Chapter 19: Terror and Dao Heart

"645... 644... 639..."

The figures of one classmate after another appeared before Qian Shen's eyes; he couldn't make out their faces, but he could clearly see the scores displayed above their heads.

"680, 690, 660..."

The scores above each person's head were so unattainable, so radiant, that at this moment Qian Shen felt utterly ashamed of his own.

He felt that standing before his classmates, he was so wretched, so insignificant—a mere nobody.

"Standing among these people, I'm practically like a bag of wet trash."

"With a mere score of over 600, I'm not even worthy of standing here, let alone speaking to them or getting close to them..."

In his eyes, the scores above each classmate's head kept rising, and their figures grew taller in parallel, like towering giants reaching into the clouds. Gradually, he could only see their legs, no longer making out their faces.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the art exhibition, Li Xingyu from Mangshan High School's drone traced an arc through the air and slowly flew toward the Celestial Martial Diagram.

But the next moment, with a crackling pop, the drone seemed to suffer some kind of malfunction, wobbling as it fell to the ground.

"Soul cultivators from Mangshan High School are all under contracts—don't bother stirring up trouble."

Li Xuelian muttered softly, then withdrew her gaze from the drone and continued watching the other students.

"Pity—almost all the students who came to try in this exhibition are freshmen. To master the martial arts in the Celestial Martial Diagram, it would be sophomores and juniors who have a better chance."

"But I can't blame them... the top students in sophomore and junior years either don't meet the age requirement or have long been bound by contracts, so it's impossible for them to come look for a master."

Just then, the dazzlingly golden-clad Songyang City director of Xianyun Group came to Li Xuelian's side and said with a smile, "This Celestial Martial Diagram truly lives up to being personally painted by Spark True Man—so marvelously profound. May I ask what exactly it is testing?"

Li Xuelian did not directly answer his question, but said calmly, "The first trial of the Celestial Martial Diagram tests one's Dao heart."

"Those who cannot withstand it are often forcibly driven back, even leaving a flaw in their Dao heart."

Zhao Tianxing, feeling the countless contemptuous and mocking gazes around him, couldn't help but repeatedly step backward, moving far away from the range of the Celestial Martial Diagram's effect.

When he came to his senses and looked around at the situation, he realized that the "whole crowd watching" and "disdainful looks" had all been an effect of the Celestial Martial Diagram.

Thinking of this and understanding that he had failed the Celestial Martial Diagram's trial, his face immediately flushed bright red. He quickly retreated, afraid that someone nearby would notice this security guard bringing shame upon himself.

At the art exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, "If one can pass the first trial, it will naturally have the effect of tempering one's Dao heart."

"As for Dao heart levels, the vast majority of us cultivators rely on mind cultivation methods to improve them."

"And different mind cultivation methods require different mindsets to align with them."

"For example, in the ancient Worship God Mind Method, the practitioner must be exceedingly devout, possessing absolute faith in the deity. The more devout, the better the effect of the Worship God Mind Method."

"Another example is the Diligence Mind Method of Ziyun High School, which requires the practitioner to train to the extreme, integrating hard work into their very instinct in order to achieve maximum effect."

"Yet another is the Basic Mind Tempering Method for high school beginners, which seeks calmness and concentration, requiring silent endurance and a persistent, drop-by-drop mindset to complement it."

"There are countless mind cultivation methods for improving the Dao heart, some high and some low, but the key lies in whether the practitioner's mindset aligns with the method."

"But a person's thoughts are hard to fathom—what one truly thinks, and whether it really matches the mind cultivation method—even he himself may not be able to articulate it clearly, let alone outsiders."

"Fortunately, the stronger the Dao heart, the stronger one's willpower. Using the strength of willpower to measure the level of the Dao heart and test the effect of mind cultivation improvement has become the simplest method."

"However, the Celestial Martial Diagram does not simply determine the strength of the Dao heart by testing the strength of willpower."

"The Celestial Martial Diagram targets the terror within one's heart, directly striking at the weaknesses of a person's soul, denying them the chance to resist using mind cultivation methods. It tests their most genuine reactions."

