212: Chapter 212 Fantasy Heart Cave

Upon returning to the Liuli Xuan Sect, Ye Tian headed straight for Tianshu Hall.

At this moment, his face carried a hint of pallor—clearly a trace of his Divine Sense being wounded—making him look somewhat disheveled.

The Disciples he encountered along the way were all full of curiosity as they looked at him, speculating whether Ye Tian had run into some kind of trouble during his mission.

However, Ye Tian didn't pay much mind to these whispered discussions.

Inside Tianshu Hall, it wasn't as quiet as usual.

Besides his Revered Master, Elder Tianshu, two other Elders with profound auras were seated there.

One was dressed in a crimson Daoist robe, with hair and beard to match; his face commanded respect without needing to show anger. He was none other than Elder Chiyang of Lieyang Peak.

The other was a woman in a water-blue gown with a gentle temperament; she was Elder Jingshui of Shuiyue Peak.

As Ye Tian entered, the gazes of the three Elders fell upon him simultaneously.

"Disciple Ye Tian pays his respects to Revered Master, Elder Chiyang, and Elder Jingshui."

Ye Tian stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Rise."

Seeing Ye Tian's pale face, Elder Tianshu hurriedly asked, "Are you injured?"

Ye Tian did not hide anything and gave a concise account of what had happened at Qinghe Town.

"The Dreamweaver... Yun Zhiying..."

Elder Tianshu stroked his beard, his brow furrowing slightly. "As expected, she is from 'Shadow,' and an expert from the 'Illusion Division' at that.

This woman is quite famous within the Shadow Calamity Tower; she excels at attacking the heart through dreams, making her attacks impossible to guard against.

It is already quite a feat that you were able to escape from her unscathed."

Elder Chiyang let out a cold snort. "The monsters of the Shadow Calamity Tower actually dare to stretch their hands into the territory of our Liuli Xuan Sect!

They even came to our doorstep to provoke us!

Do they truly think our Sect is devoid of talent?"

He had a fiery temper, and anger was already visible in his eyes.

Elder Jingshui shook her head slightly and said softly, "Senior Brother Chiyang, please calm yourself.

I'm afraid this matter is not a simple provocation.

That Yun Zhiying was clearly after the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra.

It seems the Shadow Calamity Tower has already learned of Martial Nephew Ye Tian obtaining the Secret Realm Legacy."

Elder Tianshu nodded in agreement. "Junior Sister Jingshui is absolutely right.

The Shadow Calamity Tower acts with great secrecy; this attempt was likely to confirm whether the Heart Sutra is indeed with Ye Tian.

Although Ye Tian's encounter was fraught with danger, it has brought back crucial information."

He looked at Ye Tian. "It was not easy for you to escape from that confrontation with Yun Zhiying and bring back such important intelligence.

Tell us, how did you feel during the fight?"

Ye Tian pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking. "To Revered Master and the Elders:

Yun Zhiying's Cultivation Technique is extremely bizarre. It doesn't attack the Physical Body directly, but rather triggers the opponent's mental memories to create dream illusions, striking directly at the weaknesses of the Divine Soul.

I felt as if she could amplify a person's inner fears and desires, making her impossible to defend against.

If not for... if not for my Divine Sense being relatively resilient, and the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra having a certain restraining effect on such methods, I'm afraid I would have found it difficult to escape."

Thinking back on it, Ye Tian still felt a lingering fear.

"Dream power, mental imagery attacks... it is indeed the style of 'The Great Dream Awakening,'"

Elder Jingshui said softly. "This method is perilous, as it specifically targets flaws in the Dao Heart.

That Martial Nephew Ye Tian could resist it shows his iron will.

The Illusory Sea Heart Sutra was left by an ancient powerhouse and is specifically designed to counter delusions. Since you have obtained this Legacy, you should comprehend it diligently; do not waste this immense Opportunity."

Elder Chiyang frowned. "In that case, the Shadow Calamity Tower is determined to get the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra.

Since this probe failed, there will surely be a next time.

Kid Ye Tian has likely become a thorn in their side now.

He's safe enough staying in the Sect, but once he goes out, he'll be surrounded by danger."

Elder Tianshu said solemnly, "This is exactly what we are worried about.

The Shadow Calamity Tower's influence is deeply entrenched and their methods are bizarre; open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against.

With a precious treasure on him, Ye Tian has become a target for all.

However, while the Sect can provide protection, the path of cultivation must ultimately be walked by oneself.

Blindly protecting him might instead stifle his opportunities for growth."

The three Elders fell silent for a moment, clearly weighing the options.

Finally, Elder Tianshu looked at Ye Tian. "Ye Tian, what do you think about this?"

Ye Tian raised his head, his gaze firm. "I believe that blessings and misfortunes are intertwined.

The Shadow Calamity Tower coveting the Heart Sutra is a crisis, but also a form of tempering.

Since I have received this Opportunity, I should have the resolve to protect it.

Hiding is not a long-term solution; only by improving my strength as quickly as possible can I take the initiative.

