The figures of one classmate after another appeared before Qian Shen. He couldn’t make out their faces, but he could clearly see the scores displayed above their heads.

Each score was impossibly high, gleaming brightly, making Qian Shen feel utterly inadequate at that moment.

He felt utterly worthless standing before his classmates, as insignificant as a lowly henchman.

“Standing among these people, I feel like a bag of wet garbage.”

“With a mere 600-odd points, I don’t deserve to stand here, much less speak to them or approach them…”

In his mind, the scores above his classmates’ heads continuously increased, and their figures seemed to grow taller and taller, like towering giants reaching into the clouds. He gradually found himself able to see only their legs, their faces becoming completely indistinct.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the exhibition, a drone belonging to Li Xingyu from Mangshan High School traced an arc in the air before slowly flying towards the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll.

The next moment, however, with a sudden crackle, the drone seemed to malfunction and fell crookedly to the ground.

“Soul cultivators from Mangshan High School who already have contracts shouldn’t bother showing up.”

Li Xuelian murmured softly, then withdrew her gaze from the drone and continued to observe the other students.

“It’s a pity that most of the students attempting this at the exhibition are freshmen. Sophomores and juniors would have a better chance of mastering the martial arts depicted in the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll.”

“But it’s understandable… Top students in their second and third years of high school either don’t meet the age requirements or already have contracts, making it impossible for them to seek another master.”

Just then, the Director of Xianyun Group’s Songyang City branch, shimmering with golden light, approached Li Xuelian and said with a smile, “This Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll truly lives up to its reputation as personally drawn by Immortal Xinghuo; it’s extraordinarily profound. May I ask what it is precisely testing?”

Li Xuelian didn’t directly answer his question but stated calmly, “The first trial of the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll tests one’s Dao Heart.”

“Those who cannot endure it are often forcibly repelled and may even develop flaws in their Dao Heart.”

Feeling the scornful and mocking glances of countless people around him, Zhao Tianxing involuntarily retreated step after step, moving away from the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll’s influence.

When he came to his senses and observed his surroundings, he finally realized that the ‘entire crowd watching’ and ‘scornful gazes’ he had perceived were merely effects generated by the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll.

The thought that he had failed the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll’s trial immediately made his face flush crimson. He quickly stepped back, fearing that someone might discover him, a mere security guard, humiliating himself.

At the exhibition, Li Xuelian continued, “Passing this first trial naturally has the effect of tempering one’s Dao Heart.”

“The so-called Dao Heart level is primarily elevated by cultivation techniques for most cultivators.”

“Different cultivation techniques require different mindsets to be compatible.”

“For instance, ancient god-worshipping techniques required practitioners to be exceptionally devout, possessing absolute faith in deities. The more pious they were, the more effective the god-worshipping technique would be.”

“Similarly, the Heavenly Diligence cultivation technique from Ziyun High requires practitioners to cultivate intensely to the extreme, integrating their ascetic practices into their very instincts to achieve maximum efficacy.”

“Take, for example, the basic heart-refining technique for high school students. It emphasizes tranquility and focus, requiring a mindset of silent endurance, like water eroding stone drop by drop.”

“There are countless cultivation techniques for elevating the Dao Heart, ranging in difficulty. However, the crucial factor is whether the practitioner’s mindset aligns with the chosen technique.”

“However, mindsets are difficult to gauge. How a person truly thinks, and whether it genuinely aligns with a cultivation technique, is something outsiders can’t tell, and sometimes even the individuals themselves can’t articulate clearly.”

“Fortunately, the stronger the Dao Heart, the stronger one’s willpower. Therefore, assessing the Dao Heart level and verifying the effectiveness of cultivation techniques by measuring willpower strength became the simplest method.”

“However, the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll does not merely test the strength of willpower to determine the robustness of the Dao Heart.”

“The Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll targets inner dread, directly striking at one’s spiritual weaknesses. It offers no opportunity to resist using cultivation techniques; instead, it tests their most fundamental reactions.”

“When confronted with spiritual weaknesses, only by adjusting one’s mindset in a timely manner can these inner flaws be overcome, thus allowing one to pass the trial.”

