Why did it feel somewhat wrong?

The moment this thought crossed Hengxu Zhenren’s mind, he saw Fudao Shanren finish muttering that phrase and turn around.

Stuffing the chicken leg into his mouth, he already wore a smugly wretched expression.

“Hahaha, how about that? My disciple is amazing, right? Ah, finally broke through. Good, good—saves him from being scorned by disciples under you people. Now he can also visit the Fourth Heaven Tablet, so his life won’t be in vain!”

“…”

Hengxu Zhenren and Elder Pang Dian were completely speechless upon hearing this.

What about Fudao Shanren seeming somewhat off?

Nonsense!

Pure illusion—that’s just how his broken mouth works!

Through the misty clouds, Hengxu Zhenren could already hear the boiling voices outside, saying only: “Each younger generation has their own opportunities. Everything follows fate. Now with the small assembly’s third trial imminent, Brother Fudao…”

“Right!”

Suddenly slapping his forehead with a “smack,” Fudao Shanren seemed to finally remember: “You all made me forget with your commotion! Since you’re here and the second trial is over, my little Jian Chou!”

“Ai!”

Pang Dian still had questions, but looking up, he saw Fudao Shanren had already vanished.

Carrying his chicken leg, his departing figure was utterly shameless, calling out in a voice so nauseating it made people want to get goosebumps: “Jian Chou, little Jian Chou, did you get first place?”

On the sea of clouds plaza, Jian Chou, who had barely exchanged a few words with Zhou Chengjiang, heard this voice carrying from the Palace of All Heavens and immediately felt her scalp explode.

“Jian Chou, little Jian Chou…”

The intimate address carried a completely inappropriate tone.

Who else but Fudao Shanren?

Under Zhou Chengjiang’s stunned gaze, Jian Chou’s face stiffened with an expression of having nothing left to live for as she turned toward the source of the voice.

Sure enough, Fudao Shanren held a chicken leg, hopping and skipping, quickly arriving before her.

“Girl Jian Chou!”

“Disciple greets Master.”

Forcibly suppressing her inner twitching, Jian Chou bowed in salute.

Fudao Shanren glanced at Zhou Chengjiang beside her, seeming puzzled why he was there, but his peripheral vision swept up to see that massive Heaven-Reaching Platform floating above, like a giant island suspended in the sky.

“Seems there’s no higher Heaven-Reaching Platform than this one. You took first place this time?”

Originally Jian Chou had only a dozen or so Heaven-Reaching Platforms, now transformed into a terrifying forty-four, almost instantly leaping from middle-tier level to the peak.

Tang Buye deserved most of the credit for this.

The saying “making wedding clothes for others” probably described him perfectly.

Jian Chou replied truthfully: “Second in dragon sinew, first in Heaven-Reaching Platforms.”

Xia Houshe had single-handedly slain a black dragon, obtaining six zhang of dragon sinew, while Jian Chou’s group collectively got six zhang with her receiving only two zhang. But in Heaven-Reaching Platform numbers, Jian Chou far exceeded the others.

In terms of dragon sinew, naturally Xia Houshe was first.

“That’s fine.”

Jian Chou expected Fudao Shanren to be somewhat unhappy, but unexpectedly he showed a completely unconcerned expression: “The third trial tests heart and luck. The amount of dragon sinew doesn’t much matter—at most it provides a few more choices.”

“There’s an effect?”

Jian Chou immediately caught the meaning in Fudao Shanren’s words.

Fudao Shanren chuckled and actually produced a chicken leg, remarkably handing it to Jian Chou: “Come, come, when your junior brothers were about to have their decisive battle, they also ate one to replenish themselves. As for what effect it has, hmph, you’ll know when the time comes.”

The greasy chicken leg fell into her palm.

Hearing Fudao Shanren’s words, Jian Chou’s mind couldn’t process this for the first time.

Staring somewhat dumbly at Fudao Shanren, then looking at the chicken leg in her hand with a bizarre expression, she stammered: “Master, I… you… chicken leg…”

Master gave her a chicken leg?

Didn’t he always hate others coveting his legs—no, chicken legs?

The sun was rising in the west, pigs would climb trees, Fudao Shanren was giving people chicken legs!

Zhou Chengjiang’s gaze grew even stranger: the current Jian Chou was slightly different from the Jian Chou in battle.

He said nothing, unable to interject anyway.

After all, he wasn’t from Cliff Mountain, and Fudao Shanren had no intention of acknowledging him, so he was happy to pretend he didn’t exist.

