"The opponent is myself?"
As Elder Qing Xuan finished speaking, everyone, including Li Xuan and Chu Yun, was immediately confused.
In the past, opponents were always other spirit masters participating in the selection. Now, the opponent had become oneself.
If it weren't for Elder Qing Xuan's renowned reputation, Li Xuan would have suspected the elder was joking. Of course, most of the other applicants wore similar expressions.
"The number of people participating in the disciple selection each year far exceeds ten thousand. If we were to proceed with conventional selection methods, it would inevitably consume a considerable amount of time."
"Furthermore, everyone's strength differs, making it impossible to ensure fair and just opponents for everyone. Those with weaker cultivation might not necessarily possess lesser talent or aptitude than others. Therefore, being able to conquer oneself, to a large extent, can reveal a person's innate talent."
"When I announce the start later, you will all enter the trial space. Your opponents will appear there. Only by defeating them can you advance to the next round."
"Now, do you have any further questions?"
Elder Qing Xuan looked at the expressions of the crowd and cleared his throat before speaking slowly.
As his voice fell, the crowd finally understood. Given the large number of participants, even if they were to be paired according to different cultivation levels, it would still be difficult to ascertain a person's true talent.
It was like a spirit master who had cultivated for thirty to forty years, possessing a strength at the Dao Yuan realm. Yet, another spirit master who had cultivated for just over a decade might also be at the Dao Yuan realm. While their realms appeared the same, their underlying realities were different. Thus, the Profound Sect had also considered this point.
Moreover, while a spirit master might have limited knowledge of others, they would be intimately familiar with themselves. In this state, it could be considered very simple, yet also extremely complex.
Simple in the sense of knowing all one's trump cards and limits, but complex in terms of how many of those trump cards the "self" within the trial space would utilize.
"It seems you have no further questions. If that is the case, proceed to enter."
Elder Qing Xuan surveyed the crowd, nodded slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a beam of light cascaded down from the highest peak among the Six Peaks.
In an instant, everyone, including Li Xuan, was enveloped by this light and vanished from their original positions. Above the highest peak, a massive light screen slowly materialized, displaying the projected images of all the applicants.
Inside the trial space, Li Xuan frowned slightly, gazing at the boundless, desolate landscape before him, a sense of gravity gradually settling in his heart.
In the very instant he was enveloped by the light, Li Xuan had a fleeting sensation of being completely scrutinized. Having cultivated to his current level, Li Xuan would not believe his senses to be mistaken.
*Hum.*
Just then, a humming sound abruptly echoed. Li Xuan immediately raised his eyes at the sound, and saw a spiritual light flickering into existence some tens of meters ahead. Within this spiritual light, a figure slowly materialized before Li Xuan.
"Could it be that the sensing just now was to replicate a being exactly like us?" Li Xuan's eyes flickered with surprise as he looked at the figure, identical in appearance to himself.
This person, apart from Li Xuan's exact likeness, exuded an aura of extreme coldness. The space they occupied seemed like a vacuum, their presence akin to a soulless corpse.
"Let me see just how strong this version of myself truly is!" Li Xuan muttered to himself, then his figure moved. He activated his Carefree Step, swiftly darting towards the imitation Li Xuan.
As Li Xuan made the first move, the 'Li Xuan' who had remained motionless in place subtly shifted its gaze. As if coming to life, it stomped its foot and shot rapidly towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted slightly upon seeing this. The footwork employed by this 'Li Xuan' was none other than the Carefree Step he had just executed!
Before Li Xuan could ponder further, the distance between 'Li Xuan' and Li Xuan had narrowed to less than ten meters. Seeing this, Li Xuan immediately channeled the power of his physical body and unleashed a punch towards 'Li Xuan'!
*Bang!*
With a thunderous impact, Li Xuan and 'Li Xuan' were both forced back over ten steps. After steadying themselves, they regarded each other.
This single exchange had resulted in an even draw!
"It actually comprehended and loaded my physical strength the moment I used it. Does this mean it can utilize everything I employ?" Li Xuan furrowed his brow slightly.
During their brief clash, Li Xuan had clearly sensed that the 'self' before him had also utilized physical strength at the Transcendent realm.
"Let's try again!" Li Xuan collected his thoughts and attacked once more, his Dantian rapidly churning as a surge of boundless spiritual energy erupted like a mountain collapsing and a sea surging.
"Overlord Fist Unrivaled!"
With a single punch, the space seemed to show signs of collapse under the immense power. Li Xuan's figure moved, channeling his Carefree Step to quickly appear before 'Li Xuan'.