"When facing the weaknesses in one's heart, only by promptly adjusting one's mindset can one mend those inner weaknesses and pass the trial."

A glint passed through the eyes of the Xianyun Group Songyang City director, and he said, "I understand. Senior Spark is looking for a disciple with flexible thinking? One who, when practicing the Worship God Mind Method, can switch gods to worship; when practicing the Diligence Mind Method, can be both a grind and a couch potato."

Li Xuelian nodded: "With thousands of mind cultivation methods, it's certainly good if one's mindset can align with a method. But only those who can continuously adjust their mindset to adapt to environmental changes and changes in methods are true geniuses, never bound by any single method."

"Especially now, as the times develop faster and faster, the Ten Great Sects influence every aspect of society, and the entire Kunxu is undergoing drastic changes. If one's mindset cannot adapt in time, it won't do."

"For example, in this world today, if one wants to embark on the path of immortal cultivation, exams and scores are indispensable—they have long been integrated into every cultivator's life."

"Naturally, then, the mindset of modern cultivators cannot avoid an obsession with exams and scores."

"Having excellent scores and an obsession with scores can make a top student strong-willed, making it easier to elevate their Dao-heart level."

"But conversely, this is also a mental weakness. There are always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens. A temporary lead does not mean a permanent lead. Many top students are as confident when they rank high as they are insecure when they fall behind."

"To overcome this mental weakness, cultivators need to make flexible adjustments in their thinking in time; this is the key to passing the trial."

"For example, there was a student who repeatedly experienced low scores in the trials of the Heavenly Man Martial Arts Diagram, and eventually overcame his fear of low scores, honing a kind of delusional mindset."

"…"

"Lian Tianji, listening to the teacher on the podium announcing the grades, suddenly burst into laughter: 'Hahaha, since I've become the last-place slacker, I'll start over from scratch.'"

"'From today on, I am the most useless, the worst-performing slacker.'"

"'But as a slacker, I also have the chance to surpass you one by one and claim the top spot.'"

"'I will definitely become first in the grade!'"

"As he overcame the terror in his heart, he felt as if he had returned to the art exhibition, and the Heavenly Man Martial Arts Diagram before him became clearer and clearer."

"…"

"Li Xuelian continued: 'Kunxu has 36 layers above ground and 18 layers below, each layer a different realm. Whether human or immortal, all are divided into different ranks. This hierarchy is ingrained in the bones of every cultivator, influencing the depths of every person's thoughts.'"

"'Before, there was a student who, within the Heavenly Man Martial Arts Diagram, experienced oppression from countless layers of people, and eventually transformed into a lying-flat mindset.'"

"…"

"Qian Shen watched as giants whose scores far exceeded his rose from the ground, growing taller and taller until he could no longer make out their features."

"Only the scores above the giants' heads kept increasing, emitting a dazzling radiance."

"He tried to keep up with them, but it was futile."

"As the giants grew taller and their scores increased at an ever more exaggerated rate, his mood shifted from tension to fear, from fear to despair, and eventually gradually turned into numbness."

"He lay down on the ground, no longer looking at the giants' figures."

"'Fine.'"

"'I just won't chase after them. As long as I can cultivate immortality myself, even if I can't compare to anyone... as long as I can cultivate, that's enough.'"

"As if waking from a great dream, Qian Shen, lying on the ground, opened his eyes and looked at the art exhibition and the Martial Arts Diagram before him, a hint of understanding in his eyes."

"…"

"In the exhibition, the Songyang City director of Xianyun Group, listening to Li Xuelian's analysis, agreed: 'Changes in thought cannot be separated from the influence of the times.'"

"He speculated: 'In today's society, everyone relies on loans. Surely this will also be reflected in the trials of the Heavenly Man Martial Arts Diagram, right?'"

"'Correct,' Li Xuelian nodded and said. 'There was once a student who, in the trials of the Heavenly Man Martial Arts Diagram, faced the terror of repaying debts on the immortal path, and ultimately developed a deadbeat mindset.'"

"…"

"Watching the debt-collecting heavenly thunder brewing in the sky, Bai Zhenzhen crouched down in terror."

"'Wait! I'll pay back the money!'"

"'I'll pay it back, okay!'"

"!."

