Kael and Arjun pressed deeper into the Aqua Drake's Secret Realm, weaving through crowds of cultivators all scavenging for treasures.
"So many cultivators… No wonder Vesper mentioned experts from the Continental Storm Rankings** might appear,"** Kael mused, his guard rising.
The realm's opportunities were matched only by its dangers—a fact that kept him vigilant.
"Wait—what's that ahead?" Kael suddenly halted, his eyes narrowing in surprise as he stared into the distance.
"Huh?" Arjun blinked, following Kael's gaze—then froze.
"What in the—?!" His jaw dropped. Before them stood a colossal crystalline structure, towering like a monolith.
To Kael, it resembled a gigantic mirror, easily over ten meters long, its surface flawless, refracting a faint, ethereal glow. Around it, dense magical elements swirled in concentric rings, drawn to the mirror as if it were their nucleus.
"A mirror that huge… Is that made of mana crystal**?! Damn, that's insane! Do you know how much that'd be worth?!"** Arjun's eyes gleamed with greed, saliva nearly dripping.
"Don't even think about it," Kael cut in. **"That mirror is fused with the realm itself—like a tree rooted in soil. No amount of strength could pry it loose."**
Though priceless, the mirror was clearly a treasure the Aqua Drake had cherished in life. Not even a Tier-Ten expert could claim it—only someone surpassing the drake's own power might stand a chance.
But in the current era, the number of powerhouses surpassing the Aqua Drake could be counted on one hand across the Three Continents.
"What kind of treasure is this mirror?" Arjun asked, his astonishment growing as he studied the colossal crystal. Around them, numerous experts had gathered near the mirror, their intrigued expressions suggesting this was no ordinary artifact.
"Let's get closer and see," Kael said, flashing forward until he stood beneath the towering crystal.
As he approached, Kael sensed something extraordinary about it. The massive mirror shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, its surface so profound and enigmatic that it seemed to contain an entire world within—deep, mysterious, and unfathomable.
What in the world is this thing?!
Arjun soon caught up, standing beside Kael, equally awestruck.
"Brother, what is this giant crystal?" Arjun asked a nearby cultivator.
"You don't know?" The man looked surprised. **"This is the Aqua Drake's Mirror, a legendary relic left behind by the Aqua Drake itself! It's used to test one's potential!"**
The Aqua Drake's Mirror!
Kael's eyes flashed with recognition. He had heard of it—Ethan had mentioned it in passing long ago, though the memory had faded until now.
The Aqua Drake's Mirror was a fabled treasure. Legend held that the Aqua Drake had once obtained a mystical crystal, which it then refined with magic arrays into this very artifact.
Its function was simple: to measure a cultivator's maximum potential.
A cultivator could step into the mirror, entering an illusory world where a phantom of the Aqua Drake would appear. This phantom would match the challenger's cultivation level—but though their realm might be equal, the drake's combat prowess was incomparable.
The longer one lasted against the phantom, the greater their potential. That much was obvious.
As for defeating the phantom? Nearly impossible. Who could possibly surpass the Aqua Drake's foundational mastery in the same realm?
Kael explained everything to Arjun, who nodded eagerly upon hearing it, practically itching to step forward and test his skills in the illusion.
"Wait—look!" Kael suddenly frowned as he spotted someone already approaching the mirror.
It was a man clad in a pale blue mage robe, draped in a flowing enchanted cloak, and wielding an exquisitely crafted staff. He appeared only slightly older than Kael, yet his aura was overwhelming—his mana dense and formidable, his strength even surpassing Kael's by a noticeable margin.
His features were handsome, almost pretty in a boyish way, which only made Arjun grumble in annoyance.
"This guy's power is insane… Wait, doesn't he look familiar? Isn't he on the Continental Storm Rankings**?!"** Arjun muttered under his breath.
The Continental Storm Rankings!
Kael's gaze sharpened, locking onto the man. Having studied the rankings meticulously, he recognized him instantly.
Rank 49 on the Continental Storm Rankings' Human List—Lucian!
Lucian, a Tier-Nine expert, was known for his unpredictable methods. A rising star among the younger generation, his talent was nothing short of extraordinary.
A quick mental review confirmed the man's reputation.
"Lucian… That is Lucian! Is he here to test himself against the Aqua Drake's Mirror?!" someone nearby gasped, recognizing him.
"Must be. He's one of the strongest youths of this era—a force to be reckoned with," another murmured in awe.
Kael's pulse quickened. Clearly, Lucian was a figure who commanded fear and respect.
And why not? Though only slightly older than Kael, Lucian had already reached Tier-Nine—a prodigy even among the rankings' elite.
Without hesitation, Lucian stepped into the Aqua Drake's Mirror, vanishing in a blinding flash of light that forced the onlookers to shield their eyes.
"I wonder how long Lucian will last…"
"He's one of the continent's most exceptional talents, after all…"
The crowd buzzed with speculation, their anticipation palpable.
Lucian's figure vanished as the Aqua Drake's Mirror shimmered with radiant light. A full half-hour passed before his form gradually reappeared. The once-arrogant demeanor he had carried earlier was gone—now, he looked as if he had been drenched from head to toe, his robes soaked with sweat, clearly having endured an intense battle inside the mirror.
"Exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!" Lucian threw his head back and laughed heartily, his voice booming with satisfaction. The fight against the Aqua Drake's phantom had left him invigorated, his gains immeasurable.
The onlookers paled. The fact that Lucian had lasted so long against the drake's phantom spoke volumes about his unfathomable strength.
"Lucian's rank on the Continental Storm Rankings** must be higher than 49th—I'd wager he could challenge the top tiers!"**
"Most on the rankings are veterans from older generations. Young prodigies like Lucian are rare. Regardless, he stands at the pinnacle of his peers."
Awe and complex emotions flickered across the crowd's faces as they watched Lucian.
"Brother Arjun, care to give it a try?" Kael smirked, noticing Arjun's itching enthusiasm. His words carried a teasing challenge.
"Heh, seems like you're interested too, Brother Idris. But let me go first—otherwise, if your results come out too impressive, I might lose the nerve to even attempt it!"Arjun grinned, though his usual playful expression had faded, replaced by solemn determination.
Kael nodded. He did want to test himself against the mirror—a battle against a peerless expert like the Aqua Drake, even in illusion, would be invaluable.
With that, Arjun stepped forward, his demeanor uncharacteristically serious as he approached the Aqua Drake's Mirror.