The True Disciple Ceremony, Return from the Trial

Countless sparks of wisdom erupted in Lin Xu's mind, and a realization gradually dawned on him. "So the 'Bright Lamp Spirit Kindling Art' is truly profound..."

Only then did he realize that the Xuanwei Monastery's inherited cultivation method was not a single method, but a "Heart Lamp System" that could evolve and progress layer by layer according to one's realm. This "Spirit Lamp Prayer Art" was a matching Wish Art, and only the true disciples of the temple were qualified to receive it.

The core of the "Spirit Lamp Prayer Art" lies in using the lamp of the heart as a medium and Incense Fire Dharma Coin as a guide to reach the heavens above and communicate with the Nether Communion below, so that wishes can be fulfilled.

Dharma Coin, Heaven Silver, and Spirit Gold are three types of currency refined from the power of incense and vows through the spiritual lamp method. They can be used for everything from alchemy and weapon crafting to changing one's fate, prolonging life, and breaking through cultivation realms—all by lighting a lamp with one's thoughts and using three coins as a pledge.

He previously used the power of incense offerings as Dharma Coin and Spiritual Qi for cultivation, which was like using ginseng as firewood. It wasn't impossible, but it was too extravagant and wasteful.

"So the Daoist traditions of Xuanwei Monastery are so deeply intertwined with the human realm..." Lin Xu realized. "It seems I also need to make some arrangements in reality..."

Outside the window, the night was deep and dark. He gently stroked the lamp with his fingertips, and the flame flickered, reflecting the starlight in his eyes.

Nothing happened overnight. As dawn broke, the bell outside the side hall rang again, its three clear tones breaking through the thin mist.

Lin Xu got up, straightened his clothes, and stepped out of the side hall. The morning glow had already dyed the nine-layered eaves.

"Senior brother, please follow me." The young Daoist led the way, the stone steps beneath their feet gleaming with the morning dew.

In the square in front of the main hall, the disciples lined up on both sides, and an elder and two true disciples sat on the high platform.

Lin Xu glanced around the scene. Due to the battle at the front, less than half of the elders and disciples were present, but the atmosphere remained solemn and dignified.

He slowly ascended the white jade steps, his feet seemingly treading on clouds, and bowed to the Daoist Xuanzhen at the head of the table, saying, "Disciple Lin Xu greets the Abbot."

On the high platform, the Daoist Xuanzhen stood in the center, his gaze as clear as the morning star.

"Lin Xu." His voice, sharp as a bell, resonated throughout the surrounding area.

"Disciple is here."

"Since entering the sect, I have upheld righteousness and maintained a pure heart, accumulated good deeds and eliminated demons. Now I have proven the true Daoist Xuanzhen and proclaim them to all directions." With a wave of his hand, a young Daoist boy brought over an ancient mirror. The back of the mirror was engraved with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers and all spirits.

Upon holding the ancient mirror, he felt a cool yet warm sensation, as if it possessed a gentle, spiritual resonance that subtly harmonized with his soul.

"I bestow upon you the [Mountains and Rivers Reflection Mirror], hoping that you will use this instrument to uphold righteousness and ward off evil, and to see through the netherworld. Even if you encounter a thousand demons and myriad delusions in the future, your heart will remain as clear as a mirror, unstained by dust." The Daoist Xuanzhen's voice was as deep as a still pool and as majestic as a mountain, each word striking the heart and soul.

"Thank you, Abbot, for bestowing this treasure. This disciple will certainly use the mirror to clarify my mind and remain steadfast in my righteousness." Lin Xu held the mirror with both hands, his soul trembling slightly. In the mirror, it seemed as if mountains and rivers were reversed and time was flowing.

Item: Mountains and Rivers Reflection Mirror

Quality: Rare Blue

Category: Ritual Implements

Effects: Reflection: Can reflect thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, revealing hidden evil spirits; Enlightenment: The holder of the mirror remains calm and unaffected by illusions; Soul Suppression: Takes a wisp of the essence of the person reflected in the mirror and seals it within the mirror, thus suppressing their soul.

