Mirror Image

The next morning.

The Misty Sect's Third Elder presided once again, just as he had the day before.

"Today, we will begin the second trial: Mirror Image."

"Shortly, you will all be sent into a Mirror Image World, where your cultivation realms, cultivation methods, and strength will be faithfully reproduced."

"You need only defeat your mirror image to pass. Whoever passes fastest will take first place, and the remaining places will follow accordingly."

"Those who cannot pass but hold out in battle for more than half an hour may enter the Outer Sect, starting as Servant Disciples!"

"One final rule: unless you face mortal danger, you will not be forcibly transported out. Otherwise, the only way out is to defeat yourself and pass!"

After speaking, the Third Elder joined the other Elders, Protectors, Stewards, and disciples in casting a spell.

An enormous portal slowly formed above the square.

The Third Elder shouted, "If you do not enter now, what are you waiting for?!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Figures shot into the sky, swiftly entering the portal.

Inside the Mirror Image World, everyone stared in astonishment at the figures before them, identical to themselves. Even their own parents would likely struggle to tell which was real and which was false!

Ying Ming Hao stared at his other self, his curiosity immediately piqued. He casually struck out with a palm, and the mirror image did the same. The two palm strikes collided and dissipated in midair.

Ming Hao raised his hand and delivered a knife-hand strike. His mirror image did exactly the same.

Ming Hao tested it repeatedly, and the mirror image copied and executed everything he tried!

After several probing exchanges, Ying Ming Hao suddenly lunged forward and launched into fierce close-quarters combat.

"Dragon Claw Hand, Heartbreak Palm, One-Finger Extension, Flying Dragon in the Sky..."

His flurry of moves was as fierce as a tiger, yet the actual damage was negligible. Instead, he only wore himself out until he was panting.

After fighting fiercely for a while, Ying Ming Hao finally realized that the mirror image could only copy his cultivation, comprehension of cultivation methods, and strength as they had been when he entered. Any improvements made afterward would not be copied.

With this discovery, Ying Ming Hao gradually began to suppress his mirror image with his attacks. Yet he was in no hurry to end the fight; instead, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

This was an excellent opportunity to examine everything he had learned and understood, one he absolutely could not miss. After all, the chance to fight oneself was something that could only be encountered, never sought.

Thus, he performed every move he had learned, searching for gaps and correcting his shortcomings!

Outside the Mirror Image World.

"Someone else has been forcibly transported out. I wonder how many that makes."

"Is this second trial really that difficult? It's barely begun, and so many Heavenly Prodigies have already been eliminated. These aren't ordinary Heavenly Prodigies, either."

"If it were me, I'd definitely pass with ease..."

"Easy for you to say. No one knows your weaknesses better than you do. If you went in, I doubt you'd last even three minutes."

Everyone chattered, talking over one another.

Suddenly, a white teleportation light appeared, distinctly different from those before it.

"Is the first-place winner about to appear?"

"Who will it be?"

As the light faded, a man emerged, his bearing tall and imposing as a pine, his face handsome as jade.

"It's Jun Mo!"

A Misty Sect disciple immediately stepped forward to record the result, cupping his hands. "Congratulations on taking first place, Junior Brother. Your future is truly boundless."

"Thank you for your kind wishes, Senior Brother!"

Jun Mo cupped his hands lightly, neither arrogant nor impatient, remaining calm and composed.

Just then, another white teleportation light appeared.

The newcomer had two horns on his head, a burly build, a fierce expression, and dragon robes!

"It's Long Chen of the Dragon Race."

"It's actually him?"

"The Dragon Race is renowned for its powerful physiques. It's no surprise he took second place!"

The spectators acted like live commentators, assessing each person who emerged as though they knew everything.

The white light shone again.

A woman's figure emerged.

"It's Luo Shuihan!"

"It's the goddess! A perfect goddess with both beauty and strength!"

Looks of admiration rose all around her!

Less than ten minutes after the second trial began, the top three places had already been decided.

First place: Jun Mo.

Second place: Long Chen.

Third place: Luo Shuihan.

Before anyone realized it, more than an hour had passed. Qing Yun, Wang Yong, and the other guards had all emerged after passing, achieving places near the top.

"Why hasn't the young master come out yet? With his comprehension, even first place would be well within his reach."

