Chapter 617: Courage

As Chen Yan's voice fell, the woman clad in a ten-colored immortal dress was stunned for quite a while.

This was not right.

How could there be any true immortality in this world?

The key was that this trial was not meant to be broken in such a way.

The immortal-dressed woman stared at Chen Yan, her features as if carved from frost and snow, a trace of imperceptible astonishment appearing in her eyes.

She had resided in the deep palace for a long time and was not very clear about the outside world, but she had just heard the term "Path of Will."

At this moment, she grabbed with one hand, and information from the outside world transformed into a stream of light that she absorbed.

Immediately, she was even more astonished; her fingertips gripped the armrest of the jade throne as she said calmly to Chen Yan:

"This Path of Will has only appeared recently; how can you blindly believe that the Path of Will can bring you immortality?"

She was certain that the immortality Chen Yan spoke of stemmed from his confidence in his own Path of Will.

She coaxed him patiently:

"Whether the Path of Will can bring immortality is not yet certain, but if you choose the opportunity for longevity here, you can obtain true eternal life."

As she spoke, strands of intent were contained within her gentle voice, as if carrying a magical power.

Sure enough, a trace of confusion suddenly appeared in the eyes of Chen Yan, who was sitting calmly, and he picked up the teacup at his side again, wanting to taste the tea once more.

Seeing this, the immortal-dressed woman lifted her head.

Yes, that is it.

Continue to accept the trial.

The immortal-dressed woman watched Chen Yan, who was about to drink the tea, quietly, a faint, elusive sneer on her lips, as if she had seen through all living beings.

But the very next moment, Chen Yan set the teacup down again, his eyes becoming clear once more.

Chen Yan was also surprised that he had almost fallen for it just now; this immortal-dressed woman must be extremely powerful, as the bewitchment contained in her words was enough to influence even him.

The immortal-dressed woman was startled again, feeling somewhat incredulous.

Chen Yan had actually managed to break free from her bewitchment.

The key was that it had taken such a short amount of time.

This must be fake.

Yet, she saw Chen Yan speak again:

"Senior, true immortality is not the Path of Will."

The immortal-dressed woman narrowed her eyes, only to hear the young man continue:

"It is that my will is inherently indestructible."

How arrogant!

The immortal-dressed woman lowered her eyes to look down at Chen Yan, her expression suddenly turning solemn, and she was about to speak.

But the old man's voice rang out in her ears.

"You have interfered too much; he has already passed the trial."

The immortal-dressed woman pursed her lips and did not speak again.

In her heart, however, she muttered to herself.

She felt that the way Chen Yan passed the trial was somewhat like cheating.

But as the guardian of the trial, she could not continue to interfere.

Time passed quietly.

Beside Chen Yan, the other four figures sitting together, wrapped in black mist, were all trembling slightly.

Even without seeing their expressions, one knew they were facing a great struggle at this moment.

Chen Yan, on the other hand, had completely broken free from the very beginning and was now acting as if nothing had happened, quietly closing his eyes to rest.

Wrapped in the black mist, Lu Jianxia's brows were tightly furrowed, and sweat seeped out from her fair forehead.

Visions appeared deep within her mind.

The world was shrouded in deathly energy, the twilight descending like a deathly silence, covering the entire Lu Province.

The once prosperous and flourishing Lu Province was now a scene of devastation, with the earth cracked and city walls collapsed.

On the ground, countless bones were piled up, and the blood-scent in the air was thick to the point of suffocation.

Lu Jianxia's face was deathly pale; she trembled, walking past the piles of bones like a soulless zombie.

Under the setting sun, she saw her older brother's corpse, already mangled, his internal organs spilled out and shattered across the ground.

She saw the eight great elders of Lu Province die one by one, kneeling on the earth.

Until the very end.

Her father lay on the ground, on the verge of death.

The Lu Lord saw Lu Jianxia approaching and waved his hand:

"Run, run quickly..."

Lu Jianxia opened her eyes wide and ran desperately toward that side.

But just at this moment.

A figure clad in pitch-black battle armor descended from the high heavens, holding the Xia Lord Sword, carrying a magnificent might.

"After today, there shall be no Lu Province in the world!"

The grand voice resounded through heaven and earth like divine punishment; the person stood before the blood-red sun, filled with endless majesty and murderous intent.

