Lin Chen's face turned pale. "What...what's happening?"Golden rays poured into the shrine.One after another,several Heavenly cultivators slowly descended through the broken ceiling,their white robes fluttering gently in the golden light.Countless divine symbols floated around them while immense spiritual pressure filled the entire hall.
Finally, an elderly Heavenly official stepped forward.He wore magnificent golden robes embroidered with heavenly patterns.His long silver hair flowed behind him,and his calm eyes quietly settled upon XuYang.For several moments he said nothing.Then,in a voice that carried unquestionable authority,he spoke."Enough."The single word echoed through every corner of the shrine."The trial ends here."
Immediately,the mirror trembled violently.The hundreds of seals attached to its frame began fluttering wildly without any wind.The silver runes beneath its surface glowed brighter than ever.When the mirror spoke again,its voice had become cold."You possess no authority inside this shrine."The elderly Heavenly official calmly lifted his head to face the mirror."This matter belongs to Heaven," he replied without changing his expression."You have interfered for long enough."The mirror answered without hesitation."This shrine remembers what Heaven chose to forget."
The official's eyes narrowed slightly."Memory without order becomes chaos."The mirror replied,"Order built upon lies is not order." Neither side and attacked.Their voices alone caused the shrine to tremble.Chen Yu stared at both of them in confusion."Why aren't they fighting?"Zhao Ming answered without looking away."Because this battle was never meant to be decided by strength."HeiLong slowly nodded."It's a battle over who has the right to decide history."
Yan Luo's expression gradually darkened. "Then everything we've believed until now..." ChenYu quietly finished the thought."...may not be the truth at all."The elderly Heavenly official looked at the mirror once more."For a thousand years..."His voice remained steady. "We prevented this day."The mirror answered immediately."And for a thousand years..."Its voice echoed across the entire hall."You buried the truth."
The entire shrine suddenly shook violently. And Long cracks spread across the floor.The old paper seals attached to the mirror began tearing apart one after another.Some drifted into the air before turning into glowing ash. The lantern flames flickered wildly while pieces of stone fell from the ceiling.Lin Chen instinctively stepped backward."The shrine is falling apart!"Chen Yu quickly shook his head. "No..."His eyes remained fixed on the breaking seals."Those seals were never meant to last forever."Xu Yang stood motionless and his eyes slowly moved between the Heavenly official and the ancient mirror.Neither side hated the other.Neither side tried to kill the other.They only argued over one thing.And that was truth.Suddenly, Xu Yang understood.His breathing slowed. The real conflict...was never humans against the Threads...His gaze remained fixed on the mirror.It was never Heaven against demons...
A strange feeling settled inside his heart.It has always been...those who wanted the truth remembered...against those who wanted it forgotten...
At that exact moment,the mirror released a brilliant beam of silver light.Everyone instinctively thought it was aimed at XuYang. But the beam passed harmlessly beside him and struck the broken silver chain link hidden beneath his robe.The chain instantly floated into the air.Its dull surface erupted with dazzling silver radiance.Xu Yang's pupils contracted."The chain..."The silver light grew brighter until it illuminated the entire shrine. Then a masked figure's voice echoed through every corner of the hall. "Xu Yang..." Xu Yang's breathing stopped.His fingers trembled slightly."Don't let them decide..." Another pause echoed through the shrine. The glowing chain shone even brighter. "...what you remember."
Every remaining seal attached to the mirror shattered at the same time.Thousands of paper talismans burst into countless glowing fragments that drifted through the air like snow.The entire shrine trembled as deep cracks spread across the mirror's massive stone frame.The silver runes beneath its surface flared with dazzling brilliance before slowly weaving together into an enormous symbol that none of them recognized.
A powerful pressure swept across the hall, forcing everyone except Xu Yang to take a step backward.Lin Chen shielded his face with one arm."What is happening now?!" Chen Yu's expression remained fixed on the mirror."The seals..." he whispered."They weren't sealing the mirror."Everyone looked at him."They were sealing...its memories." Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."Memories?" Chen Yu slowly nodded."Or perhaps..."He looked toward the Heavenly official."The memories someone didn't want revealed."
The elderly Heavenly official finally raised one hand.Golden light immediately spread across the hall,countless divine symbols appearing around him."Enough."His calm voice remained unchanged."The seal must not be broken."The mirror answered with unusual anger."You still fear the truth."The official's gaze remained steady."I fear what happens after it is revealed."The mirror replied,"The choice was never yours to make."
