as your own, you can easily become and immortal like me and sour high into the heavens.”

”So I just need to prepare for a duel and a war game. Alright, I understand, Brother Wu.” Simon clasped his hands and bowed his head slightly.

”Good, your brother Tian will do his trial after you finish yours. I wish you the best of luck in completing this trial successfully.”

Before Simon could blink, everything turned back for a moment, as if a void had enshrouded him. And then suddenly, everything lit up again. This time, he was not in the main hall. He had arrived in an arena. Directly in front of him, a wooden automaton-like puppet armed with a hunting rifle.

”Huge Dong… I mean Hui Ge Dong! The first component of the elder's trial is the puppet duel. You shall compete against an early Immortal stage puppet and beat it to become an elder. Fail and you will immediately be pulled out of the trial and be appointed as a deacon instead.” The patriarch's voice echoed throughout the arena, yet no faces could be seen.

'Hmmm… a hunting rifle? I wonder what mastery rank the puppet has achieved… I think I am only at the gold tier after training, but I'm more worried about his puppet having more cultivation and skill than me.' Simon sweated slightly as he observed his unmoving opponent. It was like staring at a stone wall, only to realise that it would not respond.

”The duel begins when you shoot first.”

BANG

Simon wasted no time in targeting the puppet's forehead.

ZOOM

The puppet's neck twisted to the right and it dodged the bullet by the length of an eyelash, shifting its stance and drawing its hunting rifle to shoot.

BANG

The puppet sent a bullet flying towards Simon's c.h.e.s.t.

'Not good!' Simon's eyes opened widely and his face gave a distressed expression before he threw himself to the ground and narrowly dodged the bullet.

BANG BANG BANG

Simon now laid prone on the ground, taking advantage of his position to launch a flurry of bullets down the puppet's direction.

However, the puppet shifted to the left and completely dodged the storm of bullets, reloading its gun and shooting another shot towards Simon.

”NOT SO FAST!” Simon shot the bullet with his own, modifying the trajectory of the attacking projectile ever so slightly, luckily causing it to miss him. He continued to rain down hell on the puppet but the puppet continued to dodge and he failed to land any shots.

'If it continues on any longer, I won't be able to defeat this thing!' Simon bit his lip and aimed his gun at the puppet.

He just needed to hit the puppet in a vital area to kill it, but it was simply too agile to land a single shot. Even an ant is easier to hunt with his gun, at least they would not actively dodge like this. Every single shot that missed depleted some of Simon's energy, therefore shortening the inevitable time before he had to give up. Thus, Simon needed to do something g quick before the agile opponent wins against him.