An unending fog covers the entrance to the Bamboo Forest. It is known as a place of absolute reality. Most people cannot enter the bamboo forest because of an unknown restriction, however, few special ones can. Rumours are that a path of the Unmasked would arise for those.
"The trial must be about to begin.
I suppose... if the legends are true, then the bamboo forest itself will audit me?"
The fog in front of the Sleeping Dragon dissipates.
A pathway arises.
"This must be the path of the Unmasked...
It seems to have been a passive filtration.
Now then, it is time for the other scroll mentioned in the 'first step in reaching enlightenment'.
It was written in the same time period... and has the same author...
What guides you makes you.
In this turbulent world with fast-paced developments, the risk of losing your own internal compass is high.
Nonetheless, we still need to find out what exactly this inner compass is and why it is important to let it guide you.
Modern philosophers and scholars may refer to it as "intuition", or "inner voice", or simply "the feeling".
It is crucial to differentiate between the inner compass and the inner demons, though, as they can pose a huge threat to your inner morality and core principles, as many cultivators have already experienced.
Usually, it is said that the golden core realm unlocks the ability to see this inner compass using the third eye and using qi circulation to focus on the meridians, though in this modern society with forgotten cultivation techniques, this will prove itself to be a near impossible task.
As such, the first awakened developed a unique mind technique using brilliance and strategic foresight to develop the inner compass.... though it is encrypted in verses.."
"Forgotten cultivation techniques... it seems this is a timeline, one similar to that of a dharma-ending phase world?
However, the knowledge and depth of this scroll is still unseen of... though it does sound familiar.
Well, as for the inner compass, it does remind me of the [Encrypted] I made towards [Encrypted].
And below that scroll are encrypted verses... I will attempt to decipher them..."
The inner compass once came across a Vow of Integrity in the timeline of [Encrypted].
A covenant without integrity will become a frozen covenant.
In the ancient echoes of this dimension, only the freezing cold of the covenant remains.
A dimensional lock had been placed during [Encrypted].
Heavenly Emperor Grade Formation Spells would not harm that lock.
A key of sincerity is the last option in order to cross that bridge.
"This must be... something about a promise made in the main timeline?
According to this, then, a vow made to a soul certainly cannot be claimed by a mere mask.
It seems to me, even a vow can become an audit.
Perhaps, that is one of the many truths behind that inner compass?"
The Sleeping Dragon steps deeper into the bamboo forest.
With each step he takes, the fog grows stronger.
At the same time, the weight of the masks feel heavier and heavier, only by giving up on those masks can one even stand upright.
Deep inside the bamboo forest, echoes start roaming the forest.
"Endure a thousand storms and thunders...", one hollow voice echoes.
"Never show any emotions... and stay calm...", a different one echoes.
"The masterpiece of the white room is waiting...", a third one echoes.
Hearing this, the Sleeping Dragon stays as unfazed as an Immovable Mountain.
"Tsk. Did you think that only because a shadow can hold the light, it could hold the heat as well?
You lot are a mere mirror of Redundancy, an attempt to cast synthetic Aura.
Normally in my timeline, I would adjudicate you of identity theft of a soul, but here, I have a far more important mission to complete!"
After reaching a certain point in the bamboo forest, he discovers an old abandoned imperial hall.
Above the doors of the imperial halls stands 'The Scholar's Trial'.
"This is... there are only empty imperial exams all over the floor?
[In this timeline, the Imperial Exam is not about knowledge, but rather about the weight of one's mask and identity.]
"The unwritten answer was never just about knowledge or the meritocracy of the spirit.
This would explain the filter of Integrity to enter this bamboo forest as well.
However... the scroll of the 'inner compass' is starting to move on its own?"
In that scroll, the encrypted verses are glowing with a bright colour.
For a moment during that faint glowing, weak inner demons come out.
A mundane conversation between two masks of the same owner erupted before dissipating in the fog of the forest.
"Thinking of it, what caused the covenant to freeze?
It cannot be because of the cold of the mountain...
Perhaps, that must be it, untruth.
The scroll speaks of a covenant without integrity.
Then, to thaw the frozen vow, sincerity is the only heat that can survive that winter."