Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Shen Mo remained silent for a moment. Han Lin's reasoning was reasonable.

In the Dharma-ending Age, the path of independent cultivators is indeed difficult, and joining a sect is a helpless but realistic choice for many high-level independent cultivators. However, one can only know a person's face, not their heart.

"Fellow Daoist Han's sincerity is appreciated," Shen Mo said slowly. "However, to join my Qingyun Sect, one must abide by my Qingyun rules and undergo my Qingyun assessment. It's not that I don't trust you, but these are the sect's rules, so please understand."

Han Lin bowed without hesitation and said, "Of course! Han Lin is willing to accept any test!"

"Alright." Shen Mo nodded and instructed Su Xiao, "Junior Sister Xiao, take Fellow Daoist Han to the 'Heart-Questioning Array.' Qingyan, set up the 'Path of Refining Emotions.' Junior Brother Tie, prepare the 'Martial Arts Arena.'"

He wanted to personally set up three tests to see if Han Lin was a genuine gem who had come to offer his services, or a wolf with malicious intentions!

A mountain breeze swept across the stone steps in front of Qingyun Mountain, swirling up a few withered leaves.

Han Lin stood beside the bronze bell used for application assessment, his gray cloth clothes fluttering slightly in the wind. His expression was calm, but his eyes, which had weathered many storms, remained sharp as ever, quietly awaiting the judgment of fate.

The Qingyun Sect is indeed different from those small, stagnant, or chaotic sects.

Before the test, Shen Mo looked at Han Lin again to confirm, "Fellow Daoist Han, your cultivation and experience have already been tested by Shi Tie, and they are indeed extraordinary. However, joining my Qingyun Sect is not a dinner invitation. Your character, motives, and past must all be considered."

"Today we have set three trials for you. If you can pass them, the Qingyun Sect will welcome you with open arms. If you cannot, or if you regret your decision halfway through, you may leave now. The Qingyun Sect will give you ten low-grade spirit stones as travel expenses and will not stop you."

Han Lin said resolutely, "Han Lin's mind is made up. Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, I'm willing to try! Please, Sect Leader, do as you say!"

"Okay." Shen Mo said no more and gestured to Zhao Qingyan.

Zhao Qingyan formed a hand seal and softly called out, "Activate!"

Om-!

The array in the center of the platform suddenly lit up with a soft white light, enveloping Han Lin. The light was not dazzling; instead, it gave people a warm and peaceful feeling.

Han Lin felt his vision blur and heard countless whispers in his ears. Memories, desires, and fears that had been deliberately forgotten or hidden deep within him surged up uncontrollably like sediment rising to the surface.

The first challenge, the Inquiry Formation! Presided over by Zhao Qingyan, this formation uses the power of magic to trigger inner demons and test one's true nature.

Within the formation, Han Lin seemed to return to decades ago, when he was still a homeless beggar, fighting with wild dogs for a piece of spoiled steamed bun; he also seemed to see the night after his first murder and robbery, his hands stained with blood, shivering in the rain.

I saw my once loyal brothers betray me for a single herb; I also saw myself struggling countless times on the brink of life and death, driven by an extreme thirst for power, immortality, and security…

Illusions flooded his mind, stirring his emotions. A voice tempted him: "What future awaits you if you join the Qingyun Sect? Why not seize their inheritance and escape to a distant land!"

The video showed him being threatened: "If you stay here, you will be doomed! You will die a horrible death!"

There's also a lingering attachment deep inside to a free and easy lifestyle that's pulling at you.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Han Lin's forehead, his body trembled slightly, but his eyes remained tightly closed, and his teeth were clenched. Having faced life and death, his will had long been tempered to be as firm as a rock. These were all illusions, inner demons.

He silently repeated to himself his original intention for coming here: to seek peace and to glimpse the Great Dao. For this, he was willing to be bound by rules and to be loyal!

