No Money to Cultivate Immortality?
Chapter 24: Fear and the Dao Heart

“645... 644... 639...”

One classmate after another appeared before Qian Shen. He couldn't make out their faces, but the scores glowing above their heads were clear.

“680, 690, 660...”

Each number shimmered impossibly high, a blinding reminder of how unworthy he felt.

Standing there, Qian Shen felt utterly insignificant, like a disposable side character.

“I’m standing among these people like a soggy bag of trash.”

“With just over 600 points, I don’t even deserve to be here. I shouldn’t be speaking to them. I shouldn’t even be near them...”

In his eyes, the classmates’ scores kept rising, and their figures grew taller and taller, turning into towering giants that pierced the clouds. He could barely see their legs now—let alone their faces.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the exhibition, a drone from Mangshan High piloted by Li Xingyu traced a path through the air, heading for the Celestial Martial Diagram.

Then, with a sudden crackle and a sharp burst of static, the drone malfunctioned and crashed to the ground in a crooked arc.

“Mangshan’s soul cultivators and their binding contracts should really stay out of this.”

Li Xuelian murmured lightly, then withdrew her gaze from the drone and turned back to observing the students.

“A pity. Most of the students trying their luck today are freshmen. To truly master the techniques embedded in the Celestial Martial Diagram, it really takes someone from sophomore or junior year.”

“But then again… the top juniors and seniors either no longer meet the age requirements, or they’re already bound by contracts. There's no reason for them to seek a master anymore.”

Just then, a gleaming figure stepped up beside her. The Songyang City director of Xianyun Group, radiant in golden light, smiled and said, “The Celestial Martial Diagram, personally painted by Xinghuo Zhenren, is as wondrous as expected. But what, exactly, is its test?”

Li Xuelian didn’t answer him directly. Instead, she said evenly, “The first trial of the Celestial Martial Diagram is a test of the Dao Heart.”

“Those who fail are forcibly repelled, often left with a crack in their Dao Heart.”

…

Zhao Tianxing felt the scornful and mocking stares of countless people pressing down on him. He couldn't help but stumble back, retreating from the range of the Celestial Martial Diagram.

When he finally came to, he realized that the “public humiliation” and “disdainful glares” were all illusions projected by the diagram.

Realizing he’d failed the test, his face flushed red. He backed away quickly, hoping no one had noticed a mere security guard making a fool of himself.

…

Back at the exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, “Those who pass this first trial will naturally temper their Dao Heart in the process.”

“Most cultivators strengthen their Dao Heart by cultivating specialized mental techniques.”

“Different heart-forging techniques require different mindsets to match.”

“Take, for example, the ancient ‘Worship Technique.’ Its practitioners must be devout beyond question. The stronger the faith in their deity, the more powerful the cultivation.”

“Or Purple Cloud High’s ‘Heavenly Diligence Technique,’ which demands total devotion to bitter training. Only those who internalize hardship as instinct can unleash its full power.”

“Then there’s the ‘Basic Heart-Forging Technique’ for high school students. It calls for stillness of mind and silent endurance—like water wearing away stone.”

“There are thousands of such techniques, some better than others, but what matters is whether the cultivator’s mindset matches the technique.”

“But the mind is a fickle thing. Even the cultivator might not know what they truly believe, let alone others.”

“Fortunately, the stronger the Dao Heart, the stronger the cultivator’s willpower. So testing willpower becomes the simplest way to assess the strength of a Dao Heart and the efficacy of a technique.”

“But the Celestial Martial Diagram doesn’t just test willpower in a simple, direct way.”

“It targets inner fears, striking directly at the cultivator’s mental weak points. There’s no time to brace, no time to activate a heart technique. It forces out their truest reactions.”

“To pass, one must adjust their mindset in real-time, overcoming their inner weakness.”

The director’s eyes gleamed. “I see. So Senior Xinghuo is seeking a disciple with mental agility—someone who can switch beliefs at will. Worship whatever god suits the moment, grind when necessary, lie flat when it isn’t.”

Li Xuelian nodded. “Matching a technique is good, but only those who can constantly adjust their beliefs to adapt to their environment and techniques are true geniuses. They are not shackled by doctrine.”

“Especially today, with society changing at lightning speed and the Ten Great Academies shaping every aspect of life across Kunxu, adaptability of thought is essential.”

“For example, in today’s world, exams and scores are integral to the Immortal Path. They’ve become a part of every cultivator’s life.”

“As a result, modern cultivators are inevitably obsessed with scores.”

“High marks and that obsession can sharpen a student’s will and boost their Dao Heart.”

“But it’s also a vulnerability. There’s always someone better. Being number one today doesn’t guarantee anything tomorrow. The same students who are confident at the top of the leaderboard are crushed by self-doubt when they fall behind.”

“To overcome this flaw, the cultivator must learn to shift their thinking flexibly. That’s the key to passing.”

“There was once a student who repeatedly scored poorly during the diagram’s trial. But he conquered his fear of low grades and forged a rebellious mindset.”

…

Reaching the podium, Lian Tianji laughed loudly.

“Hahaha! So what if I’m dead last now? That just means I get to start from zero!”

“From this day forth, I’m the school’s biggest loser!”

