The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 188 Elder Qinglian

The voice was low and majestic, as if coming from the abyss, instantly oppressing the air around it, causing the atmosphere of the entire battlefield to suddenly freeze.

Lin Xiao's sword energy stopped instantly, and his gaze turned towards the source of the sound.

From the dense forest in the distance, a figure slowly walked out. He was wearing a green robe, with a stern face and eyes as sharp as a knife.

Lin Xiao instantly felt a strong sense of oppression and even had difficulty breathing.

This man doesn't seem to be young, but the aura he exudes is impossible to ignore - he is an extremely powerful cultivator.

Yun Mohan, the black-robed disciple and the white-robed master also stopped what they were doing, turned their gazes towards the newcomer, and their expressions changed.

"Elder Qinglian!" Yun Mohan called out in a low voice, obviously very wary of this elder.

Elder Qinglian nodded slightly, with a hint of indifference in his eyes. He glanced around and finally stopped at Lin Xiao.

His eyes showed no hostility, but rather a hint of interest and scrutiny.

"Are you Lin Xiao?" Elder Qinglian spoke, his voice still low, but revealing an inexplicable majesty.

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, but felt a little surprised in his heart.

The appearance of Elder Qinglian instantly interrupted the tense battle. It was obvious that his identity was extraordinary. Even a Jiachen realm expert like Yun Mohan seemed very wary of him.

"It seems you are quite capable." Elder Qinglian's gaze gradually deepened. "However, these minor conflicts are not worth your continued effort."

Lin Xiao secretly felt something was amiss, his brows furrowed slightly. This Qinglian Elder's aura was clearly unusual, and he seemed to be paying particular attention to him. Without saying anything more, Lin Xiao gently retracted his sword and stood calmly.

"Stop what you did today for now." Elder Qinglian's tone became more resolute, as if it was an irresistible order.

His eyes swept towards Yun Mohan, as if conveying some unquestionable threat.

Yun Mohan's face was gloomy, and there was a complicated look in his eyes.

He was obviously unwilling to give up, but he also knew that the existence of Elder Qinglian meant that he could not compete with him.

Finally, he snorted coldly and took a step back: "Since Elder Qinglian has spoken, I naturally dare not disobey."

Although the white-robed master and the black-robed disciple were dissatisfied, they dared not resist. They exchanged glances and finally stepped back silently and stood aside.

"However," Yun Mohan suddenly sneered, a fierce look flashing in his eyes, "I remember that you, Lin Xiao, killed one of my disciples during the competition. This account will be settled sooner or later."

Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly, but did not answer. Elder Qinglian seemed to be ignoring Yun Mohan's threat and turned to look at Lin Xiao.

"You are truly extraordinary. You were able to break through to the eighth level of Jiayin in such a short time, and your swordsmanship is so sharp." Elder Qinglian's eyes flashed with admiration. "You are not inferior to others in the same level. You can even compete with the strong men in the Jiachen realm. Your future is limitless."

Lin Xiao didn't respond much, just nodded faintly. Elder Qinglian's attention to him made him a little wary, but it also brought with it a strange intuition - this elder didn't seem to be an enemy.

Elder Qinglian's eyes were deep as he suddenly turned around, as if he had something to explain. "Your performance in this trial surprised me a bit. It seems that Tianshu Academy should re-evaluate your position in the selection process."

Lin Xiao's heart stirred, and he immediately understood something. He quietly observed Elder Qinglian's words and realized that the elder was not simply praising him, but seemed to have a deeper meaning.

"Do you want me to join Tianshu Academy?" Lin Xiao finally spoke, his tone calm but his words direct.

Elder Qinglian didn't answer immediately, but smiled faintly. "Joining Tianshu Academy is a path full of challenges and opportunities. If you want to take this path, you must understand that you will not only face competition from the outside world, but also the trials and unspoken rules of the inner academy."

Lin Xiao remained noncommittal. He knew his goal wasn't simply academics and spiritual cultivation, but rather something much higher. The unspoken rules Elder Qinglian had mentioned might be the true test he would face in this world where the strong reigned supreme.

"Then, what advice do you have, Elder?" Lin Xiao asked calmly.

Elder Qinglian's gaze grew deep. He seemed to ponder for a moment, then softly said, "Tonight's collapse zone will determine Tianshu Academy's final ranking in this trial. If you're interested, come to where I am and take a look with me."

