Before the Tree of Flesh and Blood, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn wasn't very long, but counting every second as it passed was truly an agonizing wait.

When the thin stick of incense, condensed from white mist, finally burned out, Yang An let out a long sigh.

'Time's up!'

To be on the safe side, he waited a few more seconds in this place where his consciousness was separated before finally pulling his awareness away from the Tree of Flesh and Blood.

When Yang An opened his eyes, he was, as expected, back before the towering Buddha's Golden Body.

A glance around revealed that of the original eleven people, including himself, only four now remained seated on their Lotus Platforms, their Golden Body Illusions still intact.

In contrast, the Golden Body Illusions of the others had vanished. The black-gold Lotus Platforms beneath them seemed to have melted, becoming puddles of twisted, irregular matter that clung to their bodies like black mud.

These people had already lost consciousness. Even their heartbeats were faint as they lay collapsed on the ground.

The fates of the successful and the failed were worlds apart.

If not for the Tree of Flesh and Blood, Yang An might have shared their fate.

However, after just a casual glance, the remaining few, including Yang An, averted their eyes and instead focused their attention on the other three who had passed.

No one could have imagined that of the more than eighty people who had come to Yan'an Temple, only four would remain after just the second trial.

'I wonder how many will be left after the third trial... or will there be none at all?' 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

As everyone rose from their Lotus Platforms, the Buddha's Golden Body before them and the black-gold Lotus Platforms beneath them vanished in an instant. The scene shifted back to Yan'an Temple once more.

Only this time, as the scene returned, the failures from the second trial had vanished along with it.

Inside Yan'an Hall, only the four who had passed the second trial remained.

The other three looked at each other in bewilderment, while suspicion once again stirred in Yang An's heart.

'Back in Yin Huan Hall, even those who failed the first trial had disappeared. The whole hall seemed empty and desolate because of its size.'

'Failure means facing an unknown fate. Where has the Great Virtue Temple taken all these people?'

'It can't be as simple as erasing their memories and kicking them out of Celestial Buddha City!'

"Amitabha! That you were able to distinguish yourselves in a place devoid of a single thought is a testament to your sincerity. Next is the third trial, the Test of Goodness!"

"However, before that, there is a choice before you. If you cannot guarantee you can pass the third trial, you may choose to give up. Anyone who has passed two trials may remain here in my Yan'an Temple, serving as Monks or Gami for ten years. In the future, you may also have the chance to enter the Land of Great Virtue and Goodness!"

"What say you?"

Elder Monk De Hou had suddenly spoken, giving the four a choice.

In other words, they could choose not to take the third trial and stay directly in Yan'an Temple, with a chance to go to the Great Virtue Temple in the future.

But the remaining four had been chosen from thousands. They had already passed two trials. Opportunity was within their grasp, so how could they be willing to give up?

Besides, Yan'an Temple was just a temple within Celestial Buddha City. How could its status compare to that of the Great Virtue Temple?

So, when Elder Monk De Hou finished speaking, all of them politely declined.

Passing three trials meant entering the Great Virtue Temple. Since he was here to be an infiltrator, Yang An naturally couldn't pass up such an opportunity.

That all four of them refused seemed to be within Elder Monk De Hou's expectations, and he said no more on the matter.

"If that is your wish, my Buddha has already perceived your aspirations clearly."

De Hou gently raised his hand. The guide Monk who had been standing guard beside him immediately bowed slightly and quickly left Yan'an Hall.

Elder Monk De Hou, who had been meditating this whole time, slowly rose from the ground. No longer facing away from them, he slowly turned to show his front.

But when they saw Elder Monk De Hou's true face, all of them, including Yang An, were horrified.

On the Elder Monk De Hou's face were not facial features, but a smooth, polished mirror!

A long white beard extended from the surface of the mirror. Although no features were visible, he still exuded a sense of profound compassion.

"The third trial, the Test of Goodness, is a matter of great cause and effect!"

Even though he was now facing them, Elder Monk De Hou's voice remained just as ethereal and indistinct.

"Abbot... what is a matter of great cause and effect?"

Someone swallowed hard and mustered the courage to ask.

"The Buddha's sole great purpose in appearing in the world is to reveal the true nature of the human realm."

"The Test of Goodness is also known as the probing of the heart's goodness."

Elder Monk De Hou spoke in a cryptic Buddhist saying.

'True nature?'

Hearing this phrase, Yang An couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety.

'Don't tell me the third trial is to verify our identities and origins? No way, right? It can't be!'

The next moment, Elder Monk De Hou flicked his wrist. The cyan Prayer Beads in his hand scattered, and four of them transformed into four Secret Seals that landed on the heads of Yang An and the others, entering their bodies.

At that very moment, an information box popped up before Yang An's eyes!

Seeing the information box appear, Yang An, who had felt a chill run down his spine just moments before, was suddenly overjoyed.

'An information box? Okay, this should be easy!'

「[Great Cause and Effect Pearl]: From the Great Virtue Temple's *Shangshang Bodhisattva's Void Mirror of All Things*. This item is connected to De Hou's mirror-face. It can discern humans, demons, monsters, and evil, reveal one's true nature, and see through all falsehoods.

Cost of Use: Those who harbor falsehoods, pretense, or lies will be imprisoned by De Hou's mirror-face, their minds will become bewildered, and their souls will be damaged.

Status: Purification available!」

'Purify! I have to purify it!'