The bamboo forest shook with every clash.

Clang! Boom!

Two Li Mings moved like lightning—one shining with calm golden Qi, the other blazing with fierce arrogance.

Mirror Li Ming smirked. "You've gotten stronger… but strength without confidence is weakness!"

Li Ming blocked the strike with his sword, sliding back across the grass. "Confidence isn't shouting loud—it's standing tall when you're scared!"

Bai Guo circled above them, flapping wildly. "Descendant! Don't let the other you steal your hairstyle!"

Li Ming sighed. "I'm a bit busy, Bai Guo!"

Mirror Li Ming's blade came down fast. Sparks flew as Li Ming deflected it and spun, channeling his energy into a counter strike.

Golden Qi burst from his sword, cutting through the mist. The ground cracked beneath their feet.

But the mirror clone didn't slow down. He grinned. "Not bad… but you're holding back."

Li Ming frowned. "I'm fighting to grow, not to show off."

"Then you'll lose!"

The clone's Qi surged, and suddenly three mirror images appeared around Li Ming, all attacking at once.

Li Ming jumped back. So that's how I look when I overdo it… Great.

He closed his eyes for half a second. Stay calm. Don't fight pride with pride.

Breathing deeply, he lowered his stance. His Qi began to flow evenly, glowing brighter but softer, steady like a heartbeat.

Bai Guo gasped. "Descendant! That's your balanced Qi form!"

"Let's see if it works."

When the mirrors attacked, Li Ming didn't swing wildly. He stepped between them, dodging and redirecting their strikes. His movements were smooth, controlled, almost graceful.

Clang! Bang! Whoosh!

One mirror clone shattered into light.

The real mirror Li Ming's eyes narrowed. "You… changed your fighting style?"

Li Ming smiled faintly. "I stopped trying to win… and started trying to understand."

Another mirror clone lunged, but Li Ming parried softly and tapped its chest. It vanished like smoke.

Only the last one remained—his pride in solid form.

The mirror version roared, charging forward. "You can't erase me! I am you!"

Li Ming met his gaze. "You're the old me. The one who fought for attention. I don't need you anymore."

Their swords met in one last strike—golden light exploding through the bamboo grove.

When the dust settled, only one Li Ming stood.

The mirror had faded into motes of light, leaving behind a glowing jade token.

Bai Guo swooped down. "You did it!"

Li Ming picked up the token. His reflection shimmered faintly in it, calm and clear. "No… we did. Guess growing up isn't as boring as I thought."

Bai Guo puffed his chest. "Told you, descendant! I always believed in you!"

Li Ming raised an eyebrow. "Really? Didn't you just bet I'd lose?"

Bai Guo coughed. "Minor detail. What matters is—you're alive."

Li Ming smiled, slipping the token into his sleeve. "One down… two to go."

He turned toward the next glowing dot on the map.

But as they left the forest, the sky suddenly darkened.

A cold wind blew across the mountains.

Bai Guo's feathers ruffled. "Descendant… why is it getting chilly all of a sudden?"

Li Ming frowned, gripping his sword. "Because round two isn't waiting for us this time."

A new voice echoed from the shadows—deep, calm, and filled with pressure.

> "Li Ming… so you've changed. Let's see if that change can survive me."

A silhouette stepped out—a tall cultivator with a black robe and faint golden aura, eyes sharp as blades.

Li Ming's eyes widened. "That's… one of the mentors!"

Bai Guo gulped. "Oh feathers… you're fighting a teacher?!"

The mentor smirked. "Not just any teacher. I am your next trial."

Li Ming readied his stance, steady and calm. "Then let's see if the new me can pass."

The mentor raised a hand. Energy rippled across the ground.

"Round Two, Match Two… begins now."

----

The forest floor trembled as the mentor's aura flared.

Li Ming stood his ground, sword in hand, his Qi calm but steady. Bai Guo hovered nervously overhead.

"Descendant, are you sure about this? That guy's Qi feels like a mountain wearing armor!"

Li Ming gave a small grin. "Well, I've climbed mountains before. Let's see how this one moves."

The mentor didn't speak — he vanished.

Boom!

A powerful gust hit Li Ming's chest before he even saw the strike. He flipped backward, landing on his feet just in time to block a second blow. Sparks flew as steel met steel.

"So, you can react," the mentor said calmly. "Good. But reaction is not understanding."

Li Ming pushed back, eyes focused. "Guess I'll learn on the go!"

