141: Chapter 141 The Court of Judgment Has Arrived! A Thunderous Inquiry into the Heart?

After enduring a heart-stopping baptism of lightning tribulation, the Silent Thunder Marsh seemed to have exhausted all its ferocity,

returning to that deathly stillness.

The leaden clouds in the sky dispersed, leaving only a faint gray curtain.

The surface of the marsh was calm and unrippled, with even bubbles rarely surfacing,

as if the world-destroying Thunderous Waterfall from moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.

Under the protection of his teammates, Zhou Heng took a medicinal pill and circulated his cultivation technique.

It took him half a day to recover most of the injuries sustained from withstanding the lightning tribulation and to preliminarily stabilize the newfound power brought by reaching the minor achievement stage of the Eye of Thunder Punishment and the nascent form of the Thunder Dragon Emperor Armor.

His aura became more restrained and profound. A flicker of lightning seemed to swirl in his eyes when they opened and closed, commanding respect without anger.

"This damned place has finally quieted down," Zhou Heng stood up, stretching his limbs.

Feeling the increasingly vast power within his body, he grinned, "Let's go. While it's in a 'good mood,' we'd better hurry across the river."

With the experience from scouting the path earlier and the confidence gained from withstanding the lightning tribulation, Zhou Heng appeared much more composed during this second crossing of the marsh.

He still took the lead, his Wind and Thunder Twin Wings unfurled as he flew low.

Ji Cang and the other three followed closely behind, watching each other's backs, their vigilance raised to the highest level.

Perhaps the previous lightning tribulation had also cleared away or intimidated many of the dangerous creatures within the marsh, as this journey turned out to be surprisingly smooth.

Although they could still sense some auras lurking beneath the swamp, no creature dared to launch an attack recklessly.

Without a word spoken, the five of them maintained the most efficient silent travel, finally reaching the opposite shore of the Silent Thunder Marsh without further incident.

Stepping onto solid ground, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking back, that eerie black marsh still lay there quietly, like a slumbering giant beast.

And ahead of them, the scenery had completely changed.

It was a vast, majestic hall ruin constructed from some dark silver metal.

Although most of the structure had collapsed, leaving only broken walls and pillars, one could still discern its former solemnity and grandeur.

Countless thick stone pillars stood tall, carved with intricate Thunder Runes that, despite countless years, still emitted a heart-palpitating pressure.

The air was filled with a solemn, heavy atmosphere that seemed to penetrate directly to the depths of one's soul.

This was the first stop in the Middle Three Domains — the Court of Judgment!

"Such intense pressure..." Lu Chenxin felt the pervasive sense of judgment and frowned slightly. Even his Sword Heart Clarity felt a hint of sluggishness here.

Ji Cang tightened his grip on his longsword, the White Tiger Malice automatically activating to resist the pressure.

The cold air around Chen Ye grew even more frigid. Bai Qianer's small face turned serious, and she instinctively moved closer to Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng took a deep breath, activating his Omniscient Eye to carefully observe the ruins.

"Court of Judgment: A place where rules manifest, containing the true intent of the Thunder Emperor's judgment. Those who enter will face their own hearts directly, enduring the interrogation of Heart Lightning. Those who pass can stabilize their Dao Heart, clarify their minds and see their true nature. Those who fail may suffer damage to their Dao Heart at best, or severe injury to their soul at worst."

"Detected faint fluctuations of law, suspected to be related to the existence of the 'dao heart fruit.'"

"The Court of Judgment lives up to its name," Zhou Heng said gravely.

"This place tests not strength, but the Dao Heart! Everyone, guard your minds closely. No matter what you see or hear, remember, it's just an illusion conjured by Heart Lightning, a projection of your own inner demons! Stay steady, and we'll get through this!"

Everyone nodded, each adjusting their breathing and focusing their will.

The five of them cautiously stepped into the ruins of the Court of Judgment.

The moment they stepped in, the entire ruin seemed to come alive!

The Thunder Runes on the broken stone pillars lit up one by one, emitting a low hum!

In the sky, invisible law power gathered, forming a unique domain pressure that enveloped each person!

In that instant, except for Zhou Heng, the other four shuddered, their eyes glazing over momentarily as if pulled into some illusion!

Chen Ye's Illusion:

He found himself transformed into a confused young child, hiding inside a cold wardrobe. Through a crack, he saw raging flames and piercing screams outside.

A man and a woman, covered in blood and radiating powerful auras, stood desperately blocking the wardrobe, locked in fierce combat with several figures whose faces were unclear but emitted terrifying presences!

"Ye'er... live... take this... to Jiangcheng..." His mother's gentle yet despairing voice sounded in his ear, followed by a muffled groan.

His father roared and erupted with power, temporarily forcing the enemies back. Then, he shoved a jade pendant emitting cold air and engraved with the character "Chen" into his embrace and forcefully pushed him into a suddenly appearing spatial rift...

The scene shattered and reassembled into the cold streets of Jiangcheng.

He was alone, holding the pendant, watching unfamiliar crowds pass by...

That bone-deep helplessness, loneliness, and endless worry about his parents' whereabouts transformed into the coldest Heart Lightning, ruthlessly striking the depths of his soul!

