"Mr. Ye, will she be alright?" Lin Qingtan asked, her tone laced with concern.
"No one will die," Ye Feng replied calmly. "But whether she succumbs to her inner demons… that depends entirely on her."
Trials of the heart could not be overcome by external help. Only by relying on one's will could the darkness within be faced and overcome. Though this was part of the assessment, Ye Feng would not interfere. If she failed, then it only meant she and Ye Feng were never destined to walk the same path.
"Do you want to observe someone else?" he asked.
Lin Qingtan pointed to a figure in the mist. "Her."
A young girl stood quietly within the white fog. She wore a flowing white dress, her features delicate and refined, with large eyes as clear and bright as a lake. Her long black hair was tied into a ponytail that trailed down to her waist, the tip curling slightly with an air of youth and vibrance. Her presence radiated a faint musical resonance, each breath carrying a chime of purity. Her jade-like hands were elegant, her fingers slender and precise—flawless.
"Ying Huanhuan," Ye Feng murmured. "Good choice."
He was curious too—what lay at the core of this girl's heart?
A mental projection flickered to life, revealing a figure in Ying Huanhuan's mind.
Ye Feng didn't need an introduction to recognize the woman—it was most likely the senior sister of Dao Sect, known for her exceptional talent. The Dao Sect and Yuan Sect had long been at odds, and fearing her potential, Yuan Sect had eliminated her—sparking Ying Huanhuan's hidden fury.
But in Ying Huanhuan's mind, the outcome was different.
She saved her senior sister.
She surpassed every boundary, becoming the unrivaled number one expert in the East Xuan Region. Under her strength, Yuan Sect was annihilated. The Dao Sect rose to power and stood supreme atop the Tianxuan Continent.
"Alright," she said, rising from her chair with poise and calm. "Sister… I've never dwelled on your death with sorrow. Instead, your sacrifice has been my motivation to grow stronger. Not a chain to drag me down. You all... disappear."
Her voice was firm, resolute. The illusionary figures smiled, relieved, and vanished one after another.
Then the world twisted.
Ripples spread around Ying Huanhuan's form. She found herself standing in a strange, reflective space.
"A mirror?"
Another version of herself stepped forward.
She extended a hand.
So did the other.
Just as their palms were about to touch, the reflection's face twisted into a smirk—and she struck.
Puff!
Ying Huanhuan was sent flying, coughing blood. The searing pain felt horrifyingly real.
"This… is real?" she gasped, stunned. "Who are you?!"
"I am you," the figure said calmly.
"No, that's impossible!"
"I am you. You are me. Only by defeating me… can you leave this space."
—
The same scene repeated in the minds of the others.
Each faced themselves—same combat experience, same martial techniques, same strength and mindset. No trick, no surprise, no hidden move could land.
They were fighting themselves.
And they were losing.
Every blow exposed flaws they didn't know they had. Every failure stripped away their pride.
"Only by defeating yourself can you truly become strong," Lin Qingtan whispered thoughtfully.
Ye Feng nodded. "Exactly."
—
Time passed.
Ying Huanhuan was the first to emerge from the fog, her expression dazed.
"Huh? I'm not hurt?"
She blinked as the dense fog parted and revealed Ye Feng and Lin Qingtan standing in the courtyard.
"That was all… an illusion?"
Yet, it had felt so real. She remembered every sensation—the blood, the pain, even the metallic taste in her mouth.
"Mm," Ye Feng replied.
"Then… how can I be sure this isn't still an illusion?" Ying Huanhuan asked seriously.
Ye Feng smiled. "Have you seen me in any of your illusions?"
She paused.
No. Everything she had seen in the illusion—her sister, her enemies, the mirror self—were people she'd already known. Ye Feng had never once appeared.
"Illusions are born of the heart," Ye Feng said. "They cannot create something you've never seen. So, am I part of your illusion?"
Ying Huanhuan was silent, but a trace of awe flashed in her eyes.
"There is truth in illusion, and illusion in truth," Ye Feng continued. "Reality can be false, and falsehood can become real."
—
Lin Langtian was next to awaken. He stood in silence for a long time, then bowed deeply toward Ye Feng.
His respect had grown even deeper.
If Ye Feng had wanted to kill him inside that illusion, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
—
Three hours passed.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the mountain.
"The time is up. The assessment ends now," Ye Feng's voice echoed through the air.
One by one, those still trapped in the illusion slowly returned to reality.
"It's time to descend the mountain," Ye Feng instructed. "Take them down."
"Yes, Master Ye." Lin Zhentian stepped forward to organize the departure.
Those who had failed the final trial bowed deeply toward Ye Feng.
"Thank you, Chaos Sage."
Even though they had not passed, they were not disappointed. On the contrary, they had gained more than they had ever imagined.
—
Three Levels. Three Opportunities.
The first trial: The Light of the Chaos God—a test of perseverance and heart. Those who braved its radiance cultivated faster than ever before, some achieving breakthroughs they once believed impossible.
The second trial: Enlightenment—a glimpse into the truths of the universe. Those who succeeded comprehended the Laws of Heaven and Earth, unlocking power that allowed them to challenge cultivators far beyond their realm.
The third trial: Inner Demon—a confrontation with the self. A rare cultivation of the heart, and perhaps the most valuable of all. And finally, the ultimate fight: facing one's own mirror.
Even if they had not become Ye Feng's disciples, they walked away transformed.
—
As the crowd dispersed, a sturdy man clad in animal hides stepped forward and bowed before Ye Feng.
"Are you truly my master now?" he asked solemnly.
Ye Feng nodded. "Yes."
"Then please… save my child."
He brought out a stone egg and held it gently in his hands.
"This… is your child?" Ye Feng raised a brow.
"Yes, Master," the man replied. "But he is not like us. He was born from this stone egg. I've tried everything to hatch him… but nothing worked."
"Don't worry," Ye Feng said, extending a single finger. "I'll wake him."
He tapped the egg lightly.
Click.
A crack appeared. Then another. And another.
With a soft crackling sound, the shell broke apart, revealing a small child curled inside. Two tiny horns poked from his head, and his eyes blinked in confusion.
"Kid…" the man whispered, tears welling in his eyes.
"Yo… Yo… Yo…"
The newborn's cry echoed strangely—soft, yet ancient, carrying an inexplicable aura.
The strong man held the child in his arms, overcome with joy.
"Child… you're finally born…"
Then he tilted his head. "Strange. That voice is… something else."
He grinned broadly. "Alright. I've decided. From now on, your name will be—Chi You."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Check my Pâtreon for Advanced Chapters
Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03
Change (â) to (a)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9