450 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 450: A Small Gain Finally Achieved As the illusion around them rapidly crumbled and dissipated, Chu Wuying's victory should have been cause for Qi Xiu's happiness. Yet, given the present circumstances, there was little room for such joy. In an instant, the illusory realm collapsed, leaving no time to react. Everyone was simultaneously rendered unconscious, transported to the next stage of the trial. Upon awakening, each found themselves alone once more. "One trial after another, endlessly continuous! How can it be this coincidental?" he sighed helplessly while lying on the ground. If Yu He were indeed the true culprit, wouldn't this scenario be akin to letting the tiger return to the mountain? "What on earth is the Ji Xia Gu family doing?! Miao Qing clearly went out to report, and yet Yu He can still move freely within the trial grounds. Are they entirely indifferent to such a grave situation?" "Based on experiences from the Junxuan Mountain's pill trial and the construction of our own Black River Peak trial grounds, this kind of large-scale, self-contained trial illusion, especially if emphasizing the safety of the participants, must have a 'dead door'. Without that singular variable, the grand formation would malfunction, inviting disaster." "Perhaps, the true killer is not among the cultivators in the formation, but rather similar to the ‘Jade Skeleton’ in Junxuan Mountain or the ‘Thousand-Eyed Ghost Spider’ at the base of Black River Peak—is this ‘Stele Forest Trial’ the singular dead door?" His mind was a tangled mess, so much so that he decided to survey his surroundings. Unexpectedly, this trial's environment bore some resemblance to the Black River's scenery. The sky was dim and gloomy, stretching over an endless, murky swamp, which matched the oppressive weight of the bloodbath on his mind. Thankfully, unlike Black River, there was no stench, and the patch of ground where he lay was a small dry mound, slightly raised from the swamp. Just as he was about to stand, he realized a troubling question. "If Yu He is not the culprit, then after being transported to this round, he, with a clear conscience, should continue using the trial tokens to exit and address the Invisible Crane issue with the Ji Xia Gu family. Wouldn't confronting him outside only lead to my humiliation?" "If Yu He is the true culprit, would he really be honest enough to exit the trial after narrowly escaping our encirclement, only to fall into the Gu family's trap? If he remains within the trial grounds, what use would it be for me to exit?" "More importantly, since Wuying just won the previous round, the real culprit might target him next. Shouldn't I first find him and leave together to be safe?" Upon deliberating, it seemed best to remain in the trial for now. "So, I should not exit for the moment and figure out a way to contact Wuying?" Having made up his mind, he noticed the trial token still clutched in his hand. As he instinctively attempted to tuck it away, a thought suddenly struck him, "Am I perhaps subconsciously finding excuses not to exit?" This realization hit him like a bolt of lightning, clearing his mind significantly. He became aware that, unable to use his innate talent in the trial grounds, he had never truly reflected on his inner thoughts, always accustomed to the presence of [Enlightenment of Self-Heart], since entering the trial. "Adhering to one's true self, not swayed by desires or external influences, is a basic principle for cultivators. Yet, since entering the trial, I've completely ignored this." "After years of relying on my innate ability [Enlightenment of Self-Heart], have I forgotten the ability to truly examine my inner heart when devoid of this talent? Without the gift of 'Insight into Human Nature,' am I unable to gauge the thoughts of others?" "Even without spiritual power circulating through the body or the techniques forming a perfect cycle, can one not still chant sutras or meditate like mortal monks and Daoists to cultivate the mind?" The more he pondered, the deeper his immersion became, leading him to sit cross-legged and meditate right on the spot. Quickly, he entered a state of forgetting both self and surroundings. To a mortal, the body serves as the soul’s vessel throughout a lifetime. However, for a cultivator, the body not only holds the soul but also serves as one's cultivation grounds—a stage for the sea of consciousness, life-bound items, treasured artifacts, spiritual energy, golden core, and nascent soul, much like a vessel filled with whatever it can hold. Over time, this vessel grows formidable but unwieldy, risking deviation or potential ruin. As the physical strength and spiritual power increase, the soul and mental fortitude must elevate in tandem. The further one progresses on the path of enlightenment, these elements are prone to cause fundamental calamities when unbalanced. According to the path outlined in the [Clarity Sutra] for forming a golden core and nascent soul, one crucial stage is the unification of spiritual power with the sea of consciousness, known as 'Ascending the Twelve Towers to the Mud Ball Palace.' The golden core’s spiritual power, gathered at the dantian, must slowly unravel, travel a path described in the Clarity Sutra, breach the blood-brain barrier, and enter the sea of consciousness to fuse with the soul, forming the [Nascent Soul]. This grueling journey is among the most perilous in cultivation, claiming countless lives or trapping them in mediocrity. This journey demands extremely precise control over the body, soul, and every aspect thereof. After introspection, Qi Xiu opened his eyes, exhaling a long-held breath. This contemplation did not elevate his state of mind but clarified a realization: to enhance the success rate of forming the Nascent Soul, reliance on innate gifts alone was inadequate. When a significant influx of spiritual power enters the sea of consciousness, contact with [Scarlet-Crested Horse Monkey], the life-bound artifact inside, is temporarily lost, rendering innate talents unusable. When methods like [Enlightenment of Self-Heart] fail, one relies on the fundamental self, absent of life-bound artifacts, pure of spiritual power, with only body and soul as companions. "This journey finally yields a small gain, helping me grasp part of this trial's purpose. The stele forest trial in Ji Xia City indeed has its profundities, offering considerable support for the Nascent Soul path." Such reflections led Qi Xiu to ponder his next steps clearly: "Searching for reasons to stay in the trial, in truth, is driven by a faint hope to seize victory and an opportunity on the Nascent Soul path—a mere act of greed. The question of exiting is simple; regardless if Yu He is the true culprit or whether he exits, I've already given my word to Chu Wen and the others to act honorably." A single trial had cost many lives. With or without this sudden insight, when clarity is achieved, there’s no longer a desire to meddle further. "So, my involvement in this trial ends here!" He looked at the trial token in his hand, determination firming in his resolve. As he was about to break it, an unexpected change unfolded. A thin yellow mist spread over the swamp, enveloping it with the scent of cheap incense found in mundane temples. "What is this?" He traced the source, spotting a massive stone stele standing quietly at the horizon's edge. Both the yellow mist and the incense aroma emanated from there. There had been nothing there before! Even stranger, this silently appeared stele, though shrouded in mist, was faintly familiar in its silhouette. "How is it so similar to Zhang Shi's life-bound artifact, the nameless merit stele!?" Recalling the figure of an old friend from deep memories, he could no longer suppress his curiosity. Struggling through the swamp, he dashed toward the stele with all his might. (To be continued)