What Did He Do?

【Hundred Bones Resonating awoke, overjoyed to see you still standing alive before it.】

【Only then did it realize that all of this was just a great dream.】

【Hundred Bones Resonating felt both regretful and fortunate; regretful that it couldn't truly become that invincible being in the world, and fortunate that it wouldn't have to be alone anymore.】

【If the peak of immortal dao was filled with regrets, then what meaning would it hold?!】

Gu Chengming: "..."

【Hundred Bones Resonating Affection +10】

【Hundred Bones Resonating Current Affection: 75/Liked】

Seeing this prompt, Gu Chengming found it a bit hard to deal with.

So the illusion just now was an affection dungeon?

【Having just experienced the illusion, Hundred Bones Resonating was now filled with a mix of emotions, for the you that was lost and found again, it felt happy.】

【However...】

【It thought, 'Why does this Gu Chengming look so foolish and dazed?'】

【'Could he have been captivated by my performance in the illusion?'】

【Hundred Bones Resonating was secretly pleased, thinking, 'This performance must have maxed out Gu Chengming's affection rating.'】

"?"

I think someone else here is foolish and dazed.

After complaining, Gu Chengming gathered his thoughts, pulling his attention from the system interface back to reality.

He looked around, finally casting his gaze towards Zhao Wuji not far ahead.

After all, they were still in the middle of the disciple assessment, with so many elders and fellow disciples watching, and he wasn't sure if Elder Zhao had noticed anything unusual.

It would be a bit awkward if the other party discovered he hadn't entered the illusion at all.

Unsure for a moment, Gu Chengming decided to test the waters first.

He cupped his hands in greeting, his tone respectful yet not servile:

"Disciple, have I finally passed?"

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji's expression froze slightly.

Passed?

Logically, the illusion of the Spirit Induction Art would take at least several hundred breaths to dissipate on its own, and if one's dao heart wasn't firm enough, getting entangled by inner demons would mean at least half an hour.

Yet this Gu Chengming broke free on his own in just dozens of breaths.

From this point alone, the firmness of his dao heart indeed far surpassed ordinary people.

But at this moment, Zhao Wuji didn't feel much anger from being 'humiliated'; his mind was completely occupied by another matter.

What was going on with that killing intent emanating from the other end of the Spirit Induction Art?

Zhao Wuji was certain he hadn't felt wrong.

The illusion constructed by the Spirit Induction Art, its content and intensity were both closely related to the depths of the target's inner being.

In other words, that killing intent was definitely not generated out of thin air.

It was a certain obsession from the heart of this young man named Gu Chengming.

He subconsciously sized up this seemingly unremarkable young man before him.

First Realm, Fifth Level, low cultivation, calm expression, neither humble nor arrogant.

How could such a person harbor such shocking killing intent?

Countless thoughts flashed through Zhao Wuji's mind.

Was he burdened by some deep-seated hatred? And had he been enduring in silence, just to one day personally kill his enemy?

Or did he have some other unspeakable secret? Like an enemy so powerful it brought despair, forcing him to hide his edge and brilliance, lying dormant in this small Huiyuan Gate?

No matter the situation, it made Zhao Wuji feel a chill down his spine.

...Would his Spirit Induction Art make this disciple named Gu Chengming resent him?

"Cough."

Zhao Wuji lightly coughed, keeping his voice as gentle as possible, and slowly said:

"Naturally, you've passed."

He paused, then forced a smile he believed to be amiable, his tone even carrying a hint of praise:

"To be able to completely break free from the illusion and return to your true self within dozens of breaths under this old man's Spirit Induction Art— Gu Chengming, the firmness of your dao heart is truly something this old man has only seen once in his life."

Gu Chengming was slightly startled, cupped his hands in thanks, and then returned to his original position.

The surrounding disciples were still immersed in the illusion, unable to wake up for a while.

He was the only one awake in the field, making him particularly conspicuous.

The elders on the distant high platform naturally noticed this scene, and the atmosphere immediately changed subtly.

