Chapter 690: First and Best to Know When to Stop (Combined)

Before the Chu Xuan Dao Hall, the Floating World Reflection Illusion had been active for less than half a quarter-hour when figures began falling from the void.

These figures emerging from the void wore strange expressions—some made exaggerated gestures, others laughed uncontrollably even as they tumbled out.

Some wept bitterly.

Others knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

All manner of reactions.

Clearly, their deepest desires had been stirred, trapping them within the illusion.

A portion of the candidate Candidate Daozi fell out and regained clarity within mere breaths.

Yet they immediately understood they had been eliminated, their expressions instantly turning agonizing.

Eliminated—they had lost all chance at the Candidate Daozi title, now destined only for the Xuanxin Dao Army or to become wandering cultivators.

Another group of eliminated candidates, even after being removed from the illusion for over a dozen breaths, remained dazed, as if sinking deeper still, their expressions and motions growing ever more extreme.

Dao Palace experts hovered in the air, flicking their fingers lightly, sending a burst of icy water cascading over their heads.

Instantly, they snapped back to clarity.

A few had stripped off their own clothes and, overcome with shame, dissolved into starlight and departed.

The true eliminations began after a quarter-hour—starlight falling from the void like dumplings into boiling water, while Dao Palace experts sprayed icy water to revive the eliminated, their fingers flying so fast they could barely keep up.

After half an hour, over ten thousand candidate Candidate Daozi had been eliminated.

Many had passed the selection for Vanguard, and the first trial of the Lawful Path, yet vanished silently in the second round.

After three-quarters of an hour, the number eliminated exceeded fifteen thousand.

At this point, the nobles and relatives waiting outside grew tense.

For the critical moment had arrived.

If one survived this final quarter-hour without being eliminated, they had passed the trial and become a Candidate Daozi of the Emperor Dongxuan Dao Palace.

The treatment between Candidate Daozi and the Xuanxin Dao Army was utterly incomparable.

Even Zhu Zhu Shizhen, the Yutang Prince, grew tense.

His gaze burned like fire, fixed on every candidate falling from the illusion.

Afraid Xu Jin would be eliminated.

From the crowd outside, cold snorts and weary sighs occasionally rose.

Several heirs from Tianyang Xingjun mansions had already been eliminated.

This was precisely the difficulty of this trial.

Willpower was intangible, invisible, and often impossible to train for directly.

As the sandglass shadow in the sky faded, Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's voice rang out.

"All eliminated candidate Candidate Daozi must leave the Chu Xuan Dao Hall within ten breaths. Within three days, report to the Xuanxin Dao Army camp to receive your official status."

"After three days, those who fail to appear will no longer be accepted into the Xuanxin Dao Army."

At these words, Yutang Prince Zhu Zhu Shizhen smiled.

Xu Jin's Candidate Daozi status was secured.

With Xu Jin's prior performance and strength, once his Candidate Daozi status was secured, his position within the Emperor Dongxuan Dao Palace would certainly be formidable.

When news of Xu Jin's upcoming marriage to his sister spread, the pressure on the Yutang Prince's mansion would ease slightly.

It would ease only slightly, because Xu Jin's current cultivation base was still too low.

But never underestimate a young man in poverty!

Potential and future—that was what was truly terrifying.

The Yutang Prince's mansion had fallen to its current state not only because its True Person had vanished and no supreme Tianyang Xingjun like Yu Tianyang Xingjun remained to guard it, but chiefly because all future possibilities had been lost.

His sister was currently a Zhen Tianyang Xingjun.

Yet due to various reasons, her cultivation had reached its absolute limit—no further advancement possible.

He, the Yutang Prince, had once been the one most likely to revive the Zhu family's future, especially if he became a Candidate Daozi ahead of time.

But three years ago, a jest from Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun had plunged the Yutang Prince's mansion into a deep abyss.

Even now, Zhu Zhu Shizhen remembered the scene of that banquet.

Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun claimed he was offering guidance, yet publicly declared that Zhu Zhu Shizhen's talent was limited, and with his divine soul damaged a decade prior, his cultivation would never surpass the Tianyang Xingjun realm.

Even if he broke through to the tenth-rank Tianyang Xingjun, his ultimate limit would be Grand Tianyang Xingjun—he could never reach Zhen Tianyang Xingjun.

Let alone Yu Tianyang Xingjun, let alone becoming a True Person.

That single sentence had sealed the future of the Yutang True Person's mansion.

From that day forward, the once still-formidable Yutang True Person's mansion plunged irreversibly downhill.

It began to be circled and coveted by the powerful.

Less than ten breaths later, the area before the Chu Xuan Dao Hall stood empty.

Several Tianyang Xingjun-level experts from the Emperor Dongxuan Dao Palace now surrounded the area on all sides.

Each time a candidate fell from the illusion, they were instantly doused with icy star-force to snap them awake.

For from this moment on, every one emerging from the illusion was a Candidate Daozi.

A Candidate Daozi of the Emperor Dongxuan Dao Palace.

At the very least, they were guaranteed potential to reach Tianyang Xingjun.

They would be the future elite of the Emperor Dongxuan Star Realm—their dignity could not be tarnished.

Their treatment had changed from this moment forward.

"In the end, over twenty thousand were eliminated—meaning this year's Candidate Daozi cohort exceeds three thousand, even nearing four thousand."

It was the largest number of selected Candidate Daozi in decades.

Nearly double that of twenty years ago.

Could the Imperial Palace be planning expansion again?"

Though Zhu Zhu Shizhen, the Yutang Prince, was now a fallen noble in dire straits, his rank still granted him access to top-tier intelligence—only True Person-level nobles could know such movements.

Naturally, he could discern subtle signs from the changes.

Expansion meant opportunity for powerful nobles.

But for the Yutang True Person's mansion, the danger outweighed the opportunity.

One figure after another continued falling from the void.

These cultivators, upon awakening, were initially despondent, believing they had failed.

But when told they had endured half an hour in the illusion and passed the trial, gaining Candidate Daozi status, they burst into joy.

Yutang Prince Zhu Zhu Shizhen continued watching every falling figure.

Tense, yet hopeful!

Another half-hour passed, and over three thousand Candidate Daozi had fallen from the illusion.

Fewer than a thousand remained inside.

The aura emanating from the Floating World Reflection Lamp in the void continued to climb.

Clearly, Yuanling Tianyang Zhenjun was steadily increasing the illusion's power, accelerating the elimination pace.

After one hour, another eight hundred fell out.

Zhu Zhu Shizhen's small eyes, embedded in his plump face, nearly sparkled.

One hundred!

Xu Jin's ranking was surely within the top one hundred.

Though one hundred was not a prestigious rank, offering no special rewards.

But it signaled Xu Jin's potential.

First in all three systems in the first round, top one hundred in the second—Xu Jin's future was assured.

If Xu Jin's future was bright, then the Yutang Prince's mansion had hope.

As figures continued falling, Yuanling Tianyang Zhenjun suddenly sighed to a shadow beside him, "Only ten remain holding out."

The light-forms of Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang and Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun both nodded, saying nothing.

The top ten did not concern them.

They cared only for the top three.

The top three would inevitably emerge from among their three bloodlines.

But who would be first—still uncertain.

Yin-Yang Star Marrow—each of them wanted it for their own descendant.

Not only would it strengthen the divine soul's origin, but it was an unparalleled treasure granting an extra sword origin.

Take Su Chu Xuan—he had forged seven sword origins when forming his Dao Embryo, already extraordinary.

But adding one more, eight sword origins, would be even better—especially after he became a True Person, this would become critical.

Beyond group training, they had received individualized drills.

In comparison, Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun's expression grew even more urgent.

Mainly because the Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun mansion had suffered a setback.

