Past life sage: This life a dual cultivator

'Well, I can check this place after the test. For now, there is no meaning in wasting time and giving others the opportunity to go ahead of me', Zhan Chen thought to himself.

He ordered the Green eyed ape to change the path and the green eyed ape stared at him with a grateful look on it's face. Zhan Chen felt a little surprised after seeing the human like emotion from the green eyed ape. 'This ape is rather intelligent considering its cultivation', he thought inside his mind.

The green eyed ape hopped from tree to tree and thanks to its wide area of observation, Zhan Chen could avoid the dangers swiftly. He walked for a while and he finally had to stop because he noticed a fight going on ahead of him.

It was a fight between two groups of wolves. The fight was fierce and brutal as the two groups were busy in tearing apart eachother. Zhan Chen noticed few predatory eyes in the surrounding as some magical beasts were waiting quitely to take advantage of the fight between the wolves.

Zhan Chen noticed few magical beasts were approaching from his back and a frown appeared on his face. "Seems like I can't avoid a fight anymore", he thought to himself.

He ordered the green eyed ape to go ahead and dashed forward using the Cloud chasing steps. The wolves couldn't react immediately as he passed through the battle using his swift movement.

A creature pounced towards him just after he left behind the fighting area of the wolves. Zhan Chen drew his sword and defended against the large claw which was few inches away from his head.

He took few steps back and looked at the creature which had just appeared before him. The creature had a pitch black body and glinting eyes. Zhan Chen immediately determined what kind of magical beast he was fighting at this moment.

"A cloud panter. It's skills are impressive but it is a pity that it is only at early fifth tier realm", he thought to himself. The cloud panther attacked him few more times but it had to stop after Zhan Chen cut open its belly. It let out a painful howl and left the place so as not to become the prey of other fifth tier predators.

Zhan Chen walked ahead slowly with the sword in his hand. Few magical beasts tried to hinder him on his way but Zhan Chen silenced them with few swings of his sword. An area filled with mist appeared before him after he walked for several hours.

The Green eyed ape seemed to be struck here as it couldn't make any progress in the mist covered area. Zhan Chen freed it from his soul seal and sent it away towards its initial location.

The ape seemed like trying to say something but Zhan Chen couldn't understand it's gestures. It finally gave Zhan Chen a long stare and hopped towards its previous location.

"If destiny allows, we will meet again", Zhan Chen spoke softly while looking towards the hopping ape. He turned his head after the green eyed ape left. A smile appeared on his face after he saw the mist covered surrounding.

"Such a long range formation! Seems like Spirit palace is really serious about this three layered test", Zhan Chen thought to himself. He stepped forward confidently with the sword of Lu Mingxi in his hand.

The mist was all pervading but it couldn't hinder Zhan Chen slightly. Zhan Chen stepped forward confidently and finally stepped out of the mist covering area. "I thought there will be some traps but there was none while I was crossing over the bewildering formation", Zhan Chen thought to himself.

He suddenly felt something and moved to his side but his expression changed after he sensed danger from the other side also. A knife made way towards his back but Zhan Chen shifted his body at the most crucial moment to avoid the fatal attack.

He stepped back a little and looked towards his two attackers. A frown appeared on his face after he saw the appearance of both of his attackers.

"Human cultivators! Why are you here in the Serpentine forest?", he asked both of his attackers with a confused look on his face.

Both of the cultivators didn't give any reply instead they launched another coordinated attack towards Zhan Chen.

A glint appeared on Zhan Chen's face and both of his attackers stopped in the mid way. A look of understanding appeared on his face after he saw through the memories of both of the cultivators.

"So, you two are heinous criminals. No wonder, the imperial family is using you like some test subjects in the grand sect competition", he commented lightly.

He retracted his soul consciousness and a hint of clarity appeared on both of the cultivators' faces. A hint of fear appeared on both of their faces as they looked towards Zhan Chen.

"Young master, please let us leave. We are ready to do anything as long as you do not kill us", they spoke with pleading look on their faces.

"There is no point in sparing your lives. I am sure, you two will continue to harm the innocents even if I let you go", Zhan Chen replied.

He swung his left hand slightly and two energy slashes went towards both of of his cultivators. Both of their heads flew into the air even before they could react to Zhan Chen's reply.

"Actually, there is no problem how much cultivators you kill but it is unacceptable when you keep commiting crimes against ordinary humans", Zhan Chen spoke while standing infront of the two headless cultivators.

Blood guzzles out like torrential rains as their headless bodies crashed onto the grassy land of the Serpentine forest.

Zhan Chen didn't stop any longer near the bodies of his attackers and marched ahead into the deeper regions of the Serpentine forest. He had no idea that his performance was alredy sending shockwaves among the spectators of the grand sect competition.

"Miss, seems like we have arrived in an appropriate time", an expert spoke to a lady standing ahead of him. The lady nodded her head as a smile appeared on her beautiful face.

"Keep my arrival a secret for now. I will meet elder sister Lanying after meeting with Zhan Chen. You are also not allowed to disclose my presence to Ruyan and others", the lady spoke to the expert standing behind her.

"Miss, please rest assured. I will not disclose any information regarding you even if I come across the imperial family and the Shen clan", the expert spoke.

The noble looking lady nodded her head and took a look at the animated crowd. The crowd was observing a stone pillar which was erected in the middle of the stone platforms.