Ask-the-Heart Array, a century in a single glance.
The disciples gradually awoke, all with stiff, bewildered, and weary gazes.
Some had fallen into madness after joyfully skipping two cultivation stages, indulging daily without restraint, their Dao hearts unstable.
Others had fallen into despair and doubt when their cultivation suddenly regressed…
Upon opening their eyes from the array, they seemed still trapped in nightmares, their bodies and minds wounded, their vital energies greatly diminished.
Only a few disciples awoke fully intact.
To maintain one’s original heart unchanged for a hundred years was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Li Daowei and the other three instructors solemnly addressed the disciples upon their awakening.
“Today’s dream is a mirror for the future! May you all remember it always!”
The stone tablet in front of the Transmission Hall instantly floated into the air, its golden inscriptions glowing.
[Ask-the-Heart Assessment:
1. Lin Shuang – Crystal-Clear Dao Heart, Rank A Upper
2. Zhou Xuanwu – Firm Dao Heart, Rank A Middle
3. Zhao Keran – Enduring Dao Heart, Rank A Lower
…]
The disciples were stunned, as if in a dream.
“Lin Shuang? Did they write the name wrong?”
“Which Lin Shuang?”
“No way?”
They all turned their heads toward a familiar corner near the entrance path and indeed saw Lin Shuang, wearing a mask of pain.
“Help—”
Lin Shuang groaned in agony.
The disciples: “…???”
Was she in more pain than even those who had just succumbed to madness or been struck by lightning?
After a while, they regained their senses and realized.
“Same name?”
“Yesterday, Senior Xu Rui mentioned that a new batch of disciples would arrive soon. Could it be that a new disciple has come today?”
“There are over twenty thousand outer sect disciples; having the same name is common.”
But soon, the stone tablet at the Transmission Hall floated out another line of shimmering water-like text.
[Outer Sect Disciple Rankings Update:
1. Zhou Xuanwu, Qi Transformation 9th Layer, 1→1
2. Zhao Keran, Qi Transformation 8th Layer, 3→2
3. Chen Sixin, Qi Transformation 9th Layer, 2→3
…
9999. Lin Shuang, Qi Transformation 3rd Layer, 14993→9999
10000. Chen Ming, Qi Transformation 5th Layer, 10021→10000]
“!!!”
Before the Transmission Hall, there was complete silence.
They searched for a long time before finally finding a Lin Shuang!
And her ranking had risen nearly five thousand places… Such a rapid ascent was like flying on a sword!
This had never happened in the outer sect, nor had they ever seen it before. It was as if, in a single assessment, she had surpassed a quarter of the outer sect disciples!
Ranking 9999 wasn’t high, but her being at Qi Transformation 3rd Layer among a group of Qi Transformation 5th Layer cultivators was strange and out of place.
The disciples were practically writing their confusion on their faces.
“Sure enough, this is an unlucky year. First, the spiritual energy forced me to breakthrough… then high scores and a huge rank promotion…”
Lin Shuang pressed her aching temples, trapping the gifted spiritual energy between her eyebrows, suppressing the instinct to absorb it.
She muttered to herself.
Her mentality was on the verge of collapse!
“The probability of being surrounded and questioned by fellow disciples is 100%. The chance of wasting half a day is over 80%. The probability of today’s flexible schedule being fully occupied and delaying subsequent schedules is over 50%…”
“The chance of successfully faking a bathroom break is 0. The chance of being suddenly called away is 0. The chance of fainting is 100%…”
Lin Shuang closed her eyes and collapsed instantly.
Senior Xu Rui, who had been standing behind her all along, “…”
Disciple, he heard everything clearly!
“Fainted from exhaustion?”
The disciples exclaimed in shock.
“Could this be what the ancient texts described as a single night of spiritual root enhancement, a complete transformation?”
Lin Shuang, with her eyes closed, was supported by the anxious Zhao Keran, who couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.
Good, everyone was filling in the blanks themselves, saving her the trouble of explaining!
She immediately cast a sleep spell on herself and drifted off peacefully.
*
Within half a day, the news of three disciples receiving blessings from the Ask-the-Heart Array had spread throughout the outer sect.
Most disciples had already awakened before the blessings dissipated, so they hadn’t seen anything.
But that night, many saw the unusual phenomenon of Zhou Xuanwu’s room glowing with brilliant auroras, signaling his advancement to Qi Transformation Peak.
It was also said that in the evening, Zhao Keran went to the dining hall as usual to get food.
The spiritual energy radiating from her body clearly indicated that she had recently broken through and couldn’t yet control the fluctuations of her Qi Transformation 9th Layer.