This generation of the Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun mansion had produced remarkable talent.

But for great clans, resources were inevitably skewed.

Even with the Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun mansion's resources, under comparable talent, they could only elevate one True Person.

Previously, Bi Chu Xuan Tianyang Zhenjun had chosen his descendant Lu Huang—his talent and character both top-tier.

So when he was nurturing the Dao Embryo, he personally guarded the process and bestowed a unique, priceless treasure.

In the end, when Lu Huang nurtured his Dao Embryo, he condensed eight Sword Primal Threads.

This was already at the level of an absolute genius.

This filled the Bi Chu Xuan True Person with immense joy, and he granted Lu Huang the title of Bi Chu Xuan Heir long before others.

But then he died!

He fell in battle as a Vanguard Commander!

For the Bi Chu Xuan True Person, avenging Lu Huang meant nothing—he didn't even care much.

What he cared about was the survival and future of the entire Bi Chu Xuan True Person Mansion.

His lifespan was nearly spent.

If, before his death, the Bi Chu Xuan True Person Mansion could not cultivate a second True Person, then the current Yu Tang True Person Mansion would become the future of the Bi Chu Xuan True Person Mansion.

Even worse than that!

Yu Tang True Person had once been a Nine-Catastrophe True Person, personally escorted by the Emperor, leaving behind immense legacy.

In contrast, he was far behind.

So he must cultivate a True Person for the Bi Chu Xuan True Person Mansion—even a One-Catastrophe True Person would suffice.

Enough.

Fortunately, in recent decades, the Bi Chu Xuan True Person Mansion has produced one genius after another.

Yuan Luzhen was the second candidate he selected.

Unfortunately, when Yuan Luzhen nurtured his Dao Embryo, the Spirit Embryo Fruit he was given was mediocre, and he ultimately condensed only six Sword Primal Threads.

That's not enough!

Six Sword Primal Threads are too few.

At least seven are needed!

Under these circumstances, the Yin-Yang Star Core arrived just in time.

When Yuan Ling True Person proposed it as a reward, he readily agreed.

His true goal was to ensure Yuan Luzhen won first place and claimed the Yin-Yang Star Core reward.

Thus, this Bi Chu Xuan Ancestor personally tutored Yuan Luzhen for three straight days, paying a considerable price.

All for the sake of first place.

As for Yuan Ling True Person, needless to say.

He was the one who proposed the Yin-Yang Star Core as a reward—he had planned it all along.

The exam arena was his design; though the questions were automated,

his family's Yuan Cheng Fa had already practiced these exact questions countless times.

First place was absolutely guaranteed for the Yuan family!

At this very moment, the second round of the Dao Heir Selection was nearing its end, and the final results were about to be revealed.

Among the three True Persons, especially Tian Zhang True Person and Bi Chu Xuan True Person, both intensified their power into the Floating World Shadow Heart Lamp to monitor Yuan Ling True Person, fearing he might secretly sabotage things.

After all, the Floating World Shadow Heart Lamp was Yuan Ling True Person's Dao-attaining killing artifact!

Under these conditions, the three True Persons' powers mutually restrained and monitored each other—especially Yuan Ling True Person, who was tightly watched by the other two. He had no chance to tamper, nor even to observe changes within the illusion.

At this critical moment, even the slightest fluctuation in his divine soul power would be instantly suppressed by the other two.

"Only five left!" Bi Chu Xuan True Person murmured, his divine sense fully locked on Yuan Ling True Person.

In the next instant, another figure fell out.

"Four left!"

"It's about to be decided!"

Suddenly, another figure fell from the illusion—but all three True Persons kept watching each other, none glancing at the fallen figure below.

Top three!

Their three bloodlines would inevitably sweep the top three—this they were utterly confident of.

The candidates eliminated next were the most critical.

After several breaths, another figure fell from the illusion. As soon as the figure dropped, the three True Persons' divine senses remained locked on each other—but their eyes flicked downward.

