“Sect Leader Baili, could there be something wrong with this Seven Question Array?” Patriarch Sheng asked cautiously.
“No.” Baili Xuanqing’s face was dark as he replied coldly.
The shock in Baili Xuanqing’s heart was no less than anyone else’s.
The Seven Question Array would never malfunction. Perhaps the issue lay with Feng Qingran herself.
“But… if the array isn’t faulty, then how did Feng Qingran blast through to the very last round in the blink of an eye?” Xiao Qingfeng’s voice carried a hint of indignation.
Back in the day, it had taken him over half a month to get through Baili Xuanqing’s Seven Question Array!
The powerful figures stared blankly at the images, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief…
“Hey, Baili Xuanqing, are you sure this is the supposedly ‘extremely difficult’ Seven Question Array? This is easier than the Heaven Ascension Ladder!” Rong Zhuofan was utterly speechless.
These disciple assessments had been brainstormed and voted on by everyone together.
When this Seven Question Array was first proposed, the powerful figures had all cast their votes in favor.
Baili Xuanqing’s eyes turned gloomy. “Strictly speaking, the Seven Question Array is inherently more difficult than the Heaven Ascension Ladder. The ladder poses no mortal danger.”
“But if a disciple inside the array cannot defeat the opponent manifest there, they could very well face life-threatening peril. That is precisely why you all need to monitor the screens. If anyone is in trouble, you must call for me immediately.”
Baili Xuanqing reminded the assembled experts.
“What! Life-threatening danger? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Rong Zhuofan exclaimed in surprise.
“I did say that the Seven Question Array is also known as the Seven Kill Array. I assumed everyone already knew,” Baili Xuanqing said, placing one hand behind his back as a glint of light flickered in his eyes.
“We thought ‘Seven Kill’ just meant it was incredibly formidable…” Rong Zhuofan voiced what everyone was thinking.
The faces of the powerful figures all turned grave. In previous years, Baili Xuanqing had been reluctant to use the Seven Question Array. Could this be the reason?
After all, those selected were the finest disciples of Qingzhou. They absolutely could not afford to lose anyone inside the Seven Question Array.
The experts shifted their gaze away from Feng Qingran and focused on the other disciples.
“Holy crap! Baili, get over here quick—there’s a disciple about to get beaten to death!” a clan head shouted urgently.
Baili Xuanqing walked over.
On the screen, one person was being pummeled into a bloody, swollen mess, with blood streaming everywhere.
Baili Xuanqing looked at the clan head who had called out. “The one who’s about to be beaten to death—that’s the illusionary version.”
“These two look exactly alike! How can you tell them apart?” the clan head asked, somewhat astonished.
“The real disciple has silver patterns on the hem of their competition robe,” Baili Xuanqing said, raising his voice so everyone could hear.
The clan head said, “Silver embroidery on a white robe—who can even make that out?”
Baili Xuanqing’s eyes grew meaningful. That was precisely the point—to make sure no one noticed.
Only if they remained unnoticed could the illusionary figures be distinguished from the real ones.
“Sect Leader Baili, something’s still off. Look at this screen—both people have silver edges on their robes!” The clan head pointed, and the person in question was none other than Dugu Jianyi.
Baili Xuanqing looked over. On the screen, both Dugu Jianyi’s had sustained injuries, and their swordsmanship was evenly matched.
His expression soured. This person seems to be Feng Qingran’s Second Senior Brother, doesn’t he?
His gaze shifted to Feng Qingran’s screen—only to find that she had just walked out.
Baili Xuanqing: She’s already cleared it!
After clearing the trial, the one who walks out must be the real person.
The illusionary figure would vanish upon the true owner’s death.
But over at Dugu Jianyi’s screen, one of the figures had just been stabbed clean through a vital spot.
Baili Xuanqing frowned but did not act. Unable to tell which was real and which was fake, he could not intervene.
Feng Qingran, having cleared the trial, drew the attention of all the experts.
This young lady had been inside for less than half an hour before coming out!
The experts exchanged glances. They all wanted to say something, but they were simply at a loss for words. Feng Qingran was practically leaving no room for anyone else.
Feng Qingran, composed and unassuming, walked up to Baili Xuanqing.
“Sect Leader Baili, Patriarch Chen, I’ve come to check on my Second Senior Brother,” Feng Qingran said with a polite bow.
Baili Xuanqing maintained his dignified air and gave a curt nod without speaking.
Patriarch Chen, however, was all smiles. “Alright, alright! Go on, Miss Feng!”
“Mm.” Feng Qingran’s apricot-colored eyes sparkled brilliantly, a truly lovely sight.
“Feng Qingran, even though you’re the first to come out, you must not grow arrogant. Your opponents are not from our own prefecture, but disciples from other prefectures,” Baili Xuanqing said sternly.
“You’re absolutely right, Sect Leader Baili. This Seven Kill Array was rather well designed,” Feng Qingran replied with respectful humility.
Baili Xuanqing’s expression softened somewhat. He pointed at Dugu Jianyi’s screen. “Can you tell which one is your Second Senior Brother?”
Feng Qingran smiled brightly. “My Second Senior Brother is naturally the more skilled one. It’s easier to tell by looking at their eyes and the depth of their swordsmanship. After all, a fake is always a fake—it can never be the real thing.”
Hearing Feng Qingran say this, Baili Xuanqing observed more carefully and was indeed able to distinguish the real Dugu Jianyi.
The real Dugu Jianyi wielded every move with fierce killing intent, yet his attacks lacked a certain ruthlessness and were devoid of any treachery.
The fake Dugu Jianyi, on the other hand, sought to kill the real one with every strike.
Moreover, the fake could anticipate every move and respond ahead of time, while the real Dugu Jianyi adapted on the fly each time.
Yet even with the ability to foresee every attack, the fake was still steadily losing ground.
“Sect Leader Baili, this is bad—one of the disciples is about to be killed by the illusionary figure!” another clan head’s shout drew Baili Xuanqing’s attention.
