318: Chapter 318 A Clear Mirror Reflects the Heart, Discerning Right from Wrong

Tianshu Peak, the small courtyard of the side hall.

For these five days, Ye Tian stayed indoors and kept a low profile, his mind as calm as still water.

He was not anxious about the upcoming challenge; instead, he did his best to adjust his condition to its Peak.

The Dragon Ape spent most of its time sleeping, while Hou Xiaojie received personal guidance from Elder Tianshu to consolidate his Zhenwu Second Level cultivation and familiarize himself with his newly gained power.

During this time, Leng Feng, Lei Zhen, Luo Qiushui, Liu Ruyan, and the others visited once more, bringing news of the rumors circulating outside.

"Junior Brother Ye..." Lei Zhen's voice carried dissatisfaction. "Everyone outside is saying you must have cultivated a Demonic Technique. Otherwise, how could you have jumped from the True Martial Sixth Stage to the Tenth Level in just a few months?

"They also say Ling Juexiao has presented ironclad evidence, and the Sect Head only gave you a chance for Elder Tianshu's sake. They say the Heart-Questioning Arena is just a formality..."

Luo Qiushui said coldly, "The innocent remain innocent. There is no need to pay heed to idle gossip!"

Liu Ruyan said gently, "Senior Brother Ye, we believe in you."

Leng Feng didn't speak, but his trusting gaze said everything.

Ye Tian smiled at everyone and thanked them, feeling a slight warmth in his heart.

To him, the world's praise or blame and the gossip of others had long been less reliable than the sword in his hand. He only needed to carve out his own Dao on the arena.

On the second night, Elder Tianshu had a deep, private conversation with Ye Tian.

"Tian'er, the Heart-Questioning Arena is no small matter."

Elder Tianshu's expression was solemn. "The 'Heart-Questioning' segment will be personally presided over by Junior Brother Xing Tiexin using the Sect's inherited ancient treasure, the 'mind-clearing mirror.' This mirror can reflect the Divine Soul, detect Heart Demons, and distinguish the truth of one's words.

"As long as you haven't cultivated a Demonic Technique and hold the Righteous Path in your heart, you will be fine. The key lies in the three challenges."

He paused. "By convention, the challengers are proposed by the accuser and approved by the Sect. Ling Juexiao will certainly not let this opportunity slip by.

"Although it is inconvenient for him to act personally, he will surely arrange for those close to him, those who owe him favors, or even those who already bear a grudge against you.

"These three matches will likely all be life-and-death battles, intended to force you to reveal your 'Demonic Technique,' or to directly wound or cripple you!"

Ye Tian nodded. "This Disciple understands. I will meet whatever comes my way."

"Do not be careless," Elder Tianshu warned. "Even though your cultivation has reached the Tenth Level, there are crouching tigers and hidden dragons within the True Martial Realm, both inside and outside the Sect. Be especially careful of Han Li's faction from Kaiyang Peak.

"Han Li is a man of deep calculation, his cultivation has already reached the True Martial Tenth Level, he is proficient in lightning techniques, and he seems to have an old friendship with Ling Juexiao. Among his followers, there are many skilled individuals. Gao Ling and Zhao Yan are likely just pawns on the surface."

"Han Li..." Ye Tian remembered the cold gaze he had vaguely sensed that day at the mountain gate and nodded.

"Furthermore," Elder Tianshu's gaze was profound, "there are also people within the Sect who are curious about your 'fortuitous encounters' and cultivation progress on this trip, or who want to use this opportunity to test your mettle.

"Not all the challengers will be malicious, but none will be easy to deal with. You must respond cautiously, both demonstrating your strength to prove yourself and maintaining restraint, so as not to fall into a trap or overexpose your trump cards."

"This Disciple will keep that in mind," Ye Tian said solemnly.

On the fifth day, the morning light faintly appeared, and the thin mist gradually dissipated.

*Dong!*

From the direction of the Sword Testing Platform came the clear and impassioned sound of the sword-ringing bell. Each toll was urgent, its Battle Intent piercing the sky, instantly filling the entire Liuli Xuan Sect.

The Heart-Questioning Arena, begins!

Ye Tian pushed open the courtyard door. The morning wind brushed his Face, carrying the cool, crisp air of the mountains.

Today, he had changed into a clean set of green robes, with sword strapped to his back, wrapped in cloth strips. The Dragon Ape had shrunk and sat on his left shoulder, its golden eyes half-open and half-closed. Hou Xiaojie followed closely by his side, his small Face full of nervousness.

Elder Tianshu was already waiting outside the courtyard, still in his simple gray robes, but with a grave expression.

Seeing Ye Tian emerge with a Face full of confidence, he inwardly praised him. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, a gentle stream of True Essence lifted Ye Tian and Hou Xiaojie, turning into a streak of light that headed straight for Sword Testing Peak.

Sword Testing Peak was located among the seven Peaks of the Liuli Xuan Sect, a mountain shaped like a giant sword thrust upside down into the earth.

