Chapter 10: The Perilous Arrival of the Inner Demon Trial

The moment Yun Yao stepped into the trial arena, the surrounding light vanished abruptly, replaced by a suffocating darkness.

A chill air surged in like a tide, instantly enveloping her entire body, causing an involuntary shiver to run down her spine.

Within the darkness, it felt as if countless eyes silently watched her, an invisible pressure tightening her chest and chilling her back.

The tense atmosphere enveloped her like a tangible force, making her breath quicken.

She could feel her heartbeat accelerating, pounding heavily against her eardrums, as if warning her that this place was no sanctuary.

As Yun Yao struggled to adapt to the darkness, a familiar voice shattered the silence.

“Sister Yun, I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon.”

Following the sound, Yun Yao saw Senior Brother Zhou suddenly standing before her.

His face bore the usual insincere smile, but his eyes held a faint, barely perceptible malice.

“Don’t be afraid, junior sister. I’ve gone through this heart demon trial before; I have some experience to share that might spare you many detours.”

Yun Yao’s heart stirred. She feigned gratitude, “That’s wonderful, thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zhou,” but inwardly she doubted: Zhou had failed the trial before—why was he suddenly so kind?

Seemingly oblivious to her suspicion, Zhou continued with “warmth,” “Do you see that path ahead? It’s the key route to the trial’s core. Just follow that path, and you’ll pass the trial smoothly.” He deliberately pointed to a narrow trail on the right, as if all his advice was for her benefit.

Yun Yao glanced in the direction he indicated; the path flickered faintly in the darkness, exuding an eerie aura.

Alarm bells rang in her mind—something was amiss.

She recalled that Zhou had failed the heart demon trial before, so his sudden “kindness” was highly suspicious.

“Senior Brother Zhou, are you sure that’s the right path?” Her eyes showed doubt, not fully trusting his words.

Zhou’s smile stiffened, a fleeting displeasure flashing in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected her to be so wary; it wouldn’t be easy to deceive her.

“Of course. Junior sister, would I lie to you? That’s the path I took to reach the end, though I ultimately fell short.”

The air seemed to freeze, a subtle tension growing between them, an invisible strain tautening slowly.

Yun Yao said nothing further. She quietly fixed her gaze on Zhou, a resolute determination flickering in her eyes.

Suddenly, she smiled faintly, “Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother Zhou. I understand now.”

With those meaningful words, she turned and strode toward the left path, exactly opposite the one Zhou had pointed out.

Her skirt brushed the ground, producing a faint rustle that sounded especially clear in the silent darkness.

She felt Zhou’s gaze coil around her like a venomous serpent, dripping with malice.

But she paid no mind, a trace of mocking smile curling at her lips.

The left path was deep and winding, filled with a faint scent of decay.

The uneven ground occasionally echoed with the grinding of loose stones.

Each step Yun Yao took was cautious, wary of triggering any hidden traps.

---

After about fifteen minutes, the path suddenly opened into a clearing.

Before her stood an ancient stone tablet, its surface densely inscribed with intricate runes.

Scattered around it were broken jade slips, seemingly recording some critical information.

Yun Yao’s heart lifted; she carefully picked up a jade slip and probed it with her spirit.

The slip contained the rules of the heart demon trial and some methods to overcome it.

It turned out the trial was not merely a test of strength but more importantly, a trial of one’s heart and character.

Throughout the trial, one would face various illusions and traps; a single misstep could lead to being lost forever, even falling into madness.

The methods recorded in the jade slips were keys to discerning illusions and conquering the heart demons.

Yun Yao committed the contents to memory, inwardly relieved she had not trusted Senior Brother Zhou’s deceit.

She looked up at the tablet, her gaze settling on a line of runes: “Only by dispelling the heart demon can one see the true self.”

Meanwhile, outside the trial arena, Jun Mohan furrowed his brow tightly, his gaze fixed on the entrance.

A vague unease lingered in his heart, an instinctive worry that Yun Yao might encounter danger.

The surrounding disciples whispered among themselves, speculating if Yun Yao could pass the trial.

“Senior Brother, you need not worry so much. Junior Sister Yun is exceptionally gifted; good fortune always favors the virtuous,” a disciple gently reassured him.

But Jun Mohan ignored the words, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened.

He silently prayed: Yun Yao, you must come back safely.

Inside the trial, after memorizing all the jade slips, Yun Yao prepared to continue.

Suddenly, a powerful pressure emanated from behind.

She spun around sharply, seeing Senior Brother Zhou standing there, his expression dark and terrifying.

“How dare you deceive me!” Zhou snarled, eyes blazing with fury.

Yun Yao sneered coldly, “Why would I believe the lies of a failure?”

Enraged, Zhou laughed bitterly, “Since you refuse kindness, you’ll have to drink the bitter wine!” Suddenly, a longsword appeared in his hand, its blade gleaming coldly, aimed at Yun Yao.

Yun Yao’s eyes hardened; a longsword materialized in her hand as well, ready for battle.

“Wait,” Zhou suddenly sheathed his sword, wearing a sinister smile. “I’ve changed my mind.”

He stepped closer, “Instead of wasting time here, why don’t we cooperate?”

Yun Yao eyed him warily, “Cooperate? How do you intend to cooperate?”

Leaning close, Zhou whispered, “I know a secret passage that leads straight to the trial’s core…”

Just as Yun Yao was about to respond, a voice echoed in her mind, “Be careful, he’s lying to you!”

That voice... it was Jun Mohan!

Yun Yao’s heart jolted. She looked up toward the sky above the trial arena.

“You... how—”

---

Her heart trembled as she looked up, but saw nothing.

Jun Mohan’s concern drifted over her like a gentle, warming breeze, bringing a faint smile to her lips and a surge of warmth within.

She turned back to Zhou with newfound resolve.

“Cooperate? You lied once; I won’t believe you again,” she said coldly, her sword gleaming with cold light.

Seeing this, Zhou made no further move to engage her, and she continued along the left path.

Soon, she reached an area thick with brambles.

Her steps faltered.

The thorns were tall and dense, each shimmering with a strange light, as if alive.

She tread carefully, each step feeling arduous, the thorns seeming to writhe and harass her ankles.

Her magical power was restrained here, and helplessness crept into her heart.

“I can’t retreat now. I’ll find a way,” she bit her lip and whispered to herself.

She scanned her surroundings, searching for a solution.

Suddenly, she spotted a small stone tablet engraved with strange patterns.

Her heart stirred; she bent to pick it up and studied it carefully.

The patterns seemed like a puzzle. Recalling the trial rules from the jade slips, she gradually discerned the way to break through.

Following the tablet’s instructions, she lightly touched a particular thorn.

Instantly, the surrounding thorns vanished as if dispelled by an invisible force, revealing a clear path.

Joy filled her heart. Standing still, she exhaled deeply, sensing the air around her lighten.

She felt proud to have solved the trap and that she was one step closer to success.

With firm steps, she pressed forward, deeper into the trial.

After some time, a melodious flute sound drifted to her ears.

In the silent darkness, it was extraordinarily clear, as if imbued with magic, compelling her to stop.

The surroundings began to change; the darkness softened into a gentle glow, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

Unease stirred within her, but curiosity propelled her onward.

Following the flute’s direction, passing through blurred lights and shadows, she finally arrived at a beautiful garden.

Within the garden, myriad flowers bloomed in splendid competition, exuding enchanting scents.

Yet beneath this beauty, an unspoken danger still lurked.

Suddenly, a gentle voice whispered in her ear, “Welcome to the depths of the heart demon trial, Yun Yao.”