56: Chapter 56

A Nascent Soul Stage Expert is a being that dominates an entire region; even in the Central Region, where crouching tigers and hidden dragons reside, the Nascent Soul Realm is considered the peak of power.

Why would such an existence be willing to be an Elder in the Dao Seeking Sect?

"It's Revered Master!"

The figure of that man immediately surfaced in Ye Hao's mind.

Recalling his Revered Master's various mysteries, whether it was the Cultivation Technique he bestowed or that indescribable Divine Ability Pavilion, it suddenly felt as if it were only natural!

No, the Nascent Soul Realm is still too low.

Ye Hao glanced again at Fairy Qiyue's ethereal face and remembered the previous encounter during Disciple recruitment, suddenly coming to a realization.

Fairy Qiyue frowned slightly. Why did the gaze of the Disciple before her change from shock to respect, looking at her just as Spirit Immortal did?

Right at that moment!

Several Cultivators who had previously fled in all directions arrived in the air on their flying swords.

They bowed from a distance toward Fairy Qiyue and the other, "Junior Li Long, a Disciple of the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect, thanks Senior for your rescue. Might we know Senior's name?"

Fairy Qiyue said in a cold voice, "Dao Seeking Sect!"

Ye Hao added, "It was just a small effort, Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be polite."

Without waiting for Li Long to continue his thanks, Fairy Qiyue led Ye Hao away on the wind... to another part of the Secret Realm!

Violent winds swirled with grit across the desolate land, carving savage gullies into the ground. Looking out, it was all reddish-yellow sand and withered black broken wood; even the sky was dyed a depressing grayish-yellow, showing not a hint of life.

In the center of this desolate place, a towering ancient palace stood abruptly between heaven and earth.

The ancient palace's Aura was magnificent and solemn, making one's heart palpitate and excitement difficult to hide with just a single glance.

People from the four Hegemon-level Forces—the Azure Nether Sword Sect, Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect, Crimson Firmament Sect, and Leaving Fire Pavilion—were all gathered outside the great hall, discussing the situation.

"Sect Master, the Second Elder has already identified what kind of Formation this is," the tall Wang Qingping shouted excitedly.

A hint of joy appeared on Zhao Wuji's resolute face: "What Formation is it?"

"As long as we can be the first to crack this Formation, our Azure Nether Sword Sect can take the lead in entering this ancient palace to find Opportunity."

"The Second Elder says this is the Tribulation of Thought Illusion Formation! Once a Cultivator is deeply trapped in the Formation, it is as if a great tribulation is approaching, with a narrow chance of survival," Wang Qingping explained in a hurried tone.

"Tribulation of Thought Illusion Formation, a narrow chance of survival?"

Wang Qingping nodded and continued to add, "This Formation is most bizarre. It appears to be a Formation constructed based on the surrounding environment, but once trapped within, one will suffer attacks from various Cultivator techniques."

"Furthermore, the higher your Realm, the stronger the attacks you will suffer. It is endless, continuing until your last bit of strength is exhausted."

Zhao Wuji's expression grew even more somber upon hearing this.

"Then according to your words, is this Formation not impossible to pass?"

Wang Qingping froze for a moment, the excitement on his face falling into silence. It seemed that was indeed the case; had he not been happy for nothing?

The Second Elder stroked his beard as he walked over from the side, smiling, "Sect Master, that is not entirely correct."

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow slightly, gesturing for him to continue.

"This Tribulation of Thought Illusion Formation seems bizarre and dangerous, but if one Revered Masters the method to break the Formation, even a Qi Refining Cultivator can pass through safely."

A sharp light flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, "Second Elder, speak in detail!"

The excited expression returned to Wang Qingping's face, though it was slightly more restrained this time.

"The most critical points of this Formation lie in the words 'Thought' and 'Illusion'. All attacks and Divine Ability techniques within the Formation originate from the word 'Thought', while the key to cracking the Formation lies in the word 'Illusion'."

"The techniques and Divine Abilities within the Formation are actually all born from one's thoughts. If the heart believes those attacks are real, they will turn into physical damage, resulting in heavy injury at best and instant death at worst."

