When Su Chan finished writing in his diary, the new information – that Ye Fan was now specifically targeting Ning Youxi and her Primordial Yin-Yang Body – spread silently to all the heroines. Learning about Ye Fan's cold, calculating plans for Ning Youxi stirred up strong feelings in them.
Fairy Peak – Ning Youxi's Troubled Heart
Ning Youxi felt a blush creep up her neck as she mentally read Su Chan's latest diary entry. The words "Primordial Yin-Yang Body" and Su Chan saying Ye Fan was targeting her, felt like a brand on her mind. So, it was true. Her special body, something she'd always sensed but never really understood, was what this awful Ye Fan was after.
Su Chan's earlier words echoed in her thoughts: "…his disgusting, manipulative plans to 'win her over,' which really means to trap, use, and then throw away…"
A strong feeling of disgust washed over her, making her feel a bit sick. "Never!" she thought fiercely. "I'd never fall for such a terrible person! How could I? He's nothing compared to… to…" Her thoughts suddenly jumped to Su Chan. His quiet strength, the serious way he carried himself now, how he seemed to be silently trying to protect them all. A strange, new warmth spread in her chest, a confusing but nice fluttery feeling. Why am I thinking about Second Senior Brother Su Chan like this? He just seems… different. And… he's actually quite good-looking when he's so serious…
Her eyes, almost on their own, drifted to Su Chan. He was calmly watching the plaza, his face sharp against the bright sky. A light blush appeared on her cheeks. She quickly looked away, her heart beating a little too fast, feeling shy and flustered. She stared hard at her hands, pretending the embroidery on her sleeves was the most interesting thing ever.
Fairy Peak – Fang Xin's Thawing Expression
Fang Xin also read Su Chan's diary. A cold anger towards Ye Fan settled in her. But when she looked at Su Chan, she felt something different. His calm determination, knowing what he knew, was… impressive. A very faint, rare smile touched her lips, like ice melting after a long winter. It made her usually cool, beautiful face look even more stunning.
She found herself watching Su Chan for a moment. He didn't seem to notice, his attention on the plaza below. He seemed to have a new, quiet intensity about him.
Su Chan, feeling someone watching him, turned slightly. He met Fang Xin's eyes and was surprised by the unusual softness he saw there. "Senior Sister?" he asked, a little confused. "Is… is there something on my face?" He touched his cheek.
Seeing him look a bit lost, Fang Xin's smile grew. "No, nothing's wrong, Junior Brother," she said, her voice a bit warmer than usual. "I was just thinking… you look particularly handsome today."
Su Chan blinked, then a real, warm smile spread across his face. "Thank you, Senior Sister," he said, a bit of his old shyness coming back. "But not as beautiful as you, of course."
"Hey! What are you two laughing about?" Lin Ruo'er, their Fourth Junior Sister, suddenly leaned in, her eyes bright and curious, pouting in a cute way. "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, tell me too! Are you talking about some handsome new disciple down there?"
Su Chan and Fang Xin looked at each other and smiled. It was nice to have a light moment. "Nothing like that, little sister," Fang Xin said, her usual calmness returning, though her eyes stayed warm. "We were just saying that the second test is about to start."
"Hmph!" Lin Ruo'er pouted, crossing her arms. "You're definitely hiding something! I'm not talking to you anymore!" She turned her head away, pretending to be mad, but her eyes were still playful.
Su Chan chuckled, and Fang Xin shook her head, smiling fondly. They both started to gently tease and coax their youngest sister, the familiar, easygoing chat of Fairy Peak briefly pushing away the heavier feelings from Ye Fan's schemes and Su Chan's diary.
Reactions of Other Heroines (Simplified):
Lan Xianyi (Holy Lord): Smiled thoughtfully. Things are getting more interesting. Su Chan keeps surprising me. That Primordial Yin-Yang Body will cause some waves.