The Heavenly cultivators simultaneously raised their Heavenly tokens.Golden light filled the shrine once again.The mirror's silver radiance answered immediately.Both powers collided in the center of the hall without a single attack being launched.Zhao Ming stared in disbelief."They are competing... without moving."Hei Long quietly replied, "This isn't a battle of strength."His eyes remained fixed on the opposing lights."It's a battle of authority."Xu Yang stood beneath the floating silver chain,unable to look away. The fragment continued glowing more brightly with every passing second.
Suddenly, the chain released countless tiny threads of silver light.They slowly circled around Xu Yang before drifting toward the mirror.The moment the silver threads touched its surface,the dull stone rippled like calm water.XuYang's breathing caught."The mirror..."The stone surface became transparent. Behind it someone was standing. A blurred figure wrapped in flowing robes.Their face couldn't be seen and their outline constantly shifted as though hidden behind countless years of time.
Lin Chen gasped."There's...someone inside!" ChenYu stared without blinking. "No...That's not someone trapped inside." Yan Luo frowned."Then what is it?"Chen Yu slowly answered,"It's...a memory."The blurred figure slowly lifted one hand toward Xu Yang.At the exact same moment,the floating chain fragment trembled violently. Then,the familiar calm voice echoed through the shrine once more."XuYang..."This time,the voice sounded closer.Almost as though the speaker were standing beside him."Look carefully."
Xu Yang unconsciously took a slow step toward the mirror.His heartbeat pounded loudly inside his chest.The blurred figure slowly began raising its head.Then...just before its face became visible...the elderly Heavenly official suddenly spoke in a commanding voice."Close your eyes!" Everyone instinctively froze.The mirror's voice immediately answered,"If he looks away now..."Its tone became unusually solemn."The truth will remain buried for another thousand years."
XuYang stood before the mirror,his hand only inches away from its shimmering surface, forced to choose between Heaven's warning...and the truth that had been waiting for him since the day he arrived in this world.
Xu Yang slowly clenched his fists.A thousand years...His breathing became uneven.How many lies...how many memories...have been buried for that long?...Behind him,Chen Yu called anxiously,"Xu Yang!"Yan Luo took half a step forward,but Zhao Ming quietly stopped him."Don't interfere," he whispered."He's standing at the center of something far beyond us."Hei Long silently watched the mirror,his expression growing darker with every passing second.
At that exact moment,the brilliant silver beam shot out from the mirror and struck the broken silver chain link floating before Xu Yang.For a brief instant,nothing happened. Then the chain suddenly trembled and clear metallic chime echoed throughout the shrine as countless strands of silver light burst from the fragment,spreading through the air like living threads.The broken chain slowly rose higher and higher,its once dull surface shining with a pure silver radiance that illuminated the entire hall.*Rumble...*The shrine suddenly shook and stone pillars trembled while dust fell from the ceiling.
Inside every crack,a brilliant silver light leaked out,becoming brighter with each passing second.The hundreds of seals covering the mirror fluttered violently before tearing apart one after another.The broken talismans dissolved into tiny motes of light that drifted through the hall like glowing snow.
dust.The Heavenly elder's calm expression disappeared,"No..." he whispered before immediately raising his hand."Stop the mirror from awakening!"At once,the Heavenly cultivators lifted their Heavenly tokens and golden light surged toward the mirror from every direction.
Chen Yu looked between the elder and the mirror,unable to understand what was happening."Awakening what?" he asked, "What are you trying to stop?"The elderly official didn't answer.His eyes never left the cracking mirror."Seal it!" he ordered again. "Immediately!"Lin Chen stared at him in disbelief."Why won't you answer him?" Yan Luo's brows furrowed deeply."If the truth is on your side..."His hand slowly tightened around his sword."Then why are you afraid of that mirror?"
Zhao Ming quietly narrowed his eyes."He's hiding something."He iLong slowly nodded. "Something he believes must never be revealed."Themirror suddenly trembled once more and silver light beneath its cracked surface pulsed like a living heartbeat.Then its voice echoed throughout the entire shrine, "Truth cannot remain buried forever." The Heavenly cultivators visibly stiffened.Several instinctively tightened their grip on their Heavenly tokens.
One young cultivator even took an unconscious step backward.His breathing had become noticeably uneven.Lin Chen immediately noticed."They're scared..." Chen Yu slowly looked toward the Heavenly officials before quietly saying,"They're not afraid of the mirror..."His eyes gradually widened as realization dawned upon him."They're afraid of what it remembers."