Fudao Shanren felt nothing was wrong, waving his hand after stuffing the chicken leg: “Your junior brothers have all eaten them. This lifetime, this is probably the only time, unless this mountain man’s head gets kicked by a donkey in the future. Eat up and get ready quickly. Hehe, the third trial is waiting for you.”

Oh.

So this chicken leg was a reward for disciples participating in the assembly throughout history?

This…

Jian Chou couldn’t help thinking of the nine-section bamboo Fudao Shanren had casually given her earlier. These gifts were always… hard to describe.

Looking at the chicken leg in her hand—tender with a slightly scorched red color, the skin already gleaming with greasy luster—just holding it, she could smell the rich aroma.

Having long been curious about Fudao Shanren’s chicken legs, Jian Chou buried her head and took a bite.

Zhou Chengjiang watched her curiously.

The next moment, Jian Chou’s expression changed: “Delicious!”

The chicken leg was fresh, fragrant, and plump, with meat that was firm yet perfectly roasted to crispy softness. One bite through the scorched red skin released rich, mellow flavor throughout her mouth.

No wonder Fudao Shanren ate wherever he went!

Eyes brightening, Jian Chou looked up, wanting to ask where this chicken leg was made.

But unexpectedly, before she could speak, Fudao Shanren was already looking back: Hengxu Zhenren in gray-white dao robes was slowly approaching from the Palace of All Heavens.

Fudao Shanren said: “The third trial is about to begin. Keep eating.”

After speaking, he directly turned toward the plaza’s center.

The massive Kunwu sea of clouds plaza floated at the place closest to heaven.

The central position showed an ancient, deep gray color, as if the stones in the middle had been scorched by something. Ancient circular totems covered the central thirty zhang distance.

Sword-shaped reliefs with hilts pointing outward and tips inward were pieced together across the entire totem, immediately creating magnificent sword intent.

Hengxu Zhenren glanced at Jian Chou and Zhou Chengjiang from afar, then stopped before this totem, smiling: “Indeed first place. Happy now?”

“Naturally happy. This session will definitely be won by our Cliff Mountain’s girl Jian Chou. Only pity for your Kunwu—though sharing fame with our Cliff Mountain, you don’t even have one disciple entering the third trial. Truly shameful.”

Fudao Shanren’s scar-rubbing was quite vicious.

But Hengxu Zhenren wasn’t angry: Gu Qingmei and Xie Ding had both been major championship contenders, unfortunately both falling to Jian Chou’s hands. Skill was inferior—nothing more to say.

“Victory and defeat are common in warfare, nothing to mind. Time is short, and I’m quite looking forward to the third trial.”

“Fine, let you see what unlimited potential and unlimited combat power mean.”

Fudao Shanren’s evaluation of Jian Chou wasn’t boastful. He snorted, standing in place and waving his hand.

Instantly, the entire hundred-zhang sea of clouds plaza shook.

Sect masters and elders from various major sects standing on the plaza almost immediately felt it.

“Crack…”

The first sound—everyone’s stone-slab ground beneath their feet suddenly split apart.

A circular crack suddenly appeared three zhang outside the totem, then the ground outside the crack suddenly swelled, expanding outward violently, immediately dividing the sea of clouds plaza into inner and outer sections, like cutting a “circle” from within a square.

The totem was right in the center of the circular small plaza.

What was this for?

Almost everyone had this doubt in their minds.

Countless people originally below, those who could fly or use flying instruments, couldn’t help floating up to see more clearly.

Fudao Shanren’s hand movements didn’t stop, striking out another palm.

“Crack crack crack…”

The remaining circular piece directly shattered into six blocks. With a gust of wind, they immediately flipped upright, forming six ten-zhang stone gates distributed in six directions.

Except for a long sword carving inserted from above, the stone gates bore no patterns, appearing simple and plain.

The center surrounded by the six stone gates retained a suspended ten-zhang platform—the totem’s very center.

Anyone entering through a stone gate and pushing it open could see that platform.

Seeing these stone gates, Jian Chou recalled the gates she had encountered before.

Presumably like the previous Misty Sky and Kong Hai, these would be their main “battlefield” for the third trial.

She just didn’t know what surprises Fudao Shanren would give everyone, and exactly how they related to the dragon sinew…

“Dong!”

The bronze bell atop Kunwu main peak finally rang again.

