Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

"The next challenge is called the 'Questioning the Mind,' which tests not cultivation level but the Dao heart. Once inside, everyone can see their own inner obsessions. Those who can walk out unscathed pass; those whose minds collapse will be forcibly sent out."

Inside the huge plaza of Dongbao Shangzong, the same elder as yesterday was still there.

His voice was loud and steady, and it instantly resonated throughout the entire square.

A huge mirror hangs in the center of the square. Its surface is made of deep purple crystal, which contains a starlight-like luster and ripples gently in circles.

One can imagine that there must be another world reflected in this mirror.

Candidates stand in the center of the square, while non-candidates can only stand at the bottom of the square.

The crowd was jostling and pushing, but Yu Luoning ignored the strange looks from others and squeezed straight forward, eventually reaching the very front row.

She raised her eyes and scanned the center of the square. Soon she spotted a tall, slender figure.

So beautiful. Even their backs are beautiful.

Just then, a dinging sound rang in my mind again; the encyclopedia had lit up with a new name.

She could hardly believe the encyclopedia's judgment.

Why is Jiang Yuxing, that rotten cucumber, allowed to be included in the encyclopedia?

She felt a sense of humiliation, as if she had gone on a blind date herself, only to find that the person the matchmaker brought was utterly unattractive, and that she had been looked down upon by the middleman.

Yu Luoning looked at the illustrated guide, then glanced at the people in it.

Shen Jin?

Stone bridge?

Li Yunshen?

……

These names are a bit unfamiliar; I wonder what they look like. But maybe I can get to know them; there might be a pleasant surprise.

As the saying goes, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket; you should also date different men.

All beings are potential candidates, love is distributed according to need, there is always a way out, and you will never be completely defeated.

The main idea is to not gamble with sincerity, not waste deep feelings, and to achieve widespread success.

Sure enough, she should have come to the sect sooner; this is the real treasure trove.

Having transmigrated for so long, I've only managed to copy the skills of two people. It's utterly shameful for my fellow transmigrators.

The elder's voice rang out again, "The Mirror of Inquiry has no right or wrong. Only you know what you see in the mirror. Those who can walk out on their own have passed the test."

"Gentlemen, please go in."

The halo on the mirror gradually spread, and the examinees flew into the mirror one by one.

The moment the figure touched the mirror, ripples appeared on its surface. Then, the person vanished silently from the mirror.

Yu Luoning stood at the edge of the square, watching Shi Shangxu's back slowly walk towards the mirror and then disappear. She looked away and lowered her head to look at the name on the encyclopedia again.

Then they went to find the people whose names corresponded to those.

~

The "Mirror of the Heart" will amplify a person's inner deficiencies.

Many people see power and betrayal in the illusion, but Shi Shangxu's illusion is a peaceful rural courtyard.

He paused for a moment, then recognized that this was his home.

In the courtyard, the father sat on a bench under the grape trellis, drinking tea, while the mother held a book. They smiled at each other as they talked.

He was standing at the courtyard gate when suddenly his palm was squeezed. He turned his head and saw that it was Miss Luo Ning.

She was standing right next to him now, the sunlight falling on his face, just as it had when he saw her on the mountaintop that morning.

Her smile was radiant, and her rosy lips moved slightly, as if she were saying something to herself.

Shi Shangxu stood still, just watching her.

The elders of the upper sect said that the Heart-Questioning Mirror tests the obsessions in people's hearts. When did Miss Luo Ning become his obsession?

"Shang Xu, didn't you say you were going to take me to meet your parents?"

Even their voices are the same?

Shi Shangxu remained silent for a moment, then clasped the small hand that was holding his own and entered the courtyard.

He knew it was an illusion, but something still quietly surfaced in his mind.

The girl he takes to meet his parents must be someone he likes.

As the two entered the courtyard, the woman's gentle eyes suddenly turned cold.

Shi's mother and father warmly greeted them.

Luo Ning looked around the extremely simple courtyard, her face turning cold.

"This is the home you told me about? The esteemed young genius of the Shi family lives in such a dilapidated courtyard? Look at this place, it's worse than a pigsty, and you expect me to live here from now on?"

Shi Shangxu was at a loss. "Ningning, although this place is simple, my parents are very good people..."

"Can good food fill your stomach? You poor wretch. What's the point of talking about love if you have no money? I must have been blind. The Shi family genius? Turns out he's just an empty shell. Let me tell you, you're not good enough for me, and I'm cutting ties with you."

Her eyes and brows contorted as she uttered a series of harsh words.

Shi Shangxu lowered his head slightly, his voice gentle, and comforted her, "Don't be angry, I can earn money if I don't have any."

"Once I join the sect, I'll do more missions and try my best to collect bounties. I'll earn piles of spirit stones for you, so please give me some time, okay?"

The woman didn't believe him at all, shook off his hand, her face contorted with rage, and cursed even more frantically.

After an unknown amount of time, Shi Shangxu raised his eyes, looked at the face in front of him, and felt calm.

"Actually... Miss Luo Ning wouldn't say such things. If she disliked me, she wouldn't be so harsh. Your imitation is completely off; stop insulting her."

Shi Shangxu's eyes turned cold. He swung his long sword, a flash of cold light streaking across the air, and the mist contracted and disappeared.

Shi Shangxu sighed. The fog had dissipated, and he thought he should be able to clear the level, but the surroundings were still blank.

Shi Shangxu was wandering aimlessly when he suddenly saw a small island in full bloom with peach blossoms.

A beautiful woman on the island was waving at him.

As Shi Shangxu approached, he discovered that it was indeed Miss Luo Ning. Her smile was brighter than the spring sun, her eyes crinkling as she reached out her hand to him.

Shi Shangxu paused, just about to take a step, when he saw a figure walk past him and head straight for the woman.

Shi Shangxu was stunned.

Then he saw another man carrying an umbrella walk over as well.

One after another.

He even saw Jiang Yuxing, Feng Qiguang, and Li Yunyu...

Luo Ning smiled equally brightly at everyone.

Shi Shangxu stood frozen in place, completely stunned.

Immediately afterwards, something tightened in my chest, making me feel stuffy and even unable to breathe.

At that moment, Miss Luoning seemed to see him and said with a smile, "Cousin, come here."

"Cousin, don't you like me? But I like you all so much. From now on, they'll be your sworn brothers, so you two have to get along well."

Shi Shangxu's eyes widened: "..."