Test of Character

With a flash of Sword Light, swift as wind and lightning, the three appeared atop the Profound Ice Platform.

A soundless Blast Wave churned. Elder Yaoguang stood upon empty air, the hems of his moon-white robe fluttering like a crane's cry. Under the sweep of his Eyes, everyone present could not help lowering their heads.

"Greetings, Elder Yaoguang!"

Everyone stepped forward to pay their respects, their manner meticulous and reverent.

Every Sword Sect elder was at least in the Golden Core Realm. This courtesy was in respect of his formidable cultivation.

"You need not stand on ceremony."

Elder Yaoguang swept his Sleeve Robe, drawing back his powerful aura completely. The scene immediately settled down.

The crowd began observing the other two envoys. Murong Xue's reputation had long preceded her; almost no one had not heard of her.

However, her temperament was impervious to both oil and salt; giving her gifts was no different from playing a lute to a cow. Thus, everyone turned their attention to the other man.

Duanmu Tong was not well known. They only knew that he had risen like a comet and was one of the Outer Sect's Prominent Figures.

He looked very young, with narrow eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. Every gesture of his was carefree and unrestrained, carrying the air of a strategist.

"This time, I will introduce the selection process to everyone."

Duanmu Tong's tone was neither servile nor overbearing. Faced with countless gazes, his expression did not change in the slightest.

Everyone could not help but regard him more seriously. Since he could speak on behalf of the Sword Sect, he had clearly earned Elder Yaoguang's trust.

"...The Sword Sect's assessment consists of three parts: character, comprehension, and cultivation. A final overall evaluation will then be made."

"The Profound Ice Platform has three great illusion realms. For this first character assessment, the results will be determined by how long one persists."

He took out a command token, neither gold nor jade. With a whoosh, it shot into the heavens and melted into the void.

Azure light surged into the sky, and the heavens suddenly darkened. Auroras flickered across the pitch-black night sky, their reflections falling upon the Profound Ice Platform.

With a crisp chime like struck bronze bells, the Profound Ice Platform was illuminated by the aurora, and three layers of scenery slowly emerged.

Nearby stood mountains, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, their trees lush and green, displaying nature's harmony in full.

In the middle was water, its surface glittering, its waves roaring, its current flowing on without end.

Farther away were mountains again, identical to those of the First Illusion Realm, yet carrying a somewhat different aura.

The three illusion realms seemed to echo a Buddhist verse.

When one sees mountains, they are mountains; when one sees water, it is not water; when one sees mountains again, they are still mountains.

The First Elder explained to them, "The Profound Ice Platform was once the Daoist Temple of an ancient sect. Over time, it gradually fell into ruin and became ownerless. It was later discovered by the Sword Sect, restored, and turned into a trial ground..."

Shen Yun listened carefully and gradually came to understand the competition's rules.

The difficulty of the three illusion realms increased step by step, while the final results were determined by the time one endured.

If one could enter the Second Layer, even persisting for a single second would be considered better than remaining in the First Illusion Realm.

"If I proceed steadily and surely, I can certainly extend the time I endure, but my result will still fall short of entering the Second Layer. Yet if I advance rashly, I may end up drawing water with a bamboo basket. Interesting."

Shen Yun saw through the mystery. How one chose was itself a test of one's state of mind.

Duanmu Tong swept his gaze around and paused briefly in the Shen Family's direction. Then he smiled. "Since everyone understands the rules, the assessment now begins."

At the command, everyone stepped into the First Illusion Realm.

All of a sudden, the illusion realm seemed to undergo an earthquake. From a spring brimming with life, it transformed into a bitter winter of endless falling snow.

Everyone seemed to be standing upon an ice field. The terrifying cold was enough to freeze even their blood, while violent storms swept over the land, making every step difficult.

"Isn't this a test of cultivation? What does it have to do with character?"

Someone voiced a doubt, but received no answer.

They exerted every ounce of strength they had, yet the wind still blew them this way and that. They could only stagger forward through the snow.

Some clever people simply lay down, refusing to waste effort, hoping to endure a little longer.

By comparison, the Golden Core Clans performed far better, advancing steadily through the wind and snow.

Outside the illusion realm, the many clan elders wore grave expressions as they watched the situation closely.