At that glance, Yuan Ling True Person and Tian Zhang True Person both changed expression dramatically.

The one who had just fallen was Yuan Yuan Chengfa!

Yuan Yuan Chengfa—the very one Yuan Ling True Person believed would take first place!

"How… how is this possible?" Yuan Ling True Person stared in shock.

Suddenly, Tian Zhang True Person also exclaimed in disbelief, "Has first place gone to the Lu family?"

Bi Chu Xuan True Person's heart surged with joy, yet his face showed not a trace.

Yuan Ling True Person stared again, "No—wait! There are still two inside! The first place hasn't been decided yet!"

Tian Zhang True Person blinked in shock, "Has my Su Chu Xuan been eliminated too?"

"Yuan Luzhen is still in—then who's the other?" Bi Chu Xuan True Person frowned.

"I'll check."

"No!"

Almost the instant Yuan Ling True Person spoke, Tian Zhang True Person and Bi Chu Xuan True Person both shouted, their vast divine senses slamming down like mountains onto Yuan Ling True Person.

Pinning Yuan Ling True Person motionless, his Floating World Shadow Heart Lamp flickered violently.

And in the void, gales erupted from nowhere—the heavens themselves changed!

"You two…" Yuan Ling True Person looked at them, frustrated and helpless, instantly understanding their intentions.

Bi Chu Xuan True Person feared he'd sabotage the Lu family's disciple.

And Tian Zhang True Person likely feared they'd collude to decide the fate of the Yin-Yang Star Core!

This has become…

The three True Persons were each harboring secret agendas!

At this moment, Tian Zhang True Person realized his Su Chu Xuan had actually been the first eliminated—hadn't even made the top three.

Bi Chu Xuan True Person's expression grew more complex: he kept his divine sense locked on Yuan Ling True Person's movements while staring downward.

If just one more was eliminated, his Yuan Luzhen would claim the Yin-Yang Star Core!

This rule was recorded—originally signed by all three True Persons. Even if they took it to the Emperor, it would be useless.

Ten breaths later, a star flashed in the sky, and a figure suddenly fell out.

All three True Persons turned their gazes toward it.

In one glance, Tian Zhang True Person and Yuan Ling True Person both stroked their beards and smiled.

But Bi Chu Xuan True Person's expression darkened.

The one who had just fallen and been eliminated was Yuan Luzhen of their Lu family.

That meant Yuan Luzhen had also lost any chance at first place!

Instantly, Bi Chu Xuan True Person was filled with frustration.

He had paid such a heavy price.

But fundamentally, Yuan Luzhen had still performed well—he was the top among the three bloodlines, yet the true first place had been stolen!

"Yuan Ling, who's still inside? Take a look!" Bi Chu Xuan True Person said sternly.

"To ensure fairness, we cannot look!" At this moment, Yuan Ling True Person suddenly took control.

"No!"

Tian Zhang True Person was the first to oppose, leaving Bi Chu Xuan True Person speechless.

Now he was even guarding against him.

At this moment, all three True Persons were bewildered.

They had never expected such a dark horse to emerge.

Especially Yuan Ling True Person and Bi Chu Xuan True Person—they were utterly baffled.

They simply could not fathom who this dark horse was, who had outperformed them despite their intensive tutoring.

Especially Bi Chu Xuan True Person—he had paid an enormous price to ensure Yuan Luzhen secured first place.

For his family, for the bloodline's continuity, Bi Chu Xuan True Person had directly consumed his divine soul's origin.

The direct cost: twenty years off his lifespan.

But in Bi Chu Xuan True Person's eyes, if the Lu family could produce a True Person in the future, even sixty years off his lifespan would be worth it.

But now…

For a moment, the three most supreme beings in the Chu Xuan Dao Star Realm remained in an eerie stalemate.

Before the Chu Xuan Dao Hall.

