Chapter 12: The Completion of the Heart-Breaking Demon Technique

The moment Yun Yao stepped into the labyrinth, a dense fog surged around her like a colossal hand, instantly engulfing her. Beneath her feet lay cold, coarse stone slabs, each step echoing sharply in the silent space, sounding unnervingly clear.

She cautiously glanced around but could only discern vague shapes a few steps away. The thick mist seemed alive, swirling before her eyes as if intent on swallowing all her senses.

“Young one, are you lost?” An ancient voice echoed from the depths of the maze, laced with a strange, mocking smile, as though ridiculing her confusion.

The voice was low and magnetic, yet it sent a chill down her spine.

Yun Yao’s heart tightened with sudden alertness; she felt the speaker nearby but could not pinpoint the direction.

She moved slowly toward the voice, the fog growing thicker, visibility dwindling, and a suffocating pressure encasing her like an invisible cage.

Then, an old man with a white beard appeared in her sight.

He wore a simple gray robe, his hair and beard pure white, holding a wooden staff. His face bore a kindly smile, resembling a reclusive sage, yet there was an indescribable eerie aura about him.

“Since fate has brought us together, young one, I shall pose a riddle for you,” the old man said with a smiling gaze, his eyes deep as dark pools.

“Say it exists, yet it does not; say it does not exist, yet it does. What is it?”

Yun Yao paused, the riddle sounding simple yet laden with profound philosophy.

She began to ponder, trying to find the answer, but the more she thought, the deeper her confusion grew, as if trapped in a dead-end.

The surrounding mist thickened, sticky like countless hands reaching out to drag her further into the haze.

“Sir, this riddle is perplexing; could you offer a hint?” Yun Yao sought assistance, but the old man merely shook his head, maintaining his mysterious smile.

“The answer lies within your heart, young one. Clinging to the surface, you will never uncover the truth.”

Yun Yao felt fine beads of sweat forming on her brow.

The riddle was like a mirror, reflecting her inner turmoil and unease, making her realize she faced not a mere puzzle but an internal struggle.

She strove to calm her thoughts, attempting different angles, repeatedly negating and overturning ideas. The oppressive fog made breathing difficult; this invisible battle drained her utterly.

Just as despair threatened to engulf her, the white-bearded man spoke again, his voice now more ethereal: “Young one, time is running out...”

The fog thickened further, weaving into a vast net, tightly enveloping Yun Yao.

Her breath grew shallow, her chest pressed as if by a huge stone, each inhale sharp with pain.

Time blurred within the mist; she felt her body growing cold, as if immersed in an ice cellar, every inch of skin pierced by biting chill.

“Do you still cling to those meaningless appearances?” the old man asked once more, his tone kind yet carrying a subtle urgency, warning her time was short.

His deep eyes now flickered like ghostly flames in the fog, chilling to behold.

Yun Yao’s heart sank.

She scanned the surroundings; the swirling mist roiled like boiling water, emitting eerie low murmurs. Suddenly, she realized her mistake.

The old man’s riddle was not about finding a concrete answer but testing her state of mind. This was no ordinary labyrinth—it was a manifestation of her deepest fears!

The instant this dawned on her, it was like a bolt of enlightenment.

She ceased fixating on the riddle’s literal meaning and began examining her own heart, seeking what truly frightened her.

Was it failure?

Death?

Or the fear of the unknown?

When she confronted these hidden shadows, they seemed utterly fragile.

“I understand!” she exclaimed, lifting her head with resolute eyes and a voice that pierced the fog.

No longer bound by the riddle’s surface, a newfound power radiated from her.

The mist surged violently as if stirred by a mighty force, slowly dissipating to reveal the labyrinth’s true form.

The white-bearded old man’s previously calm expression flickered with surprise.

He looked at Yun Yao; the haze in his eyes shimmered with a hint of admiration.

“Seems I underestimated you, young one,” he said with a playful yet barely perceptible approving tone. “However, your trial of the heart’s demons is not yet over.”

Just when Yun Yao thought she had broken free from her inner demons, the old man vanished, leaving his final words echoing through the empty maze.

With his disappearance, the surroundings began to warp and distort, as if something was about to break through the earth...

As the labyrinth crumbled, Yun Yao felt a surging force flood her body, her once-blocked meridians instantly clearing. Spiritual energy roared within her like a raging flood, unstoppable.

Excited, she waved her hands, reveling in unprecedented power, a confident smile curving her lips.

The thick fog dissolved, revealing a clear sky. Warm sunlight bathed her face, bringing comforting warmth.

Emerging from the maze, Yun Yao found herself in a clearing where fellow disciples stared at her in astonishment.

The emissary of the heart’s demons, a stern-faced man, approached her with a note of praise, “Congratulations on successfully passing the trial of the heart’s demons.”

“Thank you, emissary,” Yun Yao bowed slightly, though her heart remained wary.

