From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

The next day, the morning light once again bathed Tianze Square.

Compared to yesterday's huge crowds, the square is much emptier today.

After the rigorous screening of bone age and skill level in the first stage, only about 10,080 out of nearly 100,000 candidates remain.

More than 10,000 candidates stood in the vast square. Although they were scattered, they exuded a sharp and capable aura.

The vast majority of mediocre individuals were eliminated, leaving behind undoubtedly the true essence of the younger generation in the Eastern Region.

Today's test is the second stage – a self-examination.

Because of the sharp decrease in the number of participants, the assessment will still be conducted in ten groups simultaneously, which will greatly improve efficiency.

"The second test, the Heart-Testing Formation, will examine your character!"

"The formation only discerns whether one's character is good or evil, whether one is bloodthirsty and wicked, and whether one's cultivation purpose is pure. It will not pry into your personal privacy and secrets."

"Unless your own hearts are impure and filled with evil thoughts, there is nothing to worry about!"

On the high platform, Elder Li Xun's voice echoed throughout the square, calming some of the slightly nervous examinees.

Each faction must send representatives again to draw lots to determine the examination venue and order.

At Qinglu Academy, just as everyone was about to look at Yao Mengkang, a petite and lively figure jumped out first.

"I'm going today! I'm going to draw lots today!"

Su Xiaoman waved her fair little hand, her face beaming with a joyful smile, clearly in a very good mood.

Yesterday's friendly exchange with Yao Mengkang, Xuanyuanpo, and others put her in a good mood.

She was even more pleased that Yao Mengkang and the other person could join her "strongest team".

Seeing this, everyone naturally had nothing to say.

Su Xiaoman is the senior disciple of the inner court. In terms of both strength and seniority, she is the highest among all the disciples of Qinglu Academy present. Since she took the initiative to request it, who would dare to object?

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister Su." Yao Mengkang smiled and cupped her hands in greeting.

Xuan Yuanpo, Zhou Tiancan, and the others nodded in agreement.

Su Xiaoman, like a happy lark, hopped and skipped towards the lottery table.

He stood out among a group of representatives from various parties, some composed, some aloof, and some arrogant.

Without exchanging words with anyone, she reached into the fortune-telling box, pulled out a jade pendant, glanced at it, and then ran back with a grin.

"Examination room number three, number eighteen!" She showed the jade token to everyone.

"That's right. There are still more than 300 teams left. We should still be in the middle." Vice Dean Shangguan Hong stroked his beard and nodded.

The assessment began soon.

In each of the ten examination rooms, a hazy array of light rose up, within which gray-white mist swirled, and various illusions appeared and disappeared indistinctly.

The candidates entered the formation one by one, and after a few breaths to a quarter of an hour, they would walk out on their own.

Most of the results went smoothly.

Most geniuses who can pass the first hurdle are resilient and have lofty aspirations.

Perhaps everyone has their own calculations and selfish motives, but very few of them can be considered to have "impure motives" or even "evil intentions".

Occasionally, one or two people with wicked intentions would fall into the formation, their faces showing struggle and pain, and even bursting with murderous intent. They would be immediately "invited" out of the formation by the Heavenly Dao Academy stewards who were waiting nearby, and eliminated directly, drawing disdainful glances from those around them.

Soon it was the turn of the Qinglu Academy students.

Su Xiaoman was the first to go in, and in just over ten breaths, she came out skipping and hopping. The array's light was steady and without any ripples.

Subsequently, core disciples such as Shi Potian, Yao Mengkang, Xuan Yuanpo, Mu Wanqing, and Zhou Feng, as well as all disciples of Qinglu Academy, passed the test smoothly.

The whole process was uneventful, as if it were just a formality.

The disciples of other major forces are largely the same.

The purpose of the "questioning of the heart" is mainly to eliminate the very few people with serious flaws in their character.

For the vast majority of young geniuses who aspire to power, bring glory to their family, or explore the path to enlightenment, it is not too difficult.

Finally, the second round of assessments ended, with only a little over a hundred people eliminated due to issues with their character. The remaining 9,800 or so people passed.

As the last examinee stepped out of the Inquiry Formation, Elder Li Xun reappeared in front of the platform.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for him to announce the last and most crucial practical assessment rule.

Elder Li Xun's gaze swept over the ten thousand young and energetic faces below, his expression slightly complex, but he finally took a deep breath and announced in a loud voice:

"The third stage of the assessment, the practical test, has been changed after discussions between the academy and all parties involved!"

Upon hearing this, a slight commotion arose below.

Changing the assessment location? This is quite rare in previous assessments.

Elder Li Xun didn't keep everyone in suspense and directly uttered the name that made everyone's hearts skip a beat:

"The new location for the practical assessment will be—Silent Soul Abyss!"

"What?! The Abyss of Silent Souls?!"

"The Abyss of Silent Souls, one of the Ten Forbidden Lands? Are you kidding me!"

"Why would you go there? It's too dangerous!"

Exclamations, doubts, and discussions surged up like a tidal wave, and the entire square was in an uproar!

Everyone's face was filled with shock and disbelief.

Who among those present did not know the terrifying reputation of the Silent Soul Abyss?

Moreover, the source of that earth-shattering phenomenon of the saint's fall two days ago seemed to be in that direction!

How could this not inspire fear?

Elder Li Xun raised his hand and pressed down, and an invisible pressure slightly calmed the commotion.

He said in a deep voice, "Silence! The specific assessment rules, task content, safe zone division, and rescue measures still need to be finalized by the academy."

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), I will personally announce all the details here!"

His gaze swept over the areas led by the captains of each faction, and his tone turned serious:

"Now, please have one elder from each sect and family remain to accompany my academy steward to the side hall. We have important matters to discuss!"

"The rest of you may return to your posts to rest and recuperate, and prepare for tomorrow's examination!"

After saying this, Elder Li Xun said no more and turned to leave.

Ten thousand young hearts, filled with unease and doubt, were left behind, pounding violently in the square.

Silent Abyss!

This sudden news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves.

Everyone realized that this assessment by the Heavenly Dao Academy was probably far more complicated and dangerous than they had imagined.

On the Qinglu Academy side, Shangguan Hong and Xiao Yunhai exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

"I'll go."

Shangguan Hong said to Xiao Yunhai.

"Take your disciples back and make sure they remain calm. Don't speculate or make wild guesses. When I return, they will understand the situation."

Xiao Yunhai nodded emphatically: "Don't worry."

Yao Mengkang watched as Vice Dean Shangguan Hong left with the other elders, then looked at his companions around him who were discussing amongst themselves and had worried expressions. His eyes were deep.

The Abyss of Silent Souls, the Land of Fallen Saints, has suddenly had its assessment location changed by the Heavenly Dao Academy.

What secrets and turmoil are hidden behind this?

He felt as if an invisible net was slowly enveloping him.