274: Chapter 274 The Test of Mindset: Where the Heart Leads, the Actions Follow

The shock of the ancient Forbidden Array being "optimized" and turned against its masters by Xu Ruyu had not yet subsided, yet the trials of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array continued.

After passing the first five trials—the shattering of the spirit testing stone in the Aptitude Trial, the anomaly at the Illusory Moon Well in the Concentration Trial, the level-skipping feat at the War Soul Tower in the Cultivation Trial, the completion of the hundred steles in the Comprehension Ability Trial, and the counter-control of the Forbidden Array in the Soul Power Trial—

Xu Ruyu's status within the Taihu Clan had leaped from the initially questioned "outsider pretty boy" to the "Holy Master" revered and respected by the entire clan.

There were even many young clansmen whispering privately that perhaps the Holy Master was the one destined to lead the Taihu Clan toward a new life in this era of depleted Spiritual Qi.

However, the more this was the case, the more cautious the Taihu Clan's upper echelons became regarding the examination of Xu Ruyu's Heart-Nature.

The sixth trial, the "Heart-Nature Trial."

Deep within the Moon Fox Palace, before an ancient altar sealed by layers of Restrictions.

The altar was built from nine-colored jade, and in its central depression hovered a dark red crystal that rotated slowly, its interior seemingly interwoven with nebulas and blood-colored light.

The aura emitted by the crystal was ancient, desolate, and carried a strong scent of blood and Battle Intent, as if it were sealing the memories of some tragic era.

The Clan Chief, the Supreme Mage, the Grand Elder, Elder Lan Yi, Lady Qingli, and other core figures stood solemnly before the altar. The atmosphere was more grave than any of the previous trials.

"Holy Master Xu," the Clan Chief's cold, clear voice rang out, her gaze under the moonlight deep and unfathomable, "this is the sixth trial, the 'Heart-Nature Trial.' This trial does not test aptitude, cultivation, Comprehension Ability, or Soul Power."

She pointed to the dark red crystal: "This object is called the 'battle soul blood crystal,' and it connects to a 'fragmented battlefield of time and space' left over from the ancient era. Upon entering, you will be cast into a segment of history that truly occurred, becoming a member within it."

The Supreme Mage added slowly, her ethereal voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "In that battlefield, you will face real life and death, and experience real choices. There are no rules, no hints, and no clear conditions for passing. Everything depends on how your true heart responds and chooses."

The Grand Elder said in a deep voice: "This trial is intended to reflect one's true heart. Good, evil, courage, cowardice, loyalty, treachery, benevolence, righteousness... in the face of extreme life-and-death situations and conflicts of interest, the truest face of the human heart will have nowhere to hide."

Xu Ruyu listened quietly, his heart clear as a mirror. He understood that this was the most core and secretive test the Taihu Clan had for him. The previous trials tested his "ability" and "potential," while this trial tested his "character" and "stance."

The Taihu Clan's protection of him and the Hehuan Sect was a huge investment and risk. They needed to be certain that this youth with infinite potential and unpredictable methods would, on some future day when the Taihu Clan faced a crisis or needed him, choose to repay kindness with enmity and stand idly by, or choose to repay kindness with gratitude and fight side by side?

This ancient battlefield was the best "touchstone."

"This Junior understands." Xu Ruyu's expression was calm, his gaze frank, "Where the heart points, the actions follow. This Junior is willing to enter this trial to examine my true heart."

The Clan Chief looked at him deeply, said no more, and raised her hand simultaneously with the Supreme Mage, injecting two streams of pure, vast lunar Divine Power into the "battle soul blood crystal."

"Hum—!" The dark red crystal suddenly shone brilliantly, its internal nebulas and blood shadows spinning crazily, forming a deep vortex.

A powerful suction force arrived, enveloping Xu Ruyu. Xu Ruyu did not resist, allowing this force to swallow him whole.

The world spun, and time and space became chaotic. It felt as if he had traversed an endless river of time; in his ears were the whistling wind, faint shouts of killing, the clashing of weapons, the explosions of Spells, and... the wails of despair.

When Xu Ruyu steadied himself again and saw the surrounding scene, a nauseatingly thick scent of blood and burnt odors rushed toward him, choking him until he almost suffocated.

Before his eyes was no longer the peaceful and quiet Tianyin Mountains. This was a broken, burning wasteland soaked in blood.

The sky was an oppressive dark red, as if dyed through by blood and fire. The setting sun was like blood, hanging powerlessly on the horizon.

The earth was cracked, filled with pits of varying depths and charred marks; these were the scars left by the ravages of powerful Spells.

Broken weapons, shattered Magic Treasures, tattered banners, and... countless mutilated corpses paved everything within his line of sight, densely packed.

There were members of the Human Race and the Yao Race, of various forms, all dead in tragic states.

In the distance, the shouts of killing, explosions, beast roars, and the dying wails, mixed with the howling of the gale, formed a cruel and tragic battlefield symphony.

Xu Ruyu found himself standing on a relatively high dirt mound; he did not know when he had changed into a set of ancient-style leather armor stained with blood and dust, and in his hand, he gripped a long sword covered in notches.

The "Void Source Energy" within his body still existed, but it seemed to be affected by this fragment of time and space, its circulation slightly sluggish.

"Hey! You over there! Why are you dazed! Come help quickly!" A hoarse, anxious voice rang out from the side.

Xu Ruyu turned his head and saw a young woman, also wearing tattered leather armor with her face covered in blood and smoke, yet whose delicate features could still be discerned, dragging a wounded person with an injured leg who was on the verge of death, calling out to him anxiously.

Behind the woman, one could vaguely see several blood-stained, limply drooping phantom fox tails.

The Taihu Clan! Taihu Clan warriors from the ancient era!

Looking again at the wounded person, and at the dozens of figures below the mound who were relying on simple fortifications to fight a bloody battle against the tide of hideous Yao Race creatures surging toward them, without exception, they all had more or less fox tail features behind them!

Most of them were wounded, their armor shattered, their eyes filled with exhaustion and despair, yet they still gripped their weapons tightly, burning their last strength to resist the Yao Race army that was several times their number, varied in form, and viciously violent.