Chapter 12

For the first time, Gu Xuyao saw Tu Ye smile, even though it was just a fleeting moment, and just a slight upward curve of the corners of his mouth. But that was an affirmation for Gu Xuyao, and he was even happier than Tu Ye.

"Good job, next is the final test." After saying this, Tu Ye began to lead the way.

Gu Xuyao hurriedly followed. Although his flesh and bones were destroyed in the desert earlier, he was actually unharmed when he came out, and he felt even more refreshed and invigorated.

"Director Tu Ye, you said the second test was related to the 'Basic Introduction' book, but now it seems..."

Tu Ye did not immediately respond. After a while, he slowly said, "Did I say that? Hmm, it seems I was wrong. The 'Basic Introduction' is a book you must be familiar with. You will encounter more foundational books later. Although our Taiheng Sect is not a famous and powerful sect, we cannot cultivate a cultivator who knows nothing. So, it's not wrong to have you read it thoroughly."

Gu Xuyao did not say anything, just responded with a "Yes" and remained silent. He knew that everyone here was his senior, and they all had more authority in cultivation matters.

"However," Tu Ye spoke again. "The 'Basic Introduction' will still be helpful for your third test. You passed the previous test very well. When the earthquake happened, you did not move, which proved that I did not misjudge you." As he spoke, Tu Ye stroked his small mustache.

"Director Tu Ye, I just acted according to my natural reaction from the Red Mud Area. Now, thinking about it, the first test was to check if I had the determination to become a Force Cultivator. So, what was the second test?" Reflecting on the two tests, although neither directly harmed his body, the mental torment made Gu Xuyao grow a lot.

Tu Ye stroked his mustache again.

"During the earthquake, we tested your ability to remain calm in a crisis. Your ability to stay in place at that time proved that your mental fortitude was up to par. The dagger that appeared after the mountain collapsed was to test whether you would yield to pain and hardship, because the path we are on is indeed very painful." Reflecting on his own past and the path of Force Cultivators, Tu Ye's words carried a hint of沧桑 (沧桑 means沧桑, but in this context, it can be translated as "a sense of沧桑").

Gu Xuyao listened and nodded in agreement, secretly making a firm resolution.

After about fifteen minutes of winding paths, Tu Ye stopped in front of a Taoist chamber. It looked as ancient and grand as the other two chambers Gu Xuyao had seen, with a mysterious aura.

Coincidentally, just as they arrived, the door of the chamber was gently pushed open, and a figure in white emerged.

"Uncle Tu Ye..." The person had long hair reaching her waist, a slender figure, a tall and graceful build, fair skin, deep eyes, eyebrows like a crescent moon, and a cold expression. Seeing Tu Ye, she bowed gracefully.

"Yi Xia, are you here to visit your grandfather again? Heh, how is he today?" Tu Ye's eyes twinkled, clearly showing that he liked this woman named Yi Xia very much.

As for Gu Xuyao, the wild boy from a small village, he was already stunned. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before. Actually, saying this was unfair to Zibì, as their beauty was comparable, but Zibì's enthusiastic manner made it hard for Gu Xuyao to see her as a woman. Moreover, hearing this voice, Gu Xuyao was reminded of that day...

"Thank you for showing me the way that day, I am deeply grateful!" As he spoke, Gu Xuyao clasped his hands and bowed.

Impulsiveness is the devil, and only after speaking did he realize he had interrupted Tu Ye and Yi Xia's conversation. Embarrassed, he looked up and saw Tu Ye looking at him strangely, so he could only force a laugh.

Yi Xia was unmoved by this, perhaps having seen such situations too many times. She simply nodded to Tu Ye and left the chamber.

"Director Tu Ye... Did I...?" Gu Xuyao's face turned red, still feeling embarrassed by his outburst.

Tu Ye's expression turned serious, and he frowned slightly. "Do not have any杂念 (杂念 means杂念, but in this context, it can be translated as "distractions"). You are about to undergo the third test, focus your mind and do not think too much!"

After saying this, Tu Ye grabbed Gu Xuyao and threw him into the chamber.

"Bang." The door was slammed shut, and the room was pitch black, with only the scent of sandalwood filling the air.

Gu Xuyao's eyes could not see anything. From a hunter's perspective, for safety, he naturally would not move around. No matter how long he waited, his eyes, which he thought would gradually adapt to the darkness, did not improve at all.

"Who is there...?" Finally, just as Gu Xuyao was about to feel his way forward, an old, weak voice sounded.

The voice was feeble, but Gu Xuyao knew that in the cultivation world, the older someone was, the more powerful they were. He quickly clasped his hands and called out loudly in the darkness.

"It is I, Gu Xuyao..."

"Understood."

Gu Xuyao wanted to continue speaking, but found his mouth tightly closed, unable to open.

"Come, child, come closer..."

