131: A divine eye? A blind man? (Sixteen)

"You Chen? Which You Chen?"

"Who else could it be? Isn't it that floor-sweeping trash, Nineteen, from our palace!"

"Him? He's just a Mortal Body without even a lick of cultivation. Does he even deserve to participate in the Clan Academy Examination?"

"Hahaha, that's the funniest joke I've heard all year! What's he going up there for? To be someone's punching bag?"

"Don't say that; this trash is famous for being able to take a beating. Maybe he really can hold out for a few extra hits."

Ridicule, contempt, and undisguised malice surged toward him.

These voices stabbed at the youth in the center of the field.

You Chen lay on the ground, his head buzzing.

His life seemed to be composed of one accident and humiliation after another.

He just wanted to dodge a slap; how did he get called out so inexplicably?

Subconsciously, he looked up at the dark-faced Red-robed Deacon, wanting to explain something.

To say it was a mistake.

To say he was just a floor-sweeper.

But the words reached his lips, and he couldn't utter a single syllable.

Because he saw the deacon's stern gaze.

The rules of the Imperial Clan Court were greater than the heavens.

Once the brush touched the register, it was set in stone.

To shrink back now would be to flout the clan laws, an even greater crime.

What should he do?

He was afraid.

He wasn't afraid of going on stage to fight, but of becoming a laughingstock in everyone's eyes once again.

Just as he felt the urge to retreat.

That cold yet reassuring voice rang out in his mind once more.

"Stand up."

It was Jun Yun's voice.

"What are you afraid of?"

"They're just a bunch of clay chickens and pottery dogs."

"Don't you want to change your fate? Here is your chance."

Right.

Big Brother Jun.

Big Brother Jun is still here.

As if he had found his backbone, You Chen took a deep breath and slowly crawled up from the ground.

He brushed the dust off his clothes, and under everyone's gaze, his hunched back straightened bit by bit.

Though still thin and weak, the cowardice in his eyes had vanished.

"Good! Very good!"

Ghost Tiger watched this scene and laughed out of extreme anger.

He felt his authority was being challenged.

An ant he could crush at will actually dared to look at him with such eyes.

"Nineteenth Brother, you've got guts!"

Ghost Tiger clapped his hands, the sarcasm in his voice almost overflowing. "Since you want to go up there and make a fool of yourself so badly, your elder brother will grant your wish!"

"When you get on stage later, don't you dare cry and beg for mercy!"

"Don't worry."

In his mind, Jun Yun's voice rang out again.

You Chen ignored Ghost Tiger's shouting.

Amidst the pointing and whispering of the crowd, he silently walked to the end of the 'Examination Waiting Area' and stood still.

His figure was frail, yet he stood straight.

Inside Jingxin Hall.

Jun Yun's Minds Eye looked down upon all of this, and he smiled playfully.

In his vision, the golden thread of Luck above You Chen's head was vibrating violently due to the immense pressure and emotional fluctuations.

With every vibration, it expanded outward slightly.

Very good... the examination will begin soon.

And.

The first item was the Heart-Nature test.

In the center of the Training Ground stood a three-meter-tall black boulder.

The surface of the stone was as smooth as a mirror, emitting a faint, chilly air.

"This is the 'Heart-Inquiry Stone'."

The Red-robed Deacon announced the rules expressionlessly. "All descendants of our Great You Imperial Family shall place their palms against the stone to enter an illusion born from the heart. Everything experienced within the illusion is transformed from your deepest fears or obsessions."

"The longer you endure, the more resilient your Heart-Nature is, and the higher your score will be."

"Now, let the examination begin!"

The princes went forward one by one.

Some turned pale as soon as they placed their hands on it, screaming as they withdrew their hands, drenched in sweat—clearly having seen something extremely terrifying.

Others could last for the duration of an incense stick; though they stumbled when they came out, their eyes held a bit more determination.

Soon, it was Thirteenth Prince Ghost Tiger's turn.

He walked forward with an arrogant look and slapped his palm heavily onto the Heart-Inquiry Stone.

"Humph, a mere illusion? What can it possibly do to me!"

A flash of light appeared on the Heart-Inquiry Stone.

Ghost Tiger's body jolted, and his eyes instantly turned blood-red.

The people present could not see his illusion.

But from his hideous expression and constantly swinging fists, he was clearly engaged in a fierce battle with some powerful enemy within the illusion.

Time passed bit by bit.

One incense stick.

Two incense sticks.

Ghost Tiger was already drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy, but he continued to endure.

"As expected of the Thirteenth Prince, his Heart-Nature is so fierce!"

"Breaking through the Heart Demon with sheer force—such will is truly admirable!"

Bursts of admiration came from the surroundings.

