Volume 2: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map and Entering the Spirit Ruins Chapter 157: Entering the Heart-Refining Cave

News of Chen Yu’s intention to practice in the Heart-Refining Cave quickly spread throughout the outer sect. Many people did not believe that Chen Yu genuinely wanted to cultivate; instead, they suspected he was merely trying to evade challenges from others.

After all, those remaining were all disciples at the One-Yuan Nine-Aperture realm. What right did he, a cultivator at the mere One-Yuan Six-Aperture realm, have to persist until now?

"Hmph, does he think he can hide from this?" someone sneered with disdain. "Two months from now, the qualified candidates will be finalized. If he fails to appear by then, he will forfeit his qualification all the same. And what if he does show up? I've heard quite a few senior brothers and sisters are waiting for him."

"But what if, two months from now in the Heart-Refining Cave, his strength has grown even greater?" another person suggested.

"Ha... What a joke. It's only two months. How far could his cultivation possibly advance?" a disciple remarked contemptuously, unimpressed.

The doubts of others had no effect on Chen Yu. Arriving outside the Heart-Refining Cave, he gazed into the pitch-black, lightless entrance, and the hairs on his body involuntarily stood on end, as if they could sense terror itself.

"Who goes there! Unauthorized entry into the Heart-Refining Cave is forbidden." At that moment, a figure flew out from the side, blocking Chen Yu’s path and issuing a warning.

Chen Yu bowed slightly and said, "Senior brother, this junior wishes to enter the Heart-Refining Cave to cultivate."

Hearing this, the man frowned and offered some well-intentioned advice: "Do you know what kind of place the Heart-Refining Cave is? Is it a place a One-Yuan realm disciple can just barge into?"

"This junior is already aware. I ask for senior brother's understanding and permission," Chen Yu replied with another bow.

"Are you truly determined to go in?" the man asked once more.

Chen Yu nodded with certainty.

"So be it! Since you insist upon it, I will not stop you. However, a word of advice: given your cultivation level, you'd best restrict yourself to the outer perimeter of the Heart-Refining Cave. If you wander into the depths by mistake, even I will not be able to save you," the man said. "Do not assume the Heart-Refining Cave is anything pleasant. The number of disciples who have died or gone mad inside is countless. You would do well to know your own limits."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother." After expressing his gratitude, Chen Yu stepped into the Heart-Refining Cave without the slightest hesitation.

The paths within the Heart-Refining Cave were intricate and labyrinthine, resembling an ant nest.

The moment he stepped inside, Chen Yu felt a wave of malicious wind wash over him, causing his mind to spin with dizziness, though he quickly recovered.

He could not help muttering to himself, "The Heart-Refining Cave is truly extraordinary. I almost fell victim to its sorcery right away."

***

Chen Yu gathered his wits and proceeded forward with extreme caution. He had not walked far before he heard a raving, furious roar: "Kill... Kill... I'll kill you two treacherous dogs, ha ha..."

Turning in surprise, Chen Yu was momentarily stunned to see that the person was none other than Mo You of the Qingling Peak—the very same disciple who had fallen into inner demons and nearly killed Deng E previously.

While everyone knew Mo You had been punished by being sent to the Heart-Refining Cave, none expected that he had genuinely lost his mind here.

At that moment, Mo You wore a ferocious expression, flailing and hacking wildly at empty air. Chen Yu’s appearance instantly drew his attention.

"You treacherous scum, how dare you still show your face before me! Kill... Kill..." Mo You’s eyes shone with a sinister light like those of a wild wolf as he roared and charged at Chen Yu.

Frowning, Chen Yu did not stand on ceremony. Instantly transforming into a golden streak, he closed the distance, pressed a finger against Mo You’s glabella, and used the Hundred-Cycle Heart-Refining Technique to shatter his inner demons, temporarily stabilizing his madness.

After all, Mo You’s descent into obsession had not been too deep, and he was still salvageable. After a brief moment, Mo You slowly regained consciousness.

"It's you..." When Mo You opened his eyes and saw Chen Yu, his face was a mask of confusion, which quickly gave way to gloating, raucous laughter. "Ha ha... So you've met your match today. I never imagined you'd also be punished to the Heart-Refining Cave. Ha ha... Serves you right..."

At the end of his words, Mo You actually burst into tears. Truth be told, he did not hate Chen Yu; he was simply terrified.

"Are you alright?" Chen Yu asked, shaking his head with a sigh.

"None of your business! You'd better worry about yourself," Mo You snapped coldly.

Seeing this, Chen Yu could only say, "Then take care of yourself."

Seeing Chen Yu continue deeper into the Heart-Refining Cave, Mo You grew anxious and hurriedly shouted, "Are you insane? You're still heading deeper in? Have you grown tired of living?"

"Your state of mind is far too weak. Since you've already been punished here, why not seize this opportunity to properly temper your heart instead of dwelling on the past?" Chen Yu advised.

With that, his figure vanished into the darkness.

At first, Mo You scoffed disdainfully. "Refining the heart is easily said, but could anyone possibly come here on purpose—"

Before he could finish his thought, Mo You stared in shock at the direction where Chen Yu had disappeared, thinking to himself: *Could it really be true? Did he come here of his own accord? No, it can't be, it's impossible...*

***

He had also caught wind of Chen Yu’s brilliant performance in the arena, which was why such a thought had crossed his mind. Yet, Chen Yu's cultivation level made him unable to stop doubting.

What Mo You failed to notice, however, was that a sliver of admiration for Chen Yu had unconsciously taken root in the depths of his heart, and Chen Yu’s words had indeed sunk in. He clenched his fists, his gaze growing a fraction steadier.

Meanwhile, Chen Yu had walked a hundred paces into the Heart-Refining Cave. At this point, even he could not help furrowing his brow, thinking: *This must be my limit.*

He thought in puzzlement: *Peak Master Chu Yang said this place would allow me to progress by leaps and bounds. Yet apart from these surging illusions that disrupt my state of mind, there is simply no other benefit.*

"Sigh... Forget it. Since Peak Master Chu Yang said so, it naturally has its reasons. I might as well cultivate here for now." With these thoughts in mind, Chen Yu sat down cross-legged and began circulating the Primordial Scripture to cultivate slowly.

However, due to the cave's unique environment and the relentless onslaught of illusions, achieving quiet cultivation proved exceedingly difficult.

"This won't do. I must find a way to withstand the influence of the Heart-Refining Cave; otherwise, not only will my cultivation fail to make an inch of progress, but it might even damage my Dao foundation," Chen Yu mused inwardly.

Yet what methods remained at his disposal? Chen Yu immediately thought of the Hundred-Cycle Heart-Refining Technique. Although it was a fundamental heart-refining art, it was also the only technique he understood.

By utilizing the natural environment here, this was the perfect opportunity to practice and refine it thoroughly.

Basic though the Hundred-Cycle Heart-Refining Technique was, it indeed possessed a defensive efficacy against the current environment. Merely a few hours passed, and his previous confusions regarding the technique suddenly became crystal clear. Chen Yu even felt a refreshing clarity wash over his mind.

Even so, Chen Yu felt no great elation. While the technique granted him a degree of defense, it still failed to allow him proper cultivation within the Heart-Refining Cave.

"Why on earth is this happening?"

Chen Yu could not comprehend why Chu Yang had guided him to cultivate in the Heart-Refining Cave. Here, he was completely unable to cultivate in peace. His confusion not only failed to diminish, but instead continued to pile up.