Chapter 134: Heart-Refining Cave, the Heart of the Martial Way

As a powerful force capable of surpassing the Yu State imperial family, the Ascension Society's annual entrance examination should have been a grand gathering that countless martial artists flocked to.

Initially, many martial artists had dreamed of joining the Ascension Society, leaping over the dragon gate, to become revered beings.

But the terrifying mortality rate of failing the examination became a deterrent that made people hesitate!

In the villa at the foot of the mountain, Huang Qingzhou was explaining to Fang Xu and Lu Qingluo some points to note about the Ascension Society's entrance examination.

"The examination rules are on the stone stele before the mountain gate, so I won't repeat them; now I mainly want to tell you two what to pay attention to during the examination."

These details mainly concern Fang Xu and Lu Qingluo; Chu Mu is a specially recruited disciple of Xu Changqing and fundamentally does not need to take the examination.

"Strictly speaking, the entrance examination consists of four stages, but the first stage is usually called the warm-up trial and is not counted."

"The real examination runs from the second to the fourth stage, abbreviated as Battle Insight Method."

"As the name suggests, 'battle' refers to the battle stage."

"It is said that the battle stage has over ten forms; each year, before the trial begins, Elder Jiang Feng and several transmission elders vote to decide which one it will be, and no one knows which until the trial starts."

"Miss Lu, you should have no problem here."

"The third is 'law,' which is the most difficult of the three stages."

"It is said that Elder Jiang's Heaven-Reaching Sword Bamboo Divine Ability was comprehended from the Cliffside Heavenly Classic back then."

Can kill!?

Looking around, Fang Xu saw various expressions on everyone's faces—calm, excited, anticipating……

"You've remembered all this, right?" Huang Qingzhou said.

At the end of the Chen hour, under the gaze of myriad eyes, a white-clad immortal-like figure slowly appeared at the top of the stone steps beyond the mountain gate; the next moment, everyone felt a flash before their eyes, and that figure instantly appeared before the Ascension Society's stewards and transmission elders.

But many more were filled with apprehension and fear.

The Cliffside Heavenly Classic enables one to comprehend legendary divine abilities; if the examination allowed midway withdrawal, the disciples of the great clans would surely exploit this loophole, sending many clan disciples to register, then obtain a free chance to comprehend, and then withdraw.

In that case, wouldn't the Ascension Society become a sucker?

"So-called 'law' means creating a law."

After giving these instructions, watching the rising sun slowly ascend, Huang Qingzhou slowly stood up and said, "Alright, the examination is about to begin; let's go."

Huang Qingzhou's face grew somewhat solemn as he said, "I've heard that over seventy thousand disciples have registered for this year's entrance examination, but I estimate that fewer than one percent will ultimately pass."

"In short, don't think about cutting corners in the examination; with your strength, passing should be no problem."

Fang Xu also came to a realization.

This may also be why the Ascension Society's examination is so strict and does not allow midway withdrawal.

Knowing Lu Qinglou had a trump card, Huang Qingzhou wasn't too worried.

Hearing him say that, Lu Qinglou couldn't help but curl her lip.

"It's Elder Jiang!"

Fang Xu and Lu Qinglou also rose to their feet, said goodbye to Chu Mu and Old Monkey, then followed Huang Qingzhou out of the villa.

If killing is allowed in the examination, then it means that examinees must not only watch out for dangers within the test but also guard against other trial participants, since no one knows whether these people might suddenly attack them.

"Are 100,000 contribution points hard to obtain?" Lu Qinglou asked curiously.

"After removing those who quit during the warm-up trial, at least seventy percent of the remaining examination candidates will fall at this stage."

Having such an expression is not surprising, after all, over the years no one has been heard of who could walk out alive after failing the examination.

"I've heard that Elder Jiang has already broken through to the realm above Martial Venerable, but I don't know if it's true or not!?"

"Next is 'insight,'" Huang Qingzhou said, a hint of envy on his face, "this stage is a tremendous opportunity for all who can pass the examination."

Huang Qingzhou glanced at him with a faint smile and said, "I know what you want to say."

"There is one thing you two need to note about this stage!" Huang Qingzhou said solemnly, "All battle stages allow killing!"

"Because any examination candidate who can set foot in this stage will be granted one opportunity to comprehend the Cliffside Heavenly Classic."