I don't know how much time passed—perhaps a moment, perhaps countless years. The warm white light around us gradually dissipated, and the illusions and murmurs receded like the tide.

Han Lin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze weary yet clearer and more resolute. He bowed deeply to Zhao Qingyan, who was presiding over the formation, and Shen Mo outside the formation: "Han Lin has a clear conscience."

Zhao Qingyan looked at Shen Mo and nodded slightly, indicating that she had passed this test. Sweat was also on her forehead; maintaining this Mind-Testing Array had taken a toll on her spiritual energy.

Shen Mo's expression remained unchanged as he raised his hand and pointed to the other side of the platform. There, a winding path had appeared, leading deep into the bamboo forest. The path was shrouded in mist, and its end was not visible.

"The second trial is the Path of Refining Emotions. This path is not long, but it reflects the ways of the world. Junior Sister Xiao, you hold the 'Heart-Clearing Bell' and provide support from the side. If Fellow Daoist Han loses his composure, ring the bell to wake him up."

"Yes, Senior Brother Sect Leader." Su Xiao took out a small bronze bell and walked to the entrance of the small passage.

Han Lin stepped into the mist.

As soon as he entered the path, the surrounding scenery changed again. He felt as if he had instantly fallen into the mundane world.

Sometimes he would see relatives who had treated him harshly in his childhood, now destitute, kneeling and begging him for alms; other times he would encounter female cultivators he had once admired but could not have, who would gaze at him with affection and throw themselves into his arms.

At other times, he would see his enemies' entire families wiped out, their wealth laid out before him for him to take; he would even have a fleeting illusion that he had already successfully established his foundation, becoming a powerful figure in the region, founding his own sect, and being revered by thousands...

Greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and doubt—the five poisons rage fiercely; wine, lust, wealth, and anger—all sorts of temptations come one after another.

This "path of refining emotions" does not test whether one's resolve is firm, but rather whether one can maintain one's original intention and not forget one's true self when faced with worldly prosperity, grudges, and passions.

Han Lin paused occasionally, his expression changed, and his breathing became rapid.

Having spent decades as a wandering cultivator, he had witnessed the ugliness of human nature and was well aware of the insatiable nature of his own desires. These illusions pointed directly to the most vulnerable part of his heart.

The readily available wealth, the coveted beauty, the exhilarating pleasure of revenge... each one is enough to make an ordinary cultivator fall into depravity.

But he always remembered why he had come. It was to escape this endless struggle and fight, and for that faint hope of immortality!

The Qingyun Sect was the only glimmer of hope he saw after weighing the pros and cons. If he were to be seduced by immediate, illusory gains, how would he be any different from before?

He bit his tongue hard; the sharp pain brought him back to his senses, and his eyes regained their clarity. Step by step, he walked forward resolutely. Ignorance may arise and vanish, but I remain steadfast.

Su Xiao, standing by the path, kept her Heart-Clearing Bell silent. Watching Han Lin's retreating figure, a hint of surprise and approval flashed in her beautiful eyes. This man's willpower far exceeded her expectations.

Finally, the fog dissipated, and Han Lin stepped out of the path and returned to the platform, his face even paler and his breathing somewhat disordered. The journey of refining his emotions had taken a heavy toll on his mental energy.

"The third challenge," Shen Mo's voice rang out again, still calm, "The Martial Arts Arena. Stone Iron."

"I'm here!" Shi Tie, who had been waiting impatiently, strode to the open space in the center of the platform and slammed his heavy iron rod into the ground with a dull thud. "Fellow Daoist Han, please!"

This final test, seemingly a test of strength, actually has a deeper meaning. What Shen Mo wants to see is not only Han Lin's practical combat ability, but also his sense of propriety in the context of a clear "assessment," and his attitude towards his fellow disciples (even those in the future).

Han Lin suppressed the mental and physical exhaustion brought on by the Path of Refining Love, and drew the long sword from his waist: "Fellow Daoist Shi, please enlighten me!"