Finally, as the third incense stick was about to burn out, Ghost Tiger let out a wild roar, his body shook violently, and he snapped his eyes open.

He stumbled back a few steps, gasping for air. Though his face was pale, his eyes were full of pride and ostentation.

"Deacon, what is my score?"

The deacon glanced at the nearby hourglass and nodded. "Ghost Tiger, two incense sticks and three hundred breaths. Grade: A-Superior."

"Wow!"

The entire audience erupted once again.

This was the best score of the day so far.

But on the high platform, several old deacons only nodded expressionlessly.

They all knew in their hearts that the true top talents of this generation had long since achieved a Breakthrough to the Earth Spirit Realm.

Ghost Tiger was at most upper-middle level among this group. The strongest few, like You Ming, didn't even deign to participate in such an examination.

Ghost Tiger swept his gaze across the field triumphantly, finally landing on You Chen in the corner, his eyes full of provocation.

"Next, You Chen."

The deacon coldly called out the name.

All eyes focused once again on that thin and weak youth.

This time, the gazes were full of mockery and the anticipation of watching a good show.

You Chen's palms were covered in cold sweat.

Step by step, he walked with difficulty toward the black boulder.

"Don't be afraid."

Jun Yun's voice rang out at the right moment.

"Remember, for over a decade, you have lived in an illusion every single day."

"To you, this is nothing more than sleeping in a different place."

"Circulate the Hibernating Dragon Breathing Technique and guard your mind. Don't think about anything else, and don't do anything else."

You Chen took a deep breath.

He arrived before the Heart-Inquiry Stone.

Under countless mocking gazes, he slowly reached out his hand, covered in chilblains and scars, and gently pressed it against the cold stone surface.

Buzz.

The world changed.

There were no fierce beasts, no powerful enemies.

He returned to that familiar side courtyard.

Eunuch Wang's distorted face was right before him, and the whisk in his hand carried a foul wind as it lashed viciously across his face.

Intense pain surged.

Then came the insults from the Thirteenth Prince, the ridicule from other princes, the cold shoulders from the maids and eunuchs... scene after scene, all his most embarrassing memories that he had lived through.

Any ordinary person would have lost their composure and had their will shaken long ago.

But You Chen did not.

There wasn't even a ripple of emotion on his face.

Because.

This was his daily life.

He simply circulated the Hibernating Dragon Breathing Technique in silence, adjusting his breathing.

That faint warm current in his Dantian began to slowly flow throughout his body as the breathing technique circulated.

The humiliations from the outside seemed to be partitioned off, becoming less real.

His heart was more peaceful than ever before.

On the Training Ground.

Everyone was waiting to see You Chen make a fool of himself.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Ten breaths.

You Chen just stood there quietly, motionless.

His expression was calm, as if nothing were happening.

"Huh? What's going on? Why isn't this trash reacting?"

"Is the Heart-Inquiry Stone broken?"

"I think he's probably just been scared witless, so even the Heart Demon can't be bothered with him!"

Whispers broke out among the crowd.

Even the Red-robed Deacon frowned, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes.

Only Ghost Tiger stared fixedly at You Chen, his expression becoming increasingly unsightly.

Time passed.

One incense stick passed.

You Chen was still standing.

Two incense sticks passed.

You Chen remained standing.

Three incense sticks passed.

Ghost Tiger's record was broken.

All the mocking voices vanished, leaving only the sound of collective gasps.

Incredible looks appeared on everyone's faces.

This... how is this possible?

A Mortal Body trash actually has such a resilient Heart-Nature?

What on earth did he see in the illusion?

Or is he simply a fool with no fears or obsessions?

And You Chen still showed no sign of waking up.

The fourth incense stick... the atmosphere on the field became increasingly heavy.

Even the big shots on the high platform, who had been resting with their eyes closed, couldn't help but open them and cast surprised and uncertain glances.

Just as the tenth incense stick was about to be lit.

Buzz!

The pitch-black Heart-Inquiry Stone suddenly emitted a slight hum.

Immediately following.

A faint but incredibly pure cyan light lit up from inside the stone, enveloping You Chen.

"The Heart-Inquiry Stone... is glowing?"

The Red-robed Deacon couldn't help but lose his voice, which was trembling.

"The ancient texts record that only those whose Heart-Nature is in harmony with the Dao and is pure and flawless can trigger the resonance of the Heart-Inquiry Stone! The last time this happened was three hundred years ago!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked.

Under the shocked gazes of everyone, You Chen slowly withdrew his hand.

He opened his eyes, which were clear and slightly dazed.

He felt as if he had only taken a nap.

The deacon looked at him with a complex gaze. He took a deep breath, using all his strength to keep his voice steady.

"You Chen... ten incense sticks, triggered Heart-Inquiry Stone resonance."

"Grade, He... Heaven Grade!"