Martial Saint!

Ten thousand cycles—for an ordinary person, even if not perishing, the Dao Heart would collapse and die within endless reincarnation.

Lu Chenzhou persevered through it.

He was once dragged by the Lust Demon into Desire Heaven, eroded by the endless carnal sins manifested by it. They took myriad forms, each tailored to the utmost perfection of human aesthetics. The most perilous moment was nearly having his cultivation destroyed by the Yaochi Immortal in the illusion.

He was once dragged by the Anger Demon into the Asura Dao, transformed into a God of Killing, slaughtering all grass, wood, and living beings in one world until none remained.

The Heart Demon is an amplifier of human desires, a collective embodiment of negative emotions. Through these ten thousand cycles of reincarnation, the heart tribulations he faced far exceeded all imagination.

The reason he endured, on the one hand, was the iron steadfastness of his Martial Arts Will. But that alone was insufficient—among these trialists present, who was not possessed of an unwavering Dao Heart?

More crucial was the uniqueness of his Dao.

He gazed upon the Martial Arts Tree.

[Withering and Flourishing: Fourth Rank (1%)]

[Reincarnation: Fourth Rank (1%)]

"To oppose the Heart Demon, the key is not brute force, but safeguarding the heart—remaining as still water, refining the spirit until it is as flawless and without leak as possible. The closer one approaches the Immaculate Realm, the easier it becomes to resist the Heart Demon.

This second trial tests neither spiritual power nor cultivation, but the heart realm. In theory, even a mere mortal, if their mental state is stable enough, can pass. As long as this insight is grasped, the Heart Demon is nothing but a paper tiger.

I reference the Spiritual Relics of the Great Void Unlimited Spell, guarding my soul with the Dao of Withering and Flourishing, contracting the defense line—so long as I protect the Spiritual Singularity, I can ceaselessly reshape my spiritual world through the laws of Withering and Flourishing. No matter if the heavens collapse or earth sinks, as long as the [Singularity] exists, I can reincarnate and be reborn.

Thus, the cave's master gave trialists a hint during the first trial: the Great Void Unlimited Spell and the Dao of Reincarnation are the answers."

Lu Chenzhou came to realization in his heart.

A trace of subtle satisfaction even arose within him.

The little scheme of the Great Power had been inferred by him.

He also had a sudden flash of inspiration, recalling the process of creating [Withering and Flourishing Body]. Since the physical body could achieve an Undying Body through the Dao of Withering and Flourishing, in theory the spirit could do likewise.

The principle behind the two is the same.

Thus, creating one's own martial arts brings comprehensive benefits—because the essential principles are deconstructed, one only needs to combine the Dao according to need and apply it in practice to produce the required cultivation technique.

With the mental cultivation of these Grandmasters present, crossing the mountain with equanimity should not have been so difficult. At the very least, one-third should have been capable of succeeding.

But because the treasure lay just beyond the mountain, even the Grandmasters could not avoid their mental state being swayed, causing ripples within.

Further, seeing trialists before them fall into demonization and perish, some Grandmasters developed fear and dread of death. These negative emotions, in the outside world, could be quickly resolved.

But here, in Black Mountain, under the influence of Three Filth Stone's Heart Demon power, negative emotions snowball, proliferating, giving the Heart Demon a perfect opening to strike.

Yet to maintain equanimity is easier said than done. Such is the nature of humanity—cultivation of the heart goes against human nature. In this regard, Zhang Shentong is indeed a rare man, able to pass through Black Mountain before me, his heart realm truly formidable."

Lu Chenzhou knew.

This second trial, had it not been for him, would have been an insurmountable riddle. He estimated at least 90% would have been eliminated, with at most 10% succeeding—far too perilous.

The Heart Cultivation inheritance is indeed cruel.

"This round of Heart Refinement is truly a blessing in disguise—in the Nirvana Reincarnation, [Withering and Flourishing] and [Reincarnation] both succeeded in entering the Fourth Rank. Now, it appears whatever Reincarnation can do, Withering and Flourishing can do as well. The two should be capable of merging."

