"645…644…639…"
One after another, the figures of his classmates appeared before Qian Shen. Though their forms were indistinct, the scores hovering above their heads were crystal clear.
"680, 690, 660…"
Each score was so high, so dazzling, that Qian Shen felt utterly inadequate in comparison.
Standing among them, he felt like a bag of wet garbage.
"With my measly 600 points, I don't deserve to be here. I don't deserve to speak to them, let alone stand near them…"
In his eyes, the scores above his classmates' heads kept rising, and their figures grew taller and taller, like towering giants. Soon, he could only see their legs, their faces completely out of view.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the exhibition, Li Xingyu's drone from Mangshan High School traced a path through the air, heading steadily toward the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*. But with a sharp crack, the drone malfunctioned and crashed to the ground.
"Those contract-bound soul cultivators from Mangshan High shouldn't even bother," Li Xuelian murmured, her gaze shifting away from the drone and back to the other students.
"It's a pity. Most of the students here today are freshmen. To truly master the techniques in the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*, sophomores and seniors would have a better chance."
"But then again, most of the top students in those grades either don't meet the age requirements or are already bound by contracts. They wouldn't be looking for a master now."
Just then, the radiant figure of the Songyang City director from Xianyun Group approached Li Xuelian with a smile. "The *Heavenly Martial Diagram* truly lives up to its reputation as a masterpiece by Master Xinghuo. It's utterly profound. But what exactly is it testing?"
Li Xuelian didn't answer directly. Instead, she said calmly, "The first test of the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* is the Dao Heart."
"Those who can't withstand it will be forced to retreat, often leaving cracks in their Dao Heart."
...
Zhao Tianxing felt the weight of countless scornful and mocking gazes around him. His body instinctively stepped back, retreating from the influence of the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*.
When he finally regained his senses, he realized that the "entire crowd staring" and the "mocking eyes" were nothing more than illusions conjured by the diagram.
Understanding that he had failed the test, his face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly retreated further, hoping no one would notice the security guard who had just humiliated himself.
...
Back at the exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, "If one can pass this first test, it will temper their Dao Heart."
"The level of one's Dao Heart is something most cultivators improve through mental cultivation techniques."
"Different techniques require different mindsets to align with them."
"For example, ancient deity-worship techniques demand absolute devotion. The more devout the practitioner, the more effective the technique."
"Or take the *Diligence Technique* from Ziyun High School. It requires the practitioner to push themselves to the limit, making hard work second nature to unleash its full potential."
"Then there's the basic *Tranquil Mind Technique* for high school students, which emphasizes calmness and patience, requiring a mindset of silent endurance and steady progress."
"There are countless techniques to improve the Dao Heart, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. But the key lies in whether the practitioner's mindset aligns with the technique."
"Yet, the mind is elusive. What someone truly thinks, whether their mindset truly aligns with the technique, is often unclear—not just to others, but even to themselves."
"Fortunately, the stronger the Dao Heart, the stronger the willpower. Measuring the strength of the Dao Heart through willpower has become the simplest method."
"But the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* doesn't just test the strength of willpower to determine the strength of the Dao Heart."
"The *Heavenly Martial Diagram* targets the fears within, striking directly at the weaknesses of the heart. It doesn't give practitioners the chance to resist with their techniques, testing their most genuine reactions."
"Only by adjusting one's mindset in the face of these fears can one overcome their weaknesses and pass the test."
The Songyang City director's eyes lit up. "I see. Master Xinghuo is looking for a disciple with a flexible mind—someone who can worship different deities when practicing deity-worship techniques, or who can balance hard work and relaxation when practicing the *Diligence Technique*."
Li Xuelian nodded. "It's good if one's mindset aligns with their technique. But true genius lies in the ability to adapt one's mindset to changing circumstances and techniques, to not be bound by them."
"Especially in this era of rapid development, where the Ten Great Sects influence every aspect of society, and the entire Kunxu is undergoing dramatic changes. If one's mindset can't adapt, they'll be left behind."
"Take modern cultivation, for example. Exams and scores are indispensable, deeply ingrained in every cultivator's life."
"Thus, modern cultivators naturally develop an obsession with exams and scores."
"Having excellent scores and a strong fixation on them can make a top student's willpower unshakable, making it easier to improve their Dao Heart level."
"But this is also a weakness. There's always someone better. Many top students are brimming with confidence when they're at the top, but when they fall behind, they're consumed by self-doubt."
"To overcome this weakness, cultivators must learn to adapt their mindset flexibly. That's the key to passing the test."
"Once, a student in the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* repeatedly experienced failing exams. Eventually, they overcame their fear of low scores and developed a mindset of defiance."
...
Lian Tianji listened to the teacher announcing the grades on the podium and suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha, since I've become the last-place loser, I'll start over from scratch."
"From today on, I'm the worst, the lowest-ranked loser."
"But even as a loser, I have the chance to surpass all of you and claim the top spot."
"I will become the number one in my grade!"
