Chapter 268: Chapter 264: What’s the Use of an Opportunity That Goes Against My Heart?

The world inside the gate was a hazy expanse.

An endless, milky white stretched in all directions; nothing else existed.

Only a single figure stood there. It was a young man in flowing white robes, his bearing so otherworldly he seemed like a Banished Immortal. His features, however, were blurred and indistinct.

"It has been many years. Someone has passed the seventh trial once again."

The white-robed youth spoke. His voice was cool and clear, clean to the ear. Every word was like the gentle chiming of a spring, pleasant and soothing.

"A phantom soul projection... Interesting. It seems the rumors about the two hidden trials are true. Are you the test for the eighth trial?"

Ning Jiang said nonchalantly. In a way, this youth was quite similar to him, their temperaments closely matched.

"Correct."

"Just tell me. What is the test for the eighth trial?"

"Life and death," the white-robed youth replied, observing Ning Jiang with great interest. ’This young man is fascinating. Within those clear eyes lies a profound and boundless depth that I cannot see through, as if he were some old monster.’

"Explain."

Life and death. These two words carried immense weight and would stir the heart of anyone who heard them. Yet, to Ning Jiang, they seemed to mean nothing; his expression remained utterly tranquil.

"It’s very simple. In the eighth trial, failure means death. It’s not like the first seven trials, where you wouldn’t even be injured if you failed."

The white-robed youth’s tone shifted. "Of course, you could also choose to withdraw from the eighth trial, just like that little girl, Mo Qianyu, did a few years ago. Since you’ve passed the first seven trials, I will give you a Divine Spirit Flower as a reward."

’That little girl from a few years ago?’

Ning Jiang knew he was most likely referring to that monster from the Evil Spirit Sect.

From the youth’s words, he could tell that Mo Qianyu had grown timid and hadn’t dared to attempt the eighth trial.

This was understandable. After all, the eighth trial was a matter of life and death. Failure meant death, and not everyone was willing to gamble with their own life.

Since Mo Qianyu didn’t dare to face the eighth trial, she probably never told anyone about the two hidden trials after she left. It wasn’t exactly a glorious accomplishment, after all.

"It seems her will wasn’t firm enough. She was timid, lacking the heart to press forward invincibly," Ning Jiang said calmly.

"Are you saying you possess such an invincible heart? You wish to accept the test?" the white-robed youth asked with a faint, mocking smile.

"Correct. I fear nothing!" Ning Jiang declared, yielding no ground.

"In the last thousand years, only one person has succeeded!" The white-robed youth’s voice grew stern.

"Let’s begin. My time is precious," Ning Jiang said decisively.

"In that case, I hope you survive."

The white-robed youth said no more. With a wave of his large sleeve, a path materialized in the haze before them.

The path was littered with bones, a brutal scene. It was as if this were a road leading to Hell.

’The path to supremacy is just like this, paved with the bones of others.’

Ning Jiang watched, his gaze unwavering. He was reminded of his past life, of his own ascent to the peak, and the countless bones he had trampled underfoot.

Every Venerable had slaughtered their way to the top. There were no pampered Venerables, only those with blood-soaked hands who had slain countless foes.

However, Ning Jiang’s conscience was clear regarding every person he had killed.

Lost in these memories, Ning Jiang took a step forward, walking onto the path without hesitation.

CRACK.

He stepped on a skeleton, and the sound of breaking bones echoed out.

But Ning Jiang’s expression didn’t change, and his steps never faltered.

"JIE JIE JIE, another one has come to die."

"Do you see? These bones covering the ground all belong to those who failed. You will become one of them."

"Young man, take my advice. It’s not too late to turn back now."

After a few more steps, all sorts of sinister laughter echoed in his ears, like demonic whispers assailing him from an unknown source.

"Annoying."

Ning Jiang sneered. ’How could such illusory sounds possibly delude me?’

Following that, various voices emerged, all of them urging Ning Jiang to turn back.

"The path ahead is a dead end! The Profound Celestial Ancient Hall is just a trap! The so-called eighth trial is a scam designed to send you to your death! Are you still not going to turn back?!"

It was a voice that sent a chill down one’s spine.

’This place is just a trap? A scam to get people killed?’

Anyone hearing such words would feel a stir of worry.

After all, who could guarantee that a so-called trial would definitely have benefits?

"You think you can shake my will?" Ning Jiang said with contempt.

BOOM.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently.

The entire path started to crumble as a boundless darkness swarmed in from all directions to consume it.

More visions appeared all around him.

"No, I don’t want to die!"

"I hate this! Profound Celestial Ancient Hall, you tricked me!"

"HAHAHAHA, it was all a scam... I was caught in it, only realizing the truth at death’s door. It’s too late to regret it now..."

One after another, phantoms appeared, letting out miserable, shrill laughter.

’Trying to disrupt my mind and make me waver?’

Facing all of this, Ning Jiang sneered again and again. "I have never regretted a choice I’ve made. So what if it’s truly a dead end? The ultimate expression of death is life. There is no true dead end in this world."

The Great Dao is fifty, but Heaven calculates forty-nine, leaving one to escape.

