The White-Clad Heart Demon

“You wretched brat, what nonsense are you spouting? My injuries were clearly caused by the Stone Spirit… unless… could it really have been you? That’s impossible! You’re just an early Hidden Artifact Realm cultivator—how could you be so strong?!” Gu Yinjiao froze in place, his face pale with disbelief.

Gu Xunhe frowned, glancing at his brother. “What’s going on? Didn’t you say your injuries were caused by the Stone Spirit?”

“Why bring that up now? Do you really think the two of us together can’t handle them?” Gu Yinjiao growled, grinding his teeth.

—

Shing!

Qin Gou’s staff-sword slid from its sheath, his eyes burning with excitement. “Little Yan, I don’t think we’ve ever fought side by side with everything we’ve got, have we?”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gu Feiyan replied with a smile that could topple kingdoms.

—

“Stop!”

An aged yet commanding voice rang out. A translucent elder with crane-white hair and a youthful face suddenly appeared between Gu Feiyan and Gu Xunhe’s group.

The elder’s appearance was identical to the jade statue at the center of the hall, though his form flickered unsteadily.

“I am Forgotten Self… In this third trial, any infighting is strictly forbidden. Violators will be immediately obliterated without mercy,” the elder said, his tone as gentle as a family elder’s, yet his words sent chills down everyone’s spines.

The tense atmosphere in the hall instantly dissolved into silence.

Satisfied, Forgotten Self’s remnant soul stroked his white beard and continued, “All of you who survived the gray mist maze are exceptional talents. Although there were… unexpected incidents, and the number of survivors is higher than I anticipated, I will adhere to the arrangements I made long ago. This third trial will be the friendliest of all.”

—

Qin Gou noticed that Forgotten Self’s remnant soul occasionally glanced in his direction, as if harboring some inscrutable intent.

—

“What exactly does ‘the friendliest trial’ mean, Senior?” someone asked.

Smiling faintly, Forgotten Self gestured toward five soft cushions beneath the jade statue. “These are the Introspection Cushions. Sitting on one will transport you into an illusion where you will face another version of yourself—a heart demon. Defeat it, and you pass. For those who made it through the gray mist maze, this should not be difficult. Upon passing, you may enter my library of techniques, selecting one precious technique. Additionally, you will have the option to leave the Mystic Realm without facing further trials.”

The crowd exchanged glances, many already eager to try.

However, Forgotten Self’s expression darkened slightly as he added, “But be warned: failure is not without consequences. And believe me, you don’t want to find out what those consequences are.”

—

Pointing at Gu Xunhe, Forgotten Self said, “You will go first.”

Gu Xunhe’s face turned green, but he dared not protest. Nodding, he walked toward the first cushion.

Forgotten Self quickly selected three more participants before his gaze fell on Qin Gou. His eyes glimmered with an unreadable light as he said, “And you.”

—

Qin Gou stepped forward, and Gu Feiyan placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling. “I’ll be watching from behind. Don’t embarrass me.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die,” Qin Gou replied with a faint nod.

Their conversation seemed nonsensical, but Gu Feiyan’s radiant smile showed she understood his meaning perfectly.

—

“Begin,” Forgotten Self commanded.

Gu Xunhe, Qin Gou, and the other three sat cross-legged on the cushions, closing their eyes.

All eyes in the hall focused on the five participants, eager to gauge the trial’s difficulty from their performance. Some even hoped for a failure, curious about the terrifying punishment Forgotten Self had hinted at.

—

Barely a cup of tea’s time had passed when someone completed the trial.

“Senior was truthful—this trial is indeed simple,” Gu Xunhe declared, standing up. Glancing at the still-seated Qin Gou and the others, he sneered. “So, I’m the first to pass, huh?”

Forgotten Self’s remnant soul nodded approvingly. A hidden door in the hall opened, and he said, “You may proceed to the library.”

Gu Xunhe bowed slightly, his smug gaze sweeping over the room before lingering on Gu Feiyan. With a flick of his sleeve, he strode through the door.

—

Two more cultivators soon passed, chatting as they left.

—

Ten minutes later, only Qin Gou remained seated. The high success rate convinced the crowd that this was indeed a lenient trial.

“Hmph, what a disgrace. That useless Qin Gou is taking forever,” Gu Yinjiao mocked, crossing his arms. “I thought he was supposed to be impressive, but clearly, he’s just average.”

“Senior Sister Gu, this doesn’t make sense. Junior Brother Qin has always been exceptionally talented. Why is he taking so long?” Hu Le asked, frowning.

Gu Feiyan shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

—

Inside the Illusion.

The endless plains stretched as far as the eye could see, the sea of grass swaying in the wind. Qin Gou’s expression was weary as he muttered through gritted teeth, “Where the hell is this heart demon hiding? Do I have to play hide-and-seek before fighting it? Forgotten Self, are you kidding me? Just let me fight already!”

After wandering aimlessly, Qin Gou finally spotted a figure reclining on a vine chair beneath a willow tree.

Quickening his pace, he approached to find a man dressed in white, lounging leisurely. The man’s face was identical to Qin Gou’s.

“You’re late. I was starting to get bored,” the white-clad heart demon said with a refined smile.

“What?” Qin Gou was dumbfounded. This thing can talk? It has intelligence?

The heart demon stood gracefully, his eyes calm and indifferent. “Is this how weak you’ve become, Arc Moon Mountain’s Heavenly Master?”

—

With those words, the heart demon casually pulled a black-and-white feathered fan from his embroidered sleeve.

As the fan unfolded, the surrounding air stirred ominously.

Qin Gou’s eye twitched, his face turning green. He felt trapped.

There was no mistaking it. Anyone from Arc Moon Mountain—be it Zhao Xinting or Ye Qishuang—would feel their heart tremble at the sight of this seemingly ordinary fan.

—

Life-Bound Spiritual Tool: Kunpeng Fan (Heavenly Rank)
Owner: Arc Moon Mountain’s Master, Heavenly Master Qin Gou, a peak Avatar Realm cultivator.

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