With a shout, he released a wave of golden Qi, forming a circle around himself. His energy rippled like flowing water, smooth yet powerful.

The mentor moved again, almost like a shadow. His attacks were precise — every strike aimed at a weak point.

Clang! Clash! Boom!

Li Ming tried to counter, but each move he made was predicted, every dodge met by another strike.

"You rely too much on instinct," the mentor said. "Your strength grows, but your mind lags behind."

Li Ming gritted his teeth. "Then I'll catch up!"

He leapt high, spinning in midair. His sword glowed brighter, bursting into a spiral of golden arcs.

"Starburst Slash!"

The attack landed, shaking the entire grove. Dust rose, trees cracked, and the ground split open.

Bai Guo gasped. "Descendant! You did it!"

But when the dust cleared, the mentor stood unharmed, one finger pressed against Li Ming's blade.

"Too much flash," the mentor said softly. "Not enough focus."

Then, with a simple tap, he sent a surge of force through Li Ming's sword.

BANG!

Li Ming flew backward, crashing into a tree trunk. He coughed, wincing. "Okay… note to self… no fancy names."

The mentor's tone didn't carry malice — only patience. "A true cultivator learns not to impress, but to progress."

Li Ming slowly got up. He wiped the dirt from his face and smiled. "Then let me show you my kind of progress."

Closing his eyes, Li Ming centered his breathing. The wild energy around him softened, glowing steadily. He let go of the urge to fight back — and instead, focused on sensing.

The wind. The ground. The rhythm of his opponent's movements.

When the mentor moved again, Li Ming didn't swing first — he waited.

Then, step.

A shift in the air — now!

Li Ming blocked the strike, twisted, and countered cleanly with a small but precise slash.

The mentor raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Better."

Li Ming smiled. "Sometimes the best move is the quiet one."

They clashed again — but this time, Li Ming wasn't rushing. Every movement was measured, his stance solid, his strikes calm.

Bai Guo cheered. "Yes! My descendant finally learned patience! I'm so proud—WAIT LOOK OUT!"

CRACK!

The mentor's palm strike blasted Li Ming off balance. He rolled across the ground, coughing.

But even then, he didn't give up. He stood again, legs shaking, Qi flickering like candlelight.

The mentor lowered his hand. "You are improving. Slowly. But let's see if you can handle this."

He raised both arms.

The sky darkened. Energy swirled like a storm, forming a massive seal overhead. Ancient symbols glowed across the ground.

Bai Guo's feathers puffed up. "That's… that's a High-Grade Formation! You can't fight that, descendant!"

Li Ming squinted against the blinding light. "Can't fight it? Maybe not… but I can endure it."

He planted his sword into the ground. Qi surged through his body, forming a barrier of light around him.

The mentor spoke: "Trial of the Heart — Shattering Wave!"

The seal cracked open. A tidal wave of pure spiritual force rushed forward. Trees bent. Rocks lifted. The earth itself seemed to cry out.

Li Ming roared, pouring every ounce of his energy into the barrier.

The wave hit.

BOOOOOOM!

Bai Guo was thrown back by the wind, feathers flying everywhere. "DESCENDANT!!!"

For a few long seconds, nothing could be seen but blinding light.

Then—

As the dust settled, Li Ming still stood, barely, his knees trembling. His barrier flickered weakly, cracks running across it like glass.

But his eyes were steady. "I… I won't fall… not here."

The mentor lowered his hand slowly. "You lasted longer than I expected. Impressive. But…"

He pointed behind Li Ming.

Li Ming turned his head — and froze.

The jade token he had earned earlier… was cracking.

Bai Guo's eyes went wide. "Wait! That's not supposed to happen!"

The token shattered completely — and from the fragments, a dark shadow began to rise.

Its eyes glowed crimson. Its voice echoed through the clearing.

> "So… you've grown stronger, Li Ming… Let's see how you handle me now."

Li Ming's expression turned grim. "You've gotta be kidding me…"

The mentor stepped back. "Your next opponent has arrived."

The ground split open — and the mirror Li Ming he'd just defeated began reforming, more twisted, more powerful.

Li Ming tightened his grip on his sword. "Round Three already?!"

The shadow laughed. "No rounds left… only reckoning."

A cold wind swept the field.

Bai Guo whispered, "Uh… descendant… this feels bad."

Li Ming's eyes narrowed, his energy flickering wildly. "Yeah… really bad."

The shadow smiled. "Let's finish what we started…"

To be continued...

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