Xuanqing Sect – Heart-Seeking Peak.
A golden beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping the entire mountain peak. Disciples across the sect looked up in awe as their Sect Master, Gu Changyuan, emerged in his white robes, divine runes swirling behind him. His voice rang out solemn and clear:
"The joint trial between Xuanqing Sect and Lingyun Sect will now commence.The 'Heart-Seeking Realm' will open for seven days. Disciples from both sects will enter."
"This realm tests your inner heart and spiritual foundation.No external interference allowed.No personal items permitted.No mid-trial withdrawals—anyone who gives up… will lose their path to immortality forever."
"Trespassers… shall have their souls and spirits obliterated."
Gasps echoed through the sect.
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner, Xu Nian bit through the core of her spirit fruit with a crunch.
Three words flashed in her mind:I'm. So. Screwed.
Sure enough, her system chimed in coldly:
[Ding! Protagonist Team "Stay-for-Trial" Plotline: Forced Activation][Instance Name: Heart-Seeking Realm][Trial Type: Psychological Life-or-Death Challenge][Unstable Plot Factor: YOU][You are the sole variable capable of altering the story's trajectory. Current affection levels influence outcome.]
Xu Nian went pale:
"I haven't even built my foundation yet and you want me to do an inner-heart trial?!"
[If you don't go, the story collapses. The world resets. Everyone—including you—will be devoured.]
"…Fine, FINE! I'll go! Okay?!"
The moment Gu Changyuan finished speaking, various peaks began selecting disciples.
Shen Wang stood up and unsheathed his sword:
"I'm going with her."
Xie Linyuan rose quietly:
"Same here."
Bai Qi smiled and unfolded his fan:
"Wherever my sister goes, I follow."
Lu Jin just calmly took out a bag of pills:
"I've prepped revival elixirs just for this. Been waiting."
Gu Changyuan massaged his temples.
"I knew this wouldn't go smoothly…"
Meanwhile, over in the Protagonist Team corner, Xiao Yunchen's gaze locked on Xu Nian, a storm of emotions flashing in his eyes.
"She… has to be hiding something.If this is a heart trial, I want to see what her true heart looks like."
Shen Qingyan narrowed her eyes:
"Let's see how long this 'pet of the sect' charade lasts."
In no time, the lineup was finalized:
Xu Nian, Shen Wang, Xie Linyuan, Bai Qi, Lu Jin —plus the five members of the protagonist squad.
Ten participants. The Heart-Seeking Trial countdown began.
Just before entering the realm, Xu Nian was called aside for a private meeting with Sect Master Gu.
He looked at her with an expression of deep concern.
"Xu Nian… Do you know that the Heart-Seeking Realm once destroyed an entire sect?"
"…Yes." Xu Nian answered weakly.
"And you still dare to go in?"
She stared at him, dead serious:
"I've got five lunatics backing me.If I said no, do you really think I'd make it out of this room alive?"
Gu Changyuan was silent.Then sighed heavily and patted her shoulder.
"Xu Nian.Surviving among those lunatics is already a miracle.But now, it's your turn to protect them."
"Their inner demons are deep. You… are their anchor."
The Trial Begins.
On the dawn of the seventh day, ten figures stepped into the Heart-Seeking Realm.
Clouds coiled around their feet, spiritual energy surged wildly. Illusions roared from every direction.
"Ugh—I'm dizzy." Xu Nian staggered, nearly falling—only to be caught by Shen Wang in a flash.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Bai Qi murmured gently:
"Your trial, I'll walk it with you."
"Me too," Xie Linyuan added coldly.
"WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP?!" Xu Nian snapped, about to lose her mind.
"Aren't you supposed to confront your own heart?! Stop staring at me!"
[System Reminder: For them, you ARE their heart.]
Xu Nian: "…"
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOTHING, SYSTEM!!!
The illusions thickened.
Trial One: The Heart Demon Illusion.
Whispers slithered into their ears—tempting, mocking, dredging up subconscious fears and obsessions.
The protagonist team was separated and thrown into individual dreamscapes.
Meanwhile, Xu Nian… encountered the most personal nightmare of all.
She stood alone in a shadowed valley.Familiar voices echoed:
"You're just a background character.""You were born to die for the protagonist's journey.""You're nothing but a stepping stone."
Her body froze.Chill ran down her spine.
She remembered reading those very lines in the book—the cruel fate of the "original Xu Nian."
"Am I really that useless…?"
But before despair could take root—
A sword aura cleaved the illusion apart!
Shen Wang's voice roared like thunder:
"Nian Nian, don't believe a word of it!"
He strode into her heart trial, gaze sharp and lethal.
"Anyone who dares call you a background extra—I'll erase them from the Heavenly Rankings."
Bai Qi followed, draping an arm over her shoulder, voice soft but firm:
"If you're just a stepping stone, then this entire cultivation world…better crawl on their knees."
Xie Linyuan hurled a crystal of pure ice:
"You're the reason we walk forward.Anyone dares harm you—I'll freeze the world into your tomb."
Lu Jin tossed her a glowing pill:
"If you're not here, nothing else matters."
Xu Nian blinked at them, stunned.
The illusion cracked.Her heart steadied.
The nightmare shattered.
[Ding! You have successfully cleared the first Heart Demon Trial.][Affection Buff +20%, Plot Deviation +5%, Survival Chance: 45%]
—
Meanwhile—
The protagonist squad… wasn't doing so well.
Xiao Yunchen's trial:He stood at the peak of the cultivation world.But beneath his feet… were mountains of corpses.
For the first time, he questioned:
"Am I the 'chosen one'…or just a puppet of fate?"
Shen Qingyan's illusion:She stood in darkness.Xu Nian, meanwhile, basked in golden light, surrounded by protectors.
And her?
Alone. In the shadows. Forgotten.
Her fingers curled into fists.
"Why… her?"
The Heart-Seeking Realm was only the beginning.
Next came Fate Tribulations, Spiritual Body Swaps, Karmic Seals…
Each trial more absurd than the last.Each twist pushing the plot further off the rails.Each character descending deeper into madness.
And Xu Nian… began to realize:
She wasn't just the "spoiled mascot" of her sect.
She was the only variable—
The one and only person capable of rewriting this world's ending.