"'Don't strike me!'"

"She quickly opened her phone and checked her accounts, wanting to see how much she owed and how much she could pay off."

"'800,000?!'"

"Opening the first lending platform, Bai Zhenzhen's heart sank."

"Then the 1.2 million debt from the second platform made cold sweat pour down her back."

"2 million... 5 million... 8 million..."

"As the total amount of debt she calculated in her mind kept growing, the hand holding the phone gradually fell limp."

"A full 8 million in debt—such an enormous sum for a high school student would either lead to a complete breakdown or..."

"Bai Zhenzhen suddenly lay down on the ground, staring at the thunder in the sky and shouted: 'If you've got the guts, just strike me dead.'"

"If you strike me dead with lightning, that's 8 million going up in smoke."

Looking at the thunderbolt that still hadn’t fallen, Bai Zhenzhen continued, "Either you kill me with lightning, and 8 million goes up in smoke."

"Or you help me find some work to do, and once I earn money, I’ll pay you back."

As the heavenly thunder gradually dissipated, the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram reappeared before Bai Zhenzhen.

Watching the martial arts being practiced by the figure within, Bai Zhenzhen felt a glimmer of enlightenment.

…

At the art exhibition, Li Xuelian remarked, "But whether it’s futile thoughts, lying flat, or being a deadbeat, these are just states of mind resisting pressure under heavy strain. Though they may temper one’s will and Dao heart, in the end, the future depends on how they walk in reality."

"After all, this is only the first trial of the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram, just a threshold."

She recalled that when she was in high school, her father had also tested her Dao heart.

Back then, what she feared most was her father. Under his harsh oppression during the trial, she eventually rebelled, awakened a rebellious filial piety, and after waking up, ruthlessly drained the old man’s money. Her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

However, not long after, the pressures from all aspects of real society and her father’s every move made her once again revere and respect him.

The director of Xianyun Group’s Songyang branch nodded slightly, understanding that Li Xuelian was right—the effect of such a Dao heart trial was only temporary.

After all, people’s thoughts are constantly changing. How could the influence of a mere Dao heart trial withstand the long-term impact of the entire real society?

Li Xuelian continued, "After surviving the first trial and overcoming the terror in your heart, the true comprehension begins."

"And after passing the comprehension trial, whether you can actually master it is another matter entirely."

The director nodded, understanding that overcoming terror, comprehending the diagram, and mastering the martial arts were the three stages of studying the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram.

"So, looking at the people here, how many do you think can succeed?"

Li Xuelian glanced at the many students present and shook her head. "I doubt even one can be found."

…

When Zhang Yu saw the figure in the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram gradually become clear and begin practicing a set of boxing techniques, he suddenly felt a chill surge in his heart.

"Please abide by the ritual agreement and strive to fulfill the wish. Do not deliberately slack off or procrastinate. 10."

Zhang Yu was stunned. "What… I’m trying to comprehend the diagram right now. Isn’t that working hard to study and get into a good university?"

But the chill couldn’t converse with him; it just continued the countdown.

"Please abide by the ritual agreement and strive to fulfill the wish. Do not deliberately slack off or procrastinate. 9."

"Please abide by the ritual agreement and strive to fulfill the wish. Do not deliberately slack off or procrastinate. 8."

Zhang Yu had no choice but to sit down and try to breathe in spiritual energy, hoping to stop the countdown.

As he began to breathe, the chill gradually dissipated, and the countdown stopped.

"This idiot…"

Just as Zhang Yu was breathing and cursing the ritual’s power under his breath, another surge of intense cold erupted within him.

"Please abide by the ritual agreement and strive to fulfill the wish. Do not deliberately slack off or procrastinate. 10."

Hearing this new countdown, Zhang Yu was shocked.

"What… I’m working hard to cultivate."

"Why is there another countdown?"

"What’s wrong with this stupid ritual?"

Zhang Yu stopped breathing to test it, only to find that the intense chill and countdown didn’t disappear, and another batch of chill and countdown appeared.

Listening to the two countdowns ringing in his head, alternating their counts, Zhang Yu finally understood what was going on.

"Two countdowns?"

"Is one of them fake?"