The Director of Xianyun Group’s Songyang City branch’s eyes lit up. “I understand,” he said. “Senior Xinghuo wants a disciple with a flexible mindset? A disciple who, when practicing god-worshipping techniques, can switch between deities, and when practicing Heavenly Diligence, can be both intensely hardworking and also at ease with ‘lying flat’?”

Li Xuelian nodded. “While it’s good for one’s mindset to align with any of the myriad cultivation techniques, true genius lies in those who can continuously adjust their thinking, adapting to changes in their environment and cultivation methods, never being constrained by them.”

“Especially with the accelerating pace of modern development, where the Ten Great Sects influence every aspect of society, and the entire Kunxu realm is undergoing drastic changes, an inability to adapt one’s mindset promptly is simply unfeasible.”

“For instance, in the current era, exams and scores are indispensable for embarking on the path of cultivation; they have long been integrated into the daily lives of every cultivator.”

“Consequently, modern cultivators naturally develop an obsession with exams and scores.”

“Possessing excellent scores and an obsession with them can strengthen a top student’s resolve, thereby making it easier to elevate their Dao Heart level.”

“Conversely, however, this also represents a spiritual weakness. There is always someone better, and temporary leadership does not guarantee permanent superiority. Many top students are as confident when at the top of the rankings as they are insecure when they fall behind.”

“To overcome this spiritual weakness, cultivators need to make flexible adjustments in their mindset promptly. This is crucial for passing the trial.”

“For example, there was a student who, during the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll’s trial, repeatedly experienced getting low scores on exams. Ultimately, they overcame their fear of low scores, developing a mindset of ‘delusional confidence’.”

Listening to the teacher announce the grades from the podium, Lian Tianji suddenly burst into laughter. “Hahahaha,” he exclaimed, “since I’ve become the worst student, I’ll just start over from scratch!”

“From today onwards, I am the most useless, the absolute worst student.”

“But even as the worst student, I’ll have the chance to surpass each and every one of you and claim the top spot.”

“I will definitely become first in my grade!”

As he triumphed over his inner dread, he felt as if he had returned to the exhibition, and the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll before his eyes became increasingly clear.

Li Xuelian continued, “The Kunxu realm has 36 layers above ground and 18 underground, with each layer representing a distinct realm. Whether human or immortal, all are divided into various ranks and classes. This stratification is ingrained in the very bones of every cultivator, influencing the deepest reaches of their thoughts.”

“Previously, there was a student who, within the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll, experienced countless layers of oppression from numerous individuals. Ultimately, they transformed and developed a ‘lying flat’ mindset.”

Qian Shen watched as those giants, whose scores far exceeded his own, rose from the ground, growing taller and taller until their faces gradually became indistinguishable.

Only the scores above the giants’ heads continued to increase, emitting a dazzling radiance.

He tried to keep up with them, but it was futile.

As the giants grew increasingly exaggerated in height and their scores rapidly multiplied, his mood shifted from nervousness to fear, then from fear to despair, ultimately settling into a state of numbness.

He lay down on the ground, no longer looking at the figures of the giants.

“Alright then.”

“I won’t try to catch up.”

“As long as I can cultivate, that’s enough. Even if I can’t surpass anyone… as long as I can cultivate, it’s fine.”

As if waking from a deep dream, Qian Shen, lying on the ground, opened his eyes. He looked at the exhibition and the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll before him, a hint of understanding in his gaze.

At the exhibition, the Director of Xianyun Group’s Songyang City branch listened to Li Xuelian’s analysis and agreed, “Changes in mindset are inseparable from the influence of societal development.”

He conjectured, “In a society like ours today, where everyone relies on loans, I suppose this would also be reflected in the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll’s trials?”

“Precisely,” Li Xuelian nodded. “There was once a student who, during the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll’s trial, directly confronted the terror of repaying debts on the immortal path. Ultimately, they developed a ‘deadbeat’ mindset.”

Gazing at the debt-collecting thunder continuously brewing in the sky, Bai Zhenzhen squatted down in terror.

“Wait! I’ll pay back the money!”

“Is it okay if I pay you back?!”

“Don’t strike me!”

She quickly opened her phone, checking her accounts to see how much she owed and how much she could repay.

“800,000?!”

