Chapter 242

Sister?

If Jean heard that Barbara was willing to call her sister again, she would probably be overjoyed.

The Heart-Questioning Array is truly magical; it's just a pity we don't know what Barbara experienced.

"Congratulations, Barbara."

Lisa gently stroked Barbara's head.

The latter smiled shyly, her gaze fixed on Jean.

Jean, at this moment, had already passed the fourth layer of the Heart-Questioning Array, her fists clenched tightly, her face pale, and her body trembling uncontrollably.

Only those who have walked through the Heart-Questioning Array can understand how indescribable the experience of living a lifetime in every step is.

Every step is a questioning of their soul.

Thinking back on it now, Barbara couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.

Before long, Zhongli sent Kaeya back.

"Kaeya, having passed four layers of the Heart-Questioning Array, is now an inner sect disciple."

Kaeya came out, let out a long breath, and pinched himself hard.

He carefully examined the surroundings, and after a long while, he sighed with melancholy.

"Four layers of heart-questioning, four lifetimes of being human..."

"What a terrifying power; cultivators truly are existences that cannot be understood by common sense."

"It's a pity... my mindset was ultimately a bit lacking."

Kaeya smiled bitterly.

In the Heart-Questioning Array just now, he truly couldn't walk any further.

Every step was despair for him.

Although passing three layers is actually enough, no one wants to pass only three.

If a cultivator believes in just getting by, then they shouldn't bother cultivating immortality.

They wouldn't achieve anything anyway.

It was also within the fourth layer of heart-questioning that Kaeya understood how important a firm will is.

That is the power that allows one to smash out a path when walking into a desperate, pitch-black dead end.

And cultivators need this power the most.

Just as he was thinking, Zhongli's voice rang out once more.

"Diluc, having passed five layers of the Heart-Questioning Array, is now an inner sect disciple."

In an instant, Diluc appeared beside Kaeya; the moment he opened his eyes, boundless blood-red color permeated the air, and demonic killing intent shot out in all directions.

His whole body was trembling uncontrollably.

"Calm down!"

Venti pressed his hand gently on Diluc's shoulder, true essence flowing, and Diluc finally recovered.

He looked around and then looked at the Heart-Questioning Array with melancholy.

"I... did I not pass the sixth layer?"

Venti nodded and comforted him:

"You've already done very well. Five layers of heart-questioning, five lifetimes of being human, and you even dared to walk toward the sixth layer; you have already surpassed many people."

"But I ultimately didn't pass."

Diluc felt a bit down, his fists clenched tightly.

He had long forgotten what he encountered in the sixth layer of the Heart-Questioning Array.

He only knew that he had nearly fallen into demonic ways.

Ultimately, his mindset was not enough.

For someone like Diluc who is single-mindedly pursuing the best, this was a very heavy blow.

Especially seeing that Jean was still persisting inside.

Diluc felt even more depressed.

"Mindset can be cultivated acquiredly; as long as you firm your Dao heart and keep your spiritual platform clear, you will eventually transform."

Bai Zhu comforted him gently.

Diluc was stunned, and Venti, who was on the side, joked:

"You had better listen carefully to what your Senior Brother Bai Zhu says."

"He is a ruthless person who genuinely and forcefully broke through the nine layers of the Heart-Questioning Array."

"The Sect Master said that this record will likely not be surpassed by anyone for a long time."

Diluc straightened his expression slightly, and his gaze toward Bai Zhu held some admiration.

He couldn't even pass the sixth layer and nearly fell into demonic ways, yet the person before him was a ruthless person who forcefully broke through nine layers.

Only after truly walking through the Heart-Questioning Array can one understand how outrageous what Bai Zhu did was.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Mr. Bai Zhu."

Hearing this, Bai Zhu smiled and reminded him:

"Having passed five layers of the Heart-Questioning Array, you are already a Shushan disciple."

"The Sect Master has said that fellow disciples should be humble and friendly, so there is no need to be so distant."

Diluc's mouth curled up slightly, and he looked up at Tongtian Peak.

"Yes, Senior Brother Bai Zhu."

Everyone focused their gaze on Jean, watching her with some nervousness.

At this time, she had already arduously stepped past the sixth layer of the Heart-Questioning Array.

Drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

Jean's gaze was already somewhat unfocused.

Zhongli nodded slightly and said softly:

"Jean, you have crossed six layers of heart-questioning; your aptitude is excellent and your mindset is supreme. You can be an inner sect disciple; there is no need to continue forward."

Jean forced herself to perk up, looked up at Zhongli, and after a moment of silence, said faintly:

"Head Seat Zhongli, I want to continue..."

Zhongli replied:

"If you continue, you will not receive more rewards. Your will is currently scattered and your spiritual platform is in chaos; continuing to walk will easily harm your mind."

"Are you sure you want to continue?"

Jean looked back at Barbara, then at Lisa and the others.

She took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"I will continue! I haven't reached my limit! Even if I have, then I will just break through it!"

"I must be stronger, strong enough to resolve all misfortune!"

"If I stop here today, I will carry regret for the rest of my life!"

"Head Seat Zhongli, I will continue!"

Zhongli stared at Jean; even though her mind was now on the verge of collapse, she was still standing upright solely by virtue of her final obsession.

After a long while, Zhongli nodded slightly.

"Very well."

Jean took a deep breath and continued forward.

The last trace of Diluc's prejudice against Jean vanished without a trace, replaced by some admiration for her.

Although Jean's methods were indeed immature and her handling of affairs wasn't quite mature yet,

she already possessed a resilient will and mindset.

Under her leadership, the Knights of Favonius might... definitely be better.

With this step taken, Jean instantly passed an indescribable lifetime.

Birth, growth, succession, development...

Jean was different from Bai Zhu, who single-mindedly sought the Dao of longevity.

She only had an unparalleled will to protect; regardless of whether this layer of heart-questioning was protecting Mondstadt, Shushan, or some small sect in the cultivation world,

Jean was always happy to take on responsibility, growing from immaturity, experiencing blood and fire, and walking on the path of protection for her entire life.

This step, Jean walked for a very, very long time.