Applied Immortality

“Wang Qi, come with me to the headquarters. Your heart trial was moved ahead!”
Dropping that line out of nowhere, Su Junyu picked up Wang Qi and flew for Argent Mountain’s peak.
“Hey, Senior Brother Su, the city doesn’t allow flying…” Pulled away, Wang Qi felt his motion sickness kicking in.
Su Junyu couldn’t care less. “I’m on official business, and that gives me the right.”
“Just what is so important that got you so hurried?”
“The Sect Leader had found a ‘witness’ and an ‘instigator’ to lead your heart trial.” Su Junyu sounded excited. “If you pass it, you’re practically a Myriad Arts Sect true disciple.”
Wang Qi’s eyes shone. “That serious?”
The heart trial was the last test among the admission trial’s three tests. It questioned one’s Dao Heart, inspecting a freshman’s motivation, belief, and character to verify his compatibility with the chosen sect. If disciple A had no morals, Heavenly Spirit Range would reject him. If disciple B dreamed of making pills for the good of the people, Elusive Palace would be the last place for him. Or if a disciple without a lick of interest in matter transformation went for Scorching Metal Valley, it would be a waste of effort and resources to even teach him. The cases were endless.
The heart trial was there to prevent them from ever happening.
The second examiner was the witness, a respected elder whose role was to ensure fairness. Since matters of the heart were inherently subjective, this stage of the trial was the most susceptible to manipulation or favoritism among the three tests. Hence, a neutral and esteemed figure was publicly appointed to guarantee integrity.
The third examiner was the instigator. As human minds were like forests—dense and varied—and true nature was like a tiger—fierce and elusive—this role served to shake the heart and reveal the true self. The instigator ensured the candidate spoke the truth and nothing but the truth from deep within. The position was held by an Eminence from Radiant Divinity Pavilion.
The heart trial came after the written and martial trials, when the disciple was firm and decisive in his path.
But as in everything, there were exceptions. If a freshman was outstanding enough, the heart trial would be put first.
[This world even has something as good as private college admissions?] Wang Qi was shocked as his mind and body flew for Immortal Alliance’s headquarters.
The place was near the Immortal Institute, taking little time to arrive. Su Junyu took Wang Qi straight to the very top, into a quiet room.
Three people were already present. Wang Qi had an unhealthy high opinion of himself, but even he knew his attitude wouldn’t fly here, just from the look of the three people.
The main seat was taken by Myriad Arts Sect Leader, an Eminence half-step into Unfettered, Myriad Arts Monarch Chen Jingyun. From the papers Wang Qi quoted and the man’s fighting style, this guy’s aspirations were all about the Myriad Arts Sect. This aspect showed that no one else in the Divine Province was a better fit for the principal interrogator position than him.
On the left sat the witness in this trial, Heavenly Sword Palace Lord, Sky-ringing Sword Deng Jiaxuan. Heavenly Sword Palace oversaw peace in the world. There was no one on Divine Continent more credible than he.
The one on the right had protruding cheekbones, a high nose, and yellowish hair—bearing the features of a foreigner. Wang Qi didn’t know him, but Zhen Chanzi whispered one word in his mind. “Unfettered.”
The northern wilderness, with its small population, actually brought about an Unfettered!
The northern wilderness had far fewer people than the central area, with even fewer cultivators. As for Unfettered, even Radiant Divinity Pavilion only had one that was foreign.
Soul’s Origin Cajal!
[Wasn’t the heart trial supposed to have just three Eminence at the Primordial Spirit Realm? I heard some small sects only had Golden Core overseeing. What did I do to earn the attention of two and a half Unfettered?]
[This ain’t right!]
Feeling pressured as well, Su Junyu made himself scarce.
Chen Jingyun began. “Relax and take a seat.”
A mat lay before the three. Wang Qi reckoned it was his spot and plopped down. His heart twinged the moment he did, overcome by a foreign and unclear feeling. Looking around, he notice Soul’s Origin’s gaze burned in his direction, uh, burned wasn’t right, it was more like literally shining!
The Radiant Divinity Pavilion Unfettered chuckled. “Without suspicion, I vow to never search one’s memories unless they’re an enemy. It is part of my resolve, a constraint on myself. Furthermore, my magical art is here to connect with your heart and prevent any lies from being spoken. I speak to you this out of good will.”
Wang Qi nodded. He was absolutely sure an Unfettered could pull a fast one on him without him being any the wiser, especially from someone like this esteemed figure.
Deng Jiaxuan smiled as well, and Chen Jingyun showed nothing on his face as he said, “Let’s begin.”
There’s the typical efficiency of Myriad Arts Sect cultivator right there.
“Let’s start with routine questions. Question one: When the vast wings stir and shapes emerge, how can one recognize them?”
[With the forms of heaven and earth, aflutter and unfolding amid a myriad of shifting phenomena, how can one perceive and differentiate them?](Tamon: Heavenly Questions by Qu Yuan)
Wang Qi was frowning from the first question. It wasn’t due to the difficulty but that it felt open to interpretation, having no clear answer.
[Isn’t this just a psychological test? Hold up, isn’t this setup the norm in a xianxia? Don’t tell me… I actually set the wrong tone for this world from the start?]
Deng Jiaxuan smiled, seeing Wang Qi silent. “You have a good resolve, seeking Dao for the truth, and not talking mysticism. Empty words can’t ever come close to the results seeking Dao brings. However, you have your own ‘world.’ It’s important to grasp resolve and intent.”
Wang Qi said, “My path is like illumination. It contains the accumulations of the past, the thinking of the present, and the longing for tomorrow. The notion that links the past and the future is I. Where ‘I’ shine, that is my world… Holy shit, how could I say something so corny with a straight face?”
The trio exchanged lost looks. If not for the shitty part, they’d have given the kid full marks. Alas… [Guess all geniuses have their quirks.]
“Ahem, well said.” Chen Jingyun cleared his voice, hinting for the heart trial to continue. “When the vast wings stir and shapes emerge, how can one recognize them?”
Wang Qi’s face sported a nasty grin.
[Wa-ha-ha-ha, this is damn philosophy…]
[I was a double major in math and physics in my last life, and even became someone in this circle!]
[A mathematician who doesn’t want to be a philosopher is just a poser with no ambition.]