---
Chapter 229: The Mirror of the Eternal Star
---
Act I: A Chamber of Radiant Constellations
The Gallery opened into a chamber where stars hung suspended in midair, each glowing with a brilliance that seemed both near and infinite. Constellations shifted across the walls, weaving patterns of destiny and memory.
Ne Job stepped forward, Twinkle buzzing with a luminous hum, its rhythm echoing the pulse of eternity.
Ao Bing muttered, "This place… it feels like the whole sky has been captured here."
Taiyi Zhenren scribbled quickly. "The mirror here does not fade. It shines."
At the center stood a mirror framed by radiant constellations, its surface shimmering with eternal brilliance.
It spoke in a voice vast and timeless:
> "I am the Mirror of the Eternal Star. I hold what shines, what endures in brilliance, what carries truth into eternity."
---
Act II: The Weight of Brilliance
The interns gazed into its surface.
Visions unfolded, showing truths carried by stars.
- Ao Bing saw battles where courage meant shining even in darkness.
- Taiyi Zhenren saw scrolls preserved in constellations, wisdom mapped across the heavens.
- Ne Job saw miracles glowing in silence, inscribed into the Registry as lights eternal.
Twinkle pulsed brightly, resonating with the chamber's brilliance.
The mirror whispered:
> "To guard me, you must shine without fear."
---
Act III: The Mask's Intrusion
From the shadows, the Mask of Misrule hissed.
> "Stars are mine to corrupt. I will twist brilliance into arrogance, and eternity into despair."
The Mirror of Endless Deception flickered, shards gathering again.
The Mask reached toward Eternal Star, trying to fracture its brilliance into emptiness.
Ao Bing staggered. "The stars blind me!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My scrolls scatter into constellations without meaning!"
Ne Job steadied them. "Star is not arrogance. It is guidance."
---
Act IV: The Trial of Star
The Mirror of the Eternal Star spoke:
> "Intern, to protect me, you must shine."
Ne Job gazed into its radiant surface.
He saw himself faltering, afraid of light that might consume.
He whispered:
> "I shine. Even when shadows press, I endure. Even when despair waits, I carry forward."
The mirror glowed brighter, its stars steady.
Twinkle pulsed strongly, harmonizing with eternity.
Ao Bing's fists steadied.
Taiyi Zhenren's scrolls aligned.
The Mask recoiled, his corruption faltering.
---
Act V: The Clash
The Mask screamed, hurling shards of deception.
Illusions tried to twist star into arrogance, scattering the interns into despair.
Ao Bing staggered. "My courage fades in blinding light!"
Taiyi Zhenren trembled. "My wisdom dissolves in constellations without order!"
Ne Job stood firm. "Star is not arrogance. It is truth carried eternal."
The awakened mirrors — Patience, Friendship, Courage, Sorrow, Endless Paths, Forgotten Names, Silent Echoes, Shattered Promises, Hidden Truths, Eternal Doubt, Living Light, Boundless Hope, Unbroken Unity, Eternal Harmony, Final Resolve, Infinite Resolve, Last Question, First Dawn, Endless Return, Forgotten Future, Silent Dawnfall, Eternal Song, Endless Silence, Forgotten Flame, Eternal Return, Eternal Choice, Hidden Dawn, Eternal Oath, Eternal Memory, Eternal Threshold, Eternal Light, Eternal Shadow, Eternal Balance, Eternal Dawnfire, Eternal Storm, Eternal Ocean, Eternal Sky, Eternal Flameheart, Eternal Songfire, Eternal Silenceflame, Eternal Starfall, Eternal Horizon, Eternal Root, Eternal Crown, Eternal Gate, Eternal Tower, Eternal Anchor, Eternal Bridge, Eternal Labyrinth, Eternal Flame of Truth, Eternal Spiral, Eternal Compass, Eternal Lantern, Eternal Seed, Eternal River, Eternal Mountain, Eternal Tree — joined with Eternal Star.
Their glow struck the Mask's illusions.
Arrogance became clarity.
Deception dissolved.
Twinkle hummed, resonating with the Miracle Registry.
Ao Bing laughed, fierce and kind.
Taiyi Zhenren footnoted every constellation restored.
Ne Job stood firm, star and truth united.
---
Act VI: The Mirror's Gift
The Mirror of the Eternal Star calmed, its surface shimmering with radiant eternity.
It whispered:
> "Intern, star is not chaos. It is guidance eternal. Guard it well."
Ne Job bowed.
Twinkle pulsed softly.
The Gallery shimmered, stable once more.
The Mask of Misrule retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing faintly:
> "You may resist stars today. But arrogance always waits."
The Gallery fell silent.
The mirrors glowed.
And Ne Job walked on, ready for what lay ahead.