The second challenge, heart nature assessment!

The assessment at Jiuli Daoist School was much simpler than the strange secret realm assessment of the previous Thunder Flame Sect.

Chongwen Residence merely waved a hand, and all three hundred candidates on the scene felt a jolt.

Each fell into an illusion.

With the means of Chongwen Residence, Li Jizhou couldn’t retain even a trace of clear consciousness, completely immersed in a world of his own.

In this world, Li Jizhou was born to a remote farming family. He worked from sunrise to sunset alongside his parents. Although there was no abundance, he lived a carefree childhood.

However, when mountain bandits raided, burning, killing, and looting shattered Li Jizhou’s simple happy world.

At the moment when he saw the bandits lift their long knives towards his parents, he chose to bite his lips tightly and crawl into a pit.

The days that followed were filled with hatred that consumed his heart, training in martial arts and cultivating immortality, seeking the Dao, cutting through thorns, never backing down.

Eventually, at the heart nature assessment of the inner sect examination, he could enter the sect and cultivate more profoundly, with a chance to attain the path of ascension if he let go of his hatred. Yet, he resolutely turned around, giving up the chance to enter the inner sect.

He pursued the bandits over a thousand miles, slaying all those who had attacked his home years ago.

A voice then appeared: For the parents who died eighteen years ago, you forsake the opportunity to become immortal, do you regret it?

"For the past eighteen years, my purpose of cultivation has been revenge, what is there to regret?"

"So you give up the chance to become immortal?"

"When did I ever give up? For these eighteen years, I sought revenge. For the endless eighteen years ahead, I shall seek to become immortal!"

As his words fell, the world changed once more.

He experienced the cycle of love, hate, greed, anger, and folly over and over, each world so vividly real.

Until the last world ended, Li Jizhou abruptly opened his eyes, regaining his self-awareness.

The illusion he had just experienced left no trace, impossible to recall, as if it never existed in his consciousness.

At the same time, a babel of voices reached his ears.

"Beloved concubine, I shall punish you properly!"

"Son! I am sorry, don’t blame your father!"

"I will kill you, I will tear you to pieces!"

...

All around were voices of those deeply trapped in illusions, inconsolable.

Hearing some voices, Li Jizhou couldn’t help but pause, failing to recall what he had gone through or if he had made any shameful noises.

He slowly raised his head, looking at the stage and around him.

"The Seventh Prince’s heart nature is so strong? Waking up first!"

"It seems that being overshadowed by the Ninth Prince from a young age became a driving force for improvement, truly talented!"

"Worthy of the Saint Emperor’s bloodline, exceptional talent and such an admirable heart nature, it seems our Jiuli Dynasty is on the rise!"

...

Though the surrounding voices couldn’t reach his ears, from their mouthing and gestures, Li Jizhou understood their meaning. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Then he looked towards the stage.

Since the start of the examination was announced, Mr. Chongwen, who had been dozing with closed eyes, was now staring straight at him with wide eyes.

Meeting his gaze, the elderly gentleman grinned, like an old mischievous child.

Li Jizhou immediately stood up, bowing respectfully.

A quarter of an hour later, another person opened their eyes.

It was Jing Bohang.

He was drenched in sweat, his face pale, clearly having gone through a tough experience.

He then looked around with a perplexed look on his face, regaining clarity moments later.

Li Jizhou originally thought that Jing Bohang’s troubled past might have skewed his heart nature, yet he turned out to be so resilient, underestimating him.

Many in the surrounding crowd, including several instructors on the high platform, cast approving glances at him.

Mr. Chongwen also nodded his head.

The subsequent candidates fared much worse, with nearly an hour passing before they gradually opened their eyes.

The Ninth Prince, Li Chaoyang, was among the last, taking an hour and a half to regain consciousness.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he looked ferocious, his eyes full of malice for three breaths before suddenly becoming aware.

In this round, Li Jizhou claimed first place, scoring ten points.

Jing Bohang scored eight points.

The Ninth Prince only scored three points.

This result left the Ninth Prince even more restless, his face turning blue and purple, his gaze at Li Jizhou and Jing Bohang as if he wanted to devour them.

Having barely decided to intentionally hold back during the examination to let Li Jizhou win in the previous rounds.

Yet, looking at the situation now, Li Jizhou was already in the lead.

And he himself, was now no different than the average participant!

Thus, the third challenge will be his chance to prove himself.

"Bang!"

The old gentleman of Chongwen Residence was not one to dawdle; the third trial soon commenced.

However, less than a hundred participants joined the third trial, with the rest of those not having embarked on the path of cultivation opting out.

For those who have not embarked on cultivation, the initial two trials on talent and temperament have already determined their achievements.

The third trial was merely an additional scoring item for those who have embarked on cultivation.