Lu Jianxia stared at them, filled with endless pleading and hatred.

"Chen Yan!!!"

She roared, furious, filled with hatred.

But then she saw a flash of sword light descend, cleaving the Master of Lu in two.

Lu Jianxia knelt on the ground, her heart already devoid of any desire to live.

The Great Xia army surged toward her; Lu Jianxia awaited her own death, blood-red tears streaming from her eyes.

Yet, at her ear, she heard that voice, dripping with irony.

"No need to kill her; she once helped me break through my barrier. The destruction of Lu Province has her contribution in it."

This voice was incredibly grating, yet it was the final blade that would almost extinguish Lu Jianxia.

Lu Jianxia shook her head, endless despair emerging in her eyes.

"It was I who harmed the Five Clans, it was I who harmed Lu Province..."

Yet, at this very moment.

A woman wearing a ten-colored immortal dress arrived by her side and smiled:

"Life is filled with endless pain and despair; why not cast aside the seven emotions and six desires? I shall grant you true eternal life."

Lu Jianxia gazed at the immortal-dressed woman before her, her eyes now brimming with endless struggle.

Her life, ever since meeting Chen Yan, had been filled with endless pain and struggle.

That person's name, that person's shadow, were like a black hole, wanting to consume everything she had.

She, indeed, possessed endless pain.

…………

Jiang Yuan was also struggling at this moment.

Within his consciousness, the figure of the State Master Xia Qi appeared.

The State Master, slumped in a wheelchair, just watched him quietly like this.

"Greetings, State Master." Jiang Yuan bowed.

But that young State Master smiled:

"I know you have been sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, cultivating bitterly, all for the position of a First-Rank General Star.

I also know you have the qualifications."

A smile appeared in Jiang Yuan's eyes, carrying a hint of excitement.

Yet he saw the State Master continue: "But I already have a Divine General, so why would I need a First-Rank General Star?"

Jiang Yuan was stunned, narrowing his eyes.

But at his ear, a sound like countless blades cutting into his eardrums still rang out.

"Jiang Yuan, you are a talent of heaven-defying caliber!

Your aptitude is absolutely the world's true pinnacle; give you a hundred years, and you will surely be one of the top powerhouses.

It is simply unimaginable.

Even if Lu Xunyang exhausted everything, he might only reach the aptitude you were born with."

Jiang Yuan listened, his face turning cold:

"But why can I not be a First-Rank General Star? Have I not done enough? How many secrets of the Aristocratic Family Alliance have I given you?

How many secrets of the Ji Province spies have I given you?

Without me, not to mention Mo Mountain Pass, that group led by Shen Yiwei would have died long ago!

I, alone, am worth an entire army!"

Jiang Yuan was furious.

He had never been furious before, not even when facing death, but at this moment, he was incomparably angry.

But at this moment, that young State Master looked at him with extreme mockery and said:

"In any era, you, Jiang Yuan, would be the first.

But you met Chen Yan."

Jiang Yuan was stunned, gritting his teeth.

Did he hate Chen Yan?

How could he hate him?

Chen Yan had saved his life.

Chen Yan was his only friend.

Yet Chen Yan had also stripped away everything that should have belonged to him.

Chen Yan had denied every achievement he had ever made.

Chen Yan had caused his life to lose its meaning.

He was absolutely not happy.

He stood where he was, looking at the ceiling, and sighed:

"Since there is Yuan, why must there be Yan?"

A voice rang out in his mind.

"Life is endless suffering; why not abandon the seven emotions and six desires and choose eternal life?"

Jiang Yuan was stunned, frowned, and then laughed:

"Go fuck yourself."

His eyes were fierce:

"I, Jiang Yuan, have talent that spans the ages.

Without the seven emotions and six desires, how could I have this talent that shakes the ages?!"

…………

At this moment, the frequency of the vibrations in the bodies of Lu Jianxia and the others grew increasingly intense.

Jiang Yuan slowly opened his eyes, exited the illusion, and murmured:

"Nothing special, a simple trial."

He raised his head, believing he would be the first person to walk out of the illusion.

But when he looked around, he saw that the Six-Paths All-Rounder beside him was sitting calmly, as if meditating.

Jiang Yuan's face darkened; he was actually not the first.