Zhao Ming folded his arms,his eyes never leaving the ancient mirror."If even Heaven fears its memories..." he murmured."Then whatever is hidden inside must be enough to shake the entire Heavenly Court."Yan Luo's expression grew colder."Then why hide it?" The elderly official looked at him."Some truths bring salvation."He paused briefly. "Others bring only destruction."Chen Yu replied,"That isn't your decision to make."
The elder remained silent and his silence only deepened everyone's suspicion.Lin Chen looked back and forth between the mirror and the Heavenly cultivators."So...all of this...everything that's happened on this mountain..."He swallowed nervously."...was because of something inside that mirror?" Hei Long slowly nodded."Not something."His sharp eyes narrowed."Someone's memory." XuYang remained motionless.
Without another word,one of the Heavenly cultivators suddenly stepped forward.Golden spiritual energy surrounded his body as he walked directly toward the mirror.His expression remained calm and confident. "Stand back," he said firmly."I'll seal it before it fully awakens."Another cultivator nodded. "Don't let it recover."The elderly official didn't stop him.His sharp eyes remained fixed on the mirror.The cultivator had barely taken three steps when...*Clang!*.A deafening metallic sound exploded throughout the shrine.
Everyone instinctively froze.Golden chains suddenly burst upward from the stone floor beneath the mirror.They shot into the air like living dragons,wrapping around the Heavenly cultivator's wrists,arms,waist,and legs before he could even react."What?!"His confident expression vanished,replaced by shock.He struggled desperately,but the chains only tightened further.The shrine echoed with the sound of rattling metal.
Before anyone could help him.*Boom!*The chains violently hurled him backward.His body flew across the hall before crashing heavily into a massive stone pillar.The pillar trembled from the impact and cracks spread across its surface as the cultivator collapsed onto one knee,coughing violently.Blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth. He stared toward the mirror with disbelief, unable to understand what had just happened.The hall became completely silent.No one dared to move.
The golden chains slowly loosened before sinking back into the stone floor as though they had never existed.The mirror finally spoke, "Those who carry Heaven's authority are forbidden."The words echoed through every corner of the shrine.The Heavenly cultivators immediately exchanged uneasy glances.Several unconsciously stepped back and their earlier confidence had completely disappeared.Lin Chen swallowed hard."It...it threw him away like he was nothing."Chen Yu slowly narrowed his eyes."It didn't attack him because he was strong..."He looked toward the elder."It attacked him because of who he serves."
The elderly Heavenly official's expression darkened.He slowly stepped forward himself. His robes gently swayed as he approached the invisible boundary surrounding the mirror. The instant his foot crossed it,a single golden chain silently rose from the floor.It didn't lash out or make a sound.It simply stopped before him,quietly blocking his path.The elder stared at the chain for several long moments before slowly withdrawing his foot.He chose not to move forward.Chen Yu noticed that and his eyes widened slightly."Even you can't approach it."The elderly official remained silent.His silence confirmed everything. Yan Luo slowly lowered his sword,his expression filled with disbelief."So even the Heavenly Court isn't allowed to enter this place."
Zhao Ming quietly nodded."The shrine doesn't reject people..."He looked toward the glowing chain."It rejects authority."Hei Long folded his arms,his voice calm but serious. "Whoever created this shrine planned for this long ago."Lin Chen looked around nervously. "Then...who exactly built it?"No one answered.
At that moment,the mirror's silver radiance slowly settled before turning toward Xu Yang. Its voice became noticeably gentler."Only the Bearer of the Heart Blossom..."The crimson rose mark on Xu Yang's wrist immediately began glowing and warm light spread beneath his skin while the Heart Blossom hidden beneath his robe responded with the same soft radiance.The two lights pulsed together as though answering the mirror's call."...may continue."
Every pair of eyes slowly turned toward Xu Yang.Lin Chen forced a nervous smile that vanished almost immediately."So..."He hesitated before quietly asking,"...only you can go?"Xu Yang remained silent.His eyes never left the mirror.Yan Luo frowned deeply. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. "That means..."He looked directly at Xu Yang,his voice unusually serious."...none of us know what's waiting for you inside." Chen Yu stepped beside XuYang and spoke softly,"If you feel even the slightest danger... come back immediately.We'll think of another way."Xu Yang slowly lowered his gaze to the glowing mark on his wrist before looking at each of them.He could see the worry in their eyes.He smiled faintly."If this mirror has waited a thousand years..."He turned back toward the ancient stone surface."Then I don't think it called me here just to kill me."
