Chapter 19: Horror and Dao Heart

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

One after another, the figures of his classmates materialized before Qian Shen's eyes. He couldn't discern their faces, yet he could clearly see the scores displayed above their heads.

"680, 690, 660..."

Each person's score shone so brightly, reaching such unattainable heights, that Qian Shen felt utterly ashamed of himself at this moment.

He felt like a lowly lackey standing before his classmates, so insignificant, so unworthy.

"Standing amongst these people, I'm no better than a bag of wet garbage."

"Merely scoring in the 600s, I'm simply not worthy of standing here, let alone speaking with them, or even getting close to them..."

In his eyes, the scores above his classmates' heads continued to rise, and their figures grew taller as well, like towering giants reaching into the clouds. Soon, he could only see their legs, unable to even make out their faces.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the art exhibition, Li Xingyu's drone from Mangshan High School traced a path through the air, slowly flying towards the "Celestial Martial Arts Diagram."

But in the next instant, with a crackling sound, the drone seemed to have malfunctioned, falling to the ground askew.

"Students of the Soul Cultivation path from Mangshan High School, with all your contracts, should refrain from participating in this."

Li Xuelian muttered lightly, then turned her gaze away from the drone and continued to observe the other students.

"It's a pity that almost all the students trying this exhibition are first-year students. Second and third-year students would have a better chance of mastering the martial arts depicted in the 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram.'"

"But it's understandable... The top students in the second and third year are either too old to qualify, or they already have contracts and are unlikely to seek another master."

Just then, the director of Xianyun Group's Songyang City branch, radiant with golden immortal light, approached Li Xuelian and said with a smile, "The 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram' is indeed worthy of being painted by True Person Xinghuo. It's truly mystical and extraordinary. I wonder what it truly tests?"

Li Xuelian did not directly answer his question, but said calmly, "The first stage of the 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram' tests the Heart of the Dao."

"Those who cannot withstand it are often forcibly repelled, and may even leave a flaw in their Heart of the Dao."

...

Zhao Tianxing felt the countless contemptuous and mocking gazes around him, and his body couldn't help but retreat repeatedly, away from the range of the "Celestial Martial Arts Diagram's" influence.

When he came to his senses, looking at the surrounding situation, he realized that the "full audience" and "contemptuous glances" were all due to the effects of the "Celestial Martial Arts Diagram."

Realizing that he had not passed the test of the "Celestial Martial Arts Diagram," his face immediately flushed red, and he quickly retreated, afraid that someone would discover that he, a security guard, had humiliated himself.

...

At the art exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, "If one can pass the test of this first stage, there will naturally be an effect of tempering the Heart of the Dao."

"The so-called level of the Heart of the Dao is mostly improved by cultivators through cultivation techniques."

"And different cultivation techniques require different thoughts to align with them."

"For example, ancient god-worshipping cultivation techniques require practitioners to be extremely pious and have absolute faith in the deities. The more pious they are, the better the effect of the god-worshipping cultivation technique."

"Similarly, Ziyun High School's 'Heavenly Diligence' cultivation technique requires practitioners to cultivate diligently to the extreme, integrating diligent cultivation into their instincts, in order to maximize its effectiveness."

"And basic mind-refining techniques for high school students seek calmness and focus, requiring silent endurance and a 'dripping water wears away the stone' mindset to complement it."

"There are thousands upon thousands of cultivation techniques for improving the Heart of the Dao, some high and some low, but the key is whether the practitioner has thoughts that align with the cultivation technique."

"But thoughts are difficult to fathom. How a person truly thinks, whether they truly align with the cultivation technique, not even they themselves can always say for sure, let alone outsiders."

"Fortunately, the stronger the Heart of the Dao, the stronger a person's willpower. Measuring the level of the Heart of the Dao and examining the effectiveness of the cultivation technique's improvement through the strength of willpower has become the simplest method."

"But the 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram' doesn't just confirm the strength of the Heart of the Dao through simply testing the strength of willpower."

"The 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram' targets the fear in one's heart, directly striking at the weaknesses in their mind, giving them no chance to resist with cultivation techniques. It tests their most genuine reaction."