A thought stirred within Lu Chenzhou.

He saw the two Daos begin to merge.

[Withering and Flourishing: Fourth Rank (10%)]

[Dao-finder: Lu Chenzhou]

...

"Hereafter, I only need to focus on the Dao of Withering and Flourishing. All cultivation methods requiring the Dao of Reincarnation can be replaced by Withering and Flourishing. For example, the Great Void Unlimited Spell I'll soon cultivate, the effect of Withering and Flourishing far surpasses Reincarnation."

His gains did not end at these two Daos.

He had benefited in three more Daos.

[Chaos: Fourth Rank (22%)]

...

[Illusion Realm: Fourth Rank (1%)]

[Daoist Lord: ???]

...

[Rotation: Third Rank (1%)]

[Dao-finder: Lu Chenzhou]

...

"Chaos Dao needs no explanation—it embraces all; bolstering the other Daos also nurtures its growth.

Through the tempering of the Heart Demon Illusion Realm, my Illusion Realm Dao has also successfully entered Fourth Rank, and the peculiar final Dao of Rotation, forged through endless destructions, has merged with Destruction Dao, rising to Third Rank, and grown markedly in power.

Once I enter the Dao, I should be able to master that strange vortex—that too is a hidden threat, needing to be cleansed."

Destruction Dao had been absorbed by Lu Chenzhou in his previous battle with the Red Lotus Demon Venerable's incarnation, and could likewise be encompassed by Rotation.

Withering and Flourishing, and Rotation—Lu Chenzhou is a Pioneer in both. So far, only he walks those two Daos.

As for Illusion Realm Dao, there is already a Daoist Lord.

He had an inkling of who it might be.

Having tallied his gains,

Lu Chenzhou stood in the starry sky, white robes billowing. He seemed like the ruler of this universe, staring straight ahead. The black-robed Lu Chenzhou, formed by the Heart Demon, dissolved of its own accord.

"It's over."

The Martial Arts Tree in his mind stood tall and sprawling; a single Heart Refinement had raised it to 220,000 zhang, a gain of 100,000 zhang.

He looked again upon the starry sky formed by his spiritual world. At its end were six resplendently golden walls composed of endless root tendrils, radiating jade-like brilliance, flawless and without leak.

"With a spirit immaculate as this, hereafter, I need not fear any Heart Demon—only the Heavenly Demon born of the three demon splits might break this heart's barrier and invade the spiritual world."

A Heavenly Demon is roughly equivalent to the Heavenly Realm.

As Lu Chenzhou knew, after the Heavenly Realm, each breakthrough, no matter how minor, could attract a Heavenly Demon invasion—this is the heart tribulation of Great Wilderness Qi Refiners.

Will, heart realm, spiritual cultivation, spiritual power, soul strength... or exceedingly rare spiritual treasures capable of resisting Heavenly Demons—these are the keys.

The heart realm is especially vital.

Of course, with his Fifth Realm cultivation, he need not worry about Heavenly Demons. In some sense, at his current stage his spirit is invincible.

No matter body seizing, no matter spiritual attacks—as long as they are not above the Seventh Realm, he can almost completely ignore them.

Together with the Undying Body of Withering and Flourishing Body—

His ability to save his life is downright terrifying.

"My spiritual power, seventy thousand prajna, has reached the End Realm of a Great Grandmaster. Seems in this Breakthrough Sixth trial, I can attempt to have both spirit and flesh advance simultaneously to Heavenly King Realm."

Upon the mountain path, Lu Chenzhou opened his eyes.

On the surface, he appeared no different from before, but in the eyes of many—especially Xuankong—at this very moment, the white-robed man was surrounded by a halo of jade-like, immaculate Buddha-nature radiance, sacred as a True Buddha.

"Has he achieved Buddhahood?"

Xuankong's mouth involuntarily trembled.

He had once beheld the Hui Kong Abbot and Xuankong High Master. Only those two Absolute Peak Experts naturally emanated such a circle of spiritual radiance, undying and eternal!

