Ning Zhuo descended on the cloud head, entered the Evil Slaying Hall, and arrived at an Inner Sect.
There were cultivators guarding this place, Ning Zhuo presented his wooden token, and was allowed to enter the gate.
He stepped through the gate, and his vision suddenly changed, entering an array space.
All around him were Black Stone walls, and the ground was a deep, eerie, glowing swamp.
Sinking Sin Swamp!
In the center of this artificial swamp, there was a stone platform, upon which was an official plaque with four grand and majestic words written in gold: The Bright Mirror Hung High.
Beneath the plaque, several cultivators clad in the blue-black high-level attire of the Evil Slaying Hall sat solemnly. Their gaze, like lightning, occasionally swept over the numerous cultivators struggling to advance through the swamp.
The Evil Slaying Hall is one of the Sixteen Halls, offering excellent benefits, naturally attracting a large number of newcomers who wish to join.
And traversing by foot through the Sinking Sin Swamp is the first selection process.
Ning Zhuo was just one among them.
His gaze swept over, discovering at least fifty cultivators struggling through the swamp.
Ning Zhuo, cautious by nature, began by carefully observing.
Most cultivators stepped into the swamp, the mud reaching over their ankles, sometimes deep to their calves. Lifting their legs from the swamp proved arduous, the mud having strong suction. A layer of gray fog continuously enveloped them, adding more suppression.
All of them sweating at the brows, faces heavy, their mana constantly driven, physical strength rapidly depleted.
A few cultivators faced considerable hardship. One step in and they seemed to land in a pool of mud, instantly submerged to the waist or even chest! They had to fully activate their magic treasures, blast the mud apart, struggling to break free.
During this process, the Sinking Sin Swamp seemed alive, clinging, trying to drag the cultivators down.
While Ning Zhuo was observing, a majority of these cultivators were already eliminated, shouting for help and swiftly transferred out by the Evil Slaying Hall cultivators activating formations from the stone platform.
There were also a few cultivators, very few, who stood stably on the swamp’s surface; the mud beneath them solidifying heavily. They moved forward leaving only shallow footprints, experiencing no suction or dragging at all.
"The Sinking Sin Swamp reflects the extent of one’s sins."
"The greater the sins, the more perilous the swamp becomes, capable of drowning the cultivator."
"Conversely, with fewer sins, the swamp becomes as simple as walking on flat ground!" Ning Zhuo wasn’t unfamiliar with the Sinking Sin Swamp, having learned about it from books.
"What will my performance be like?" With this question in mind, Ning Zhuo stepped onto the swamp.
Under his feet, the surface of the swamp instantly solidified into a tile!
Ning Zhuo stepped forward, the mud below firm and substantial, leaving no footprints.
This was truly walking on solid ground!
No sinking, no suction force.
While others were surrounded by gray fog, Ning Zhuo had a clear aura around him, walking effortlessly, a stark contrast to the surrounding cultivators.
"Huh?" Ning Zhuo’s unobstructed progress quickly drew the attention of many.
As he reached the midpoint, almost all of the high-level cultivators on the central stone platform focused their gaze on Ning Zhuo, appraising him constantly.
"Who is this young man?"
"He’s at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, but young, a promising seedling!"
"Such a display in the Sinking Sin Swamp is rarely seen among cultivators."
"This young man’s clear gaze, every movement indicates a noble heritage. Surely brought up by centuries-old, strict Righteous Sect, isolated from worldly disturbances to nurture!"
The Evil Slaying Hall’s high-level cultivators exchanged divine sense communications.
One subtly shook his head: "It seems this young man hasn’t experienced much bloodshed, keeping his hands clean. Hence, no murdering sin, which makes the swamp respond this way. Must cultivate his combat experience when he is brought in."
Another replied: "Though lacking combat skills, the absence of gray fog around him indicates pure foundation and clarity of mind. This is the hallmark of our noble Righteous Sect spirit."
They did not hide their admiration for Ning Zhuo.
"Regardless of his talent, just this performance is enough to admit him to our Evil Slaying Hall."
"Be patient! The Sinking Sin Swamp is just the first selection method, not sufficiently comprehensive. In the past, some Demon Cultivators used strange magic treasures or techniques to conceal their sins, passing through the swamp."
"Agreed. Next, let’s see how this young man performs under the official plaque."
The high-level cultivators quickly shifted their gaze from Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo effortlessly overtook many cultivators.
Amidst eyes filled with envy and resentment, he leisurely arrived beneath the central stone platform.
"This must be the easiest round of Xingyun Trial I’ve participated in." Ning Zhuo reflected.
Meanwhile, some high-level cultivators on the stone platform grew impatient; an elderly cultivator urged: "Come forward and ascend the platform."
"Junior Ning Zhuo greets the seniors." Ning Zhuo politely bowed first below the platform, then began his ascent.
The cultivators on the stone platform nodded inwardly: "This lad understands etiquette well; certainly a scion, not bad, not bad."
Once Ning Zhuo climbed to the platform’s top, the previously speaking elder instructed: "Step forward and touch the official plaque."
Ning Zhuo complied.
He remained calm, placing his hand gently on the plaque’s surface.
The four large characters "The Bright Mirror Hung High" began to emit a faint golden glow.
The high-level Evil Slaying Hall cultivators were somewhat surprised, exchanging divine sense communications.
"This young man carries merit."
"Did he commit some benevolent act?"
"His foundation is likely deep, backed by a large family; doing good deeds is unsurprising."
"A pity the Hall Master isn’t here. If he were, he could fully activate the plaque and assess precisely how much merit the young one has."
"Given his young age, how much merit could he have? Perhaps family established these deeds just to ensure his entry into the Evil Slaying Hall, who knows."
"Let’s see if he accepts the upcoming Heart Inquiry."
Ning Zhuo scrutinized the plaque, slightly puzzled: "This is actually an official artifact?"
The elderly cultivator: "Young friend Ning Zhuo has no crimes; you’ve passed the second test, congratulations."
"I have three questions for you, which you may answer or remain silent. However, once you speak, you must be sincere, do not deceive others, nor yourself."
Some cultivators near the platform changed their expression, worried yet hoping Ning Zhuo would refuse.
Other high-level cultivators remained expressionless, unsurprised.
Ning Zhuo’s performance in the Sinking Sin Swamp earned him the Heart Inquiry opportunity from the Evil Slaying Hall.
Ning Zhuo promptly clasped his fists in a salute, his voice clear: "Thank you, seniors, but ask away." Familiar with relevant information.
This Xingyun Trial round is a preliminary selection by the Evil Slaying Hall, involving two tests: the Sinking Sin Swamp and the stone platform plaque. Passing them advances to the next round.
Furthermore, meeting an exceptionally talented newcomer earns a third test, the Heart Inquiry.
The elderly cultivator nodded slightly, a trace of admiration in his eyes, then inquired: "In the vast Dao, evil runs rampant. If you encounter a wicked demon harming beings, unable to capture them, you let them be; if captured, they plea and offer great rewards or themselves as vanguard... what do you do?"
All eyes focused on Ning Zhuo on and off the platform.
Certain techniques were deployed, Ning Zhuo felt his Divine Sea and Upper Dantian tremble, but in the next moment the Buddha Heart Demon Seal emitted Demon Light, sweeping through the Divine Sea, instantly stabilizing the Dantian.
Ning Zhuo found it odd, surprised that it was the first time seeing the Buddha Heart Demon Seal activate passively, emitting Demon Light; previously, it was always Buddha Light.
Immediately, he understood, the Evil Slaying Hall’s Heart Inquiry technique failed on him.