Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 185 Passing Internal Audit, Infiltrating the Blood Lotus Sect
After Sun Dehai left, the atmosphere in the main hall instantly became somewhat strange.

Qian Feng, who had been looking furious, now had a very interesting expression on his face, and finally coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem, Young Master Lin, please come this way. I'll arrange rooms for you."

Chen Ye didn't say anything, but nodded slightly.

After all, the other party has already taken the initiative to back down, and there is no deep-seated hatred between them. Being tough at this point would only make unnecessary enemies.

Seeing Chen Ye like this, Qian Feng breathed a sigh of relief, and then led Chen Ye and Li Qingyan downstairs with great courtesy, arranging a small courtyard for each of them.

After everything was arranged, Qian Feng left.

After he left, Li Qingyan looked at Chen Ye with a hint of worry on his face: "Master, we are about to face the Inner Trial Hall. Are you... confident?"

She couldn't help but worry.

Because the Inner Trial Hall is a place that people within the entire Blood Lotus Sect fear.

It not only examines the backgrounds of newly initiated disciples, but is also the sect's internal disciplinary enforcement agency, responsible for arresting traitors and cleaning up the sect.

It is said that the elders of the Internal Audit Hall all possess secret techniques for discerning people's hearts. In addition, there is a magical artifact in the hall called the Heart-Questioning Mirror, which is said to be able to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Over the years, countless spies with ulterior motives have fallen into their hands, and their fates have been more tragic than the last.

Although she had almost blind faith in her master's methods, the thought of the terror of the inner court still made her heart pound.

After all, this is no joke; one wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

"Don't worry, I'm confident in my abilities," Chen Ye said.

Hearing Chen Ye say this, Li Qingyan finally felt a little relieved.

Chen Ye then settled down and spent his days meditating, cultivating, drinking tea, and resting. Only Li Qingyan was worried and unable to eat or sleep.

The waiting days are always the most agonizing. Finally, on the morning of the fifth day, a young disciple dressed in black with a cold and stern face arrived outside the courtyard.

"The internal trial hall is handling matters; summon Lin Xun for questioning."

Li Qingyan's heart jumped into her throat instantly.

Chen Ye remained calm and got up to go outside the courtyard.

"Young Master Lin, please." The black-clad disciple gestured for him to proceed without any expression on his face.

Chen Ye nodded and walked outside.

Li Qingyan followed behind, and the group soon arrived at the entrance of the Inner Trial Hall.

This is a grand hall built on the back mountain of Yunmeng Peak. It is pitch black and exudes a solemn and murderous aura.

"Go in, the elder is waiting for you inside." The black-clad disciple led Chen Ye to the door and stopped.

Chen Ye didn't speak. After straightening his clothes, he stepped into the oppressive hall.

The main hall was dimly lit, with only a few unidentified beads emitting a faint green glow.

An old man dressed in a dark red robe sat in the very center.

The old man had a thin face with sunken cheeks. What was most striking about him were his sharp, hawk-like eyes and a distinctive hooked nose.

He simply sat there quietly, yet he exuded an immense sense of oppression, making people afraid to look him in the eye.

"You are Lin Xun?" the old man with the hooked nose asked, his voice hoarse, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

"Yes." Chen Ye's answer was concise and clear, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, and his eyes met the old man's gaze without flinching.

On the way here, Chen Ye intensified his self-hypnosis once again.

He is Lin Xun now.

A resilient, aloof, and exceptionally talented young man.

Therefore, he would only feel impatient with such scrutinizing gazes, and would never feel the slightest fear.

A barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes.

He has reviewed at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, newcomers, including some proud and arrogant geniuses.

But most people would subconsciously feel nervous and fearful when facing him.

He had never seen anyone with such clear and firm eyes, without a single distracting thought, like this young man.

Either he truly has a clear conscience and a clean background.

Or perhaps his scheming and cunning have reached a terrifying level.