However, Ren Wencai was deeply calculating, showing no trace on his face.

He even put on a relieved expression, let out a long breath, and chuckled:

"Haha, it seems my disciple's dao heart is quite firm. This old man was worried he was still young and not steady enough in temperament, but now it seems I worried too much."

He spoke modestly, but how could the other elders not understand what had just happened, at this moment.

Looking at Ren Wencai's smug expression, they all couldn't help but secretly curse: 'This old fox, he's really good at pretending!'

This was already a crushing performance in the dao heart assessment; wouldn't Ren Wencai be smug for ten days to half a month now?

The elders secretly cursed in their hearts, but still maintained their composure on the surface.

"Senior Brother Ren is too modest."

A round-faced elder cupped his hands, his tone sour, "To be able to teach such a disciple, it truly shows Senior Brother Ren's excellent teaching."

"Indeed, indeed."

Another elder echoed:

"Although Gu Chengming's cultivation is mediocre, his dao heart is truly impressive. If he is properly cultivated, he might not become a great talent in the future."

The four words "mediocre cultivation" were emphasized particularly heavily, clearly reminding Ren Wencai: 'Don't get smug too early; your disciple's talent isn't that great.'

Ren Wencai chuckled, not responding.

He secretly glanced at Zhao Wuji, expecting to see a hint of frustration on his old rival's face.

However, he was disappointed.

Zhao Wuji's expression wasn't the furious embarrassment or flushed red he had anticipated; instead, it was somewhat strange.

Ren Wencai felt slightly puzzled.

What was wrong with Old Zhao? He couldn't have gotten so angry over that little trick of his just now, could he?

What he didn't know was that Zhao Wuji was currently engaged in a fierce ideological struggle in his heart.

He wanted to talk about the strangeness he had felt, but the words reached his lips, and he swallowed them back.

How could he say it? Say that when he was casting the Spirit Induction Art, he was startled by the killing intent from the other party?

And what if others thought he was making a mountain out of a molehill, or deliberately slandering Ren Wencai's disciple, wouldn't he be caught between a rock and a hard place?

Forget it, better to leave well enough alone.

He'd investigate Gu Chengming's background later.

Zhao Wuji ultimately chose silence. He cupped his hands and congratulated:

"Congratulations, Elder Ren. It seems Huiyuan Gate will soon have another outstanding talent within its ranks."

Ren Wencai slightly raised an eyebrow.

Something was wrong, ten parts, even nine parts, very wrong.

He quietly noted this strangeness in his heart, deciding to ponder it carefully later.

Meanwhile, the other elders were also calculating in their hearts.

Although the results of the dao heart assessment hadn't been officially announced yet, from the fact that Gu Chengming was the first to break free from the illusion, his securing first place was basically a foregone conclusion.

However...

The elders exchanged glances, with a tacit understanding.

A firm dao heart doesn't mean high talent.

From the cultivation realm fluctuations of this disciple named Gu Chengming, who was at the First Realm, Fifth Level, one could tell that his cultivation aptitude was truly hard to describe.

Being only at the First Realm, Fifth Level now might be acceptable for a disciple who had just entered the sect for a year, but Gu Chengming had been in the sect for several years.

All the elders present were shrewd individuals; they could tell at a glance that although his spiritual energy was pure, it circulated sluggishly, clearly limited by his aptitude, requiring ten or even a hundred times the effort of ordinary people for every step of advancement.

Such a person, no matter how firm their dao heart, would have very limited achievements in the future. And to put it bluntly, if he were truly a disciple with both a firm dao heart and outstanding talent, could that old fox Ren Wencai have endured until now to start cultivating him?

He would have probably been protecting him like a precious darling long ago.

The fact that he's only just started to pay attention now can only mean that this kid, besides his dao heart, truly didn't have anything else worth showing.

Thinking this, the elders felt a little more balanced in their hearts.

Time slowly flowed by.

About half an hour later, the other disciples on the Sword-Questioning Platform began to one after another open their eyes.

