196: Inner Circle Test

Xiao Zhuo put away the three Storage Pouches, glanced at Qiao Zimo, and a golden light flickered between his eyebrows.

Through the Heaven-Observing Divine Eye, Xiao Zhuo’s mouth twitched again.

Qiao Zimo’s body was now filled with various refined medicinal powers, and his Realm had rocketed to Void Refinement Peak, showing that he had indeed gained immense benefits in this medicinal garden.

If he could fully refine and absorb all the medicinal power in his body, this young man’s Realm would very likely Breakthrough to the Tribulation Crossing Realm in a short time.

However, a Breakthrough that was too fast might make him unable to withstand the Heart Demon.

When Xiao Zhuo advanced to the Tribulation Crossing Realm, no Heart Demon appeared because he had already comprehended his own Dao Principle, his mind was complete, and the Heart Demon, though hidden within the Heavenly Tribulation, had no opportunity to act.

But Qiao Zimo was different; if Qiao Zimo rapidly elevated his cultivation with the help of various Spirit Medicine, coupled with his inherent demonic physique, his Heart Demon would be even stronger, making it highly probable that he would not survive the Heart Demon tribulation.

“Zimo! You’ve gained a great fortune in this medicinal garden this time; the medicinal power in your body is enough to push you to the Tribulation Crossing Realm, but your Foundation is still shallow, and your Heart-Nature is insufficient.

You must not rashly advance your cultivation.

You need to thoroughly temper your Heart-Nature until it is perfectly complete before you can Break into the Tribulation Crossing Realm.

Do you understand?” Xiao Zhuo’s eyes were serious as he sternly warned him.

“Thank you, Master, for your concern! Your subordinate understands!” A warmth surged in Qiao Zimo’s heart; he had joined his Master, doing only miscellaneous tasks, completely unable to help with important matters, yet his Master had offended several major forces for him and saved him multiple times.

In his heart, Xiao Zhuo was his only True God, and he immediately took the words to heart.

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Zhuo nodded secretly.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve: “Let’s go! Follow me to see what secrets lie at the core of this Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm!”

“Yes!”

With a slight push off the ground, the two had already flown before the vortex.

Exchanging a glance, they both stepped into it.

Upon entering the vortex, Xiao Zhuo’s vision instantly changed; in the blink of an eye, he appeared in a small courtyard with a pavilion, sitting on the pavilion’s balcony, holding a wine cup, looking down at the red silk banners and rows of joyful banquets, a scene of a wedding feast.

Xiao Zhuo looked peculiar, examining himself, finding he was dressed in a groom’s wedding attire.

He slightly sensed his cultivation, only to discover that his Mahayana magical power was gone, and he could only sense a rather strong internal True Qi.

A bitter smile appeared on his lips; it seemed the Evergreen True Immortal’s methods were truly unfathomable, able to unknowingly transform him into a Mortal.

Although he was certain this place was an illusion, he was still curious about how to pass the test in this core area.

However, with too little information known at present, he would have to proceed step by step.

He inwardly called out to No. 1.

“Master, panel spirit no. 1 is at your service anytime!”

The moment No. 1’s mechanical voice sounded, Xiao Zhuo felt a little more at ease.

At least the panel was not affected.

“No. 1! Do you know what situation I am in now?” Xiao Zhuo asked faintly in his mind.

“Master! This is a large-scale illusion derived from Dao Principle; Master’s Divine Soul has been extracted by the True Immortal Dao Principle and descended into the body of a character within the illusion,” No. 1 explained concisely.

Xiao Zhuo’s shock grew even stronger.

The power of a True Immortal was inconceivable, able to casually extract the Divine Soul of someone with combat power comparable to a top Mahayana.

It was simply unbelievable.

Moreover, it stripped him of all his power, allowing him to descend only as a pure Divine Soul, even his soul infant was left in his Main Body.

Just as Xiao Zhuo was still pondering how to break the situation, a young man dressed as a servant had already walked up to the pavilion.

“Young Master, the Master has called for you to come down and discuss the matter of welcoming the Qiu Family’s Young Miss tomorrow,” the young man said respectfully, cupping his fists.