Facing Li Xuan's punch, 'Li Xuan' actually flashed its figure, its fist now shimmering with the same spiritual light.
Their fists collided once again, the enormous shockwaves rippling outwards.
*Boom!*
"It even learned this move!" Li Xuan's eyes narrowed as he saw 'Li Xuan' with the exact same hand gesture. Every technique Li Xuan employed was instantly mastered by the 'Li Xuan' before him. This exchange, too, ended in a draw.
"What you can do, I can do. As you continue to unleash divine abilities, your spiritual energy consumption will grow. My spiritual energy is inexhaustible, so you cannot defeat me. Surrender, and you can leave."
As Li Xuan paused, the 'Li Xuan' not far away suddenly spoke, its face completely devoid of emotion.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted again at this. He had clearly not expected the 'Li Xuan' before him to possess self-awareness, and even to speak at this juncture.
Gazing at the 'Li Xuan' before him, Li Xuan's eyes slowly swept across the surroundings, a flicker of realization dawning in his eyes. After sensing with his spiritual consciousness, Li Xuan finally discovered the secret of this trial space.
In Li Xuan's vision, he instantly perceived lines resembling a spiderweb within the space. These lines seemed illusory, yet they existed in tangible reality.
At this moment, Li Xuan clearly understood that these lines were, in fact, a formation. As long as one was within this area, all attacks would be instantly transmitted to the imitator!
It could be said that within this trial space, defeating oneself was undoubtedly a challenge more difficult than ascending to heaven.
Furthermore, Li Xuan discovered that this ethereal formation was something he was currently unable to break. To resolve the current predicament was extremely arduous.
"Now I finally understand why the Profound Sect arranged it this way. Compared to defeating an opponent, conquering oneself is indeed the most difficult challenge, especially when the opponent is privy to all your divine abilities." Li Xuan sighed slightly, his gaze returning to 'Li Xuan'.
"No! Since the Profound Sect has arranged it thus, there must be a possibility of victory. It's just that I haven't found the key breakthrough point yet." Li Xuan suddenly shook his head, his thoughts stirring. His figure moved once more, shooting towards 'Li Xuan' like a rainbow.
*Bang, bang, bang!*
The continuous collisions, the tremendous recoil force, caused the space itself to tremble. However, even so, the techniques Li Xuan employed did not put 'Li Xuan' at a disadvantage in the slightest.
Instead, Li Xuan himself, after launching numerous reckless attacks, grew noticeably paler.
"Give up, you cannot defeat me." The 'Li Xuan' spoke with an unquestionable tone, looking down at the somewhat weary Li Xuan below, its aura showing no signs of weakening.
If one's will were not firm, their fighting spirit might have begun to waver upon hearing these words. After all, under such specific circumstances, victory seemed like a fool's dream. Those who were only slightly resilient might have already despaired, losing the courage to continue fighting.
However, at this moment, Li Xuan below, despite his pale complexion, suddenly began to laugh. As Li Xuan's laughter echoed, a flicker of human-like confusion appeared in the eyes of the 'Li Xuan' in mid-air.
"I must admit, you are an invincible existence within this trial space. You can master all my divine abilities, defenses, and even physical strength. But there is one point, which is the biggest loophole of this spirit formation. This loophole is the key to defeating you!"
Li Xuan's laughter gradually subsided. His confident tone suggested he had found a way to break free.
"To try and shake me with mere words, do you not know that I am you? Everything you possess, I know by heart. You can never defeat me!" 'Li Xuan' shook its head slightly and said.
"Although you can mimic all my divine abilities, you may not be able to mimic everything I possess. In fact, I should have thought of this earlier. This battle, let it end."
Li Xuan smiled slightly, and with a thought, the Master Sword instantly appeared in his hand.
Li Xuan knew clearly that this Master Sword was an item specially forged by his master. Could this formation be stronger than his master?
Indeed!
As the Master Sword appeared in Li Xuan's hand, a hint of panic flashed in 'Li Xuan's' eyes. Spiritual light flickered on its fist, and it hastily threw a punch at Li Xuan.
"Thank you for showing me my shortcomings in this battle. However, there is only one Li Xuan in this world, and you are no longer needed!"
Li Xuan's expression turned stern. The Master Sword in his hand hummed. As Li Xuan unleashed a sword strike, a thousand-zhang sword light flashed, instantly engulfing 'Li Xuan'.
*Boom!*
As the intense sword light gradually faded, 'Li Xuan's' voice indeed vanished.
Seeing this, Li Xuan let out a slight sigh of relief.
This battle had indeed been quite arduous!