Chapter 170: Fourth Level of the Saint Realm, Dao Heart Sublimation

The surrounding Cultivators all held their breath, thinking they were about to witness a good show.

"Fight quickly, go on! Stop dawdling."

"Exactly, don't waste time."

Those who loved a spectacle and weren't afraid of trouble even started to fan the flames.

However, at that moment, a voice echoed from the gateway once again.

"The trial is about to begin. Those who wish to participate, please enter the light pillars."

"Each person has only one chance. Those who fail will be teleported out of the land of Legacy, while the successful ones will be sent to the next location to continue receiving the Legacy."

Hearing this, Ji Wuming restrained his Aura.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky."

He gave Zhou Chen a cold look. "When we get out later, this young master will show you the meaning of despair."

After saying that, Ji Wuming strode toward the first light pillar.

"Then we shall wait and see."

Zhou Chen responded indifferently, not taking it to heart. If anyone dared to provoke him, even if they were from an Imperial Clan, they would have to pay the price, let alone Ji Wuming, whom he had been playing like a fiddle.

Zhou Chen also walked toward a light pillar.

Lin Xueer and Miao Dandan followed closely behind him.

"Xueer, Dandan, remember to stay close to me."

Zhou Chen warned, "This trial isn't simple. Be extremely careful."

"Mhm!"

The two women nodded simultaneously.

Just like that, the three of them stepped into the light pillar together.

Instantly, the scene before their eyes changed.

They appeared in a vast space, surrounded by complex Formation patterns.

In the center of the space, there was an ethereal figure.

The figure wore an ancient robe and had a majestic countenance; it was the projection of the Array Emperor!

"Welcome to this Emperor's land of Legacy."

The Array Emperor's projection spoke, his voice like a great resonant bell.

"The first stage: The Formation Trial."

"You need to crack the Formation set by this Emperor within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

"Those who succeed may proceed to the next stage; those who fail… are out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a complex Formation appeared in the space.

This Formation was layered and shimmering with light, clearly no ordinary thing.

"Begin!"

With a command from the Array Emperor's projection, the trial officially began.

Zhou Chen immediately circulated the Nine Revolutions Spirit Refining Art, sweeping his Divine Sense to observe the structure of the Formation.

Zhou Chen's Formation attainments, while not top-tier, had a solid foundation.

More importantly, the Azure Lotus Dao Body had a natural affinity for all kinds of Laws, including the Space Law, and Formations were essentially the application of the Space Law.

"Found it!"

Soon, Zhou Chen discovered the key nodes of the Formation.

He reached out and tapped several specific positions in succession.

*Crack—*

The Formation emitted a crisp sound and then collapsed completely.

"Not bad."

The Array Emperor's projection nodded in satisfaction. "Pass."

Immediately after, Ji Wuming also cracked the Formation.

As a Prodigy of an Imperial Clan, his foundation was indeed profound.

Although Lin Xueer and Miao Dandan were a bit slower, they both successfully passed in the end.

Among the other Cultivators participating in the trial, many passed the first stage, including familiar faces like Lei Ming, Ye Xuan, and Bai Yuting.

"The second stage: Combat Power Test."

The Array Emperor's projection continued, "You need to defeat an Incarnation of this Emperor."

"The Incarnation's strength will be adjusted according to your cultivation level."

Just as he finished speaking, numerous figures appeared in the space; they were the Incarnations of the Array Emperor.

Each Incarnation's strength was equivalent to that of the corresponding challenger.

"Come!"

The Incarnation Zhou Chen faced was at the third level of the Saint Realm, but its combat power was clearly far beyond those of the same level.

After all, it was an Incarnation of the Array Emperor; even if it was just a projection, it was not something an ordinary Cultivator could compare to.

"Killing Sword Technique!"

To avoid attracting the attention of the Emperor's Corpse, Zhou Chen did not directly use the Azure Lotus Sword Scripture. Furthermore, he didn't go for a one-hit kill but instead maneuvered slowly, observing the surrounding environment.

*Bang!*

After nearly half an hour, Zhou Chen felt it was about time.

His figure flashed, performing the Taiyi Golden Light Step to instantly appear before the Incarnation.

With a heavy punch, the Incarnation dissipated, and Zhou Chen "struggled" to win the battle.

"Second stage, pass."

The Array Emperor's projection nodded again.

The others' battles also ended one after another; Ji Wuming and the others had long since successfully passed the second stage.

"The final stage: Heart-Nature Trial."

The Array Emperor's projection's voice became solemn. "This stage will test your inner heart."

"You will face your deepest fears and desires."

"Only by remaining true to your original intention can you pass."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding environment changed once again.

Zhou Chen found himself in a familiar place—Qingchuan Town.

This was his hometown before his Transmigration.

"This is…"

He looked around, his eyes filled with confusion.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared before him.

It was his mother from his previous life.

"Son, you're finally back."

His mother looked at him with a face full of affection. "Mom has been waiting for you for a long time."

Seeing his mother's figure, Zhou Chen's eyes grew somewhat moist.

In his previous life, he was rarely with his mother due to his busy work.

When his mother passed away, he hadn't even been able to see her one last time.

This had always been a regret in his heart.

"Mom…"

Infinite emotions welled up in Zhou Chen's heart.

Zhou Chen had come a long way, and although he had the help of his Golden Finger and everything went smoothly,

essentially, he was still lonely.

In this Tianxuan Continent, no one could truly understand Zhou Chen; he was merely a lonely traveler.

"Child, no matter what difficulties you encounter out there, remember to take good care of yourself. Look at you, you've grown thin."

"Remember, Mom will always love you."

After saying that, the illusion actually began to slowly dissipate on its own.

"I know, Mom."

The moisture in Zhou Chen's eyes could no longer be contained, turning into two streams of warmth.

At this moment, Zhou Chen truly knew why he wanted to become stronger.

He wanted to protect everything he wished to protect; he wanted the rules of this world to never bind him again.

When he opened his eyes again, the illusion had completely vanished.

And the Aura on Zhou Chen's body, following the Breakthrough in his state of mind, naturally reached the fourth level of the Saint Realm.

"Third stage, pass."

The Array Emperor's projection's voice rang out, carrying a hint of approval.

"Not bad. To be able to remain clear-headed under such an intense Heart-Nature trial, your Dao Heart is indeed firm."

Zhou Chen was noncommittal; it wasn't that this stage was difficult to pass, but rather that he was unwilling to say goodbye to the reunion so quickly.

Anyone who had experienced the beatings of a triathlon or the "blessings" of 996 work culture would have sufficiently strong willpower and would not wallow in illusions.

The others also completed the Heart-Nature trial one after another.

Ji Wuming faced the temptation of power, Lin Xueer faced her dependence on Zhou Chen, and Miao Dandan faced not a longing for freedom, but an attachment to Zhou Chen, nearly becoming immersed in a life of assisting her husband and educating their children.

In the end, a total of dozens of people successfully passed all three stages of the trial.

"Very good."

The Array Emperor's projection nodded in satisfaction. "You are all qualified to inherit this Emperor's Legacy."

"However, there is only one copy of this Emperor's Legacy. Among you, a final inheritor must emerge."