After I Became A Divine Beast In An Immortal Sect [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 9

Hearing Instructor Liang’s question, Cheng Suxi nodded slightly.

“That is correct.”

An uproar immediately broke out inside the elegant chamber.

The instructors from Suhui Peak, in particular, revealed awkward expressions.

When all was said and done, Suhui Peak had not handled the matter honorably.

Before the Ice Luan perished, she had lived at the summit of Xianmiao Peak throughout the year, and the egg had also been laid there. After the great war, Elder Jingming had taken the divine beast egg away on the grounds that “Elder Lingxi was gravely injured and no one on Xianmiao Peak was capable of caring for it.”

Although the divine beast Ice Luan belonged to the sect rather than Xianmiao Peak, their actions still carried a hint of taking advantage of another’s misfortune.

Worse still, the egg had nearly lost all vitality while on Suhui Peak, yet it successfully hatched after being returned to Xianmiao Peak.

Naturally, this left the people of Suhui Peak with little dignity.

Instructor Liang glanced at the expressions of the Suhui Peak instructors before turning to Cheng Suxi with a smile.

“As expected of Elder Lingxi. You even succeeded in hatching a divine beast egg.”

Cheng Suxi neither agreed nor disagreed.

At that moment, Elder Jingming happened to enter.

The instant he noticed Hua Ling on the table, his steps paused. His expression then immediately darkened.

Before sending the divine beast egg to Xianmiao Peak, he had personally confirmed that it was already on the verge of death. Even if it could somehow be saved, the hatchling inside should have been stillborn.

He had never imagined that Cheng Suxi would truly succeed in hatching it. He had no idea what method she had used.

First, Cheng Suxi had outmaneuvered him over the matter of the available places. Now, the divine beast egg had dealt him another resounding slap in the face.

Elder Jingming was furious.

However, openly turning hostile at this moment would only make him appear petty and invite ridicule. He forcibly suppressed his anger and put on a false smile.

“It seems this old man’s judgment was correct. The divine beast egg was indeed compatible with Elder Lingxi’s aura.”

Cheng Suxi returned Hua Ling, who had eaten her fill and begun dozing off, to her sleeve. She gently cupped the little creature with her palm before replying indifferently, “It was merely a coincidence.”

Elder Jingming narrowed his eyes but did not continue pursuing the matter.

In any case, the Ice Luan had only just been born. Who knew what accidents might occur in the future?

Wrapped in Cheng Suxi’s familiar aura, Hua Ling slept peacefully. The Ice Crystal Fruit in her stomach had already transformed into spiritual energy and was gradually being absorbed.

Meanwhile, the group preparing to enter the Heart-Tempering Realm had already assembled, and Qin Jian was delivering his final instructions.

“The Heart-Tempering Realm does not prohibit the use of magical artifacts, but I advise you not to rely excessively upon external forces. Only by calming your minds, refining your swordsmanship, and comprehending your cultivation methods will you gain the greatest benefit.”

The disciples replied in unison, “We respectfully heed the Sect Master’s teachings.”

Qin Jian nodded and tossed a black token into the formation that had been prepared in advance. He then threw in several hundred high-grade spirit stones and began activating the formation.

In the air directly above the token, an ancient and imposing wooden gate suddenly appeared.

A plaque hung above the gate, bearing the two ink-black characters:

Heart Tempering.

The person who had written them must have possessed extraordinarily profound cultivation. Fierce sword intent lingered within every stroke.

Ordinary disciples felt as though blades were scraping across their bodies after only a single glance, frightening them so badly that they no longer dared raise their heads.

The eight candidates at the front possessed higher cultivation and were barely able to withstand it.

Xin Sichen stared at the plaque, a trace of fighting spirit flashing through her eyes.

“According to legend, although the Heart-Tempering Realm is called a magical artifact, it is actually a small world created through the power of a senior before their ascension. Now that I have seen it for myself, it is indeed extraordinary.”

Wei Yixian, who stood beside her in flowing white robes, smiled.

“That ascended senior must have been a sword cultivator.”

“Not necessarily.”

Gong Boyi casually waved the folding fan in his hand.

“The senior who refined the Heart-Tempering Realm was the renowned Perfected Xuanshuang. Not only was his swordsmanship unrivaled, but he was also highly accomplished in artifact refining and alchemy. The Heart-Tempering Realm was merely one of the magical artifacts he created.”