"Don't panic. A trial like this couldn't be easier for the young master. He probably felt like playing for a while and didn't want to come out so soon."

"You're right, Sister. We need only wait patiently."

Qing Ying, whose entire presence radiated gentleness, softly reassured everyone.

At her words, the guards all relaxed.

A little while later, Ming Hao finally teleported out with a thoroughly satisfied expression, leaving Qing Yun and the others speechless...

The mirror image trial ended at noon. The Third Elder then announced that the final trial would be held on the morning three days later, allowing everyone a few days to recover to their best condition.

Ascension City was the city closest to the Misty Sect!

No one dared give an exact figure for its size, because Ascension City was constantly expanding.

It was said that Ascension City's permanent population numbered in the billions. It was practically a small dynasty in its own right, guarded year-round by trusted Elders and disciples dispatched by the Misty Sect to deter petty villains!

Outside Ascension City, hundreds of queues stretched like long dragons, their ends nowhere in sight. Most of those waiting were Heaven's Chosen who had come to take the Misty Sect's entrance trials.

For the parties from various factions, their escorts, and others, Ascension City was the best place to stay temporarily.

For a time, the crowds swelled dramatically, fish mingling with dragons. Minor disputes, and even fights, broke out now and then!

"Young master, this is Ascension City. It's considerably larger than Heavenwind City, which we passed through earlier."

"The factions within the city are tangled together, and crouching tigers and hidden dragons lurk here. We must act cautiously!"

Qing Yun was like an encyclopedia. There seemed to be nothing she did not know!

Ming Hao gazed at the immensely grand city before him, looking rather excited, as though he had already decided what to eat first. He seemed not to have heard a single word Qing Yun said!

They did not wait long before it was their turn to enter. The process was quite efficient!

"Ten low-grade spirit stones per person to enter. You may only stay in the city for one month. Once the month is up, you must pay again! Here are your tokens!"

The disciple responsible for registration and collecting fees completed the formalities without even raising his head.

After paying the spirit stones and receiving their tokens, they were urged to hurry inside and stop blocking those behind them.

He looked as though he had been forced to work and was brimming with resentment.

Once they entered the city, the scenery changed completely. Everywhere they looked, people came and went amid all manner of hawkers' cries. Many impoverished locals also worked here as guides.

Before long, seven or eight groups had approached to ask whether they needed an affordable guide, only to be mercilessly turned down by Qing Yun, one after another.

They had no need for a guide. In Ming Hao's words, Qing Yun was a walking map and guide, arranging everything properly in advance so that he never needed to worry.

"Qing Yun, is the Shui Family in this city?!"

"The Shui Family's influence lies in the southern part of the city. Apart from the City Lord's Residence, they rank among the most prominent factions in Ascension City!"

"Are you missing Miss Shui, young master?"

Everyone chuckled at her words.

"Hehe, a little, actually. We'll go see her later."

"Never mind her for now. Business comes first!"

Ying Ming Hao's expression turned serious, his playful grin vanishing.

The others' expressions also grew cold, and a surge of killing intent spilled out.

Startled passersby hurried to put some distance between themselves and the group.

An old-fashioned courtyard exuded refinement and elegance in every corner.

In the main hall, Ying Ming Hao sat upright in the seat of honor. Wang Yong and the guards stood to his left, while Qing Yun and the maids stood to his right.

Several middle-aged men knelt on one knee in the middle, their faces anxious.

"Rise, everyone. I won't be offering you seats."

"Thank you, young master. Our positions are humble; we would not dare accept such an honor."

The middle-aged men hurriedly replied with respect, afraid of displeasing the young master!

Years earlier, his mother had anticipated that Ying Ming Hao would come to the Misty Sect to gain experience. She had specially sent these four men ahead to build up a covert presence, allowing them to relay information promptly and provide armed protection when necessary!

Originally, there had been five principal managers. One had long since betrayed them, clinging to another powerful patron and biting the hand that fed him.

Of course, they did not know that the power backing them was the Great Qin Dynasty.

Empress Zhao had originally made these arrangements using her identity and background from a secluded clan. Otherwise, even with a hundred times the courage, they would never have dared betray the Great Qin Dynasty!

Yet betrayal was betrayal. It was something they could not tolerate, and a price had to be paid!

This was also a small task Empress Zhao had given Ying Ming Hao!

If he could not even handle this properly, how could he speak of gaining experience?!