Chapter 82: The exam no one expected
Morning came far too fast for Li Ming’s liking.
He yawned so hard it looked like his soul tried to escape. "Why do big life-changing events always start at dawn?"
Bai Guo, already in human form and munching on a rice bun, shrugged. "Because the heavens enjoy your suffering, descendant."
Li Ming groaned and followed the crowd toward the main courtyard. Hundreds of disciples were already there, buzzing with rumors about "the new test." No one knew what it was, but judging by the elders’ grim faces, it wasn’t going to involve tea parties.
Lan Yue stood at the front, her robe fluttering in the early wind. "Today marks the final stage before authentic discipleship," she announced. "You will enter the Heavenly Mirage Field. Inside, your mind, heart, and cultivation will be tested. What you see may not be real—but what you feel will be."
The disciples exchanged nervous glances.
Li Ming whispered, "That... doesn’t sound like a normal exam."
Bai Guo whispered back, "Maybe they finally realized you’re too dumb for written tests."
Before Li Ming could retort, glowing formations spread under their feet. Circles of light swirled upward, humming like bees.
Lan Yue’s voice rang again. "Each disciple will face their own mirage. There are no teams, no help. Only truth."
"Truth?" Li Ming muttered. "I don’t even know what I had for breakfast."
The light engulfed him before he could protest further.
—
When his vision cleared, he was standing in a mist-covered plain. The air shimmered, and the ground reflected faintly like water.
He turned slowly. "Okay... definitely not the cafeteria."
The mist moved like living smoke, twisting into shapes that whispered his name.
Li Ming gulped. "Alright, self-note: do not answer creepy whispers."
A figure appeared through the fog—it looked exactly like him. Same face, same robe, same everything, except the eyes glowed faint gold.
The double smirked. "So, you’re the one who keeps embarrassing us."
Li Ming blinked. "Us? Bro, you’re literally me."
"That’s what makes it worse." The copy raised a hand; a burst of spiritual energy shot forward.
Li Ming rolled aside just in time. "Okay, this is officially the weirdest argument I’ve ever had!"
He countered with a Qi blast. Their attacks collided, sending ripples across the field. Mist spiraled upward, revealing flashes of glowing runes beneath the ground.
His clone moved faster, smoother, hitting every technique with perfect form. Li Ming barely blocked, panting.
Bai Guo’s voice echoed faintly in his mind, amused. "You’re losing... to yourself. How poetic."
"Less poetry, more advice!"
"Fine. He mirrors your intent. Don’t focus on fighting him—change your rhythm."
Li Ming frowned. "Change my rhythm? What am I, a dancer?"
The clone lunged again. Li Ming ducked low, spinning awkwardly to the side. His Qi flared—not in anger this time, but calm focus.
The clone hesitated for a heartbeat, thrown off by the shift.
Li Ming smirked. "Ha! Guess even my ego can’t predict my stupidity!"
He surged forward, palm glowing. "Flowing Palm—Spiral Burst!"
The impact blasted the clone backward into mist, which shattered like glass.
Silence returned.
Li Ming stood, breathing heavily. "Did... did I just out-weird myself to win?"
Bai Guo’s laugh echoed faintly. "That’s your true power, descendant."
The fog began to dissolve, revealing a stone archway ahead. Symbols glowed on it, forming a path deeper into the mirage.
Li Ming stared at it, then at his hands. The spiritual energy still pulsed gently around him—controlled, steady, not chaotic like before.
A small smile crept across his face. "Guess I’m not the same Li Ming anymore."
The air shimmered again. A new illusion began to form—this one louder, brighter, and definitely more dangerous.
Li Ming sighed. "And here I thought passing one test meant getting snacks."
He stepped forward into the light.
----
The mist parted to reveal a vast stone courtyard, floating islands hovering in the air, connected by thin bridges of glowing energy.
Li Ming blinked. "What... is this? A floating obstacle course?"
Bai Guo hovered beside him, arms crossed. "Exactly. And each island has its own trial. Fall off, and you restart from the beginning. Simple rules."
Li Ming gulped. "Restart? That’s... terrifyingly simple."
He stepped onto the first island. The surface shimmered like glass. His Qi flared instinctively to stabilize his footing.
