112: Chapter 112 Tao Heart

The Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall moved quickly and professionally.

Those with higher cultivation were knocked unconscious directly with Mind-Clearing Spells. Those with lower cultivation had special "Heart-Calming Talismans" affixed to their foreheads.

For those who were truly causing a ruckus, they were simply subdued by force and taken away first.

Although the scene was chaotic for a moment, it was brought under control quickly.

After all, this was the heart of the Sanyang Sect, with Golden Core Elders presiding, the mountain-protecting formation enveloping the area, and a complete emergency mechanism in place.

However, this sudden commotion was like a basin of ice water poured over the heads of all the Disciples who remained clear-headed.

The cheers vanished, and the excitement disappeared.

In their place came silence, reflection, and lingering fear.

As it turns out... on the path of cultivation, the most terrifying enemy might not be the demonic Cultivators outside, nor the terrifying heavenly thunder.

It is the dark thoughts within one's own heart that one usually dares not face.

Lin Xuan stood by the window, quietly watching all of this.

He was grateful that he had lived two lifetimes, making his will inherently tougher than his peers. He was even more grateful to have the spirit control tower presiding over his Sea of Consciousness and the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art, an authentic thunder Cultivation Technique, to protect his mind.

When the aftermath of that Heart Demon swept past just now, he had indeed felt a momentary wavering.

Regrets from his past life flashed through his mind, along with the frustration of his low Aptitude in this life, envy toward geniuses like Chen Yufei and Jin Ling'er, and even the fear of the spirit control tower's secret being exposed...

But as soon as those thoughts emerged, they were suppressed by the clear light emitted by the spirit control tower in his Sea of Consciousness.

The Thunder Spiritual Energy of the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art circulated throughout his body, like cold water poured over his head, instantly sobering him up.

The Heart Demon Tribulation was, to him, a close call but without danger.

But when he looked toward Rising Sun Peak, his gaze became even more grave.

He could imagine how terrifying the Heart Demon Tribulation that Qi Tianyuan was facing at this moment must be.

It was not just personal obsession.

It was the monstrous Evil Qi accumulated from battles—the Xuanyin Sect Cultivators, demonic Cultivators, and Yao Beasts that had died by his sword; their resentment, unwillingness, and curses had likely all transformed into Heart Demons, shrieking within his Sea of Consciousness.

It was the mountain-like pressure brought by the Sect's expectations—the youngest Golden Core in five hundred years, the future pillar of the Sect, an existence looked up to by countless fellow Disciples... these halos could also become a breeding ground for Heart Demons.

It was the ultimate interrogation of the Dao, of life, and of self during a Breakthrough—Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is the purpose of this cultivation?

Any single one of these questions could doom someone whose Dao Heart was not firm.

"Senior Brother Qi..."

Lin Xuan murmured softly.

He could hear the sword humming coming from the direction of the Golden Sun Grotto-Heaven becoming increasingly urgent and sharp.

The chanting also grew more magnificent, as if countless people were reciting it simultaneously, the sound solemn and grave, carrying the great power to purify all evil spirits.

The three Golden Core Elders acting as Protectors on the periphery had solemn expressions, but there was no panic in their eyes.

Immortal Master Chiyan formed hand seals with both hands, and three flame lotus flowers slowly rotated around his body, emitting a warm and peaceful aura that enveloped the periphery of the Golden Sun Grotto-Heaven.

The ancient sword on Immortal Master Qingfeng's back trembled slightly, its Sword Intent contained but unreleased, yet it extinguished all evil thoughts attempting to approach into nothingness.

The jade vase in Immortal Master Qinglin's hand tilted, and a phantom of sweet dew sprinkled down, moistening the area struck by both the heavenly might and the Heart Demons.

They seemed to have absolute confidence in Qi Tianyuan.

The communication talisman heated up slightly again.

Lin Xuan injected spiritual energy, and Chen Hao's voice came through. It was much calmer this time, but still carried lingering fear:

"Lin Xuan, we have temporarily brought things under control on our side. Master said that what just happened was the aftermath of the 'Heart Demon Tribulation' within the Heavenly Tribulation, and its range of influence was extremely wide. Seven Disciples on Artifact Refining Peak who were triggered by Heart Demons have all been taken away."

