198: Test 2

The foundational fist technique of Army Breaker Manor—Mountain Splitting Fist!

Though it was foundational, in the hands of a Martial Artist like Han Chuang, who specialized in external arts and possessed boundless strength, its power was by no means inferior to ordinary high-tier Martial Skills.

Chen Linsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He neither dodged nor avoided it, meeting it with a punch of his own!

He did not use the momentum of the Mountain Suppressing Seal, nor did he integrate the spiral of the Python Dragon Strength. He even deliberately suppressed his blood-qi to the level of the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage. He relied solely on his purest Hunyuan Foundation, his bones and tendons tempered to Perfection, and the robust physique brought by his Hunyuan True Body to hard-counter this punch.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, producing a solid, muffled thud!

A shockwave exploded from the center of their fists, blowing up the dust on the ground.

Han Chuang felt a majestic and heavy counter-force, as condensed as iron, travel from the surface of his fist. It made his arm feel slightly numb, and his forward momentum was actually stopped dead! A flash of surprise crossed his eyes. Although this punch only used seventy percent of his strength, combined with his natural Herculean strength, an ordinary Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage Martial Artist shouldn't have been able to take it; they should have at least retreated to dissipate the force.

But this kid in front of him hadn't retreated half a step? His fists were also incredibly hard!

"Good! Interesting!" Han Chuang growled low, his Battle Intent rising. His left fist swung like a hammer toward the waist, while his right leg silently kicked toward Chen Linsheng's lower body. The Moves were continuous, heavy, and powerful.

Chen Linsheng deployed the Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps under his feet, maneuvering within a small space. He avoided the heavy blows by a hair's breadth every time, while his hands parried, blocked, patted, or guided, neutralizing Han Chuang's attacks one by one. He was in no hurry to counterattack; instead, he was adapting to the opponent's strength and rhythm while feeling the characteristics of the Army Breaker Manor's military-style Martial Skills: simple, direct, seeking maximum lethality and efficiency with few fancy variations.

Han Chuang became a bit frustrated after failing to land a hit for a long time. With a low roar, the muscles in his arms suddenly swelled, and his aura rose another notch. His fists struck out like a violent storm, a barrage of fist shadows enveloping Chen Linsheng's entire body.

Chen Linsheng's gaze sharpened, knowing the opponent had increased his power. He no longer purely defended. Catching a tiny gap in the transition of the fist momentum, his right palm suddenly shot out with fingers slightly curled. Instead of a head-on collision, he placed it against the outside of Han Chuang's incoming wrist, giving it a gentle flick and pull.

The soft strength of the Python Dragon Strength was hidden within, deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces.

Han Chuang felt his force being diverted and his center of gravity slightly lost, causing his offensive to inevitably stall.

In that lightning-fast moment, Chen Linsheng's left palm silently pressed against the opening under Han Chuang's ribs. The palm power pulsed with clever force, sending out a gentle push.

Han Chuang gave a muffled groan and involuntarily stumbled back three steps before steadying himself. He touched his ribs; there was no pain, but if that palm had truly exerted force just now, he would have been injured.

He stared blankly at Chen Linsheng for two seconds, then scratched his head and laughed loudly, cupping his fists. "I'm impressed! You kid, your Foundation is terrifyingly solid, and your control over strength is even more precise. I admit defeat in this round!"

Chen Linsheng returned the gesture. "Senior Brother Han was modest."

On the steps, Thunder Shakes the Mountain nodded slightly. Although the exchange was short, he saw it clearly. Chen Linsheng's control over his own strength had reached the Transcendent level, his Foundation was far deeper than those of the same rank, and his combat instincts were extremely sharp. Most impressively, under the frantic assault of a power-type opponent like Han Chuang, he remained as steady as a mountain, his rhythm undisturbed. This first round was passed beautifully.

"The second round, the Question of the Heart." Thunder Shakes the Mountain raised his hand and pointed to the right side of the hall.

There, a half-person-high black stone platform had risen at some point. Floating above the stone platform was an ancient bronze mirror about three feet in diameter, its edges inlaid with complex silver runes.

The mirror's surface was not ordinary and smooth but rippled slightly like water. The reflected scenery was distorted and unstable, emitting a profound and obscure aura.