A floating orb appeared midair, glowing blue. It split into three, then six, then twelve.
Li Ming muttered, "Okay... why do I suddenly feel like a juggler?"
He focused, channeling Qi into precise threads of light. One by one, the orbs were struck, each bursting into harmless sparks.
"Nice coordination, descendant," Bai Guo said. "Who knew you had any?"
Li Ming gave a proud grin. "All natural talent."
The bridge to the next island shifted slightly, testing balance. Li Ming hopped forward, weaving his Qi to reinforce the path. He nearly slipped, but caught himself midair, rolling into a dramatic landing.
"Okay... not bad," he panted. "Could be worse."
Before he could relax, the next trial revealed itself: three humanoid figures appeared, weapons drawn.
Li Ming’s eyes widened. "Finally... someone to fight!"
The first humanoid lunged. Li Ming dodged sideways, Qi sparking from his fingertips. He jabbed a Threading Needle Strike—the figure disappeared, reforming a step back.
"Mirror techniques," Bai Guo noted. "Think fast."
Li Ming grinned. "Then let’s get really fast."
He channeled golden Qi into a sweeping kick, launching the second humanoid backward. Then spun, sending a wave of energy through the third.
Each move tested his speed, precision, and control.
One humanoid remained, and it was smart—dodging, anticipating, forcing Li Ming to change tactics.
He paused, sweat dripping, mind racing. Then inspiration hit.
Li Ming’s eyes sparkled. "Alright, Bai Guo... let’s try creative energy flow!"
He split his Qi into multiple threads, forming a net of golden light around the humanoid. It struggled, moving faster and faster, but every escape attempt only tightened the net.
Snap!
The last humanoid froze, then vanished in a flash.
Li Ming staggered, hands on knees, gasping. "I... did it! I really... did it!"
Bai Guo floated beside him, clapping slowly. "I take back all insults. That was impressive."
Li Ming beamed. "See! Who says you can’t win without panicking?"
He moved toward the next floating bridge. It shimmered violently. The air crackled.
A massive shadow emerged—a giant armored figure, glowing faint red. Its eyes burned with Qi, and it moved like the bridge itself was under its command.
Li Ming froze. "Uh... that’s... that’s bigger than expected."
Bai Guo smirked. "Welcome to the real test, descendant."
Li Ming gulped, Qi surging in response. The figure swung its massive weapon—a glowing halberd that split the air with every motion.
Li Ming rolled, leaped, and struck with a concentrated Qi blast. The attack smashed against the figure, but barely phased it.
"Okay... think, Li Ming, think!" he muttered.
He looked around. The floating islands pulsed rhythmically. Energy flowed along invisible paths.
"Wait... the terrain!" he whispered. "I can use the islands!"
Channeling Qi into his legs, he launched off the ground, bouncing between islands, ricocheting his energy like a pinball. Each strike, precise. Each dodge, calculated.
The figure adjusted, but Li Ming stayed one step ahead, using not just raw power, but strategy.
Bai Guo whistled. "Finally, you’re thinking and fighting. That’s the spirit."
After a final leap, Li Ming landed on a higher platform, arms outstretched, Qi blazing.
With a shout, he released all his energy in a massive spiral wave. The armored figure staggered—then shattered into sparkling light.
Li Ming collapsed, panting, legs shaking. He looked up at the glowing exit ahead. "That... was... insane."
Bai Guo hovered nearby, smirking. "And yet, you survived. Congratulations. You’re officially scary when focused."
Li Ming muttered, "Scary... huh? I’ll take it... I think."
The exit gate shimmered. Ahead lay another corridor of the illusion realm — brighter, louder, humming with strange energy.
Li Ming’s eyes narrowed. "Alright... next round. Let’s see what they’ve cooked up for me."
Bai Guo’s voice echoed faintly in his mind. "Descendant... whatever’s coming, it won’t be easy. But you will grow stronger."
Li Ming swallowed, adjusting his stance. "Then let’s get stronger... together."
A sudden flash of golden light shot across the path ahead. The next trial awaited — bigger, faster, and smarter.
And this time... Li Ming knew he wouldn’t get to joke his way out.
He grinned faintly. "Bring it on."
To be continued...