“But even as a loser, I’ll surpass each of you—one by one—and seize the top spot!”

“I’ll be number one in the entire year!”

As he overcame his fear, the diagram came into focus once again, and the martial forms it contained became crystal clear.

…

Li Xuelian continued, “There are thirty-six layers above ground and eighteen below in Kunxu. Each is its own world. Whether human or Immortal, all are sorted into strict hierarchies. This obsession with ranking is etched into the bones of every cultivator, shaping our thoughts from the inside out.”

“Another student once experienced layer upon layer of social pressure inside the diagram. In the end, she awakened the philosophy of lying flat.”

…

Qian Shen watched the score-topped giants rise taller and taller, their forms disappearing into the clouds.

Only the glowing numbers above their heads remained, blinding in their brilliance.

He tried to keep up but couldn’t.

As the giants soared ever higher, his anxiety turned to fear, fear to despair, and despair into numbness.

He collapsed to the ground, no longer looking at the towering forms.

“Fine.”

“I won’t chase them anymore.”

“So long as I can still cultivate—even if I never surpass anyone—that’s enough.”

As if waking from a deep dream, Qian Shen opened his eyes. He stared at the Celestial Martial Diagram, a new clarity gleaming in his gaze.

…

Listening to Li Xuelian’s explanation, the Xianyun Group director nodded in agreement. “Thought follows the times. It’s no surprise it shows up in the trials.”

He mused aloud, “Given today’s society, where everyone lives on borrowed mana, surely that’s reflected in the diagram too?”

“Exactly,” Li Xuelian replied. “There was once a student who faced the horror of repayment on the Immortal Path—and ended up embracing the mindset of a deadbeat.”

…

Watching the thunderclouds of debt gather overhead, Bai Zhenzhen crouched down in panic.

“Wait! I’ll pay it back!”

“I’ll pay, okay?!”

“Just don’t zap me!”

She scrambled to check her phone, desperate to know how much she owed—and how much she could repay.

“800,000?!”

The first loan platform alone sent her heart plummeting.

Then 1.2 million from the second platform.

Two million... five million... eight million...

As the total debt in her head skyrocketed, her hand—clutching the phone—grew limp.

For a high schooler, eight million in debt was enough to crush the soul.

Suddenly, Bai Zhenzhen lay flat on the ground and shouted up at the storm clouds, “Come on, then! Strike me down!”

“If you kill me, that’s eight million turned to smoke!”

The thunder didn’t fall.

She continued, “Either kill me and wipe out eight million…”

“Or give me a job and I’ll pay it back myself.”

As the thunder faded, the Celestial Martial Diagram reappeared before her.

Watching the figure within practicing martial techniques, Bai Zhenzhen began to understand.

…

“At the end of the day,” Li Xuelian sighed, “whether it’s rebellious thoughts, lying flat, or becoming a deadbeat, these are just mental states used to resist pressure. They can temper the will and Dao Heart, but what comes next depends on reality.”

“After all, this is only the first trial of the Celestial Martial Diagram—just a threshold.”

She remembered her own high school days, when her father once tested her Dao Heart.

Her greatest fear then was him. He oppressed her ruthlessly in that trial, until she exploded in rebellion, awakened the ‘filial vengeance’ mindset, and upon waking, beat that old bastard bloody with gold coins. Her cultivation skyrocketed.

But reality—society’s pressures and her father’s daily presence—soon restored her respect for him.

The Xianyun Group director nodded gently, knowing she was right. The effects of a Dao Heart trial are temporary.

People change constantly. How could a single trial compete with the ceaseless shaping power of society?

Li Xuelian added, “Once you endure the first trial and conquer your fears, the next stage is true comprehension.”

“And after comprehension, whether you can actually master the martial technique—that’s another matter entirely.”

The director nodded. He now understood the three gates of the Celestial Martial Diagram: conquer fear, gain insight, and master the martial art.

“And among these students… how many do you think will succeed?”

Li Xuelian surveyed the crowd and shook her head. “Hard to say if even one will make it.”

…

As Zhang Yu stared at the gradually clarifying figure in the Celestial Martial Diagram, he saw it begin performing a martial form. Suddenly, a chill welled up in his chest.

“Please honor the Ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not slack off or delay. 10.”

Zhang Yu blinked. “What? I’m studying right now, aren’t I? This is effort! I’m trying to get into a good university!”

But the cold presence didn’t care. The countdown continued.

“Please honor the Ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not slack off or delay. 9.”

“Please honor the Ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not slack off or delay. 8.”

With no other option, Zhang Yu sat down and began active breathing, hoping to make the countdown stop.

As he started the technique, the chill faded. The countdown halted.

“Stupid Ritual...”

Just as he was mentally cursing it, another wave of cold surged inside him.

“Please honor the Ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not slack off or delay. 10.”

Zhang Yu froze.

“What?! I’m literally cultivating right now!”

“Why another countdown?!”

“What bugged-out Ritual is this?!”

He stopped breathing practice to test it—only for the chill and countdown to persist.

Then a second chill and countdown joined the first.

As the two countdowns alternated in his head, Zhang Yu finally realized the truth.

“There are two countdowns?”

“Is one of them fake?”