212: Chapter 211 Illusion

At the end of the kelp forest lay an expansive undersea plain.

As Jiang Hanzhou stepped past the final dark purple kelp leaf, the view before him suddenly opened up.

Beneath his feet was still fine white sand, but it was firmer than before, no longer sinking when stepped upon.

Countless massive coral fragments were scattered across the sandy ground; some were as large as houses, their fractures overgrown with dark green seaweed.

Above him, the invisible barrier holding back the seawater remained, but it was higher now, reaching a full three hundred Zhang.

Sunlight pierced through the sea surface, forming countless fragmented pillars of light above the barrier that spilled onto the undersea plain in a mottled display of light and shadow.

Approximately three thousand Zhang ahead, that massive, dilapidated palace stood silently.

The Dragon Palace Ruins.

Even across a distance of three thousand Zhang, he could still feel the pressure washing over him—it was the aura left behind by the Dragon Clan. It had not dissipated after a thousand years, remaining as heavy as an abyss and as vast as the sea.

But the moment he stepped onto the undersea plain—

A sudden change occurred!

The surrounding space abruptly twisted!

That distortion was not merely visual; it was a genuine warping of space.

The white sand, the coral fragments, and the light and shadow overhead all became blurred, illusory, and—unreal in an instant.

In the next heartbeat, a thick white mist surged forth from all directions!

The mist came without warning; one moment was clear, and the next was so thick he couldn't see his hand in front of his face.

Within the mist, there was no aura, no sound, and no presence that could be perceived. There was only endless white, overwhelming and swallowing everything.

Jiang Hanzhou came to a halt, closed his eyes, and attempted to perceive with his Divine Sense.

As soon as his Divine Sense extended three Zhang, it was swallowed by the mist.

By five Zhang, it vanished completely.

In this mist, his Divine Sense was like a clay ox entering the sea, receiving no response whatsoever.

He opened his eyes and looked around.

The mist churned, creating a vast, desolate expanse.

He looked down at his feet. The white sand was still there, but the sensation of stepping on it had become illusory—as if he were walking on clouds, liable to fall at any moment.

“An illusion...” he murmured softly.

He recalled what Master Xue Mu had said—

The Dragon Gate Trial tests a Disciple's comprehensive strength: cultivation, Cultivation Technique, Martial Skill, True Intent, Heart-Nature, adaptability, and Luck—none can be lacking.

And right now, this mist and this distorted space were the test of his “Heart-Nature.”

The Lost Illusion.

He took a deep breath, gripped the tiger soul saber at his waist, and began to walk forward.

Before he had even walked three Zhang, the surrounding white mist surged violently!

Within that churning mist, a figure vaguely emerged.

The figure was blurry at first, then gradually became clear.

It was a youth.

He looked about fifteen or sixteen, with a delicate face and a thin frame, wearing a set of faded, coarse cloth clothes.

His eyes were filled with fear and despair, a trail of blood hung from the corner of his mouth, and a wound deep enough to see bone was gurgling blood on his chest.

Jiang Hanzhou’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

That was—

Himself.

The figure looked at him, its lips moving as it spoke in a raspy voice:

“Have you... forgotten me?”

“Have you forgotten... the feeling of being trampled underfoot?”

“Have you forgotten... the pain of those fists and kicks landing on your body?”

“Have you forgotten... how much despair you felt in that moment before death?”

The voice became increasingly sharp and piercing, like countless steel needles stabbing ruthlessly into his eardrums, his Sea of Consciousness, and the depths of his Divine Soul!

Jiang Hanzhou’s brow furrowed slightly.

Then he smiled.

He had undergone a Physical Body Transmigration; he had never experienced these things, so how could he be moved by them?

In the next second, his gaze became as sharp as a blade.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the Heart Blade vibrated gently.

Upon the dark gold blade, the patterns winding like dragons suddenly lit up!

In the next instant—

An invisible blade light shot out from between his brows!

That blade light was formless and substance-less, yet peerlessly sharp, slashing straight toward that illusory figure!

The moment the blade light struck, the figure trembled violently!

Then, like a reflection in water shattered by a stone, it turned into countless tiny points of light and dissipated into the white mist.

The first illusion, broken.

Jiang Hanzhou withdrew his gaze and continued forward.

He had not walked ten Zhang when the white mist surged again.

This time, the figure emerging from the mist was even clearer.

Jiang Tao.

No, it wasn't Jiang Tao.

It was what Jiang Tao looked like right before he died.

He lay amidst the ruins of Taikang Island, the pitch-black palm print on his chest deep enough to see bone. His internal organs were displaced, his Meridians severed, and large mouthfuls of blood poured from his mouth.

His eyes stared fixedly at Jiang Hanzhou, filled with guilt, despair, and an indescribable—resentment.

“Master...” His voice was hoarse and intermittent. “Why... didn't you... come...”

“Zhang Heng is dead... Old Seven Chen is dead... A-Kun is dead...”

“Over a hundred brothers... all dead...”

“Why... didn't you... come...”

The voice became increasingly shrill and piercing, like the screeching of a vengeful ghost!

Jiang Hanzhou’s pupils contracted slightly.

Taikang Island.

Over a hundred lives.

Zhang Heng, Old Seven Chen, A-Kun—those ordinary people he had never even met, yet who had fought to the death to defend his foundation.

By the time he had arrived, they were all dead.

He could only look at those bodies strewn everywhere, at the ruins, and at the scorched houses.

There was nothing he could do.

The figure stared at him, its eyes full of venomous spite:

“You were their master... yet you couldn't protect them...”

“What kind of master are you...”

“You simply don't deserve it...”

Before the words even finished—

An invisible blade light once again shot out from Jiang Hanzhou’s brows!

The moment the blade light slashed into that figure, the venomous voice stopped abruptly.

The figure dissipated.

Jiang Hanzhou stood in place and smiled again.

Although he had acted for Jiang Tao, it wasn't for the lives of the others; it was simply that those external enemies had infringed upon his interests.

His compassion had long since dissipated along with his Cultivation in this world.

Then, he took a deep breath and continued forward.

His pace was even more determined than before.

The second illusion, broken.