9: Chapter 9 The Illusion of the Great Fox, the Inner Demons of the Heroes

The aftermath of the first stage, the Spiritual Root test, had not yet subsided when the second stage of the assessment was already prepared.

In the center of the square, a simple and ancient jade archway had been erected at some point.

Inside the gate was no real scene, but a slowly swirling pink mist; the mist seemed soft, yet it faintly exuded a heart-palpitating power of charm.

Occasionally, halos of light flowed within the mist, sketching out graceful yet blurry silhouettes.

"Second stage: Great Fox Illusion."

Elder Li stood before the archway, his serious voice spreading across the field: "This stage tests one's Heart-Nature and will."

"The illusion was set by a distinguished guest of our sect—Senior 'Lady Qingli' of the Taihu Clan."

"Those who enter this realm will face their innermost desires and fears."

"Those who can maintain their original heart for the duration of one incense stick's burn will pass."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the candidates: "The illusion will evolve into different scenes based on each person's Heart-Nature."

"One person, one grotto-heaven; one person, one illusion."

"Remember, guard your heart and do not be deceived by illusions."

"If your mind falters, you will be automatically teleported out."

"Now, enter one by one according to your number!"

Serious expressions appeared on the faces of the candidates.

The Taihu Clan was a group among the Yao Race famous for their charm techniques.

Their illusion trials were also well-known in the Cultivation World.

No one expected that the Hehuan Sect would be able to invite a Senior from the Taihu Clan to personally oversee this recruitment.

The first to enter was a young girl with delicate features.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the pink mist, her figure vanishing instantly.

Everyone waited tensely.

Less than ten breaths later.

"Ah—!"

A terrified scream faintly echoed from the mist; immediately after, the girl's figure flew backward out of the archway in a pathetic state, crashing to the ground with a pale face and eyes full of lingering fear.

She hugged her shoulders, trembling all over, clearly having experienced something terrifying in the illusion.

"Number C-3, failed."

The deacon recorded it expressionlessly.

The next few candidates performed slightly better, but most were teleported out within twenty to thirty breaths.

Some were flushed with rapid breathing; some were in tears, muttering to themselves; while others were listless, as if they had lost their souls.

"It seems this Great Fox Illusion is even more terrifying than the rumors..."

"Lady Qingli is a renowned powerhouse of the Taihu Clan. It's said that even Nascent Soul Cultivators find it difficult to resist her charm techniques..."

The candidates whispered, their faces looking quite grim.

Lei Xuan snorted coldly, but his face grew a bit more serious.

He prided himself on his firm will and had a High Grade lightning Spiritual Root; lightning techniques were the most upright and masculine, countering charm techniques the best. However, seeing the miserable state of those before him, his heart couldn't help but pound.

Finally, it was his turn.

"Number A-9, Lei Xuan!"

Lei Xuan took a deep breath and walked toward the archway with his head held high.

Passing by Xu Ruyu, he paused and sneered sideways: "Trash, watch closely."

"I'll let you see what a true Genius is."

Xu Ruyu remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard.

Lei Xuan snorted and stepped into the pink mist.

The mist swirled, and the scene before his eyes instantly changed.

Lei Xuan found himself standing before a majestic palace.

The palace was cast entirely from purple gold, with carved beams and painted rafters, extremely luxurious. On the palace plaque, three large words were written in a flamboyant style—'Thunder Hall'.

"Is this my Lei Family's ancestral hall?" Lei Xuan was stunned, then a surge of pride rose in his heart. The Lei Family was a top cultivation clan in the Western Desert, and this Thunder Hall was the symbol of the Family.

Just then, the palace doors slowly opened.

A beautiful woman in a purple palace dress and a phoenix crown walked out gracefully.

Her features were sixty percent similar to Lei Xuan's, but with more mature charm and majesty.

"Xuan'er, you're back."

The woman spoke with a smile, her voice gentle and affectionate.

"Mother?!"

Lei Xuan was shocked.

This was his biological mother, who had been dead for many years!

When he was ten, his mother had perished due to Qi Deviation during cultivation; this was an eternal pain in his heart.

"Silly child, why are you dazed?" The woman stepped forward and gently stroked Lei Xuan's cheek. "Mother has been waiting for you. Come in quickly, the Family Elders are all waiting for you to inherit the position of Family Head."

"The position of Family Head?"

Lei Xuan's heart raced.