"This is the 'Heart-Questioning Mirror,' modeled after the ancient Magic Treasure 'Bone-Reflecting Mirror.' It is designed to inspect the Divine Soul's Origin and the good or evil within one's thoughts," Thunder Shakes the Mountain said solemnly. "The White Lotus Sect's Demonic Techniques are treacherous, specializing in deluding the heart, controlling the Soul, and planting hidden traps. Everyone who enters my Army Breaker Manor, whether Inner Sect or outer sect, must undergo an inspection by this mirror to prevent evil spirits from lurking or people with ill intentions from sneaking in."

His gaze was as sharp as a sword as he locked onto Chen Linsheng. "Stand before the mirror, relax your mind, and do not resist. If your spiritual terrace is clear and your thoughts are upright, you will naturally be fine. If you have been eroded by evil techniques or harbor unspeakable great evil... nothing can hide from this mirror. At that time, do not blame this old man for being merciless."

The gazes of Xiao Zhan, the heroic-looking woman, and the other three Inner Sect Disciples also instantly focused on Chen Linsheng, the atmosphere suddenly becoming heavy.

The Heart-Questioning Mirror probed a Martial Artist's most essential Heart-Nature and Divine Soul state; it could not be faked. This round was even more dangerous than the test of strength. Once an abnormality appeared in the mirror, it would be met with immediate thunderous suppression.

Chen Linsheng's expression was calm as he walked to the front of the Heart-Questioning Mirror and stood still.

The mirror's surface rippled like water, reflecting his blurry figure.

He followed the instructions and relaxed his mind, offering no resistance. His spiritual terrace was empty and bright, keeping only a single point of clarity at his core.

"Buzz..."

The silver runes on the surface of the Heart-Questioning Mirror lit up one by one. The ripples on the mirror intensified, and a hazy clear light shot out from the mirror, enveloping Chen Linsheng's entire body.

In an instant, Chen Linsheng felt a gentle yet irresistible force seep into his Sea of Consciousness, flowing like moonlight and brushing over every corner of his Soul.

He guarded his mind and faced it calmly.

On the mirror's surface, light and shadow began to shift.

At first, it was a mass of Chaos, but then it gradually became clear.

There were no white lotuses or black flames as expected, nor was there any bloody resentment.

What appeared in the mirror were fragments of images flashing by rapidly:

In the deep night forest, a youth carefully climbed a cliff just to pluck a rare medicinal herb under the moonlight, his eyes focused and determined.

On the martial arts school's Drill Ground, sweat soaked his clothes as he repeated tedious stance work over and over until he collapsed from exhaustion, only to struggle back up again.

In Qinghe County, facing a blood-colored altar and a crazed cultist, he roared and threw a punch, using weakness to strike strength to protect the commoners and the young girl behind him.

In the frontier desert, he drew his bow and notched an arrow. The arrow pierced a bandit's throat, his gaze as cold as iron.

Within the Secret Realm, taking it step by step on the Bone Forging Road, slashing through three lifetimes of Heart Demons on the Heart Refining Bridge, and hard-countering the Black Lotus Demonic Fire in the Starry Sky Hall... the images flowed, finally settling on a serene scene:

In the small courtyard of Yuqian Lane, under the grape arbor, a woman lowered her head to grind medicinal herbs. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on her shoulders. She seemed to sense something, looking up with a faint, gentle smile blossoming at the corners of her lips.

The image was clear and the aura peaceful, containing a tireless pursuit of the martial Dao, a firm commitment to his promise of protection, a righteous indignation toward the injustices of the world, and a cherishing of that touch of tenderness in his heart.

There was no shadow of evil or darkness, nor any distorted greed.

The clear light on the mirror slowly retracted, and the silver runes dimmed in sequence.

Everything returned to normal.

The hall fell into a dead silence.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain looked at the final image on the mirror, the sharpness in his eyes softening slightly as he nodded. "The spiritual terrace is clear, and the thoughts are pure. Although there is decisiveness in killing, it is not bloodlust or indiscriminate slaughter; although he obtained a heavy treasure's Legacy, there is no arrogance or greed; he has attachments and things to protect in his heart, which is only human nature and also the driving force for a Martial Artist's progress."

He looked at Chen Linsheng, his tone softening by half. "This round, you have also passed."

Below the steps, a flash of understanding crossed Xiao Zhan's eyes. The heroic-looking woman looked at the final courtyard scene in the mirror, her cold brows softening for a moment. The other three Inner Sect Disciples looked at Chen Linsheng with less scrutiny and more recognition.