Fudao Shanren and Hengxu Zhenren stood near the Palace of All Heavens’ steps, countless people stood on the outer plaza, while the six great gates in the middle formed their own entity, with everyone’s attention focused on them.

“Six trial entrants, all come up to the sea of clouds.”

Fudao Shanren called out loudly.

The cultivators on Heaven-Reaching Platforms below immediately flew up, landing on the plaza.

Jian Chou, already above, walked over, standing not far before Fudao Shanren and Hengxu Zhenren. To her right stood Xia Houshe first, then Young Master Ruhua, Jiang Wenchao, Xiao Jin, and Zuoliu in order.

The six people bowed toward the two ahead: “Greetings to Zhenren and Elder.”

Hengxu smiled slightly, indicating no need for ceremony.

Fudao Shanren also smiled, then surveyed the surroundings, discovering that even at this precarious height of the sea of clouds plaza, a group of cultivators had fearlessly flown up on instruments, forming a dark circle around them—quite lively indeed.

“The small assembly’s first and second trials are past, the third trial is now ready. Those who reached this step are all future great cultivators and young talents of our Central Domain. Given that all six young friends have considerable cultivation, to avoid unnecessary casualties, this final trial will not involve direct combat between disciples.”

“Ah?”

“This is possible?”

“What does this mean?”

“Was still thinking Cliff Mountain’s Senior Martial Uncle was definitely first this time, others couldn’t compare, didn’t expect this change?”

“No direct combat—could it be literary competition?”

…

This statement immediately caused discussion, with everyone clearly having no idea how this would work.

Fudao Shanren told everyone to remain calm, then using these six gates as a starting point, completely revealed the third trial’s rules.

“These gates are called the Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect.”

“Those who knock and enter must hold lawless, heavenless, constant-less, stability-less dragon veins—the dragon sinew from the second trial.”

“Using dragon sinew as guide, those entering these gates will see things ordinary people cannot see, mysteriously extraordinary; upon exiting, they will gain an external incarnation illusion.”

“External illusions differ from external incarnations—they are half-phantoms maintaining half an hour of combat power but cannot last long, nor do they truly exist.”

“Illusions are conjured by the Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect based on the entrant’s experiences, observations, and choices within the gates. Perhaps they relate to your karma, your obsessions, your beliefs, your past and future, your loves and hates… even…”

Here, Fudao Shanren suddenly paused, then smiled evilly.

“They may be completely unrelated.”

Everyone was listening intently, then collectively rolled their eyes.

Jian Chou frowned upon hearing this: factors affecting external illusions were too numerous—what exactly would the resulting illusions be like?

As if understanding everyone’s confusion, Fudao Shanren didn’t drag things out, continuing: “The illusion’s strength has little relation to one’s own strength. This trial’s battles will be completed by the illusions you summon. Those responsible for combat might be some belief in your heart, might be your past self, present self, or future self, might be your opposite, or might be others or things that once intersected with you…”

“The Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect—lawless, heavenless, constant-less, stability-less. This trial is quite clever.”

Hengxu Zhenren, hearing this explanation and seeing the six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect ahead, showed considerable strange admiration.

But around them was complete silence.

No one expected the third trial to be such a unique existence.

Having trial disciples enter the Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect to summon their illusions for battle, while saying “illusion strength has little relation to one’s own strength”—meaning current combat power was useless!

Who knew what kind of illusion would fight for you?

Indeed lawless, heavenless, constant-less, stability-less, even unpredictable and uncontrollable!

This…

Wasn’t this specifically designed to trap one’s own disciples?

Actually, because Cliff Mountain’s Senior Martial Uncle Jian Chou’s combat power was too high, already showing near-crushing strength in the second trial—probably able to beat three people without dying—the final trial likely had no one who could surpass her. So everyone had basically predicted the third trial’s outcome and become somewhat disinterested.

But now Fudao Shanren threw this bombshell at Kunwu, immediately livening up the entire main peak.

Professional disciple-trapping!

If comparing illusions, who could confirm Jian Chou’s summoned illusion would be strongest among everyone?

Too many factors affected summoned illusions, and illusion choices were too numerous. Everyone was certainly seeing the Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect for the first time, all at the same starting line.

Were these final trial rules fair?

Unfair?

No one could say clearly.

The only unquestionable thing was: enthusiasm had returned!

Though these six people might have some luck involved, their abilities were all top-tier among their peers.

What changes would these six experience after entering the Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect?

Everyone immediately became expectant.

