But if consumed at a time like this, then under the light of a wondrous treasure like the Heart-Inquiry Mirror, even the most resolute person’s true nature would be exposed in an instant.
WHOOSH!
The Heart-Inquiry Mirror abruptly shot out a ray of purple light toward Jiechen. In an instant, the purple radiance enveloped him completely.
The surface of the Heart-Inquiry Mirror began to tremble violently. Then, streams of golden light shone forth, and on the once-transparent surface, a massive Buddha Statue appeared.
The Buddha Statue had a solemn and dignified air, its compassionate eyes gazing upon all living beings. It seemed to embody immense wisdom, Great Divine Techniques, and profound mercy.
Everyone was stunned when they saw the Buddha Statue on the mirror’s surface, their bodies trembling in shock.
Fang Huatong murmured to himself, "Is this Jiechen’s true heart?"
"A heart without a single speck of dust... How is that possible?" Ling Tianyu’s brows furrowed deeply, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Wen Qingye looked at the Buddha Statue on the mirror and smiled faintly. "This Jiechen is quite interesting. With a mental state like this, his future accomplishments will be anything but ordinary."
WHOOSH!
Several more brilliant rays of light refracted from the Heart-Inquiry Mirror, dazzling everyone.
"Heavens! Seven brilliant rays!"
Irrepressible gasps of shock rang out from the crowd.
The Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect couldn’t help but gasp in shock. "Seven brilliant rays... That’s even more than I achieved? It seems Meng Fei has secured the top spot in this trial."
At that moment, Jiechen slowly opened his eyes. He walked to Meng Fei’s side and smiled faintly. "Miss Meng, I have not failed your trust."
Meng Fei quickly replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Master. Please, take your seat."
Everyone was still captivated by the seven brilliant rays that had just flashed, unable to tear their minds away.
"I’ll go next." Duan Chi strode forward.
The Heart-Inquiry Mirror cast a strong beam of light on Duan Chi. He instantly felt a wave of heat wash over him, as if he had been stripped bare and was being scrutinized by all.
Wisps of a bloody aura materialized within the mirror, coalescing into the shape of a crimson Blood Saber.
Fang Huatong said in a low voice, "This man is violent and ferocious, yet he carries a hint of nonchalance and an untamed spirit. He truly lives up to his title, the Xiaoxiang Wanderer."
WHOOSH!
The mirror’s surface refracted several brilliant rays of light. Everyone looked up; a total of five rays flashed through the air.
Duan Chi shook his head with a wry smile. "I’m no match for Master Jiechen."
After Duan Chi stepped down, all eyes turned to Wen Qingye and Ling Tianyu.
Ling Tianyu looked at Wen Qingye and suddenly smiled. "Interested in a little competition?"
Hearing Ling Tianyu’s words, everyone felt a jolt of anticipation. They watched the two with rapt interest. Taiyi Pavilion and the Celestial Profound Sect were like oil and water; it seemed a single spark was all it would take to set them ablaze.
Wen Qingye said, "You seem quite confident."
"You could say that," Ling Tianyu said with a smile, clasping his hands behind his back.
Wen Qingye scoffed. "Fine. Let’s see what one of Taiyi Pavilion’s Seven Paragons is made of. I hope you’re stronger than the last two."
Ling Tianyu understood the jab in Wen Qingye’s words perfectly and couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.
"Let’s see if you can still talk so tough in a moment."
With that, Ling Tianyu walked directly up to the Heart-Inquiry Mirror. The mirror held nothing back, imprinting his entire being onto its surface without reservation.
"Go, Senior Brother Ling!"
"Senior Brother Ling, you’re the best!"
Many of the Jade Maiden Sect’s female disciples stared at Ling Tianyu, their eyes not leaving him for a second. With longing in their gazes and cheeks flushed with excitement, they shouted their encouragement.
On the previously blurry surface of the mirror, an image began to form. It looked like a giant beast, one that was hideously ferocious and radiated an aura of cruelty and violence.
"ROAR!"
It was as if everyone heard a great roar, and the entire hall seemed to tremble with it.
At the same time, the beast on the mirror’s surface slowly became clear. It was a creature most people present could recognize.
This beast was none other than the Ancient Exotic Beast, the Taotie.
"Ling Tianyu’s true nature is an Ancient Exotic Beast?"
"For the Heart-Inquiry Mirror to show an Ancient Exotic Beast... it means his mental realm is just as powerful as Jiechen’s!"
...
Wen Qingye murmured, "A Taotie. When Ling Tianyu started cultivating the Taiyi Heartless Dao, he must have tried to sever his greed. But it looks like he failed. Not only that, his greed has instead become infinitely amplified in his heart."
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Seven brilliant rays of light appeared in the air, proving that Ling Tianyu’s mental state was just as powerful as Jiechen’s of Baoling Temple.
Everyone present stared at Ling Tianyu in astonishment, their gazes now tinged with gravity.
When the Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect saw the Taotie, her heart skipped a beat. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. The Taotie represented greed.
’Although the Taotie represents a powerful inner self, doesn’t it also reveal his true nature? A greedy nature... It seems I’ll have to be careful when dealing with this man.’
Ling Tianyu slowly opened his eyes, a trace of smugness in his heart.
The Taiyi Heartless Dao also placed great emphasis on one’s mental state, perhaps even more so than the Buddhist Dao. Ling Tianyu’s mental fortitude was indeed remarkable; among the younger generation of Taiyi Pavilion, he was second only to Huangfu Tian.
However, Ling Tianyu’s inner strength was primarily fueled by greed and obsession. It was a power steeped in negative emotions, and should it ever erupt, it would lead to a state beyond all redemption.
"Wen Qingye, you’re up."
Ling Tianyu shot Wen Qingye a cold glance before slowly walking over to Yanm Fang’s side.
Yanm Fang was overjoyed. "That’s Senior Brother Ling for you!"
Ling Tianyu had truly given him a pleasant surprise. He had originally thought Jiechen would be head and shoulders above the rest, but Ling Tianyu had come out of nowhere, proving to be his equal and also producing seven brilliant rays.
Youu Junlian looked at Wen Qingye with a worried expression. "Junior Brother Wen..."
"It’s fine."
Wen Qingye smiled and waved his hand dismissively, then held his head high and strode forward.
In an instant, countless gazes fell upon Wen Qingye.
The Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect murmured, "Seven rays of light... Even I couldn’t make the Heart-Inquiry Mirror produce seven. I’m afraid Wen Qingye won’t be able to either."
A nearby Sect Leader of the Jade Maiden Sect added, "Indeed. Both Jiechen and Ling Tianyu cultivate Daos that have extremely high requirements for one’s mental state. They are also the top prodigies of their respective sects, so it’s understandable that their mental fortitude is strong. The Dao of Profound Destruction doesn’t have such stringent requirements."
"Go, Senior Brother Wen! You’re the best!"
A sudden shout rang out from the crowd. The one who had yelled was none other than Little Ling of the Jade Maiden Sect.
Seeing Little Ling shouting so loudly, Xiaoyu, who was standing beside her, bit her lip and also yelled, "Go, Senior Brother Wen! I love you!"
The moment she finished shouting, Xiaoyu felt her cheeks burn. She quickly covered her face, her whole body feeling hot. She had only yelled it out on a momentary impulse.