Array of Myriad Phenomena

The hour of rest passed in the blink of an eye.

Those cultivators who passed the first trial, "Asking the Heart," seized the opportunity to recuperate. The atmosphere on the plaza remained tense.

The character assessment had already eliminated one-third of the participants. This second trial, "Testing Roots and Affinity," would likely be even more rigorous.

As the hour struck, Yuqing Zhenren reappeared, followed by disciples carrying an ancient stone mirror shrouded in chaotic energy.

"This is the 'Affinity Mirror'," Yuqing Zhenren announced, his voice calm. "It can reflect the origins, aptitudes, and the depth of one's affinity with our Jade Clarity Great Dao."

"Those who pass may step forward in order and place their hands upon the mirror's surface."

Everyone held their breath, watching as the first cultivator stepped forward. It was a young prodigy of the Human Race, at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.

He placed his hand on the stone mirror. The chaotic energy within churned, and a phantom image of a green peak gradually materialized, accompanied by ancient characters:

"Human Race, Dual Earth-Wood Spiritual Root, Grade B-Middle Aptitude, Affinity: Shallow."

The young man's face paled, and he retreated dejectedly.

A Grade B spiritual root was not bad, but "Shallow Affinity" almost certainly meant no connection to the Orthodox Jade Purity Sect.

Next, cultivators from various races stepped forward in turn.

The results reflected by the stone mirror were diverse: "Demon Race, Fire Wolf Bloodline, Grade B-Upper Aptitude, Affinity: Weak"; "Ling Clan, Stone Spirit Heart Connection, Grade A-Lower Aptitude, Affinity: Acceptable"; "Human Race, Geng Metal Sword Bone, Grade A-Middle Aptitude, Affinity: Good"...

Aptitudes were divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D, each with upper, middle, and lower tiers. Affinities were categorized as: Shallow, Weak, Acceptable, Good, Deep, and Innate.

Most cultivators' affinities were below "Acceptable." Those who reached "Good" were already a rare few, eliciting envious whispers from the crowd. As for "Deep," none had appeared yet.

Ming Chen and his two companions stepped forward. Their results were all "Grade A-Lower Aptitude, Affinity: Good," drawing sideways glances from the crowd. They were indeed disciples from the Jade Clarity Retreat.

It was Zhiwei's turn. She nervously placed her small hand on the mirror's surface. The mirror flashed, revealing a phantom image of a jade rabbit worshipping the moon:

"Jade Rabbit Demon Race, Moon Essence Spirit Body, Grade B-Upper Aptitude, Affinity: Acceptable."

The little rabbit breathed a sigh of relief. While not top-tier, she had passed.

Finally, it was Li Su's turn.

His true form as a bamboo spirit was already eye-catching, and now he was the focus of the entire plaza.

Everyone wanted to see what kind of origins and affinity this bamboo, favored by Martial Grand-Uncle Qingxu and who had remained unfazed during the character assessment, possessed.

Li Su's bamboo branches gently extended, touching the chaotic stone mirror.

Instantly, the stone mirror began to vibrate violently! The chaotic energy on its surface churned madly, as if unable to contain its origin information!

The first thing to appear was the phantom image of a colossal, ink-black star bamboo, reaching through heaven and earth. Stars flowed across its body, emitting a dim, hidden glow, exuding an extraordinary aura!

Ancient characters appeared beside it: "Mo Xing Soul Devouring Bamboo, High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root, Grade A-Upper Aptitude!"

"Grade A-Upper! It's Grade A-Upper aptitude!" "High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root! No wonder it's so powerful!" The entire plaza erupted in an uproar!

Grade A-Upper aptitude was already extremely rare, and a High-Grade Postnatal Spiritual Root was even rarer than a phoenix's feather!

However, the anomaly was not over!

Beside the bamboo phantom, other phantom images appeared one after another: a vast starry sky, a blurry yet incredibly resilient rune (Bedrock Rune)... even a faint trace of Jade Clarity Celestial Light entwined around it...

The stone mirror hummed incessantly, its light flickering as if desperately calculating its affinity. Finally, a few slightly blurry yet awe-inspiring ancient characters appeared with difficulty:

"Affinity: ...Deep... and... Unfathomable?!"

Deep! And unfathomably deep!

The plaza fell into dead silence!

Grade A-Upper aptitude! Deep affinity! And unfathomable?!

This meant his connection to the Jade Clarity Great Dao was not only extremely deep but also involved certain unfathomable heavenly secrets or variables!

Even Yuqing Zhenren, standing on the high platform, showed a clear look of astonishment on his usually placid face. He carefully observed Li Su, then the stone mirror, and murmured, "Martial Brother Qingxu's words were indeed true... this child is indeed a variable... my master's heavenly secrets..."

Disciples like Yun Yao were dumbfounded. They knew the meaning behind the words "Unfathomable Affinity" appearing from the Affinity Mirror. It usually implied a connection to their Sage master's arrangements or heavenly secrets!

Li Su himself was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the Affinity Mirror to be so powerful, revealing almost seventy to eighty percent of his secrets. Fortunately, his system core remained undetected.

He retracted his bamboo branches and stood quietly to the side.

All eyes in the plaza were focused on him, filled with shock, curiosity, envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

Yuqing Zhenren took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in his heart, and announced, "Mo Xing, you have passed. Next..."

The subsequent tests seemed somewhat anticlimactic. Although there were a few individuals with good aptitudes and affinities, they were all overshadowed by the sensation Li Su had caused.

