Chapter 171 - 86: First Spirit Core, Perfection at Hand

Chapter 171: Chapter 86: First Spirit Core, Perfection at Hand

’I can’t delay any longer! This assessment is already incredibly dangerous, and this third stage is even more bizarre and unpredictable. I might not make it through... Before it comes to that, I must kill all my competitors right here!’

After making their decision, Qin Feng and Tang Yinzheng exchanged a look, their gazes turning sharp as they both gave the order to their subordinates:

"Attack!"

"BOOM!"

"Kill!"

And just like that, upon entering the third stage, before the dangers of this place had even fully manifested, the students of the three schools took the initiative, drew their blades, and began to slaughter one another.

"No, that’s not right. The danger here has already revealed itself," Jiang Xuan said. The melee in front hadn’t reached him yet, giving him enough time to use his Celestial Heart Mirror to observe his surroundings.

Then, relying on the Celestial Sensing that had evolved from his Qi Sensitivity and the powerful detection abilities of a Qi Cultivator - Celestial Observer, he discovered that this Chaotic Burial Mound was saturated with boundless resentment, Evil Qi, Demonic Qi, and the air of death. The four evils intertwined, creating an atmosphere of absolute terror.

Moreover, these gases had latched onto the students of the three schools the moment they entered the Chaotic Burial Mound, subtly eroding their Heart Spirits and disrupting their Dao Hearts.

Among these many dangers, the lingering, mournful cry was the most bizarre and sinister. It bypassed all of a Cultivator’s Spiritual Power defenses, affecting the very depths of their Soul Spirit.

Although the cry’s specific effect had yet to manifest, a strong sense of foreboding was already surging relentlessly in Jiang Xuan’s heart.

At this point, Jiang Xuan understood completely. Unlike the first two stages, the third stage of the Road of Purgatory was a test of a Cultivator’s Heart Soul resilience and the stability of their Dao Heart.

’It makes sense that the Daoist School would test this... Cultivators must comprehensively develop their Essence, Qi, and Spirit. In the Late Stages, the Divine Soul becomes even more important than Magical Power. It would be stranger if they didn’t test it.’

What gave Jiang Xuan a strange expression was the thought: ’Normally, a stage like this would involve ghosts, evil spirits, and other ferocious specters launching continuous assaults on our Heart Souls. They would arouse the sinister desires in our hearts, causing us to fall into disarray and even kill each other.’

’And what we students are supposed to do is guard our Heart Souls, eliminate the evil spirits, and pass the stage.’

As he thought of this, the strange look on Jiang Xuan’s face deepened.

’But we students from the three schools were never united to begin with. Besides, killing everyone else is an excellent way to pass. So, there was no need for this resentment to incite or bewitch us—we started killing each other all on our own. The Evil Qi is just making the slaughter all the more vicious.’

Having seen through the cause and effect of the chaos, Jiang Xuan was first left speechless. Then, he began to contemplate whether he should join the melee and take the opportunity to eliminate some of his rivals.

"Jiang Xuan, let’s make a move too! If they all die, we win!"

"Yeah, kill them all! Leave no survivors!"

Before Jiang Xuan could come to a decision, two rather savage voices suddenly sounded beside him.

Turning to look, he saw that both Dong Hao’s and Su Linyin’s eyes had turned red, their expressions savage.

Clearly, their minds had been corroded by the sinister Evil Qi of the Chaotic Burial Mound.

Shaking his head, Jiang Xuan immediately formed a hand seal and muttered a spell: "Supreme Star, ever-responding and unceasing! Exorcism and Binding Charm! Life and Body Protection... Go!"

"Snap out of it!"

The perfectly suited Purifying Heart Spell, combined with Jiang Xuan’s explosive shout, made Dong Hao and Su Linyin shudder and jolt.

At the same time, they felt a cool, clear energy pour down from the tops of their heads, washing away every trace of resentment from their hearts.

Though they had come to their senses, their expressions changed as they recalled the baseless impulse and killing intent that had just surged within them. They looked frightened, and even horrified.

Then, both of them respectfully thanked Jiang Xuan. "Brother Jiang, thank you. You’ve saved me again."

"Don’t mention it. I’m getting paid, so it’s my job to keep you safe."

As he spoke, Jiang Xuan made his decision: he would not join the ongoing melee.

The reason was simple—he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

He had been in the trial for the better part of a day, and during that time, his physical body in the outside world had not been idle.

Though he was unconscious of it, the Nine Breath Qi Ingestion Technique had been continuously performing the Circulation of Heaven and Earth within his body.

Moreover, that morning, before entering the assessment grounds, Jiang Xuan had used the Feast Ceremony to swallow a high-quality Elixir Pill, leaving his body brimming with Spiritual Qi.

The abundant Spiritual Qi, combined with the last few Primordial Sea Acupoints he had located in advance, plus half a day of refinement—all of it meant his First Spirit Core was about to reach Perfection!

Realizing this, Jiang Xuan immediately lost all interest in joining the battle or calculating the potential gains and losses.

Strategies and schemes were always a last resort for those who lacked sufficient strength.

’No matter what schemes or plots you devise, as long as my Primordial Sea reaches Perfection and I awaken a compatible Divine Power Seed, I’ll be able to sweep everything away with absolute power!’

With this thought in mind, Jiang Xuan only wanted to stay quietly on the sidelines and wait for this period to pass peacefully. He did not want to be disturbed in the slightest.

Unfortunately, while he desired peace, it is as the saying goes: the tree wishes for quiet, but the wind will not cease.