"But if one can guard their mind and firmly believe that everything is an illusion, refusing to believe in the existence of these attacks, then they cannot cause the slightest harm. One can then pass through the Formation peacefully!"

Zhao Wuji nodded, "I see. This Tribulation of Thought Illusion Formation is truly profound. No wonder it's a narrow chance of survival!"

For Cultivators, fighting in pairs to reach the peak of cultivation is already a common occurrence.

The person who set this Formation specifically targeted this point, requiring Cultivators to remain calm and firmly believe it is an illusion when facing realistic attacks; this is practically fighting against a Cultivator's years of combat instincts.

He took a deep breath, looked at the dozens of remains within the great hall, and asked, "Second Elder, are these words true?"

The Second Elder nodded, "Reporting to the Sect Master, there is absolutely no falsehood."

Zhao Wuji gave an 'en' and ordered, "Have someone take over a hundred Disciples, tell them the method to break the Formation, and send them into the great hall."

Right at that moment!

The Third Elder arrived with hurried steps, "Reporting to the Sect Master, two Inner Sect Elders and one Outer Sect Elder have fallen within the Secret Realm."

Zhao Wuji's expression remained unchanged, "There are opportunities everywhere in the Spirit Void Secret Realm, but opportunities are accompanied by risks. There is no need to care!"

The Third Elder hurriedly explained, "Sect Master, those two Elders died at the hands of the Dao Seeking Sect, and the Dao Seeking Sect also snatched away our Azure Nether Sword Sect's Opportunity, the fifth-grade Spirit Medicine—the ice soul snow lotus."

Wang Qingping was instantly enraged upon hearing this and shouted, "What did you say?"

"This Dao Seeking Sect actually dares to snatch our Azure Nether Sword Sect's ice soul snow lotus!"

He immediately turned to Zhao Wuji, "Sect Master, this subordinate will go and take back that ice soul snow lotus."

"Stop!"

Zhao Wuji's resolute face was instantly covered in a layer of frost, his brows tightly knit, "Finding someone in this Secret Realm wastes too much time. The priority is to enter this Secret Realm to find Opportunity."

"But are we just going to give that ice soul snow lotus to the Dao Seeking Sect for nothing?" Wang Qingping said indignantly.

"The monk can run, but the temple can't. We will settle this debt at the Dao Seeking Sect after leaving the Secret Realm." He paused and glanced at the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect not far away.

"At that time, we will settle the new and old accounts all at once."

Within the Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect!

Sect Master Lin Yifan nodded slightly and smiled, "So, to crack this Tribulation of Thought Illusion Formation, the most important thing is to keep one's state of mind calm and treat everything as an illusion?"

The Mountain Protecting Elder nodded, "Indeed so."

He paused and added, "Sect Master, why don't I lead the way for the Sect's Disciples? I see some movement from the Azure Nether Sword Sect and Leaving Fire Pavilion as well; they must have also learned the method to break this Formation."

Lin Yifan pondered for a moment before nodding, "Very well. Remember to act within your capabilities. If you encounter any changes, withdraw from the Formation immediately."

"No matter how good the Opportunity, it is not as important as one's life."

"This subordinate understands."

Right at that moment, a Bamboo Mountain Sword Sect Disciple stepped forward quickly to report, "Sect Master, the Second Elder has returned, and he has brought two guests."

Lin Yifan froze for a moment, a look of joy appearing on his face as he smiled, "He's finally back. I wonder what Opportunity this kid encountered."

"By the way, who are the two guests?"

Before the Disciple could reply, Bai Tang had already led the people over.

Lin Yifan's gaze fell upon the young man and young girl behind Bai Tang.

The young man had dark skin and an honest face! The young girl wore a red dress and had a clear, ethereal appearance, yet gave off a cold feeling.

Bai Tang smiled and cupped his hands, "Greetings, Sect Master!"

Li Pingan and Xiao Lingxian bowed at the same time, "Juniors greet Sect Master Lin."