249: Chapter 349 The Trial from the Taihu Clan: The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array

The hall fell silent again as everyone's gaze focused on the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder remained silent for a moment, her aged fingers lightly tapping the deep blue gemstone on her cane, producing a crisp "tap, tap" sound.

Finally, she spoke slowly: "Little Qingli is willing to stake her own future as a guarantee; her heart is clear.

Hehuan Fairy indeed shares some old ties with our clan.

However, clan rules cannot be discarded, and risks must be weighed."

Her gaze fell on Xu Ruyu again, her voice calm and steady: "Little Friend Xu, since you claim to be willing to prove your sincerity and value, our clan will give you an Opportunity."

"The foundation of the Taihu Clan lies in the spiritual nodes and ley lines of the Tianyin Mountains, as well as the 'Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart' trial Formation left by our ancestors.

This array is divided into nine passes, corresponding to talent, cultivation, Comprehension Ability, Soul Power, focus, Opportunity, Heart-Nature, perseverance, and the Heart of Dao-Seeking.

It is the supreme method our clan uses to select core disciples and test their mental fortitude and potential."

"Today, if you can pass the trial of this 'Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array,' it will prove that you indeed possess potential and Heart-Nature far exceeding ordinary people. It would be worth our clan making an exception to allow the remnants of the Hehuan Sect to temporarily reside in 'Yinyue Valley' within the Tianyin Mountains and receive a certain degree of protection from our clan until you are able to leave or the crisis is resolved."

"If you fail to pass..." The Grand Elder paused, "then please take your disciples and leave the Tianyin Mountains to seek another place.

The ties between our clan and Hehuan Fairy will be settled here and now.

Little Qingli's guarantee will also be void, and she must hand over her authority as an Elder and reflect in seclusion for a hundred years."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked!

The "Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array"!

The supreme trial of the Taihu Clan!

Even the top prodigies of the clan would not dare to attempt it lightly!

In history, those who could completely pass all nine levels were few and far between!

To let an outsider, and one at the Qi Refinement Stage at that, attempt it? This was almost a blatant rejection!

Moreover, the punishment extended to Madame Qingli!

Handing over authority and a hundred years of secluded reflection!

For a Nascent Soul Stage Elder, this was an extremely severe punishment!

Madame Qingli's face also turned pale; she clearly hadn't expected the Grand Elder to propose such harsh conditions. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

"Grand Elder! Is this proposal too severe?" Elder Lan Yi frowned slightly. "The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array is a secret of our clan; using it to test an outsider might be inappropriate.

Furthermore, Sect Leader Xu's cultivation..."

"It is precisely because his cultivation is low that this array's fairness is even more apparent," the Grand Elder calmly interrupted. "If he truly has extraordinary qualities, cultivation should not be an obstacle.

If he is merely a man of empty reputation, leaving early will save our clan trouble later.

As for the risk of the array's secrets leaking... I have my own discretion."

Elder Mo Feng, however, had a cold smile on his face, clearly very satisfied with this arrangement.

He wished for nothing more than for Xu Ruyu to refuse immediately or fail as soon as he entered. This would both drive away the trouble and strike a blow to Madame Qingli's prestige within the clan.

"Little Friend Xu," the Grand Elder looked at Xu Ruyu, "are you willing to accept this trial? If not, you may take your people and leave now, and our clan will not make things difficult for you.

Qingli's fault can also be dealt with leniently."

All the pressure weighed down on Xu Ruyu's shoulders.

Accept? The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array sounded terrifying; as someone at the "Qi Refinement Stage," his chances of passing were minuscule!

Once he failed, not only would he and his people be driven away, but Madame Qingli would also be implicated and severely punished!

Refuse? To leave dejectedly immediately, with a vast and uncertain path ahead and nowhere to go, they would soon be caught by various forces, and the outcome would likely be even worse.

Moreover, he could feel the gazes of many Taihu Clan members in the hall—filled with scrutiny, doubt, and even a faint... malicious anticipation of his humiliation. Especially those from Elder Mo Feng's faction.

This was blatant harassment!

Certain factions within the Taihu Clan were using this as an excuse to strike at Madame Qingli, while also wanting to gauge exactly how much Xu Ruyu was worth and whether he was worth their bet.

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath, his mind rapidly weighing the options.

The "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy" was his foundation, and Old Ancestor Qingtian's "favor" might be considered a layer of prestige, but these were all intangible.

The Taihu Clan needed to see tangible "value" and "potential."

The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array... tested comprehensive potential rather than pure cultivation.

His advantages lay in his Divine Soul coming from another world, strengthened by Transmigration; in his scientific understanding of the "energy essence"; and in the unique energy perspective and cultivation method brought by the "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy"... These might compensate for his lack of cultivation.

More importantly, he had no way back.

The several hundred people of the Hehuan Sect needed a place to settle down.

For their sake, Madame Qingli had already gambled her future.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three Elders on the jade platform, then over the Taihu Clan members with their various expressions on both sides, before finally meeting the Grand Elder's deep and calm gaze. Word by word, he spoke clearly and firmly:

"Junior Xu Ruyu is willing to accept your clan's 'Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array' trial!"

"Good."

An inscrutable look flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes as she slowly nodded.

"In that case, the trial begins immediately," Elder Mo Feng interjected, seemingly afraid Xu Ruyu would change his mind. "The nine passes are located at nine spiritual node points in the Tianyin Mountains, each guarded by a clan Elder.

Sect Leader Xu, please!

The first pass, the 'Talent Pass,' is located at the 'Spirit Testing Platform'.

Please follow me!"

He stood up, his tone carrying a hint of impatience, as if he could already see the scene of Xu Ruyu's pathetic defeat at the first pass.

In the hall, everyone's eyes were fixed on Xu Ruyu.

Curiosity, scrutiny, suspicion, ridicule, indifference... all sorts of emotions were present.

Madame Qingli walked to Xu Ruyu's side and whispered, "Xiao Yuer, act according to your ability. If it's impossible... prioritize your own safety."

Her eyes were full of worry.

Xu Ruyu smiled at her, his smile carrying a hint of stubbornness and determination: "Sister Qingli, don't worry. I won't let you down."

With that, he straightened his back and, under the gaze of countless eyes, followed Elder Mo Feng and strode out of the hall.

Toward that which was considered almost impossible to pass...

The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array!