It seemed a lamp was gradually lit, starting with a faint light and eventually illuminating the entire chamber. Now, Gu Xuyao could see that the chamber was not very large, with simple furnishings. In front of him were two cushions, one of which was occupied by an old man with withered yellow hair and dry, shriveled skin. Apart from the new white robe, Gu Xuyao believed he was more like an old man from the Mortal Zone, rather than a cultivator from the Taiheng Sect responsible for testing.

"Such a strong sense of determination..."

The old man looked at Gu Xuyao, speaking while gesturing for him to come closer, so he could see him more clearly.

"Child, your presence here means you have passed the previous tests. Very good, very good..." Gu Xuyao approached the old man, who, though aged, had eyes full of vitality and a clear gaze.

"Your parents left you when you were young..." The old man seemed to be able to read Gu Xuyao's thoughts, muttering to himself.

"Starting to hunt alone at eighteen, very good..." The old man did nothing but look at Gu Xuyao, which made him feel somewhat at a loss. After all, the previous two tests had made him unconscious, and he was prepared to do the same in this chamber, but he did not expect to encounter such a situation.

"Hmm, very good, child, sit down." After rambling for a while, the old man stopped observing Gu Xuyao.

Gu Xuyao was taken aback but, despite feeling uncomfortable, sat on the cushion in front of the old man.

"Now, I have two questions for you, and you must answer from the heart." Suddenly, the old man's expression turned serious, and his tone became stern.

Seeing the old man's sudden change in attitude, Gu Xuyao also became serious and nodded slightly.

"First, why do Dao Cultivators and Force Cultivators exist as two different types of cultivators?" The old man fixed his gaze on Gu Xuyao.

However, this question was too difficult for Gu Xuyao at the moment. It was not something the 'Basic Introduction' could teach him.

Just as he was unsure how to answer, Gu Xuyao suddenly remembered what the old man had said earlier. According to him, such questions might not have a correct answer. The old man wanted to hear Gu Xuyao's true thoughts and whether he had the courage to speak the truth.

"Xuyao grew up in a small village and has not seen much of the world. The cultivators I have encountered are few, and I cannot answer such a question. However, from Xuyao's perspective, this is not a question that should be considered. In the end, both Dao Cultivators and Force Cultivators are cultivators. Although their cultivation methods differ, the ultimate goal is to achieve self-fulfillment."

As Gu Xuyao spoke, a figure flashed before his eyes.

"Xuyao remembers when he was young, someone once told me that the difference between a brave person and a coward is not in their abilities. Just like a task that both can accomplish, a brave person does not care about what obstacles stand in their way; they enjoy the thrill of conquest. A coward, on the other hand, prefers to take detours and is happy with shortcuts. Xuyao considers himself not a coward, and whether he can become brave in the future, we will have to wait and see. But Xuyao is very confident in himself."

Gu Xuyao spoke with neither arrogance nor humility. Although he was still unsure, when he saw the light in the old man's eyes, he knew he had made the right choice.

"Ha ha ha, good, good boy." The old man extended his withered hand and lightly patted Gu Xuyao's shoulder, but each pat made the robust Gu Xuyao temporarily gasp for breath.

Seeing Gu Xuyao's pale face, the old man stopped.

"The next question, hmm, if one day I am severely injured but cannot die, would you end my suffering and send me on my way?" The old man stroked his disheveled white beard and spoke slowly.

This question left Gu Xuyao even more puzzled, but remembering that the old man wanted to hear his true thoughts, he did not hesitate.

"Yes." Gu Xuyao's face was cold. "In the Mortal Zone, Xuyao was a hunter. Sometimes, while traveling through the forest, I would encounter animals that had been injured by other hunters but were not yet dead. Xuyao would not take others' prey, but Xuyao would end their suffering. Xuyao does not consider this killing, but rather redemption."

After speaking, Gu Xuyao was still uneasy. He had only met some minor cultivators before, and this old man, who had lived for who knows how long, was the first such old monster he had encountered. He was unsure of the old man's temperament.

The old man frowned, raised his withered hand, and held Gu Xuyao's palm, sensing something. His frown gradually eased, and Gu Xuyao's mood followed the old man's emotions, rising and falling.

But soon, the old man's expression became even more serious, and he gradually released Gu Xuyao's hand, looking up.

"Is this your answer?" His expression was serious but not accusatory.

Gu Xuyao hesitated but finally nodded.

Silence. The old man remained silent, staring intently at Gu Xuyao.

Holding his breath, Gu Xuyao did not know the old man's intentions. Although he felt like sitting on pins and needles, he tried to remain calm and look the old man in the eye.

For a full fifteen minutes, the old man stared at Gu Xuyao. Finally, he sighed and said slowly.

"Go back. I will have someone take you to the lower level's teaching chamber tomorrow."

After saying this, the chamber darkened again. When Gu Xuyao could see again, he was outside the chamber. The sun was already up, as if celebrating his successful entry into the Taiheng Sect. However, upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a dark shadow next to the sun, lingering and not dispersing.

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