Hong Kong – A second round of clandestine auditions for TVB’s upcoming metaphysical competition series Mystic Battle has revealed contestants using extraordinary methods—including touching mirrors to divine answers and feeling the surface of sealed boxes to identify hidden objects. The show, which began recruiting on July 15 through two separate confidential casting sessions, aims to crown a single winner as the ultimate “Prophet of the Era.”
Candidates from Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, specializing in tarot, Ziwei doushu, Yijing hexagrams, Eight Characters (Bazi), astrology, Daoist arts, and Qimen Dunjia divination, have been competing for a spot on the program. The finalists will vie for the top title in what producers describe as a “supernatural showdown.”
Secret Auditions Underway
In a statement released on social media today, TVB confirmed that the second round of interviews involved particularly unusual challenges. During the first phase, two contestants correctly guessed the numbers on three dice inside a shaker—and one even identified which relative of a crew member had recently passed away.
The second round introduced a “Guess the Object in the Box” segment. Contestant A first laid out tarot cards on top of a blue container, then lightly touched its surface. The participant described four specific clues: “only the ears are red, the rest is entirely white,” “not too heavy, slightly larger than a palm,” and “feels soft.” Based on those observations, the contestant concluded the object was a stuffed toy. When host Chen Yide opened the box, out came a plush version of TVBuddy—the network’s mascot—matching the description in color, size, and texture almost exactly. The hosts were visibly stunned.
Eerie Accuracy in Box Guessing
Other tasks required participants to guess the desktop wallpaper on judges’ phones or laptops, or to describe the contents of handbags. In one case, multiple contestants correctly identified that actor Hong Yongcheng’s computer screen featured a series of connected hill-like shapes. When Hong revealed the image, it turned out to be a photograph of the Egyptian pyramids he had taken while filming the travel documentary Walking Through the Ancient Land.
Contestants Peer into Personal Lives
The final test went deeper. Contestants were asked to assess the current state of Hong Yongcheng’s marriage to his wife, Lok Yin Nuo. Contestant B claimed the couple had recently argued over “investment issues” and “problems with domestic helpers.” Hong immediately confirmed the accuracy of the reading: “We do have many disagreements regarding our investments,” he admitted.
The unscripted revelation has sparked curiosity among viewers, who are now eagerly awaiting the show’s premiere.
Broader Implications
Mystic Battle taps into a growing appetite in Asia for metaphysical entertainment, where reality competition meets ancient divination. The series not only tests participants’ claimed abilities but also blurs the line between belief and skepticism. For TVB, the show represents a bold attempt to diversify content and attract audiences fascinated by the paranormal.
As the final roster of contestants is announced, producers hint at even more unpredictable challenges ahead. Whether Mystic Battle will produce a genuine prophet or simply compelling television remains to be seen—but the auditions alone have already delivered moments that defy easy explanation.
