441 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

### Chapter 441: The First Trial The island in the middle of the lake was perpetually shrouded in mist, home to the Nascent Soul Patriarch who practiced there in seclusion. As Qi Xiu approached, he found the island to be unexpectedly ordinary. Its surface barely rising above the water, mostly consisted of sandbanks, with a simple thatched cottage at its center. "Is this really where the Nascent Soul cultivator resides?" With this question in mind, he descended to the ground, only to experience an abrupt change in scenery, revealing a vast, hidden world. Fifth-tier spiritual qi enveloped him as the space expanded, stretching wide and seemingly endless. The island remained the same, yet the sandy expanse now stretched as far as the eye could see. The small thatched hut stood at a distant horizon, always visible but giving an impression of unreachable distance, emphasizing his insignificance. “I’ll first explain the rules…” As the Lord of Jixia City and a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Gui Qingkong was quite courteous to the trial participants, eschewing any semblance of arrogance. Qi Xiu recalled how, back when his storage bag was snatched by Si Ai, Gui Qingkong handled the situation without asserting his status. Moreover, his family generously replaced everything that was lost, displaying the formidable wealth of the Gui family in Jixia City. Only a mishap with a junior subordinate treating him like a country bumpkin tarnished his impression slightly. Forming a temporary alliance with Chu Wuying, An Siyian, and two other cultivators from the Qi family of Chu Clan, the group listened intently as Gui Qingkong laid out the rules, exchanging surprised glances. The primary rule upon entering this trial ground was the prohibition of all spiritual powers. According to Gui Qingkong, this ban meant any spells, magic tools, or innate abilities were unusable. “So, once we go in, we’ll all become ordinary people?” Qi Xiu looked troubled. Having lived a cautious life, he found it hard to imagine coping without essential abilities like [Mind's Eye], [All-seeing Eye], or [Premonition]. It was as if the sky would fall, shaking his confidence even in walking. “If everyone’s powers are off-limits, it's fair; no one can rely on wealth.” An Siyian, however, seemed pleased. His ability to condense a core with minimal resources indicated superior Dao comprehension. This setup inherently benefited him, limiting the advantages of those from prestigious families. Chu Wen and Chu Wuying were briefly taken aback but quickly moved on; one was too wild to care, the other maintained an icy aloofness towards everything. Many reacted similarly to the small group, initially anxious but eventually calming down. All participants were steadfast in their Dao heart; otherwise, they wouldn't have reached the Golden Core stage. Starting from the same line, outcomes would depend purely on skill. “Perhaps this way, my results will be more convincing, proving I’m not just a Nascent Soul descendant with an inherent advantage.” Amidst the Qi Clan cultivators, a different mindset prevailed among the Nan Gong family. The one who had pressured Qi Xiu earlier subtly moved to the back, locating He Yu before feeling reassured. "Please stand by; the patriarch will address you shortly." Gui Qingkong waited patiently as everyone absorbed the announced rules, then left with a word, flying away. “A Nascent Soul Patriarch!” The crowd buzzed with excitement. Qi Xiu straightened his back instinctively, double-checking his appearance. According to the “Thousand Cultivation Records” left by Chu Zhen, the Nascent Soul Patriarch of Jixia City, named Gui Zheng, was once a scholar from the Great Zhou Academy. Details of his decision to leave and rule Jixia City were unclear, yet he was known for his casual, jesting nature but had no tarnished reputation. He was a principled, albeit mischievous figure, eager to mentor younger talents. If one caught his eye, guidance, Dao scripts, magic tools, or even the fifth-tier spiritual lands of Jixia City were negotiable. Over millennia, he’d aided countless individuals, earning a reputation as a benevolent sage on many cultivators’ paths. Leaving a favorable impression on such a patriarch promised undeniable benefits. Inspired by similar thoughts, many cultivators had received family hints or learned from other channels about this, preparing to make a good impression. Even those less informed treated the impending encounter with utmost seriousness, knowing meeting a Nascent Soul Patriarch was a rare opportunity. Soon enough, a figure sauntered out from the distant horizon’s hut, appearing far but remarkably clear. Each subtle movement visible, a half-step forward and he stood aloft before everyone, his arrival facilitated by the peculiar spatial distortion, unsettling the group's perception. The elder bore a simple white scholar’s robe, his long white hair neatly tied behind with a blue square cloth. Though aged, his earlier handsomeness was evident beneath his lean build, a perpetual smile gracing his lips. His kind gaze instantly calmed the crowd. In every way, he was the quintessential Confucian elder—no exaggerated features or mystical limbs. His hand deftly handled a string of prayer beads, causing a stir among the Confucian cultivators. Meanwhile, Buddhist disciples quickly began speculating. “Could this Nascent Soul Patriarch be transitioning from Confucian to Buddhist teachings, or practicing both?” As such thoughts crossed Miao