Hearing this, Fang Xu frowned slightly and said, "Senior Brother Huang, this stage isn't as hard as you say, is it?"

"Basically, it means that during the examination, each candidate will receive some references and hints, then, based on those references and hints combined with their own experience, create a martial technique within a set time, and finally defeat the trial's mechanism puppet with that self-created technique."

Before the Ascension Society's mountain gate, the huge square was already filled with martial artists waiting for the examination, with more martial artists continually arriving from all sides.

"Fang Xu, you've been to the Lan Mountain Ruins and seen that bone stele, but I want to tell you that the Cliffside Heavenly Classic is even more miraculous than that stele."

"The reason I say this stage is a tremendous opportunity is that, aside from this examination, after you become Ascension Society disciples, if you wish to obtain such an opportunity again, you must spend 100,000 contribution points."

"The martial technique you create will be examined by a dedicated transmission elder, and when you face off against the mechanism puppet, a transmission elder will observe the whole process; if you use a technique not of your own creation, you will be struck down on the spot."

Fang Xu's brows furrowed slightly; this just got interesting!

"Finally, the most important thing! You must find a way to earn more points; each year after the examination, the newcomer disciple with the highest points can obtain a generous gift, while those whose total points cannot exceed a certain proportion will be eliminated even if they pass three stages."

"Good heavens, Suwen Elder Jiang is like a banished immortal; seeing him today, it's indeed so!"

Fang Xu and Lu Qinglou both nodded.

At this moment, all martial artists silently gazed at the solemn, imposing mountain gate not far away, saying nothing.

Huang Qingzhou winced and nodded: "I've been a member for so many years yet have never earned 100,000 contribution points; after subtracting daily cultivation expenses, I now have only over ten thousand—do you think that's hard or not?"

"What realm is above Martial Venerable? Isn't Martial Venerable the pinnacle of the martial way?"

"Wow! I thought Elder Jiang would be a doddering old fool, but I never expected him to be this young!"

"Goodness! To be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Elder Jiang's bearing, even if I fail this examination I'll accept it!"

……

Jiang Feng's appearance instantly drew the gaze of all examination candidates.

As the number one martial artist of the Yu State, coupled with his ethereal immortal-like aura, all examination candidates below looked up at him excitedly, and many lovestruck female martial artists began to indulge in fantasies.

"Let's begin."

Ignoring the crowd's commotion, Jiang Feng glanced downward, turned his head, and spoke lightly to a steward of the Ascension Society beside him.

That Ascension Society steward respectfully clasped his hands, took a step forward, arrived on the high platform before the crowd, and said in a deep voice: "I am Guan Qing, steward of the Ascension Society, and also the person in charge of this examination."

The specific rules of the examination are on this stone tablet; I believe everyone has already seen them, so I will not repeat them.

Now I announce that the examination begins!

All martial artists holding the Immortal Sect path certificate, enter the mountain gate in order!

Following his shout, the tens of thousands of martial artists in the square before the mountain gate hurried along the stone steps on both sides of the high platform, slowly walking toward the mountain gate of the Ascending Immortal Society.

Fang Xu, following the slow-moving crowd, suddenly noticed a familiar figure flash past ahead in the crowd.

"Is that... Yun Wan?" Fang Xu wondered.

Beside him, Lu Qingluo nodded: "Senior Brother Huang said the other day that Miss Yun also signed up for the Ascending Immortal Society's entrance examination."

Staring at Yun Wan's back, Fang Xu instantly understood her plan.

Her attempt to fake death using the Ti Lan Mountain Ruins failed; now, wishing to escape the political marriage with Li Xingchao, she has no choice but to join the Ascending Immortal Society.

Without catching up to greet her, Fang Xu followed the crowd across the long stone steps and soon arrived before a huge cave.

The Ascending Immortal Society steward named Kuang Qing, who had led them here, stood before the cave and said in a deep voice: "This cave before you is called the Refining Heart Cave; it is not part of the formal examination."

"Regardless of whether you pass the trial of the Refining Heart Cave, you still have a chance to withdraw."

"But if you enter the formal examination, you will have no retreat; either pass the examination and become my Ascending Immortal Society's disciple, or perish in the examination. I hope you act according to your abilities and do not waste your lives."

Hearing his words, many martial artists in the field felt their hearts jolt, their faces showing solemnity; some of the less resolute martial artists even began to entertain thoughts of retreat.

"Alright, go in."

