The Test of Wit

After smoothly passing the strength test, Ye Lingyun pressed on without pause to the second stage of Lingxi Academy's entrance assessment-the test of wit. This stage took place within a mysterious Illusion Array, designed to thoroughly assess the applicants' intelligence, adaptability, and overall command of spiritual power.

Ye Lingyun stepped into the Illusion Array alongside the other candidates who had passed the strength test. The moment they entered, their surroundings changed abruptly. The square vanished, replaced by a dense primeval forest. Sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of leaves, scattering dappled light and shadow. Dampness hung in the air, and occasional beast roars echoed from afar.

Ye Lingyun knew full well that everything around him was an illusion created by the Illusion Array, but he dared not let his guard down. Calming his mind, he began studying his surroundings, searching for flaws in the array or hidden clues. He noticed that although the trees seemed to grow in a chaotic jumble, their arrangement subtly followed a pattern that might hold the key to unraveling the array.

While Ye Lingyun was pondering this, the sounds of fierce fighting suddenly reached him from ahead. He approached cautiously and saw a group of candidates battling several wolf-like Illusion Beasts whose bodies blazed with flames. The beasts were incredibly fast and struck with astonishing force, leaving the candidates struggling to hold their ground.

Rather than rashly joining the fight, Ye Lingyun observed the Illusion Beasts' attack patterns and weaknesses from the sidelines. He discovered that, fierce as they were, their tails twitched slightly before each attack, seemingly giving a warning. Their bellies were also relatively poorly defended.

Seizing his moment, Ye Lingyun channeled his spiritual power and unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. A streak of sword energy shot like a meteor toward one beast's belly. Unable to dodge in time, the beast took the hit and let out a shriek of pain. The other candidates' morale soared at the sight. They quickly adjusted their tactics and began targeting the beasts' bellies. Working together, they soon drove the pack back.

"Thanks for lending a hand, brother. We would've been in real trouble today without you," a burly candidate said gratefully.

Ye Lingyun smiled and waved a hand. "We're all trying to pass the assessment. Helping each other is only right. But danger lurks everywhere in this Illusion Array. We should stick together so we can watch each other's backs."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Ye Lingyun and the candidates formed a temporary team and explored the Illusion Array together. Following a narrow forest path, they soon reached a broad river. Its waters surged and roared, the current running swift. No bridge spanned the river, nor could they see anything they could use to cross.

"What are we going to do?" one candidate asked anxiously.

Ye Lingyun crouched and carefully studied the current and the surrounding terrain. He noticed several huge rocks jutting above the water along one side of the river. They formed a winding route and seemed usable as stepping stones. However, the gaps between them were wide enough that crossing safely would require spiritual power.

"Stay close behind me. Use your spiritual power to leap onto these rocks, and be careful to keep your balance." With that, Ye Lingyun took the lead, channeling his spiritual power and springing lightly onto the first boulder, where he landed steadily. The other candidates followed his example, leaping after him one by one.

Halfway across, however, disaster struck. A gigantic phantom python suddenly burst from the river, opening its bloody maw as it lunged at a candidate in the middle of the group. Ye Lingyun reacted in a flash. Drawing his longsword, he unleashed a sword move incorporating his spiritual power manipulation techniques, sending a fierce blade of sword energy slashing toward the python. Sensing the threat, the python was forced to abandon its attack and twist aside.

"Don't panic! Keep moving! I'll hold it off!" Ye Lingyun shouted as he engaged the phantom python in a fierce battle. Relying on his masterful swordsmanship and nimble footwork, he wove freely through its attacks while constantly searching for an opening.

Encouraged by Ye Lingyun, the other candidates quickened their pace across the river. At last, everyone reached the opposite bank safely. Spotting an opening, Ye Lingyun thrust his sword into the python's vital point, seven inches below its head. The python roared in pain, then plunged into the river and vanished.

After crossing the river, the group continued onward. Before long, they arrived at an ancient temple. Its gates were tightly shut and covered with mysterious runes. Ye Lingyun studied them carefully and discovered that they seemed to be an ancient script recording the method for opening the temple.

After considerable effort, Ye Lingyun finally deciphered the runes. Following their instructions, he found several hidden mechanisms around the temple. When he activated them in sequence, the temple gates slowly opened.

The group entered the temple excitedly. All manner of rare treasures lay within, but Ye Lingyun did not let their splendor beguile him. He knew this was very likely another trial set by the Illusion Array. Sure enough, as the candidates approached the treasures, the objects suddenly transformed into streaks of light and shot toward them. Those rays contained formidable spiritual power; anyone struck would suffer serious injuries.

Ye Lingyun swiftly channeled his spiritual power, forming a shield before him as he shouted, "Watch out! It's a trap! Stay away from the treasures!" The other candidates also unleashed defensive martial techniques, blocking the rays.

Thanks to Ye Lingyun's warning, the group successfully avoided the trap. They then discovered a stone stele deep within the temple, inscribed with clues for leaving the Illusion Array. Following those clues, Ye Lingyun led everyone to the passage out without difficulty.

When they emerged from the Illusion Array, the instructors overseeing the test of wit smiled in satisfaction at their performance. With his intelligence, courage, and ability to work with a team, Ye Lingyun had once again passed with distinction, bringing him another step closer to entering Lingxi Academy. Next came the most crucial stage of all-the actual combat matches. Faced with even fiercer challenges, how would Ye Lingyun respond...?