The Trial of Mirrors was not known to the public.
Hidden beneath the core of Mount Kailash, veiled by a dimensional fold only accessible through the System's approval, the trial had been forged by Hong himself—using both formation mastery and insights from the Law of Illusions, Mental Realms, and Internal Time Acceleration.
Only one other person had ever attempted it before and survived: Lie Shen, the Lightning God.
Now, it was Luo Feng's turn.
The gates opened, revealing an endless corridor of mirrors. Each mirror flickered with unstable light, a gateway into an alternate version of himself—versions twisted by desire, regret, power, rage, fear, and arrogance.
"Initiating Soul Shard Trial Protocol," the System intoned.
Luo Feng stepped forward.
The first mirror rippled, and out stepped a version of him clad in blood-red armor, eyes glowing with hunger.
"I am the you who killed to climb," the illusion snarled. "The you who turned Earth into a throne of bones."
With a flick, the red illusion conjured twin sabers and lunged.
Luo Feng blocked instinctively, forming his Mental Blades into a crescent arc. The real battle wasn't physical—it was spiritual. Each strike cut into the psyche. Every block was a test of belief.
Outside the trial, Hong and Lie Shen observed through the System's Eye.
"He's already facing the bloodlust aspect," Lie Shen muttered. "Too soon."
Hong said nothing, only narrowing his eyes. "He has to face himself. All of himself."
Back inside, the bloodlust version was shattered.
But the next mirror activated.
This time, Luo Feng saw himself cloaked in golden armor, basking in glory. On his shoulders sat the weight of a thousand civilizations worshipping him.
"I am the you who became a god. Who ruled with benevolence. Who accepted worship," said the illusion, offering a hand. "You deserve it. Let go of the path of sacrifice. Take the throne."
Luo Feng hesitated.
This version did not fight. It tempted.
But temptation was the greater enemy.
"I do not seek to rule," Luo Feng whispered, lowering his blade. "I fight to protect. Not to be obeyed."
He plunged his blade into the illusion's heart—and the mirror cracked.
But he staggered backward. Each shattered mirror left a scar on the soul.
He had 17 more to go.
In the 9th mirror, he faced a version of himself who never trained. Who was still on Earth, ordinary, watching his mother struggle, his brother bullied.
"You could've chosen peace," that Luo Feng said. "Why fight? Why suffer? For what?"
"For everyone who doesn't have the choice," Luo Feng replied.
He walked through the illusion, heart aching—but his resolve stronger than steel.
By the 15th mirror, his Psi-energy was dimming. His Mind Domain was cracking.
And then the final mirror shimmered.
He faced himself—exactly the same in every way.
No distortion. No temptation.
This mirror did not show an illusion.
It was a true reflection.
The other Luo Feng smiled. "So. After all this… who are you now?"
Luo Feng lowered his blades, breathing hard. "I'm the blade that defends. The storm that strikes. The mind that endures."
The mirror version nodded—and stepped back into the glass.
A soft chime echoed.
"Trial of Mirrors: Complete. Psi-Soul Rank Increased. Willpower Purified. Unique Title Unlocked: 'Soul-Forged Blade.'"
The chamber collapsed behind him, seals reforming.
As Luo Feng walked out, his presence had changed.
No longer just Mad Blade.Now he was the Soul-Forged Blade.
Hong looked pleased.
Lie Shen grinned. "He'll break the Genius Battle ranking board."
Hong nodded slowly. "We've delayed his entrance for years. Now it's time."
End of Chapter 36