Illusion Forest
With each step he took, the illusions grew stronger.
Zhen, still only halfway toward the center, began to hear a voice.
At first, it sounded like the cry of a beast, or maybe it was the illusions finally affecting him.
Curious, he followed the sound.
~Main Cave – Hidden Garden~
In a secret area coved by a thick and powerful spiritual mist, the terrain looked like an ordinary forest from outside.
But at its heart stood a modest house—built eras ago by the sage for his wife.
It was simple. Wooden. Weathered. No guards. No formations.
Just a moss-covered stone path leading to the front door.
Though the forest seemed like a fortress, the house was plain.
A small garden wrapped around it, filled with immortal flowers, spirit grass, and a single blooming tree swaying gently in the mist.
The door creaked open.
A woman stood there, silent and still.
She looked no older than thirty. Her clothes were simple, her hair tied with a faded ribbon—but her eyes felt distant~
In the garden sat a small table with two wooden stools. On one sat the sage.
His robe was all white—loose and disheveled. Stubble shadowed his face. At a glance, he looked more like a beggar than sage.
Grandpa Mo:
"So, what do you think?"
He leaned forward, placing a black stone on the Go board.
Sage:
"Mmm… not bad."
He scratched his chin lazily.
"He has a Solid foundation. I even caught a hint of Foundation Establishment qi. And yet—he's still at first stage Body Tempering."
He looked up.
"A bit disappointing for a Tianxiu, don't you think?"
Grandpa Mo:
"There's a reason for that. Things aren't always what they seem."
His voice was calm, but his gaze measured.
Sage:
"Tch. Of course there is. There always is with your clan."
He leaned back with a sigh.
"But he's small. Thin. No presence. Doesn't exactly scream holy son."
Grandpa Mo:
"He's four."
The sage blinked.
Grandpa Mo
"Let him grow. He carries both bloodlines—Liu and Tianxiu. You'll see it in time."
Sage (grumbling):
"Yeah, yeah… I'm not raising him, you know."
Grandpa Mo (smirking):
"We didn't ask you to raise him. Just guide him."
As they spoke, the sage's wife shifted her attention toward Zhen's trial.
Back in the Misty Forest
Zhen moved toward the voice. It was no longer a beast's cry.
Now, it was a little girl's laughter.
She had fiery red hair and sharp blue eyes, running in circles as she chased a white tiger cub, mimicking its cries with playful sounds.
The cub's mother lay on a stone nearby, watching quietly.
Zhen stood still, unsure what to say.
After a while, the girl noticed him.
Startled, she scooped up the cub and ducked behind the larger tiger, peeking at him from behind it.
Zhen:
"You don't have to be scared. I'm not looking to hurt you".
He paused.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
She didn't answer. Just pointed at him.
Then, puffing up her chest, she stepped halfway out from behind the tiger.
Ruoyan(5):
"You're the rude one! Just standing there and staring!"
She crossed her arms.
"How did you even get here?"
But after every sentence, she'd duck back behind the tiger.
Zhen tilted his head, amused.
Zhen (smiling):
"Sorry. I was just surprised. It was… a cute scene."
Ruoyan (blinking):
"C-cute?"
Zhen:
"Yeah. You and the tiger. Looked like fun."
She went quiet.
Zhen:
"Also, isn't it a little rude to ask someone's name without giving yours first?"
Ruoyan froze. Her expression shifted—caught between confusion and disbelief.
Nobody had ever spoken to her like that.
She turned to the tiger and whispered something. The tiger's gaze flicked to Zhen—watchful.
Then the girl stepped forward and began circling him, inspecting him head to toe.
Ruoyan:
"You're small."
She frowned.
"And your qi's weak."
Zhen:
"What?"
Ruoyan:
"I'm five. Soul Refining Realm. You feel like… early Body Tempering. Under fifth stage, I think."
Zhen flushed.
To distract from it, he started asking her questions—where she was from, what the tiger's name was, why she was here.
They kept talking. One question led to another.
Before he knew it, 30 minutes had passed.
Only when his grandfather descended from the sky did Zhen remember the trial.
His stomach sank.
He walked toward Grandpa Mo slowly, guilt creeping into his expression.
Zhen:
"Oops… I forgot"
Voice (offscreen)
"He passed."
Zhen looked up. No one was there.
Then—a hand touched his shoulder.
He turned.
The sage.
Expression unreadable. No smile. Just a quiet sigh.
Sage (to Grandpa Mo via Soul Link)
"You were right.
Grandpa Mo:
"So, you'll take full responsibility?"
Sage (snorting aloud):
"Responsibility? Please. He's responsible for himself. I'll just… nudge him now and then."
Zhen looked at his grandfather.
Zhen (quietly):
"Did I do okay? Did I… pass?"
Grandpa Mo:
"Well… yes and no."
He smiled gently.
"The test wasn't meant to be passed."
He craftily added.
Zhen:
"Huh?"
Grandpa Mo:
"It's a protective formation. If someone actually broke through it, we'd have a bigger problem."
He placed a hand on Zhen's shoulder.
"It was never about passing. It was about seeing who you are."
Zhen exhaled. The tension melted.
The sage, watching them, rolled his eyes.
With a flick of his fingers, spiritual qi swept through the forest.
The mist vanished. The illusions faded.
What remained was a quiet, humble garden.
Zhen stared, wide-eyed.
One day, he thought. One day, he wanted to do that too.