Chapter 60 The Final Illusion: Her Hometown
On the observation platform, the cultivators erupted in an uproar.
First, the Beast Taming Sect failed to recognize the true value of a beast, mistaking the demon wolf for a treasure and ignoring the mount of the young ancestor of the Peak Sect, thus missing the opportunity to obtain the Qilin Beast.
This angered the Beast Taming Sect's Master Crane Xiu so much that he fainted on the spot.
Then, a woman from the Shen family threatened to break off the engagement, and the eldest sister abandoned her younger brother and fiancé and left.
The face of the leader of the Xiaosu Pavilion, who was seated in Class A, changed dramatically, from pale to reddish-purple, and then to dark and murky, more colorful than a rainbow.
As for Shen Ting, the leader of the Shen family, his face had been dark ever since the Shen family disciples failed to perform well in the last illusion. The disciples serving beside him did not dare to breathe loudly.
Both inside and outside the venue, the cultivators on the observation platform watched with great interest and satisfaction.
The observation platform was immediately filled with noise.
"What happened to the Crane Immortal in the Class A seat? I heard that Venerable Chongjue had him carried back to his temporary residence to rest, and even the medical practitioners from Liuhuan Valley rushed over."
"Just now, the young ancestor of the Dingsheng Sect asked the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect if they wanted her donkey. The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect said no without hesitation. After witnessing this, Master Hexiu couldn't catch his breath and fainted."
"Huh?" Some cultivators were still confused. "It's just a donkey, why are you so agitated?"
The cultivators, having learned all the details, were so excited they were gesturing wildly and spitting as they spoke: "What donkey! It's the Qilin Beast that the Beast Taming Sect has been searching for, it just transformed into a donkey! The Beast Taming Sect disciples' cultivation was inadequate, they bet on the wrong treasure. And the key point is that they themselves told the Dingsheng Sect they didn't want it, with tens of thousands of cultivators present as witnesses. The Beast Taming Sect has suffered a huge loss this time!"
"Furthermore, the Beast Taming Sect disciple who refused was none other than the personal disciple of True Person Crane Xiu."
The Beast Taming Sect had already declared its determination to retrieve its precious beast, the Qilin, but now it had been acquired by another sect, and the acquisition was perfectly legitimate. As a result, the Beast Taming Sect could hardly find a reason to demand its return.
"But... but wasn't it said that the Qilin beast is fierce and brutal? How could it be that... that donkey..." The questioning cultivator's voice gradually faded.
Thinking about it carefully, that donkey was indeed hot-tempered. On their very first meeting, it kicked the young master of the Shen family, leaving a hoofprint all over his face. No wonder the young master of the Shen family, who was already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, was caught off guard by the kick; the donkey's true form was actually a Qilin beast.
Some people, enjoying the spectacle, joked, "The most interesting thing is that the person carried away by the donkey was Shen Qingluo from the Shen family."
Shen Qingluo, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, is one of the most watched figures in this competition, and the level of discussion surrounding her is comparable to that surrounding the Beast Taming Sect's loss of a rare beast.
"The atmosphere between Xiaosu Pavilion and the Shen family is very strange right now."
"In terms of losing face, it has to be Xiao Su Pavilion, after all, they were the ones whose engagement was called off. However, it seems that the Shen family has already sent someone to apologize, saying that the marriage is still on."
"How can it not change?"
As the discussion unfolded, dozens of projection stones went out one after another, signifying that the projected illusion had been breached.
The cultivator who had been closely following the competition results counted on his fingers: "Just now, the Nameless Sect took down the illusion, and the other illusions were also broken one after another. It seems that there is only one illusion left? Once this illusion ends, the first competition will also be over."
"Is it Meng Yingyang's?"
"He's really unlucky. Others have already taken the key to the illusion in several rounds, but the key to the illusion he's in is hard to find. The competition has dragged on until now and he still hasn't broken through it. Now it's the final illusion, and all the participating disciples have gathered. If someone else takes the key to the illusion, all his efforts in this round of the competition will have been in vain."
"Anyway, Hongqizong has already taken down seven of the illusionary gates, and winning the first place in the first competition is a sure thing, so there is no loss. It's just unexpected that he couldn't even take down one gate. It seems that the rumored talent is nothing special."
"What are you talking about! Anyone with eyes can see that the illusion he's in is not simple. All the other participating disciples except him have been eliminated. He's the only one who has persisted until now. Maybe when the others arrive, they will also be eliminated."
"Those who persevere to the end are basically the most outstanding disciples of their respective schools and sects. They won't be eliminated so easily. Let's wait and see."
"The most outstanding? I don't think so. Aren't there some who survived to the end by hiding their strength? For example, the leader of the Dingsheng Sect and the young master of the Shen family. In the last illusion, didn't they hide together and rely on their teammates to take down their vital points? Since they weren't the ones who made the move, they were naturally able to survive to the end."
