"So, as long as one of us dies here, the Mirror Realm will fluctuate! At that ti, one person will be able to escape through the gap between this mirrored world and reality."
Upon hearing this, Li Shu finally understood why Bai Cang was behaving this way.
"This..."
"Don’t worry, I’m prepared! You’re Breeder Su’s best friend and most trusted person. If I get out, Breeder Su definitely won’t let off easy."
"And I’m volunteering. But you have to promise : after you get out, you must not let that impostor go. Also, take good care of my family for ."
These words completely dumbfounded Li Shu.
"Are you serious? Bai Cang, let’s look for another way. There must be another way..."
"It’s too late. Did you bring any food? How long do you think we can last here? Eventually, we’ll just both die together. If that’s the case, it’s better for one to survive if possible. I don’t want to reach a point of desperation only to have so so-called ugly side of human nature play out in a life-or-death struggle."
"That would be too undignified. Besides, my strength has been completely drained by this Mirror Realm. Even if I were to get out, I would be utterly useless. Alright, no more nonsense. Did you rember everything I just said?"
’Bai Cang’ said this and imdiately pulled out a dagger.
Li Shu couldn’t understand. Just an hour ago, he was a newly promoted Interdiate Level Breeder of the Heart of Myriad Spirits, with a boundless future.
How could he be experiencing sothing like this only an hour later?
The surreal nature of it all made it hard for him to distinguish whether he was in reality or dreaming.
But the scene unfolding before him left no room for doubt; he could only purse his lips and nod.
"Good, you rembered! Once you leave the mirrored world, run straight ahead. That’s the exit!"
Li Shu didn’t even have ti to wonder why things had turned out this way, or why these bizarre and abstract events were happening.
Bai Cang, who had appeared before him less than ten minutes ago, decisively plunged the dagger into his own chest.
Crimson blood sprayed out, and Li Shu’s eyes reddened.
Indeed, just as Bai Cang had said, at that very mont, the gateway he had previously entered began to vibrate violently.
’Bai Cang’, spewing blood, struggled to say,
"It’s... now... Go, quickly!"
"Don’t forget... Don’t let... that impostor get away... and the one behind him..."
Clearly, although Li Shu had found the whole situation bizarre, he was nonetheless swept up in the tragic atmosphere.
Without resorting to the kind of dramatic, self-destructive behavior often seen in TV dramas, his eyes were already bloodshot.
"Bai Cang, I owe you my life! Rest assured!"
With that, Li Shu didn’t hesitate, rushing straight towards the illusory mirror.
Sure enough, the previous solidity was gone. It was as if everything was as it had been when he first entered. Li Shu didn’t dare to think, didn’t even dare to look back.
He feared that looking back would waste the chance at life that Bai Cang had ’sacrificed’ himself to create.
He just ran forward.
Finally, he saw the entrance he had co through.
He ran out.
He arrived before the door marked ’Reflected World.’
The world of countless mirrors, a fusion of the real and illusory, completely vanished behind him.
He finally mustered the courage to turn his head, but the mirrored world had long since disappeared from view, beyond the closing automatic door, as if nothing had ever happened.
It was like a demon that, having devoured its prey completely and spat out the bones, indifferently resud its slumber.
"Bai Cang!"
At that mont, Li Shu finally let out a heart-wrenching cry, large tears streaming down his face.
Although he was a keyboard warrior who enjoyed surfing the internet and was now a bona fide Breeder, he was, after all, just a young man who had only awakened his powers last year. How could he have personally experienced such a profound separation of life and death?
Such scenes, often scoffed at when seen in TV dramas, felt entirely different when they happened to oneself; very few could remain composed.
Thus, Li Shu’s gaze beca incredibly resolute.
"I will avenge you! I won’t let that damn impostor get away with this!"
Thinking this, Li Shu looked towards the station.
Guan izi and Sister Qing had said that Bro Ping had finished his task. That impostor was probably still with Bro Ping, putting on an act, right? It couldn’t have expected to escape, could it?
At that mont, for the first ti in his life, Li Shu exuded a palpable killing intent.
However, just as he boarded the train back to the Righteous Mansion Spirit Hall...
「Back in the Reflected World.」
Inside the mirror, ’Bai Cang’ had long since stood up, all traces of blood and wounds gone.
Then, ’Bai Cang’s’ body began to change. A pink-haired, twin-tailed, ani-style girl with a carefree air replaced the forr ’Bai Cang’. Its gaze, as if reflected by countless mirrors, took in Li Shu’s every reaction.
A mocking smile touched its lips.
"Reality and illusion, within the mirror and without, who can truly tell them apart? Human emotions are such fascinating things. This must be why the Mirror Realm cannot fully reflect and replicate a true ’person,’ right?
"When I can truly reflect a person in entirety, that’s when I’ll beco a true legend, I suppose? I just wonder how that single young fellow likes being greeted this way?"
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