When viewed from the top of Azure Peak's tallest spire, the energy emanating from the chamber above pulsed spiritually, as a large number of formation screens displayed various scenes from the Dream World. In his throne, Sect Master Yuan stared at the images of two young n as they grew up in entirely different environnts; each unaware that the trials of the Dream World had manipulated their identities in ways that no one knew how to predict.
"Wow," Elder Zhao mused aloud, leaning forward in his seat as the leftmost screen displayed a celebration inside an opulent mountain compound. "That kid is being celebrated as a miracle. The stars have aligned, spiritual energy has collected naturally, and the local wildlife is paying homage. And, amazingly, a prophecy is being announced. It's clear the Dream World has decided to favor Wu Kangming."
"Or maybe it's making him the biggest target," Elder Wan countered. "Anyti soone is favored in such a public way, they're going to attract every enemy and competitor in a 1,000- li radius. That kid's entire existence is going to be a constant threat."
As the rightmost screen showed a much bleaker scene, blood spread throughout an elegantly decorated floor as Fu Yangming's powerful spiritual pressure crushed the Xu clan compound. An elderly midwife grasped a newborn infant in her arms, her face pale with terror as she activated an ergency teleportation talisman.
"Just barely made it out alive in his first minute of life," Elder Feng murmured, as the infant vanished in a flash of golden light just as spiritual attacks tore through the empty space where he'd been seconds before. "He'll be alone in a hostile land now, with only an elderly servant to protect him."
Elder Chen Yong gulped down the rest of his wine bottle and appeared to be unconcerned about the opinions of his colleagues. "You can't get stronger unless you're forged in fire. That child will learn how to survive from the mont he draws his first breath. Every comfort the other has enjoyed will make him weaker."
"You can't seriously believe that," Elder Liu scoffed. "One has divine protection and doting parents. The other is a fugitive orphan. Which one would you want for your own grandchild?"
"The orphan," Chen Yong replied imdiately and with conviction. "Comfort breeds weakness. Suffering breeds strength."
The screens continued to tell the dual story of the two young n as years went by in rapid succession. The left displayed Tian as a young man surrounded by love and care, with every single one of his needs anticipated by devoted parents. The right told the story of Hou, who was educated in the harsh realities of survival, and learning to see danger lurking in every shadow and opportunity in every piece of trash.
"By the way," Elder Wan asked with curiosity, "Sect Master, why did you decide to use the Dream World for our final exams? The risks to both of our most talented outer disciples in centuries seem rather high."
Yuan remained silent for a long ti, staring at the screens as they displayed the two participants. Finally, he spoke, still not looking away from the screens.
"The Dream World is one of the largest acquisitions we've made as a sect. Very few of you rember how it ca to be." His voice was low, almost nostalgic. "The Dream World used to belong to ng Tianzheng, a Civilization Realm expert who referred to himself as the Sleeper King. He thought the waking world was too narrow-minded to capture the true essence of the Dao, that only in dreams could creative expression flourish without bounds."
The elders leaned forward with curiosity. It was rare that stories from the previous generation's battles were presented in such detail.
"Master Li Tianyu defeated him during the Great Convergence War, approximately 3,000 years ago," Yuan continued. "At that point in ti, Master was still establishing our sect's dominance over the Eastern Kingdoms. ng Tianzheng's inner world was… unique. Unlike the average conquered realms that collapse quickly, or require continuous support and maintenance, the Dream World retained its essential qualities even after the Sleeper King died."
Elder Zhao frowned. "How is that possible? Any inner world that loses its creator becos unstable within months if not years."
"The Sleeper King discovered a ans of anchoring his realm to the collective subconscious of all cultivators across multiple inner worlds. As long as people continue to dream, his world exists."
Yuan's voice reflected a degree of respect for the vanquished foe. "Master saw its potential imdiately. Instead of trying to take control of it, or destroy it, he chose to preserve it as a trial ground."
The elders exchanged glances; what was being spoken of here, was far beyond anything any of them, and possibly even the current Sect Master, could understand.
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"The Dream World's fundantal properties allow it to serve as a trial of identity," Yuan explained. "The realm's consciousness analyzes each individual who enters it, examining their perception of themselves and their understanding of their own nature. The realm tests whether they truly know who they are."
Elder Feng's eyes widened in realization. "The mory blending. That wasn't an accident caused by entering the realm."
"Exactly," Yuan agreed. "The Dream World intentionally mixes and blends the mories of all those within it. False histories, borrowed experiences, modified personalities – all of these are ant to test the strength of one's core identity. Those with a weak self-awareness will beco disoriented and lost in the false mories. Those with strong self-awareness will resist the manipulation of the realm and remain grounded in their true identity."
