Infinite Regressor: SSS-Ranked Skill In Cultivation World!
Chapter 42: Final Trial, Three Test

Chapter 42: Final Trial, Three Test

Hearing this, the elder who was talking earlier shrunk his neck back into his robe, afraid of attracting attention to himself.

At the same time, Shi Jing movement and swift action became the topic of discussion among the elders who was closest to him.

Outside of Zhao Gongzu, Ye Ming, and a few other noticeable figure. Shi Jing has became a dark horse among the participant.

This is due to his lacking cultivation, being only at the Early-Stage while Zhao Gongzu was at the Late Stage with Ye Ming being Middle Stage.

However, despite his cultivation being the lowest among these figure, they didn’t dare to underestimate him.

Meanwhile, Fang Zheng and Elder Chen Lian was furthest away from Shi Jing corner, so they couldn’t spot him.

With the hundreds of battle happening each second, it was difficult to keep track of everyone.

Thus, the discussion regarding Shi Jing was simply a drop in a bucket.

That is not to say that he did not attract the upper rank of the inner elder’s attention, who was seated further up than the outer elders.

In fact, some did turn their head toward his direction.

This is especially true for Xing Yue, who had been paying attention to him since the beginning.

When Shi Jing defeated the Late-Stage Qi-Refiner, she was a little startled.

This is due to how effortless he made it look. Even Lin Xue, her talented disciple, at his age would not be able to pull this off.

All of these factor only serves to raise Shi Jing’s status in Xing Yue’s eyes.

While the battle continue to reverberate on top of the giant platform, an incense of time passed.

Tian Long swept his gaze across the participant. Some looked up at him, while many had their eyes close in order to recover from their injuries.

Starting from thousands of participant, the number has dwindle to a mere three hundred!

Seeing this result, he remained indifferent as he spoke.

"Our Sword Cloud Manor favor those who cultivate sword art. But this too is a singular path among thousands. It is unfair to judge your ranking and talents based on this alone."

"Thus, since the founding of the Sword Cloud Manor, the final test has been split into three category."

As Shi Jing listened to his words, he can’t help but realized a harsh truth.

’The first two trial is a test to reduce our numbers. This is no different from uprooting the weeds in a farm. The goal of these competition and trials are merely a great filter aimed to propagate fresh talents for the sect!’

Upon thinking of this, his expression grew cold.

’How is this an act of a righteous sect? Of a righteous force?’

He couldn’t understand it. After all, Shi Jing despite his long life has barely scrape the surface of the cultivation world.

Regarding the demonic and righteous path, he only has a shallow understanding.

For example, Senior Ming Feng once mentioned how Sword Demon, Jian Zhu, fell into the demonic path. But how does one distinguished the difference between the demonic path and righteous path?

However, regardless of Shi Jing’s thought, Tian Long continued to speak steadily.

"The three category of the final trial is simple. Cultivation aptitude, Dao comprehension, and..." He paused, staring at Shi Jing’s figure before speaking again.

"A test of one’s Dao Heart."

The moment Tian Long’s words fell, a stunned silence blanketed the entire arena.

Then, like a dam bursting, voices erupted from every corner of the spectator stands.

"Dao Heart? Did I hear that correctly?"

"What happened to the traditional ranking battles?"

"In three hundred years of Sword Cloud Manor competitions, when has the final test ever been about Dao Heart?"

The outer disciples who had been eliminated earlier looked at each other with confusion and relief.

Some even felt a bitter laugh rising in their throats, perhaps if they had known, they might have had a chance after all.

Among the outer elders, Elder Zheng stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Strange... This hasn’t happened in a long time. Why this sudden change?"

His companion, Elder Liu, frowned deeply.

"Could it be related to the recent disturbances in the sect? Or the rumors of that certain inheritance?"

"Hush!" Elder Feng glanced around nervously. "Such matters are not for us to discuss."

Higher up in the stands, the inner elders maintained more composure, but their exchanged glances betrayed their surprise.

Elder Wu leaned toward his neighbor, speaking in a low voice that still carried the weight of his concern.

"A Dao Heart test... This is difficult!"

"Indeed," replied Elder Wang, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"Combat prowess can be trained, techniques can be learned, but one’s Dao Heart..." He shook his head slowly.

"This is related to the true nature of a cultivator."

Some of the more experienced inner elders nodded knowingly.

They understood that this test would expose far more than any battle ever could. The implication behind this final trial is too broad.

At the edge of the formation barrier, above the spectator’s platform.

Elder Xing Yue’s eyes never left Tian Long’s figure.

’I have heard of the recent rising conflicts within Cangwu region... First, it was the matter between the Ming estate and the Zhang family... Now this... ’

’It seems even the Soul Refining Sect has started to make a move.’

Meanwhile, among the remaining participants on the platform, reactions varied wildly.

Zhao Gongzu’s confident expression faltered for the first time.

His cultivation was sufficient while his sword techniques is refined, but Dao Heart?

As the young master of the Zhao family, how could he not understand the weight of this trial?

That was something that couldn’t be faked or easily forged simply from training and having resources. However, upon examining himself, his worries faded.

As for Ye Ming’s reaction. He remained indifferent toward this change.

Other participants showed their true colors in that moment of revelation.

Some paled, clearly worried while others straightened with rising confidence, believing their dao heart were firm.

But it was among the common spectators, the mortal families who had come to witness their children’s fate, where the most honest reactions occurred.

"What’s a Dao Heart?" Whispered a merchant’s wife to her husband.

"I... I’m not certain," he replied, sweat beading on his forehead.

"But it sounds important. Very important."