Some had pale faces, clearly having experienced no small psychological impact in the illusion; some had dazed expressions, seemingly not yet fully awake from the realistic dream; and a few had slightly red eyes, unsure what moving scenes they had witnessed in the illusion.

Gu Chengming, meanwhile, was thoughtfully staring at Hundred Bones Resonating's affection rating.

With seventy-five affection points, it wouldn't be long before the status could go from 'liked' to 'admired'.

Gu Chengming felt a slight anticipation in his heart.

He wondered what new skills Hundred Bones Resonating would unlock once its affection was maxed out?

Before he could think further, an elder on the high platform had already stood up.

It was an old man with white hair and beard, said to be Elder Zhou, responsible for recording this assessment.

In his hand, he held a jade slip, gently infusing it with spiritual energy.

The next moment, a light screen projected from the jade slip, floating above the Sword-Questioning Platform, and on the light screen, densely packed names began to arrange themselves according to a certain rule.

That was the comprehensive ranking of the dao heart assessment.

The disciples looked up one after another, searching for their names. Some were joyful, some were disappointed, and some were expressionless, clearly having already expected their results.

And when everyone saw the name ranked at the very top, the scene instantly fell silent for a moment.

【Gu Chengming】

【dao heart Rating: A-grade Superior】

【Comment: Broke the illusion in dozens of breaths, no harm or stagnation under the Spirit Induction Art, dao heart firm, discerning falsehood and returning to truth, rated A-grade Superior.】

That comment was particularly eye-catching, because it meant he was not only the first to break free from the illusion, but his performance within the illusion was also judged to be flawless.

One must know, even Inner Sect disciples rarely received such a rating.

For a moment, countless gazes converged on Gu Chengming.

There was surprise, incomprehension, envy, and also faint jealousy.

After all, some still recognized Gu Chengming and knew of his deeds, feeling quite psychologically unbalanced for a moment.

This world is truly becoming increasingly hard to understand.

Jiang Lu, looking at the first place name hanging high on the golden list, had his mouth slightly agape, only closing it after a long while.

"Senior Brother Gu... your dao heart is truly admirable."

Before the discussions among the disciples below the stage could subside, another elder, dressed in purple robes and carrying a long sword, had already floated down gracefully from the high platform.

"Silence."

The voice wasn't loud, yet it was clear and resonant like a sword's hum, instantly suppressing all the noise in the venue.

"Next up, the Sword Dao test."

After the elder left, leaving the disciples to rest for a moment, the disciples began to whisper among themselves again.

Seeing this, Jiang Lu immediately leaned closer to Gu Chengming and introduced:

"That was Elder Gongsun from Xijian Peak; the Dao art used for the next test is called the Sword Reflection Art."

"Sword Reflection Art?" Gu Chengming was a little curious.

Seeing Gu Chengming was interested, Jiang Lu explained:

"Yes, it's said that this Dao art was conveniently 'borrowed' by our sect's legendary Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch, back in his early days, from the Cloud Moon Sect. Cough, he 'acquired' it."

He paused, then added:

"Senior Brother should know that although the Cloud Moon Sect is also a major sword cultivation sect, its predecessor was the Rhythm Sect, most skilled in the path of music and rhythm. They advocate controlling swords with sound, with sword qi like a rainbow. The original version of this Sword Reflection Art was called Myriad Phenomena Harmony Domain, originally used to test disciples' Dao rhythm talent."

"Our True Monarch thought this method was excellent. Rhythm has fluctuations, and sword intent also has strengths, weaknesses, clarity, and turbidity; both lead to the same destination. So he 'borrowed' it, made a few modifications, and it became the current Sword Reflection Art, which can reflect the true form of sword intent."

Hearing the familiar name, Gu Chengming couldn't hold back a little.

It's this "Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch" again?

Previously, Flowing Light Sword Shadow also seemed to have been 'stolen' by this Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch from the Cloud Moon Sect's Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword.

Why does he keep shearing wool from just one sheep?

