The movie was an absolute sensation. Although the actors' expressions and lines were still slightly unrefined, the sheer allure of the plot was irresistible. As the credits rolled, theaters across the nations announced the grand opening of Immortal Trace Mountain.
A final message lingered on the screen: Anyone may challenge the mountain. Only the fated shall achieve Immortality.
This "fate" depended not only on luck but on one's innate talent and resolve. Even if one was fortunate enough to enter the mountain, they still had to see if a flying sword would grant them recognition.
As soon as the movie ended, countless young people packed their rations and bought carriage tickets to head toward the holy site. Unlike its previous state of seclusion, the immortal mountain was now fully open to the public.
Chongyun and Xingqiu were among the first to participate. Su Han, as Chongyun's "uncle-in-law," had intended to give the boy some insider tips, but Chongyun insisted on passing the trials through his own strength. If he obtained a sword through cheating, he would rather not have one at all. Such was the fiery spirit of youth.
At the entrance of Immortal Trace Mountain, a sea of people waited. Among them were youths like Chongyun and elderly men seeking to prolong their lifespans, inspired by the movie's promise of longevity.
Five minutes later, three streaks of light descended from the sky. The silhouettes of the Liyue Adepti appeared before the crowd.
"Immortal Trace Mountain is open," a distant, echoing voice proclaimed. "But the Adepti warn you: do not force the path. The Dao of Immortality relies on affinity. Without it, forcing entry will bring only death. If you are fated, you may join the Emei Sect. Go forth..."
The appearance of the Adepti sent the crowd's fervor to a boiling point. The seal at the gate shattered, and Chongyun and Xingqiu charged inside, their speed far surpassing that of ordinary men.
Following closely behind were the brothers Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. Having trained in the military, they weren't about to let humans snatch all the glory. Sesshomaru, empowered by the spiritual fruits and grains provided by Lady Mother, had already reached a level surpassing the likes of Ryugotsusei.
The Trial of the Heart
They soon reached the second stage: The Heart-Mirror Test. To obtain a flying sword, one had to face their own internal weaknesses.
Sesshomaru stepped into the array and found himself facing the illusion of his father, the Great Dog Demon.
"Sesshomaru, do you have something you wish to protect?"
Looking at the phantom of his father, Sesshomaru remained calm. "Your path does not suit me. Move."
Having witnessed Su Han's god-like power, his previous obsession with his father's shadow had shattered. He realized how small he had been, a frog in a well. With his heart steeled, the illusion crumbled. He was the first to wake.
High above in a flying artifact, Mona watched the screen. "Whoa, the big dog was the first to break through? Impressive."
"His obsession was his father," Lisa explained. "But once he saw a power that made his father look ordinary, the obsession changed. He recognized his own insignificance, which allowed him to grow."
Inuyasha, however, remained trapped in a dream of past grievances. Kikyo watched the screen expressionless; the past was dead to her, and she was content with her new life.
Fischl's Despair
Among the challengers, a certain girl caught the group's attention. Xinyan, the rock 'n' roll rebel, was making steady progress, proving the worth of a Vision holder. But nearby, Fischl (Amy) was struggling.
Mona frowned. "Wait, is that Little Amy? Why is she here?"
Fischl had never quite integrated into Mona's social circle or joined the chat group. Whenever asked, she would stutter an excuse in her "Prinzessin" persona. Now, she stood in the heart of the array, tears streaming down her face.
"Some people live in a world of fantasy," Lisa sighed. "But that precious imagination is often crushed by the denial of adults."
"Her mental state is unstable," Rosalyne noted coldly. "She won't pass this. The Heart-Mirror is a nightmare she cannot break."
Fifteen minutes later, while Sesshomaru reached the fourth gate, Fischl's aura continued to wither. To prevent her from falling into a permanent coma, Rosalyne activated the array to eject her from the trial.
Fischl woke up outside, frantically checking if her "Prinzessin" robes were intact. She looked at the distant mountain with a lonely sigh and turned to leave.
Mona looked at Su Han. "If you have time, please help her. She's very lonely... and I think you're the only one who can help her move forward."
"I will, once we finish here," Su Han promised. He respected the chuunibyou girl's dedication to her persona, but it was clear her childhood trauma was preventing her from truly mastering the laws of spirit.
The First Swords
Sesshomaru finally ascended the floating peak. He closed his eyes, expanding his perception until he felt a sharp, emerald resonance.
"There."
He lunged toward a sword embedded in a jagged rock. It radiated a terrifying spiritual pressure. He gripped the hilt and pulled.
SHING!
The blade was serrated like a shark's tooth, silver-white with a hint of green. A single test swing tore a rift in the sky that spanned thousands of meters.
[Announcement: The first flying sword has been claimed by Sesshomaru. Blade: Shark-Tooth.]
Chongyun, seeing the announcement, felt a pang of disappointment but pushed forward. On the other side of the mountain, Xingqiu closed his eyes, drifting through the "forest" of thousands of swords.
Suddenly, a pull of attraction stopped him. He opened his eyes and drew a blade that looked like flowing water. As it emerged, a light drizzle began to fall over the mountain.
"Wind-Wave Sword... a fine name. I shall not fail you," Xingqiu whispered.
The blade hummed in response.
[Announcement: The second flying sword has been claimed by Xingqiu. Blade: Wind-Wave.]
The crowd below erupted. The second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild had succeeded! The legends were true—immortality was within reach for those with the heart to seize it.
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