Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?-Chapter 698: Choosing a Person

Chapter 698: Choosing a Person 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

...

"This is... an illusion formation!"

Hua Jin the True One exclaimed softly, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

Having immersed herself in the Dao of Formations for many years, she considered herself somewhat accomplished, but Chen Huaian's casual sketching, his method of triggering heaven and earth, and his formation technique devoid of any worldly traces were simply unheard of! Though she only caught a fleeting glimpse of the formation's light pattern, the ultimate simplicity and complexity of its formation principles contained within shook her to the core.

So Senior Chen actually possessed such profound formation attainments?

Why hadn't she noticed before?

Meanwhile, Zhang Yibai and Gu Changsheng looked as if they'd seen a ghost.

After all, everyone knew that while Chen Huaian was invincible in combat and unparalleled in sword techniques within the Cangyun Realm, he was practically an idiot when it came to setting up formations.

This was common knowledge among any elder with slightly higher cultivation levels.

But now...

Since when did our ancestor become so damn good at formations?!

They hadn't even clearly seen how Chen Huaian had arranged the materials!

The thirty-two disciples stiffened completely, feeling the scene before them suddenly blur and distort!

One moment they were in the solemn banquet hall, the next everything was spinning and turning upside down!

By the time they regained their senses, the scenery before their eyes had completely changed.

...

Hua Jin the True One, observing the thirty-two disciples who had fallen into complete stupor, tentatively asked:

"Senior Chen, have they... fallen into your illusion formation?"

"Good eye." Chen Huaian's lips curved slightly: "This Venerable One has prepared three trials for them. If they can pass all three levels, This Venerable One will personally teach them alchemy and artifact forging techniques. If they fail all the tests, then it can only be said these disciples have no affinity for This Venerable One's legacy."

Hua Jin the True One's heart stirred.

Previously, Chen Huaian had mentioned that he would personally select the Alchemy Pavilion disciples of Kunlun Immortal Palace.

It seemed this was the moment.

"Dare I ask, Senior Chen, what are the three trials?" Hua Jin the True One gazed eagerly at Chen Huaian, her fingers unconsciously twisting her sleeves, the tension almost overflowing from her pale face.

What if... what if none of the carefully selected confidants she had chosen could catch the senior's eye? Her old face would...

Wang Shouyi nearby was also holding his breath, not daring to make a sound.

Chen Huaian glanced faintly at Hua Jin the True One and raised one finger: "First, at the foot of the Spiritual Mountain."

His voice wasn't loud, but carried an ethereal, elusive quality that clearly imprinted in Hua Jin the True One's mind.

"The Spiritual Mountain towers majestically, enveloped in Immortal Qi, with jade palaces and towers hidden among the clouds, accompanied by the clear cries of immortal cranes.

However, the mountain path splits into two: one side is a narrow, rugged trail filled with thorns and gravel, leading directly to the mountain peak; the other is a broad, smooth road paved with beautiful jade, lined with exotic flowers and rare herbs, its end disappearing into the mist, its destination unknown.

'Seeking the immortal path, which road shall you climb?' This level tests the Dao Heart!

When faced with the temptation of shortcuts, can they maintain their original intent and choose that truly thorny path leading to the Great Dao?"

Hua Jin the True One's heart tightened, certain that some disciples would opportunistically choose the easier path.

Even though that path's end was unseen.

Chen Huaian raised a second finger: "Second, the Misty Marsh Forest."

"Dense fog pervades, so thick you can't see your own hand. Marsh gas erodes spiritual power and confuses the mind. Underfoot lies a bottomless, foul-smelling quagmire - one wrong step, and eternal doom awaits.

Dangers lurk everywhere in the forest, with demonic beasts roaring like thunder. And from deep within that impenetrable fog come the desperate, miserable cries for help from companions!

This level tests responsibility and courage.

Do they focus on their own survival, seeking that slim chance of life?

Or do they follow the sounds, knowing the dangers are unpredictable, yet still determined to rescue their fellow disciples from peril?"

Hua Jin the True One and Wang Shouyi fell silent, while Zhang Yibai and Gu Changsheng's expressions turned serious, looking at Chen Huaian with newfound emotion in their eyes.