I implore Revered Master and the Elders to allow me to enter the 'Illusory Heart Cave' to Cultivate."

"Illusory Heart Cave?"

Elder Chiyang's thick eyebrows shot up. "That place is indeed a good spot for tempering the mind, but it's also very dangerous. If things go wrong, it could damage your Dao foundation.

You've just suffered a Divine Sense injury, kid. Can you handle it?"

Elder Jingshui, however, nodded slightly. "The environment of the Illusory Heart Cave is unique and would be of great benefit to comprehending the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra.

If he can withstand the pressure within, it might even accelerate his healing and comprehension.

However, thorough preparations must be made."

Elder Tianshu pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "You want to use the power of the Illusory Heart Cave to further comprehend the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra to deal with the Shadow Calamity Tower's dream methods?"

"Yes."

Ye Tian said candidly, "After fighting Yun Zhiying, I deeply feel that my own cultivation in the way of the mind is insufficient.

Though the Illusory Heart Cave is dangerous, it is currently the fastest way to improve my mental cultivation.

I am willing to take the risk."

Elder Tianshu exchanged a look with Elders Chiyang and Jingshui, finally nodding. "Very well!

Since you have this determination, I shall naturally support you.

I grant you permission to enter the Illusory Heart Cave to Cultivate for ten days.

Furthermore, you may withdraw three 'heart-clearing soul-stabilizing pills' from the Sect treasury for emergencies.

Remember, act according to your ability; do not force yourself."

"Thank you, Revered Master! Thank you, Elders!"

Ye Tian's heart settled as he bowed respectfully.

The Illusory Heart Cave was a Secret Realm within the Sect specifically for tempering the Disciples' minds. It was filled with illusions, which would complement the cultivation of the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra perfectly.

After leaving Tianshu Hall, Ye Tian did not return directly to his Immortal Cave. Instead, he first went to the Sect Market to exchange contribution points for some medicinal herbs that aided cultivation and nourished the Divine Sense, then went to the Alchemy Hall to collect the heart-clearing soul-stabilizing pills.

However, just as he was preparing to return to his Immortal Cave, a slightly mocking voice sounded behind him. "Oh, isn't this our great hero, Junior Brother Ye Tian?

What's this? I heard you suffered a setback on a small mission. Your face looks so pale.

Could it be that the injuries from the Secret Realm haven't healed yet?"

Ye Tian's footsteps paused; he didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

He slowly turned and saw Gao Ling standing not far away with a few followers. Gao Ling's face bore an undisguised look of mockery and satisfaction.

Beside him stood a young man whose aura was even more powerful than Gao Ling's—it was the True Disciple of Kaiyang Peak, Han Li.

Han Li merely gave Ye Tian a faint glance, his gaze indifferent.

"No need for Senior Brother Gao to worry. It's just a minor injury; it's no big deal."

Ye Tian's tone was calm.

"A minor injury?"

Gao Ling sneered. "I heard that you suffered a great loss before even seeing the opponent's face and almost didn't make it back.

If you ask me, some Opportunities can be quite hot to handle if your strength isn't up to par."

His words were pointed; he had clearly heard something.

Ye Tian's eyes grew slightly cold, but he didn't get angry. He just said faintly, "Whether it's hot to handle or not, I'll know for myself.

As for Senior Brother Gao, your injuries haven't healed yet; it's better to worry more about yourself."

These words poked at Gao Ling's sore spot; he had been heavily wounded in the Secret Realm and had yet to recover.

Gao Ling's face instantly darkened. "You!"

"Enough."

Han Li, who was standing to the side, finally spoke. "Arguments between fellow Disciples only invite laughter from others."

His gaze swept over Ye Tian again, this time with a hint of pressure. "Junior Brother Ye, the Sect is clear about rewards and punishments, but you must also know your limits.

Stealing the spotlight too often may not be a good thing.

I hope you take care of yourself."

After saying that, he ignored Ye Tian and led the sour-faced Gao Ling and the others away.

Ye Tian watched their departing figures, his gaze deep.

He understood Han Li's warning.

But so what?

He, Ye Tian, didn't go looking for trouble, but he was never afraid of it either.

Whether you were an old-timer of the inner Sect or a True Disciple, he feared none of them!

Of course, this also made Ye Tian's desire to improve his strength even more urgent.

In this world, only strength was the hard truth.

Back at his Immortal Cave, after activating all the Restrictions, Ye Tian sat down cross-legged and took out the bottle of heart-clearing soul-stabilizing pills.

The pill had a refreshing fragrance and the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing the soul.

He didn't take it immediately. Instead, he carefully reflected on every detail of his clash with Yun Zhiying, especially her techniques for triggering mental imagery and weaving dreams.

"Dreams... mental imagery... reality and illusion..."

Ye Tian muttered to himself, a flash of realization crossing his eyes. "The Profound Truth of the Illusory Sea Heart Sutra perhaps lies not in how realistic an illusion one can create, but in... piercing through to the essence and controlling one's thoughts."