"I have to say, the young ancestor of the Dingsheng Sect is really lucky. She actually managed to capture the Qilin Beast of the Beast Taming Sect."
"The Beast Taming Sect claims that only their secret methods can subdue the Qilin Beast, but that's just bluffing."
The projection stones displayed random images. The observers outside the arena only saw Ji Mingran meet Shen Ningzhuang and hide in the bushes, then chase after the donkey alone. She walked quickly, and the projection stones failed to capture her presence in time. The images changed, and the observers could not see what happened next.
The next time Ji Mingran appeared, she rode a donkey onto the stage, breaking the deadlock among the participating disciples in their struggle for the wolf's head.
No one knows how she captured the donkey, but she was conscious, well-dressed, and unharmed, so it must have taken very little effort.
The rare beast Qilin, which the Beast Taming Sect had spent a great deal of effort cultivating and searching for, was captured so easily by a Qi Refining stage disciple of the Peak Sect.
Even traditional storybooks wouldn't be written so outrageously.
First, his teammates carried him through the entrance exam, and then he easily captured the Qilin beast that had transformed into a donkey.
No one can match this luck.
No wonder someone with such talent and aptitude could become the leader of the Dingsheng Sect.
Someone chimed in, "I know her. She's really lucky."
The speaker had a strikingly large nose.
One of the observers asked, "Oh, does this fellow practitioner know this young friend Ji?"
“Last year, when the Heavenly Gate opened, our Jing Shi Sect rushed to the location of a certain cultivator from another world. She was the first person to arrive at that location.” The speaker was Elder Ma of the Jing Shi Sect.
The first person? The surrounding cultivators all turned their heads, their eyes filled with amazement.
Being able to successfully cross the Heavenly Gate already makes one one of the best among cultivators in the small world. If one is the first to arrive, their cultivation level is unfathomable.
This little rascal is no ordinary person!
"Hmph, it's just pure luck, just like how well she's doing in this competition." Elder Ma sneered, "When she fell from the Heavenly Gate, she was only at the Qi Refining stage. How could she have crossed the Transcendental Array based on her strength?"
Qi Refining Stage? The cultivators looked at each other in bewilderment. The Heavenly Gate had been open for more than a year, and she was currently in the Qi Refining stage, so she had only recently advanced to the Qi Refining stage.
All I knew was that this young ancestor of the Dingsheng Sect had low cultivation, but I never expected him to be this bad!
Dingsheng Sect appointed her as the leader, leading everyone to subconsciously believe that she might be just one step away from Foundation Establishment. Unexpectedly, she was still far from Foundation Establishment!
Her cultivation level was worlds apart from all the other participating disciples. They were like heaven, while she was like earth. She couldn't even come close to the cultivation level of the top disciples in this competition.
With such cultivation, he was able to remain until the very end of the first round of competition.
Such luck is truly enviable.
Elder Ma of the Jing Shi Sect scoffed, "Heavens are truly unfair. Some people have such good fortune that they can easily cross the Heavenly Gate, join a major sect, and be accepted as a disciple by a Venerable One. It's so easy for them, unlike us who have to fight tooth and nail to get to where we are today."
The observers shook their heads and sighed, "Yes!"
"But how far can she go by relying solely on luck?"
"Let's see!"
******
The resting place for practitioners of the Hongqi Sect who were studying at Wangshan.
The Crane Immortal lay staring blankly at the wooden bed, his eyes unfocused and lifeless.
Two disciples of the Beast Taming Sect stood dejectedly by the bedside, sighing and weeping silently. It took the healers from Liuhuan Valley a while to react after the diagnosis was completed. Some were sent away, while others went to get medicine.
Only Venerable Chongjue remained standing in the room.
Master Chongjue sighed with his hands behind his back: "Master Hexiu, your health is of utmost importance. As for the matter of the Qilin beast, there is still a long way to go."
He had previously promised to find the Qilin for the Beast Taming Sect, and although he has broken his promise, he has enough reasons to cover it up.
“Our allies were ready to help with the beast taming, but your disciple specifically requested the demon wolf, so they took its head.” Chongjue shook his head: “What a pity.”
Upon hearing this, Master Hexiu closed his eyes, his hoarse voice revealing deep weariness: "The Qilin has recognized its master; perhaps this is the will of Heaven. Venerable Chongjue, our sect will remember your kindness."
Chongjue appeared solemn, but he was quite satisfied with Hexiu's answer.
To everyone's surprise, Ji Mingran actually asked the Beast Taming Sect disciple if he wanted it, and the Beast Taming Sect disciple flatly refused.
It is reasonable for Yu Tianxing not to try to seize the Qilin anymore.
Venerable Chongjue sneered inwardly; he did indeed know the art of diplomacy.