“What about Lin Shuang? She must have broken through too, right? How enviable.”
“The blessings allowed two disciples at Qi Transformation 8th Layer and above to breakthrough. She must have been unable to bear it at Qi Transformation 3rd Layer, hence she fainted.”
“We haven’t seen her yet, but she must have broken through.”
The disciples chatted while on duty, practicing sword techniques, and getting food.
But soon, they saw a calm figure at Qi Transformation 3rd Layer drifting past them.
“???”
How come she hasn’t broken through yet!?
Lin Shuang swayed leisurely, satisfied with her inner vision of the new 91st Dan Tian located three inches above her left forearm.
The newly acquired 88th to 90th Dan Tians had already dimmed and gone to sleep, scattered throughout her limbs and body.
The left side of her body held odd-numbered Dan Tians, while the right side held even-numbered ones.
Everything was in perfect order.
“Junior sister, you’ve broken through.”
“No, don’t talk nonsense. I’ve merely gained four additional Qi Transformation 3rd Layer Dan Tians—”
Lin Shuang hastily denied.
But as soon as she finished speaking, she froze, stiffly turning her head.
Only to see Senior Xu, expressionless, and the four instructors behind her, all displaying expressions of surprise, confusion, and shock in succession.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Is it still possible to say I made a mistake?
[As long as one persistently trains, one can master the muscle strength of various body parts, precisely operate them, so why not the Dan Tians?]
[Train legs today, abdominal muscles tomorrow, arms the day after, why not the Dan Tians?
The unused parts can rest, so why not? The resting parts I call the second Dan Tian.]
[Strike through the above, today I have a third Dan Tian. At the same time, I can have two resting Dan Tians.]
[Strike through the above, today I have a fourth Dan Tian…]
—The Fastest Cultivation (Draft 3) – Dan Tian Dissection Chapter.
Lin Shuang guiltily recalled. Having multiple Dan Tians shouldn’t be such a shocking cultivation phenomenon, right?
“Um, Master, Senior Brother, what I meant was…”
Senior Xu and the four instructors exchanged glances.
Senior Xu took a deep breath, “This time, in the East Huajing outer sect competition arena, Lin Shuang, you should prepare.”
Lin Shuang took a step back, disbelieving, looking at the four instructors.
She was only at Qi Transformation 3rd Layer!
Li Daowei looked at her pale face and the weak Qi Transformation fluctuations within her body.
Most importantly, her disciple plaque marked her as No. 9999, ranking 9999th among the outer sect disciples.
In the upcoming competition, other sects would send their top five disciples.
Only at Qing Shui Sect would they send someone ranked 9999th… The outcome uncertain, but the audacity full.
Li Daowei thought for a moment and felt the scene might be unbearable to watch.
How would they explain this to the twelve sect leaders in East Huajing?
He pondered, “First, as a reserve disciple.”
Lin Shuang immediately relaxed.
A reserve disciple doesn’t necessarily have to fight—haha, she still had hope~
Under Senior Xu’s disapproving gaze, Lin Shuang happily left.
Back at her wooden hut, she deleted the Xu Rui voice assistant version from Xiao Ai immediately.
That managing senior brother was truly her lifelong nemesis…
*
Within the inner sect’s Rong Bao Zhai (Prosperous Treasure House).
A disheveled sword-riding disciple descended rapidly.
“Senior Huangpu, I’m here to pick something up.”
He called out, rushing toward the back where the storage artifacts were, only to run into a slender disciple.
“Xiao Bai?”
“Senior Meng.”
Both were startled.
Meng Zi paused, looking at the delicate-faced, rosy-lipped junior brother before him, sighing inwardly.
“Xiao Bai, recently don’t go to the outer sect. If you hear any news about the outer sect, don’t take it to heart.”
He looked grave.
Bai Yu’s hands trembled slightly, “Senior Meng, are you referring to the Ask-the-Heart Array in the outer sect bestowing heavenly spiritual energy upon the top three disciples?”
This was an unusual phenomenon unseen in the outer sect for a decade.
Even the inner sect, with its well-connected information network, had heard whispers of it.
It was said that the last time such a feat was achieved was by an elite inner sect senior brother.
Meng Zi frowned, “You’ve already heard? Well then, don’t think too much about it. Being lazy and unambitious for a hundred years, yet maintaining a firm Dao heart, is also a kind of Dao heart solidity.”
Bai Yu silently bit his lip and shook his head.
Seeing his expression, Meng Zi felt somewhat disappointed, like unyielding iron.
“Xiao Bai, I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll be back in three days; we can talk more then.” With that, he hurried to the back to retrieve his item.
