"So, as long as one of us dies here, the Mirror Realm will fluctuate! At that time, 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..."
"Donât worry, Iâm prepared! Youâre Breeder Suâs best friend and most trusted person. If I get out, Breeder Su definitely wonât let me off easy."
"And Iâm volunteering. But you have to promise me: after you get out, you must not let that impostor go. Also, take good care of my family for me."
These words completely dumbfounded Li Shu.
"Are you serious? Bai Cang, letâs look for another way. There must be another way..."
"Itâs too late. Did you bring any food? How long do you think we can last here? Eventually, weâll just both die together. If thatâs the case, itâs better for one to survive if possible. I donât want to reach a point of desperation only to have some 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 remember everything I just said?"
âBai Cangâ said this and immediately pulled out a dagger.
Li Shu couldnât understand. Just an hour ago, he was a newly promoted Intermediate Level Breeder of the Heart of Myriad Spirits, with a boundless future.
How could he be experiencing something 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 remembered! Once you leave the mirrored world, run straight ahead. Thatâs the exit!"
Li Shu didnât even have time 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 Shuâs eyes reddened.
Indeed, just as Bai Cang had said, at that very moment, the gateway he had previously entered began to vibrate violently.
âBai Cangâ, spewing blood, struggled to say,
"Itâs... now... Go, quickly!"
"Donât forget... Donât 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 didnât 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 didnât dare to think, didnât even dare to look back.
He feared that looking back would waste the chance at life that Bai Cang had âsacrificedâ himself to create.
He just ran forward.
Finally, he saw the entrance he had come through.
He ran out.
He arrived before the door marked âReflected World.â
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 resumed its slumber.
"Bai Cang!"
At that moment, 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 Shuâs gaze became incredibly resolute.
"I will avenge you! I wonât let that damn impostor get away with this!"
Thinking this, Li Shu looked towards the station.
Guan Meizi 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 couldnât have expected me to escape, could it?
At that moment, for the first time in his life, Li Shu exuded a palpable killing intent.
However, just as he boarded the train back to the Righteous Mansion Spirit Hall...
ăBack in the Reflected World.ă
Inside the mirror, âBai Cangâ had long since stood up, all traces of blood and wounds gone.
Then, âBai Cangâsâ body began to change. A pink-haired, twin-tailed, anime-style girl with a carefree air replaced the former âBai Cangâ. Its gaze, as if reflected by countless mirrors, took in Li Shuâs 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 âperson,â right?
"When I can truly reflect a person in entirety, thatâs when Iâll become a true legend, I suppose? I just wonder how that single young fellow likes being greeted this way?"