’Huh, that kid’s aura actually stabilized, and he even broke through the second illusion realm to enter the third. It seems I’ve misjudged him.’ Dai Zichen was surprised. He never expected that the boy he had long since written off would turn out to be a dark horse.

There were currently twenty-two people still holding on inside the Array, but most were trapped in the second Illusion Realm. Right now, only Xia Qingxue and Song Changsheng had entered the third. This meant Song Changsheng’s talent was second only to Xia Qingxue’s among everyone present, compelling Dai Zichen to pay him a little more attention.

Zhan Tianxia was also watching him. A moment ago, Song Changsheng had been on the verge of collapse, and Zhan Tianxia had been about to intervene and "fish" him out. He hadn’t expected the boy to stabilize at the last second.

’Not bad at all.’ This was Zhan Tianxia’s assessment of Song Changsheng.

’This kid’s talent is extraordinary. To break through two illusion realms means his Mental Realm has already reached the level of the Late-stage Foundation Establishment. If he can break through the third, his path to the Purple Mansion Stage will be wide open.’ Old Ghost Bai’s gaze was also drawn to Song Changsheng, and a few ideas began to stir in his mind...

Time flew by. Soon, only five people were left inside the Heart Inquiry Array; everyone else had failed. Most had been defeated in the second Illusion Realm, with only a few managing to reach the third before being eliminated.

Breaking through the second Illusion Realm could elevate one’s Mental Realm by two Small Realms. Since most of the cultivators present were at the Early-stage or Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, an increase of two realms was quite significant.

Therefore, for some, failing to endure the third Illusion Realm wasn’t a matter of poor talent, but a testament to the immense chasm between the Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Stages!

It might have been somewhat unfair to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but they weren’t the ones making the rules, were they?

Of the five people remaining, four were Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators and only one was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. His chances of lasting until the end were the lowest, because the Illusion Realm he was currently facing was designed to temper Purple Mansion Stage Cultivators.

Ever since the Heart Inquiry Array was created, no one with a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation had ever managed to achieve a Purple Mansion Stage Mental Realm. The two stages were simply too far apart.

Without the help of external aids, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator might be defeated by a Qi Cultivator, but a Purple Mansion Cultivator could never be defeated by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Song Xianming had only managed to defeat a Purple Mansion Cultivator by relying on a Tier Three Array, Tier Three Talismans, and the combined assistance of all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in his clan.

In a one-on-one fight, even three of him would be no match for a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

Of course, while the Illusion Realm’s difficulty was immense, the competition wasn’t about who could break through the most layers, but about who could hold on the longest.

As long as his Dao Heart was firm enough, he still had a chance to take first place.

However, the third Illusion Realm was truly difficult. The first realm was nine parts false and one part true; the second was half-true, half-false; but the third... the third was far stranger.

An unknown amount of time passed. With his Dao Heart on the verge of shattering, Song Changsheng managed to hold on through the third Illusion Realm, right up until Zhan Tianxia woke him.

Song Changsheng opened his heavy eyelids and licked his dry lips. A bitterness that seemed to pierce his very soul made him shudder. He recognized the taste: the juice of the Bitter Heart Vine.

’Good thing I came prepared. I almost lost myself in that Illusion Realm.’ Song Changsheng murmured softly, grateful for his own foresight.

He looked around and saw that he was now the only one left inside the Heart Inquiry Array. Everyone else had been moved outside, their auras faint and weak.

He knew this was due to damage to their Dao Hearts. They would need at least ten to fifteen days to recover.

"I never thought you’d be the one to last until the end." A deep, powerful voice boomed in Song Changsheng’s ear, making him frown slightly. He turned his head to find Zhan Tianxia standing beside him, arms crossed, watching him.

Song Changsheng stood up and said flatly, "My apologies for disappointing you."

"Hah. Kid, I admit you’ve surprised me. But don’t celebrate too early. You won’t escape my grasp." Zhan Tianxia tossed a small bottle into his hands, then retrieved the Array Banners used for the Array Formation and left the main hall.