Zhu Zhu Shizhen, the Yu Tang Prince, squinted like a bean, scanning the Dao Heirs in the Chu Xuan Dao Hall for Xu Jin's figure.

After searching three times without success, he finally grinned, his dimples appearing clearly.

First place!

Brother-in-law Xu Jin had taken first place in the second round!

First round: top in all three disciplines. Second round: top in willpower.

How should this potential be judged?

Whoever evaluates it will say only one thing: he has the potential to become a True Person.

The Emperor is beyond consideration.

But merely the phrase "True Person Youwang " is enough to spare the Jade Hall True Person's mansion considerable trouble.

Of course, the troubles of the Jade Hall True Person's mansion cannot vanish with just "True Person Youwang."

Yet it has given the Jade Hall True Person's mansion hope.

High above, as the overseer who had been involved from start to finish in the Dao Heir Selection, Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang already knew who it was.

Xu Jin!

Upon learning that Xu Jin had secured first place in the second round, Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang instantly accepted it within his heart.

"First in all three categories—truly worthy of the Yin-Yang Star Core. This Yin-Yang Star Core has been given to the right person! In the future, perhaps there is even a sliver of hope."

But Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan's thoughts were different.

Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan now had only one thought: find out who the candidate was, then find a way to obtain the Yin-Yang Star Core.

If Yuan Luzhen lacks the Yin-Yang Star Core, his hope of attaining True Person status in the future is extremely slim.

As for Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling, just a moment ago, a bold idea had flashed through his mind.

What if I kill this first-place candidate?

This Floating World Shadowheart Lamp is my True Person's killing artifact.

Under the supervision of two True Persons, tampering is difficult.

But killing that mysterious first-place candidate would be effortless.

Just a slight nudge would suffice.

But the problem is, killing this mysterious first-place candidate brings him no benefit.

If Yuan Yuan Chengfa of their Yuan family had taken second place in the second round, that would have been easy.

He could quietly kill this first-place candidate, and Yuan Yuan Chengfa would be promoted to first, securing the Yin-Yang Star Core.

But Pianpian, second place is Yuan Luzhen of the Lu family.

Killing this current mysterious first-place candidate would only benefit the Lu family.

It brings him absolutely no advantage!

Why would he do such a thing?

Now, all he can do is wait!

Wait for this first-place candidate to be expelled from the illusion.

He wanted to see just who this mysterious figure was, capable of pushing out even his own Yuan family's gifted prodigy whom he had personally tutored.

Perhaps he should have Yuan family disciples make early contact.

Moreover, theoretically, the candidate should emerge very soon.

After all, cultivation bases are nearly identical; lasting half a minute or a full minute longer than Yuan Yuan Chengfa, Yuan Luzhen, and others is the absolute limit.

Time passed, and before long, two full minutes had elapsed since Yuan Luzhen was eliminated.

Still no figure fell out.

Had Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling not sensed someone still lingering within his illusion, he might have begun to doubt.

"Where did this brat come from? Why does he last so long?" Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling glanced at Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang.

"I don't know," Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang shook his head.

Inside the Floating World Shadow Illusion, Xu Jin continued relentlessly gathering the Seven Emotions' power, growing increasingly uneasy.

The illusions within this realm came one after another without end.

Moreover, the power of each wave of the Seven Emotions kept increasing.

The first wave was one thread, the second two, the tenth ten.

The Seven Emotions cycled continuously.

The difficulty multiplied with each wave.

For instance, the Desire aspect now surged forth in nearly a hundred threads at once.

Originally, a hundred threads of Desire-induced illusions were terrifying.

Even Xu Jin's Spirit Platform Star Art could not withstand them.

But the moment these Desire threads surged toward him, before they could form illusions and invade his mind, they were absorbed by the Grand Void Seven Emotions Mirror, which Xu Jin had been continuously activating.

Xu Jin was now considering another question.

Had he gathered too much?

How much damage had he caused to the Floating World Shadowheart Lamp?