Xiao Zhuo nodded slightly, saying nothing more, only waving his hand.

The young man understood and withdrew.

Xiao Zhuo lowered his eyes and pondered slightly.

Although this illusion had thrown his Divine Soul into an unfamiliar illusory body, which seemed to be that of a Martial Artist with some skill, he knew nothing about this illusion or even this body.

It seemed he had to investigate.

But how could he do so without revealing any abnormality?

Xiao Zhuo stood up, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, and slowly walked down the pavilion.

He deliberately slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the busy servants in the courtyard, catching snippets of conversations.

“That Young Miss from the Qiu Family… I heard she’s very cold-natured…”

“Indeed, Young Master Ning Hao is also unfortunate; he’s clearly the legitimate son, yet…”

“Shh! Be quiet! Is the Master’s business something you can gossip about?”

“I heard the Qiu Family’s dowry is very generous, a full eighteen chests…”

“Hmph, no matter how generous, marrying over means being at the beck and call of the second madam… Who doesn’t know what the Qiu Family is up to? They’re just eyeing that mine outside town…”

Piecing together these scattered words, Xiao Zhuo gained a vague understanding of “Ning Hao’s” situation: a neglected legitimate son, used as a pawn for a marriage alliance by his Family.

The Qiu Family’s Young Miss? She was probably tomorrow’s bride.

He stepped into the brightly lit front hall.

Seated at the head was a middle-aged man with a stern face and sharp eyes, none other than Ning Yuanshan, the Ning Family head, with several Family elders beside him, all with varied expressions.

“Hao’er is here.” Ning Yuanshan’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

“Tomorrow’s wedding, the butler has explained all the rituals to you.

The Qiu Family is one of the three major pillars of our Cloud Cliff Town; this marriage alliance concerns the safety of both families and even the entire town, so there can be no mistakes.

You just need to follow the procedures and be a good groom.”

These words were less of an instruction and more of a command, carrying an undeniable coldness that completely positioned Ning Hao as a tool to execute a task.

The several Family elders in the hall either looked down, or had a hint of imperceptible disdain in their eyes.

“Yes, Father.” Since Xiao Zhuo already knew that the original body was not valued, he adopted a submissive posture, lowering his head slightly in agreement.

He keenly caught the words “safety of the entire town,” and his heart slightly trembled; it seemed there were some hidden secrets behind the marriage alliance between the Ning Family and the Qiu Family.

“Hmm,” Ning Yuanshan seemed rather satisfied with his obedience, “You go to the side hall; the Qiu Family sent someone with some things, specifically for you.”

In the side hall, a person dressed as a Qiu Family steward stood with hands down, behind him were several wooden boxes tied with red silk.

The steward’s face was wreathed in smiles, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, with an inhuman stiffness.

“Young Master Ning, these are specially prepared for you by our Young Miss.” The steward’s voice was reedy as he bowed and presented a brocade box.

Xiao Zhuo took the brocade box, feeling a chilling sensation upon touch.

He calmly opened it, revealing a completely black jade pendant inside, cold and piercing to the touch, with an extremely subtle and sinister aura entwined around it, almost imperceptible unless one’s Divine Soul essence was powerful.

The jade pendant was engraved with complex, twisted patterns, and Xiao Zhuo focused his gaze slightly.

“Demonic Fiend Jade Talisman: Can be detonated with a special incantation, causing a certain amount of explosive damage.”

“The Young Miss said this is an ancestral jade, with the effect of calming the spirit and stabilizing the soul, and asked Young Master to wear it close to his body tomorrow.

This is the Young Miss’s intention, please accept it, son-in-law.” The steward’s voice carried a hint of enticement.

Calming the spirit and stabilizing the soul?

Xiao Zhuo sneered inwardly; this was clearly a consumable demonic talisman that could take one’s life at any moment!

He maintained a calm expression, even forcing a “grateful” smile: “Please thank Young Miss Qiu for her kindness on my behalf; this jade… is excellent.”

His fingers caressed the chilling jade pendant, but in the depths of Xiao Zhuo’s eyes was a solidified coldness.

This illusion began with dangers lurking everywhere; it was truly quite interesting.