Chapter 556

"It is merely accelerating the progress. As long as Ei can cultivate quickly, she will be able to resolve the trouble."

After saying this, Jiang Yan coughed a few times again, making Ganyu and the others feel anxious.

"Sect Master, why not go back and go into seclusion to heal your injuries first?"

Neuvillette bowed and said:

"After Raiden Ei and the others finish their assessment, we can also assist with the transmission of techniques."

"There is no need."

Jiang Yan waved his hand.

"Ei has excellent talent and strong power. After converting, she will definitely undergo the tribulation and become a late-stage Qi-Refining and Spirit-Manifesting cultivator."

"At that time, she might be able to act as the Head Seat of a peak."

"Moreover, I am also very interested in Himeko's side."

"Wait a moment longer; I will not have any accidents for the time being."

Seeing that they could not sway Jiang Yan, the group simply fell silent.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit dull, Jiang Yan told everyone about his experiences inside the Demon-Locking Tower.

Below Shushan.

Alice arrived at the Heart-Questioning Array with Ei and the others. After a brief introduction, she arranged for them to enter.

Himeko and the others had often heard of the wonders of the Heart-Questioning Array—the stories of "one step, one lifetime" had been told many times by everyone in Shushan Village.

But only by walking on it themselves could they understand the shock brought by the fleeting passage of time.

Inside the Heart-Questioning Array, Ei experienced the separation from her sister time and time again, and also experienced the life she dreamed of time and time again.

This illusory beauty whipped Ei's Dao heart fiercely.

Several times, she even wanted to immerse herself in it forever.

But at the final moment, she used great perseverance to force her way through.

This beauty was indeed what she craved, but...

She wanted her to truly come back to life, not this ethereal, illusory version.

She wanted to feel the true warmth, just like before, standing behind her and blocking all danger for her.

This time, she would walk further with her on the path of immortality.

Soon, Gorou walked to the fourth level and ultimately could not step past it, but fortunately, the assessment was considered a success after the third level.

Next were Yoimiya, who remained at the fourth level; Ayaka and Kokomi at the fifth; and Kujou Sara, who failed to charge into the sixth.

In the end, only Himeko and Ei remained, standing unsteadily at the seventh level.

The two were already at the end of their tether, with massive amounts of information crowding their souls.

It made it difficult for them to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Their consciousnesses were also fading, leaving only a final shred of obsession that allowed them to lift their feet and move forward.

I do not know how much time passed, but the two opened their eyes at the same time and looked ahead.

368. Ei, are you willing to be the acting Head Seat of Wind-Return Peak?

Their pupils had already lost focus; they looked wobbly, like walking corpses.

After standing in a daze for a long time, they slowly regained their senses.

Himeko shook her head, looked at the last two steps remaining, checked her own condition, and gave a bitter smile.

"It seems I must stop here."

She knew her own situation.

Right now, although she still had some energy, the thought of continuing forward brought a massive force that could make her collapse to the ground, unable to even stand.

She had reached her limit, a limit she could not surpass at this moment.

"The seventh level... should be considered a pretty good result, right?"

Himeko sighed and looked at Alice, who waved her hand and teleported Himeko out.

Instantly, the energy that had just been worn away was fully restored. This miraculous scene also shocked Himeko.

But then, Ayaka and the others quickly surrounded her, saying with some amazement:

"Himeko, you are so amazing to be able to walk to the seventh level of heart-questioning."

Gorou also nodded in deep agreement.

"Indeed. One level, one world; Lady Himeko has lived seven lives, which is already quite incredible."

"I pride myself on having a firm will, yet I only reached the third level before hitting my limit. It truly makes me ashamed..."

Gorou lowered his head, feeling somewhat self-reproachful.

"The third level is also very good. At the very least, you are now an inner disciple of Shushan."

Himeko smiled and comforted him, watching Ei, who was still struggling to walk toward the eighth level of heart-questioning.

"Ei's will is what is truly shocking... I wonder if she can walk to the ninth level of heart-questioning. By the way, how did the people who walked to the ninth level actually do it?"

As she spoke, Himeko looked at the huge stone tablet not far away.

On the tablet, the two names in the first row were like a great mountain, pressing down so hard that everyone could hardly breathe.

Nine levels of heart-questioning: Furina, Baizhu.

Below them, even Zhongli had only reached the eighth level.

And that was the result after cultivating immortality, whereas Furina and Baizhu had walked through the nine levels of heart-questioning without cultivating at all.

Alice chuckled:

"Baizhu was the first person to walk through the nine levels of heart-questioning, so his cultivation was very rapid. Even though his talent was average, he did not lose to others."

"Baizhu, in this life, held an unprecedentedly firm obsession with cultivating immortality and longevity, which happened to fit the principles of the nine levels of heart-questioning."

"After all, the nine levels of heart-questioning were created to test whether a cultivator's Dao heart is firm."

"But Furina was even more amazing."

As she spoke, a trace of admiration appeared on Alice's face.

"Before Furina stepped onto the Heart-Questioning Array, she didn't really understand what cultivating immortality was at all."

"She only walked through the nine levels of heart-questioning while holding an unwavering determination to find a way out for Fontaine and to protect Fontaine."

"And the most amazing thing is that Furina herself was not the Hydro Archon."

Ayaka was stunned for a moment and asked in surprise:

"Is Furina not the Hydro Archon?"

"Not entirely."

Alice shook her head.

"Furina was born from the aspect of humanity that Focalors separated from herself, the most perfect human in Focalors' vision."

"To resolve the prophecy crisis in Fontaine, Furina lived as a human, lonely, acting as the Hydro Archon for five hundred years."

"Even the Sect Master has praised this will many times."

"Coupled with the fact that Furina herself has the Heavenly Spirit Root, her cultivation was destined to be smooth sailing."

"The Sect Master once said that if it were in the past, Furina would have been destined to become a Head Seat of a peak, or even a closed-door disciple of the Seven Sages Elders."

Himeko was a bit dazed and said in a low voice:

"Living as a human, lonely, acting as a god for five hundred years, deceiving the world and deceiving herself..."

"This will truly deserves to pass the nine levels of heart-questioning."

Five hundred years...

And as a human.

Unable to express her joys, sorrows, or anger, she could only maintain the facade of the Hydro Archon, acting in constant fear and trembling. From the moment of her birth, she lived alone, struggling for Fontaine to survive.

Himeko was somewhat moved by this will.

"Although she is not a god, Lady Furina's will has already surpassed that of a god."

Kujou Sara looked at Furina's name with full reverence.

"Lady Furina is a hero beyond reproach, and also the Hydro Archon beyond reproach."

"The people of Fontaine have met their most perfect god."

As she spoke, she seemed to feel it was inappropriate and added:

"Of course, our General is also very amazing! Even if she cannot pass the nine levels of heart-questioning this time, she definitely will in the future."