"The icy snowfield is merely an illusion. The true test is one's resilience in the face of danger."

The First Elder spoke calmly. Seeing the Shen Family members' performance, he secretly nodded.

Second Elder Shen Heng gave a soft laugh. "With the cultivation of these Five people, their final results should not be poor."

Before his words had even faded, Shen Feng fell behind. His whole body swayed as though he were about to drop out of the group.

Shen Heng's old face darkened as he cursed inwardly, What a worthless piece of mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall. Why aren't you taking out the Illusion Heart Stone already?

Shen Feng's face was bitter as he watched the figures ahead grow farther and farther away, his last shred of pride completely shattered.

I absolutely cannot lose!

Shen Feng gripped a piece of azure jade. His body suddenly steadied, like drought-stricken earth receiving sweet rain at last. An invisible force seemed to isolate him from the storm.

Thump! Thump!

He strode like a flying arrow, as though aided by the gods, and quickly caught up to the First Sequence, leaving the onlookers deeply astonished.

Duanmu Tong's gaze was profound as he silently watched the situation in the field, carrying the poise of one who planned victories from within the command tent.

With these three Illusion Heart Stones, it will not be difficult for the people Senior Brother Dongjun arranged to pass the Second Layer.

The Shen Family truly has some skills. Someone might really pass the second layer. It seems I will have to make further arrangements.

Remembering Shangguan Dongjun's instructions, he swiftly thought of a strategy and revealed a relaxed smile.

The Illusion Heart Stone could increase a cultivator's resistance to illusion arrays. It was an exceedingly precious Third-Grade Material, and these had all come from Shangguan Dongjun.

Before every assessment, auxiliary treasures would be inspected. However, he had deliberately skipped that step without drawing anyone else's attention.

As time passed, those at the rear gradually stopped moving, finally recognizing reality.

"I never expected the First Illusion Realm to be this difficult. The Second Layer is not a realm I can touch."

"If this continues, I definitely will not last much longer. Retreating in order to advance is also a form of wisdom."

"There is still half the distance left. These people may not necessarily endure to the end. Perhaps we will be the ones laughing last."

"..."

Fewer than ten people were still advancing, and nearly all of them came from Golden Core Clans.

He Guang was still struggling to hold on. His sharply defined face was covered by wind and frost, and the He Family members were all sweating for him.

Shen Qiu charged ahead alone, far in the lead, leaving everyone behind.

He moved with the gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, his expression composed, carrying an inexplicable air of kingly dominance.

"Who dares claim they cannot be defeated? What cannot kill me will only make me stronger."

Shen Qiu recalled Azure Venerable's words and continuously hypnotized himself, displaying a spirit that would not yield despite a hundred setbacks.

Watching his back, Shangguan Mo's expression turned ugly. He had intended to rely on the Illusion Heart Stone to shine alone in the First Round, but instead, the harder he chased, the farther behind he fell. Jealousy silently churned within him.

"I wonder what expression the Shen Family will wear once I cripple him."

Shangguan Mo's gaze was bloodthirsty, like a hunter who had fixed his eyes on prey.

Shen Qiu's overwhelming performance drew countless gazes.

"He seems to be under twenty. Why have I never heard of someone named Shen Qiu before?"

"He is probably a secret weapon nurtured by the Shen Family, intending to make a single cry that astonishes the world in the Sword Sect assessment. What cunning scheming."

"His cultivation is not weak either. Securing a spot should not be difficult for him."

"..."

Murong Xue's expression remained calm as she commented, "This person's character is exceedingly steadfast, surpassing even many Outer Sect disciples."

Duanmu Tong gave Shen Qiu a meaningful glance and marked him as a key target to suppress.

Elder Yaoguang opened his eyes. Rather than paying attention to Shen Qiu, who stood head and shoulders above the rest, he turned his gaze toward the White-Clad Figure advancing neither hurriedly nor slowly.

"A clear and enlightened heart. Fine talent."

Over the past several hundred years, he had seen far too many brilliant prodigies. His heart had long been an ancient well without ripples.

To speak arrogantly, Shen Qiu had only just reached the threshold to merit his notice.

He had thought this selection would merely be going through the motions, but he had not expected an unexpected delight. Elder Yaoguang's interest was finally piqued.