Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 121 Clear Mind and Unfettered Understanding (Two-part chapter combined)

Having dealt with Tang Xiaoyu, Zhang Chengdao then moved on to dealing with Ye Huaifei.

Ye Huaifei is a purple card, so although I can accept him, there's no need to take him as a disciple.

So after a series of deceptions, Zhang Chengdao didn't personally intervene as he had with Tang Xiaoyu. Instead, Xu Ying took him on as an outer disciple, and he was to later declare his intended major... no, his intended main peak.

In fact, the last illusion was a minor technique that Zhang Chengdao had just learned. It only required the Foundation Establishment stage to learn and it simply amplified the fears and desires in everyone's hearts.

According to the book "Essentials of Illusionary Arts" in the Academy, this kind of minor spell only amplifies people's emotions and does not require the consumption of spiritual power to create visual effects—that is, it does not require "modeling" or "rendering." Therefore, it is particularly simple and not even worth explaining separately. It was only mentioned in the chapter "Application of Illusionary Arts to Emotions" that Zhang Chengdao learned this minor spell.

Oh, by the way, it also has a rather intimidating name, "Mind Demon Illusion," but according to the book, it was originally created only for pranks...

As for those affected by this mental illusion, what they see is all an illusion; Zhang Chengdao, in any case, cannot see it.

For example, when Zhang Chengdao was personally watching Tang Xiaoyu, he only saw her turn pale with fright, saying something like "You are already dead," and then inexplicably pull out a red glass ball, and then inexplicably put it back, and then the mental demon illusion was broken.

She was almost the fastest to break free from the illusions of inner demons among all those affected!
No wonder it's a gold card!
Moreover, whether by coincidence or not, Zhang Chengdao also discovered that, aside from the first two trials of sincerity and inquiry, the final trial, inquiry of the heart, or the illusion of inner demons, was where those who could quickly break through were usually blue cards, while those with gray cards were completely wiped out, with most of them quickly surrendering.

Green Card holders are still struggling, and it's hard to say whether they'll be able to break through.

Not long after, while many members of the Ye family were still struggling in the illusion of inner demons, another group of people stepped out of the secret realm.

The visitors were two groups of students from the Imperial Academy and the National University, led by Baishan Zhalo and Heshilie Tudi.

Of course, Zhu Ye and Huang Wu stood awkwardly in the third position, unable to get a word in edgewise.

Not far away, among the guests watching the trial from several different towers, a man wearing a long robe embroidered with gold dragon patterns stared at the "screen" floating in mid-air with a dark face, his beard trembling with anger.

All the guests who arrived with invitations were seated on the towers surrounding the White Stone Immortal Sect Square—a concept Zhang Chengdao copied from when the Sword Casting Manor held its martial arts tournament.

Of course, Zhang Chengdao's handcrafted buildings didn't include any towers. These towers were all fully upgraded "Arrow Towers" that he built. He simply removed the giant crossbows and other attack weapons from the "Arrow Towers" and then added tables and chairs to turn them into towers.

These towers are much smaller than those in the Sword Forging Manor, but they are much more exquisite. Moreover, since an invitation can only bring two people, there is still plenty of space inside the tower.

On each table in the tower, a three-foot square semi-transparent "screen" floats, like a mirror, reflecting people's images clearly and simultaneously showing the scenes in the secret realm.

The entire "screen" was divided into four scenes, each representing a different team entering the secret realm. Due to limitations in spiritual power, Zhang Chengdao had to divide these people entering the trial secret realm into groups and arrange them in the same secret realm. Otherwise, if there were too many, his spiritual power would not be able to "handle" them, and he would "report an error".

Maintaining the illusion consumes a lot of energy. Zhang Chengdao was originally eager to design a nine-story Demon-Locking Tower, but due to limited spiritual power, he had to reduce it to one story. Even so, he still had to send several illusion clones into the secret realm to follow along, in case any "bugs" appeared. If he kept an eye on it himself, he could at least fix them in time.

When Bai Shan Zhalo and He Shilie suddenly broke out of the trial realm, Murong Zhen was sitting at the table with Mu Feng and Gao Jing, his face ashen.

Because in the "screen," he first saw the students of the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College, led by Baishan Zhalo and Heshilie Tudi, confronting each other, and then he saw the two of them using tricks to conceal information from each other—just like the group of court officials he faced in the court who were full of petty scheming and did not do their job properly!
Just when they saw the two of them lead their teams out of the Demon-Sealing Tower's trial realm, they discovered that the two were arguing again in the "Seeking the Dao" realm, and it even looked like they were about to fight—

"Tudi! Are you an idiot? Bringing out a demon! Such blatant disregard for the law!"