Following Kuang Qing's order, the Ascending Immortal Society disciples guarding beside the Refining Heart Cave directly activated the mechanism.

The heavy stone door slowly rose; the martial artists at the forefront looked at the dark cave before them, hesitated slightly, then stepped straight inside.

The martial artists behind also entered in single file; Fang Xu followed the crowd and soon entered the so-called Refining Heart Cave.

After everyone had entered, the stone door at the entrance slowly fell again, and the entire Refining Heart Cave was plunged into darkness.

The rule of this stage is to remain in the cave for half an hour; after that, the exit will be opened, and anyone who can leave the Refining Heart Cave before sunset is considered to have passed.

Fang Xu looked around, curious about how the examination would specifically manifest, when he suddenly felt a subtle change in the scene before his eyes.

The darkness gradually receded; in the next moment, he actually found himself in the small courtyard of Maple Forest Town.

"Xu'er, what are you spacing out for? Quickly bring a stool for Master Lu."

His grandfather's voice sounded in his ears; hearing the long-unheard voice, Fang Xu abruptly turned his head, seeing his stooped, thin-faced grandfather smiling at him, his heart stirred, then soon calmed.

An illusion?

Fang Xu gave a faint smile, feeling this illusion was rather clumsy.

With such an obvious illusion, could there really be fools who take this as the real world?

"Fang Xu?"

While he was complaining in his mind, Lu Zhiyuan's voice slowly sounded.

Fang Xu turned around, looking at his teacher whom he hadn't seen in a long while, and with some emotion clasped his hands:

"Master."

"Hehe... you brat, I haven't agreed to take you as my disciple." Hearing him call "Master," Lu Zhiyuan gave a hehe laugh, then turned to Old Man Fang and said: "This kid is clever, and his bone structure is not bad either."

Hearing that, Old Man Fang felt moved and said: "So you mean, Master Lu intends to take Xu'er as your disciple?"

Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly.

Afterward, time in the illusion began to flow; Fang Xu, like a bystander, watched himself bow to Lu Zhiyuan as his teacher, study with him during the day at Zhiyuan Hall, and return home at night to help his grandfather with odd jobs, making stools and chairs.

After a moment, three years had passed since the illusion's self became Lu Zhiyuan's disciple; his cultivation advanced rapidly, and in those three years he and Lu Qingluo developed feelings for each other, and with Lu Zhiyuan's support they actually got married.

On the night of the bridal chamber, watching the illusion's self slowly remove Lu Qingluo's clothing, Fang Xu was dazed!

Can this be watched?

Although he felt this was somewhat offensive toward Lu Qingluo in his heart, he still gazed with relish at himself and Lu Qingluo entwined on the bed.

Afterward, their affection grew deeper; they were entwined every day. Not long after, Lu Qingluo's belly gradually swelled, and ten months later she gave birth to a son, whom they named Fang Yuan.

Seeing this scene, Fang Xu's heart suddenly rose with a strange feeling.

Although he knew everything before him was an illusion, watching his and Lu Qingluo's "son" go from babbling to toddling, and then to calling him "Father" in a childish voice, Fang Xu's face unconsciously broke into a faint smile.

Days passed one by one.

Little Fang Yuan gradually grew up; with Lu Zhiyuan's help, Fang Yuan began consuming blood food to temper his body from childhood, at the age of ten he had already started refining his viscera, at eleven he broke through to martial apprentice, and thereafter advanced all the way.

Watching him grow slowly, and then watching himself and Lu Qingluo age gradually, Fang Xu did not realize that he had gradually shifted from calm observer to being immersed in the illusion.

In a blink, his grandfather had passed away.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the small courtyard golden; on the old recliner, Fang Xu gazed at Lu Qingluo beside him and chuckled: "Look, you've grown a few more white hairs."

Lu Qingluo, who was nearing sixty but still retained her charm, glared at him and said: "We're old; is it abnormal to have white hair?"

"Normal, normal."

He gently patted Lu Qingluo's hand, Fang Xu gazed at the sky above and asked: "Is this the kind of life I want?"

"I should go."

Having said that, he abruptly stood up.

His frail, aged body recovered youth at a visible speed, and everything before him returned to normal once more.

He was still standing in the dark cave.

Looking around, Fang Xu only then realized that the exit of the Refining Heart Cave had opened, while many of the trial disciples around him were still standing in place—some with smiles, some with ferocious expressions, some with faces streaked with tears……

Obviously, they had become deeply trapped, unable to extricate themselves.