“Alright. Wishing Senior Meng a smooth journey.”
After saying goodbye, Meng Zi secretly looked left and right, ensuring no one was watching, before quickly stuffing an ordinary-looking wooden table from the storage artifact into his own storage bag.
Then he rode his sword away.
But after he left, the slender figure in spotless white robes, with flowing white clothes, entered Rong Bao Ge, approaching the swaying bamboo recliner.
On the armrest of the bamboo chair, a large pile of soft white fur with light golden and fiery red tail lay draped, cascading to the ground.
Half-covered on the pale man with extremely light breathing was this fox fur.
Amidst a few flying strands of fox fluff, a slender finger with visible blue veins extended out, pressing on a projection stone.
Inside was precisely yesterday’s Ask-the-Heart Array phenomenon in the outer sect.
His pale fingertip touched the image of the blue-robed woman who had remained unchanged for a century.
A lazy voice sounded, “This is the woman you willingly became a man for?”
Bai Yu’s breath caught, a blush creeping up behind his ears.
But soon he straightened, bowing respectfully.
“Master, I’ve just come of age.”
“…”
“Master, I’ve already spread the word offering a high price for the finger bone. I just don’t know whether she, Lin Shuang, or Zhou Xuanwu have noticed…”
The pale man on the recliner slowly raised his half-closed, narrow eyes from the corners.
“Oh. Then bring the message directly to her.”
*
[Outer Sect A-Rank Mission: Protect the transaction between Rong Bao Zhai Qing Shui Hall Manager and the Prince’s Mansion in Hua Ming City.]
[Client: Rong Bao Zhai Qing Shui Branch.]
The next day, Lin Shuang and Zhao Keran were summoned by Senior Xu’s voice transmission to the manager’s office.
When they arrived, they found Zhou Xuanwu waiting coldly beside them.
Senior Xu turned his head, pretending not to see the reluctant expressions on the three’s faces.
“This mission was directly issued by Rong Bao Zhai in the inner sect.
You should know that in recent years, Rong Bao Zhai has provided much convenience for spirit treasure transactions in our Qing Shui sect, with reasonable prices and diverse varieties.”
Senior Xu tapped the mission scroll in his hand.
“The missions issued by Rong Bao Zhai in the past have always been generous in rewards.”
“This time is no exception.”
The three, a schedule-obsessed workaholic, a shut-in obsessed with retreats, and a devoted follower of her senior sister, reluctantly looked at the mission rewards.
[Upon completion of the mission, disciples may choose one of the following three options:
1. Inner sect cave dwelling rental price, 10% discount for every ten;
2. Inner sect Rong Bao Pavilion items, buy ten get one free;
3. Choose any earth-grade spirit treasure from Rong Bao Pavilion, one piece.]
Instantly, the three listless figures perked up.
An earth-grade spirit treasure from the inner sect was worth around 2000 spirit stones.
They weren’t money-loving people.
Hmm, how could such a mere 2000 disrupt their good habits of following schedules, enjoying solitude, or following their senior sister’s schedule?
But an inner sect cave dwelling rental with a 10% discount for every ten…
—One should retreat immediately upon entering the inner sect, needing a secluded and undisturbed cave dwelling…
Zhou Xuanwu’s eyes flickered.
—When my senior sister enters the inner sect, I will go with her. Then we’ll need a spacious cave dwelling for two…
Zhao Keran’s round face flushed slightly.
—The inner sect? Not necessarily immediately, but preparing in advance for a property most conveniently located near the inner sect’s transmission hall, library, dining hall, manager’s office, and mountain gate entrance…
Lin Shuang’s eyelashes fluttered lightly.
“The inner sect is not like the outer sect; disciples must fight for their cultivation and resting places themselves.”
Senior Xu looked at them.
“Every year, the cave dwelling rental fees leave inner sect disciples exhausted…”
“Senior Brother, can we leave now?” the three asked in unison.
“…”
*
The three rode their swords swiftly toward Hua Ming City.
Zhou Xuanwu stood on his sword, extremely aloof.
But when he turned to look at his female juniors beside him, his eye twitched.
Just ten steps away from his sword… Lin Shuang’s two wide swords and Zhao Keran’s accompanying flying sword were connected end to end, forming a table-like formation, covered with a red and white checkered cloth.
On this checkered cloth lay a purple clay tea set, paper and brush, a fresh fruit platter, candied snacks, and a towering stack of books.
At the very top was the latest novel, “I Am the Mother of Four Immortal Lords.”
At this moment, the two female juniors were both sitting cross-legged on the soft checkered cloth.
