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Chapter 162: The Mirror of Unbroken Unity
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Act I: A Chamber of Joining
The Gallery opened into a vast hall where countless mirrors leaned toward one another, their edges touching, their surfaces shimmering in harmony.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with awe.
Ao Bing whispered, "They're connected."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "This is no single mirror. It is many, joined as one."
At the center stood a great mirror formed from fragments, glowing with steady light.
It spoke in a chorus of voices:
> "We are the Mirror of Unbroken Unity. We hold what is shared, what is joined, what endures together."
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Act II: The Weight of Togetherness
The interns gazed into its surface.
They saw themselves not alone, but bound by bonds.
Ao Bing saw comrades fighting side by side, their strength multiplied.
Taiyi Zhenren saw scholars working together, their wisdom preserved through cooperation.
Ne Job saw miracles thriving when shared, each one stronger in unity than in solitude.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the glow.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must embrace unity without division."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Unity is fragile. I will twist bonds into chains, and chains into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Unbroken Unity, trying to fracture its joined surfaces into isolation.
Ao Bing staggered. "I feel cut off!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls scatter!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Unity is not weakness. It is strength."
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Act IV: The Trial of Unity
The Mirror of Unbroken Unity spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must join without fear."
Ne Job gazed into its glowing surface.
He saw himself alone, burdened, struggling.
He whispered:
> "I am not alone. I am joined. Together, we endure."
The mirror glowed brighter, its fragments binding tighter.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with the glow.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls gleamed with clarity.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to fracture the interns, scattering them into isolation.
Ao Bing staggered. "I can't reach you!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My words vanish!"
Ne Job stood firm. "We are joined. We are truth."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope — joined with Unbroken Unity.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Isolation became harmony.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every bond restored.
Ne Job stood firm, unity and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of Unbroken Unity calmed, its surface shimmering with gentle radiance.
It whispered:
> "Intern, unity is not chaos. It is strength shared. Guard it well."
Ne Job bowed.
Twinkle pulsed softly.
The Gallery shimmered, stable once more.
The Mask of Misrule retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing faintly:
> "You may resist unity today. But division always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.