"Elder Sun praised you highly, saying that your swordsmanship talent is one in a million, and you are a pillar of the sect's future," the hook-nosed old man said slowly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Chen Ye remained expressionless: "Elder Sun is too kind."

"Hehe, we'll soon find out if it's an exaggeration." The old man with the hooked nose chuckled, but the smile was more like a grimace.

He stood up and pointed to a high platform on one side of the main hall.

"Come with me."

Chen Ye followed him up to the high platform, where a simple and ancient bronze mirror floated in the center.

The mirror surface was as smooth as water, yet it did not reflect any image; instead, it emitted soft halos of light, giving it a rather mystical appearance.

This must be the "Mirror of Inquiry" that Li Qingyan mentioned.

"Stand in front of the mirror," the hook-nosed old man commanded.

Chen Ye did as instructed.

The moment he stood before the Mirror of Inquiry, he felt a cool breeze instantly envelop his entire body, as if it were penetrating deep into his soul.

He knew that the Mirror of Inquiry was probing the fluctuations of his soul.

If he harbors any lies or false emotions at this moment, this force will capture them and reflect them on the mirror.

But Chen Ye's heart was as calm as a stagnant pool.

Because in his subconscious, he is Lin Xun, and everything he experienced was real.

The mirage actor's innate talent for illusionary performances, combined with his stage presence skills and his strong will honed through countless trials, has created an unbreakable psychological defense.

Let alone a mirror, even a Core Formation elder who specializes in cultivating the soul would not be able to see through his disguise in person.

The old man with the hooked nose stared intently at Chen Ye, while also observing the reaction of the Heart-Questioning Mirror.

The mirror-like surface shimmered with light, peaceful and without any sign of abnormality.

"I will ask you a few questions next. You just need to answer them truthfully."

"If you utter even half a lie, the Mirror of Inquiry will issue a warning, and you will bear the consequences."

The hook-nosed elder's voice suddenly turned stern, attempting to put psychological pressure on Chen Ye.

However, Chen Ye remained calm and composed, simply nodding slightly.

"My first question is, what's your name and where are you from?"

This is the simplest and most basic question, mainly used to test the "Mind Mirror" (a metaphor for a person's ability to read minds).

“Lin Xun is from the Song Kingdom.” Chen Ye’s voice was cold and clear, without the slightest hesitation.

As soon as he finished speaking, the halo of the Heart-Questioning Mirror flickered slightly before returning to calm.

No lies.

The old man with the hooked nose narrowed his eyes and began to get to the point.

"According to the sect's records, fifteen years ago, an internal strife broke out in the Lin family of Song State. The entire direct line was wiped out, except for a seven-year-old boy who escaped under the protection of a servant. His whereabouts have been unknown ever since. Is that child you?"

This question gets straight to the heart of the matter.

When Chen Ye heard the words "internal strife in the Lin family," a deep-seated hatred flashed in his eyes.

The hatred was so real and so intense that even his aura became somewhat unstable.

"Yes." He squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, his fist clenching quietly inside his sleeve.

The halo of light from the Mirror of Inquiry remained steady.

The old man with the hooked nose had a sudden thought.

This kid's hatred doesn't seem fake; it's highly likely that his background is genuine.

But he didn't stop there. Instead, he continued to press, "Where have you been for the past fifteen years? And how did you manage to cultivate to the Sea Condensation Realm?"

This is the second key issue, and also the part of the story most prone to flaws.

Chen Ye took a deep breath, seemingly to calm himself down, before slowly recounting the experience he had already prepared in a low, melancholic tone.

"Back then, Uncle Fu led me to escape from the State of Song and headed west, hoping to cross the endless swamp to find a way to survive. Unfortunately, his injuries were too severe, and he couldn't hold on and died on the way."

"I was wandering aimlessly when I accidentally fell into a cave left behind by a senior cultivator. Then, relying on the pills he left behind and a cultivation manual, I explored and cultivated on my own for fifteen years..."