Upon opening the first lending platform, Bai Zhenzhen’s heart immediately sank.

Then, the 1.2 million debt from the second platform made cold sweat pour down her back.

Two million… five million… eight million…

As the total amount of debt she calculated in her mind continuously increased, the hand holding her phone gradually fell, powerless.

A colossal debt of eight million. Such a staggering amount for a high school student would either lead to complete breakdown or…

Bai Zhenzhen suddenly lay down on the ground, looking up at the thunder in the sky and shouting, “If you have the guts, strike me dead!”

“If you strike me dead, that eight million will vanish into thin air.”

Seeing the thunder delay its descent, Bai Zhenzhen continued, “Either strike me dead, and eight million will turn to ash.”

“Or, help me find some work. I’ll pay you back once I’ve earned the money.”

As the heavenly thunder gradually dispersed, the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll reappeared before Bai Zhenzhen.

As she watched the martial arts being demonstrated within the scroll, Bai Zhenzhen had a moment of profound realization.

At the exhibition, Li Xuelian sighed, “Whether it’s delusional confidence, ‘lying flat,’ or becoming a ‘deadbeat,’ these are merely states of mind adopted to resist immense pressure. While they can temper one’s will and Dao Heart, ultimately, their future still depends on the paths they choose in reality.”

“After all, this is only the first trial of the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll, merely a threshold.”

She recalled that when she was in high school, her father had also tested her Dao Heart. At that time, her greatest fear was her father. During the trial, she was severely pressured by him. However, under this immense pressure, she fiercely resisted, developing a mindset of ‘aggressive filial piety.’ Upon regaining consciousness, she extracted resources from the old man, and her cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

However, not long after, the various pressures from real society, combined with her father’s actions, led her to regain her admiration and respect for him.

The Director of Xianyun Group’s Songyang City branch nodded slightly, understanding that Li Xuelian was correct; the effects of such Dao Heart trials were only temporary.

After all, human thoughts are constantly changing. How could the fleeting impact of a mere Dao Heart trial possibly withstand the long-term, pervasive influence of society in the real world?

Li Xuelian then continued, “After enduring the first trial and overcoming inner dread, the true comprehension begins.”

“And even after passing this stage of comprehension, whether one can ultimately master it is yet another matter entirely.”

The Director nodded, understanding that overcoming inner dread, comprehending the Martial Arts Scroll, and achieving mastery of the martial arts were the three stages of comprehending the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll.

“Then, among those present, how many do you think will be able to master it?”

Li Xuelian glanced at the many students present and shook her head, saying, “I’m afraid it will be difficult to find even one.”

As Zhang Yu watched the figure on the Heavenly Martial Arts Scroll gradually sharpen into focus, and observed it begin to practice a set of fist techniques, he suddenly felt a chill rise within him.

“Please adhere to the ritual’s agreement: diligently fulfill your wish, do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. Ten.”

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback. “But… isn’t my current effort to comprehend the Martial Arts Scroll already me striving to study hard and get into a good university?”

However, the chill could not communicate with him; it simply continued its countdown.

“Please adhere to the ritual’s agreement: diligently fulfill your wish, do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. Nine.”

“Please adhere to the ritual’s agreement: diligently fulfill your wish, do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. Eight.”

Left with no other option, Zhang Yu sat down and attempted to absorb spiritual energy, hoping to halt the countdown.

As he began to absorb the energy, the chill gradually dissipated, and the countdown ceased.

“This confounded thing…”

Just as Zhang Yu was absorbing energy and silently cursing this ritual power, another surging wave of sensation welled up within him.

“Please adhere to the ritual’s agreement: diligently fulfill your wish, do not intentionally be lazy or procrastinate. Ten.”

Hearing this new countdown, Zhang Yu was immediately stunned.

“But… I *am* cultivating diligently!”

“Why is it counting down again?”

“What’s wrong with this absurd ritual?”

Zhang Yu simply stopped absorbing energy to see what would happen, only to find that the surging chill and the countdown did not disappear. Instead, a new wave of chill and another countdown began.

Listening to the two countdowns continuously sounding in his head, counting down alternately, Zhang Yu finally understood what was happening.

“There are two countdowns?”

“Is one of them fake?”