Xuanling’s Trial

Outside Qingxin Hall, the morning sun had already climbed high, bathing the entire Tianyan Sect in a golden radiance. Mo Qing strode ahead in pristine white robes, her cascading black hair flowing like a waterfall, and her steps were as light as if treading on clouds. I followed closely, observing her celestial-like silhouette, and a deep calm settled within me.

After a brief silence, Mo Qing suddenly spoke, her voice as cool and pure as fresh snow: "Lingwei, during class you seemed rather intrigued by Taigong's fishing tale." Her tone was even, yet laced with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher—a casual inquiry that might well have been a deliberate probe.

I was momentarily taken aback before I replied calmly, "I've heard bits and pieces—purely out of curiosity."

Mo Qing didn't turn around; she simply said in a detached tone, "Curiosity is a double-edged sword." Pausing briefly without breaking her stride, she continued, "The Tianyan Sect boasts an ancient history filled with countless secrets—not every matter is suitable for novices to probe."

A stirring went through me—was that a warning or a hint? Every word from Mo Qing brimmed with hidden meaning, yet remained elusive. I silently trailed behind, asking no further questions.

We walked along a winding stone path, passing through groves of bamboo that rustled softly as if whispering secrets. After crossing an exquisitely crafted arched bridge over babbling clear water where fish swam freely, we reached the foot of a mountain and, looking up, beheld a majestic pavilion.

The Sutra Repository was built atop a small hill, its structure predominantly crafted from green jade, accented with white jade details. The pavilion rose in seven tiers, each level adorned with eaves that extended outward and were carved with various lifelike divine beasts, as if ready to soar at any moment. From afar, the entire edifice resembled a jade sword thrusting straight into the clouds, exuding magnificent grandeur.

"Within the Repository there are seven tiers, housing nearly ten thousand rare scrolls and manuscripts from across the realm," Mo Qing explained softly, her tone as calm as ever. "The first two floors contain basic martial techniques, the third and fourth house advanced cultivation methods, the fifth hold elixirs and talismans, the sixth are reserved for mystical divinations, and as for the seventh…" She paused briefly before adding, "Only sect elders and above are permitted to enter."

I nodded in acknowledgment, while silently noting these details. The stricter the restrictions on each level, the more significant the secrets it must harbor. With the seventh tier so heavily guarded, it likely concealed some of the sect's most confidential lore.

Approaching the Repository, we observed two enormous stone turtles standing guard before the entrance. Their carvings were exquisite, exuding an aura of solemn majesty—with eyes like bronze bells and mouths clasping fiery orbs, as if ready to unleash spiritual flames at any moment. A golden plaque hung on the door, emblazoned with the bold characters "藏经阁" in a calligraphic style as vigorous and dynamic as dragons and serpents in flight.

Mo Qing gently stroked her sleeves and offered a slight bow to the stone turtles before stepping into the repository. I followed close behind, and as soon as I crossed the threshold, a fragrance of ancient books—steeped in a thousand years of history—washed over me. There was a hint of time-worn antiquity in the air, yet it was far from displeasing; rather, it imbued the spirit with a profound tranquility.

Inside, the space appeared even more expansive than outside. Countless bookshelves lined the walls in neat order, each arranged by category with an array of bamboo scrolls, manuscripts, and jade tablets. In the center lay an open area furnished with several blue-stone tables and chairs for study. Hanging from the ceiling were numerous luminous pearls, emitting a soft glow that gently illuminated the space without being harsh.

As I was admiring these precious tomes, a hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out, laced with a tone of teasing disdain: "Mo, little miss, after all this time you finally have a moment to visit this old fool?"

Following the sound, I saw a massive azure Xuan turtle sprawled atop a giant rock in the corner, its body nearly two zhang in length. Its shell bore the marks of countless years, resembling a natural map of mountains and rivers. Faint ancient runes could be seen along the rim of its bluish-gray shell, flickering subtly with each breath. Lifting its head slightly, its murky yet spirited eyes fixed intently on Mo Qing, while its mouth parted to exhale a gust of stale air.

"Senior Xuanling," Mo Qing said with an extra note of rare deference as she bowed slightly to the massive turtle, "Today, under the orders of our sect master, I have brought our newly inducted core disciple, Wei Lingwei, to retrieve several volumes of advanced cultivation techniques."

I regarded the ancient turtle with curiosity. Though its massive form exuded strength, it also conveyed a profound depth borne of enduring countless hardships. Its eyes, particularly striking, shone with a brightness of worldly insight amid their murkiness, as if harboring endless wisdom and secrets.

"Hmph, another little runt," Xuanling slowly turned his head toward me, his eyes brimming with scorn. "I have lived for three thousand years and seen far too many so-called geniuses—each but a flash in the pan in the end. And what might you be?"

Its words hit like a winter's chill, aiming to freeze one's confidence. Yet I had long grown accustomed to such gazes—even the villagers had treated me, an "orphaned wild child," in the same manner. With measured dignity, I stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Senior Xuanling."

Xuanling's eyes narrowed slightly, as if surprised by my composure. "Oh? You do have some nerve." Slowly, he descended from the giant rock, the sound of his shell scraping the ground echoing dully. "I've heard you ascended the eighteenth-level stone steps—a first in three thousand years. I wonder, was it merely a stroke of dumb luck?"

"Just a bit of luck," I replied modestly, though inwardly I pondered whether this three-thousand-year-old turtle might know some hidden lore about the Tianyan Sect.

"Luck?" Xuanling scoffed, his beak parting to reveal a row of sharp teeth. "Do you really think that after all these years I cannot discern truth from falsehood?" He slowly circled around me, his eyes glinting strangely. "There's a familiar aura about you… much like that of an old friend."

A jolt surged through my heart—had it recognized the bloodline connection with my father? If it truly had lived for three thousand years and witnessed the rise and fall of the Tianyan Sect, perhaps it had once known my father?

"Senior, we have come today to retrieve the 'Xuan Yuan Five Element Formula' and the 'Tai Chi Qi Transformation Diagram'," Mo Qing interjected at the proper moment, her voice still as calm as water, though I noticed a slight tension in her curled fingers—a hint of unease.

Xuanling slowly withdrew his gaze and nodded. "The 'Xuan Yuan Five Element Formula' is located in the seventh cabinet on the east side of the third floor, while the 'Tai Chi Qi Transformation Diagram' is among the jade tablets in the northwest corner on the fourth floor." He paused, his ancient eyes rotating as a mischievous smile played upon his features, "However, for this newly blossomed little genius, I have an even better option."

Mo Qing's brows furrowed slightly as an unusual hint of caution crossed her features, "Senior, what do you mean?"

"'Jietian Sword Diagram'," Xuanling said, his gaze laden with meaning as he fixed his strange, glimmering eyes on me, "I believe she has a special affinity with this book."

At the sound of that name, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be connected to the Jieling Sword Technique my father once taught me? Memories of the past surged like tides—vivid images of my father instructing me in swordplay beneath the moon, the grueling days and nights of practice, and his silent yet warm guidance all flashed before my eyes.

Mo Qing, too, appeared somewhat startled as a ripple passed through her normally placid eyes, "Isn't the 'Jietian Sword Diagram' kept within the restricted zone?"

"Precisely because it lies in the restricted zone that it is all the more intriguing," Xuanling replied with a hint of mischief in his ancient eyes. "I'm old now and in need of some amusement." He turned toward me, "Little one, do you dare to accept an old man's challenge? Should you succeed, the book shall be yours."

"What kind of challenge?" I asked, already stirred by determination. If the 'Jietian Sword Diagram' bore any connection to my father, then regardless of the difficulty, I had to try.

"Though the Repository appears to have only seven levels, it in fact conceals an entirely different realm," Xuanling said mysteriously, his voice suddenly deep and echoing with ancient resonance. "Within the mirror world of this pavilion lie many true treasures. If you can enter the Mirror Repository and locate the 'Jietian Sword Diagram', then you will have passed the challenge."

Mo Qing's brows knit in concern as a rare note of worry surfaced on her otherwise cool face, "Senior, the Mirror Repository is exceedingly perilous—it houses guardian beasts beyond the capabilities of ordinary disciples."

"And what is there to fear?" Xuanling replied dismissively. "If you can ascend the eighteenth-level stone steps, what is a challenge like this? Besides, with a Senior Sister like you watching over, could there really be any mortal danger?" He shot Mo Qing a sideways glance, his beak curving into a wry, almost mocking smile.

Mo Qing fell silent for a moment; her cool gaze flitted between Xuanling and me before she finally nodded ever so slightly, "As you wish." Those three words, though brief, carried an undercurrent of reluctant resignation.

"How does one enter the Mirror Repository?" I asked, now fully resolved. Whether it was to obtain the 'Jietian Sword Diagram' or to uncover the secrets of the Tianyan Sect, I knew I had to accept this challenge.

Xuanling slowly crawled to the center of the Repository and, with a claw, pointed to a seemingly ordinary blue stone on the floor. Roughly half a zhang square, its surface was smooth as a mirror, and in its center lay a simple yet mysterious rune that appeared faintly under the indoor light.

"Step onto this stone, close your eyes, and silently recite 'mirror flower, water moon; reality and illusion give birth to each other' seven times; a response will naturally be felt," Xuanling instructed, his ancient eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Remember, although the mirror world resembles reality, it is entirely different. Everything is inverted—left is right, right is left, front becomes back, and back becomes front."

Mo Qing cast me a glance, her deep eyes seemingly filled with a thousand unspoken words, and in a soft tone she said, "Be careful."

I nodded and, with a stirring in my heart, stepped onto the blue stone. It felt ice-cold underfoot yet carried a trace of warmth that slowly spread through my body. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and began to recite the incantation as instructed by Xuanling. Each word etched itself into my heart like a rune, and with every repetition, I felt my inner energy begin to flow uncontrollably, as if drawn by some mysterious force.

After reciting the incantation seven times, a dizzying sensation overcame me—as if I were hurled into an endless void. The howling wind roared, and it seemed as though countless voices rose in unison, only to abruptly cease. The scene before my eyes blurred, then gradually came back into focus. When everything finally settled, I opened my eyes again to find myself still inside the Repository, yet the surroundings had transformed completely.

This Mirror Repository was even older and more enigmatic than its real-world counterpart. The bookshelves on the walls were in ruins, their wood long decayed, and scattered scrolls lay amid heavy layers of dust. Once-bright luminous pearls had dimmed to a feeble glow in the darkness, like dying stars. The air was thick with a stench of decay, as though sealed away for a millennium—each breath felt laden with countless specks of dust.

Even more astonishing was that everything here appeared inverted—right had become left and left had become right, just as in a true mirror world. I looked up out the window; the sky was an eerie deep purple, devoid of sun or moon, with only a few oddly shaped clouds drifting by like wandering spirits.

"This is the Mirror Repository…" I murmured softly, a mixture of awe and wariness stirring within me. I tried to sense Mo Qing's or Xuanling's presence, but found myself alone—only the sound of my own breathing resonated in the profound silence.

"Little miss, it seems you are braver than I imagined," Xuanling's voice suddenly resounded in my ear, though I saw no sign of him. "The 'Jietian Sword Diagram' is kept within the jade casket at the center of the seventh tier—retrieve it, if you have the ability." His tone carried a hint of mockery and provocation before gradually fading away into the air.

I scanned the area, confirming that Mo Qing had not followed me—alone, I now stood in this mirror realm. A stirring of opportunity to uncover further secrets took root within me. I resolved to first explore this strange world before proceeding to the seventh tier in search of the 'Jietian Sword Diagram.'

Barely had I taken a few steps when a deep roar suddenly echoed from the direction of the staircase, causing the entire pavilion to tremble slightly. The roar carried a primal ferocity and a bloodthirsty craving, as if emanating from an ancient beast—a sound that sent shivers down my spine. I instantly became alert, clutching the hilt of my sword and holding my breath.

I moved quietly on foot, stealthily approaching a bookshelf to observe the staircase from the shadows. The roar grew nearer, accompanied by heavy footsteps, as though a colossal beast were advancing in my direction. The ground trembled slightly with each step, and dust cascaded from the shelves, forming a thin mist in the air.

After a moment, a massive creature appeared before me—it possessed the head of a lion, antlers like a deer's, a tail reminiscent of a crocodile's, and the body of a bear. Its entire form was covered in blue scales, each as hard as steel and glinting with a cold, metallic sheen. Its eyes shone like two blood-red jewels, emitting a dim red glow that seemed to scorch the ground wherever its gaze fell.

"Could this be the guardian beast that was mentioned earlier?"

The guardian beast appeared to sense my presence—it suddenly turned its head, its blood-red eyes fixated on my hiding spot. With a roar that sent dust cascading down, it began advancing toward me with heavy, deliberate steps. Each stride shook the ground and exuded an invisible pressure that made even breathing difficult.

Realizing that hiding was futile, I sprang forth from the shadows and drew my sword. The instant the blade left its sheath, a flash of cold light appeared, like lightning slicing through the darkness. I executed the opening move of the Jieling Sword Technique, "Rise with the Wind," directing the lethal edge straight for the beast's throat.

"Clang!" A crisp metallic sound rang out as my sword was deflected off the guardian beast's scales, leaving not even a scratch. The shockwave coursed up the blade into my arm, numbing my grip almost to the point of losing hold.

The guardian beast let out a disdainful roar, as if mocking my naivety. It lunged at me with startling speed, its massive claws drawing terrifying arcs in the air. I barely managed to sidestep, yet my sleeve was still torn by a claw, sending shreds of fabric fluttering to the ground.

I quickly steadied my breathing and channeled my inner energy; my long sword flared once more. This time, I altered my angle, and the blade traced a graceful arc, releasing a crescent-shaped sword aura that struck directly at the joint of the beast's foreleg.

The sword aura collided with the beast's scales, sparking a burst of fire, yet it still failed to inflict any real damage. Enraged, the creature roared and slammed its foreleg onto the ground, causing the entire floor to shudder. I had no choice but to leap upward to avoid the shockwave.

The moment I landed, the guardian beast charged again—this time with even greater ferocity. I unleashed a flurry of sword techniques, my blade streaking like a rainbow and my inner energy surging, yet every strike was flawlessly deflected by its scales, leaving not a single mark.

The battle raged on for nearly half an hour. I had employed nearly every sword technique I knew—even infusing my sword with inner energy to bolster its might—yet the beast remained unscathed. In contrast, I had expended a great deal of inner energy; my breathing grew labored, beads of sweat formed on my brow, and my arms trembled from the prolonged exertion.

It was clear that ordinary attacks were ineffective against it; I had to devise another strategy. "This isn't working," I panted as I retreated, leaning against a bookshelf to put some distance between us. The beast, seemingly in no hurry to attack further, continued to approach slowly, its blood-red eyes glinting with the ruthless gleam of a predator, as if savoring the dying struggle of its prey.

Scanning my surroundings for a potential opening, I noticed that each time the guardian beast roared, the scales on its forehead would slightly part to reveal a small patch of skin—its only apparent weak spot. Yet, the gap was so minute and brief that no ordinary sword strike could ever land a decisive blow.

"I must devise a way to lure it into roaring, then strike its weak spot," I thought. With that idea forming, I retrieved a jade talisman from my pocket—a protective charm my father had left me, seldom used except in dire circumstances.

I infused the talisman with inner energy, and in an instant, a dazzling burst of light erupted, illuminating the entire pavilion. The guardian beast, startled by this sudden radiance, let out a pained roar and instinctively covered its eyes with its forepaws.

Now was my chance! I leaped into the air, my long sword transforming into a streak of azure light as I unleashed the move "Shadow Piercing," aiming straight for the fleeting weak spot on the beast's forehead.

"Thud!" The tip of my sword pierced in, eliciting a pained hiss from the beast; yet, it did not fall—instead, its fury deepened. A powerful surge of force erupted from its body, flinging me and my sword aside and slamming us forcefully into the opposite bookshelf.

A searing pain shot through my back as the taste of blood filled my mouth. The bookshelf shuddered violently, and numerous scrolls cascaded down, pummeling both me and the surroundings. I struggled to rise and looked at the guardian beast—indeed, a wound had appeared on its forehead, but it was shallow and had already begun to mend slowly.

"I see—it does have a weak spot, but ordinary attacks can't deliver a fatal blow," I panted, clenching my sword. "I must find a more effective method."

The guardian beast recovered quickly, roaring as every scale on its body bristled like countless blades. A far mightier aura erupted from within it as it charged on all fours, barreling toward me like a small mountain—a blur of blue almost, in its astonishing speed.

I had no time to dodge and was forced to raise my sword in defense. The tremendous impact sent me flying again, shattering several bookshelves and dislodging my sword from my grasp. As I hit the ground, a searing pain shot through my ribs—possibly even breaking a few. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, and my vision began to blur.

The guardian beast advanced slowly, its blood-red eyes alight with the glow of victory, and it emitted a low, menacing roar, as if relishing the final moments of its hunt.

"Could it really end like this…" I murmured, leaning against the shattered bookshelf. My chest ached terribly, and with my sword nowhere in reach, I felt utterly powerless to continue the fight.