123: Chapter 123 Refining the Heart in the Secret Realm (Part 3)

Outside the Secret Realm, on the plaza.

Ling Hao watched the three images in the light screen quietly, a flash of gratification in his eyes.

The performance of the three exceeded his expectations.

Especially Ling You, who was actually able to comprehend the true meaning of "Becoming a Shadow"; this had already touched upon the deep mysteries of the Shadow Rules. Given time, his achievements might not be below those of Ling Xiao or Ling Xue.

"Next, it is their turn." Ling Hao turned around and looked at Ling Shi and the other twenty-nine people. "Are you ready?"

"We are ready!" everyone replied in unison.

"Good." Ling Hao raised his hand. "Everyone, enter at the same time. Remember, on the Path of Questioning the Heart, no one can help you. You can only rely on yourselves."

"Yes!"

Twenty-nine figures shot into the passageway like arrows released from a bow.

On the light screen, twenty-nine different images immediately appeared.

Ling Shi faced the scene of "Withered Earth," where the entire Origin of Thick Earth was on the verge of collapse, testing his persistence in the belief of "Guardianship";

Ling Shuang was placed in the desperate situation of "Imbalance of Three Origins," where the three powers of water, ice, and life conflicted with each other, almost tearing her apart;

Ling Feng encountered the tribulation of "Dissipated Flowing Wind," where all the Origin of Wind left his body; he had to re-comprehend the true meaning of wind in absolute stillness;

Ling Yan fell into the pain of "Purifying Flame Burning the Heart," where the Purifying World Flame backlashed against him, scorching his Divine Soul and forcing him to make a choice between "Purifying Everything" and "Controlling the Flame."

Everyone faced their own unique interrogation of the Dao Heart.

Screams, roars, and weeping could be heard from the passageway from time to time.

Some held their heads and cried, some knelt to repent, some attacked the Void Realm crazily, and others sat quietly with faces ashen.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, seven people vomited blood and were forcibly ejected by the Secret Realm, their Dao Hearts damaged and their cultivation regressed. However, there was no hatred in their eyes, only deep lingering fear and relief; if they hadn't been ejected in time, they would likely have had their Dao Hearts collapse and become useless people.

Ling Hao remained expressionless, merely waving his hand to transfer those seven people to the healing Formation.

The Path of Questioning the Heart was inherently cruel; those who could pass were fortunate, and those who could not were fated.

Time passed.

Half an hour later, five more people were ejected.

An hour later, three more were out.

When two hours had passed, only fourteen people remained in the passageway: Ling Xiao, Ling Xue, Ling You, Ling Shi, Ling Shuang, Ling Feng, Ling Yan, and 11 other Nascent Soul Disciples with the most solid Foundations.

At this moment, they had reached the seventh stage.

The images on the light screen began to blur because the interrogation of the Dao Heart had penetrated deep into the Divine Soul, and even the Secret Realm could not fully project it.

But Ling Hao could feel that the fluctuations of aura coming from the depths of the passageway were becoming increasingly violent; that was the sign that the Dao Heart was about to "Break out of the Cocoon."

"It is about time." He whispered to himself, forming seals with his hands. "Primordial Chaos Force, lend them a helping hand."

Wisps of chaotic-colored airflow gushed out from his fingertips, silently seeping into the passageway and merging into the bodies of those fourteen people.

This was not direct help, but rather using the Primordial Chaos Force to protect their core Divine Soul Origin, ensuring that even if they failed the interrogation of the Dao Heart, their Foundations would not be harmed.

After all, these were the pillars of the Ling Family, and it would be too great a pity to lose any one of them.

"Next, it depends on yourselves."

Ling Hao closed his eyes and waited quietly.

- -

In the deepest part of the passageway.

Ling Xiao had reached the ninth stage.

There were no illusions here, no Heart Demons, only a pure "Void." Time, space, rules, and Karma—nothing existed.

And he was facing an ultimate interrogation,

"If one day, Ling Hao were to go astray and fall into the Demonic Path, what would you choose?"

"Would you uphold the Righteous Path and destroy your own kin for the sake of justice?"

"Or would you follow him and sink into the darkness?"

The question exploded like a thunderclap in the depths of Ling Xiao's Divine Soul.

His whole body shook violently, and for the first time, a look of struggle appeared on his face.

This question was too cruel.

On one side was his own brother, on the other was the morality in his heart.

How to choose?

"I…" Ling Xiao opened his mouth but could not make a sound.

Countless images flashed through his mind—

In his childhood, he held Ling Hao's small hand, struggling to survive in the mine;

In his youth, to protect Ling Hao, he fought others until his head was broken and bleeding;

After growing up, he followed Ling Hao to conquer the four directions, witnessing the rise of the Ling Family;

And that day, Ling Hao killed General Tianyu with two spears, his figure like a god and a demon.

"Brother Hao would not fall into the Demonic Path," Ling Xiao suddenly said.

"What if he does?" The voice in the Void continued to press, "The human heart is easily changed, and power corrodes. When he masters power sufficient to overturn the heavens and earth, who can guarantee he will not be lost?"

"I guarantee it," Ling Xiao said decisively.

"By what right do you guarantee it?"

"By the fact that I am his cousin." Lightning flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes. "If that day truly comes, I will wake him up before he commits a grave mistake. If I cannot wake him, I will accompany him and bear all the sins together."

"Even if it means being enemies with the world?"

"Even if it means being enemies with the world." Ling Xiao said word by word, "My Dao is not justice, not the Heavenly Dao, but guardianship."

"Guard my family, guard the Ling Family, guard everyone I care about."

"If I need to bear infamy for this, if I need to fall into darkness, then come."

As his voice fell, the Void shattered with a roar!

Ling Xiao opened his eyes and found himself standing at the end of the passageway. In front of him, an ancient stone gate slowly opened, and behind the gate was a vast starry sky.

And his aura was currently climbing crazily!

Late Stage Nascent Soul, Peak Late Stage, Half-step Soul Emergence...

"Crack!"

It felt as if some shackle in his body had been broken, and a brand new power surged from the depths of his Dantian, instantly sweeping through his limbs and bones!

That was the power of Soul Emergence!

Although it was only just entering, and his aura was still unstable, it was definitely the Soul Emergence level!

Ling Xiao, Breakthrough!