Chen Yan hadn't even arrived, yet he still wasn't the first.

Why did he always have to be second?

Damn it.

Subsequently, Shen Yiwei woke up.

His aura was calm.

He did not live for himself; he lived for his own ideals.

He had always believed that the reason for the turmoil and instability in Qinzhou...

... besides the Aristocratic Family Alliance, also had to do with him.

Because of his hesitation and incompetence, because of his failures, that was what led to such a state.

Even though Lu Xunyang had entrusted Qinzhou to him so solemnly before leaving.

He believed he was a sinner.

He would never abandon his seven emotions and six desires.

Until the very end, Lu Jianxia also woke up, as if having experienced endless struggle.

Just after Lu Jianxia woke up.

With a whoosh, Chen Changyuan stood up and let out a low roar:

"I refuse!!!"

He bellowed, as if having used up all his strength, and collapsed to the ground.

Immediately, he realized that he had already walked out of the illusion.

He was stunned for a moment, feeling fortunate about his final choice.

But the woman in the immortal dress swept a glance at Chen Changyuan and said:

"Although you refuse now, you did agree while inside the illusion."

Chen Changyuan was taken aback and hurriedly said:

"Wait a..."

He was in the middle of speaking.

The woman in the immortal dress waved her hand lightly, and Chen Changyuan instantly vanished from where he stood.

The so-called method of eternal life did not exist at all; it was merely a ruse.

Upon the throne.

The woman in the immortal dress swept a glance at Chen Yan, then looked at the crowd:

"Congratulations to you all for passing the Trial of Courage."

Jiang Yuan and the others were surprised.

This was actually a trial of courage.

"Is it not?" the woman in the immortal dress smiled:

"Even after discerning that reality is overflowing with endless pain, one still resolutely chooses not to escape.

Such spirit is what constitutes true, great, fearless courage."

The crowd realized.

So that was it.

However, the woman in the immortal dress swept an impatient glance at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan had not passed this trial because of some great courage at all.

The other party had stubbornly believed that he himself could be immortal, ignoring the temptation of this trial.

Isn't this just...

Cheating?

But she couldn't really say anything.

The woman in the immortal dress sighed.

In the past few sessions of the Five-Clan Struggle, just this first trial alone would eliminate two or three people.

This session, four people actually passed the first trial.

Truly impressive.

Jiang Yuan let out a 'heh', he was about to start cursing.

He had chosen to be suppressed by Chen Yan for a lifetime, chosen to have all the glory that belonged to him taken away by Chen Yan.

And it was because he had great, fearless courage?

Who are you cursing?

Damn it!

"Everyone."

The woman in the immortal dress continued:

"The Ancient War Gong Dian holds true opportunities that can change the lives of everyone here; I hope you all will not give up."

As her voice fell, the expressions of the few people present all shifted.

Shen Yiwei clenched his fists; he had to obtain a great opportunity.

Although he had made extremely rapid progress since coming here, that was because Xia Long and his group had invested heavily in him and Jiang Yuan.

He bore many expectations and naturally had to do better.

He and Jiang Yuan exchanged a glance, both nodding.

It was also at this moment.

Inside the entire palace, the air seemed to turn cold.

Chen Yan sat calmly, suddenly discovering that everything before his eyes had changed.

Immediately following.

The palace vanished, and the woman in the immortal dress had also disappeared.

A bone-chilling cold suddenly struck.

Chen Yan was already situated upon a glacial river.

In the endless pitch-black, the glacial river congealed into scales that shimmered with cold light, and ink-like undercurrents surged beneath the ice layer.

At the same time.

The voice of the woman in the immortal dress resounded.

"Walk to the very front, only then can you pass the trial."

Chen Yan took a step forward.

Walking on the glacial river, he was now enveloped in black mist; his martial arts strength could not be unleashed, and his body was as fragile as a mortal's.

The further he walked, the more those bone-chilling waves of cold seeped into Chen Yan's limbs and bones like ink through paper, seeping into the depths of Chen Yan's bone marrow.

Chen Yan walked for who knows how long.

A crackling sound appeared beneath his feet.

With every step he took, his feet would be refrozen onto the river surface, and every time he lifted a leg, it required a great expenditure of his own strength.

Whoosh, whoosh.

