2275 Tempering the Dao Heart
When Princess Scarlet Rainbow saw that, she asked softly worriedly, “Elder Zhong, will the two of them attack Zimo when they ascend the Dao Heart Stairs?”
“No, cultivators are not allowed to fight on the Dao Heart Stairs.”
Elder Zhong shook his head gently.
Pausing for a moment, his expression changed slightly as though he recalled something!
“What’s going on?”
Princess Scarlet Rainbow asked hurriedly when she saw Elder Zhong’s strange expression.
Elder Zhong said, “Fighting is not allowed on the Dao Heart Stairs but speaking is not forbidden. If Tang Peng or Senior Brother Jade Toad were to provoke Su Zimo with words while enduring the Dao Heart Trial, there might be unpredictable consequences as well.”
Verbal attacks were often even more terrifying and dangerous. That was the reason why there were divine powers and secret skills such as Serrated Tongue Spear and Pen of Mouth.
Cultivators were extremely cautious in fights against top experts and most of the time, they would test one another with words to find openings.
In the Dao Heart Trial, if Su Zimo was affected by Tang Peng or Perfected Immortal Jade Toad’s words and revealed an opening in his mind, there was a high chance that he would lose his Dao Heart and collapse!
If Su Zimo had ascended the Dao Heart Stairs before and had some experience, he might be able to deal with it.
But now that Su Zimo was ascending the Dao Heart Stairs for the first time to welcome the Dao Heart Trial, the consequences would be unpredictable if anyone were to interrupt him with verbal attacks.
At that thought, Elder Zhong was about to send a voice transmission reminder when Su Zimo and the other two suddenly moved. Almost at the same time, they ascended to the first step of the Dao Heart Stairs!
Mysterious lights rose from the sacrificial platform and formed a sealed barrier around it, isolating all sound from the outside world.
“I was a step too late.”
Elder Zhong sighed and could only pray internally, “I hope that Su Zimo can tide through this calamity and the heavens will bless him.”
First stone step of the Dao Heart Stairs.
When Su Zimo stepped foot on the stone step, he suddenly felt a powerful will pushing forward bravely on the path of cultivation!
“Immortals caress my head and bind my hair to grant me immortality.”
“The mortal world is filled with mutual deception, bloodshed, fights and karma… I only seek the Dao of longevity!”
Su Zimo seemed to have followed in the footsteps of his predecessors and traveled through the endless sands of time to temper his Dao Heart.
The Dao of longevity was also what most cultivators sought.
The path of cultivation was arduous and one could only reach the other end by upholding their Dao Heart and not being disturbed by external objects or mental demons.
Once his Dao Heart wavered, his conviction would collapse as well. At that time, mental demons would be born and his personality would change drastically—his cultivation might dissipate within a short period of time!
Su Zimo stood on the first stone step of the Dao Heart Stairs and endured the will of longevity to temper his Dao Heart and make it purer and firmer!
The power on the Dao Heart Staircase was not targeted at the body or Essence Spirit, but the Dao Heart.
Only if one’s Dao Heart was strong enough could they not be disturbed by the will of longevity.
For example, a cultivator might seek the Dao of the sword.
The Dao of the sword advocated for one to advance courageously—they would rather break than bend!
However, under the impact of the longevity will, if one’s Dao Heart was not firm enough, they would be confused and even doubt themselves.
Why should they break rather than bend? Why would they want to commit to a point where they would perish with the other party?
Only by living could there be hope and longevity.
Once such a doubt was formed, one’s Dao Heart would waver.
Perfected Immortal Jade Toad and Tang Peng had ascended the Dao Heart Stairs countless times and were most familiar with the will of longevity on the first stone step.
It was relatively easier for the two of them to deal with it.
“Su Zimo, what is the Dao you seek?”
A cold glint flashed through Tang Peng’s eyes as he suddenly asked.
Although Su Zimo heard Tang Peng’s voice, he was immersed in the tempering of his Dao Heart and could not be bothered with anything else.
When Tang Peng saw that Su Zimo did not reply, he continued, “No matter what your Dao is, you should at least learn to judge the situation first. That way, you can survive and have a shot at longevity!”
Su Zimo remained expressionless and did not reply.
During this period of time, Tang Peng tried his best to provoke Su Zimo with words but the latter turned a deaf ear.
Later on, because he was constantly distracted talking, Tang Peng’s Dao Heart was almost broken by the will of longevity. He was so scared that he hurriedly maintained his Dao Heart and guarded his Spirit Platform.
Perfected Immortal Jade Toad did not speak.
Even if his Dao Heart was destroyed on the first stone step, he would not suffer much damage.
If Su Zimo could continue climbing and reach the third stone step, that would be the best opportunity for him to strike!
“Senior Brother Qingyun, how long do you think Su Zimo can last?” Yan Bingying asked.
A Heaven Immortal at the side pouted his lips and said in disdain, “It’s already not bad if he can last for 15 minutes on the Dao Heart Stairs given that it’s his first time.”
Fang Qingyun shook his head gently. “This person’s Dao Heart is firm and it won’t be a problem for him to pass the first stone step. We’ll just have to see if he’ll stop at the second or third stone step.”
Right then, Perfected Immortal Jade Toad moved and suddenly strode onto the second stone step!
“So fast!”
“As expected of a legacy disciple. He passed the test of the Longevity Step in such a short period of time!”
The crowd exclaimed.
The moment Perfected Immortal Jade Toad stepped onto the second stone step, he turned around and looked at Su Zimo with a fake smile. “I’ll wait for you at the front.”
Although those words seemed simple, they were filled with provocation and could even give Su Zimo immense pressure!
However, Su Zimo was unmoved and had a calm expression, still enduring the Dao Heart Trial of the Longevity Step.
The Dao Heart Trial on the stone steps was new to him.
The reason why he took a long time was not because his Dao Heart was not strong enough. It was because he was too unfamiliar with the Dao Heart Trial and required a process of adaptation.
In the blink of an eye, 15 minutes passed.
Tang Peng’s eyes shone brightly as he suddenly took a step forward and ascended the second stone step!
“Hahahaha!”
The moment he stepped onto the second stone step, Tang Peng turned to look at Su Zimo and laughed. “You’re too slow. If you can’t hold on…”
Before Tang Peng could finish, Su Zimo moved as well and ascended the second stone step without falling behind him!
Tang Peng’s voice stopped abruptly.
He was a Grade 9 Heaven Immortal and had cultivated in Heaven and Earth Academy for many years. He had ascended the Dao Heart Stairs hundreds of times.
However, Su Zimo had just joined the inner sect and was only a Grade 1 Heaven Immortal. Furthermore, this was someone from the lower worlds. Yet, this person was comparable to him?!
At that thought, the rage, jealousy, doubt and indignance in Tang Peng’s heart surged uncontrollably.
What rights does this lowlife have?
The two of us ascended the second stone step at almost the same time. What would others think of me?
Am I inferior to a lowlife who is merely a Grade 1 Heaven Immortal?
All sorts of thoughts surged into Tang Peng’s mind. His head was about to explode and his eyes were bloodshot. His expression was dark and his Essence Qi was in a mess.
“This is bad!”
Fang Qingyun frowned. “Tang Peng lost his Dao Heart.”
Before his sentence was finished, Tang Peng exclaimed and fell stiffly from the Dao Heart Stairs, landing on the sacrificial platform in an extremely sorry state.
Tang Peng’s face was pale as he panted heavily. His body trembled and his pupils dilated, as though he was extremely shocked!