Chapter 19: Terror and the Dao Heart

“645……644……639……”

One by one, the figures of students surfaced before Qian Shen. He could not see their forms clearly, but he could see the scores displayed above their heads with perfect clarity.

“680, 690, 660……”

The scores displayed above every single person were so lofty and so dazzling that they made Qian Shen feel utterly unworthy in this moment.

He felt as though standing before his classmates, he was nothing but wretched, as lowly as a mere pawn.

“Standing among these people, I am like a bag of wet trash.”

“With a mere 600-plus score, I don't deserve to stand here, let alone speak to them or even be near them...”

In his eyes, the scores above the students' heads continued to rise, and their figures grew taller and taller, like giants towering into the clouds. Eventually, he could only see their legs; he could no longer even make out their faces.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side of the art exhibition, the drone of Li Xingyu from Mangshan High School traced a path through the air before slowly flying toward the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*.

But in the next instant, with a sharp crackle, the drone seemed to suffer a malfunction and fell crookedly to the ground.

“Soul cultivators from Mangshan High are full of contracts; they shouldn't come here to join the fun.”

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

“It’s a pity that almost all the students attempting this exhibition are first-years. If they want to master the martial arts within the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*, second and third-year students would have a much better chance.”

“But it’s no wonder... the top students in the second and third years either don't meet the age requirements or are already bound by contracts, making it impossible for them to seek out another master.”

Just then, the Songyang City Director of the Xianyun Group, shimmering in golden light, approached Li Xuelian and said with a smile, “This *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* truly lives up to its reputation as a masterpiece painted by True Person Xinghuo. It is extraordinarily profound. I wonder, what exactly is it testing?”

Li Xuelian did not answer him directly, but said calmly, “The first stage of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* tests the Dao Heart.”

“Those who cannot endure it are often forcibly repelled, sometimes even leaving a flaw within their Dao Heart.”

……

Zhao Tianxing felt the contemptuous and mocking gazes of the countless people around him, and his body couldn't help but retreat repeatedly, moving away from the effective range of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*.

When he regained his senses and looked at his surroundings, he realized that the "spectacle" and the "scornful stares" he had just experienced were merely the effects of the illustration.

Realizing that he had failed the test of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*, his face instantly flushed bright red. He hurried backward, terrified that someone nearby would discover that he, a security guard, had brought shame upon himself.

……

At the exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, “If one can pass this first test, it will naturally have the effect of tempering the Dao Heart.”

“Regarding Dao Heart levels, most of us cultivators rely on mental cultivation methods to improve them.”

“And different mental methods require different philosophies to harmonize with them.”

“For instance, with ancient God-Worshiping methods, the practitioner must be incomparably devout, possessing absolute faith in the gods. The more devout they are, the better the effect of the method.”

“Or take the Heaven-勤 (Heavenly Diligence) method from Ziyun High School; it requires the practitioner to undergo extreme hardship, integrating bitter cultivation into their very instinct to achieve maximum efficacy.”

“Then there is the basic Heart-Refining method for high school beginners, which seeks tranquility and focus, requiring a philosophy of silent endurance and persistence, like water dripping through stone.”

“There are thousands of mental methods to improve the Dao Heart, varying in level, but the key lies in whether the practitioner's philosophy aligns with the method.”

“But thoughts are difficult to gauge. How a person truly thinks, or whether they truly harmonize with a method, is something even they might not be able to explain clearly, let alone outsiders.”

“Fortunately, the stronger the Dao Heart, the stronger the person's willpower. Using the strength of willpower to determine the Dao Heart level and verify the effectiveness of mental cultivation has become the simplest method.”

“However, the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* does not simply test the strength of willpower to confirm the strength of the Dao Heart.”

“The *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* targets the terror within the heart. It strikes directly at the weaknesses of the soul, giving them no chance to resist using their mental methods. It tests their most primal reactions.”