Qing’s mind, she was startled to find the beads from the patriarch hovering before her, filled with a mix of surprise and joy. A glance around confirmed the envy in others’ eyes. “Why her?” Naturally, Qi Xiu was among the ‘resentful,’ recalling a recent scuffle where this nun disrupted his disciple Gu Tan’s critical core-condensing phase, forcing him into three years of scripture copying, while Ming Zhen had to repent for a century at the Buddha's feet. Now, the patriarch was giving her a gift upon meeting—what improbable fate was this? "Thank you, Patriarch!" Miao Qing, momentarily overwhelmed, quickly composed herself, graciously accepted the beads, and expressed her gratitude with a bow. “Ha ha…” Gui Zheng chuckled while stroking his lengthy white beard, then waved nonchalantly and posed to the crowd, “What does one's true heart resemble?” This was a test, a question to reveal one’s essence. "The true heart?" The assembly promptly wracked their brains for answers. “A heart like the autumn moon, pristine and bright, incomparable and indescribable,” offered a monk from Nanlin Temple. Gui Zheng nodded slightly, noncommittal. “A heart as a clear mirror, reflecting self-awareness, revealing beauty and flaws,” added a Black Wind Valley cultivator. “Ah! That's similar to my answer!” Qi Xiu felt a surge of anxiety, influenced by the “Cognizant Mirror” and its correspondences, intending to use a mirror metaphor, now forced to rethink. Gui Zheng gently nodded again, signaling acceptance but awaiting superior responses. “To seek enlightenment is to find the true heart; the true heart is the Dao heart,” a cultivator of unknown origin proposed. “Uh…” Gui Zheng’s mouth twitched subtly, shaking his head. “Next.” Evidently less satisfied with this answer. The cultivator retreated under watchful and not-so-subtle gazes, humiliated. “My heart is akin to my sword, wielded to cut through falsehood, honed diligently, and kept unsullied,” voiced a sword cultivator with a blue lotus insignia on his chest. “Hmm.” Gui Zheng nodded, this time with more enthusiasm. The crowd grew frantic, hurriedly sharing insights in fear the sword cultivator might claim the top spot. Notions like a heart embodying innate knowledge, or a heart devoid of materiality appeared, each receiving different reactions from Gui Zheng. Qi Xiu articulated an idea, “Today's reflection mirrors my current heart,” but elicited no visible response from Gui Zheng. Contrarily, impromptu elucidations from free-spirited peers like Chu Wen and An Siyian met with outright disapproval. Gradually, everyone began to discern a trend — sentiments valuing active engagement and life, akin to the sword cultivator’s philosophy, earned Gui Zheng’s nod. In contrast, escapist notions of leisure and seclusion received none. “Recently I've sensed a major event on the horizon, potentially impacting your generation. Hence, this trial was orchestrated to provide ample opportunities, hoping for more Nascent Soul cultivators to emerge and address it…” Apparently, Gui Zheng’s purpose was less metaphysical discourse and more a straightforward caution about looming dangers, urging strength and proactive resilience. Participants exchanged wary looks, contemplating the magnitude and nature of this event a Nascent Soul cultivator deemed significant. Yet, no one knew. “You are you, they are they—each true heart differs, with no right or wrong, only the essential goodwill and dedication to the world.” Gui Zheng offered a final counsel, then announced the trial’s commencement. … After a dizzying moment, Qi Xiu awoke on the sandy island, the Nascent Soul Patriarch no longer in sight. The distant hut was now a solitary stone tablet. Qi Xiu was among the last to regain consciousness, his [Mind's Eye] rendered ineffective. Feeling entirely severed from spiritual power, energy, and even innate abilities, Qi Xiu felt like he had been abruptly reduced to a mere mortal, possibly even less capable than those cultivators who had their abilities suppressed after having their acupoints sealed. "No means of reliance left!" His storage bag became useless, and every magical tool and robe on him was devoid of function. They had to rely solely on their human form for the trial ahead. Some quick-thinking cultivators immediately took action, sprinting towards the stone tablet on the horizon. According to Gui Qingkong’s briefing, this trial was known as the "Tablet Forest Trial." Participants were to rely on personal insight and serendipity to encounter opportunities, with no additional guidance provided. "There may not be a forest, but there's a stone tablet there. Let's go!" Chu Wuying urged, adapting to his ordinary body that could no longer perform phantom arts, pointing towards the distant stone tablet and calling out to his companions who were still seated. "What's the rush? Competing in a race to grab first place? Is this really how we, as cultivators, seek our fortunes?" An invigorated Chu Wen admonished, his mood slightly affected after his earlier answer about the ‘true heart’ was scolded by Gui Zheng as passive. An Siyian, sharing his sentiment, nodded in agreement. Their group decided not to rush, lingering for a while and just about to set off leisurely when a commanding voice boomed from the sky: "From the outer sea, so-and-so reaches the tablet first and wins the first trial, receiving a prize." Suddenly, the distant stone tablet vanished. The island, sky, and the sand beneath their feet began to crumble and dissolve, causing the group to lose consciousness once again. (To be continued)