At that moment, Senior Brother Zhou stepped forward from the crowd, his face twisted with resentment and bitterness.

“Emissary, I’m not convinced! She must have cheated! There’s no way she passed so quickly!”

The emissary glanced coldly at Zhou, producing a mirror in his hand.

“Senior Brother Zhou, you should look at this first.”

Within the mirror, every detail of Zhou’s previous actions during the trial was displayed clearly—how he spread rumors to mislead Yun Yao and how he cheated in the trial.

Zhou’s face paled instantly; he opened his mouth to protest but found no words.

“Senior Brother Zhou, considering your past was not grievous, today your cultivation is revoked, and you are expelled from the sect as a warning to others,” the emissary declared coldly, leaving no room for argument.

Zhou collapsed despondently, his eyes hollow as if soulless.

The disciples around erupted in outcry, condemning Zhou’s despicable deeds.

Yun Yao watched Zhou’s downfall without a trace of sympathy, instead feeling a surge of relief.

“Junior Sister Yun Yao, your courage and wisdom are admirable,” a senior brother approached, his tone full of respect.

“Yes, Junior Sister Yun Yao is truly remarkable!” another junior sister chimed in.

Yun Yao smiled in response to their praise but felt calm inside.

She knew this was only the beginning; more important goals awaited her.

At that moment, she sensed a familiar presence approaching...

“Yao’er,” a deep, magnetic voice whispered beside her.

Jun Muhan watched from afar as Yun Yao emerged from the mist, her figure tall and upright like a pine, radiating a shimmering brilliance, like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon—dazzling and resplendent.

His tense shoulders finally relaxed, the heavy stone weighing on his heart lifted.

He strode swiftly to her side, his gaze filled with unabashed admiration and warmth, like spring sunlight bathing her.

Yun Yao’s heart stirred, a ripple breaking the calm surface, her cheeks faintly flushed.

She felt the envious gazes of the disciples around them, a sweet pride swelling within.

“Yao’er,” Jun Muhan’s voice was low and magnetic, tinged with subtle concern, “are you alright?”

Yun Yao shook her head, a radiant smile blossoming on her lips, “I’m fine. Sorry to have worried you.”

Jun Muhan reached out, gently brushing her hair.

Between them, the atmosphere was tender and intimate, as if the very air shimmered with sweetness.

The heart’s demon emissary observed the scene...

“Yun Yao,” he stepped forward with a note of admiration, “your performance was impressive. Passing the trial of the heart’s demons not only proves your strength but also displays your courage and wisdom.”

Yun Yao bowed humbly, “Thank you for your praise, emissary.”

He nodded, “Your reward will be delivered to your quarters shortly. For now, you may rest.”

Yun Yao saluted the emissary, then turned to walk beside Jun Muhan as they left the trial grounds together.

Back at her quarters, Yun Yao eagerly opened her system panel to check Jun Muhan’s favorability level.

The number had risen sharply to eighty—an increase of twenty points from before!

Her heart leapt with joy; she was one step closer to completing her mission.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

Yun Yao opened it to find a venerable elder with an immortal aura standing outside, holding an exquisite wooden box.

“Junior niece Yun Yao, this is a reward bestowed upon you by the Sect Leader,” the elder said kindly, handing her the box.

Yun Yao accepted it with eager anticipation.

Opening the box, she found a pill emitting a gentle, radiant glow.

“This is...” Yun Yao looked up in surprise at the elder.

He stroked his beard slowly and said, “This is the ‘Breakthrough Pill.’ It will help you transcend your bottleneck and enhance your cultivation.”

Hearing this, Yun Yao’s heart swelled with joy as she thanked the elder warmly.

He smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

Closing the door, Yun Yao wasted no time swallowing the breakthrough pill.

The pill melted instantly, releasing a surge of potent energy into her body, coursing like a mountain flood—unstoppable.

She felt her cultivation soaring rapidly, an unprecedented force swelling within her.

A sudden explosive sound burst forth, and her room was flooded with dazzling light.

“What’s happening?”

“What’s going on?”

The immortal disciples were stirred, rushing toward Yun Yao’s quarters.

Jun Muhan sensed the powerful energy fluctuation as well.

Within Yun Yao’s room, the light gradually faded, revealing her figure standing at the center, radiating overwhelming aura like a sovereign queen.

“Congratulations, Junior Sister Yun Yao, on breaking through to the Golden Core stage!” an excited disciple exclaimed.

“Truly a prodigy!” another disciple echoed.

The sect’s disciples flocked to offer their congratulations, and Yun Yao stood bathed in radiant light, the focal point of the entire sect.

Jun Muhan approached her.

Yun Yao met his gaze, a confident smile playing on her lips, “This is only the beginning.”

Just then, a voice rose from the crowd, “Junior Sister Yun Yao, I have a favor to ask...”