The second trial concluded, eliminating nearly half of the cultivators. Fewer than a thousand people remained on the plaza.

Yuqing Zhenren's gaze swept over the remaining participants and he stated calmly, "Those who have passed two trials have their merits. However, the competition for the Great Dao is not solely determined by affinity and aptitude. The third trial, 'Derive Myriad Phenomena,' will test your understanding and application of the principles of heaven and earth."

He waved his sleeve again, and the scene before them transformed. They found themselves in an endless void, with a swirling galaxy beneath their feet and fluctuating elemental forces of earth, fire, wind, and water surrounding them.

"This is the Myriad Phenomena Illusion. Within this realm, you must use your own Dao to manifest an object, a scene, a technique, or expound upon a Dao.

You have three days. My fellow disciples and I will judge your creations. Begin!"

Manifest Myriad Phenomena? Expound upon my own Dao?

Everyone fell into deep thought. This was the freest, yet most difficult, trial, directly reflecting a cultivator's comprehension, accumulation, and understanding of their own path.

Some sat cross-legged, sword energy soaring around them, manifesting a river of the sword Dao.

Some waved their hands, causing plants to grow, manifesting a garden of life. Some roared, revealing their true forms and displaying their bloodline's spiritual powers...

Ming Chen and the other two combined their efforts to manifest a miniature Jade Clarity Celestial Formation, enveloped in celestial light, embodying balance and peace.

Zhiwei carefully drew upon the power of moon essence, manifesting a tranquil moonlit grassland where jade rabbits played. Though not grand, it was fresh and natural.

Li Su stood in the void, his bamboo form serene. He didn't rush to act but was thinking. What should he display? His Soul Devour spiritual power? Star Evil Body Protection? Or formations?

Suddenly, he felt a connection. He recalled his journey: rooting himself amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, devouring remnant souls in miasmic evil qi, comprehending lingering thoughts on ancient battlefields, tempering his body under the stars, and seeking patterns within formations.

His resolve was strengthened while guarding Dao rhythm... His Dao was never simply about devouring or stars, but about thriving in this chaotic Primordial World.

Drawing nourishment amidst destruction and slaughter, growing resilient, guarding his own Dao, until he could touch the heights of the starry sky and the Great Dao!

He made his decision.

Li Su's bamboo form swayed gently, drawing upon the power of the Cosmos's stars (simulated by the illusion), the forces of earth, fire, water, and wind, that trace of "Bedrock Rune" Dao rhythm, the protective Dao rhythm of his jade pendant, and even integrating his understanding of formations!

In the void, a seedling broke through the earth, surrounded by mountains of corpses and seas of blood, with surging evil qi.

The seedling struggled to grow, constantly drawing meager nourishment from death (Soul Devour), enduring the wind of evil qi and lightning strikes (resilience, bedrock).

The seedling gradually grew into a Mo Bamboo. Stars began to appear on its body, drawing the power of stars to temper its form (Star Dao). It began to root itself in the earth, managing the ley lines, and setting up formations to resist external enemies (Formation Dao).

It endured countless storms, even cracking its body, yet it never fell. Instead, it became more resilient, extending its protective power to a small surrounding area (Guardian Dao).

Finally, the Mo Bamboo towered into the sky, its body like carved black jade, its starlight brilliant, forming a formation of its own. Rooted in the void, its swaying branches could both devour malevolent spirits and summon stars to form arrays.

It exuded an aura of unshakeable steadfastness and the intent to protect a pure land!

It was not the most powerful, but it was reborn from destruction, persevered through slaughter, integrated numerous powers, and forged its own unique path – the Heaven-Reaching Star Bamboo!

This manifested scene, though seemingly simple, contained Li Su's complete understanding and interpretation of his own Dao!

When the manifestation was complete, the entire Myriad Phenomena Illusion seemed to fall silent for a moment.

On the high platform, Yuqing Zhenren and all the Jade Purity disciples responsible for judging watched the Star Bamboo, standing tall amidst the illusory scene of destruction in the void, their faces filled with emotion!

"Well said, 'Seeking life within death, merging myriad laws to manifest Dao'!" Yuqing Zhenren couldn't help but stroke his beard and exclaim, "This child's Dao heart, comprehension, and resilience are all top-tier choices!

What's even more rare is his ability to initially merge seemingly contradictory Daos like devouring, stars, formations, and protection into one. Though still nascent, the direction is correct, and the potential is boundless!"

Yun Yao's beautiful eyes sparkled. She increasingly understood why Martial Uncle Qingxu valued this person so highly.

The three days ended, and the Myriad Phenomena Illusion disappeared. Everyone returned to the plaza.

Yuqing Zhenren's gaze swept over the crowd before he announced loudly, "The preliminary trial of the Ascension Conference concludes here. A total of one hundred and three individuals have passed all three trials.

You are all granted the qualification to ascend the mountain and will temporarily be nominal disciples of Jade Purity.

Tomorrow morning, gather here to ascend the mountain, enter the sect, and undergo further assessments and assignments!"

Those who passed cheered, while those who failed were dejected.

Li Su also felt a surge of excitement. Nominal disciple was just the beginning! Finally, he was about to step onto Kunlun Mountain!

Just as everyone was about to disperse, a young Daoist boy hurried over and went straight to Li Su, respectfully saying, "Senior Brother Mo Xing, Patriarch Yuqing requests your presence."