The Forest of Reflections was alive.

  It whispered in ancient tongues, breathed illusions into the air, and bent light into impossible shapes. Glass leaves shimmered as if mocking those who dared enter. Every tree reflected not just forms—but thoughts.

  Li Xuan moved carefully through the shifting paths, Moonvoid humming faintly in his grip. His Thoughtform Projection flickered ahead, vanishing with each pulse of the forest’s mind.

  He had already seen two false paths collapse.

  The first ended in a pit of shadowy beasts. The second led to a reflection of Lin Qingxue, weeping blood, whispering betrayal.

  He didn’t falter.

  But the forest adjusted.

  From the trees ahead, a figure stepped out.

  It was him.

  Li Xuan… as he was before the system. Clothes ragged. Eyes hollow. Kneeling in snow.

  “You think you’ve escaped me?” the reflection rasped. “You think power makes you worthy?”

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  It charged.

  Li Xuan blocked the first blow. Then the second. But the reflection fought like a beast—driven by despair, not discipline.

  “You left me behind!” it screamed.

  “No,” Li Xuan replied, voice low. “I brought you with me.”

  He unleashed Moonvoid. The blade surged with spiritual force, cutting not flesh—but thought.

  The reflection burst into mist.

  [Inner Obstacle Resolved – Soul Stability Increased]

  The path ahead shimmered open.

  Elsewhere in the forest:

  Zhou Lei clutched his throat, eyes wide. “No… I didn’t kill him… I didn’t—”

  Blood dripped from his hands.

  His reflection only smiled.

  Li Xuan continued forward. Time ticked in his mind.

  [Trial Timer: 7 hours remaining]

  The forest grew quieter. But darker. As if breath itself had to be earned.

  Then he found it.

  A clearing. In the center, on a crystal pedestal, floated a glowing sphere—the Soul Core. Pure light. Trembling with latent power.

  He stepped forward.

  The air cracked.

  A new figure appeared before the pedestal. Female. Radiant. Familiar.

  His mother.

  No.

  The memory of her—kind, warm, and now cruel. “You should have died instead of your father,” she whispered.

  Li Xuan’s body locked. His breath caught.

  Moonvoid shook.

  [Warning: Mental Interference Detected – Thoughtform Fragmentation Imminent]

  He closed his eyes.

  “I carry the pain. Not the blame.”

  His pulse steadied.

  He stepped through the illusion. It shattered like glass.

  The Soul Core hovered inches from him.

  He reached out—

  [Soul Core Acquired – Phase One Complete. 5 Participants Remaining.]

  [Bonus Objective Unlocked – Deliver Soul Core to the Heart Altar within 2 hours for Enhanced Reward.]

  Li Xuan turned, gripping the Core.

  He didn’t look back.

  The trial wasn’t over.

  It was just beginning.