Lin Xiao's heart was slightly moved. It was obvious that the Qinglian Elder before him was not simply interested in his strength. He seemed to have a deeper purpose. And this purpose was exactly what Lin Xiao needed.

"Okay." Lin Xiao responded softly, his eyes no longer lingering on Yun Mohan and others, and then followed Elder Qinglian away.

Although Yun Mohan and others were filled with anger and unwillingness, facing the pressure from Elder Qinglian, they could only watch Lin Xiao leave.

Elder Qinglian led Lin Xiao through the dense forest. The air around them grew thicker, and Lin Xiao could sense the Elder's almost invisible yet powerful aura. The two exchanged little words, and the atmosphere was quiet and silent. As the mountain rose higher ahead, Lin Xiao had a vague sense that they were about to enter a relatively secluded area.

"Lin Xiao," Elder Qinglian suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet profound. "Although you possess exceptional strength, do you understand the true test of the Trial?"

Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, then silent for a moment before replying, "I know that trials are not just a test of strength, but also a test of mind and will. Every battle, every choice, will affect the path ahead."

Elder Qinglian nodded, seeming to approve of Lin Xiao's answer. "Indeed. You've already understood part of it, but the most difficult part of the trial isn't the confrontation with others, but the struggle with one's own heart. Only those who can truly face their deepest fears and desires can go further in this trial."

Lin Xiao's heart moved after hearing this. The Qinglian Elder before him was clearly not just a powerful cultivator. His vision and insight seemed far beyond that of an ordinary person. His words seemed to hint at something, and Lin Xiao frowned slightly, his heart filled with doubts.

The two continued on their way, passing through a jungle before finally arriving at a wide, flat plain. In the center of the plain, an ancient stone gate appeared before them, inscribed with intricate runes and emanating a mysterious aura.

"This is..." Lin Xiao's eyes fixed on Elder Qinglian.

Elder Qinglian smiled faintly. "This stone gate is the entrance to the core area of ​​the trial. This is not only a place for testing your strength, but also a place for testing your heart. Only by passing the tests here can you truly become a member of Tianshu Academy."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled. This was the true test he faced. This stone gate was clearly the key to entering a completely new realm. The challenges he faced were far more complex and dangerous than those faced by enemies outside.

"After entering the stone gate, you will begin the 'Trial of the Heart.'" Elder Qinglian's voice suddenly grew serious. "This trial not only tests your strength, but also your inner resolve and clarity. If your heart is tempted, you will be lost in it, unable to extricate yourself."

Lin Xiao nodded. Although he felt a little uneasy, he didn't show it. He knew that no matter what, this was a test he had to face, and it was the only way for him to grow further.

Elder Qinglian continued, "This trial concerns not only your personal destiny, but also the future of the faction you stand on. Tianshu Academy's expectations of you are not just about your strength, but more importantly, we hope that you can develop a broader vision and mind."

Lin Xiao was silent for a moment, then finally asked, "What does the elder mean by 'camp'? After the trial, does it mean I need to make a choice?"

Elder Qinglian looked at him, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You are very clever. As you expected, the outcome of the trial not only determines your personal success or failure, but also your future destiny. Tianshu Academy is not simply a place for cultivation. Behind it lies a more complex web of forces and interests."

"This trial is not only a personal challenge for you, but also the first step towards establishing a firm foothold in the future world." Elder Qinglian's tone deepened. "Are you willing to choose a broader path for yourself, towards a more powerful future? This will be the decision you must make during the Trial of Your Heart."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled slightly. He finally understood the true meaning of this trial. This was not only a test of cultivation, but also the beginning of a life journey. Although his mind was firm, he couldn't help but feel a sense of heaviness in the face of Elder Qinglian's words.

Elder Qinglian didn't say anything more. He just looked at the stone gate with a deep gaze. "Enter, Lin Xiao. Only after going through this level can you better face everything in the future."

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, nodded, and walked towards the ancient stone gate. The moment he stepped through the stone gate, the air around him instantly became oppressive, and the entire space seemed to have undergone some drastic changes.

A powerful mental shock hit him, and Lin Xiao felt the scene before him change instantly, the surrounding scenery seemed to transform into psychedelic shadows. His consciousness began to gradually blur, and then he heard whispers in his ears, the voices were low and vague, as if coming from a distant place.

"Are you really ready to face yourself?" A low voice sounded in Lin Xiao's ears.