“When facing psychological weaknesses, only by promptly adjusting one's thoughts can one compensate for the weakness and pass the test.”

The Songyang City Director of the Xianyun Group's eyes flickered as he said, “I see. Senior Xinghuo wants a disciple with a flexible mind? A disciple who, when practicing God-Worshiping methods, can switch between different gods, and when practicing the Heaven-勤 method, can be both a hard worker and a master of 'lying flat'?”

Li Xuelian nodded. “There are myriad mental methods, and it is certainly good if one's thoughts can harmonize with them. But only those who can continuously adjust their thoughts, adapt to environmental changes, and adapt to changes in the mental method are true geniuses, unconstrained by the method itself.”

“Especially in this era of rapid development, where the Ten Great Sects influence every aspect of society and the entire Kunxu is undergoing drastic changes, one cannot succeed if their thoughts fail to adapt in time.”

“For example, in the present world, if one wishes to embark on the path of cultivation, exams and scores are indispensable; they have long been integrated into the lives of every cultivator.”

“Consequently, in the mindset of modern cultivators, an obsession with exams and scores is naturally present.”

“Possessing excellent scores and an obsession with them can make a top student's will firm, making it easier to raise their Dao Heart level.”

“But conversely, this is also a psychological weakness. There is always someone better, and there is always a heaven above the heavens; temporary leadership does not mean permanent leadership. Many top students are as confident when they are at the top as they are insecure when their rankings drop.”

“To overcome this psychological weakness, the practitioner needs to make flexible adjustments in their thinking. This is the key to passing.”

“There was once a student who repeatedly experienced low scores in exams during the test of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*. Eventually, they overcame their fear of low scores and tempered a 'Delusional Obsession' mindset.”

……

Lian Tianji listened to the teacher announcing the results on the podium and suddenly burst into laughter: “Hahaha! Since I have already become the last-place loser, then I shall start from the beginning!”

“From this day forward, I am the most useless, the worst-performing loser!”

“But as a loser, I also have the chance to surpass you all one by one and ascend to the throne of number one!”

“I will definitely become the top of my grade!”

As he conquered the terror in his heart, he felt as if he had returned to the art exhibition, and the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* before his eyes became increasingly clear.

……

Li Xuelian continued, “The Kunxu consists of 36 layers above ground and 18 layers below ground. Each layer is a world unto itself. Whether human or immortal, everyone is divided into various ranks. This hierarchy is ingrained in the very bones of every cultivator, influencing the depths of everyone's thoughts.”

“Previously, there was a student who experienced layer upon layer of oppression from countless people within the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*, eventually evolving a 'Lying Flat' mindset.”

……

Qian Shen watched as those giants, whose scores far exceeded his own, rose from the ground, growing taller and taller until their faces became blurred.

Only the scores above the giants' heads continued to grow, emitting a dazzling radiance.

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

As the giants grew increasingly exaggerated in height and their scores continued to rise, his mood shifted from tension to fear, from fear to despair, and finally into a state of numbness.

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

“Fine.”

“I just won't chase them.”

“As long as I can cultivate, that's enough. Even if I can't beat anyone... as long as I can cultivate, it's fine.”

As if waking from a great dream, Qian Shen, lying on the ground, opened his eyes. Looking at the exhibition and the martial arts illustration before him, a hint of realization appeared in his eyes.

……

In the exhibition, the Songyang City Director of the Xianyun Group listened to Li Xuelian's analysis and agreed, “Changes in thought cannot be separated from the influence of the era's development.”

He speculated, “Like in today's society, where everyone is tied to debt; I imagine this would also be reflected in the trials of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*?”

“Correct,” Li Xuelian nodded. “There was once a student who faced the terror of the 'Debt of the Immortal Path' during the test, and eventually developed a 'Deadbeat' mindset.”

……

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

“Wait! I'll pay! I'll pay, okay!”

“Don't strike me!”

She hurriedly opened her phone to check her accounts, wanting to see how much she owed and how much she could pay back.

