Soul Emperor Awakening

"Hey, someone’s trying to get in! Come look, everyone!"

Deep within the Core Hall, a nearby Guard pointed to a Stone Stele on the wall. On it was an image of Lin Xuan. By using Spirit Stones, they could see what was happening outside. It was mainly used for surveillance—a rather high-end system that a normal Sect couldn’t possibly afford.

The surrounding Guards all gathered around, leaning in closer to the image and carefully sizing up the Lin Xuan who stood at the main gate.

"Is that a new disciple? I remember a new disciple is supposed to report soon. I think his name was Lin Yunlong."

"Yeah, Lin Yunlong! Made it out of the Inner Hall in just over half a year. That speed is second only to the Grand Elder. An Elder even specifically told us to watch and see how long it takes this Lin Yunlong to get through."

"I’m guessing it’ll take one Hour. No, two Hours! This Illusionary Mist Array isn’t that easy to break."

...

The Guards’ only amusement here was watching new disciples tackle the Illusionary Mist Array. Any newcomer, no matter who they were, had to face this test. If they couldn’t get in, the test would continue until they passed. After all, they would have to enter and exit on their own in the future; no one would be there to guide them.

They always took this opportunity to time the newcomers, seeing who could break the Illusionary Mist Array the fastest. It was great fun and a good way to gauge a person’s overall competence. While it couldn’t determine one’s potential or talent, it definitely revealed their level of experience.

The Illusionary Mist Array was a type of Illusion Array. Escaping it required skill, and figuring out that skill required personal experience. Of course, for a Cultivator familiar with Arrays, it was much simpler.

"Two Hours? I bet he makes it in under two Hours. I’ll wager a hundred Primordial Stones!"

"Then I’ll bet it takes him more than two Hours! Based on past records, the fastest was over an Hour. You think this Lin Yunlong is close to that level?"

"Whatever, it’s just a casual bet. All in good fun."

This was the extent of the Guards’ entertainment. No other disciples were here; no one had the time to wander around this area, especially since passing the array took so long. Watching would just be a waste of time. For a Core Disciple, every second of Cultivation counted. If they were to stand here watching, they might as well just become Guards themselves.

「Outside the main gate.」

Lin Xuan stepped into the Illusion Array once more. This time, he didn’t move immediately. He first scanned his surroundings, shaking his head. ’This is no challenge for me at all. If possible, I’d actually like a proper challenge.’ After that thought, he started walking forward. His steps began to change slightly, but not by much. He seemed to be walking in quite casually.

This sight, however, left the Guards watching from inside completely dumbfounded. A buzz went through their heads, their minds going blank for a moment.

Soon, in less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Lin Xuan walked out of the Illusionary Mist Array. The moment he emerged, he was greeted by the sight of magnificent architecture. Most buildings were adorned with Primordial Stones, and the majority of the trees were Spirit Woods, making the environment here breathtakingly beautiful.

The concentration of Elemental Power here was far richer than outside, not to mention compared to the Inner Hall. Just the ambient Elemental Power here surpassed the level of the Cyan Cloud Tower’s First Layer! The biggest difference was that it wasn’t volatile. Calm Elemental Power was obviously easier to absorb; one didn’t need to suppress its volatile nature before taking it into the body.

"This alone puts countless disciples from the Inner Hall at a disadvantage from the start. This environment is just too enticing..." Lin Xuan sighed deeply. He then turned his head to see the Guards staring at him, their expressions dazed. When he noticed the screen above them, he finally remembered that his speed had been a bit too fast...

’I should have been more low-key,’ he thought. ’I should have pretended to be lost and wandered around a few times, dragging it out for at least half an Hour. Who knew I’d get in after just half an incense stick’s time.’

But it couldn’t be helped. His mind was filled with Qing Liuyun’s memories, making him far too familiar with this Illusionary Mist Array. He had walked it countless times a day in those memories, so he had just entered at a normal pace. If he had sprinted, forget half an incense stick—he would have been through in a flash. That would have been even more shocking.

"You... you got in so easily? H-how is that possible...?" a Guard stuttered, pointing at Lin Xuan with his mouth wide open, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Um, hello, seniors. Do you need to see my Identity Token?" Lin Xuan took out his Identity Token and handed it over. When the Guards saw the name carved on it, their mouths gaped even wider.

They had only been guessing his identity before, but they hadn’t expected the person before them was truly Lin Yunlong, who had made it through in just half an incense stick’s time.

After a good while, they finally snapped out of it. One of them swallowed hard and said, "How did you get in so fast? Have you been through this Illusionary Mist Array before?"

The moment the words left his mouth, they all found it ridiculous. They had been guarding this gate for so long; they would definitely remember someone so young coming through. Besides, unless you were a Core Disciple or an outside guest, you couldn’t be brought in casually.

"No, this is my first time coming in," Lin Xuan said truthfully.

No one doubted his words. The solution to the Illusionary Mist Array couldn’t be explained with words; one had to be guided through it to understand how to break it. Therefore, they didn’t think Qing Piaoyun had taught him. That left only one possibility: Lin Xuan was an expert at breaking Arrays!

They stared at each other, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes, unable to calm down for a long time.

"You... you’ve passed. Give us your Identity Token for a moment..." a Guard finally managed to say. He took the Identity Token from Lin Xuan and simultaneously pulled out another Token from his robes. After doing something that caused a faint glow to appear, the Guard handed the Identity Token back to Lin Xuan. "It’s done. You can go in and report..."

Meanwhile, in the plaza of the Core Hall, there were many Stone Steles. Each large stele recorded the names of many people, with each stele dedicated to a different type of ranking.

One of the huge Stone Steles suddenly lit up, drawing the attention of the surrounding disciples. They all turned to watch the Stone Stele change.

"Huh? Is a new disciple coming up? I think I heard his name is Lin Yunlong."

"I wonder how long it will take him. I bet it’s at least three Hours or more! HAHA!"

"Three Hours? Isn’t that too long? I’d say a little over two Hours; that Illusionary Mist Array isn’t that difficult. But no matter how fast he is, he can’t be faster than the Child Demon. Now that guy is Heaven-Defying—a little over one Hour, the fastest in history! And he did it casually. If he had actually tried, it wouldn’t have taken him nearly that long."

"You dare call him by his nickname? If he hears you, you’ll definitely get a beating!"

"Look! The time is up!"

...

While the disciples were bantering, the changes on the Stone Stele finally stopped. They started looking from the very bottom, but they couldn’t find Lin Xuan’s name anywhere. As their eyes traveled upward, their shock grew, until finally, at the very top, they saw his name—

Lin Yunlong, half an incense stick’s time!!

Everyone’s breath hitched. They all held their breath in unison, their hearts skipping a beat.