Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Martyrdom

The further he went, the more frequently heart demons emerged.

There were even several instances where a wave of despair and helplessness nearly consumed Li Jizhou.

Fortunately, his goal in this life was so steadfast,

As long as he lived one more day, he could accumulate a little more Spirit Root for the next life!

Under this firm goal, his determination to not die in this enigmatic secret realm was so strong.

Finally, just as Li Jizhou, aged and unable to move his arms, was about to close his eyes from exhaustion,

The figure of Xu Jiuge appeared not far away.

Along with him came the long-awaited coastline!

——-

Opening his eyes once more,

It was still the previous Heart Inquiry Hall.

The other twelve people were just like him, having just opened their eyes.

In the instant they opened their eyes, some looked bewildered, some in pain, some in despair, and some…ashen-faced.

“The mountains are easy to cross, but the heart’s sea is hard to navigate; cultivation is like an ocean, only self-crossing can succeed!” Xu Jiuge’s voice resounded again.

This voice gradually reinstated the feeling of endless years passing that everyone experienced while crossing the heart’s sea.

Everyone gradually became clear-headed,

And then, they all sincerely bowed deeply to Xu Jiuge from the bottom of their hearts.

There was no surprise, this test of perseverance allowed everyone to undergo a questioning of their own Dao heart.

No matter how they ultimately performed, all thirteen people had gained a deeper understanding of their path of cultivation to varying degrees.

“The second trial is over, sit down and rest here, the third trial will commence tomorrow!” This time there were unexpectedly no penalties.

It was unclear whether everyone had performed sufficiently or if this trial was inherently an exercise in tempering the mind.

After Xu Jiuge left, the thirteen did not act as restlessly as before, but rather sat cross-legged, appearing very composed.

Many were even continuing to digest some of the insights from the heart’s sea trial.

Li Jizhou glanced at the now-vanished bookshelf and the puppet warriors, and then sat down cross-legged where he was, closing his eyes to meditate.

———-

“Dong dong dong~” The next morning, three urgent chimes of a bell.

Xu Jiuge appeared hurriedly in the hall.

“The great calamity is approaching, the trial is over, you must leave at once!”

“Fearing entanglement, I will erase your knowledge of the sea!”

“Return from whence you came!”

The unexpected turn of events left the thirteen staring at each other with wide eyes.

Li Jizhou also cautiously watched Xu Jiuge, unable to understand whether this was a new trial or something else.

“Alas, I shouldn’t have taken in disciples when I knew there was a calamity coming.”

“It’s all my fault! All my fault!” Xu Jiuge continued to mutter to himself.

Suddenly, a flash of determination appeared in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, and he stood up with a clasped fist, saying, “Senior, upon entering Thunder Flame Sect, our initial resolve has not changed!”

Upon hearing this, Li Jizhou secretly nodded, as this was also his thinking.

Perhaps this was a trial regarding their initial resolve, though he was unwilling to be the first to step forward.

“Hmm?” Xu Jiuge slowly turned his head to look at Ye Jingyu.

“You voluntarily choose to live and die with the Thunder Flame Sect knowing that great calamity is imminent?

Knowing certain death, are you still willing to sacrifice yourself for the sect?”

“Gulp~” Seeing the authenticity in Xu Jiuge’s demeanor, Ye Jingyu felt a tightness in his heart.

He was instantly unsure if this was indeed a trial of Xu Jiuge.

Sacrifice himself for the sect?

How could they possibly entertain such thoughts?

Seeing Ye Jingyu not respond, Xu Jiuge’s gaze scanned the others.

“Are you all willing to live and die with the Thunder Flame Sect, to sacrifice yourselves for the sect?”

The others were similarly hesitant.

“Reporting to Senior, my aptitude is dull, and the past two trials proved my mindset still requires tempering; I do not consider myself qualified to join your sect, I just… If I give up now, can… can my life be spared?” Finally, someone could not hold back, timidly asking.