Moreover…

The candidate who could finally ascend the Single Person Platform was completely full of suspense!

No one could predict what their illusion would be like, much less compare strengths. In some sense, it truly was as Fudao Shanren said—”testing heart and luck.”

After careful consideration, Jian Chou understood Fudao Shanren’s intention.

“Those who reach here find temporary success or failure no longer matters. No one in the world can always succeed. Only those with excellent character can bear great responsibility and step onto the heavenly immortal path.”

Hearing these boiling discussions, Fudao Shanren maintained a calm expression of “all within this mountain man’s expectations.”

“You six, all stand before the gates and enter the doorways. See what kind of right and wrong, cause and effect you encounter, and what illusions you summon.”

Lawless, heavenless, stability-less, constant-less dragon veins; lawless, heavenless, stability-less, constant-less illusions.

Ten-zhang-high gates, with swords seeming to pierce down from above, carrying ancient, fierce sharpness.

All six looked back.

Young Master Ruhua smiled with interest, Jiang Wenchao’s face was completely calm, Zuoliu carried a feeling of wanting to see through these gates, Xiao Jin was eager to try, while Xia Houshe’s eyes held oppressive gloom with aggressive undertones.

“Let’s go.”

Jian Chou lowered her eyelids, smiling while concealing a trace of strange obscurity in her eyes, walking toward the nearest eastern Gate of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect.

Three hundred li southwest of Cliff Mountain.

Jianzhu Sect.

A massive flat lake embraced by high mountains, its mirror-like surface reflecting azure peaks, still carrying the elegant beauty sung by literati and poets. Endless bamboo seas rustled in the wind.

At the lake’s end stood Jianzhu Sect’s great halls with upturned eaves, pavilions and towers standing in the air.

Before Paiyun Hall, many Jianzhu Sect disciples came and went, adding human liveliness to this quiet mountain wilderness.

The water surface was calm, only wrinkling when wind blew.

Sunlight scattered down, making the entire lake misty and vast.

A dark black figure suddenly and silently appeared above the lake surface.

Two long swords hung at his waist—one sheath was dark blue, carrying the quiet aura of deep seas; one sheath was gray-white like stone shell, deathly silent without a trace of spiritual energy.

Red-gold threads woven into the black robe caught flowing light under sunshine.

Female cultivators still walking in Jianzhu Sect’s great hall corridors occasionally looked up, finally discovering this presence. They stopped to look at the black-robed figure who, though covered in sunlight, inexplicably gave a cold feeling.

One female cultivator coldly demanded: “Who dares trespass on our Jianzhu Sect!”

Qu Zhengfeng’s eyes flashed with admiration. Building halls and pavilions between these steep cliff gaps had some magnificent beauty.

Unfortunately…

Soon it would cease to exist.

Hearing the female cultivator’s demand, he only thought of the text about the “Nine Curves River Map” discovered in Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm. Presumably Jianzhu Sect’s ambitions all originated from this—he wondered if this map was still within the sect.

Unhurried, Qu Zhengfeng’s calm yet grim voice penetrated the entire lake surface, clearly transmitting over to cover the entire Jianzhu Sect.

“After three breaths, those who aid Jianzhu Sect’s evil—death.”

Outside Kunwu’s Nine-Head River bay, small town inn.

“Puff…”

Another small mouthful of fresh blood spilled out.

Xu Lan’er’s spiritual light scattered completely, her form dejected.

Jianzhu Sect Master Zhuxin quickly withdrew the spiritual energy she’d been transferring to Xu Lan’er, supporting her form: “Lan’er, are you alright?”

Xu Lan’er’s face was gray and defeated, even the teardrop mole at her eye corner had lost vitality. Her entire person was gaunt and pale.

Recalling her encounter in that battle, her brow immediately gathered with murderous energy, her eyes and heart full of misery!

“Master, disciple is unwilling…”

Meridians completely destroyed, no different from a cripple!

All her painstakingly cultivated cultivation had completely vanished under Jian Chou’s single strike!

She hadn’t even used her long-hidden ultimate technique before losing all chance—that moment would never come again, nor would it in this lifetime.

“Disciple is unwilling…”

Without encountering Jian Chou, who could stop her from ascending the Single Person Platform?

Without encountering Jian Chou, she still had great prospects to pursue!

Without encountering Jian Chou, how would she have become this ghostly appearance!

Hate.

Hatred stabbing her heart, blood flowing from her eyes!

“Such hatred!”

