"Master, why are there no other leaders of any other divisions present today?" Xiao Bao asked Darkhaven. "Is it usually like this?"

Darkhaven kept his eyes closed, but answered her question patiently. "It is a normal occurrence, yes. The event is generally hosted by one of the divisions on a rotation. Sometimes other Masters will show up, but that is not the norm by any stretch of the imagination. A single Master observing is quite enough."

Xiao Bao nodded, and turned back to the Novices, who were still trapped in the illusion. The other division's Adepts were sitting around their little group, keeping a respectful distance.

"Looks like the first has overcome the illusions." Zhi Mu said, a few seconds before the disciple of the illusion division opened his eyes.

"It is quite natural for those of the illusion or heart division to brush past the first obstacle the fastest. Let's see how he does on the next test." Darkhaven said, and immediately after his statement, the area that was occupied by the illusion division disciple changed.

The flame that occupied the centre of every dome was now black in this particular one. It took on the characteristics of someone trying to hide, just like Ren had observed One, and Darkhaven doing in the past. There was no way to see it just with one's eyes any more.

Characters appeared in front of the Novice with the black flame, spelling out text: "Embrace the flames, and pass the trial of the senses." The characters, similar to the black flame, were hiding from the senses, though it was far easier to notice them.

It was a fairly simple statement, no flowery language, riddles, or other factors affecting the complexity of this trial. Ren tilted his head in confusion.

"That is everything they have to do? I thought the tests would be more complicated." Ren said, talking to his three companions.

Darkhaven was the first to respond, waving his hand dismissively. "You do not realize this, young Ren, but what is being asked of these Novices is not something that everyone could easily accomplish. Just look what the one whose second test just started is doing." The man pointed at the boy sitting in his circle in a meditative position.

Ren looked at him, and contrary to his belief that the disciple would immediately set himself on the path of solving the test, he just sat down to wait, looking at the other participants. He had a smug look on his face, and even began crossing his arms, and raising his nose.

"That guy isn't the brightest candle to be sure, there was no mention of the trial ever pausing." Zhi Mu shook his head, regarding the Novice's self-satisfied expression with disdain.

"Surely he will realize that the trial continues sooner or later, right?" Xiao Bao threw in, crossing her legs, and leaning forward, amused by the Novice's folly.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Maybe when another finishes the illusions and begins on solving the next part, but I wouldn't count on it." Zhi Mu laughed, grinning at Xiao Bao, who smiled back at him consiprationally. They began going back and forth about the Novice.

Ren wasn't paying attention to them continuing their banter, discussing for how long the Novice would remain in the dark, any more. Instead, he focused on his friends more intently. Dashan Bo, who everyone called Little Fatty, was on the last part of the illusions, while both Daiyu and Ling Sen were on the second to last, indicated by the colour of their flames. Ren could also tell through the amount of illusions that were still layered on top of the three.

The second person finished the illusions, and like the first, he looked around with a self-serving expression, not realizing the trial was still in full force, and he was wasting time that would lower his score. Xiao Bao had reseated herself, now to the direct left of Zhi Mu, she nearly howled with laughter at something the other boy had said.

Ren moved closer to Darkhaven, leaving the other two to themselves.

"How will the other parts of the trial be conducted, Master? How will they fight efficiently in this little circle, and what?" Ren asked the old man, sitting on his right. The current experience of looking at the Novices sitting around and solving illusions, or sitting around and not doing anything, wasn't all too exciting for the boy.

Darkhaven smirked, a hand coming up to touch his chin. "That, my dear disciple, will just be an added difficulty, I am afraid." He said, observing how a few disciples actually fainted. Having failed the trial, an Adept corresponding to the failed Novice's division moved them to the sidelines. "And as for what they will be fighting... I suppose that I can tell you now. It will be constructs of themselves! Isn't that amazing?" Darkhaven suddenly got really enthusiastic, starting to talk about why it was so amazing, almost eliciting a confused *huh* from the boy.

Ren was not overly concerned with the logistics of creating a construct that mirrored the contestants, but let Darkhaven begin his explanation without complaint, as the man was clearly passionate about it, for some reason.

"Naturally, there are multiple parts to the creation of a mirrored opponent. The first," Darkhaven raised his right index finger, "is to fashion the appearance. For this we have our formation record not only the performance of each disciple, but also their looks, as well as their parameters, ranging from height, over muscle density, to the very flavour their spirit gives off. This also includes the appearance of their arts, but for this the records of each division are consulted."

The Master raised a second finger, his middle finger, and continued. "The second thing that is important, is the strength that is exhibited. This would matter if we were going to fashion an accurate mirror, but can be disregarded, as the strength of each is determined from the beginning of the trial." Darkhaven raised a third finger, his thumb. "Thirdly, and this is important, to give the confrontation another level of pressure. It is the mannerism of the construct."

Ren raised an eyebrow at the man. Even if he wasn't too invested in the idea of making the disciples fight copies of themselves, going to the lengths of mimicking each one's mannerisms seemed a little excessive, but also redundant. How would this change the 'level of pressure', as Darkhaven put it?

Darkhaven, seeing Ren's unbelieving expression, sighed with a smile on his face, hair swaying with a light shake. "Young Ren, to you the idea of fighting something that looks like you, and acts like you is not that scary, as there is no hesitation in your form, or your Intent. Your perception would be good enough to immediately see through any pretences of this level as well, but for the Novices who are fighting, without pause nonetheless, it is different. The experience plants multiple ideas in their heads. Is this still an illusion? Do I have to do something else to escape? Is there some kind of trick to it? And those uncertainties will limit those who can not act decisively."