Gong Boyi’s clan specialized in gathering information, so it was perfectly natural for him to know such details.

“Hmph!”

A cold laugh suddenly sounded from nearby.

Shi Hongcai stood with his sword in his arms.

“Who cares about its origins? It is merely a tool for determining the victor among us. I am determined to obtain the position of Zhiyuan Peak’s Peak Master. Certain people would be wise to give up early.”

Xin Sichen sneered.

“Aren’t you afraid the wind will twist that oversized tongue of yours?”

She and Shi Hongcai were both from Zhiyuan Peak. Their relationship had always been terrible, and neither could stand the sight of the other.

They would both feel uncomfortable unless they exchanged a few barbed remarks whenever they met.

Seeing that they were about to quarrel, the ever-accommodating Song Yongchang hurried forward to mediate.

“The final outcome will determine the victor regardless. Arguing now is pointless, so why not remain calm?”

Unfortunately, Shi Hongcai did not appreciate his intervention.

“None of your damn business.”

Song Yongchang came from Hanyun Peak. Strictly speaking, he was not competing with Shi Hongcai or Xin Sichen, so their conflict truly had little to do with him.

However, after being humiliated so openly, Song Yongchang’s expression became strained, and he stopped speaking.

Fan Hongsheng raised his eyelids slightly.

He was the oldest and most composed among them. He understood that his chances of success were not high, but he would never be able to accept it unless he tried at least once.

Tang Zhi, meanwhile, behaved completely differently from his usual high-profile self. He stood silently to one side, attracting several glances from Meng Li’an.

Noticing Meng Li’an’s gaze, Tang Zhi calmly looked back.

When his eyes fell upon Meng Li’an’s hand, they paused briefly, and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

“All right. The eight of you will enter first.”

Once the wooden gate had fully opened, Qin Jian turned toward them and issued the order.

“Yes.”

Next came the disciples selected from each peak.

Among Xianmiao Peak’s ten disciples were Yunmo, Yunsheng, and Yunlan.

Still worried, Yunmo instructed Yunsheng, “Once you enter the secret realm, put all your talismans away. Try to rely upon your sword when facing enemies.”

Yunlan also said, “Although no one has ever died inside the Heart-Tempering Realm, many people have been injured. Junior Brother, you must remain cautious and avoid acting rashly.”

Yunsheng nodded and promised, “I’ll be careful.”

……

After everyone had entered the Heart-Tempering Realm, images suddenly appeared within the mirror inside the elegant chamber.

They showed the disciples currently undergoing the trials.

“Tang Zhi’s luck is rather poor!”

An instructor from Hanyun Peak spoke regretfully.

Cheng Suxi raised her eyes and saw that Tang Zhi had been transported into a deep, shadowy canyon the moment he entered the secret realm.

Cheng Suxi was extremely familiar with this canyon. When she had entered the realm, she had coincidentally undergone the same trial.

The canyon itself was not dangerous.

The true danger was a demonic beast entrenched in its depths. It had cultivated for a thousand years and was exceedingly troublesome to deal with.

Although Tang Zhi did not know what danger lay ahead, he was extremely cautious.

He split the flying sword he carried into more than a dozen blades and had them rotate continuously around his body, forming a protective barrier.

He possesses a little cleverness, at least…

After silently making her assessment, Cheng Suxi lowered her head and glanced at the little creature sprawled on its back in her palm, sleeping with all four limbs in the air.

A faint smile involuntarily softened her features.

Aside from Tang Zhi, who had been unfortunate enough to draw a more difficult trial, the other seven candidates had received challenges of roughly equal difficulty.

Shi Hongcai, for instance, immediately began fighting a stone puppet upon entering.

Although he was somewhat arrogant and unruly, his strength was truly impressive. The heavy sword moved in his hands as naturally as an extension of his own body, and he easily smashed the stone puppet apart.

“He is an excellent talent. He merely requires further tempering,” one instructor praised.

Another instructor shook his head.

“Although he excels in battle, he also craves it excessively. His temperament is unsuitable.”

Elder Jingming suddenly said, “He is merely young and hot-blooded. Instructor, there is no need to judge him so harshly.”

Hearing this, Cheng Suxi frowned slightly. Her hand gently brushed across the hatchling’s soft feathers.

Author’s Note

Cheng Suxi: Addicted to petting the bird and unable to stop…

Hua Ling: Chirp, chirp, chirp!