"Barbara, you have passed the third layer of the Heart-Testing Array. You may be admitted as an inner disciple."
With that calm announcement, Barbara—still lost in the haze of the trial—was gently pushed out by a soft force. She floated down and landed beside Lisa.
"How do you feel, Barbara?" Lisa asked with genuine concern.
Barbara was silent for a moment. When she finally lifted her gaze, it was no longer timid as before, but steadier, more resolute.
"It's fine, Sister Lisa. I only barely passed the third layer. I've really let you and Sister Jean down."
"But once I enter Mount Shu, I'll train hard. Next time I'll never stop at the third layer again!"
Lisa blinked in surprise. Barbara had never spoken with such firm determination before.
And… sister?
If Jean heard Barbara call her "sister" again, she'd surely be overjoyed.
The Heart-Testing Array truly was mysterious. Lisa could only wonder what Barbara had gone through inside.
"Congratulations, Barbara." Lisa smiled warmly and patted her head.
Barbara gave a shy smile, but her eyes were fixed intently on Jean.
At this moment, Jean had already passed through the fourth layer. Her fists were clenched tight, her face pale, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Only those who had walked the Heart-Testing Array could understand how unspeakably difficult it was—each step, an entire lifetime, each step, a merciless question to the soul.
Even recalling her own experience, Barbara shuddered.
Soon, Zhongli appeared again, returning Kaeya.
"Kaeya, you have passed the fourth layer of the Heart-Testing Array. You may be admitted as an inner disciple."
Kaeya staggered out, exhaling heavily, pinching himself to make sure he was real. He studied his surroundings for a long time, then sighed with deep emotion.
"Four layers… four lifetimes lived… Truly terrifying. Cultivators cannot be measured by mortal reason."
"A pity… My will was still lacking."
He gave a wry smile. The further trials had become unbearable, each step more suffocating than the last. Though passing three layers was already enough, who would willingly settle for just three?
A cultivator who is content to drift along would never achieve anything.
It was only in that fourth layer that Kaeya truly understood how crucial steadfast will was—when faced with a dead end of despair, it was the power that could drive him to smash through and carve out a path.
And such will… was what cultivators needed most.
As Kaeya pondered, Zhongli's voice rang out again.
"Diluc, you have passed the fifth layer of the Heart-Testing Array. You may be admitted as an inner disciple."
In the blink of an eye, Diluc appeared beside Kaeya. As his eyes opened, blood-red light surged out, demonic killing intent seething uncontrollably. His whole body shook violently.
"Calm yourself."
Venti placed a hand on Diluc's shoulder, true essence flowing into him. Slowly, Diluc steadied. He looked around and sighed, his gaze lingering on the trial formation.
"…I didn't pass the sixth?"
Venti nodded with a gentle smile.
"You've already done extremely well. Five lifetimes endured, and you still dared to step toward the sixth. That surpasses many."
"But I still failed." Diluc's voice carried a trace of gloom, his fists clenching hard.
He could no longer even recall what he faced in the sixth layer—only that he had nearly fallen into demonic madness. His heart had not been strong enough. For someone who always demanded the best of himself, this was a crushing blow.
Especially seeing Jean still persisting inside… his mood darkened further.
"Temperament can be cultivated later," Baizhu said kindly. "As long as you keep your Dao-heart firm and your spirit clear, transformation will come."
Diluc looked at him, momentarily taken aback. Venti chuckled:
"You'd better listen carefully to Senior Brother Baizhu. He's the one who forcefully passed all nine layers of the Trial."
"Even the sect master said that record might stand unmatched for a long, long time."
Diluc's expression grew solemn. His gaze toward Baizhu carried respect. He had nearly lost himself in the sixth, yet this man had endured all nine. Only after walking the trial himself did he realize how monstrous such a feat was.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Baizhu."
Baizhu smiled faintly. "You've already passed five layers. You're a disciple of Mount Shu now. Among fellow disciples, there's no need for such formality."
Diluc allowed a small smile to tug at his lips and looked toward Tongtian Peak.
"Yes, Senior Brother Baizhu."
Everyone's eyes now turned toward Jean. Their hearts tightened.
She had already forced her way through the sixth layer—sweat pouring, breath ragged, her eyes unfocused.
Zhongli inclined his head and said softly:
"Jean, you have passed six layers. Your aptitude is excellent, your temperament outstanding. You may be admitted as an inner disciple. You need not go further."
Jean forced herself to focus, raised her head toward Zhongli, and after a moment's silence, whispered:
"First Seat Zhongli… I wish to continue."
Zhongli's voice grew serious.
"Going further will not grant you greater reward. Your will is already scattered, your spirit unstable. If you continue, you may damage your very soul. Are you certain?"
