Just as Chen Qiu prepared to rise—
The scene before his eyes suddenly changed, bringing him back to the place where he had first met Fat Dragon: outside Windward City, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers watching the show.
"Fellow Daoist, wait!"
A familiar voice rang out beside his ear. When he turned, he saw Fat Dragon running toward him with his head lowered anxiously, as though terrified that anyone might see his face.
"Hm?"
Chen Qiu swept his gaze around, his brows knitting slightly. Was this an illusion too? Or a memory?
Another panel shrouded in mist emerged beside Fat Dragon.
"This is your beloved friend and brother."
Rip!
Before the panel could fully appear, the longsword in Chen Qiu's hand had already plunged into it, piercing straight into the chest of Fat Dragon, who had thrown himself into his embrace.
Looking into Fat Dragon's disbelieving eyes, he said softly, "My emotions got the better of me just now. I nearly forgot—you never became a Wraith. How could you possibly have died?"
"It seems this illusion can only extract part of a person's memories?"
"It can't see what traits a person has?"
"Really now..."
"I almost shed tears."
"And your illusion is far too shabby. It practically seems afraid people won't realize it's an illusion."
As his voice fell, the fat Fat Dragon before him suddenly began to laugh. The disbelief and pain vanished from his face as he looked at Chen Qiu meaningfully. "Not a bad seedling for sword cultivation."
At the same time—
A panel wrapped in mist slowly emerged before Chen Qiu.
``` "First Trial: Severing Worldly Attachments—cleared."
"Congratulations. You have successfully become a Servant Disciple of the 'Mocking Heaven Sect.' This trial tests a disciple's ability to preserve their true heart within an