As Gu Chengming was secretly criticizing, Elder Gongsun in the field had already formed hand seals.

"Rise!"

With a low shout, an invisible fluctuation instantly enveloped the entire Training Ground.

The air seemed to gain some invisible medium, like zither strings, amplifying the sound of wind, breathing, and even heartbeats several times, and sword intent permeated the air.

This was the "Sword Reflection Art."

The sword domain was like a clear mirror, reflecting the hearts of all phenomena.

Elder Gongsun closed his eyes and focused his mind, floating in mid-air as his divine sense spread out.

"Buzz—"

Above a disciple's head, a faint white light was the first to illuminate, flickering like a candle flame, and although faint, it exuded a sense of tenacity.

Gongsun Ye sensed it with his heart and slightly nodded.

He thought, 'The sword momentum is like a pine tree, the foundation is stable, moderate.'

Immediately after, more and more lights illuminated on the Training Ground.

Myriad sword intents descended like a galaxy, each star representing a disciple.

The strength and weakness of their radiance, the speed of their circulation, and the distinction of clarity and turbidity, all had nowhere to hide under this Sword Reflection Art.

However, just at this moment, a sudden change occurred.

As the rhythmic fluctuations named "Sword Reflection Art" swept over his body, penetrating deep into his meridians and sea of qi, a line of text suddenly appeared before Gu Chengming's eyes.

【Flowing Cloud Following Moon is a bit disgusted】

This line of text seemed to carry resentment, exuding a gloomy and world-weary taste.

【So annoying, why use this kind of sound to probe me?】

Gu Chengming's heart tightened, inwardly thinking, 'Not good.'

【So many sword cultivators... so many self-righteous sword intents...】

【I really want to die.】

Immediately after, the style of the text changed, world-weariness transforming into aggression.

【It would be great if there were no sword cultivators in this world】

Outside.

Gongsun Ye, who was closing his eyes to sense the sword intents of the entire venue, suddenly frowned.

"This is..."

Gongsun Ye suddenly opened his eyes, only to see that above Gu Chengming's head, instead of manifesting a specific sword shape or light like others,

What appeared instead was a swirling, crimson, blood-like... mist.

The red mist wasn't large, yet it was so dense it seemed to drip blood.

The surrounding sword intents of the disciples, which had originally been competing for brilliance, at the moment this "blood sun" appeared, seemed to have encountered a natural enemy, dimming one after another, some even directly dispersing.

"This sword momentum..."

Although Gu's sword intent, which "only targets sword cultivators," was very strange.

But putting everything else aside, its intensity was definitely top-tier.

Compared to the other starlight, that blood-red sword intent shone like a glorious great sun.

Elder Gongsun naturally had an impression of Gu Chengming, after all, Gu Chengming had just taken the champion title in the dao heart test with an overwhelming posture.

At the time, Elder Gongsun had secretly cursed Ren Wencai for having dumb luck, taking in a disciple with a firm dao heart, and then comforted himself by saying that this kid seemed to be only at the First Realm, Fifth Level, probably just a blockhead with poor aptitude.

But now, this slap made his face sting.

How was this poor aptitude?

This kind of sword momentum, like a great sun spanning the sky, incomparably domineering, clearly had already touched the threshold of "Intent Condensation"!

One must know, most of the disciples present hadn't even figured out sword momentum yet, let alone condensed such a substantial embryonic form of sword intent.

This child was actually a sword dao prodigy!

But the shock in Elder Gongsun's eyes gradually turned into doubt.

This sword intent, wasn't it a bit too "extreme"?

Normal sword intent might be like a raging fire sweeping across the plains, or like a babbling brook, either fierce and powerful, or gentle and soft.

But Gu Chengming's sword intent felt to him as if... he hated swords.

He hated all sword cultivators in the world.

"Strange... too strange."

Elder Gongsun frowned deeply, and various conjectures couldn't help but rise in his heart.

Could this child be burdened by some deep-seated hatred?

Such situations were not unheard of in the history of the Wenjian Sect.