Jean turned, glancing first at Barbara, then at Lisa and the others. She drew in a long breath.
"I'll continue! I haven't reached my limit! And if I have—then I'll break it!"
"I must become stronger—strong enough to end all misfortune!"
"If I stop here, I'll live forever with regret!"
"First Seat Zhongli, I'll continue!"
Zhongli studied her. Though she teetered on the edge of collapse, sheer resolve alone kept her standing.
At last, he nodded.
"Very well."
Jean inhaled deeply and stepped forward.
Diluc's last trace of prejudice toward her vanished. Instead, respect stirred. Though Jean was still somewhat inexperienced and immature, she possessed a will of steel.
Perhaps… under her leadership, the Knights of Favonius will truly grow stronger.
Jean's next step carried her through another lifetime—birth, growth, succession, struggle. Unlike Baizhu, who sought longevity, her heart was consumed by one thing: the will to protect.
Whether it was Mondstadt, Mount Shu, or even a small sect somewhere in the cultivation world, Jean shouldered the duty of guardian. She grew from fragility through fire and blood, forever walking the path of protection.
This step lasted a long, long time.
Outside the trial, everyone watched her with solemn respect. Whether she succeeded or not, she had already earned their admiration.
Eventually, Jean collapsed, unable to move another inch.
Zhongli raised his hand, drawing her out.
"Jean, you have passed the seventh layer of the Heart-Testing Array. You are an inner disciple of Mount Shu."
His voice softened.
"Your will is unyielding, your heart of protection forged into resolve. Aptitude outstanding. You are awarded one vial of Heart Nourishing Elixir, and one hundred low-grade spirit stones."
A streak of light fell to Jean's side. She forced her eyes open, pale and weak, and whispered:
"Thank you… First Seat Zhongli."
Without further comment, Zhongli intoned evenly:
"The assessment is complete. All who have participated are now inner disciples of Mount Shu. Proceed at once to Tongtian Peak to report to the sect master."
Then, in a flash of sword-light, he was gone.
Lisa hurriedly supported Jean, feeding her the elixir. Only then did she regain some strength.
"Congratulations, Jean," Lisa said happily.
"You passed seven layers, second only to Junior Brother Baizhu. With your superior wind spirit root, your future will be limitless."
Jean smiled faintly, her face still pale but radiant with a tragic beauty.
"Now… I can protect everyone even better."
"Big sister…" Barbara suddenly threw her arms around Jean, her voice breaking into sobs.
Jean froze for a moment, then hugged her tightly back. The distance that had grown between them shattered, and once more they were as close as in childhood.
Lisa's heart warmed with joy.
"Hehe!" Venti grinned and winked at Diluc.
"So? Didn't I say entrusting Mondstadt to Jean was the right choice?"
Diluc frowned but admitted quietly:
"With such will, she truly is the best choice. Once she sheds her inexperience, she will be Mondstadt's finest leader."
"Well, well. For you to say that, you must've learned a thing or two in there yourself," Kaeya teased with a laugh.
Diluc shot him a glance and said softly:
"To cultivators, human lifetimes pass like fleeting horses. After the Trial… I understand much more now."
Ningguang and the others smiled, clapping gently. None of them asked about the details of the trial.
The Heart-Testing Array tested one's character, Dao-heart, and lifelong convictions. These could not be borrowed from another. There were no shortcuts—and even if there were, they must not be used.
If one hoped to rely on others even here, then they had no business cultivating immortality at all.
"Congratulations, Jean," Ningguang said, waiting until Jean and Barbara had finished reconciling.
"Seven layers is already an astonishing feat. The sect master will surely be proud."
Jean blushed faintly.
"I only followed my belief—step by step, without giving up. Compared to Senior Brother Baizhu who passed nine, I still have far to go."
"And I can't share any 'experience' with you, Ningguang. Every life, every conviction, is different."
Ningguang nodded.
"I realized that as soon as Barbara and the others came out. The trial doesn't require anyone else's experience."
"For now, we should hurry to Tongtian Peak. We mustn't keep the sect master waiting."
At her words, everyone straightened their robes and followed the rainbow bridge up to Tongtian Peak once more.
The great hall was not closed. At a glance, they saw Jiang Yan seated cross-legged in meditation.
They slowed their steps, entering together.
Seeing him again, Jean and the others felt as though lifetimes had passed. Not long ago they had stood before him as guests. Now, they were his disciples.
Pushing such thoughts aside, their eyes shone with anticipation. Their true path of cultivation was about to begin.
Jiang Yan slowly opened his eyes, glancing first at Ganyu—making her brighten with joy—then speaking in a calm voice:
"Congratulations. You have all passed the Heart-Testing Array."
"From this day forth, you are disciples of Mount Shu."
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