At this moment, the surviving thirteen no longer harbored thoughts of gaining opportunities but only wished to leave alive.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiuge shook his head with a look of compassion: “I have already said that this trial is over, and with the great calamity imminent, no more disciples will be accepted. You may leave. Only your knowledge of the sea will be erased to prevent entanglement.”

“Truly?”

“I am willing to leave!”

“I want to leave too!”

Several people quickly replied.

Xu Jiuge nodded, then waved his large hand.

“Whoosh~”

Those who had just said they wanted to leave disappeared without a trace.

“Does anyone else wish to leave?”

The remaining people looked at each other.

Ye Jingyu quickly looked towards Li Jizhou, evidently ready to follow his lead!

At this moment, Li Jizhou was also somewhat undecided.

He couldn’t discern Xu Jiuge’s intentions.

Did the ones who just left truly return safely to the mine, only having their memories erased?

Or would they vanish forever?

His brows furrowed deeply,

In such a mysterious realm, nothing could be judged by common sense.

At this moment, he truly couldn’t make a decision.

“Brother Li, guide me!” suddenly, Ye Jingyu transmitted his voice.

Li Jizhou silently shook his head.

“Is there no one else who wishes to leave?” Xu Jiuge’s voice rang out once more.

“This junior also wishes to leave!”

“I want to leave too!”

Recalling the slaughter in the plaza upon arrival and the grim scene within the Heart Inquiry Hall, the remaining few stood up as well.

“Hmm.” Xu Jiuge still wore an expressionless face, waving his large hand.

Li Jizhou couldn’t capture any hint from Xu Jiuge’s demeanor or actions.

Ultimately, only Li Jizhou, Ye Jingyu, and Yang Yutong, who clung tightly to Ye Jingyu, were left.

“You three truly wish to live and die with my Thunder Flame Sect, to sacrifice yourselves for the sect?” Xu Jiuge asked the three solemnly.

Ye Jingyu’s heart palpitated again, and he secretly glanced at Li Jizhou.

Li Jizhou observed in silence, exuding an air of meditative composure like a seasoned monk, though internally he was a bundle of nerves.

“I am asking you a question!” Xu Jiuge seemed to be losing his patience, his brow slightly furrowing.

Ye Jingyu shivered slightly, seeing Li Jizhou still unresponsive, and had no choice but to quickly stand: “This junior is willing!”

Li Jizhou hurriedly observed Xu Jiuge.

Saw Xu Jiuge’s face bloom with a benevolent smile, nodding approvingly.

“You have a good heart! On behalf of the Thunder Flame Sect, I thank you!”

“And you?” he finished, looking at Li Jizhou and Yang Yutong.

Yang Yutong glanced at Ye Jingyu, quickly saying, “Senior, this junior is willing!”

“Hmm, you have a good heart!”

Finally, the three turned their gaze to Li Jizhou.

“This junior is willing!” Li Jizhou slowly stood and clasped his fists.

“Good, good, very good! Though the Thunder Flame Sect faces its downfall, to earn the earnest loyalty of you three disciples brings comfort to my heart.”

“However, it is all the more reason I cannot bear to watch you be buried with the Thunder Flame Sect.” Xu Jiuge looked into the distance, sighing.

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the three eased instantly.

Moments ago, they had feared Xu Jiuge might actually have them sacrifice for the sect.

“Since it has come to this point, allow me to present you with an opportunity, should you achieve something in the future, rebuilding my Thunder Flame Sect would be a worthy endeavor.”

Ye Jingyu and Yang Yutong secretly rejoiced.

Li Jizhou, however, was somewhat dazed.

Until now, he still hadn’t figured out if this counted as the final trial of testing their initial resolve.

“Come, here are three opportunities, each take one.”

“Whether you can obtain this opportunity depends on your own fate.”

“Should you gain this opportunity, your memory of this place will endure; if not, it’s all right…”

With that, Xu Jiuge waved his hand, and three jade tablets hovered before Li Jizhou and the other two.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep