Trials, Rules, and Revelation

Following Luo Chuan's advice, Ying Wuji entered the Mirror Challenge within the Tower of Trials' challenge mode.

When the mirror image—an exact replica of himself—materialized before him, Ying Wuji's heart surged with a fiery battle spirit.

The battle began!

As expected, his first fight ended in swift defeat. Ying Wuji had yet to fully grasp his newfound strength, making it impossible to contend against a flawless version of himself.

Yet, his eyes showed no frustration. Without hesitation, he launched into the next battle.

Time slipped by unnoticed as Ying Wuji, like a battle-hardened maniac, relentlessly pushed forward.

In the arena, chaos reigned. The ground was riddled with cracks, and countless lakes of molten lava bubbled and steamed, bearing witness to the ferocity of the battles fought.

---

"Hahaha! Take this!"

With wild laughter, Xia Yuan—immersed in his own battle—lifted a massive volcano over a hundred meters tall and hurled it toward his mirror opponent.

The ground quaked as the attack unleashed raw, primal power. The air itself seemed to tremble under the weight of the strike.

The mirror image, battered and broken, stood motionless. It was clear it could no longer resist.

Xia Yuan grinned wildly, his gaze fixed on the volcano descending upon his opponent. His heart raced with excitement—he hadn't felt this alive in years!

And then...

"The game time for the day has reached its limit! The session is now forced to end!"

A system notification popped up in front of him.

Before he could react, his vision went dark, and he was abruptly ejected from the arena and returned to the starting space.

---

Xia Yuan froze, his expression blank.

"What... just happened?"

As the realization sank in, he remembered Yao Ziyan's earlier words.

"Each person can only play for three hours a day."

Xia Yuan's hands clenched into fists as he took a deep breath, trying to suppress his frustration.

"What kind of ridiculous rule is this?" he muttered under his breath. "A dignified Pathseeker like me, forced to stop just because of time limits? As if I can't afford a few spirit crystals!"

Pulling off his helmet in irritation, he prepared to confront the boss and demand an explanation for such an absurd rule.

As Xia Yuan stood, the rest of the group from Soaring Cloud Academy, who had also reached their time limit, removed their helmets and glanced at him curiously.

"Senior Xia, where are you going?" Gu Yunxi asked, noticing his disgruntled expression.

Xia Yuan paused mid-step, realizing the rashness of his thoughts. What was he planning to do—argue with the mysterious owner of Origin Mall?

Even Ying Wuji, who was stronger than him, followed the rules obediently. Moreover, the clerk—an enigmatic member of the Monster Beast Royal Family—was someone he absolutely couldn't provoke.

In an instant, Xia Yuan's expression shifted. A bright, carefree smile replaced his frown, so exaggerated that it was hard to believe he'd been angry just moments ago.

"Oh, nothing much," he said smoothly. "I just thought the snacks here looked good. I figured I'd take some spicy strips and Coke back with me."

Gu Yunxi blinked, unbothered by his sudden shift in mood. "Oh, I see."

---

As Xia Yuan prepared to leave, a strange sensation stirred within him. His brows furrowed.

"Huh? My cultivation level...?"

Yao Ziyan, overhearing his muttering, spoke calmly from the side. "Fighting in the virtual world helps enhance your cultivation. Three hours in the Tower of Trials can equal a full day of regular training."

Xia Yuan froze. His chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath, his mind whirling.

"A game that improves cultivation?" he murmured in disbelief. "Is Origin Mall... really tied to some greater power?"

A bold thought flickered in his mind—a connection to something ancient and unfathomable.

---

After bidding farewell to Luo Chuan and Yao Ziyan, Ying Wuji led his students back to Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan purchased a stash of spicy strips and Coke, handing over his spirit crystals with an unusually calm demeanor.

As he was about to leave, a thought struck him. Pausing, he turned back to Yao Ziyan.

"Pardon me, miss," he began cautiously, "but may I ask—has your strength surpassed the Pathseeker realm?"

Yao Ziyan, unfazed by the question, nodded faintly.

Xia Yuan's breath caught in his throat. He had expected this answer, but hearing it confirmed still sent a wave of shock through him.

Someone at the level of a Eminence—a being revered as an elder even in the most powerful sects—was working as a clerk in this unassuming store.

He stared at her in stunned silence, grappling with the absurdity of it all.

What about the dignity of the strong?

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