Chapter 34: Chapter 31 The Great Tremor

Ye Chen sat cross-legged beneath the "Mirror Light Spirit Wall."

The thousand Lotus Cave Abode owner's azure figure shifted and transformed endlessly in the reflections of the mirror wall.

When the entire repertoire of the "Wind Thunder Sword Skills" was completed, the final move, "Wind and Thunder Change," of the azure figure's sword combined strike of wind and thunder caused three peals of thunderous blasts directly within the mirror wall's world.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

These three thunderous blasts were as if the owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode had tapped Ye Chen on the head three times with the azure long sword in his hand.

In an instant, the endless fog in Ye Chen's mind was blown apart by these three peals of thunder, and a remarkable enlightenment instantly suffused his entire mind.

"Wind Sword Skills."

"Thunder Sword Skills."

"Wind and Thunder Combined Strike Sword Skills!"

"This is swordsmanship, as well as the essence of the sword path, the essence of the 'Wind' and 'Thunder' sword path!"

"The owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode isn't just demonstrating sword skills to me, he is clearly imparting the essence of 'Wind' and 'Thunder'!"

Ye Chen's eyes suddenly burst with endless brilliance, and although the azure figure had ceased moving, he seemed to still see a phantom in the mirror wall, endlessly shifting its techniques, still seeing the Wind! Seeing the Thunder!

Even when the azure figure resumed practicing the second technique, "Wind Thunder Movement," the marvelous phantom of wind and thunder in the mirror wall and the owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode's azure figure seemed to merge together completely!

Two techniques could actually merge completely in their essence!

"I understand now!"

"Be it 'Wind Thunder Sword Skills' or 'Wind Thunder Movement,' both encompass the essence of wind and thunder!"

"I fear these two techniques are evolved by the owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode, from the essence of wind and thunder!"

"Practicing these two techniques, if one starts from the very essence of wind and thunder, there might be incredible gains!"

In the end, Ye Chen was no longer watching the azure figure practicing techniques in the mirror wall; he had closed his eyes.

Although he had closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the howling of wind and the roaring of thunder, and the countless techniques demonstrated by the azure figure sped through his mind, finally merging miracously...

Even when the azure figure had completed both techniques and disappeared from the "Mirror Light Spirit Wall," leaving nine dimly lit assessment lines on the wall, Ye Chen did not open his eyes.

"He has received enlightenment!"

Outside the Fire and Water Dao, the Three-Eyed Giant Ape, seeing Ye Chen suddenly close his eyes, spoke softly.

"He has probably gained great insight!"

At this moment, Jiang Yao, observing Ye Chen, had her eyes shining even more brightly!

"I wonder how many of the nine dim lines on the Mirror Light Spirit Wall he will be able to illuminate. Lighting up three lines would allow him to pass this level, but I feel that he could illuminate at least six, maybe even seven lines!" the Three-Eyed Giant Ape speculated in his heart.

"According to what Senior Ape has said, in over three hundred years, the most anyone has ever lit up on this level is eight lines. When I challenged the 'Path of Water,' I equaled the record of eight lines.

This was simply a miracle that had not occurred in over three hundred years of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode!

"How is this possible?!"

Outside in the Fire and Water Dao, the Three-Eyed Giant Ape even leaped up in the moment the nine lines lit up together, its thunderous hopping shaking the entire main hall of the Outer Mansion of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode.

It had anticipated that Ye Chen's understanding following contemplation would be impressive, but never had it imagined that Ye Chen's achievement would reach such a level!

All nine lines simultaneously illuminated, this was directly the strongest performance in the history of the second challenge of the Outer Mansion!

This was simply unheard of!

"Three days of contemplation, and he lit up all nine lines! Could it be that he met the master's highest requirement and cultivated both sets of techniques to Great Accomplishment?!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible. The two sets of Cultivation Techniques he received are both top-grade mystical methods. It's definitely not possible for him to cultivate both to Great Accomplishment in three days!"

"Could it be that he has discerned the true purpose behind the master setting this challenge and directly comprehended the sentiment behind the techniques?"

The Three-Eyed Giant Ape's three divine eyes turned towards Ye Chen in the Fire and Water Dao, filled with shock and disbelief.

As the guardian of the Outer Mansion of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode, the Three-Eyed Giant Ape knew better than anyone the purpose of its master setting this challenge.

The second challenge of the Outer Mansion was a test of comprehension — it was meant to probe and assess the solvers' insight!

Its master's decision to demonstrate the techniques to those being tested was not as simple as merely explaining the moves.

Having the solvers mimic and internalize the moves was too basic.

The essence and underlying sentiment of the demonstrated techniques, that was what truly mattered, and that was what truly tested one's insight!

If the solvers could fully perceive all of this, only then would they truly demonstrate their unique comprehension!

Regrettably, among those who had entered the second challenge over the past three hundred years, very few had recognized this.

"The sentiment, it must be the sentiment."

"This Ye Chen, is truly a genius!"

Jiang Yao, watching the nine lines in the Mirror Light Spirit Wall brilliantly light up, revealed endless brilliance in her clear eyes.

"Initially, when I received the Cultivation Technique rewarded by the owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode, I also began by following the demonstration of moves provided by the owner during this comprehension challenge."

"It wasn't until a day later that I suddenly realized that the comprehension challenge couldn't merely be about practicing the technique; even pushing oneself to the limit wouldn't achieve much in three days. What truly proved one's insight was likely the sentiment behind the technique!"

"Only by grasping the essence of the sentiment could one truly assert their exceptional insight."

"Therefore, during the remaining two days, I focused solely on understanding the sentiment of the 'Flight Combat Skill' I had received, and it was because I grasped the sentiment that I managed to light up eight lines in the Mirror Light Spirit Wall in the end."

"Now, Ye Chen has directly lit up all nine lines. Doesn't this mean that he didn't take any detours and realized the owner's intention right from the start, directly grasping the sentiment?!"

"In the first challenge, at the Fire Rune Chart, Ye Chen's combat power already earned my respect. Now, at the second challenge, by the Mirror Light Spirit Wall, his comprehension has left me utterly astonished. If he succeeds in the third challenge, a test of willpower..."

Jiang Yao's clear eyes gazed at Ye Chen in front of the Mirror Light Spirit Wall.

"Then he, Ye Chen, as a companion who will step into the Inner Mansion of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode with me, I will feel immensely proud of his formidable strength! Together, we will strive to inherit the true legacy of the owner of the Thousand Lotus Cave Abode!"