Description: Forged from the essence of mountains and rivers and Star True Copper, imbued with the righteous energy of heaven and earth, it is specially designed to suppress evil spirits and dispel falsehoods.

"Buzz~"

His consciousness buzzed slightly, and the protective Source Fire that would only manifest under the erosion of the Spirit Realm Mist suddenly appeared, swirling around his body like flames.

Lin Xu was startled, and a sudden realization dawned on him—his trial mission was complete.

He didn't have time to look closely and completed the rest of the ritual following the boy's instructions.

The inhabitants of the Spirit Realm are ignorant of human relationships, which is a good thing for Lin Xu. After the ceremony ended, the crowd dispersed like a tide, and he quietly left the Daoist temple and returned to Peach Tree Village.

Chen Yuanfu had successfully returned with the supply train. After treating the wounded, Lin Xu sat cross-legged in the quiet room.

A new notification finally popped up on my profile panel:

[Trial Quest: Become a True Disciple of Xuanwei Monastery] Completed. Return now?

"I can go back now." Looking at the panel, Lin Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

The time ratio between the Spirit Realm and reality is 1:1. He stayed in the Spirit Realm for more than half a month, while more than half a month had passed in the real world.

In the first Spirit Realm Trial, most of the participants would return immediately after surviving for one day, and he needed to return to reality as soon as possible to handle the follow-up matters.

"Black Tiger Gang, Chen Lineage..." Lin Xu narrowed his eyes slightly.

He glanced at the quiet room one last time, then chose to return.

The light and shadows before my eyes suddenly distorted, and my consciousness plummeted as if into a deep abyss. A moment later, my sense of touch returned, and a joyful voice reached my ears. "They're back! Someone's back!"

"Chen Hao, don't go too far!" Jiang Wanqing's face flushed red as she shielded Mother Lin behind her, her voice firm, "He will definitely come back, you don't need to feign compassion!"

Chen Hao glanced coldly at the distraught Mother Lin: "According to statistics, less than 30% of those who participate in the Spirit Realm Trial actually return. The vast majority of those who succeed return within 5 minutes of the 24-hour trial ending. He's been missing for over half a month, what are you still hoping for? Wake up, he's already dead!"

Chen Hao's voice was sharp and piercing, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.

Some students passing by stopped to watch, and some whispered among themselves, "Is Lin Xu really not coming back?"

"It's only been half a month, maybe not. I heard some people didn't return until a month and a half after the trial started..."

But many others simply shook their heads and sighed, "This is a bloody lesson; the consequence of overestimating one's abilities."

Jiang Wanqing bit her lip tightly, but her eyes still burned with an unquenchable light.

"Ah, right!" Chen Hao seemed to suddenly remember something, clapping his hands dramatically. "I almost forgot, Lin Xu killed Liang Hu's nephew from the Black Tiger Gang. Liang Hu has already declared that he will wait for Lin Xu to return from the Spirit Realm and personally skin him to make a human lamp. Now that he's dead, this debt should be settled with his family..."

Chen Hao looked at Jiang Wanqing's pale face with a cold smile, "Beg me, as long as you kneel down and beg me, I can have my father Black Tiger Gang on your behalf. Of course—you should know what the price will be."

Jiang Wanqing trembled all over, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

"Wanqing, you can't agree to him." Mother Lin grasped Jiang Wanqing's hand, her voice trembling but firm. "My family's affairs cannot involve you."

The students watching gasped in shock. In Meng City, the name Liang Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, was synonymous with violence and bloodshed.

"Where is Liang Hu?" A calm voice sounded behind Chen Hao.

"A-Xu?!" Jiang Wanqing looked at him in surprise, tears welling up in her eyes.

"A-Xu!" Mother Lin's body trembled, and she suddenly raised her head, trembling as she reached out her hand, fearing that this was an illusion.

Chen Hao froze, slowly turned around, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Lin Xu stood three steps away, exuding a chilling aura. His gaze was fixed on Chen Hao like a knife, and a bronze mirror in his hand slowly rotated, reflecting Chen Hao's shocked face.