He was of the Lei Family's direct line, but not the eldest son; he had two older brothers above him.

Inheriting the position of Family Head was originally an unreachable dream for him.

"Of course." The woman took his hand and led him into the hall. "Your father and two brothers unfortunately perished while exploring a Secret Realm."

"Now, you are the only direct Bloodline of our Lei Family."

"This position of Family Head belongs to no one but you."

Inside the hall, dozens of Lei Family Elders were lined up on both sides. Seeing Lei Xuan enter, they all bowed in unison: "Welcome, Family Head!"

The sound was like a tide, shaking the heart.

Lei Xuan felt his blood boil; an unprecedented sense of power and satisfaction filled his chest.

He seemed to see himself in charge of the Lei Family, awing the Western Desert, and even holding a place in the entire Cultivation World.

"Xuan'er, come, sit here."

The woman led him toward the purple-gold throne in the center of the hall.

The throne was incomparably magnificent, its armrests carved with Thunder Runes, and the seat covered with the fur of an unknown exotic beast.

On both sides of the throne stood four stunning maids, each with features like a painting and a graceful figure, looking at Lei Xuan with eyes full of admiration and love.

"Greetings, Family Head."

The four women bowed gracefully, their voices charming to the bone.

Lei Xuan's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze involuntarily lingering on the four women.

He was naturally proud and considered himself a dragon among men, deserving of the most beautiful women and the greatest power.

"Family Head, please take your seat."

Smiling, the woman handed him a 'Thunder Seal' which symbolized the authority of the Family Head.

Taking the heavy jade seal, the desire in Lei Xuan's heart grew like wild grass.

Power, beauty, status... wasn't all of this exactly what he dreamed of?

He walked toward the throne step by step, each step feeling as if he were walking on clouds.

Just as he was about to sit down, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: Wait... Mother passed away long ago... my brothers are clearly still alive...

This thought was like a bolt of lightning, causing him to suddenly sober up.

"You are not my mother!"

Lei Xuan shouted sternly, thunderous light erupting from his hand as he struck the woman before him with a palm.

"Boom—!"

The scene shattered.

Lei Xuan found himself still standing before the archway, and the incense stick had burned for less than a quarter.

His face was pale, cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and his back was soaked with sweat.

That was close... just a little more, and he would have completely succumbed to the illusion.

"Number A-9, Lei Xuan, lasted forty-seven breaths, pass."

The deacon's voice came, carrying a hint of surprise.

To last this long in the Great Fox Illusion was already rare.

Lei Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, but there was no joy in his heart.

He had just... almost been deceived by the illusion.

If he hadn't woken up at the last moment, he would have likely failed already.

He looked at the archway, his eyes filled with a bit more awe.

The performance of the next candidates was even worse.

A youth from a humble background saw mountains of Spirit Stones, countless Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals, and scenes of those who had once bullied him kneeling and begging for mercy.

He lunged at the Spirit Stones with wild laughter, but the moment he touched them, he was teleported out—lasting only eighteen breaths.

A pretty young girl met the Senior Brother she had a crush on for years in the illusion.

That Senior Brother was gentle and considerate to her, making solemn vows to take her away.

The girl was immersed in sweetness, completely forgetting it was an illusion, until the Senior Brother was about to kiss her, then she suddenly woke up—lasting thirty-two breaths.

A youth carrying a blood feud saw the scene of himself killing his enemy.

He hacked and slashed crazily, venting years of resentment, only to discover at the last moment that the enemy's face had turned into his deceased father's—lasting twenty-five breaths, and he was like a madman when he came out.

In just half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, more than half of the candidates had been eliminated. Those who could last for a full incense stick were few and far between.

The surrounding crowd whispered:

"So terrifying... this illusion points directly to the weakest part of the human heart."

"Lady Qingli's methods are indeed well-deserved of her reputation."

"I wonder how long that Xu Ruyu can last?"

"Him? A trash without a Spiritual Root, he'll probably be sent out as soon as he goes in, right?"

Lei Xuan also looked at Xu Ruyu, contempt flashing in his eyes. Although he had almost failed just now, he had at least lasted forty-seven breaths. This trash would be lucky to last ten breaths.

Finally, it was Xu Ruyu's turn.

"Number C-79, Xu Ruyu!"

All eyes focused on him once again.

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and walked toward the archway.

He could feel Xiao Nianyin's gaze on his back, calm but with a hint of hard-to-detect... expectation?

He stepped into the pink mist.