Chapter 669

Chapter 669: Changes in the Deceptive Array

Late at night, Ye Yun watched Jin An attempt to pass the stone tablet for the tenth time. Each attempt lasted barely the time it took for an incense stick to burn before he retreated. Ye Yun smiled and comforted him, "Jin An, there’s no need to push yourself this hard. Rest before trying again."

"No, Senior. I can’t waste such a rare training opportunity," Jin An replied with a tired smile.

"I agree with Senior. This isn’t about brute repetition. Those black-armored soldiers are as strong as Third or Fourth Level Nascent Soul cultivators, and there are so many. I don’t even know how to get through," Golden Ling’er added, worry lacing her voice.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jin An approached Ye Yun. "Senior, how did *you* pass?"

"Me?" Ye Yun paused, then answered plainly, "I killed every last one until none remained."

"So there’s no shortcut…" Jin An sighed, shoulders slumping.

Though he’d known the answer deep down, hearing it crushed his remaining hope. The gap between them felt insurmountable—Ye Yun, younger yet capable of slaughtering an entire layer, while Jin An struggled to kill even one soldier. His fists clenched. Was this the chasm between genius and mediocrity?

"If you desire strength, hold firm to your resolve. Chasms exist to be crossed," Ye Yun said, noting Jin An’s despair.

"Then I’ll… keep trying," Jin An muttered, glancing at Ye Yun. The latter’s calm humility stood in stark contrast to the arrogant geniuses he’d met from major sects. Talent alone couldn’t bridge this gap—it was mindset.

—

"Ye Yun, why haven’t you entered the stone tablet’s second layer?" The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice echoed in his mind, having checked for fire poison flare-ups.

"Considering shortcuts. Breaking through layers without exhausting myself would be ideal."

"Naive!" the Ancestor snapped. "You think the array’s creator left loopholes? These formations use rare materials—they’re flawless!"

"Still worth trying," Ye Yun countered. "What if I channel a wisp of the Purple Shadow Divine Sword’s intelligence into the array?"

"Foolish! Trials demand fairness. Weapons defeat the purpose," the Ancestor retorted.

"Worst case, the array ejects me. I’ll just restart."

—

Jin An staggered as dizziness struck during his next attempt. The stone tablet rejected him, leaving him grounded.

"Your soul’s exhausted. Rest," Ye Yun advised.

"But Brother, we already got a supreme Immortal artifact! Why push further?" Golden Ling’er pleaded.

"Fine," Jin An relented, frustration gnawing at him. Countless attempts, yet no progress.

Sitting cross-legged, he resolved: *Reach Second Level Nascent Soul or perish.* He channeled wood spiritual power through his meridians, ignoring the searing pain as veins threatened to rupture. Without heavenly materials to aid healing, this gamble could cripple him—but Ye Yun’s example spurred him on.

Dawn found Jin An collapsed, meridians mangled yet brimming with power.

"He succeeded," Ye Yun noted, sensing the stabilized energy.

"Luck," grumbled the Ancestor, secretly funneling soul power to mend Jin An’s body. "Never seen you help before," Ye Yun remarked.

"Quiet. He’s my half-disciple now," the Ancestor huffed.

Nearby, Golden Ling’er pouted, cultivating alone after being ignored.

—

Ye Yun approached the stone tablet, Purple Shadow Divine Sword in hand. As spiritual energy flowed, the cold voice intoned: "Second layer begins…"

Cracked earth stretched before him. Distant roars shook the ground—a horde of high-level trolls charged.

*Did the array read my thoughts?* Ye Yun grimaced, tightening his grip on the sword. Above, hidden eyes watched. Rules bent, but two could play that game—his blade gleamed, a smuggled wildcard in this trial.