Lin Xiao was startled, then he calmed down and tried to concentrate, trying to figure out the source of the sound.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up and the scene became clear. It was his once familiar hometown. Lin Xiao's heart suddenly trembled, and his eyes fixed on a small house in the distance.

"This is..." Lin Xiao was stunned, and his heart was filled with waves.

The door slowly opened and a familiar figure walked out. It was his father, Lin Qing.

"Are you... here to find answers?" Lin Qing's face was unreal, yet so clear. His eyes were gentle and deep, as if he could see through everything about Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's heart was in great turmoil, and his whole state of mind began to waver.

This is the first level of the test of mind.

Lin Xiao's heart was in turmoil. The scene before him was like a powerful attraction, drawing him deeply into the memories of the past. It was a memory he had never completely let go of, an inner struggle he could not avoid. The figure of his father, Lin Qing, seemed illusory before him, yet it was so real that it seemed as if he had returned to that long-ago time.

"Father..." Lin Xiao murmured softly, his eyes involuntarily looking forward. In that instant, all the emotions flooded into his heart, as if the past was replaying before his eyes.

"Are you really here to cultivate?" Lin Qing's voice remained gentle, yet tinged with a subtle sadness. "Can you truly let go of the past, go further, become stronger? Do you know for sure?"

Lin Xiao's heart suddenly trembled. These questions struck at the most vulnerable part of his heart. As a child, his father's death had been a lifelong pain he could never let go of. Although he had long since learned to be strong and to hide his emotions, when these questions resurfaced, he still couldn't ignore the hidden pain.

"I... I'm not a coward." Lin Xiao's voice was a little low, his eyes slightly red. He knew he wasn't a coward, but his father's death had him searching for some kind of answer. An answer that would allow him to truly let go of the pain in his heart.

"Then can you truly face your own heart and let go of that obsession?" Lin Qing's figure gradually became blurred, as if reminding Lin Xiao that his trial had just begun.

Suddenly, his father's figure vanished like smoke, and the surrounding landscape instantly collapsed into darkness. Lin Xiao felt a sense of weightlessness, as if the air around him had been sucked out. His body shook violently, as if it were about to lose its support. That sense of loss, like an invisible shackle, firmly locked his heart.

"You've never truly let go of the past." The deep voice sounded again, as if coming from all directions. "You can't transcend the shadow in your heart. That's why you're hesitant to move forward."

Lin Xiao clenched his fists, the pressure growing stronger. He forced himself to calm down, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "No! I'm no longer the boy I was back then. I've weathered countless storms and am no longer bound by the past!"

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze as firm as steel. The darkness around him gradually receded, replaced by a radiant light. The scene before him shifted again. This time, he saw himself standing on a vast plain, the solid earth beneath his feet, the horizon stretching endlessly in the distance.

His mind began to clear up, and he gradually let go of the pain and confusion of the past. At that moment, he finally understood that this mental test was his chance to break free from the constraints of the past and overcome his inner demons.

"Father... I am no longer the child you once were." Lin Xiao whispered, and it seemed as if a certain burden was lifted from his heart. The strength in his body became more concentrated, and his mind became clearer.

As his words fell, the surrounding scene instantly transformed. The plain before him began to dissipate, replaced by a towering mountain, shrouded in mist and clouds, with occasional rumbles of thunder echoing from the mountain. Lin Xiao knew that this was no illusion, but rather the awakening of a power deep within him. The second stage of the trial had begun.

He took a deep breath and set out on the mountain path. Each step felt like a test of his own limits. The higher he climbed, the thinner the air became, and a strong sense of responsibility and mission gradually rose within him. At this moment, he felt no more confusion or hesitation, only determination and confidence.

"I will no longer run away. I will deal with all this calmly." Lin Xiao muttered to himself, his steps becoming more determined.

As Lin Xiao continued to advance, the mountain path became increasingly precipitous. Suddenly, a gigantic figure appeared on the top of the mountain ahead, towering like a mountain. The figure did not move, but simply stood quietly on the top of the mountain, its back to Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly. The aura emanating from that figure was so powerful that it seemed to suppress the surrounding world, making it impossible to breathe. His intuition told him that this was definitely not an ordinary existence.

"Come on, Lin Xiao," the figure suddenly spoke in a deep and commanding voice. "This is the final stage of your mental test. You will face the most powerful enemy within you. Only by defeating it can you truly surpass yourself."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled, his body trembling slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. Who was the enemy? Was it his own inner fear and anxiety?

"Let's go, Lin Xiao." The figure slowly turned around and revealed his face.