Chapter 396: Dao Heart Transformation, Leading Again

Zhou Chen stood where he was, expressionless.

Perhaps this was the deepest fear in his heart—

That his family and friends would die because of him.

Back in the Tianxuan Continent, he had been forced by circumstances to come to the Spirit Realm.

Although he had detached the Jixia Academy into a Small World to temporarily protect them,

He had always worried that something unexpected might happen after he left.

Now, this fear had become a reality within the illusion.

"Go in peace…"

"It's all the fault of those damned demons for harming you."

Zhou Chen's heart was as calm as an ancient well, as if he were watching a movie.

"Wait until I attain the Supreme Dao…"

"And then I will come to resurrect you…"

"Remember, your deaths are meaningful; you died for a worthy cause…"

While Zhou Chen spoke, his hands were not slow, instantly slaying everyone who approached him.

"Go in peace, Elder Xuan."

A terrifying sword light instantly split Elder Xuan in two.

"Go in peace, fellow Disciples."

Beneath Zhou Chen's feet, the heads of the Academy Disciples piled up like a mountain.

Until the head of the Academy's Old Jìjiǔ was ruthlessly severed…

The spirit of the illusion witnessed all this and fell into deep self-doubt.

Is this even a human?

To have such a terrifying Dao Heart, this boy absolutely cannot be allowed to remain.

In the spectator stands, everyone saw Zhou Chen's "struggle" within the illusion.

"Zhou Chen seems unable to hold on…"

"He looks like he's about to kneel…"

"It seems he's going to fail this round."

Murong Fei sneered, "As expected, his Dao Heart isn't firm enough."

"No matter how strong his cultivation is, he can't pass the test of the Dao Heart."

Zi Yan's brow furrowed, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.

"…Keep going…"

—

Inside the illusion.

Zhou Chen was still expressionlessly appreciating these scenes.

"Ridiculous!"

"In this life of mine, although I have regrets and fears,"

"My Dao Heart has never wavered!"

"Kill!!!!"

Boom!

The Great Void Dao Principle within his body erupted, his powerful willpower impacting the illusion.

"I have a sword, Qingping, to sever all the myriad laws of the heavens!"

The terrifying imperial dao imprint manifested and instantly slashed down.

"Break for me!"

Crack—

The illusion shattered instantly like a mirror.

Zhou Chen opened his eyes and returned to reality.

"Pass."

The referee looked at Zhou Chen in shock: "Time taken… fifteen minutes?!"

The entire audience broke into an uproar.

"Fifteen minutes?"

"So fast?"

"Murong Fei took thirty minutes, and Zi Yan took forty-five minutes."

"Zhou Chen actually only took fifteen minutes?"

"Moreover, he clearly looked like he was about to fail just now…"

"How did he suddenly break through and come out?"

In the spectator stands, countless people were discussing fervently.

Murong Fei's expression was even more terrifyingly gloomy.

He had thought Zhou Chen would fail the Dao Heart test.

He hadn't expected that not only would Zhou Chen pass, but his time would be even shorter than his own.

"Damn it…"

Murong Fei grit his teeth. "This Zhou Chen, what exactly is his background?"

Zi Yan, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.

"As expected of a ten-star Genius…"

"The firmness of his Dao Heart is something even I cannot compare to."

On the high platform, True Person Ziyang took a deep look at Zhou Chen.

"Interesting…"

"This kid was almost at the point of collapse in the illusion."

"But at the final moment, he was actually able to instantly clear his mind and see through the illusion."

"To be able to break the illusion in just fifteen minutes, this kind of Dao Heart…"

A trace of praise flashed in his eyes: "It's simply terrifying."

Zhou Chen walked off the Magic Array and returned to the spectator stands.

His face was calm, as if nothing had happened just now.

An illusion of this level held no difficulty for him.

"Not bad…"

He continued to close his eyes and rest, waiting for the end of the third round of assessments.

—

Several hours later.

The third round of assessments finally concluded.

Out of four hundred people, only two hundred successfully passed.

The other two hundred were all eliminated.

"Congratulations to everyone for passing the third round of assessments."

True Person Ziyang stood on the high platform and said loudly, "Those who can reach this stage are all individuals with firm Dao Hearts."

"And the following fourth round will be the final assessment."

"It is also…"

He paused. "The most brutal assessment."

"The fourth round: the Arena Tournament."

"The two hundred people will engage in arena duels."

"Until the final top ten are decided."

"Only the top ten can become Outer Sect Disciples of the Zixia Sect."

"And the first place…"

A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Will receive extra rewards."

"One Medium Grade Immortal Rank Magic Treasure."

"Three Low Grade Immortal Rank Medicinal Pills."

"Ten thousand contribution points."

"And…"

"The qualification to be directly promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue was in an uproar.

"What?!"

"First place can be directly promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple?"

"This reward is too generous!"

"You should know, for an Outer Sect Disciple to be promoted to the Inner Sect, it takes at least five years!"

"And the first place can directly skip this process!"

The eyes of all the participants burned with a fiery light.

The status and resources of an Inner Sect Disciple far exceeded those of an Outer Sect Disciple.

If one could directly become an Inner Sect Disciple…

That would simply be a meteoric rise!

A look of determination flashed in Murong Fei's eyes.

"Inner Sect Disciple…"

"This spot is mine!"

Zi Yan's eyes were also firm.

"I must get first place."

Zhou Chen, however, curled his lips into a cold smile.

"Inner Sect Disciple?"

"Interesting…"

"It seems the fourth round will be quite lively."

True Person Ziyang continued, "The rules for the fourth round of duels will still be decided by drawing lots."

"But this time…"

His expression grew serious. "On the arena stage, life and death are determined by fate."

"To prevent anyone from maliciously killing, there is a protective Formation on the arena stage."

"If someone's life is in danger, the Formation will automatically activate and teleport them out."

"But if the Formation cannot react in time…"

He scanned the entire field. "If you die, you can only blame your own lack of strength."

"Is that understood?"

All the participants fell silent.

This round was the true battle of life and death.

"Very well."

True Person Ziyang nodded. "Now, you have one day to rest."

"Tomorrow morning, the fourth round of assessments will officially begin."

"Everyone, prepare yourselves well."

After speaking, he waved his hand and left the high platform.

The participants also dispersed to go back and rest.

Zhou Chen walked out of the Martial Arts Field, preparing to return to the inn to rest.

Just then, Murong Fei suddenly blocked his path.

"Zhou Chen."

Murong Fei said coldly, "In tomorrow's arena tournament, we are bound to have a fight."

"At that time…"

A trace of jealousy and killing intent flashed in his eyes. "I will let you know the meaning of despair."

Zhou Chen smiled faintly. "Is that so?"

"Then I look forward to it as well."

"However…"

He looked at Murong Fei. "I hope Young Lord Murong won't disappoint me then."

After speaking, he bypassed Murong Fei and walked away.

Murong Fei watched his back, his fists clenched tight.

"Damned fellow…"