Deep within the great hall, an enormous bronze mirror hung above a raised platform. Its clear surface reflected everyone in the hall.
A Nascent Soul True Lord presided over the selection, seated at the head of the hall, his gaze sweeping lightly over those below.
"This mirror is called the Heart-Illuminating Mirror. It can reflect your state of mind and see through illusion and reality. Step forward in turn and extend your divine thought into it.
Those who can steady their minds without being beguiled by the illusions within will pass."
At these words, varied expressions crossed the crowd's faces.
Youzhen silently took note. After those ahead of him had each stepped forward to try, his turn finally came.
He approached the mirror, drew a deep breath, and extended his divine thought into it.
In an instant, heaven and earth changed.
He seemed to stand amid a boundless expanse of empty space, with nothing around him, utterly alone. Suddenly, a voice rang out in the emptiness, asking eerily, "What have you come here to do?"
Youzhen froze, then answered, "Enter the Profound Li Treasure Realm, investigate its secrets, and find Profound Li mother crystal."
The voice asked again, "For whom do you seek it?"
Youzhen opened his mouth, and a black-robed figure suddenly surfaced in his mind.
For whom? Naturally...
"For myself," he heard his own voice say.
The voice fell silent for a moment, then faded. The emptiness slowly receded, and Youzhen found himself still standing before the mirror, everything unchanged.
The Nascent Soul True Lord at the head of the hall glanced at him and nodded slightly. "Pass."
Youzhen breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and withdrew.
Youxuan Peak.
Chu Mo sat upright on the Cloud Bed and suddenly opened his eyes.
The Communication Talisman at his chest