Chapter 394: Illusion Trial, Dao Heart Like Iron

After all, the Zixia Sect is a renowned Sect in the Spirit Realm.

Being able to enter the Zixia Sect is an opportunity for any Cultivator to ascend to the heavens in a single step.

On the high platform in the center of the square sat several Elders of the Zixia Sect.

At the head was a middle-aged man wearing purple robes, his Aura unfathomable.

He was the Grand Elder of the Zixia Sect—True Person Ziyang, with a cultivation base at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer.

"Everyone."

True Person Ziyang stood up, his voice carrying across the entire venue via spiritual power: "Welcome to the 389th Outer Sect selection of the Zixia Sect."

"For this selection, a total of 3,276 people have registered."

"But in the end, only the top ten will be able to become Outer Sect Disciples."

"In other words…"

He paused: "The elimination rate is as high as 99 percent."

"Therefore, everyone must give their all."

"Otherwise, even if you have great talent, you will still be eliminated."

The entire venue fell silent.

All the participants felt immense pressure.

With over 3,000 people fighting for ten spots, the intensity of the competition was easy to imagine.

"Now, I will announce the rules for the first round of assessment."

True Person Ziyang waved his hand, and a massive stone stele suddenly appeared in the center of the square.

The stone stele was ten zhang high, pitch black, and exuded an ancient Aura.

"This is the trial stone stele."

True Person Ziyang explained: "A will is sealed inside the stone stele."

"Everyone needs to use their own Divine Sense to impact the will inside the stone stele."

"The stone stele will give a score based on your performance."

"Scores range from one star to ten stars."

"Those who reach five stars or more can advance to the second round."

"Those who do not reach five stars will be directly eliminated."

After speaking, he retreated back to the high platform.

"Now, the first round of assessment officially begins."

"According to the token number, starting from number one, proceed forward to test in sequence."

As soon as his voice fell, a young Cultivator dressed in green robes stepped forward.

"I am Lin Feng, token number one."

He took a deep breath, walked to the stone stele, and placed his hand on it.

Hum—

The stone stele emitted a humming sound and began to detect the strength of Lin Feng's Divine Sense.

A moment later, three stars appeared on the surface of the stone stele.

"Three stars, unqualified."

True Person Ziyang said indifferently: "Next."

Lin Feng's face turned pale, and he left, looking dejected.

Next, one participant after another stepped forward to test.

Some received five stars and successfully advanced.

Some only received one or two stars and left in gloom.

There were also a few Geniuses who received seven or eight stars, causing exclamations throughout the venue.

Time passed bit by bit.

Finally, it was Murong Fei's turn.

"I am Murong Fei, token number ninety-nine."

Murong Fei walked to the stone stele, his Aura like a rainbow.

He placed his hand on the stone stele, and a powerful Divine Sense surged out.

Boom!

The stone stele shook violently, and star after star appeared on its surface.

One star… two stars… three stars… four stars… five stars… six stars… seven stars… eight stars… nine stars!

In the end, nine stars appeared on the surface of the stone stele!

The entire venue was in an uproar.

"Nine stars!"

"Murong Fei actually received a nine-star rating!"

"This is the highest score today!"

"He is indeed a Genius rarely seen in Qingfeng City in a hundred years!"

There were exclamations throughout the spectator stands.

True Person Ziyang also nodded: "Not bad, a nine-star rating is indeed rare."

"This kid's Divine Sense strength is already approaching the Quasi-Immortal Realm First Layer."

"His future is limitless."

Murong Fei looked around proudly, then his gaze fell on Zhou Chen in the crowd.

A cold sneer curled at the corner of his mouth, as if to say: "Do you see? This is my strength."

Zhou Chen was expressionless and did not react at all.

The testing continued.

Soon, it was Zhou Chen's turn.

"Number two hundred thirty-seven, Zhou Chen."

Zhou Chen stepped forward and came to the stone stele.

Murong Fei sneered: "With a cultivation base at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm, it would be good enough to get five stars."

Zhou Chen ignored Murong Fei's ridicule.

He placed his hand on the stone stele and slowly released his Divine Sense.

Hum—

The stone stele vibrated.

One star… two stars… three stars… four stars… five stars… six stars… seven stars… eight stars… nine stars…

Ten stars!

On the surface of the stone stele, ten brilliant stars appeared!

The entire venue instantly fell into dead silence.

Everyone widened their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Ten stars?

How is this possible?

On the high platform, True Person Ziyang stood up abruptly, his eyes full of shock.

"Ten-star rating?"

"This… how is this possible?"

"This kid's Divine Sense strength has already reached the level of the quasi-immortal realm third layer!"

"He is clearly only at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm…"

Murong Fei's face turned livid, and he stared fixedly at the ten stars on the stone stele.

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

How could this Zhou Chen be stronger than him?

Zhou Chen withdrew his hand and turned to leave the stone stele.

As he passed by Murong Fei, he said indifferently: "Young Lord Murong, it seems your nine stars are nothing more than that."

Murong Fei's face flushed red, and he was almost bursting with anger.

"You… you…"

Zhou Chen ignored him further and walked back into the crowd.

The entire venue was in an uproar.

Everyone was discussing this dark horse named Zhou Chen.

With a cultivation base at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm, he could actually receive a ten-star rating.

Such talent is simply terrifying!

True Person Ziyang took a deep look at Zhou Chen.

"Interesting…"

"It seems that this selection has produced an incredible Genius."

The first round of assessment ended in shock.

And Zhou Chen also became the focus of everyone's attention.

Half a day later.

In the center of the Martial Arts Field, a huge Magic Array appeared.

The Magic Array was in the shape of an Eight Trigrams, a hundred zhang in radius, and was carved with complex runes.

In the center of the Formation floated a huge crystal ball, emitting a psychedelic light.

This is the Dao Heart Trial Formation.

"Everyone."

True Person Ziyang stood on the high platform and said loudly: "The third round of assessment tests the Dao Heart."

"The Dao Heart is one of the most important qualities for a Cultivator."

"Cultivation base can be improved, and Cultivation Technique can be cultivated, but once the Dao Heart is shaken, it is very difficult to recover."

"Therefore…"

He paused: "Although this round of assessment will not have life-threatening dangers, it is the most perilous."

"Because…"

"It tests the deepest fears, desires, and obsessions in your heart."

"Once you are deceived by the illusion, the best case is damage to your Dao Heart, and the worst case is Qi Deviation."

The entire venue fell silent.

All the participants felt the danger of this round of assessment.

"Now, I will explain the assessment rules."

True Person Ziyang pointed to the Magic Array: "Everyone will enter the Dao Heart Trial Formation in sequence."

"Inside the Formation, the most realistic illusions will be constructed based on your memories and experiences."

"In the illusion, you will face the deepest fears, desires, and obsessions in your heart."

"Only by staying clear-headed and seeing through the illusion can you pass the assessment."

"The assessment time is at most one hour."

"If you cannot pass within one hour, you will be forcibly exited and considered a failure."

"Those who pass will advance to the fourth round."

"Those who fail will be eliminated."

"In addition…"