As the first person stood before the ceremonial drum and struck with full force, the person-high drum emitted a dull thud, then fell silent.

This ceremonial drum is made from the belly hide of a Tier Four Demon Beast, the Mangqin Bull, reinforced with a Spiritual Array, capable of accurately measuring the purity and refinement of a cultivator’s magical power.

It is primarily used for Daoist school assessments.

From Qi Cultivation First Level to Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, the standard is not the strength of magical power, but its refinement.

When magical power from Qi Cultivation First Level strikes it, compared to that from Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, the power is completely ignored, merely reflecting the purity and refinement of magical power.

The first person was the highest in cultivation today, at Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, having cultivated for four years, precisely at the age threshold of twenty.

However, unfortunately, the drum only sounded once, proving that the cultivation technique practiced was quite ordinary, or the focus was purely on speed rather than the refinement of magical power.

In the eyes of ordinary cultivators, the refinement of magical power appears less important than the progress of cultivation, but in the top Daoist schools of the Jiuli Dynasty, committed to fostering pillars above the Nascent Soul level, the purity and refinement of magical power impact the Dao Foundation.

After the single sound, someone promptly escorted the person out of the examination arena.

Despite reaching Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, magical power lacking in purity and solidity is difficult to change, lacking potential.

No matter how the prior two trials fared, they did not meet the standards for inclusion in the Daoist school.

Eliminated!

Soon others continued, concentrating all their magical power to strike the ceremonial drum.

"Bang bang!"

"Bang!"

...

Regrettably, these high-level cultivators, eight in succession, could at most produce two sounds.

Failing to meet the minimum admission standard of three sounds.

This caused the onlooking crowd and the teachers on the high platform of the Daoist school to shake their heads slightly.

Until Ninth Prince Li Chaoyang, at Qi Cultivation Seventh Level, stepped onto the stage, only then did everyone’s anticipation rise.

Standing before the ceremonial drum, Li Chaoyang finally calmed his mind.

He practiced the Quasi-Immortal Scripture passed down by the Thunder Celestial Venerable, who was a half-step ascending True Immortal, and also consumed the innate essence, along with two Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects. His usual cultivation was closely monitored by the Empress Dowager, ensuring a firm foundation.

Therefore, he was fully confident in the purity and refinement of his magical power.

"Bang bang bang bang bang..." Upon striking the drum, the resounding drumbeats echoed continuously.

"Eight sounds! As expected of the Ninth Prince who consumed the innate essence!" someone exclaimed impatiently in admiration.

"Bang!" Yet before they finished, another slightly subdued sound rang out.

"Oh my! Nine sounds! Our Jiuli Dynasty has another peerless prodigy!"

"Nine sounds from the ceremonial drum is the ultimate; in the records, it has been a millennium since our Jiuli Dynasty produced one who could make nine sounds!"

"Previously, some claimed that the Ninth Prince achieving Qi Cultivation Seventh Level in seven months suggested hurried advancement, neglecting the foundation. Now, what more can be said?"

"Not only is his cultivation speed extraordinary, but his foundation is also remarkably solid, truly phenomenal!"

"Does the innate essence have such great efficacy?"

...

Amidst waves of cheers and acclaim, Li Chaoyang took a deep breath, dispelling the just-felt gloom.

However, when stepping off the stage, he could pass by Li Jizhou.

He suddenly paused and then apologetically said, "Ah, Seventh Brother, I... I originally held back, but it is my fault, my fault, Seventh Brother, do give your all, no matter the outcome, I shall certainly bear the shame and beg pardon!"

"Ninth Brother, you are truly peerless, Seventh Brother is proud of you, what talk is there of bearing shame and begging pardon?" Li Jizhou dismissively waved his hand.

For a time, the Ninth Prince was unmatched in renown.

The subsequent candidates who passed with four sounds and three sounds were utterly ignored in discussion.

Until when Jing Bohang took the stage again, did hope revive among the surroundings.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

Yet, unfortunately, Jing Bohang, with damaged origin, and without practicing a Quasi-Immortal Skill, managed only five sounds.

Had the circumstances been mundane, this result would naturally be lauded, but with the Ninth Prince’s stellar performance preceding, it now paled considerably.

Among all those bringing cultivation into the Daoist school, Li Jizhou unexpectedly had the lowest level.

At Qi Cultivation First Level, he became the last to ascend the stage.

He was equally regarded by all as the grand finale.

The "Cyan Emperor Creation Skill" emphasized advancing relentlessly, daring to seize precedence.

Moreover, the congratulatory gift from the Crown Prince awaited.

Without hesitation, Li Jizhou gathered all his magical power, giving it his all.

"Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!" The successive explosive sounds startled the entire plaza!