Would Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling come after him upon discovering this?

Within the Grand Void Seven Emotions Mirror, the Fear Mirror was full; the Anger and Sorrow Mirrors were full too.

Each mirror's maximum capacity for Xu Jin was seven thousand threads.

Three mirrors were now full.

The collection speed had clearly slowed.

Primarily because the power already collected in the three full mirrors kept surging forth but could no longer be absorbed.

Consequently, collection of the other four emotions became noticeably slower.

Yet even the weakest of the other four had already gathered over four thousand threads!

"Better to stop while ahead—don't be greedy!"

"I wonder what rank I've achieved?"

Suddenly, Xu Jin made a decision.

The next instant, as a wave of Joy surged forth, Xu Jin deliberately deactivated the Grand Void Seven Emotions Mirror. Before he could even withdraw his Spirit Platform Star Art,

seventy or eighty threads of Joy power rushed in and instantly submerged him in their grip.

In the sky above the Chu Xuan Dao Hall, Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling frowned, turning to the other two True Persons: "Gentlemen, shall I investigate? It's been an hour and a half since the second-place candidate was expelled.

This isn't normal, is it?

Could something have happened to the first-place candidate?"

Hearing this, Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan nodded. "Indeed, it's unusual."

But Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang shook his head firmly: "No. The Soul Trial is critical—no interference allowed!"

"So if he never emerges, we just wait forever?" Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling sighed helplessly.

"It should be soon."

Just as Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang spoke, a figure suddenly tumbled from the void, accompanied by loud laughter.

The laughter echoed throughout the entire sky of the Chu Xuan Dao Hall.

Instantly, all eyes turned toward him.

Many who recognized Xu Jin gasped in shock, and at that very moment, cold starlight washed over Xu Jin's face.

The laughter ceased abruptly.

Xu Jin landed.

Yet all eyes remained fixed on him!

"He's out!"

As Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang spoke, the spiritual senses of the two other True Persons immediately locked onto Xu Jin, eager to scan every detail of him!

But spiritual senses are not omnipotent.

They could only sense Xu Jin's cultivation base and the general aura of his Dao Embryo.

Especially since Xu Jin had concealed himself.

"The Dao Heir Selection is now concluded. All who remain before the Chu Xuan Dao Hall are the newly selected Dao Heirs of this generation!

Now, distribute the rewards for the second round of the Dao Heir Selection." Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang announced publicly.

After speaking, he pulled out a jade box and turned to Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan and Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling.

"Gentlemen, unseal it—I'm ready to distribute the rewards!"

Though the Yin-Yang Star Core rested in Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's hands, it bore heavy seals applied by the other two.

Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan and Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling exchanged glances; Tianyang Zhenjun Yuanling unsealed his portion first. Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's gaze turned to Tianyang Zhenjun Zhenjun Bixuan.

The latter glanced at the two, sighed inwardly, and released his spiritual sense—the seals dissolved instantly.

Next, beams of light shot from Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's hand toward the top ten candidates of the second round.

A single jade box landed precisely in Xu Jin's arms.

At the same instant, Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's voice echoed in Xu Jin's mind: "Xu Jin, you are first in the second round of the Dao Heir Selection. The reward—the Yin-Yang Star Core—has been delivered to you!

You must consume and refine it as soon as possible.

And preferably within your Dao Palace!"

"Thank you for the reminder, True Person," Xu Jin instantly understood Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's goodwill.

At the same moment, Tianyang Zhenjun Commander Tian Zhang's voice rang out across the entire Chu Xuan Dao Hall plaza: "The Dao Heir Selection is over. You may disperse. In one day, the Grand Competition will be held to determine your rankings and the cultivation years allocated to you!"

Moments later, the crowd dispersed. The Dao Heir Selection was finally settled.

But to Xu Jin's surprise, on his way back to his small courtyard, three immense spiritual senses lingered above his head.

(End of Chapter)