Chapter 7: Illusions, Roast Duck, and the Rival Who Fell From the Sky

  The third trial’s stone archway shimmered like moonlight on water. Lin Xian stepped through it with a yawn, clutching a half-eaten steamed bun. Xiao Hei trailed behind him, already asleep while walking.

  Behind them, the other disciples filed in, some trembling, others whispering nervously.

  Lin Xian looked around zily.

  “Huh… where’s Bai Jingyi?” he muttered.

  The silver-haired girl, who had mysteriously appeared at the end of the second trial and left after saying, “See you soon,” was nowhere to be found.

  He scratched his head. “Maybe she took the VIP route.”

  Before he could think further, the trial activated.

  A sea of mist swallowed everything — and suddenly, he was standing in a heavenly garden filled with food.

  Glorious food.

  Tables stretched endlessly under peach blossom trees. Spirit peaches sparkled with golden light. Roasted spirit beasts floated on jade ptters. Dumplings, noodles, and mysterious glowing desserts danced in the air.

  Lin Xian’s eyes lit up.

  “…A feast illusion? They really shouldn’t have.”

  Xiao Hei drooled at his feet. The little tiger cub began chasing a flying meat bun like it was a divine artifact.

  A voice echoed in his mind.

  “This is the Mirror of Heart. Your truest desires will be used to tempt or torment you. Only by overcoming them can you awaken your potential.”

  Lin Xian nodded wisely.

  “…So basically, don’t overeat.”

  He immediately began stuffing spirit food into his mouth.

  Somewhere Above…

  The sect elders watching through spirit mirrors stared bnkly.

  “…Is he… passing the trial… by eating?” one asked.

  “…Technically, yes,” another muttered.

  Just as Lin Xian reached for his third spirit peach, a ripple tore the air beside him.

  POOF!

  A girl in brilliant red robes crashed face-first into a roasted duck.

  SPLAT.

  Lin Xian blinked. The duck illusion let out a pitiful quack and vanished.

  The girl scrambled up with wild eyes and duck sauce dripping from her forehead. Despite this, she stood tall, eyes bzing like she’d just descended from the heavens.

  “You!” she shouted, pointing at Lin Xian.

  Lin Xian looked at his peach. Then at her.

  Then pointed at himself. “…Me?”

  “Yes! You! You’re the one who passed the Mirror of Heart with zero effort, aren’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I just ate. Isn’t that the point?”

  “That’s not how it’s supposed to work!” she cried. “You’re supposed to confront your deepest fears or desires!”

  “I did,” Lin Xian said seriously. “My desire was buns. I faced it head-on.”

  The girl’s face twitched.

  “I am Bai Xueqing, daughter of the Fming Frost Pavilion! From this day forward, you shall be my rival!”

  Lin Xian handed her a freshly summoned spirit duck leg.

  “Eat first. Rival ter.”

  She took it. She hated that she took it. But it was really good.

  End of the Mirror Trial

  As the illusion faded, Lin Xian and Bai Xueqing were sitting cross-legged, sharing dumplings like old friends. Her dramatic decration of rivalry had been downgraded to a dumpling-eating contest.

  The other disciples emerged mentally exhausted. Some were crying. One had fought a phantom of his strict grandma.

  Lin Xian yawned and stretched.

  “That was rexing.”

  The instructors behind the spirit mirrors stared.

  “…This one’s either a genius or a walking disaster,” someone muttered.