This is neither martial art nor secret technique—

Nor is it aura, qi po, or True Gang energy.

This is the light of spirit born when one's spiritual self reaches a certain realm—existing forever, immortal and undying.

The Buddhists call it [Circular Light].

The Daoist Sect calls it [Dao Wheel].

Po Suo calls it [Magic Ring].

The Westerns call it [Holy Light].

In short, in the countless murals of religious myth, the Buddhas, immortals, Gods, angels, and heavenly gods all have this auroral spiritual light behind their heads, symbolizing transcendence of the soul.

"Unimaginable. I have actually witnessed the birth of an Absolute Peak Expert. Just who is this venerable predecessor?"

Xuankong's heart nearly burst with curiosity.

"These forty-nine days of waiting were worth it."

A Po Suo Grandmaster's gaze was shaken with awe.

"Look—Black Mountain is fading away!"

Rumble—

Black Mountain grew increasingly insubstantial, until it vanished without a trace.

Lu Chenzhou descended to the ground.

With an apologetic gesture, he cupped his fists and said, "Apologies for keeping everyone waiting. Let us continue the trial." Clearly, the Guild Leader had asked him to preside over proceedings, but in the end it had become his own private trial—he could only smile wryly.

Old Yu bowed deeply and said, "This junior failed to recognize Mount Tai before his own eyes—greetings, predecessor!" He secretly believed Han Feiyu to be a top-ten Heavenly Person here to cross the tribulation—perhaps even the Guild Leader himself. How could a mere Grandmaster subdue Black Mountain and ten thousand demons?

It makes no sense!

The many Grandmasters, Lin Xia and Wang Xian included, also bowed to the white-robed man: "Greetings, Predecessor!"

Lu Chenzhou was dumbfounded—amused and helpless. "I'm not a predecessor, but just like you, a trialist."

He still could not reveal his identity. Should the Witches find out, they would strive all the more to target him—not that he cared for himself, but he did not wish to implicate so many others.

Lin Xia smiled and said, "Predecessor, we understand."

Top-level experts do enjoy playing among mortals.

Wang Xian fell into contemplation.

He had always felt a sense of déjà vu. Yet, judging from all indications, the one before him was clearly not his junior brother.

"By the way, how long has the trial lasted?"

Lu Chenzhou inquired.

Yu Cheng replied, "To report, predecessor: forty-nine days."

In Lu Chenzhou's heart, it felt as if ten thousand years had passed.

"Come, let us proceed to the third trial."

...

Outside the Ancient Cultivation Cave Mansion.

The Yellow River Old Ghost, Hui Fa Abbot, and other powerful ones stood scattered in the void, observing the trial's progress via the Lighting Order.

"The third trial is done—splendid!"

"Ha! Should have known it'd be Lu Chenzhou. Damn, he single-handedly drained Black Mountain's power. If that Great Power were still alive, wonder how he'd feel seeing this?"

"A Great Grandmaster can indeed attain an immaculate heart realm, birthing the protective Spiritual Light. Benefactor Lu, your Buddha Nature runs so deep!"

Hui Fa Abbot uttered with emotion.

A faint spiritual radiance circled about him as well.

His heart realm cultivation was also close to immaculate, but true flawlessness still eluded him by a hair's breadth. He could only make up this thread by breaking through from Sixth to Seventh Realm. To attain immaculate before Absolute Peak, his lifespan simply would not suffice.

The Northern Guardian King listened to the report, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"Fortunate I had Lu Chenzhou follow secretly. Any other Heavenly King, and this second trial might have cost us many Grandmasters. This trial has been Lu Chenzhou's great opportunity. His spiritual cultivation will undergo a qualitative transformation—he will thoroughly become a Hexagonal Warrior, with essence, qi, and spirit all advancing in tandem..."

Primordial Mountain Cave Heaven.

Mister Turtle blew upon his tea.

"He has reached the Immaculate? Truly unbelievable. Perhaps he really has hope of ascending to the Fifth Realm, surpassing Emperor Zhan, and becoming the Supreme True Saint who conquers the three demons."