"When facing weaknesses in the mind, only by adjusting one's thoughts in time can one make up for those weaknesses, and only then can one pass the test."

The director of Xianyun Group's Songyang City branch nodded slightly and said, "I understand. Senior Xinghuo wants a disciple with flexible thinking? A disciple who can change gods while practicing god-worshipping cultivation techniques, and who can excel in both diligent cultivation and relaxing cultivation while practicing 'Heavenly Diligence' cultivation techniques."

Li Xuelian nodded, "There are thousands of cultivation techniques, and it's certainly good if one's thoughts can align with a cultivation technique. But only those who can constantly adjust their thoughts, adapt to environmental changes, and adapt to changes in cultivation techniques, are the true geniuses who are not bound by cultivation techniques."

"Especially as the times are developing faster and faster, the Ten Great Sects influence all aspects of society, and the entire Kunxu Realm is undergoing dramatic changes. It's impossible to succeed if one's thoughts cannot adapt in time."

"For example, in this modern era, examinations and scores are essential for embarking on the path of immortal cultivation, and they have long been integrated into the lives of every immortal cultivator."

"Therefore, modern immortal cultivators naturally have an attachment to examinations and scores."

"Having excellent scores and an obsession with scores can make a top student's will firm, and it becomes easier to improve their Heart of the Dao level."

"But conversely, this is also a weakness in their mind. There is always someone better, and the sky is always higher. How confident many top students are when they rank at the top, that's how inferior they become when their rankings fall behind."

"To overcome this weakness in the mind, cultivators need to make flexible adjustments in their thinking in time. This is the key to passing the test."

"For example, there was a student before who constantly experienced low scores in the 'Celestial Martial Arts Diagram' test, and finally overcame his fear of low scores, and cultivated a 'delusional' mindset."

...

Lian Tianji listened to the scores announced by the teacher on the podium, and suddenly laughed several times, "Hahahaha, since I have become the last-place underachiever, then let's start from the beginning."

"From today onwards, I am the most useless, the worst-performing underachiever.""Even as a bottom-ranked student, I have the chance to surpass you all, one by one, and ascend to the throne of number one!"

"I will definitely become the top student in the entire year!"

As he conquered the terror within his heart, he felt as though he had returned to the art exhibition. The Celestial Battle Diagram before him became increasingly clear.

...

Li Xuelian continued, "Kunxu consists of 36 layers above ground and 18 layers below. Each layer is a unique realm. Be it humans or immortals, they are all divided into ranks of three, six, and nine. This hierarchical division is ingrained in the very bones of every cultivator, deeply influencing their thoughts."

"Previously, there was a student who, within the Celestial Battle Diagram, experienced countless layers of oppression, ultimately leading to the cultivation of a 'lying flat' philosophy."

...

Qian Shen watched as figures, whose scores dwarfed his own, rose from the ground, growing taller and taller until their faces became indistinct.

Only the scores atop the giants' heads continued to increase, emitting a dazzling light.

He attempted to catch up, but to no avail.

As the giants rose to increasingly exaggerated heights, and their scores soared, his mood shifted from nervousness to fear, from fear to despair, and finally, to a state of numbness.

He collapsed to the ground, no longer able to bear the sight of the giants' forms.

"Fine."

"I won't chase after them then."

"I just want to cultivate, even if I can't compare to anyone… as long as I can cultivate, that's enough."

As if awakening from a grand dream, Qian Shen opened his eyes, lying on the floor. He gazed at the art exhibition and the Battle Diagram, a hint of understanding dawning in his eyes.

...

Within the art exhibition, the Sungyang City Director of the Immortal Rhyme Group listened to Li Xuelian's analysis and agreed, "Changes in thought are inseparable from the influence of the times."

He speculated, "In today's society, everyone relies on loans. Surely, this would be reflected in the trials within the Celestial Battle Diagram?"

"Indeed," Li Xuelian nodded. "There was once a student who, during the test of the Celestial Battle Diagram, faced the terror of debt repayment on the immortal path. In the end, they cultivated a 'deadbeat' mentality."

...