Aan Chinner (Hundred Followers Holy Land): Felt even more disgusted with Ye Fan. So he just uses women? Horrible! She became more curious about Su Chan, who seemed to be the only one who knew Ye Fan's true colors from the start.
Shen Qingyu (Ice Lotus Peak Master): Her icy look deepened. Special bodies like Ning Youxi's and my disciple Leng Xiyan's Yin Divine Body need protection. Ye Fan is a threat.
Hua Yueli (Illusory Peak Master): Smiled like a cat. Oh, he's targeting a special physique! This is getting good! This diary is so much fun.
As the last few hopefuls finished their first test at the Qualification Test Stones, the Outer Sect Elder on the main platform stepped forward again. His voice, though tired, was still loud and clear.
"Aspirants who have proven you can cultivate!" he announced, looking at the smaller group on the right. "You've passed the first step. But to be a Tianshang Holy Land disciple, you need more than just raw talent. You need a strong spirit, a determined heart, and the willpower to face any challenge!"
He pointed to a large, empty circle in the middle of the plaza. As he spoke, glowing symbols appeared on the ground, forming a big, complicated pattern that pulsed with a strange, misty energy. "This is the Illusion Heart Formation! Your second test will challenge your mind and your determination!"
"All disciples who passed the first test, enter the formation now! The rule is simple: get out of the formation's illusions within one hour. If you do, you've proven your heart is strong enough. You will then officially become Outer Disciples of our Tianshang Holy Land!"
A nervous but excited buzz went through the qualified group. An illusion test! They were famous for being tough, able to trap even strong-willed people in confusing mind-games.
Following the attendants' directions, the group, including Ye Fan, started walking into the glowing circle. When the last person was inside, the Outer Sect Elder made some quick, complicated hand movements. With a final, deep hum, the symbols of the Illusion Heart Formation blazed brightly, and a shimmering, hazy wall of energy rose up, trapping all the aspirants inside a dome of swirling, unreal light. From outside, no one could see what was happening inside the illusion.
The Elder then turned to the crowd. "The trial has begun. We will wait for the results."
A deep quiet fell over the plaza. Everyone stared at the shimmering, mysterious dome.
Time passed slowly. Five minutes. Then six. You could almost feel the tension in the air. Many people in the crowd who had family or friends inside the formation looked worried, their hands clasped, lips moving in silent prayers.
Suddenly, only seven minutes after the formation had closed, someone stumbled out of the shimmering barrier. He looked a bit dazed, like he was shaking off a bad dream, but otherwise, he seemed okay.
It was Ye Fan.
A gasp went through the crowd. Seven minutes! The Illusion Heart Formation was designed to test people for up to an hour. To get out so quickly was amazing!
The Outer Sect Elder in charge of the formation stared at Ye Fan, truly surprised. "You… you're out already?" he exclaimed. "Incredible! Your Dao Heart must be incredibly strong, your will like iron!"
Ye Fan quickly put on a humble expression. "I was just lucky, Elder," he said respectfully. "The illusions were tough, but I managed to stay focused and see through them."
Inside, though, he was grinning. "Thank you, Master," he thought. "If you hadn't used your soul power to break those illusions for me, I'd still be stuck in that confusing nightmare of my past failures and fears."
"Hmph, a simple illusion like that is nothing for me, even now," the Saint King's voice replied smugly in his mind. "But don't get cocky, Little Fan. Focus on your cultivation. Real strength is the only thing you can truly rely on."
As Ye Fan stepped aside to wait for others, his quick success had already caused a big stir. People started whispering about his "amazing willpower" and "unbreakable Dao Heart," quickly building up his image as a surprising talent.
High on the Fairy Peak platform, Su Chan watched Ye Fan come out, not surprised at all. He knew from the novel that Ye Fan's ring grandpa would help him pass this test easily. It was just another moment for the Son of Destiny to look good. Su Chan wasn't interested in stopping these small, flashy displays. He was focused on the bigger prizes, the real opportunities Ye Fan was supposed to get. This was just a minor show.