Even the Heavenly cultivators remained where they stood,unable to cross the invisible boundary before the mirror.Xu Yang slowly drew a deep breath.His heartbeat echoed loudly in his ears as he took one careful step forward.And with that crimson glow around the Heart Blossom grew brighter with every step he took.The rose mark on his wrist pulsed gently,as though guiding him toward the ancient mirror.Behind him, Chen Yu quietly spoke,"Xu Yang..."
Xu Yang paused but didn't turn around. "Whatever happens," Chen Yu said softly, "remember who you are."A faint smile appeared on Xu Yang's face. "That's exactly what I'm trying to find out." Lin Chen forced a laugh to hide his nervousness. "Just...don't disappear like everyone else has today." Xu Yang nodded once."I'll try."Yan Luo folded his arms,but his eyes never left Xu Yang."If anything feels wrong..."He paused before adding in a firm voice, "Just Run...Don't hesitate."Hei Long quietly added, "We'll find another way if we have to."Xu Yang looked back at them one last time."Thank you."Then he turned and continued walking.
Finally,Xu Yang stood directly before the giant stone mirror.He slowly lifted his hand as his fingertips touched the cold stone surface.For a brief moment...nothing happened.Lin Chen blinked in confusion."...That's it?"No one answered then the mirror suddenly rippled. Slow silver waves spread across its surface as though the solid stone had become calm water.A gentle warmth flowed from the mirror into Xu Yang's fingertips before spreading through his arm.He instinctively tried to pull his hand away,but stopped.His hand wasn't trapped.It simply felt as though the mirror itself was asking him to remain.
The mirror spoke once more,its voice echoing throughout the shrine."Identity confirmed."The words froze everyone in place.At the same moment,the countless ancient runes carved around the mirror began shining one after another.They slowly rotated around the mirror's frame while countless unfamiliar symbols emerged from the surrounding walls,ceiling,and floor, covering the entire hall in a soft silver glow. None of them resembled any language known to those present.The mirror continued in the same calm voice."Bearer of the Heart Blossom."A brief pause followed before it spoke again."Successor acknowledged."
The elderly Heavenly official's calm expression instantly disappeared.His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Xu Yang. "Impossible."Behind him,several Heavenly cultivators looked equally shocked.One of them whispered,"Successor...?"Another slowly lowered his Heavenly token."The shrine...actually chose him..."Murmurs quickly spread among the cultivators. Their confident expressions were replaced by confusion and unease.The elderly official suddenly took a step forward despite knowing he couldn't approach."Do not continue! Stop the recognition immediately!"
The mirror remained completely unmoved.It ignored the command as though the elder had never spoken.A deep rumble suddenly echoed beneath everyone's feet and entire shrine trembled.The sound of massive gears turning echoed from deep underground while the silver runes around the mirror shone even brighter,illuminating the entire hall with light that had not been seen for a thousand years. Suddenly floor before the mirror suddenly split apart with a deep echo that shook the entire shrine.A narrow staircase carved from white stone slowly rose from beneath the ground.
Ancient patterns covered each step,glowing faintly with silver light.As the staircase settled into place,the lanterns lining both sides lit themselves one after another.The warm silver flames stretched endlessly downward before disappearing into a darkness so deep that no one could see where the path ended. The mirror's calm voice echoed throughout the silent hall."The path has opened.""The truth awaits below."No one spoke.Everyone simply stared at the hidden passage as though afraid of what might be waiting beneath the shrine.Xu Yang's eyes never left the endless staircase.
The silver lanterns continued lighting one after another farther into the darkness,almost as though they were quietly welcoming his return.Chen Yu slowly walked to XuYang's side.His expression remained calm,but his eyes were filled with concern.He gently rested a hand on XuYang's shoulder. "Whatever's waiting down there..." he said quietly,"don't face it alone."Xu Yang lowered his gaze before giving a faint nod.He slowly turned toward Chen Yu,about to answer when a sudden burning pain spread through his palm.He frowned instinctively."What...?"
The broken silver chain suddenly became scorching hot.He reflexively opened his hand,but before the fragment could fall,it slowly floated upward on its own.Everyone immediately stepped back in surprise. Lin Chen's eyes widened."The chain...!"Yan Luo instinctively moved in front of XuYang,his hand gripping the hilt of his sword."Be careful." The broken chain hovered silently between Xu Yang and mirror.Its dull silver surface gradually became brighter until countless strands of silver light flowed from it like flowing water.
