Chapter 186

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Chapter 186: Heart Refining Demon Trial Pills

On the platform stood two elders dressed in black and white, appearing rather peculiar.

"These are Shadowless Peak’s two guardian elders, Black Cloudzi and Bai Songzi. Their strength is unfathomable—only the Peak Master ranks above them," Chen Yang whispered urgently, fearing Ye Yun’s group might accidentally provoke the elders.

"The Peak Master must have reached the sixth level of Foundation Establishment by now," Wu Chenrong, newly appointed team leader, murmured gravely.

Chen Yang glared coldly. "Such matters aren’t for your inquiry. Remember—obey every command from the Black and White Elders without question. Nothing else concerns you."

Wu Chenrong’s face paled as he nodded.

Within Cloud Hall, dozens of outer disciples stood silently beneath the platform under their supervisors’ watch. All bowed their heads, scarcely daring to breathe.

"Guardian Elders, all assessment participants have arrived," announced a white-clad disciple with a bow.

The Black and White Elders exchanged nods. "Begin at once," rumbled Black Cloudzi.

With a heavy groan, Cloud Hall’s massive doors sealed shut.

"This character assessment tests your loyalty to the Heavenly Sword Sect," declared the white-clad disciple, hands clasped behind his back. "Whether you’ll prioritize the sect’s honor in all future deeds."

Disciples exchanged uneasy glances. How could inner loyalty be measured?

"Your doubts are expected," the disciple continued. "The sect provides this solution." He produced a jade bottle. "Swallow these testing pills, and our secret techniques will reveal your true allegiance."

Ye Yun frowned. Empty words—how could a pill expose hidden disloyalty?

"Elders, shall we proceed?" The disciple bowed toward the platform.

"Proceed," Bai Songzi commanded coldly.

Pills resembling yellow beans flew from the jade bottle, hovering before each disciple.

"Consume your Heart Refining Demon Trial Pills immediately."

Reactions varied—some gulped the pills instantly, others hesitated. A few outright refused.

Ye Yun examined the faintly glowing pill in his palm. Every instinct warned against swallowing it. Yet refusal meant failing to become an inner disciple… or worse. The platform elders could erase him from existence with a gesture.

"Brother Ye, what’s our move?" Yu Minghong whispered urgently.

Duan Chenfeng edged closer. "Do we eat these cursed things?"

Tian Zhu Peak disciples clustered around Ye Yun, ignoring their nominal leader Wu Chenrong. The fourth level Qi refining cultivator showed no resentment, joining the huddle.

Ye Yun studied ten anxious faces. "Choice? Refuse and face expulsion—or death. Swallow them." He popped the pill into his mouth. "Expect mental demons. Hold fast to your true selves."

Wu Chenrong nodded grimly. Duan Chenfeng followed suit. One by one, disciples consumed their pills.

The world’s hardest trials aren’t actions, but decisions—especially choosing rightly when trapped.

Ye Yun and the other Tian Zhu Peak disciples didn’t know whether taking the Heart Refining Demon Trial Pills was right or wrong, but they had no choice. All could do was swallow them.

Soon after Ye Yun and the others consumed the pills, seventy disciples complied. Only two refused, hurling their pills to the ground and stomping on them.

“Our loyalty to the Heavenly Sword Sect needs no pills to control! Black and White Elders, you’ve crushed our spirits with this!” one disciple roared.

The Black and White Elders showed no anger, as if accustomed to such defiance. Black Cloudzi merely waved his hand.

A sword arc flashed—swift as lightning—and the shouting disciple’s neck sprouted a crimson line. His head tumbled, eyes frozen in shock.

“You?” The white-clad disciple’s sword dripped blood as he calmly addressed the remaining rebel.

The disciple gaped, stunned the elders ordered their slaying over pill refusal. “I’ll take it! I fully obey the sect and elders!” he blurted, shoving the pill into his mouth.

“Wise choice,” the white-clad disciple sneered.

Ye Yun’s group shuddered. This character assessment demanded absolute obedience—disagree and die. No debates.

Their suspicions about the pills grew, but with seventy-one having consumed them, escape was impossible. Surely the sect wouldn’t waste disciples—the pills likely weren’t instantly lethal.

“Sit and meditate. Let the pill’s effects spread. You’ll witness rare visions of the cultivation path. Endure, and become Shadowless Peak’s inner disciples,” Black Cloudzi intoned.

All immediately sat. Ye Yun focused on his cultivation techniques, true qi flowing within him like a gentle brook.

“What visions? What sensations?” He waited, sensing nothing—until an icy stream surged against his true qi’s current, stabbing toward his heart.

Earsplitting shrieks erupted—demons wailing, women screaming, creatures screeching—all blending into deafening chaos.

A towering king materialized in his mind, radiating undeniable majesty. Ye Yun’s knees weakened with primal urge to kneel, to worship this eternal ruler.

Panic pierced his haze—kneeling meant eternal servitude. “No!” He fought to banish the king, but the figure loomed larger, sovereign will crushing his soul’s depths.

“Never!” Ye Yun trembled, drenched in sweat as his resistance faltered.

Then—a black and white light exploded between his brows.

Through fading consciousness, he glimpsed golden-armored warriors flooding the sky… and a carefree couple strolling hand-in-hand.