Some disciples had their entire families murdered, or were persecuted by certain aristocratic families, and from then on, seeds of hatred were planted in their hearts.

They practiced swordsmanship not to seek the Dao, nor for immortality, but purely for revenge.

Such disciples, often due to their extremely deep obsession, had unusually firm dao hearts, and their progress was rapid, advancing a thousand li in a day.

But this path was too bitter and too dangerous.

They often ended up entangled by karmic killings, not meeting a good end, making people sigh with regret.

Looking at Gu Chengming's calm as water face, Elder Gongsun actually felt a bit of pity in his heart.

"Alas, it seems he's also an ill-fated child. Such strong hatred, I wonder how much injustice he bears."

Elder Gongsun collected his thoughts, no longer letting his imagination run wild, but merely made up his mind that he would definitely investigate Gu Chengming's background records later. If there truly was injustice, the sect might be able to guide him a bit, lest such a promising talent succumb to inner demons.

As the red light slowly receded, the Sword Dao test was also declared over.

This round didn't have a specific ranking list.

After all, on the path of the sword dao, all methods are natural.

Some excelled in offense, some in defense; some wielded swords with lightness and agility, some with heavy, edgeless swords.

There was no absolute distinction between superior and inferior, making it difficult to give a quantifiable score like with the dao heart.

But even so, based on the strength and weakness of the light feedback from the "Sword Reflection Art," everyone also had a scale in their hearts.

Gu Chengming's rating, without suspense—A-grade Superior!

Of course, this time it wasn't his solo show.

Besides him, several disciples from other gates also displayed talent in sword dao, all rated A-grade Superior.

Meanwhile, on the high platform.

The atmosphere became somewhat strange.

The elders were now completely unable to sit still.

If they could still comfort themselves with the idea of 'excelling in one subject' after the first dao heart test, then this Sword Dao test left them unable to comfort themselves anymore.

A firm dao heart, outstanding sword momentum.

This was simply a natural sword cultivator embryo!

The elders' gazes towards Ren Wencai were filled with shock, envy, jealousy, and hatred.

A red-faced elder slammed the teacup in his hand onto the table, saying sourly,

"Elder Ren, aren't you being unkind? Hiding one's abilities isn't done this way. Such a sword dao talent, and you actually let him remain dormant for three years? If he had been sent to the Inner Sect for focused cultivation earlier, he would probably be at the second realm by now."

The other elders also echoed their agreement.

What a joke, could they really let Ren Wencai act innocent after gaining an advantage?

Ren Wencai unhurriedly blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface of his tea, sighing,

"Junior Brothers and Sisters, calm down, calm down. As for Chengming, this child has an introverted personality and doesn't like to show off. This old man also let him settle for a few more years to temper his temperament. As for transferring to another peak..."

He chuckled: "That still depends on his own wishes. But I think Chengming is a good child who respects his teachers and values the Dao, and shouldn't easily change allegiance."

The elders looked at Ren Wencai's expression, each so angry their teeth ached, yet they were helpless.

Just then, Elder Gongsun Zhi, who was responsible for casting the "Sword Reflection Art," returned to the high platform.

Seeing this, the elders gathered around him one after another, wanting to inquire about the truth of Gu Chengming's sword intent from the person involved.

"Senior Brother Gongsun, exactly how was that kid's sword intent just now?"

"Yes, it looked grand and imposing, but was the foundation solid or not?"

However, facing everyone's questions, Gongsun Zhi acted somewhat strangely.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but the words reached his lips, and he swallowed them back.

Thus, under the puzzled gazes of the elders on the high platform, Elder Gongsun held it in for a long time, finally just letting out a long sigh, cupped his hands towards Ren Wencai, and said in a faint, lingering tone:

"Elder Ren, this disciple of yours is truly unique."

All the elders looked at each other in dismay.

Why that line again?

Old Zhao had the same deadpan expression just now, and now Old Zhi had the same deadpan expression.

What exactly did this Gu Chengming do in the test?