[Su Miao promised them a chance at the assessment. Kong Xuan stopped Dapeng and went first himself.
It was also to give his younger brother more time to prepare.
Kong Xuan entered the Heart Questioning Array. At the 2,700th step, Di Jun appeared in the illusion and promised him the position of Nanming Emperor. "Submit to the Demon Court, and the Phoenix race's Karmic Debt can be resolved. Immortal Volcano can be stabilized."
Kong Xuan lowered his gaze to the Five-Colored Divine Light flowing across his palm, then turned and faced away from the imperial throne.
"The Phoenix race will forge its own path to survival."
At the 3,000th step, the illusion became Dapeng, holding a dagger as he stabbed toward Kong Xuan's chest and whispered temptingly.
"Devour him. Fuse speed with divine light, and you can enter Daluo directly."
Kong Xuan raised a hand and rested it atop Dapeng's head, like he had once stroked a fluffy chick. "Silly little brother."
The illusion shattered, and Kong Xuan passed the assessment.]
Bi Xiao asked in confusion, "That Dapeng in the illusion stabbed him with a dagger... Why was he still smiling?"
Was there something wrong with that Kong Xuan's head?
Yun Xiao gently covered her hand and spoke softly.
"This array tests the heart. All illusions are formed from Inner Demons. Dapeng is the person Kong Xuan holds closest to his heart, and also the weakness he cares about most.
"That Kong Xuan was not tempted by power, so his conscience was clear. Why would he be angry?"
Inner Demons knew best what you cared about most, and what you feared losing most. That was why they took the form of the person closest to your heart in order to hurt you.
But as long as you held fast to