His narration was plain, without embellishment or deliberate attempts to exaggerate the sadness.

But it is precisely this ordinariness that is more touching. A seven-year-old child witnessed the destruction of his family and the death of his only relative on the run, and was eventually trapped in a secluded mountain cave, where he spent fifteen years in solitude.

This kind of experience is enough to drive any normal person crazy.

But he persevered through sheer willpower and a burning desire for revenge, eventually reaching the Sea Condensation Realm.

Putting everything else aside, this kind of character alone is enough to earn people's respect!
The old man with the hooked nose listened quietly, his scrutinizing gaze gradually replaced by a complex emotion.

The Mirror of Inquiry in front of him remained perfectly calm throughout, showing no abnormalities whatsoever.

"You say you received the inheritance from a senior, but where is that cultivation manual? And where is that senior's cave dwelling?"

The old man with the hooked nose bombarded Chen Ye with questions one after another, like a machine gun, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

This is a common interrogation technique that uses rapid questioning to disrupt the other person's train of thought and find flaws in their statements.

However, Chen Ye's answer remained perfectly watertight.

"I have already memorized the insights, but I burned the original manuscript in accordance with my predecessor's last wish when I left the cave."

"As for the location of the cave, it is in a miasma valley deep in the Endless Swamp. I can draw the exact location for you, Elder. However, there is a natural maze outside the cave, and it is difficult for outsiders to find it unless by chance."

These details were things that he and Li Qingyan had already rehearsed countless times, and every step could withstand scrutiny.

The old man with the hooked nose nodded and didn't dwell on the matter any further.

He changed the subject and asked, "Then why did you join my Blood Lotus Sect? With your talent, it seems like a better choice to go to a righteous sect or continue being a rogue cultivator."

This question hits the nail on the head.

"The righteous path?" Upon hearing this, Chen Ye's lips curled into an undisguised sneer. "The righteous sects have numerous rules and are extremely hypocritical. My Lin family was once considered a prominent family in the cultivation world of the Song Kingdom, and we had connections with many so-called famous and righteous sects. But when my Lin family was wiped out, did I ever see a single person from the righteous path stand up and say a word of justice?"

"They will only hide in the back and watch my Lin family be slaughtered, they might even wish for us to die so they can divide up my Lin family's assets!"

"As for rogue cultivators..." Chen Ye shook his head, "I have exhausted the inheritance I received, and my path forward is blocked, so if I want to take revenge, I don't know how long I will have to wait on my own."

His voice suddenly rose, his eyes burning with fury and ambition.

"I need power! I need a powerful backer! I've heard that the Blood Lotus Sect acts without restraint, where the strong are respected, and that as long as you have the strength, you can get everything. That's exactly what I need!"

"I will become stronger! I will make those who participated in the massacre of my entire Lin family pay with their blood! I will make those who stood by and kicked me when I was down pay the price for their indifference back then!"

His words were delivered with conviction and force.

That unwavering determination to seek revenge, even to the point of being willing to fall into the demonic path, stirred something within the hook-nosed old man.

That's a perfectly valid reason.

That's so in line with the code of conduct for those in the demonic path.

For power, for revenge, they will stop at nothing.

This kid is born to cultivate demonic arts!

The old man with the hooked nose looked at Chen Ye and fell silent.

He had asked all the questions he wanted to ask and had probed Chen Ye from various angles.

But as it turned out, he found no flaws.

Whether it's their background, cultivation experience, or the purpose of joining the sect, everything is reasonable and logically consistent.

Most importantly, the Mirror of Inquiry did not react at all from beginning to end.

This shows that everything the boy said was the truth from the bottom of his heart.

"One last question," the hook-nosed old man said slowly, "You specialize in swordsmanship, would you mind showing me your sword?"

Without hesitation, Chen Ye took off the long sword from his waist and handed it over.

The old man with the hooked nose took the longsword, and it felt heavy as soon as he held it.