The elders studied the two screens displaying Hou and Tian as they fought against the effects of the realm. Hou frequently spoke of places he'd never seen and techniques he'd never learned. Tian demonstrated knowledge and abilities that appeared out of nowhere.
"Both of these young n are unable to cultivate dream qi," Elder Feng said. "That's unusual for individuals with their level of spiritual talent."
"Dream qi cultivation requires total confidence in one's identity," Elder Liu explained. "Since both of them are unsure about who they are, their spiritual foundation is unstable and therefore unable to achieve the required stability. The Dream World's first trial continues to disrupt them."
The situation developed further as the screens displayed Hou and Tian eventually encountering each other. Both had given up on cultivating dream qi using traditional thods, and instead sought alternate approaches to achieving their goals. Their initial encounter was cautious but not hostile; two outcasts recognized kindred spirits in each other.
Elder Zhao frowned as he observed their interactions throughout the years they spent together. "Wu Kangming is altering his behavior patterns. Look at how he moves, how he talks. Those are Ke Yin's behaviors, not his own."
The concern was well-founded as months of close friendships created greater identity confusion. Wu Kangming who had lived as Tian began adopting many of Ke Yin's traits daily. Wu Kangming's natural arrogance began to fade and was replaced by Ke Yin's analytical thinking and caution.
The climax occurred when he finally broke through.
After years of failure, Tian achieved his first success in dream cultivation. However, the mont of triumph brought devastating clarity as repressed mories burst through the barriers the realm had placed around his mind.
"I'm not Tian," he declared falsely. "I never was. I am Ke Yin."
The elders eyes widened as they realized what had just happened.
Wu Kangming's identity had been fully taken over by Ke Yin's stronger self-awareness.
The mixing of mories had led to a one-sided victory, and potentially dood Wu Kangming to years of psychological tornt.
"The heart demon will be severe," Elder Wan foretold darkly. "Wu Kangming's cultivation will probably never recover from this level of identity displacent. We may lose both participants due to the dangers of this trial."
"Yes, Wu Kangming is certainly in grave danger," Sect Master Yuan agreed. "However, if he is able to regain his true identity after suffering through such an extre case of identity displacent, his self-awareness will erge stronger than ever before. What he presently lacks in certainty, this trial will give him in abundance."
The unspoken alternative hung in the air like a sword. If Wu Kangming fails to recover his identity, the world of cultivation will lose one of the most promising talents to madness. This was the cold hard reality of their profession.
Yuan's focus then shifted to the second screen where a vastly different scenario unfolded. Hou awakened in Moon's den, surrounded by panda cubs, his wounds healed, but his mories were in a state of flux.
Yuan's eyes widened slightly as he watched the young man's reaction to his reflection in the underground spring. Unlike Wu Kangming's steady loss of his identity due to false mories, Ke Yin's experience was happening in reverse.
"This is not my body," Hou whispered on the screen, staring at his copper-brown hair and pale blue eyes. "The last thing I rembered was walking into the portal, and entering the Dream World for the finals."
A faint smile ford on Yuan's face; it was the first indication of emotion he had shown since the beginning of the viewing.
"The good karma is starting to show itself," Yuan whispered, so softly that only the closest elders could hear.
"Sect Master?" Elder Wan leaned forward. "What did you say?"
However, Yuan had gone back to his silent observation and left the comnt unanswered.
"Look at the differences," Chen Yong exclaid with increasing enthusiasm. "Wu Kangming's self-awareness slowly eroded under the influence of false mories, whereas Ke Yin has resisted the false mories from the mont he woke up. His self-awareness has remained firm under the realm's pressure."
"Each of their experiences influenced their reactions," Elder Feng observed. "Wu Kangming experienced a lifeti of comfortable deception, while Ke Yin's trauma forced him to confront reality imdiately."
The viewing room descended into a reflective silence as both screens displayed the two young n wrestling with their respective situations. One believed he was soone else entirely, while the other struggled to comprehend how he had changed, yet still knew his true na.
Yuan continued to stand immobile at the center of it all, his expression thoughtful as he digested what they were observing. His understanding of the Dream World was much more extensive than he had let his elders realize, touching on secrets that had been passed down from his predecessor Li Tianyu.
The realm was more than just a trial of self-awareness. It was a test of fundantal truth, a place where the distinction between dreams and reality beca irrelevant. Those who could understand the realm's secrets would have access to powers that most cultivators could hardly begin to imagine.
A power that could potentially mimic the power of a Beyond Heaven cultivation thod.
Yuan's gaze moved between the two screens as both young n embarked on their journey towards truth. The question now was which disciple would be the first to unlock the Dream World's secrets: Ke Yin or Wu Kangming?
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