Chen Huaian raised a third finger: "Third, the Desolate Village Ancient Temple."

His voice grew deeper, carrying a hint of chill.

"Crumbling walls and ruins, a deathly silent abandoned village. A sinister ancient temple stands at the center, its gate broken, villagers lying dead before it in tragic states.

Yet from deep within the temple come faint, painful moans of living people.

Simultaneously, an endlessly seductive whisper will sound in their ears, stirring the greed in their hearts: 'Push open the temple door, inside lie treasures left by predecessors, easily obtained, ascending to heaven in one step...'

This level tests the choice between inherent kindness and greed.

Do they follow the compassion in their hearts and risk entering that unknown dangerous place to save people?

Or are they blinded by that 'opportunity' of instant ascension, becoming slaves to greed?"

After speaking, Chen Huaian lowered his hand, his voice returning to normal: "Three interconnected illusion realms, each targeting the true heart. Bone structure can be improved later, but if one's nature is twisted, the Great Dao remains distant. What they see, hear, and feel all reflect their true thoughts and cannot be faked."

After hearing this, Hua Jin the True One remained silent for a long time, fine beads of cold sweat already forming on her temples.

She was pondering whether she could have passed Senior Chen's illusion formation trials back when she was at Foundation Establishment.

Probably...

Not necessarily, right?

The illusion formation flowed and shifted, light and shadow changing.

The thirty-two disciples stood rigid like clay or wooden dolls, their facial expressions shifting rapidly.

Sometimes struggling in pain, sometimes grinning greedily, sometimes hesitating uncertainly, sometimes shrinking back in fear...

Sweat soaked through their Daoist robes and Anta sports shoes.

Some even unconsciously emitted low roars or moans.

In the entire banquet hall, only their heavy breathing and the faint hum of the operating illusion formation remained.

Hua Jin the True One pressed her lips tightly together, watching these disciples struggle in the illusions with complex emotions in her eyes.

Wang Shouyi was even more nervous, his palms sweating.

Time passed in silent torment.

After who knows how long, the illusion formation's light receded like a tide.

The distorted light returned to normal, and the banquet hall was once again just a banquet hall.

Thump! Thump!

Most of the disciples looked as if their bones had been removed, their faces deathly pale.

They collapsed weakly to the ground, gasping for breath, their eyes unfocused, faces full of the confusion and lingering fear of having narrowly escaped disaster.

When they realized what had happened, their expressions changed again - some lowered their heads in shame, while others showed unwillingness.

Only two people remained standing, albeit barely.

One was a petite young girl, equally pale, her lips even bleeding from being bitten, but her eyes were exceptionally clear and firm, her back straight.

The other was a taciturn young man, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his chest heaving violently, but deep in his eyes was a tranquility forged through tempering.

Chen Huaian's gaze fell on these two, and the corners of his mouth finally curved into an extremely faint smile.

He raised his hand, pointing at the two with his fingertips: "You, and you. Stay. The others, dismissed."

The collapsed disciples felt as if granted amnesty, supporting each other as they staggered out with complex, indescribable feelings. The hall instantly became spacious, leaving only Chen Huaian, Zhang Yibai, Hua Jin the True One, and the two selected disciples.

Hua Jin the True One looked at the two disciples, her eyes showing both relief and inquiry as she turned to Chen Huaian.

Chen Huaian didn't explain the specific trials within the illusion realms, merely looking at the two disciples with anxiety and a hint of anticipation in their eyes, saying calmly: "Though their bone structure is poor, their nature is acceptable. In the cultivation world, elixirs are the ladder to ascension. From today onward, follow This Venerable One to learn the art of alchemy."

He was just about to have these two disciples disperse their cultivation.

Suddenly, a mental voice came from the neighboring Containment Area 0.

[No way, does my elder brother have some kind of problem!]

[Previously he said three days later, then changed it to five days later!]

[He comes back and forbids me from resting, just to send a flying chicken message telling me the time has changed to two days later?]

Chen Huaian's hand, reaching toward the two disciples, paused briefly, his mouth twitching slightly.

Damn it...

Fortunately I didn't stray far from 'Muscle Tyrant'.

This Chen Niu is really damn cautious!

...