He slowly drew his longsword, and a cold, clear light shone in the dimly lit hall.

He extended two fingers and lightly flicked the blade.

hum!
A clear, melodious sword sound rang out.

"A fine sword." The old man nodded. "It's a pity it's just made of ordinary iron."

He then returned the sword to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye fastened it back to his waist, his expression calm throughout the process, as if it were just an ordinary weapon.

This composure deepened the admiration in the old man's eyes.

Unmoved by external things and with a firm will, these are extremely rare qualities for a sword cultivator.

"Alright, the review is over." The hook-nosed old man sat back down in his chair and waved his hand. "You can go back now and wait for the sect's notification."

"Yes."

Chen Ye bowed respectfully, then turned and left the main hall without any hesitation.

Watching his departing figure, a glint of light flashed in the old man's eyes.

"This child's temperament, talent, and methods are all top-notch. If he is properly nurtured, he will surely become a great man in the future."

"Sun Dehai has indeed brought a rough gem to the sect this time."

……

When Chen Ye walked out of the main hall of the inner trial hall, Li Qingyan, who was waiting outside, felt his heart jump out of his throat.

So when she saw Chen Ye walk out unharmed, she was first stunned, and then her face lit up with joy.

It worked!
"Master...Young Master Lin!" She rushed forward, so excited that she was almost incoherent.

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Chen Ye's tone remained calm, as if he had just gone for a walk.

"Yes, yes!" Li Qingyan nodded repeatedly, then forcibly suppressed his excitement and followed Chen Ye quickly toward the courtyard.

Along the way, she wanted to ask about the situation inside several times, but she swallowed her words back.

Only after the two returned to the courtyard, closed the gate, and made sure no one was around did Li Qingyan finally ask, "Master, how was it?"

"Just a bunch of idiots," Chen Ye commented casually.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyan's lips twitched involuntarily.

The only person who could call those shrewd elders in the Inner Court fools is probably his own master.

But then I thought, even the Mirror of Inquiry couldn't do anything to its master, so calling them fools doesn't seem wrong.

"Then... so now Master has officially joined the Blood Lotus Sect?" Li Qingyan asked cautiously.

"Not yet." Chen Ye shook his head. "Passing the review is only the first step. There are still some procedures to go through."

Although he passed the review, he was, after all, a rogue cultivator recommended by an inner disciple who was under criminal charges.

The sect wouldn't just give him the status of an inner disciple.

According to normal procedures, he would most likely start as an outer disciple, with a trial period or observation period.

However, none of this mattered to Chen Ye.

All he wanted was a legal identity.

An identity that would allow him to move openly within the Blood Lotus Sect and acquire resources.

As for whether he was an inner or outer disciple, it made little difference to him.

Sure enough, the very next day, Manager Qian from the Reception Hall personally delivered a set of outer disciple's robes and identification token.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin! Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin!" Qian Feng said with a fawning smile. "From today onwards, you are a formal disciple of our Blood Lotus Sect!"

Chen Ye nodded, "I understand!"

After saying that, he reached out and took the token and the clothes.

His calm reaction surprised Qian Feng.

He thought this proud and arrogant young genius would be furious when he learned that he could only be an outer disciple.

To my surprise, the other party accepted it so casually.

This mindset is truly extraordinary.

Qian Feng's opinion of Chen Ye rose even higher.

“Um… Junior Brother Lin, now that you’ve officially joined the sect, according to the rules you can no longer stay in the guest courtyard of the Reception Hall,” Qian Feng said cautiously. “The sect has already arranged accommodation for you in the outer disciple area. Would you like to go there now?”

"Okay, then it's hard work."

"Junior Brother Lin, you're too kind. This is what I should do," Qian Feng said with a smile, his attitude becoming even more gentle and approachable.

And so Chen Ye changed into the gray outer disciple's robes and, led by Qian Feng, left the courtyard and headed to the outer disciple's residential area.

(End of this chapter)