The outer sect trial of Qingxiao Sect finally began. Three thousand disciples gathered at Cangyuan Mountain, competing for a hundred "Cloud Ascension Tokens." Those who obtained one would be qualified to enter the inner sect and embark on the true path of immortality.
Lin Ce stood silently at the end of the line, draped in a plain gray robe. Around him were the proud elites of the outer sect, surging with spiritual energy—while he continued to maintain the guise of merely a fifth-layer Qi Refining cultivator.
"Fellow Daoist, I heard the trial consists of three stages—testing divine sense, combat strength, and mental resolve," a soft voice came from beside him. It was a silver-eyed female cultivator.
Her name was Liu Yin. After the fall of the Red Serpent Trio, she was recognized as the new leader of the outer sect.
Lin Ce nodded. "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu."
A faint, complex smile tugged at Liu Yin's lips. "You always hide too well."
First Trial: Test of Divine Sense
All disciples were required to project their divine sense into the Mirror Lake Illusion Realm to resist the invasion of heart demons. Some failed within three breaths; others collapsed mentally after just a quarter hour.
Upon entering the illusion, Lin Ce's surroundings shifted dramatically.
He found himself back in the early days after transmigrating—a desolate village, scavenging roots in the dead of night, hiding in piles of corpses from those hunting him...
Then, his family appeared before him—father, mother, siblings—all smiling warmly. "Come home. Stop suffering."
He reached out, only to find their bodies entwined with threads of blood. The moment he touched them, they exploded into a mist of crimson.
Lin Ce closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly withdrew his divine sense from the illusion.
He lasted ten breaths and exited the illusion, calm and composed.
A supervising elder frowned. "He's only Qi Refining Layer Five?"
Someone nearby chuckled, "Maybe he's just emotionally dead."
The cold glint in Lin Ce's eyes went unnoticed.
—Shen Changsheng's Survival Law #17:
"Don't seek victory in illusions. Exit quickly. Leaving no trace is wisdom."
Second Trial: Test of Combat Strength
Disciples entered the Hundred-Battle Stone Platform to engage in life-and-death combat with puppets.
When it was Lin Ce's turn, he stepped onto the platform and faced a three-eyed ape puppet, known for its terrifying strength.
While dodging its attacks, he secretly released a faint green powder—Soul-Seizing Gu Dust.
The puppet's movements faltered. Lin Ce seized the moment, flicked a thin sword from his sleeve, and sliced through its core rune—ending the battle with a single strike.
The puppet let out a low groan and collapsed.
The crowd erupted in surprise.
"How did he know the puppet's weak point?"
"He's definitely not just some random outer sect rookie!"
The elder's gaze sharpened, but he held his tongue.
Lin Ce walked down from the platform, expression unreadable.
—Survival Law #30:
"Any ability you display must be accompanied by the words 'I got lucky.'"
Third Trial: Test of Mental Resolve
Lin Ce was led into a bronze chamber. At the center sat a disheveled corpse of a female cultivator, surrounded by blood runes and fragments of lost souls.
"This was a former traitor of the sect. Her resentment lingers."
Lin Ce stood before her for a full incense stick's time.
Whispers, weeping, and hallucinations bombarded him.
Suddenly, he bowed deeply. "Fellow Daoist has passed, but your bones remain. Please lend me your strength."
He took out a small black vial, cut off a lock of her hair, and carefully stored it.
A supervising elder exclaimed in shock, "You dare...!"
Lin Ce replied calmly, "She is ownerless in death. The righteous path may also offer her salvation."
To some, this act resembled a forbidden demonic art—Soul-Binding Necromancy. Yet Lin Ce made it sound gentle and proper.
The trial concluded. The hundred Cloud Ascension Tokens were distributed—and Lin Ce was among the chosen.
In his hand, the lock of hair quietly merged into his Soul-Binding Banner, becoming the lead soul.
He whispered, "Thank you for walking this path with me. If I ever fall to demonic ways, may you walk it with me still."
Distant thunder flickered—perhaps in silent reply.