Eternal Temptation: Awakening Sinful Desires

The next instant, he flashed her a bright smile and said, "However, even if we talk about this forever, there is no way to decide who's right and who's wrong because the topic is subjective, and every individual will have their own opinions about it. So, let's forget about that and get ready for the first challenge, shall we?"

"Very well," Lei Liwei agreed with a soft nod as she changed the subject without hesitation. Still, she found his insight intriguing enough to ponder over it in private sometime in the future.

A few minutes later, Katrina Everhart finished explaining the details of the two events and answered any additional questions posed by the candidates. Once that was done, she waved her hand in a wide arc across the air, and multiple shimmering lights shot out towards all the participants who didn't have tokens yet.

Soon, the lights condensed into glowing tokens in different colors that floated in mid-air.

Everyone reached out for the one that was closest to them and grabbed onto it without hesitation, feeling its texture between their fingers.

These tokens were made using special materials, containing a formation that could track the location of its owner, the number of kills made by them, and even the rank of the star beast they killed. At the same time, it also monitored their every movement within the designated area, ensuring that they abided by the rules of the trial and didn't cheat.

Therefore, once each candidate had retrieved their respective token, they noticed their spirit essence flow into the object in a steady stream, sealing it with their own energy signature. From that moment on, these tokens belonged to them.

Once every participant had obtained a token, Katrina announced, "Alright! Now that everyone has been provided with a token, let us commence the first trial! Get on the stage, please, and wait for the formation to take you to the hunting grounds!"

With that said, Asher turned to Scarlet and Cecil, who stood beside him, and said, "I will see you guys at the end of this, alright?"

Scarlet and Cecil nodded and wished him good luck.

Asher then faced Lei Liwei and said, "Liwei, let's see if we bump into each other in the hunting grounds, haha. I won't show mercy to you even if you're a beauty!"

"Hoho! Bring it on, Asher! I would be more worried if I were you rather than me! Because I know how much you love beauty, but are you strong enough to handle a beauty who is also a beast in combat?" Lei Liwei retorted in a playful tone.

"We shall see soon. See you on the other side!" Asher replied, smirking.

After that, he made his way towards the large circular platform situated at the center, along with thousands of other candidates who came to compete for a spot in the Twilight Mist Sect. Each of them carried their respective tokens with them, holding them tight in their palms.

---

Looking at the token in his hands, Argon, who stood among the crowd of participants, grinned as he spoke, "Hehe, these fools don't know what's coming for them. Let's see if they'll survive this challenge or not." He then glanced at Asher, seeing him act flirty with the three girls beside him and how a core elder was treating him with respect. "Hmmm...

Looks like that guy has some kind of backing behind him. Must be someone rich and influential in the capital city. Even so, does he think his wealth and connections will help him here? Ha! These trials are designed to cull the weak, and he will die if he gets in my way. For I, Argon Drage, am going to become the strongest genius of the generation, even if I have to step over everyone else.

Because the strong devour the weak, and those who refuse to accept that are destined to perish sooner or later!"

"Hahaha... Buddy, I know how you feel. But you don't have to get angry at strangers, you know?" Jacob laughed, patting the shorter boy's shoulder to calm him down.

"I just can't stand arrogant assholes who think they can get away with everything just because they have some sort of influence or background. Don't you find them annoying?" Argon retorted with a snort.

Jacob shook his head and replied, "Well, you aren't wrong there. But angering people who you don't even know is not a good thing. You could end up making enemies for life because of it. Besides, I think you are focusing too much on petty stuff instead of concentrating on the main event, which is this competition."

Argon calmed down a bit at these words. Then he sneered in disgust as he gazed at all the surrounding men who looked at Katrina Everhart with desire burning within their eyes. "Fools, all of them... How can they even think of pursuing that beauty? She is too far out of their league. If anyone is worthy of her, it would be me, Argon Drage!

Her beauty belongs to me, and I will conquer her heart and body, claiming her as mine and mine alone."

"Calm down, buddy. Calm down. Your blood pressure is rising again. You gotta take it easy, or else you'll pop a vein." Jacob chuckled, shaking his head. "Besides, those men aren't your rivals. Focus on the trials, and once this competition ends, we will celebrate our victory together."

"Ugh! Jacob, just because we've known each other for a long time doesn't mean I won't hit you. If you don't shut up soon, I swear I will punch you." Argon threatened with clenched fists as his cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

"How scary~! I'm trembling in fear from your threats. Haha!" Jacob taunted the short and arrogant man before continuing, "Anyways, I hope you can do well today, my friend. Good luck on the trials, and keep your eyes open at all times. Don't let your guard down. Okay?"

"Tch, whatever... Just watch me finish this trial with flying colors and earn a top-ranking spot among all the other candidates. Because I, Argon Drage, will never settle for anything less than the best!" Argon declared in a loud voice, puffing out his chest with pride before walking ahead to join the rest of the contestants.

—

With a swift movement of her hand, Lingling grabbed the token and looked at the two girls with similar features as her. They had their own tokens in their hands already, ready to begin the competition. She was about to speak, but the older sister beat her to it.

"Be careful, Ling'er, Mei'er." Xueling spoke in a stern tone before looking at her middle sister, Lingling, and continued, "Ling'er, you should stop being careless during this trial and don't underestimate anyone. The moment you let your guard down, someone will come to stab you in the back. Do you understand me?"

"Hmph! I can take care of myself, Xueling. Stop worrying too much about me. We all have a similar age, so it's not like I'm a little child who doesn't know anything anymore." Lingling complained, crossing her arms under her large chest while averting her gaze away from her sister.

Xueling shook her head and sighed, turning to Meiling, the youngest of the sisters, and narrowing her eyes as she warned, "Mei'er, remember that there might be people who are hiding their cultivation base among the candidates. Don't be fooled by their appearance, and don't let yourself fall victim to their gentle words and show mercy to them. This isn't a place to be benevolent.

You must defeat your opponents without hesitation and crush anyone who stands against you. Otherwise, you will end up getting hurt or even killed by others. Survival of the fittest is the law of this world, and if you fail to understand that, then I fear I will lose you forever."

Listening to Xueling's words, Lingling also turned to Meiling with a serious look on her face and said, "Xueling is right, Mei'er. You better listen to her advice and focus on the competition instead of letting your emotions control your actions. I won't forgive you if something happens to you because of your naivety. I want you to be more ruthless and cruel during the battles. Got it?"

Upon hearing their warning, a gentle smile blossomed on Meiling's lips like a flower opening to greet the sun, bright and full of life. It was the kind of smile that warmed hearts and melted cold souls. And it was this very same smile that made everyone around her fall in love with her without even realizing it.

She then responded with a soft voice full of confidence and determination as she declared, "Don't worry, Big Sis Xueling, Big Sis Lingling, I won't disappoint you."

At the same time, she closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, revealing a different kind of light within her turquoise eyes. It was a sharp gleam, like the blade of a knife poised to strike at any time, and it radiated an aura of absolute confidence and conviction. She held the token in her palm as she stared at it and repeated her words with a firm tone. "Don't worry.

I know how to handle situations like these very well."

Seeing the change in Meiling's demeanor, Lingling and Xueling remembered how this little sister of theirs could cause great disasters, just like a catastrophe, whenever she was angered or provoked. However, she was always gentle and kind toward others who treated her well, which always made them worried about her, afraid that someone would take advantage of her good nature.

Seeing their little sister's confidence, both Lingling and Xueling exchanged glances before nodding their heads in unison. After that, each of the triplets activated their respective token with their spirit essence before heading towards the stage together.