The moment the words left his mouth, the void before Han Xuanji's eyes suddenly distorted.
The grayish-white mist receded to both sides like a tide, and the void beneath their feet began to solidify, transforming into a smooth, mirror-like black ground.
Ten steps directly in front of him, another figure was slowly coalescing from the void.
The man was tall and straight, with a calm expression, and held a long sword that was entirely black.
Whether it's facial features, physique, aura, or even the slight curve of his fingers when holding a sword, he is exactly the same as Han Xuanji himself.
Only those eyes, as black as ink, lacked any trace of human presence.
The void solidified, and two identical figures were reflected on the mirror-like ground.
"Oh?"
Han Xuanji stood still, facing "herself" ten steps away.
Defeating yourself?
This level is a bit old-fashioned...
Normally, the projection's strength should be exactly the same as his. If he wants to defeat himself, he needs to constantly improve himself and surpass himself.
but...
The Ten Directions Holy Lord clearly did not play by the rules.
Your projection skills are way better than mine.
Han Xuanji was speechless. The physical strength and spiritual strength of this projection far exceeded his own projection body, which had been flattened by the rules of the Saint Realm. It had at least retained half of the strength of his original body.
Strength and speed completely overwhelmed him. Even if the projection only retained half of his external values, it was still top-tier.
They're not even in the same league.
I wonder if this projection has also mastered all of my skills.
If that's the case, then it's going to be a bit tricky.
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain was also silently observing Han Xuanji's every move, thinking that this trial would not be so simple.
This projection is based on the trial participant's full strength, and although it looks dull and simple-minded, it actually has excellent combat awareness and can use most of the trial participant's Secret Method.
This is a hurdle that cannot be overcome in one attempt.
Because this level is extremely difficult, even if a participant fails the first time, they can attempt it repeatedly, as long as they win within seven days.
Throughout history, only about two-thirds of those who have come to the Divine Tree Trial have been able to pass this test.
Don't be fooled by the large number of people who passed. You should know that each of these trial participants is already a peerless genius, one in a billion, just to be able to come to the Ten Directions Sacred Domain. And those who can gather a hundred beams of Holy Light are even fewer.
It's fair to say that a one-third elimination rate is already quite high.
What is he doing?
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain noticed that Han Xuanji did not rush to make a move, but instead closed his eyes, and was immediately surprised.
"Use stillness to control movement? But will he be able to react in time?"
This projection isn't just for taking hits and retaliating.
As expected, Han Xuanji's projection moved first.
It seemed to sense some kind of threat, and its dark longsword was suddenly drawn, its light flashing like a bolt of lightning as it slashed towards Han Xuanji.
The power of this sword strike was truly astonishing. Wherever the sword passed, even the void was torn open with a tiny crack. It also carried with it various terrifying Dao Principles powers, making it far more terrifying than what Han Xuanji had displayed in the Ten Directions Sacred Domain.
Before this, Han Xuanji would have had to be extremely careful, as a slight misstep could have led to a disaster.
But things are different now.
Han Xuanji didn't even lift his eyelids. His mind sank into the clear, transparent mirror deep within his soul. The power of his mind gathered in his heart like a tide, and an invisible force condensed into a form, transforming into an unseen blade of calamity.
" The Shengxin Tribulation "
The invisible blade of calamity pierced silently through the sharp sword light, penetrating the projection's solid physical body and spiritual barrier, and cutting straight into the deepest part of its soul.
In an instant, the projection's entire body collapsed inch by inch like a sand tower, disintegrating from the inside out into countless tiny specks of light that drifted and scattered in the void.
From beginning to end, it only takes a few breaths.
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, looking at the lingering dust before him, his heart feeling little.
Numerical monsters are most afraid of mechanical monsters, and the Shengxin Tribulation is precisely one of the most unreasonable mechanical monsters in the world.
This avatar's mental defenses were utterly useless in the face of the Shengxin Tribulation.
This is actually a loophole in this level. The projected physical body and soul power are extremely strong, and it has its own thoughts. However, precisely because of this, it is not a puppet. It has its own thoughts, but its intelligence is not high. It only has combat instincts and does not have an unyielding Dao heart.
Therefore, many people win by wearing down their opponent and dragging them into a desperate situation.
Although it is called a loophole, there are very few cultivators who have mastered the power of the mind, and such people would normally not come to this Sacred Domain, nor would they be interested in the inheritance of the Ten Directions Holy Lord.
By sheer chance, Han Xuanji became the first person to pass this test using the power of her mind.
In the void, that ethereal voice rang out again, carrying a clear sense of helplessness:
"Second stage, passed."
In another space within the Tower of the Divine Tree.
Chi Yuan knelt on one knee, his long sword stuck in the mirror-like ground, his body covered in a gruesome array of wounds.
His right arm hung limply at his side, and his moon-white robe was torn in half, revealing a wound that was still slightly bleeding inside.
"Ha ha."
He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, his eyes filled with exhaustion, but a near-manic smile played on his lips.
Opposite him, another " Chi Yuan " was slowly disintegrating.
That avatar was also covered in wounds, and finally could not hold on any longer, turning into countless specks of light and dissipating into the void.
Chi Yuan watched the projection dissipate, finally unable to hold on any longer, and collapsed to the ground, letting out a long breath.
That's really not easy.
This challenge is neither particularly difficult nor particularly easy. The rules of the Sacred Domain exert far less suppression on the projection than on the trial participants, and that avatar possesses half the power of his original body at its peak.
The deeper Chi Yuan's foundation and the stronger his power in the outside world, the more terrifying his projection becomes.
His victory stemmed from his precise understanding of the weaknesses in his own Cultivation Method and his unwavering will.
The voice of the Spirit of the Sacred Domain rang out at the opportune moment, still ethereal, but now carrying a hint of approval:
"Congratulations on passing the second test. Your projection strength is among the top in this trial. It is truly remarkable that you were able to defeat it within the time limit."
Chi Yuan caught his breath, stood up, straightened his tattered robes, and the wild joy on his face gradually subsided, returning him to his reserved and composed demeanor.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the void, his tone tinged with just the right amount of humility:
"You flatter me, senior. I merely found the flaw by chance; it's nothing special."
He paused, ultimately unable to completely suppress his anticipation, and asked, seemingly casually...
"May I be so bold as to ask, how fast did you pass this trial? Among all the previous trial participants, am I considered one of the fastest? There are many of us entering the Immortal Palace this time; I wonder if I am among the best?"
The Spirit of the Sacred Domain remained silent for a moment.
Just a breath.
But in that brief moment, a faint sense of foreboding rose in Chi Yuan's heart.