Looking at the Heavenly Tribulation of Debt Collection brewing in the sky, Bai Zhenzhen crouched down in terror.

"Wait! I'll pay the money!"

"I'll pay, okay?!"

"Don't strike me!"

She hurriedly opened her phone, checking her accounts to see how much she owed and how much she could repay.

"800,000?!"

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

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

2 million… 5 million… 8 million…

As the total amount of debt she calculated continued to rise, the hand holding her phone gradually weakened and fell.

A debt of 8 million – such a colossal sum for a high school student would lead to utter collapse, or…

Bai Zhenzhen suddenly lay down on the ground, shouting at the thunder in the sky, "Go ahead and strike me dead!"

"If you strike me dead, 8 million will vanish into thin air!"

Watching the thunder that hesitated to fall, Bai Zhenzhen continued, "Either you strike me dead, and 8 million disappears…"

"Or you can help me find some work. I'll earn the money and pay you back!"

As the Heavenly Tribulation gradually dissipated, the Celestial Battle Diagram reappeared before Bai Zhenzhen.

Gazing at the individual within, practicing martial arts, Bai Zhenzhen seemed to grasp something.

...

At the art exhibition, Li Xuelian sighed, "But whether it's delusion, 'lying flat,' or being a 'deadbeat,' it's simply a state of using one's thoughts to resist pressure under heavy burdens. 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 Celestial Battle Diagram, merely a threshold."

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

At the time, she was most afraid of her father. She was severely oppressed by him in the test, and ultimately rose up in resistance under the pressure, establishing a 'filial rebellion' ideology. After awakening, she furiously plundered the old man's resources, and her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

However, not long after, the pressures from all aspects of reality, as well as her father's every move, led her to regain her respect and reverence for him.

The Sungyang City Director of the Immortal Rhyme Group nodded slightly, knowing that what Li Xuelian said was correct. The effects of this Dao heart test were only temporary.

After all, people's thoughts were constantly changing. How could the influence of a mere Dao heart test withstand the long-term influence of the entire society in the real world?

Li Xuelian continued, "After surviving the first stage and overcoming the terror in their hearts, the true comprehension begins."

"And after passing the comprehension stage, whether they can ultimately master the martial art is another matter entirely."

The Director nodded, understanding that overcoming terror, comprehending the Battle Diagram, and mastering the martial way were the three stages of comprehending the Celestial Battle Diagram.

"Then, in your opinion, how many people here can master it?"

Li Xuelian looked at the many students present and shook her head. "I fear it will be difficult to find even one."

...

When Zhang Yu saw the figure on the Celestial Battle Diagram gradually become clear, and watched that figure begin to practice a set of fist techniques, he suddenly felt a chill rising in his heart.

"Please abide by the terms of the ritual, strive to fulfill your wish, and do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10."

Zhang Yu was slightly stunned. "But… I'm currently striving to comprehend the Battle Diagram, isn't that striving to learn and strive to get into a good university?"

But the chill could not communicate with him, it merely continued to count down.

"Please abide by the terms of the ritual, strive to fulfill your wish, and do not deliberately slack off or delay. 9."

"Please abide by the terms of the ritual, strive to fulfill your wish, and do not deliberately slack off or delay. 8."

Zhang Yu had no choice but to sit down and try to breathe in and out the spiritual energies, to see if he could stop the countdown.

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

"This moron…"

Just as Zhang Yu was breathing in and out, cursing the ritual power in his heart, another surge of chill rose within him.

"Please abide by the terms of the ritual, strive to fulfill your wish, and do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10."

Hearing the new countdown, Zhang Yu was shocked.

"But… I am diligently cultivating!"

"Why is there another countdown?"

"What's wrong with this moronic ritual?"Zhang Yu simply ceased his breath regulation, deciding to test the waters. He discovered that the surging coldness and the countdown timer had not vanished. On the contrary, a new wave of chilling intent and another countdown timer had manifested!

Listening to the incessant clamor of two countdowns within his mind, ceaselessly ticking down in turns, Zhang Yu finally understood the situation.

"There are two countdowns?"

"Is one of the two... a deception?"