The lights gathered together in midair,slowly taking the shape of a human figure.Within moments,a transparent projection stood before everyone.The shrine fell completely silent.It was the masked figure.His familiar silver mask hid his face while broken chains wrapped around his body swayed without any wind.The instant the elderly Heavenly saw him,his expression changed completely. His calm eyes narrowed and his breathing subtly paused."You."One of the Heavenly cultivators looked toward him in confusion. "Elder...you know him?"The old man didn't answer.His eyes remained fixed on the silent figure.
The masked man ignored every person in the shrine.His gaze rested only upon XuYang.For several long moments,he simply looked at him.There was neither anger nor hatred in those hidden eyes.Only quiet determination. Finally,he spoke."Don't believe either side until you see the truth yourself."XubYang's pupils contracted. "Wait!"He instinctively stepped forward. "Who are you?What do you mean by 'either side'?Why do you keep helping me?" The masked figure gave no reply.His transparent body slowly dissolved into countless silver petals that drifted through the air before disappearing one after another.Within moments,he was gone.The broken silver chain quietly fell back into Xu Yang's hand.
The last silver petal disappeared into the air,and the shrine became deathly silent. Everyone seemed to be replaying the masked figure's warning in their minds. Lin Chen looked uneasily between the mirror and the Heavenly cultivators before whispering, "'Don't believe either side'...What does that even mean?"Chen Yu slowly exhaled.His thoughtful eyes remained fixed on the place where the projection had vanished."It means exactly what he said."He frowned slightly. "Someone...is lying to us."
Yan Luo folded his arms.His expression was colder than ever."Or everyone is."Zhao Ming slowly nodded."The Heavenly Court wants Xu Yang away from the mirror.The mirror wants Xu Yang to continue.And that masked man warned him not to trust either."He looked toward Xu Yang."None of them are telling us everything."Hei Long quietly added,"When three people fight over the same truth...the truth itself is usually far more dangerous than any of them." XuYang lowered his eyes to the broken chain resting in his palm.His thoughts were in complete disorder.Who are you...?Why do you keep helping me...?And...why do you sound like you already know how this ends...?His fingers unconsciously tightened around the chain.
At that moment,the elderly Heavenly official slowly lowered his head.Instead of ordering another attack,he quietly closed his eyes.His voice was almost too soft to hear."Even after all this time..."He slowly opened his eyes again,his gaze filled with emotions none of them could understand. "...you still chose him."One of the younger Heavenly cultivators looked at him in complete shock."Elder...you know that man?"Another immediately stepped closer."Who was he?Was he one of Heaven's prisoners?"The old man remained silent for several long moments.His weathered face showed neither anger nor fear.Only deep exhaustion.Finally,he whispered another sentence."The greatest lie..."He paused before quietly finishing, "...was never created by Heaven."
Another long silence followed.Then he added without lifting his head,"...or by man."
Everyone stared at him in stunned silence. Lin Chen frowned deeply."What does that even mean?"He looked around in confusion. "If it wasn't Heaven...and it wasn't man...then who created it?"The elderly official closed his eyes once more."There are answers...that should never have been remembered." Yan Luo's expression darkened."Stop speaking in riddles."His voice remained calm,but his eyes were sharp."If you know something, then say it." The elder slowly looked at him."If I tell you now..."He shifted his gaze toward XuYang."...you will never know whether my words are truth...or another lie."
Chen Yu quietly stepped forward.His brows were tightly furrowed."That's why the masked man warned XuYang."He slowly turned toward the mirror."Neither of you wants him to discover the truth without your influence." Zhao Ming's calm expression changed."One tells him to remember."He glanced toward the Heavenly elder."The other tells him to forget."Hei Long's deep voice breaking the silence."And the masked man told him to trust neither."His eyes slowly narrowed. "Which means someone... has manipulated both sides."No one answered.
ChenYu noticed immediately.His breathing slowed."It didn't answer..."Lin Chen looked at him."Isn't that a good thing?"Chen Yu slowly shook his head."No."His eyes remained fixed on the mirror."If the elder had lied...the mirror would've corrected him."He swallowed, "Instead..."His voice became noticeably quieter."...it chose silence."Yan Luo's fingers slowly tightened, "Meaning?" Chen Yu looked toward XuYang."Meaning the truth is far more complicated than either side has admitted." Xu Yang lowered his gaze.The masked figure's words echoed repeatedly inside his mind.Don't believe either side...until you see the truth yourself.He finally understood that the battle had never been between Heaven and the shrine.They were only two sides standing before the same hidden secret.