Without disturbing them, Fang Xu weaved through the dense crowd and headed straight toward the cave entrance.

When he emerged from the cave, the sun was already gradually slanting westward.

Gazing at the sky reddened by the sunset, Fang Xu shook his head.

The illusion of the Refining Heart Cave seemed clumsy, yet it cleverly awakened each person's innermost pursuit.

Let them immerse in the life they pursue, gradually sinking until finally unable to extricate themselves.

This thing is like some kind of poison.

At first, every martial artist felt this environment was truly crude.

But after watching for a while, one would find it rather interesting; then…… slowly they become immersed, gradually becoming addicted to the point of being unable to extricate themselves.

The sun gradually set, until it completely disappeared, and the stone gate at the exit of the Heart-refining Cave also slowly lowered.

This situation proves that those who have not yet exited the Heart-refining Cave at this moment have undoubtedly failed.

On the vast plaza, Kuang Qing's figure appeared.

"Alright, the warm-up is over; next comes the formal examination."

"Once again, a reminder: those who now wish to withdraw should leave via the left exit."

"Once you enter the next stage, you will have no further chance to withdraw."

"A quarter of an hour's time to consider."

As his words fell, many martial artists in the field began to show looks of contemplation.

In the Heart-refining Cave, many people saw the life they deeply desired to pursue, and also saw what they most longed for.

This so-called warm-up trial either strengthened some martial artists' resolve to join the Ascension Immortal Society, or completely dispelled the slightest impulse in their hearts, letting them see their future path.

After a few breaths, some began to give up, walking toward the left exit.

Someone took the lead, and thereafter more and more people left one after another.

After a quarter of an hour, Kuang Qing again stood before the crowd, looking at the fewer than twenty thousand remaining and smiling, nodding his head.

To become stronger, one must first have a heart of martial dao.

The Ascension Immortal Society's recruitment of disciples appears to have no threshold; anyone can sign up.

But this Heart-refining Cave stage actually serves to weed out many with fickle hearts.

"Since you all have not chosen to leave, you have already prepared yourselves to proceed onward."

"Then…… the formal examination begins!"

"Follow this seat."

The crowd followed Kuang Qing through the plaza at the exit of the Heart-refining Cave, down a stone stairway, and soon arrived at a vast underground plaza.

"Among you, perhaps some have previously entered that relic, Ti Lan Mountain."

"Now, the first stage of the examination happens to be somewhat similar to that relic."

Kuang Qing smiled faintly and said:

"Under the suppressive restriction, everyone's cultivation is limited to no higher than Martial Apprentice Perfection."

"After entering, you will face the pursuit of ferocious beasts."

"Besides dodging or resisting the ferocious beasts, you also need to pay attention to the stone gates on either side of the passage; the different colored stone balls on the gates represent different mechanism puppets."

"To pass the stage, you must hunt enough mechanism puppets and obtain their puppet cores from them."

"White mechanism puppets are worth one point, blue five points, green fifty points, purple one hundred points."

"There are naturally more afterward, but I advise you: when encountering that kind of stone gate, it's best not to open it, otherwise……"

Kuang Qing's face showed a meaningful smile, making the crowd involuntarily feel a tingling in their hearts.

"The minimum requirement to pass is two hundred points."

"The duration to pass is two hours; after two hours, the exit and entrance stone gates will close immediately, and I believe none of you can endure inside for a year."

Having said that, Kuang Qing glanced at the crowd, then waved his hand at the Ascension Immortal Society disciples following behind him.

Immediately, two Ascension Immortal Society disciples came to the entrance of the first stage, activated the mechanism, and opened the stone gate.

"Everyone, go in."

"Friendly reminder: the puppet cores can be looted; in the three-stage examination, the higher the points earned, the greater the surprise after entry, while those with lower total points, even if they barely pass all three stages, may still be eliminated and erased."

Kuang Qing's words echoed in each examinee's ear, making everyone's heart involuntarily tremble.

"Can be looted?"

"This means they will face not only the mechanism puppets and ferocious beasts inside, but also have to watch out for everyone around them!"

In an instant, many martial artists warily glanced at those nearby, and the crowd unconsciously pulled back some distance.

Among them, some martial artists confident in their strength, upon hearing the rule 'can be looted,' showed a faint smile of delight.