"Master also said..." Chen Hao paused, "The war has been going on for so long, and everyone has been keeping a string tightened in their hearts, stretched too taut. This Heart Demon Tribulation has essentially detonated some hidden dangers early, which is a good thing. At least we know who... has an unstable Dao Heart."

Lin Xuan understood the subtext of Chen Hao's Master.

After the war, the Sect would likely have a targeted assessment and reorganization of mental states.

The future of those Disciples who were triggered by Heart Demons and exposed their problems was worrying.

"Are you alright?" Lin Xuan asked.

"Me?" Chen Hao was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "What could happen to me? I'm just a blacksmith. My mind is simple. Every day, I just think about how to Master the 'Sanyang Forging Method' Master taught me, and how to earn more contribution points to exchange for a good hammer. Heart Demons? That stuff can't find me."

Lin Xuan chuckled.

A simple mind is sometimes the best shield against Heart Demons.

Ending the communication, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged again.

Outside the window, the commotion had completely subsided.

Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall shuttled between the peaks, taking away the subdued Disciples one by one for subsequent screening, treatment, and investigation.

Most of the Disciples who remained clear-headed returned to their residences or workstations, silently circulating their Cultivation Technique to calm their minds.

The irritable and unsettling aura in the air was slowly dissipating.

But Lin Xuan knew this was only the beginning.

For Qi Tianyuan, the Heart Demon Tribulation had likely just entered its most dangerous stage.

And for him, this sudden Heart Demon commotion was also a profound wake-up call.

On the path of cultivation, cultivation level is easy to raise, but the Dao Heart is hard to solidify.

External tribulations are like thunder; they can be seen and blocked.

Heart Demons are like ghosts; they are formless and faceless, pointing directly at one's true heart.

The Disciples who were triggered by Heart Demons today might have been diligent and law-abiding fellow Disciples on ordinary days.

But the jealousy, greed, fear, and obsession buried deep within their hearts... when triggered by the Heart Demon Tribulation, they exploded instantly, ruining their path of cultivation.

"Dao Heart..."

Lin Xuan closed his eyes and sank his mind into his Sea of Consciousness.

The spirit control tower stood quietly, emitting a warm and gentle clear light. The ancient patterns on the tower seemed a bit clearer at this moment.

The Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art circulated slowly in his Meridians, and the Thunder Spiritual Energy was pure and stable.

He silently recalled his journey so far.

From entering with the lowest Aptitude, to obtaining the spirit control tower, to capturing the Herb-Seeking Mouse, to adventuring in the Cloud Mist Valley, to sharing the Thunder Gathering talent, to breaking through to Qi Refining Stage 5, to cultivating the thunder essence fruit tree...

There were difficulties, Opportunities, crises, and gains.

But his original intention had never changed—

To survive, to become stronger, to go further.

Not for empty fame, not coveting vanity, not envying geniuses, not fearing difficulties.

Keeping his feet on the ground, one step at a time.

This was his Dao Heart.

Outside the window, in the direction of the Golden Sun Grotto-Heaven, the sword humming gradually stabilized, and the chanting grew even more magnificent.

The aftermath of the Heart Demon Tribulation was slowly receding.

The fifth Heavenly Tribulation lightning began to brew again in the tribulation clouds.

The lightning was intense, carrying a destructive aura that burned everything.

The Fire-element Lightning Tribulation was coming.

And Lin Xuan's Dao Heart, after experiencing the baptism of this Heart Demon aftermath, seemed... even more transparent and firm.

He opened his eyes and looked at the heavy night sky outside the window.

The darkness before dawn is the deepest.

But after the darkness, the dawn will eventually come.

On the path of cultivation, Heart Demons are hard to guard against.

But if the Dao Heart is firm, one is like a rock standing in a torrent; no matter how the wind blows and waves beat, I shall remain unmoved.