Her face, already thin as skin and bones, had become twisted.

The others staying in the room with Zhuxin dared not look, with young Jiang Ling fearfully burying her head.

Sitting beside her was Sect Master Zhuxin, whose usually beautiful face was now shrouded in gloom.

Hate?

Who didn’t hate?

Xu Lan’er was her carefully selected successor for Jianzhu Sect, now struck down by Jian Chou’s Round Red Sun Slash and reduced to a waste.

Her gaze passed over Xu Lan’er, and Zhuxin felt inescapable irritation.

“With meridians destroyed, Master will naturally find healing methods for you in the future. But stop crying—what use is crying? If you had cultivated well then, why would you be slapped in the face today!”

“Master…”

Xu Lan’er immediately heard the impatience hidden in these words.

She tremblingly raised her head, only seeing her master who had always valued her greatly now had coldness in her eyes.

Thus, her heart chilled.

She was no longer the former Xu Lan’er; to the current Jianzhu Sect, she was more like a burden…

“Cliff Mountain is so arrogant—they’ll pay the price eventually. Our sect has the ‘Insufficient Treasure Manual.’ After the small assembly, when major sects rerank their positions, dozens of middle-tier sects have already united, and even Tongling Pavilion has agreed with this seat.”

Zhuxin paced in the room, her voice full of coldness.

“This time, we must pull that old Fudao from his enforcement elder position. Once I obtain the Imperial Heaven Mirror, plus the ‘Nine Curves River Map’ Lan’er got from the hidden realm, why worry about not having a day of reversal? Then I’ll naturally avenge you.”

Laughing contemptuously, she gripped her pale palm before her as if everything was in her grasp: “I don’t believe…”

“Crack!”

Before finishing, a thunder message suddenly split the clear sky, directly passing through the window crack and striking straight toward Zhuxin.

Zhuxin froze, frowning—clearly this came from within Jianzhu Sect.

Not knowing what had happened.

She directly reached out to catch it, crushing the thunder message with her five fingers, and a line of terrified text appeared before her eyes…

“…”

The moment she clearly saw what the thunder message said, Zhuxin felt darkness before her eyes, nearly unable to stand.

How… how was this possible…

This wasn’t what she expected!

Swaying, Zhuxin retreated several steps, unable to see clearly ahead, nearly falling to the ground.

Other Jianzhu Sect disciples saw this and were greatly alarmed: “Master, Master, what’s wrong!”

“Cliff Mountain… Cliff Mountain…”

Venomous voices ground through her teeth. Zhuxin’s fingers clenched tight, her beautiful face instantly twisted!

Clear day, bright sun.

Most of what had already happened hadn’t yet reached Kunwu.

Above the main peak, the suspended plaza had become a circle with six ten-zhang-high giant gates standing within, and inside them a small ten-zhang-square plaza.

At this moment, all six trial entrants stood before these Six Gates of Right and Wrong, Cause and Effect.

Everyone’s attention was here.

But surprisingly, none had yet pushed open their doors—many among these six seemed hesitant.

Jian Chou was also hesitant.

Each person could only see themselves, unable to observe others’ situations.

She had no way to know how others fared, only taking out her two-zhang dragon sinew.

A thin strand looking like a golden thread, lying in her hand with faint flowing light.

Looking at this giant gate, Jian Chou stepped forward, extending her right hand, then suddenly stopped.

Dragon veins—lawless, heavenless, constant-less, stability-less. After entering this gate, the emerging illusion might be some belief, might be the entrant’s past, present, or future, might be her opposite, or might be someone who had intersected with her.

Pushing open this gate, what would she encounter?

What would she experience?

What kind of character would be exposed?

What illusion would finally appear?

…

Everything was unknown.

And unknown represented fear.

Jian Chou calmed her heart, extending her right hand again, finally slowly, slowly approaching that giant gate.

Warm fingertips touched the cold stone gate, also touching the sword blade carved on it.

Like pressing a hand into a calm lake, ripples spread outward from where Jian Chou’s finger touched.

The originally simple, rough gray gate suddenly gained color.

The moment Jian Chou pressed her hand down, it actually became a simple wooden door—light yellow-brown with ring after ring of annual growth patterns twisting like lake ripples, sometimes forming a smiling child’s face, sometimes countless howling evil spirits…

The long sword piercing down from above became a terrifying bloody sword mark on the wooden door.

Jian Chou’s palm pressed against the door suddenly stiffened.

The gate was proven by heart.