When the wind swept across the ice surface, it emitted a sharp whistling sound like an infant crying, wanting to freeze Chen Yan into powder.

Who knows when.

On the ice surface to the side, a hospital bed suddenly appeared.

On the hospital bed, a youth with dull eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Brother."

A little girl named Chen Yu handed a sliced apple to the youth's lips.

"Ah~"

A look of hope surfaced in the little girl's eyes, hoping the youth could eat a little more.

However, the youth made no move at all.

As Chen Yan continuously traversed the glacial river, the youth and the hospital bed kept appearing not far from him.

He saw the youth's father arguing with a doctor.

He saw the youth on the hospital bed trembling, wanting to struggle, yet in the end, he never said that sentence: 'I don't want to be like this anymore.'

He saw the youth discharged from the hospital, pushed by his family in a wheelchair.

The family owed money, and one thousand yuan left the whole family unable to catch their breath.

Fortunately, the youth's younger sister displayed strong aptitude, went to the Military Martial Guard, and paid off the debt.

As for the youth, he went to help out in his father's stir-fried noodle shop.

But not long after, the family's stir-fried noodle shop was occupied by the father of one of the youth's classmates, and the family began to worry about their livelihood.

Bad news descended once again.

The younger sister was being hunted down; it was said to be a behemoth named Luo Chen.

One day, the younger sister came to the youth's side crying, hugging the youth's body:

"Brother, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I have to run away."

The younger sister left.

For some reason, the father was severely injured by someone.

The youth was utterly lost.

One day, a group of people suddenly came to their dilapidated home and kidnapped the youth and his father.

Finally, the younger sister was forced to appear.

The youth sitting in the wheelchair watched as his younger sister killed all the kidnappers.

"Brother, with me here, no one can hurt you."

But the moment the younger sister arrived before him.

A middle-aged man wearing green robes arrived.

"Chen Changyuan!" The younger sister gritted her teeth and hissed.

The youth opened his mouth wide, wanting to roar at that middle-aged man, asking why he would treat their family like this, why he would treat his younger sister like this.

But that middle-aged man merely waved his hand slightly.

Everything began to vanish into nothingness.

"Brother, Dad..."

Chen Yu's desperate cry was the last sentence the youth heard before he passed away.

Above the glacier.

Chen Yan kept walking.

He did not know how long he had walked, but he had finished watching the youth's entire life.

Perhaps, he had walked for two years.

Perhaps three years.

Chen Yan hung his head and continued walking.

The illusion surfaced once more.

Inside a dungeon, the youth broke his limits and awakened his Qi and blood.

But he knew in despair that he actually had to contend with an existence like Chen Min for the Yin-Zhe Qi and blood that had just become his.

He began to train bitterly and began to take risks.

But when he entered the Heaven's Pride Trial, he encountered a pursuit by the Luo Chen Clan.

He was extremely furious and began to resist.

He defeated the people from the Luo Chen Clan who were hunting him.

Until the final moment of the Heaven's Pride Trial, he had to face the struggle for his own limit-breaking.

"I dare not die, so I struggle desperately to live."

These were the words he spoke at the end of the limit-breaking struggle.

Chen Min lost; he lost to him.

But the youth was stunned; he felt as if he had missed something.

It seemed as if...

He could have become something, but he did not do it.

He arrived at the extreme cold region of the Heaven's Pride Trial and found an ancient goat divine beast.

His heart beat violently, and he wanted to go down.

But in the end, he gave up.

He gained the regard of Xia Hanzhou and entered Jin Province to become Xia Hanzhou's closing-door disciple.

He became a powerful Heaven's Pride known far and wide.

He became a First-Rank General Star, revered by the world.

Then, the Five Clans went to war with the Great Xia.

The youth performed many meritorious deeds and became a hero of the Great Xia.

But during one particular operation, he encountered a troop led by Chen Yunyou of Chen Province.

That battle was extremely perilous and extremely bloody.

Shen Yiwei died, San Jin died, and many people died.

The youth's teammates sacrificed themselves one after another, severely wounding Chen Yunyou, and the youth finally obtained the opportunity to kill Chen Yunyou.

Just at the moment he charged with all his might to reach the front of Chen Yunyou.

That powerful existence ranked first on the Five Clans List revealed a ferocious grin while on the verge of death.

Boom!

Self-detonation!

The youth died.