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Chapter 165: The Mirror of Infinite Resolve
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Act I: A Chamber of Endless Flame
The Gallery opened into a chamber where walls shimmered like fire, yet no heat burned.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with steady rhythm.
Ao Bing muttered, "This feels like the heart of it all."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here… it does not waver."
At the center stood a mirror blazing with unyielding light, its surface alive with endless motion.
It spoke in a voice deep and unwavering:
> "I am the Mirror of Infinite Resolve. I hold what is chosen, what is endured, what is carried forever."
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Act II: The Weight of Endurance
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing trials that demanded persistence beyond strength.
Ao Bing saw battles where victory came only after endless struggle.
Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls rewritten countless times until wisdom endured.
Ne Job saw miracles defended through patience, never abandoned, never forgotten.
Twinkle pulsed firmly, resonating with the glow.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must endure without surrender."
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Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Resolve is mine to corrupt. I will twist endurance into exhaustion, and exhaustion into chaos."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Infinite Resolve, trying to fracture its light into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "I can't keep fighting!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls crumble!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Resolve is not endless struggle. It is strength carried forward."
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Act IV: The Trial of Resolve
The Mirror of Infinite Resolve spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must endure."
Ne Job gazed into its blazing surface.
He saw himself faltering, weary, tempted to abandon his path.
He whispered:
> "I endure. Even when weary, I rise. Even when broken, I continue."
The mirror glowed brighter, its flame steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with the glow.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls cleared.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
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Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to twist resolve into futility, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My strength is gone!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom fails!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Resolve is not futility. It is truth carried forward."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope, Unbroken Unity, Eternal Harmony, Final Resolve — joined with Infinite Resolve.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Despair became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every endurance restored.
Ne Job stood firm, resolve and truth united.
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Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of Infinite Resolve calmed, its surface shimmering with steady flame.
It whispered:
> "Intern, resolve is not chaos. It is strength unbroken. 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 resolve today. But exhaustion always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.