199: choose

"The third trial: Observation of Momentum." Thunder Shakes the Mountain's voice rang out again, drawing everyone's attention back.

He didn't explain the specific details of this trial, but simply spoke indifferently to the five Inner Sect Disciples below the steps, "The five of you, release your Auras. No need to hold back."

Xiao Zhan, the heroic-looking woman, Han Chuang, the effeminate youth, and the obscure youth exchanged glances and stepped forward in unison.

"Boom—!"

Five Auras of varying strengths, yet all condensed and powerful, erupted like five silent volcanoes!

Xiao Zhan's Aura was iron-blooded and murderous, carrying the matchless Evil Qi of ten thousand horses charging into battle, like a cold torrent of steel.

The heroic-looking woman's Aura was incomparably sharp, like an unsheathed legendary spear ready to pierce the heavens.

Han Chuang's Aura was arrogant and heavy, like a humanoid Vicious Beast, filled with a sense of violent power.

The effeminate youth's Aura was eerie and elusive, like a slithering venomous snake, carrying a cold Killing Intent.

The obscure youth's Aura was the most peculiar, like the deep waters of a hidden pool; seemingly calm, yet profound and unpredictable, concealing undercurrents that could swallow everything.

The five powerful Auras did not act independently but faintly fused together in a silent understanding, transforming into a vast "Momentum" net—invisible and intangible, yet heavy as a mountain, sharp as a blade, and eerie as a quagmire—slowly pressing down toward Chen Linsheng in the center of the hall!

This was not a physical attack, but an invisible pressure formed by the Fusion of spirit, will, presence, and the Evil Qi accumulated through years of slaughter.

Under the pressure of such a composite presence, an ordinary Martial Artist would, at best, have their mind shaken and their Qi and blood flow hindered, greatly reducing their strength; at worst, their will would collapse, their Battle Intent would vanish, and they might even be left with a Heart Demon.

This "Observation of Momentum" tested a Martial Artist's mental stability and adaptability when facing group pressure far beyond their own or when in unfavorable environments. This was especially important for the Martial Artists of Army Breaker Manor, who required teamwork and often faced desperate situations.

Chen Linsheng instantly felt the air around him become thick and heavy, his breathing slightly stifled. Five powerful spiritual wills, like invisible tentacles, tried to drill into his spiritual terrace and shake his mind. Evil Qi and Killing Intent intertwined like cold blades scraping against his skin.

He did not circulate his Qi and blood to resist forcefully, nor did he try to clash with his own Aura—that would be like a mantis trying to stop a carriage.

He closed his eyes.

Inside his body, the Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art quietly circulated; the Five Elements rotated, becoming as one with the Hunyuan, stabilizing his internal organs and cleansing external evils. The Foundation of his Hunyuan True Body was solid and heavy, like a pillar stabilizing the sea, guarding his Physical Body and Soul. Within the heart-fire vortex, that wisp of Great Sun True Flame spark flickered slightly, emitting a tiny light of supreme yang and righteousness, protecting his spiritual terrace and keeping it free from dust.

More importantly, he recalled his experience on the Heart Refining Bridge, where he had cut through three lives of Heart Demons and achieved spiritual sublimation. He remembered his steadfastness in the starry sky illusion when facing the White Lotus Cultist's Black Lotus Soul Devouring and the impact of resentment.

The external pressure was like mountains and seas, but his heart was like the calmest point at the center of a storm.

He seemed to transform into a stubborn rock that remained standing after being washed by wind and rain for billions of years. Or like the bottom of the deep sea; though the surface waves raged, he remained motionless.

No matter how your Evil Qi soars to the heavens, my heart remains as clear as ice.

No matter how your pressure is like a hellish prison, I guard my spiritual terrace.

No matter how your Auras interweave like a net, I remain a single entity, unhindered by external things.

Time passed bit by bit.

Surprise gradually appeared in the eyes of the five Inner Sect Disciples. They could feel that Chen Linsheng was not resisting with force, but was instead neutralizing their "Momentum" in an extremely profound way. He stood there, his breathing steady and long, his expression normal, as if that massive pressure—sufficient to make an ordinary Jiaojin Realm Martial Artist break into a cold sweat and lose their composure—was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

Ten breaths, twenty breaths, thirty breaths... Chen Linsheng remained standing quietly, as immovable as a mountain.

Finally, Thunder Shakes the Mountain raised his hand.

The five powerful Auras receded like a tide, and the heavy atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Chen Linsheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and calm, and bowed to Thunder Shakes the Mountain on the steps.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain looked at him and was silent for several breaths. In those sharp eyes, a hint of complex emotion rarely appeared—there was praise, appreciation, and a trace of indiscernible sentiment.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice sonorous and echoing through the hall:

"The three trials are over. Chen Linsheng, your Foundation, Heart-Nature, and will are all top-tier. You are qualified to accept the recruitment of my Army Breaker Manor."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Zhan and the others before finally landing back on Chen Linsheng, his tone becoming serious and formal:

"Now, this old man gives you two choices."

"First: Enter my Army Breaker Manor's inner sect directly and be listed as a 'General Seed.' The Manor will lean resources toward you and cultivate you with full effort. You will immediately obtain all the privileges and treatment of an Inner Sect Disciple, and you may choose an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill and receive guidance from a senior instructor. However, at the same time, you must immediately accept the Manor's arrangements, whether stationed in the dangerous lands of the Northern Border or performing high-risk missions; you may not leave without permission for ten years. This is the path of courageous advancement—full of crises, yet with extremely rapid growth and fast accumulation of merit."

"Second: Be temporarily listed as an 'Inner Sect Candidate.' You may first resolve your personal affairs, such as obtaining the title of Martial Scholar or settling your family. At the same time, you must independently complete an 'Assessment Mission' designated by the Manor within one year. Once the mission is completed, you will be formally enrolled in the inner sect and enjoy the corresponding resources and privileges. This path is relatively autonomous, with room for maneuver, but the resource supply will be halved before formal initiation, and the Assessment Mission will definitely not be easy, carrying the risk of failure."

Thunder Shakes the Mountain leaned forward slightly, his gaze like a torch as he stared at Chen Linsheng:

"Do you choose the first, or the second?"

"I will give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to consider."