—Where not everything is as it seems, especially your own disciples.
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Part 1: The Trial Grounds of Ten Thousand Shadows
Wei Yun and his "not-so-professionally certified" disciples had landed in the Duskmirror Abyss, home of the legendary trial known as The Path of Ten Thousand Fakes. According to ancient legend, this trial was originally meant for soul cultivation, clarity of Dao heart, and "banishing inner demons through suffering."
But more recent reviews included:
> ★☆☆☆☆ – "I punched myself 47 times and failed."
★☆☆☆☆ – "One of the clones tried to date my wife."
★☆☆☆☆ – "I spent 8 years fighting a fake me. Turned out it was me."
Naturally, Wei Yun was excited.
Mu Yao deadpanned. "This trial was designed by a mad soul cultivator."
Tang Zhi muttered, "We're not ready…"
Pan-Pan loaded snacks. "I'm bringing thirty sandwiches."
System pinged:
> [Trial Entry Confirmed. Participants: Wei Yun, Mu Yao, Tang Zhi, Pan-Pan.]
[Warning: Your fake versions will have access to all your past actions… including embarrassing moments.]
Wei Yun blinked. "Wait—what embarrassing moments?"
The ground split beneath them, and they fell into their own minds—metaphorically, spiritually… and, unfortunately, physically.
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Part 2: Wei Yun vs. Fake Yun – The Battle of Shamelessness
Wei Yun appeared on a floating rock amidst a shattered space. Across from him stood…
Wei Yun, Version 2.0—but with cleaner robes, better hair, a smug smile, and a much higher credit score.
Clone Yun folded his arms. "I see you've embraced mediocrity."
Wei Yun: "I see you've embraced conditioner."
Clone Yun: "Tell me, Wei Yun, what have you accomplished? Other than being broke, loud, and wanted in 47 provinces?"
Wei Yun: "I unified a sect, stole a divine spoon, and accidentally burned down the Southern Sky Pavilion."
Clone Yun: "...Wait. That was you? You're more chaotic than I expected."
The battle began—not with fists, but with insults and embarrassing memory projections.
Clone Yun snapped his fingers, and Wei Yun saw:
Himself, age 5, calling himself "Lord Poop Emperor" during potty training.
Himself, age 14, getting rejected by a crab demon girl.
Himself, last week, screaming "I am the chosen one!" before slipping on a peach.
Wei Yun retaliated with the ultimate counter-illusion:
Clone Yun's browser history.
The clone turned pale. "You… wouldn't…"
"I just did."
The clone evaporated in shame.
System:
> [Victory! Wei Yun has defeated his Fake.]
[Dao Heart Integrity +5]
[Shamelessness Resistance unlocked.]
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Part 3: Tang Zhi vs. His Cool Clone
Tang Zhi landed in a bamboo grove, where a clone with sunglasses and abs stood sharpening a flute. This was "T-Zhi," the version of Tang Zhi who never apologized, never stumbled, and always got the girl.
Cool Clone: "I'm the version of you with confidence. Fear me."
Tang Zhi: "But I'm scared of squirrels."
Cool Clone: "Exactly."
Tang Zhi tried to use polite reasoning, offering tea, friendship, and interpretive haiku.
Clone Zhi countered with a full boy band performance backed by enchanted instruments.
A dance battle ensued.
Tang Zhi, unfortunately, had two left feet and a right ear that twitched off-beat. He was losing… until he remembered a forbidden move taught by a drunk elder.
Ultimate Technique: Awkward Shuffle of Unpredictability.
His limbs spasmed. His hips betrayed physics. His aura screamed, "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Clone Zhi collapsed.
"Too… cringe… can't… resist…"
System:
> [Victory! Tang Zhi has embraced his awkward nature.]
[Dao Heart Purity +4]
[New Ability: Cringe Wave.]
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Part 4: Mu Yao vs. Her Overachieving Self
Mu Yao found herself in a serene, ice-covered palace.
Her clone stood in full battle armor, surrounded by medals, trophies, and respectful ex-boyfriends.
Clone Yao: "You are a disgrace. You show emotions. You follow that idiot Wei Yun. You eat fried tofu."
Mu Yao: "I like fried tofu."
Clone Yao: "Weak."
The fight was brutal—blades flashed, ice shattered, and illusions collapsed. Mu Yao was pinned.
Then… she smiled.
"I may not be perfect. I may follow chaos. But I choose it. Willingly. I choose… tofu."
With one surge of spiritual clarity, she hugged her clone.
The clone froze.
"Wh—What are you doing?!"
"I forgive you. And me."
Clone Yao burst into petals.
System:
> [Victory! Mu Yao has accepted her flaws.]
[Dao Heart Stability +6]
[New Skill: Hug of Icy Redemption.]
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Part 5: Pan-Pan vs. Ten Thousand Fakes
Pan-Pan opened his eyes and found… ten thousand versions of himself.
Each was eating.
Each was chewing louder.
Each had a snack he didn't have.
He screamed.
"You're all impostors! Those dumplings were MY invention!"
The fakes charged him.
Pan-Pan used Chew Style: Gluttonous Vortex Technique!
He inhaled twelve clones in one breath.
"YOU STOLE MY NOODLE RECIPE!"
Clone Pan-Pans began crying.
One clone tried to reason. "We're just echoes—can't we all share the soup?"
Pan-Pan's eyes flared. "No. It's my soup."
He summoned a cauldron.
A rainbow of spicy broth burst forth.
Ten thousand fakes merged into a single gigantic Soup Golem.
Pan-Pan… ate it.
System:
> [Victory! Pan-Pan has consumed his inner chaos.]
[Dao Heart Saturation +12]
[New Skill: Noodle Devouring Titan Mode.]
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Part 6: Aftermath – And One Very Confused Phoenix
The squad reappeared at the edge of Duskmirror Abyss.
Each of them stronger. Wiser. Slightly more traumatized.
A baby phoenix flew by and chirped. "Did you guys just trauma-battle yourselves?"
Wei Yun: "Yes. And I won by being the most shameless version of me."
Tang Zhi: "I danced my clone into oblivion."
Mu Yao: "I forgave myself."
Pan-Pan: "I ate mine."
The phoenix blinked. "...Can I join your sect?"
Wei Yun tossed him a token. "Welcome aboard, little bird."
System:
> [Trial Complete!]
[All team members have advanced in Dao Heart.]
[Unlocked: Path to the Forbidden Realm of Enlightened Idiocy.]
Wei Yun: "Wait, that last one's real?"
System: "...Unfortunately."
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End of Chapter 29