547: It's just an illusion.

The remaining twenty-odd people, after a short rest, were about to face the even more crucial Test of the Dao Heart.

Everyone understood that the real trial had only just begun.

Nearly ten people were eliminated in the first round, and the remaining twenty-odd maidens were led to a tranquil lotus pond.

The pond water was clear, and the lotus flowers bloomed, appearing peaceful, but in reality, it concealed hidden mysteries. This was the venue for the second Test of the Dao Heart.

Sacred Maiden Shen Lan stood by the pond, her voice cool as she announced the rules: "This pond is called the Pure Heart Lotus Pond. A Formation is set within it, capable of reflecting one's true Heart-Nature. All of you must rely on your own strength to step on the lotuses and proceed to the center of the pond to retrieve a Pure Heart Lotus. Along the way, you will undergo trials of illusion. Only those who firmly uphold their Heart-Nature will succeed. If your mind falters, the lotus flower beneath your feet will wither."

"Once a lotus flower withers, you will be deemed to have failed the trial."

Upon hearing this, the maidens' expressions all grew a few shades more solemn.

"Sounds a bit scary..."

A Fairy whispered softly.

"What's there to fear? It's nothing but an illusion."

Another goddess said she wasn't afraid, but her eyes flickered slightly.

After all, if illusions were ordinary, it would be fine, but if they tested one's inner self, they were indeed daunting.

Huang Jiutian adjusted her sleeves and stepped forward first: "I'll go first."

She calmly stepped onto the first lotus flower, and her figure was quickly enveloped by a faint mist.

Tang Linglong and the others outside the pond could see the situation within through a water mirror.

Huang Jiutian saw the tragic demise of the Phoenix Clan in the illusion, with her clansmen wailing. However, though her eyes showed sorrow, they were firm, and she was not consumed by hatred. Instead, it ignited her determination to protect her clan, and the lotus beneath her feet remained stable throughout.

Then, an illusion appeared of Ye Xuan coldly rejecting her. She merely frowned slightly, and her Dao Heart remained clear.

"Excellent, a resilient Heart-Nature, with the demeanor of the Great Dao."

Tang Linglong nodded in approval.

Next was Xue Qingyi. The illusion she encountered was the Guanghan Immortal Palace being besieged by powerful enemies, and her Senior Sisters dying tragically.

Although her face showed sorrow, the moonlight in her hand condensed, and she calmly sought a way to break the situation, ultimately succeeding and personally slaying her enemies without the slightest hesitation.

"Clear in love and hate, truly excellent."

Fire Linger also exclaimed.

Consort Luo Shen's illusion was the drying up of the Luo River, with her clansmen displaced.

Her eyes were tearful, but she did not wallow in sadness. Instead, she diligently searched for water sources, displaying unyielding resilience.

"This Consort Luo Shen, seemingly delicate, has a very strong inner self."

Ning Qingxue commented.

When it was Jiang Li's turn, the illusion transformed into a rampant plague, with lives being devastated.

She unhesitatingly took out her medicine pouch to treat them. Even when the patients in the illusion turned to harm her, she never gave up, her benevolent heart as a healer was moving.

Fire Linger watched, somewhat moved: "Sister Jiang Li is truly kind."

"Indeed kind, but a bit too soft. She even treated those who harmed her in the end. Although it's a benevolent healer's heart, it's a bit inappropriate. Let's see."

Su Da entered the illusion, where the scene changed to internal strife within the Qingqiu Fox Clan, with someone offering great rewards for her betrayal.

Su Da smiled charmingly, feigning compliance, but always held firm to her principles. At a critical moment, she turned the tables, showing her intelligence.

"This vixen... is quite interesting."

Fire Linger pouted, but her gaze softened considerably.

"Being loyal to one's Family is stronger than any Aptitude."

Wu Mingkong's illusion was simple and brutal: endless battlefields and powerful enemies.

Far from being afraid, she grew stronger with each battle. Wherever her long spear pointed, she was invincible, and the illusions shattered under her furious Battle Intent.

"Goodness, this maiden is a battle maniac!"

Ning Qingxue couldn't help but laugh.

"That's quite good. If she passes, she can be a companion for Ling Huacai."

Tang Linglong chuckled softly.

Bore's illusion was the most peculiar: countless demons tempting her to break her vows and return to secular life, promising earthly pleasures.

She remained solemn and dignified, chanting Buddhist scriptures, and the Buddha's light shone brightly, warding off all evil.

"Profound in Buddhist Dharma, with a heart like a rock."

Sacred Maiden Shen Lan rarely offered such praise, and Heavenly Maiden Miaofa also smiled slightly, quite gratified.

Heavenly Maiden Miaofa also smiled slightly, quite gratified.

Most people successfully passed the trial, but some revealed their true colors.

A goddess from a major power, seeing her own power suppressed by the Star Alliance in the illusion, harbored resentment and secretly plotted revenge. The lotus beneath her feet instantly withered, and she was teleported out by the Formation, her face pale.

Another Saintess from a Sect, after gaining supreme power in the illusion, became arrogant and oppressed others, also being eliminated.

The most astonishing was Hu Yue, the sister of the Yao Race princess who had previously argued with Su Da.

In the illusion, in order to monopolize Ye Xuan's favor, she actually plotted to frame her other sisters, using vicious means, her heart deserving of punishment.

The lotus withered faster for her than anyone else.

"Hmph, as expected, she's no good!"

Fire Linger snorted coldly.

"Someone with such an ill heart, thankfully she wasn't let in, otherwise, wouldn't she bring us endless trouble?"

Hu Yue was teleported out. Hearing Fire Linger's words, she was both ashamed and angry, yet dared not retort.

After all, the events within the illusion were what they cared about most in their hearts and could not be faked.

Moreover, she had indeed been thinking of targeting others after gaining Ye Xuan's sole favor.

After the Test of the Dao Heart, nearly ten more people were eliminated, leaving only fourteen.

Those who remained were all top-tier in both talent and Heart-Nature.

Tang Linglong looked at the remaining list and nodded in satisfaction: "To pass two consecutive rounds, these are truly one in ten thousand individuals. Tomorrow, after the final Dao Discourse, the ultimate candidates can be decided."

The maidens each returned to rest, preparing for the final trial.

After the Test of the Dao Heart, there was less false politeness and more genuine scrutiny among them.

Everyone understood that no one who had reached this stage was a simple character.

Su Da walked up to Huang Jiutian and smiled slightly: "Sister Huang's Heart-Nature is tenacious, little sister admires you."

Huang Jiutian returned a faint smile: "Sister Su's composure in the face of danger and her countless clever strategies in the illusion were equally astonishing."

The two exchanged smiles, a sense of mutual appreciation between them.

They both knew that in the days to come, they might be both sisters and competitors.

Xue Qingyi remained aloof, standing alone to meditate.

Consort Luo Shen and Jiang Li quietly exchanged insights on pharmacology.

Wu Mingkong was wiping her long spear, her eyes sharp.

Bore sat in meditation, chanting Buddhist prayers, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

While they were preparing.

On the other side, Tang Linglong and Fire Linger were also in the grand hall.

"Among these, a few have good Aptitude. If they pass the trial tomorrow, perhaps we can let them manage some of the Ye Family's affairs to help us share the burden," Tang Linglong said lightly.

She was the main wife, and many matters of the Ye Family required her attention. Now with the addition of the Star Alliance, she was already feeling overwhelmed.

Although she had help from other sisters, it was still a bit too much to handle.

It would be excellent if a few more people could help her.