Chen Ye's body trembled slightly, his face pale, the knuckles of his hand gripping the longsword turning white. Yet, the coldness in his eyes grew even more resolute!

He desperately clung to a sliver of clarity in his mind, allowing the Heart Lightning to rage, but never losing himself!

"Live... become stronger..." This was his only belief!

Ji Cang's Illusion:

The scene was the grand training grounds of the Ji Family.

A tall, stern-faced man with eyes sharp as blades was gently patting young Ji Cang's head.

"Cang'er, your father is going to the Ten Thousand Races Battlefield. You are the direct descendant of the Ji Family, the future White Tiger Blade Master. You must be strong, you must protect this family."

"Father, when will you return?"

"Soon... Once we drive away those villains, Father will return and teach you the most powerful sword techniques!"

The man turned, his back resolute, stepping into a teleportation array. The light faded, and he never returned...

Only dire news from the frontlines and a blood-stained family token remained.

That deliberately lighthearted smile at parting, that promise that could never be fulfilled, transformed into a heavy Heart Lightning, interrogating Ji Cang's understanding of "protection" and the pain of losing a loved one!

Ji Cang's eyes, fierce as a tiger's, brimmed with tears, but the White Tiger Malice around him soared to the sky!

He let out a low roar, his sword intent bursting forth!

"Protect! I will use the sword in my hand to protect everything worth protecting! Father, I will walk your path!" The power of the Heart Lightning greatly diminished before his unwavering sword intent.

Lu Chenxin's Illusion:

He seemed to have returned to that oppressive ancestral mansion of the Lu Family.

The expectant, scrutinizing, even somewhat utilitarian gazes of the clan elders were focused on him.

"Chen Xin, you possess the highest sword talent the family has seen in a century. You carry the hope of the family's revival!"

"You must win the World Youth Competition! You must enter the Sacred Land for cultivation!"

"Your grandfather, for the sake of the family, failed in his attempt to break through to the Divine General Realm... The Lu Family now depends entirely on you!"

And his grandfather, who loved him most, the old man who always encouraged him with a smile, had exhausted his life force during a closed-door cultivation attempt and passed away quietly...

The heavy burden of the family instantly fell upon his young shoulders. That immense pressure and longing for his grandfather transformed into an invisible Heart Lightning, attempting to crush his Sword Heart!

Cold sweat beaded on Lu Chenxin's forehead, even his Sword Heart Clarity realm fluctuated.

But the image surfaced in his mind: his grandfather holding his hand on his deathbed, saying weakly yet kindly:

"Chen Xin... be yourself... be happy... that's enough..." He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue, the sharp pain bringing clarity!

"My sword is swung for protection, but also rings for freedom! Grandfather, I will not disappoint you, but I will not be bound by the family either!" His Sword Heart became transparent again, and the Heart Lightning gradually weakened.

Bai Qianer's Illusion:

But before her eyes was only chaos!

Countless fragmented, distorted, bizarre images flashed by rapidly!

There was the warm Butterfly Valley, terrifying pursuits, a kind elderly man, and ferocious demonic shadows...

Contradictory emotions intertwined — joy, fear, attachment, confusion...

As if her memories themselves were a tangled mess, with no clear origin or main thread.

This chaos itself was the most bizarre Heart Lightning, leaving her disoriented, her soul feeling as if it were tearing apart!

Qianer clutched her head in pain, whimpering, her eyes unfocused.

Just as she was about to lose herself, a warm figure appeared in her chaotic illusion — it was Zhou Heng's smiling face.

"Qian'er, don't be afraid, follow me." A simple image and words, yet they acted like an anchor, allowing her to grasp her only lifeline. The chaotic Heart Lightning calmed slightly.

Zhou Heng's experience, however, was completely different.

The invisible Heart Lightning descended into his consciousness sea, attempting to stir up his deepest fears, regrets, obsessions... However, Zhou Heng's consciousness sea, tempered by the Nirvana Divine Thunder and honed through the Nine Thunder Refinements, was already as solid as rock, impregnable as a fortress!

Not to mention the newly formed, minor achievement stage Eye of Thunder Punishment hung high in his consciousness sea, radiating the majesty to judge all thunder!

The so-called Heart Lightning, within his consciousness sea, was like a drop of water falling into the ocean,

not even causing a ripple. Instead, it was assimilated and absorbed by the aura emitted by the Eye of Thunder Punishment, becoming nourishment for his soul...

"Is that it?" Zhou Heng even smacked his lips in disappointment. "It's too weak even for a tickle."

He leisurely watched his four teammates, each immersed in their Heart Thunder Interrogation with varied expressions, acting as if nothing was wrong. He even took out his water flask for a drink.

"It seems this entry-level challenge of the Court of Judgment is ineffective against me. Is it because my heart is clear as a mirror, flawless?" He stroked his chin, thinking seriously.

Of course, he wasn't idle either. His Omniscient Eye carefully analyzed the law operation of the Court of Judgment while vigilantly observing their surroundings, protecting his teammates.

He knew this was just the beginning.

The true test of the Court of Judgment was likely still ahead.

And where would that legendary dao heart fruit be?