“800,000?!”

As soon as she opened the first lending platform, Bai Zhenzhen's heart sank.

Then, the 1.2 million debt on the second platform caused a cold sweat to pour down her back.

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

As the total amount of debt she calculated continued to grow, the hand holding her phone grew increasingly weak.

A debt of a full 8 million—such a massive amount for a high school student meant either total mental collapse or...

Bai Zhenzhen suddenly collapsed onto the ground, looking at the lightning in the sky and shouting, “If you have the guts, just strike me dead!”

“If you strike me dead, the 8 million vanishes into thin air!”

Seeing that the lightning had not yet fallen, Bai Zhenzhen continued, “Either strike me dead and the 8 million is gone...”

“Or help me find some work to do, and I'll pay you back once I earn money.”

As the heavenly lightning gradually dissipated, the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* reappeared before Bai Zhenzhen.

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

……

At the exhibition, Li Xuelian sighed, “Whether it is Delusional Obsession, Lying Flat, or being a Deadbeat, it is merely a state of using thought to combat pressure under heavy weight. While it can temper their will and Dao Heart, their future ultimately depends on how they walk in reality.”

“After all, this is only the first stage of the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*, merely a threshold.”

She remembered her own high school days, when her father had also tested her Dao Heart.

At that time, the person she feared most was her own father. During the test, she was heavily oppressed by him, eventually rising up in rebellion under the immense pressure and establishing a "Filial Explosion" mindset. Upon waking, she had aggressively "harvested" her old man's gold coins, and her cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

However, not long after, the pressures from all aspects of real society, combined with her father's every move, caused her to regain her reverence and respect for him.

Beside her, the Songyang City Director of the Xianyun Group nodded slightly, knowing that Li Xuelian was right; the effects brought by such Dao Heart tests are only temporary.

After all, human thought is constantly changing. How could the influence of a mere Dao Heart test withstand the long-term impact of an entire society in the real world?

Li Xuelian continued, “After passing the first stage and overcoming the terror in one's heart, the true comprehension begins.”

“And whether one can actually master the art after passing the comprehension stage is quite another matter.”

The Director nodded, understanding that overcoming terror, comprehending the illustration, and mastering the martial arts were the three stages of comprehending the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration*.

“Then, looking at those present, how many do you think can actually master it?”

Li Xuelian looked at the many students present and shook her head. “I fear not even one.”

……

When Zhang Yu saw the figures in the *Heaven-Man Martial Arts Illustration* gradually become clear and watched one of them begin to practice a set of fist techniques, he suddenly felt a chill surge in his heart.

“Please abide by the ritual agreement, work hard to fulfill your wish, and do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. 10.”

Zhang Yu was slightly stunned. “Wait... isn't my current effort to comprehend the illustration actually me working hard on the path to getting into a good university?”

But the chill could not converse with him; it simply continued its countdown.

“Please abide by the ritual agreement, work hard to fulfill your wish, and do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. 9.”

“Please abide by the ritual agreement, work hard to fulfill your wish, and do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. 8.”

Unable to do anything else, Zhang Yu sat down and attempted to breathe in spiritual energy, hoping to see if he could make the countdown stop.

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

“This idiot...”

Just as Zhang Yu was cursing the ritual's power while breathing, another surge of intense chill rose within his body.

“Please abide by the ritual agreement, work hard to fulfill your wish, and do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. 10.”

Hearing this new countdown, Zhang Yu was instantly shocked.

“No... I *am* working hard at my cultivation.”

“Why is it counting down again?”

“What is wrong with this idiot ritual?”

Zhang Yu simply stopped breathing to test it, only to find that the surging chill and the countdown did not disappear; instead, a new wave of chill and a new countdown occurred.

Listening to the two countdowns in his head ringing continuously, taking turns to count down, Zhang Yu finally understood what was happening.

“There are two countdowns?”

“Is one of them fake?”

(End of Chapter)