Lin Shuang wore a wide-brimmed veil hat to block the sun.
Zhao Keran, beside her, held a teapot brewing tea. Both had open books resting on their knees.
It was as if they weren’t riding swords on a journey… but instead having tea together in a room.
Compared to Lin Shuang’s previous trip to Da Huang Mountain, where she lay lazily on her wide sword chatting all the way, this was even more absurd!
Zhou Xuanwu pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Oh, you mentioned last time?”
Lin Shuang slowly lifted a bit of her veil, looking at Zhou Xuanwu through the transparent gauze, nodded, “Yes, that was a three-day sightseeing and chatting trip, so I didn’t bring my usual training bag.”
“This time on a business trip, I finally brought everything.”
Wait, what do novels, teapots, candied snacks have to do with daily training?!
That’s your daily training bag?!
Zhou Xuanwu barely managed to hold back his words.
“In any case, don’t be careless these two days; maintain the same training state as in the sect.” Lin Shuang earnestly advised.
Zhao Keran solemnly nodded, “Yes, senior sister!”
Zhou Xuanwu turned his head away, finally swallowing the question about whether the one point of effort she used, which was the same as battling with Senior Brother… the two completely different training states, which one was real.
Zhao Keran flipped open the mission scroll and coughed lightly, “Senior sister, we still have four hours until Hua Ming City.”
“Shall we start a mobilization meeting first?”
Zhou Xuanwu turned his head in confusion, what kind of meeting?
Lin Shuang nodded.
Zhao Keran happily lowered her head again and continued, “Protecting Rong Bao Zhai’s transaction with the Prince’s Mansion, meeting begins.”
“Senior sister, Senior Zhou, regarding the Prince’s Mansion information, I found an elder’s travel notes in the library.
I found out that Prince Cheng has always aspired to immortality, but his cultivation roots are mediocre, so he constantly seeks spirit pills for body transformation and spirit treasures usable by low-level Qi Transformation cultivators.”
After speaking, her round eyes looked expectantly at her senior sister.
Sure enough, Lin Shuang patted her hand appreciatively, nodding approvingly.
“Good job, junior sister, you’ve improved.”
“Being well-prepared before taking action increases efficiency and improves future efficiency. Very good.”
Zhao Keran happily puffed out her chest and continued.
“Therefore, this transaction we’re protecting is most likely a first-tier artifact or pill, at most second-tier. This also fits the difficulty level of Rong Bao Zhai assigning outer sect disciples to protect it.”
Zhao Keran quickly concluded, “The estimated enemy’s cultivation level is Qi Transformation 5th Layer to Qi Transformation Peak. Considering the A-rank mission difficulty, doubling the number, the enemy might be between six to seven people.”
Zhou Xuanwu nodded.
What kind of meeting was this? It was actually somewhat useful.
In Hua Ming City’s inn.
Bai Yu, still in his white robe, respectfully bowed to the man seated, who was wiping the fiery fox fur on his body.
“Master, I’ve already posted a task in the Annihilation Pavilion to kidnap you tomorrow.”
“Considering the victory of Zhou Xuanwu, Lin Shuang, and Liu Ba in battle, the assassins should be at the Condensed Qi 3rd to 6th Layer, numbering three.”
The strikingly vibrant red fox fur lent a faint rosy hue to the pale neck of the seated man.
“Hmm.”
*
“Senior Brother, I’m back from cultivation!”
Xiao Qi of the Shan Hai Sect finally completed the three-day pyramid of learning and memory curve’s devilish training and ended his retreat.
But he couldn’t find his senior brother Zhao Ming.
[Senior Brother has matters, away for four days. Don’t miss me—Left by Zhao Ming.]
Xiao Qi sighed, “Why is my senior brother always disappearing?”
But he excitedly opened Lin Shuang’s communication channel, only to hear an automatic reply.
“Postponing the next two fat-burning sessions, I have matters and will be away for four days. I’ll handle the fat-burning matters myself while away. Come find me when I return—Left by Lin Shuang.”
Xiao Qi: “?”
Why are both of them away for four days?
At the same time.
A disheveled black-clothed man striding on a square table, Meng Zi, feeling the two masks on his face, also headed west.
“Ten thousand spirit stones.”
“Cough, Senior Huangpu, manager of Rong Bao Pavilion, don’t blame me… I’ll only kidnap you for a day, then I’ll let you go. I’m sorry for the offense.”
…
Approaching Hua Ming City.
Lin Shuang, lying on her wide sword, looked up at the sky and pressed her forehead.
Hmm, why is her eyelid twitching again?
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