The Peak's summit had been leveled, forming a massive platform several hundred feet in diameter—this was the Sword Testing Platform.

This was the place where Sect Disciples dueled, resolved disputes, and held major competitions. The ground was paved with special stone, incredibly hard and reinforced by a Formation, enough to withstand intense battles below the Sea Transformation Realm.

At this moment, the circular spectator seats around the Sword Testing Platform were already packed with people.

Almost all Inner and Outer Sect Disciples who had no urgent business were present. Furthermore, deacons and Elders from various Peaks were seated in the front rows.

To the north of the Sword Testing Platform, a high platform had been erected. Sect Head Perfected Qingxu and six Grand Elders sat upon it, their expressions calm.

Slightly below the high platform to the left and right were the Sect's Elder seats and the guest seats.

Ling Juexiao sat alone at the head of the guest seats, resting with his eyes closed. That sword-path pressure made it difficult for the Disciples near the guest seats to breathe.

The representatives of several small factions sat behind him, their expressions complex.

Between the Elder seats and the guest seats, near the edge of the Sword Testing Platform, was a Heart-Questioning desk. On the desk sat a bronze circular mirror with cloud and thunder patterns on its edge—the "mind-clearing mirror."

Elder Xing Tiexin stood expressionless behind the desk; today, he was the host and arbiter of the Heart-Questioning Arena.

Ye Tian landed in the waiting area on one side of the Sword Testing Platform with Elder Tianshu, where several people were already waiting.

At a glance, he saw Gao Ling and Zhao Yan standing at the very front.

A bit further behind them stood several unfamiliar Inner Sect Disciples with decent auras, their cultivations all between the True Martial Fourth Level and Sixth Stage.

One of them, dressed in a purple robe with a feminine Face, was the True Disciple of Kaiyang Peak, Han Li!

He wasn't standing in the waiting area but was sitting leisurely in a nearby spectator seat with an excellent view, looking over with a faint smile. He nodded as his gaze met Gao Ling's.

"Look, Ye Tian is here!"

"That's him? He doesn't look like anything special..."

"Shh, keep it down. I heard that monkey on his shoulder is a Sea Transformation Realm Yao Beast!"

"Hmph, he's just relying on external strength..."

"Let's see how he explains himself today!"

"Three challenges... I wonder who will go up..."

Ye Tian's arrival caused the chatter in the spectator seats to surge. Countless gazes converged on him. Leng Feng, Lei Zhen, and the others had also arrived and signaled to Ye Tian with clenched fists from the spectator seats near the waiting area.

Ye Tian seemed oblivious to the surrounding gazes, standing quietly in the waiting area with his eyes closed to rest.

"The hour has arrived!" Elder Xing Tiexin's solemn voice, infused with True Essence, rang out across the venue, suppressing all the noise.

"Bring forth Tianshu Peak Disciple Ye Tian to step forward for the Heart-Questioning!"

Ye Tian opened his eyes, which were calm. He stepped toward the center of the Sword Testing Platform, stopping ten feet before the Heart-Questioning desk, and bowed to the Sect Head, Grand Elders, and Xing Tiexin on the high platform.

"Disciple Ye Tian is here."

Xing Tiexin's gaze swept over Ye Tian as he said in a deep voice, "Ye Tian, the Sect Head has issued a decree to establish this Heart-Questioning Arena to give you an opportunity to prove yourself.

"The Heart-Questioning stage uses the 'mind-clearing mirror' to reflect your Divine Soul and thoughts, distinguishing the truth of your words and investigating the roots of any Heart Demons.

"You must answer my questions truthfully. If there are lies or deceitful words, or demonic thoughts in your heart, the mind-clearing mirror will naturally sense them and emit a warning light. At that point, there will be no need for further challenges; you will be convicted immediately! Do you understand?"

"This Disciple understands," Ye Tian said calmly.

"Good!" Xing Tiexin said no more. He pointed at the mind-clearing mirror on the desk and injected a stream of pure True Essence.

The bronze mirror surface immediately glowed with a hazy clear light, and the cloud and thunder patterns on the frame flowed slightly. An invisible wave, capable of seeing through the secrets of the heart, spread from the mirror and enveloped Ye Tian.

At this moment, Ye Tian felt as if a clear spring was pouring from the crown of his head, penetrating deep into his Sea of Consciousness.

The chaos bead stirred slightly, emitting a layer of Origin clear light that firmly protected the core of his Sea of Consciousness. However, it did not resist the probing wave, allowing it to brush over his surface thoughts.

Simultaneously, he clearly presented his refutation of Ling Juexiao's accusations, his explanation for the Origin of his cultivation, and his open-hearted sentiment of "having a clear conscience and only seeking a battle" on the surface of his mind.

Xing Tiexin stared intently at the mind-clearing mirror. The clear light on the mirror's surface was steady, with no impurities, and no warning red light or black Qi appeared.

He nodded slightly and began to ask questions, all revolving around Ling Juexiao's accusations and Ye Tian's previous defenses.