Chapter 0.56 – Demonic Heart in White
“What nonsense are you spouting, you evil spawn? My injuries were clearly from a stone… could it be that you were the one who injured me before! This is impossible, how can you be so strong when you’re only in the early stage of the Hidden Weapon Realm!” Gu Yinjiu was suddenly like a startled bird, stopping abruptly, disbelief etched on his face.
Gu Xunhe looked at his brother with confusion. “What’s going on? Didn’t you say a stone spirit was responsible for your injuries?”
“Why even bring that up? Do you think that with the combined strength of us brothers, we can’t handle them?” Gu Yinjiu gritted his teeth.
With a “clang,” his staff sword unsheathed. Qin Gou smiled with burning intensity. “Xiao Yan, haven’t we ever truly fought side-by-side with all our might?”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Gu Feiyan replied with a smile that could topple cities.
“Stop!”
An aged yet irrefutable voice rang out. An elder with a youthful complexion and white hair appeared abruptly between Gu Feiyan, Gu Xunhe, and the others.
The elder’s appearance was exactly the same as the white jade statue in the center of the great hall. However, he was semi-transparent, flickering in and out of existence unstably.
“I am Wangji… Within this third trial, internal conflict is absolutely forbidden. Those who violate this will be directly annihilated without mercy.” The elder’s voice was as gentle as a family elder’s, but his words were bone-chilling.
The entire hall, which had been filled with palpable tension and was on the verge of conflict, instantly fell silent.
The residual soul of Wangji nodded with satisfaction at this scene, stroked his white beard, and continued, “All cultivators who manage to survive the gray mist maze trial are rare gems. Although there were some unexpected events, and the number of people is much larger than I anticipated, I still intend to follow the arrangement made long ago and make this third trial the most friendly one.”
Qin Gou noticed that as the True Man Wangji’s residual soul spoke, he seemed to be glancing in Qin Gou’s direction subtly.
“Senior Wangji, what do you mean by ‘the most friendly trial’?” someone immediately asked.
The residual soul of Wangji smiled faintly and pointed to the five soft cushions beneath the white jade statue. “These are ‘Meditation Cushions of Self-Reflection.’ When you sit cross-legged on them, you will naturally enter a spiritual illusion and encounter another self within your heart, a demonic heart. Defeating it counts as passing. This should not be difficult for those who cleared the gray mist maze. Furthermore, after passing the trial, you will be able to visit my ‘Cultivation Technique Library,’ which I have collected over many years. Each of you can choose a precious cultivation technique and gain an opportunity to leave this secret realm directly, without continuing to challenge the subsequent trials.”
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, and many were eager to try.
However, the residual soul of Wangji began to pour cold water. A faint sharpness flickered in his narrowed eyes. “But know this, failure to challenge is not without punishment! As for what the punishment will be, I believe you don’t wish to know right now.”
With that, the residual soul of Wangji reached out and pointed at Gu Xunhe. “You will be the first to accept the trial.”
Gu Xunhe’s face immediately turned green, but he dared not refuse. He nodded and walked towards the first Meditation Cushion of Self-Reflection.
Then, the residual soul of Wangji quickly selected three more people. Finally, he turned to Qin Gou, his twin pupils seeming to hide some unknown meaning, and said with an unpredictable expression, “And you.”
Qin Gou took a step forward. Gu Feiyan placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled, pursing her lips. “I will be watching you from behind. Don’t disgrace yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t die,” Qin Gou nodded slightly.
The conversation between the two seemed to be on different wavelengths, but Gu Feiyan immediately understood with a knowing smile, as radiant as spring flowers. He truly understood her intentions.
“Begin.”
With a command from the residual soul of Wangji, Gu Xunhe, Qin Gou, and the other three sat on the Meditation Cushions of Self-Reflection, their eyes closed.
For a moment, all eyes in the great hall were focused on these five people, trying to analyze the true difficulty of this trial from their speed of completion. They also gloated, hoping someone would fail so they could witness the terrifying punishment mentioned by the residual soul of Wangji.
However, after only the time it took to brew a cup of tea, someone had already successfully passed the third trial.
“Senior Wangji truly did not deceive me. This trial is indeed simple.”
Gu Xunhe stood up directly, his gaze sweeping over Qin Gou and the others who were still meditating with their eyes closed. He sneered, “So, this young master was the first to pass the trial?”
The residual soul of Wangji looked at Gu Xunhe with appreciation. A hidden door on the side of the hall opened. The residual soul of Wangji stroked his long beard and said, “You may proceed to the cultivation technique library.”
Gu Xunhe bowed with a smile, his triumphant gaze sweeping over everyone present before lingering on Gu Feiyan’s face for a moment. He then departed with a flourish.
Following him, two more cultivators defeated their demonic hearts and passed the trial, leaving while chatting.
Ten minutes later, only Qin Gou remained seated. The success rate was astonishingly high, and the crowd gradually began to believe the residual soul of Wangji’s words; this was indeed an extremely friendly trial.
“Hmph, Qin Gou, you useless loser, what a disgrace,” Gu Yinjiu scoffed, crossing his arms. “This young master thought he was so capable, but he’s just mediocre.”
“Senior Sister Gu, this really shouldn’t be happening! Junior Brother Qin has always been incredibly sharp and his talent is undeniably outstanding. Why is he taking so long?” Hu Le asked with a frown, puzzled.
Gu Feiyan shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion.
Within the illusion, an endless plain stretched out, the sea of grass swaying in the wind. Qin Gou’s eyes were weary as he gritted his teeth. “Where the hell is this damn demonic heart hiding? Do I have to play a round of hide-and-seek just to challenge a demonic heart? What kind of joke is True Man Wangji playing? Just let me fight directly, okay?”
After wandering aimlessly for a while, Qin Gou finally found a white figure lounging leisurely on a rattan chair under a willow tree in the distance.
He quickened his pace and approached. A man dressed in white, with a relaxed and contented expression, appeared before him.
His appearance was exactly the same as Qin Gou’s before he disguised himself.
“You’re really slow. I’ve been waiting impatiently,” the white-clad demonic heart said with a gentle smile.
“What?” Qin Gou was bewildered. How could this guy talk to him? This demonic heart actually had intelligence.
The white-clad demonic heart elegantly stood up, his twin pupils as calm as water. “Are you this weak already? Celestial Master of Arc-Moon Mountain!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the white-clad demonic heart calmly produced a black and white feather fan from his embroidered cloud sleeve.
The fan appeared, and clouds surged in all directions!
Qin Gou’s mouth twitched, and his face turned green, feeling trapped with no way out.
Unless his eyes were just holes for breathing, he couldn’t possibly mistake it.
In fact, whether it was Zhao Xinting or Ye Qishuang, any disciple of Arc-Moon Mountain would involuntarily tremble upon seeing this seemingly unremarkable feather fan.
Natal Spirit Tool: Kunpeng Fan (Heavenly Grade)
Owner: Master of Arc-Moon Mountain, Peak Dharma Image Venerable – Celestial Master Qin Gou.