All martial artists hurried toward the stone gate; after entering, they dared not linger, immediately scattering to keep as far away from others as possible!

Boom—rumble—!

After everyone had entered, the entrance stone gate slowly lowered.

Because he was positioned at the rear of the queue, after Fang Xu entered, those who had entered earlier had already gone elsewhere.

"Senior Sister."

Gazing at Lu Qingluo, Fang Xu couldn't help but recall the days in the Heart-refining Cave's illusion after they were married, when they were entwined night after night.

"You…… what are you staring at me for?" Seeing Fang Xu staring at her with a strange expression, Lu Qingluo felt somewhat puzzled.

"It's nothing, let's go." Feeling a bit embarrassed, he rubbed his nose, and Fang Xu immediately headed forward down the passage.

Watching Fang Xu's back, Lu Qingluo furrowed her brow, thought for a moment, then also picked up her long spear and followed.

Before him lay a four-way intersection, like a maze, giving Fang Xu the feeling of returning once more to the Ti Lan Mountain relic.

Holding a strange wooden staff, seeing the three forked paths ahead, Fang Xu hesitated a moment, then went straight down the middle one, with Lu Qingluo closely following.

For him, this stage's examination basically presented no difficulty.

After all, in the Ti Lan Mountain relic there existed a restriction, and he possessed the strength to slay a Martial Venerable.

No matter how harsh the Ascension Immortal Society's examination is, it surely wouldn't make them, whose cultivation is suppressed to Martial Apprentice Great Perfection, go fight a Martial Venerable, right?

Proceeding along the middle passage, occasionally one could see piles of scattered white bones beside them.

It is quite obvious that they were martial practitioners who unfortunately died here during the previous examination.

Huh?

After walking a few steps forward, Fang Xu suddenly noticed a white stone ball protruding from the stone wall of the passageway beside him.

"White stone ball?"

Lu Qingluo came over, curiously examining that white sphere.

"Let me do it."

Fang Xu smiled faintly, and directly pressed the white stone ball with his palm.

Boom—

The stone gate slowly opened.

The next moment!

A figure suddenly darted out from inside.

Mechanical puppet!

Looking at the mechanical puppet that appeared before him, resembling a leopard and made entirely of copper skin and iron bones, Fang Xu felt a bit curious.

Back when his grandfather was still alive, he had once casually mentioned that some highly skilled carpenters could craft wooden birds that could fly and wooden horses that could walk.

Now, having seen this mechanical puppet with his own eyes, Fang Xu found it quite interesting.

Crack!

Crack!

After the mechanical puppet appeared, it hesitated slightly, then directly launched an attack at the two of them.

Although this mechanical puppet's body seemed somewhat stiff, once it launched an attack it was remarkably agile!

As it lunged forward, its huge head suddenly opened its mouth, and several sharp crossbow bolts shot out rapidly from inside!

"Senior sister, be careful!"

He flashed his body to block in front of Lu Qingluo, Fang Xu lightly shook the long staff in his hand, knocking those crossbow bolts away, then he casually swung a staff at the lunging mechanical puppet.

Bang!

It is unknown what material the mechanical puppet's body is made of; it hard‑took Fang Xu's staff blow and seemed to suffer little damage. After being flung away, its body rolled flexibly on the ground a few times, then it quickly got up and charged at the two of them again.

"Still quite the acquaintance..." Fang Xu muttered, then raised his long staff again.

This time he used twenty percent of his strength!

Boom!

Crack!

The long staff, carrying immense force, struck the mechanical puppet's forehead, instantly smashing its body to pieces, scattering parts all over the ground.

Rumble!

A white bead the size of a fingernail slowly rolled down to Lu Qingluo's feet.

"It's the mechanical puppet's core!"

Picking up the white bead beneath her feet, Lu Qingluo said happily.

"Senior sister, put it away first."

Saying that, Fang Xu's gaze turned to the scattered mechanical puppet not far away; after a brief exchange, he gained a rough understanding of this kind of mechanical puppet's strength.

This white mechanical puppet's speed and strength are roughly comparable to those of a Martial Apprentice Third Stage practitioner, but its bodily hardness is estimated to be no less than that of a Martial Apprentice Fifth Stage practitioner.

In that light, under the suppression of the restriction, it is truly no small feat for an ordinary martial practitioner to earn enough points within an hour.

(End of chapter)