Sam found himself seated upon a magnificent jade platform, nestled amidst the pristine surroundings of white marble.
To his surprise, a gentle warmth enveloped him, contrasting starkly with the excellent marble surface.
He scrutinized the jade platform with keen curiosity, revealing intricate runes intricately etched into its surface.
These runes were far from ordinary; they were the handiwork of the Xiantian masters of the Seven Profound Valleys.
Designed to blur the boundaries between reality and illusion, this complex magic array presented Sam with a formidable challenge.
Yet, Sam remained unyielding in the face of this enigmatic puzzle.
To him, this illusionary world was nothing more than a dream—a mere specter of the mind. With unwavering determination, he believed that his spirit's grit could anchor him amid this surreal experience.
As Sam settled into the jade platform, he felt an inexplicable awakening taking root within his consciousness.
A mere ten breaths later, a brilliant and blinding flash of light enveloped him. In its wake, all the other candidates vanished from his sight, leaving him in solitary contemplation.
Before him stretched an endless prairie, bathed in the sun's golden glow, while a pack of vicious beasts, each towering as tall as a man, charged through the tall grass towards him.
These creatures were no strangers to Sam; they were the same first-level vicious beasts he had bravely faced before. As they advanced, the ground beneath them quivered under their collective force.
Yet, Sam remained resolute and unfazed, even as the first beast pierced through his form, its illusory jaws snapping in vain.
"Fu!"
The sensation was undeniably intense, almost visceral in its realism.
Yet, Sam understood this was an illusion—an artful construction of the mind.
Nevertheless, it managed to evoke a profound fear that seemed to rise from the very depths of his soul.
This was the enchanting power of the magic array—to make one forget the illusory nature of their surroundings, potentially leading to dire consequences.
Sam, however, emerged from this initial trial unscathed.
On the jade stage, several others weren't as fortunate. They had succumbed to the alluring snares of the illusion, experiencing gruesome deaths at the merciless paws of dream beasts. Their fragile minds shattered, and they fell into unconsciousness in reality.
Within the pavilion, the Seven Profound Martial House elders exchanged knowing nods.
The first trial was a stern test of courage, an indispensable quality on the difficult martial arts journey. Those who lacked the inner fortitude to confront these illusory threats stood little chance on the demanding path of martial enlightenment.
"Jonas, do you perceive the extraordinariness of this young man? He passed through with unwavering resolve," remarked one of the elders, acknowledging Jonas's unique connection with Sam.
Jonas smiled, his lips sealed about Sam's achievements in inscription techniques, respecting Sam's wish for discretion. He had come solely to witness Sam's growth and was mindful of his young protege's request.
The graceful lady supervisor also observed Sam with a watchful gaze.
His previous performance in the Strength Trial had already captured her attention. Although he had briefly exhibited a furrowed brow during the trial, he quickly regained his composure, demonstrating his mental resilience.
In comparison, some of the other candidates struggled visibly, their faces contorted by terror.
In this imaginary realm, one's faith in themselves dictated the strength of one's mental resolve. Sam stood as resolute as an ancient monolith, untouched by the vicious beasts that relentlessly assailed him. His unwavering spirit was a sledgehammer, shattering the illusions cast before him.
"No wonder you specifically came to witness this young man; his martial spirit is nothing short of exceptional, rivaling even that of Jadely," remarked an elderly observer.
Jonas maintained his composed smile, unruffled by the praises heaped upon his protege. He knew that Sam's potential transcended the ordinary.
Hen Portia, in her introspection, couldn't help but compare herself to Sam.
While her natural talent surpassed him, she couldn't help but marvel at his unshakable martial spirit. When confronted with this very trial, it took her considerably more time to emerge victorious. Yet here was Sam, dispatching the illusions in mere breaths.
Sam now stood before the second trial. With a subtle shift, the scenery transformed into a battlefield teeming with murderous intent.
Warriors clad in formidable armor, wielding lances with grim determination, advanced from both sides, closing in on Sam, who was trapped in the chaotic midst of the conflict.
The two mighty forces rushed towards him, their war cries echoing with lethal intent.
Yet, Sam remained unmoved, his mind fortified to withstand the impending onslaught. This time, he was well-prepared and safeguarded the fortress of his mental fortitude.
As the opposing armies drew near, they crumbled into mere ash, their once formidable presence dissipating like mist. The illusion shattered once more, revealing Sam standing firm.
"Has he truly broken the illusion, or is this but another facet of its design?"
questioned an elder, scrutinizing Sam's unwavering expression.
Were it not for the radiant beams of light radiating from the runes, one might have believed the magic array flawed.
"Regardless, this young man possesses an extraordinary spirit. I wonder if he can rival the record of Jadely," another elder pondered.
The Dream Trial consisted of five distinct hurdles and the average candidate typically took an entire hour to overcome them.
In the past decade, Jadely of Heaven Abode had astounded all by completing the trial in the time it took for an incense stick to burn—a feat that had left the elders surprised. The previous fastest completion had taken half an hour, making Sam's performance all the more intriguing.
Jadely, known for his brutality as a killer, illuminated the martial path's darker aspects. While Sam's display had indeed piqued their curiosity, surpassing Jadely's record would be daunting.
Sam now faced the third trial, and with another seamless transition, the scenery shifted once more.
He found himself within a lavishly adorned tent, its walls draped in the finest silk.
In the backdrop, a dozen enchanting young women gracefully danced, their movements like poetry in motion. Slowly, they began to disrobe and approached Sam, their seductive allure intensifying.
Yet, momentarily swayed by this sensual illusion, Sam quickly regained mastery over his thoughts.
These tempting apparitions held no sway over him. The women pouted as they retreated, and the scene transformed once again, now unveiling an intimate bedroom.
A woman was seated on a plush bed, a jade pin adorning her hair like a delicate flower. She appeared to be around twenty-five years old and radiated an aura of elegance. This woman was none other than Lily, albeit a more mature version of her.
As Sam observed, he came to a profound realization. Was this Lily from ten years into the future? The cherubic smiles of the twins and the joyful sound of their innocent laughter tugged at his heartstrings.
"In the past?" echoed an ethereal and hauntingly familiar voice from behind him.
Sam turned to discover a woman in an alluring cheongsam holding a gleaming longsword. She exuded an air of undeniable authority, her fearless demeanor accentuating her natural beauty.
"Hen Portia?" Sam exclaimed, his shock reverberating through the illusory chamber. This woman appeared to be around twenty years old, a stark contrast to the reality he knew.
"As this is but a reflection of the past," she began, her garments vanishing like mist, unveiling her perfect form, "why not embark on a journey of cultivation... together, with me? Let us explore the intricate realms of martial arts as one... What do you say?" Her seductive proposition left Sam momentarily stunned.
She drew closer, and Sam's heart raced in response, for he now stood at a crossroads between illusion and reality.