That one is the sliver of a chance at life. This is the origin of Meng Daoyi’s name.

Anyone who would take such a name would understand this principle. As a Legendary Venerable, how could Ning Jiang not know it?

Even if it really was a path to certain death, Ning Jiang would still charge through it.

A dead end wasn’t frightening. What was frightening was one’s own will wavering.

As he watched the path beneath his feet continuously crumble and the darkness spread in from all sides, Ning Jiang remained completely unshaken from beginning to end.

Finally, his figure was completely swallowed by the darkness.

It felt like a single breath, yet also like a century had passed.

The scene before him changed, and he was back in the hazy world. The white-robed youth stood there and said, "Congratulations. You have passed the test of the fearless heart!"

"Interesting. Using life and death to test for a fearless heart?" Having passed the trial, Ning Jiang was neither overjoyed nor arrogant, but calm and composed.

"Correct. Although this trial is called the test of life and death, it actually tests for a fearless heart. Along this path, if you had shown the slightest hesitation, you would have failed."

The white-robed youth continued, "For a Martial Artist, talent is one thing, but what’s more important is this fearless heart. Only by possessing a will that presses ever forward, that never gives up even when trapped on a path to certain death—a heart that knows no fear—can one walk a longer path."

Ning Jiang nodded. "A strong heart makes for a long road."

The principle was that simple. If a Martial Artist wanted to go far, talent was a factor, but the heart was more important.

He had seen too many experts rise from humble beginnings; moreover, he himself was a living example.

"Let’s go. The ninth trial is next."

This time, the white-robed youth didn’t bother asking if Ning Jiang wanted to continue. It would have been a pointless question. Would a person with a fearless heart refuse the challenge of the ninth trial?

"Let’s go."

Another Light Gate appeared, and the two of them walked through it.

This place was picturesque and beautiful, with tall mountains everywhere.

And in the sky, small islands actually floated, with magnificent and majestic palaces built upon them.

"The trial grounds are there."

The white-robed youth led Ning Jiang toward the sky islands.

But Ning Jiang suddenly stopped.

He heard sounds and looked down toward a mountain below.

There, he saw a young woman and a young man.

The young woman’s face was pale, and her clothes were covered in sword cuts. These cuts hadn’t injured her body but had merely torn her clothes, revealing large patches of skin.

Across from her, the young man’s eyes were filled with fervent, wicked intent as he leered at her body.

"Beauty, you can’t escape my grasp. If you don’t want to suffer, then surrender obediently."

The young man licked his lips, his eyes fixed on the young woman, his lust flaring.

With an extremely fierce spirit, the young woman slowly spoke eight words.

"Better to die in glory than live in shame."

"Hmph? You want to kill yourself in front of me? A pity, but I won’t let you succeed."

The young man gave a cold laugh. The aura around him erupted as he lunged toward the young woman.

CLANG.

With the ring of a sword, Ning Jiang drew his blade, about to slash down.

This was his nature. With a sword in hand, he would right all the wrongs in the world.

Since he had witnessed this, he would kill if he could.

But at the critical moment, the white-robed youth stopped him, shaking his head. "You cannot interfere here. If you do, you will cause this World in the Painting to collapse, and the opportunity that belongs to you will vanish."

"Let’s go. Pay it no mind. This is just a World in the Painting; everything is an illusion. The opportunity from the ninth trial is of immense importance. You don’t want to miss it," the white-robed youth said.

SHIIING.

The air split with a sharp sound.

Ning Jiang slashed his sword down anyway. Below, the young man’s body froze before splitting in two.

RUMBLE...

The surrounding space began to collapse.

"What are you doing?!"

The white-robed youth stared at Ning Jiang in astonishment. "Do you have any idea how important the reward for the ninth trial is? This is just a World in the Painting, an illusion! Why did you have to interfere?"

"I have always acted according to my heart’s desires. What is happening here displeases my heart, so even if it’s just an illusion, I must act."

Ning Jiang’s tone was level as he spoke, word by word, "An opportunity that goes against my heart... what use is it to me?"

WENG.

The space trembled, and the collapse halted.

The white-robed youth looked at Ning Jiang, his gaze filled with relief and admiration. "Congratulations. You have passed the ninth trial, the test of the benevolent heart."

"A fearless heart is important, but a benevolent heart is paramount. In this world, how many powerful people are utterly selfish? How many are willing to draw their swords to help others? And how many, like you, could so readily cast aside a great opportunity right before their eyes?"

"Those who rule by force are tyrants; those who rule by benevolence are kings. Only a benevolent ruler can shelter the common people and bring fortune to the world."

"This Profound Celestial Ancient Land can finally welcome its new master..."

"Hm? A new master?"

A strange look appeared on Ning Jiang’s face. ’Could it be that the reward for the ninth trial is this entire Profound Celestial Ancient Land?’

"There’s no need to be surprised. The trials of the Profound Celestial Ancient Hall are meant to select a new master. I was the previous one, but my true self has likely already fallen. You are the new master."

The youth’s hazy face gradually sharpened, revealing his true appearance.