Dai Zichen and Old Ghost Bai exchanged a look, each seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes.

’So Zhan Tianxia changed his mind because of this kid? What’s so special about him?’ Old Ghost Bai’s eyes darted about as he approached Song Changsheng. "Young friend," he said, "may I ask which Fellow Daoist claims you as their prized disciple?"

Not daring to be disrespectful, Song Changsheng answered reverently, "I am from the Moon Viewing Song Clan."

"The Moon Viewing Song Clan? I never would have thought the Song Clan of today could still produce a genius like you. Have you considered joining my Celestial Vein Sect? If you agree, you could certainly become a Direct Disciple of a Purple Mansion Elder.

"It’s even possible that our Sect’s Supreme Elder might take you as his disciple. What do you say? Are you willing?" Old Ghost Bai stroked his beard, making an incredibly tempting offer.

Song Changsheng’s heart began to beat a little faster. ’A Golden Core Sect... With my talent, if I were to join them, my future path of cultivation would be smooth sailing. Reaching the Golden Core Realm might not even be impossible.’

But he managed to suppress his eagerness and politely declined. "Senior, this matter is too important. I must consult with the elders of my clan."

Seeing this, Old Ghost Bai sighed softly. "Very well. The gates of the Celestial Vein Sect will always be open to you."

Dai Zichen quickly chimed in, "The same is true for my Golden Crow Sect."

To have two great Golden Core Sects extend an olive branch left Song Changsheng feeling overwhelmed and flattered. The thought of accepting one of their offers crossed his mind several times, but the bonds of his clan ultimately made him extinguish the idea.

Holding the Jade Bottle containing the Green Sky White Jade Pill, Song Changsheng was now overcome with a desire to return home. He just wanted to get back to his clan as quickly as possible and place the Pill in his grandfather’s hands.

He strode quickly through the crowd. Just as he was about to cross the threshold of the hall, he froze.

’Fellow Daoist Zhuang most likely went to get help for me. No matter what, I should wait for her to come back and thank her properly before I leave.’

With that thought, Song Changsheng pulled back the leg he had already extended and returned to his original meditation cushion to wait. But the moment he sat down, he realized something was wrong. A greasy-looking fat man had appeared beside him at some point.

’He had wanted to trade places with me earlier, but after Zhuang Yuechan left, this guy clearly ran out after her. Why is he back now, and looking so weak?’

Once suspicion took root, it was as unstoppable as a bursting dam. Song Changsheng began to examine his surroundings. He found no difference from before, yet for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

He carefully replayed the events in his mind, and then it hit him like a flash of inspiration: Zhan Tianxia’s attitude and tone.

’As a renowned and powerful expert, even if Zhan Tianxia wanted to give me a hard time, he would do so openly and directly. Why would he speak to me like that?’

’Besides, Zhan Tianxia was the one who woke me. That doesn’t follow the rules!’

’An Illusion Realm... This is all still part of the Illusion Realm.’ Song Changsheng’s eyes flew open with understanding. He hurled the Jade Bottle in his hand to the ground. As it shattered, the world around him began to warp violently, and his consciousness blurred once more.

"The kid actually saw through the third Illusion Realm!" Dai Zichen nearly bit his tongue. Now, only Xia Qingxue and Song Changsheng remained within the Heart Inquiry Array, but even Xia Qingxue hadn’t yet broken through the third realm.

’It’s fine, it’s fine. The competition is about who lasts longer. As long as he can’t hold on and wakes up first, it’s still a loss for him.’

Dai Zichen consoled himself with this thought, but he couldn’t help feeling nervous. Xia Qingxue was the Direct Disciple of the Sect’s Supreme Elder. If she were to lose to some nameless upstart, it would be a blow to the Sect’s prestige.

Time passed swiftly. About a quarter of an hour later, Xia Qingxue’s aura, which had been perfectly steady, suddenly fluctuated violently, making Dai Zichen’s heart leap into his throat once more.

...