As he conquered his inner fears, he felt as though he had returned to the exhibition. The *Heavenly Martial Diagram* before him grew clearer and clearer.
...
Li Xuelian continued, "Kunxu has 36 layers above ground and 18 layers below. Each layer is a world of its own. Whether human or immortal, everyone is divided into ranks. This hierarchy is ingrained in the bones of every cultivator, influencing their deepest thoughts."
"Once, a student in the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* endured layers of oppression from countless people and eventually developed a mindset of resignation."
...
Qian Shen watched as the giants with scores far beyond his own grew taller and taller, their faces becoming indistinct.
Only the scores above their heads continued to rise, glowing with a blinding light.
He tried to keep up, but it was futile.
As the giants grew more exaggeratedly tall and their scores soared, his emotions shifted from tension to fear, then from fear to despair, until finally, he felt nothing but numbness.
He lay down on the ground, no longer looking at the giants.
"Fine."
"I won't chase after them anymore."
"As long as I can cultivate, even if I can't compare to anyone else… as long as I can cultivate, that's enough."
As if waking from a dream, Qian Shen opened his eyes and looked at the exhibition and the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* before him, a glimmer of understanding in his gaze.
...
At the exhibition, the Songyang City director from Xianyun Group listened to Li Xuelian's analysis and agreed, "The evolution of thought is inseparable from the influence of the times."
He speculated, "In today's society, where everyone is entangled in debt, wouldn't that also be reflected in the trials of the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*?"
"Indeed," Li Xuelian nodded. "Once, a student faced the terror of repaying their cultivation debts in the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* and ended up developing a mindset of evasion."
...
Bai Zhenzhen crouched in terror as the debt-collecting thunder rumbled in the sky.
"Wait! I'll pay it back!"
"I'll pay it back, okay?"
"Don't strike me!"
She quickly opened her phone to check her accounts, trying to see how much she owed and how much she could repay.
"800,000?!"
The first loan platform made her heart sink.
Then the second platform showed a debt of 1.2 million, sending cold sweat pouring down her back.
2 million… 5 million… 8 million…
As the total debt in her mind kept growing, her hand holding the phone grew weak and fell to her side.
A debt of 8 million—such an enormous amount for a high school student would either lead to complete collapse or…
Bai Zhenzhen suddenly lay down on the ground and shouted at the thunder in the sky, "Go ahead and strike me dead!"
"If you strike me dead, the 8 million will vanish."
Seeing that the thunder didn't strike, she added, "Either strike me dead and erase the 8 million, or help me find some work so I can earn money to pay it back."
As the thunder gradually dissipated, the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* reappeared before Bai Zhenzhen.
Watching the martial arts being demonstrated within, she felt a sudden sense of enlightenment.
...
At the exhibition, Li Xuelian sighed. "Whether it's defiance, resignation, or evasion, these are just states of mind used to resist pressure. While they can temper one's willpower and Dao Heart, the future ultimately depends on how one navigates reality."
"After all, this is only the first test of the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*, just a threshold."
She recalled her own high school days when her father had tested her Dao Heart.
Back then, her greatest fear was her father. Under his relentless pressure, she rebelled and developed a mindset of fierce filial piety. After awakening, she extracted every bit of resources from her father, and her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.
But not long after, the pressures of real life and her father's actions made her regain her respect and admiration for him.
The Songyang City director nodded slightly, knowing that Li Xuelian was right. The effects of such Dao Heart tests were only temporary.
After all, the human mind is constantly changing. How could the influence of a mere Dao Heart test withstand the long-term impact of the real world?
Li Xuelian continued, "After overcoming the first test and conquering one's fears, the real enlightenment begins."
"And after enlightenment, whether one can truly master the techniques is another matter entirely."
The director nodded, understanding that overcoming fear, comprehending the diagram, and mastering the martial arts were the three stages of the *Heavenly Martial Diagram*.
"How many of the students here do you think can master it?"
Li Xuelian glanced at the students and shook her head. "I doubt even one will succeed."
...
When Zhang Yu saw the figure in the *Heavenly Martial Diagram* gradually become clearer and begin demonstrating a set of martial arts, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10."
Zhang Yu was stunned. "Wait… I'm trying to comprehend the diagram. Isn't that the same as working hard to get into a good university?"
But the chill couldn't respond. It simply continued the countdown.
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 9."
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 8."
Zhang Yu had no choice but to sit down and try to meditate, hoping to stop the countdown.
As he began to meditate, the chill gradually dissipated, and the countdown stopped.
"This stupid ritual…"
Just as Zhang Yu was cursing the ritual's power while meditating, another surge of chill rose within him.
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10."
Hearing this new countdown, Zhang Yu was shocked.
"Wait… I'm trying to cultivate here."
"Why is there another countdown?"
"What's wrong with this stupid ritual?"
Zhang Yu stopped meditating to test it, but the chill and countdown didn't disappear. Instead, another chill and countdown began.
With two countdowns echoing in his head, Zhang Yu finally understood.
"There are two countdowns?"
"Is one of them fake?"
(End of chapter...)
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