Bai Shan Zhalo looked at He Shi Lie, who was protecting the Ice Crystal Banshee behind him, and angrily shouted at him.

"idiot!"

Murong Zhen, standing on the tower, couldn't help but curse under his breath, but he was cursing Baishan Zhalo.

Heshilie's attitude was not as arrogant as Baishan Zhaluo's, but he was still not friendly: "So what if you're a demon? The immortal path is glorious and should be treated equally. If you are innocent, why are you imprisoned?"

Bai Shan Zhalo was furious: "Didn't you hear what Immortal Bai Shi said? Immortals and demons are inherently opposed! Demons must be killed! Hand over that demon, and we'll kill it together. I won't pursue this matter further. Otherwise, you'll implicate me too! How will we explain this to the Emperor then?!"

These words made He Shilie hesitate for a moment, and the dozen or so students from the Imperial Academy following behind him were even more undecided.

"Could it be that we're approaching the problem incorrectly?"

"That shouldn't be! Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs. If even gods and immortals are ruthless, they should treat all beings equally, regardless of whether they are demons or humans!"

"I also think this is how the problem should be solved..."

"The immortal path spoken of by the White Stone Immortal... why does it sound so strange? It's different from what's been passed down!"

"Could this be a test as well? I've heard that the White Stone Immortal has a youthful face and white hair, and doesn't grow a beard!"

"You mean, someone is impersonating the White Stone Immortal? Who's so audacious!?"

"No, no, no, what I mean is, could this be the second level of the Demon-Sealing Tower?"

"Are you delirious? Look at the sky above, the ground beneath your feet, and the mountains in the distance. How could this possibly be inside the Demon-Sealing Tower!"

The crowd discussed amongst themselves, but no one dared to make a move, waiting for He Shilie to make a sudden decision.

Just then, Zhang Chengdao, who was engrossed in manipulating his illusionary clones, flicked his sleeves and shouted, "Since you were able to break out of the Demon Locking Tower, you must have some skill. In that case, this final trial will be for you to... kill this demon!"

Upon hearing this, Baishan Zhaluo's expression turned cold.

Inside the tower, Murong Zhen inwardly cursed, and sure enough, Bai Shan Zhaluo suddenly attacked He Shilie, saying—

"I'm sorry, but this is the order of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. I dare not give up lightly. I must enter the White Stone Immortal Sect!"

The words had barely left his mouth when the two began fighting. Huang Wu, standing to the side, scratched his head, his face full of confusion, and shouted, "Mr. Zhu, why kill that...that monster?"

Zhu Ye waved her paper fan, looked around, and answered casually, "Because she is a demon, we are humans, and the entire White Stone Immortal Sect are immortals."

“Well, she was a bit ugly,” Huang Wu seemed to agree with this classification, nodding seriously, but then asked, “But she didn’t do anything bad, so why kill her?”

Zhu Ye sighed, "Sometimes, those with louder voices don't care about right and wrong. If immortals and humans have louder voices, they will kill demons with softer voices. If the loudest voice belongs to a demon, then they will also kill humans and immortals. This has always been the case."

Huang Wu frowned, shaking his head and saying, "I don't understand. Does being loud mean you can kill people at will? What kind of rule is this? It's terrifying! But I'm pretty loud too. According to this rule, can I kill people too? But I don't kill people, I've only ever killed chickens!"

Zhu Ye smiled, closed her folding fan, and said, "Your voice isn't very loud."

"You fart!"

Huang Wu instinctively retorted, but quickly covered his mouth with his hand, trying to appease him by baring his teeth and saying, "Mr. Zhu, I didn't mean anything by it. I wasn't insulting you. I just thought my voice was pretty loud!"

Zhu Ye smiled again, not angry, and didn't say anything more. She just looked at Bai Shan Zhalo and He Shi Lie Tu Di, who were locked in a fierce battle.

Unexpectedly, after the two had only exchanged a few blows, snowflakes suddenly began to fall from the air.

Immediately afterwards, the Ice Crystal Banshee took flight, and layers of ice and frost swirled around her. In an instant, the ground was covered with a layer of ice flowers, which then exploded several feet away with a loud bang, freezing everyone's feet to the ground. It also froze Bai Shan Zhalo and He Shilie in place, with only a few feet between them.

“Heshilie Tudi, no matter what your intentions are, since you brought me out and allowed me to see a new world, I will accept your kindness.”

The ethereal voice of the Ice Crystal Banshee echoed in everyone's ears: "If you really kill me, then you can pursue some immortal path. Killing me is fine too."

"Our race has no soul or spirit. After death, we can be reborn on the snow mountain every thousand years. Death... is nothing more than returning to the world."

After saying that, she snapped her fingers lightly, and He Shilie's frozen legs suddenly became movable. He stared at the Ice Crystal Banshee with a complicated expression, wanting to say something, but unable to say anything.

Bai Shan Zhalo shouted, "Tu Di! Do you intend to disregard the imperial decree?!"

"How dare this insignificant demon cause trouble in the White Stone Immortal Sect!"

The "True Immortal of White Stone" in the distance snorted softly and flicked his sleeves again. The ice and snow on the square instantly dissipated, and the Ice Crystal Banshee fell to the ground, as if she were injured.

He Shilie suddenly took a deep breath, turned his head, and loudly asked "True Immortal Bai Shi" with his true energy: "May I ask, True Immortal Bai Shi... True Immortal Bai Shi, since I have given up this opportunity, could you please not take your anger out on others, and not let my classmates lose their chance because of me?"

"You are you, and they are they. How can you lump them together!"

"True Immortal Bai Shi" said expressionlessly, "Since you have given up your immortal destiny, you may leave. Since your classmates have already passed the Demon Locking Tower, they have naturally passed the test. They only need to pass the Heart-Questioning Trial to enter the sect."

"Then I thank Immortal Baishi for his magnanimity!"

He Shilie nodded gratefully, then turned and bowed deeply to the students of the Imperial Academy who followed him, saying, "Before leaving, His Majesty only ordered me and my fellow students to try our best to pass through the trial formation so that we could join the White Stone Immortal Sect, learn immortal techniques, and promote the prestige of our Great Xiao Kingdom."

"It's just that I'm incompetent and my thoughts are not clear enough, which may disappoint His Majesty."

"I urge my fellow students to carry out the cause for the Great Xiao Kingdom on my behalf."

"The world is vast and the seas are wide. I hope you will not miss us after this parting."

As he spoke, a powerful aura erupted from his body, making him appear as if he were enveloped in a sea of ​​crimson fire. His true energy extended three zhang away, forcing everyone to scatter and retreat, exchanging bewildered glances.

Due to a sudden change in his state of mind, He Shilie broke through in martial arts!
"Hahaha, good lad! Even if none of these people can get in, with this kid Tudi here, I can rest assured! The court isn't entirely devoid of talent!"

On the tower, Murong Zhen laughed heartily, then waved to Gao Jing, who had just stood up and stood respectfully to the side because of his anger, and said, "Draft an imperial edict to grant General Heshilie an additional 500 households of fiefdom! And bestow upon him 500 taels of gold!"

After saying that, he even stood up happily and paced back and forth on the tower, forcing a smile as he muttered, "Renxian doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. He, as a father, can't even compare to his own son in terms of cultivation!"

Just as Murong Zhen was overjoyed, He Shilie suddenly helped up the Ice Crystal Banshee, leaned down and whispered, "I see you have some skill. You run away in a bit, and I'll figure out how to hold off the others!"

The Ice Crystal Banshee's blood-red eyes revealed no emotion as she calmly looked at He Shilie and suddenly asked, "You don't regret it?"

"When I was young, I studied martial arts with Grand Tutor Xiao for a period of time. He often taught me that the essence of martial arts cultivation lies in the clarity of mind. If one only seeks cultivation through petty tricks, no matter how many opportunistic methods one uses, or how many rare and precious herbs and elixirs one consumes, one will not achieve great success."

"In the martial arts world, one may be able to reach the Venerable level through diligence and talent, but above the Grandmaster level, it all depends on one's character and temperament."

"Before attending the Immortal Destiny Conference, Princess Xing's letter was copied down and circulated among us."

"The letter states that cultivating immortality is about cultivating one's character, not one's skill level. The Trial Array is also about testing one's sincerity, seeking the Dao, and examining one's heart."

"Now that I have shown my sincerity, I still cannot convince myself to accept this path of immortality. Perhaps I am truly not destined for the path of immortality!"

Having said that, He Shilie suddenly channeled his inner energy, shoving the Ice Crystal Banshee towards the mountain gate, and shouted, "Run—"

Bai Shan Zhalo was so anxious his face turned red. He knew he was no match for He Shi Lie Tu Di, who had just broken through to the fourth-rank Acquired Venerable. Even if he wanted to stop him, it would be futile. He could only rage in helplessness and curse, "Tu Di, you brat—"

But then, as if grasping at a straw, he looked anxiously at the "True Immortal White Stone," whose face was somewhat obscured, and shouted, "True Immortal! That demon is trying to escape! We can't stop it! Kill it quickly!"

(End of this chapter)