It would certainly be simpler to defeat the young girl from the Dingsheng Sect in a secluded spot and directly seize the Qilin Beast.
However, deliberately getting close and lying in ambush is the way to achieve long-term success.
The fact that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Ji Mingran showed that he had fully gained her trust. Indeed, compared to the Hongqi Sect, which was seen as a rival, he, as a disciple of the declining Buming Sect, was more likely to gain the recognition of the most powerful sects.
By forming an alliance with Dingsheng Sect, Yu Tian could not only seize the opportunity to reclaim the Qilin Beast, but also use the opportunity to restrain Dingsheng in subsequent competitions. As long as he did not arouse the suspicion of Dingsheng Sect, Yu Tian could advance or retreat as he pleased.
Looking at the devastated Crane Lord lying on the bed, Chongjue quickly abandoned the idea of helping the Beast Taming Sect seize the Qilin Beast.
Anyway, it was the beast-taming fool who brought trouble upon himself by saying he'd give up the Qilin for the demon wolf. He Xiu could only blame his disciple for being useless, not for failing to fulfill his promise to bring back the Qilin. Besides, He Xiu had already accepted his favor, so there was no need to insist on getting the Qilin back.
Yu Tianxing, who is lying in wait next to Dingsheng Sect, is more useful. It's not worth it to arouse suspicion from Dingsheng Sect for a Qilin beast.
Thinking of this, Venerable Chongjue's eyes flashed with coldness.
The four members of Dingsheng Sect were completely unable to shake the disciples of Hongqi Sect, but winning the championship was of utmost importance and could not be afforded any mistakes. Even though Dingsheng Sect had Hongyan backing them up, as long as he gave the order, Yu Tianxing, who was lurking by Dingsheng Sect's side, could undermine Dingsheng Sect from the ground up.
As long as Yu Tianxing stays by the side of the Dingsheng Sect team, the situation of the competition can be completely under his control.
Venerable Chongjue offered a few words of comfort to Hexiu, then walked to a secluded spot and casually drew an oval shape in the air.
Yu Tianxing's detached and indifferent face, amidst the yellow sand and desert behind him, appears in the circle.
Yu Tianxing didn't even raise his eyebrows.
Venerable Chongjue was used to his arrogant nature and said directly, "There is no need to deal with the Qilin beast anymore. Since you have already made friends with the Dingsheng Sect, continue to maintain good relations with them and make them lower their guard against you. They will need you in the future. If anything happens, tell me or the Hongqi Sect disciple you encounter."
Yu Tianxing remained motionless.
But Venerable Chongjue was no longer as unprepared as before. He shifted his gaze to the scene behind Yu Tianxing.
Under the blazing sun, the yellow sand flowed slowly. Projection transmission was normal.
He was indeed ignoring him.
Venerable Chongjue could no longer contain himself and opened his mouth to curse, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the oval image disappeared like smoke.
Yu Tianxing interrupted the transmission of the message again.
"Arrogant and presumptuous." Venerable Chongjue struck down with his palm, his anger causing the rock beneath his feet to crumble and sink dozens of meters, forming a deep, dark hole.
It's just a wisp of his soul. Do you really think that once we enter the competition, we won't dare to touch his true body?
Venerable Chongjue's figure transformed into a shooting star, rushing rapidly towards the bottom of the Qianchao Cliff, the forbidden area of the Hongqi Sect.
********
As the smoke of the messenger dissipated, a hint of sarcasm appeared in Yu Tianxing's eyes, while Chong Jue seemed to inexplicably deduce something superfluous.
It's funny.
My drooping eyelashes fluttered, and as far as the eye could see, yellow sand filled the sky.
The desert heat stirred a hint of restlessness in my usually cold and indifferent heart.
He had arranged to meet Mingran, but Xiaoji was too impatient, which caused him and Mingran to be separated again.
Yu Tianxing slowly raised his eyes, and on the horizon, there were two or three tall buildings that seemed to reach into the clouds.
This place is devoid of life, and Mingran will certainly not be pleased. It would be better to simply break the illusion and go out to find her.
The figure leaning against the broken wall slowly rose and walked toward the outline of the tall building. The dark figure that appeared and disappeared in the desert vanished like smoke, only to reappear thousands of miles away.
The strange and eerie steel buildings refracted a cold and desolate feeling under the sunlight. Yu Tianxing quietly observed the group of buildings in front of him.
This was a vast county town, a vast ruin.
The ruins were deserted, yet teeming with life. He could clearly sense the countless strange creatures lurking in the crevices and corners, their gazes peering at him intently.
Yu Tianxing walked calmly into the county town, navigating the complex and unfamiliar roads.
The lone figure stopped in front of a tall building, passed through the iron gate, and walked down the steps.
In the deep basement, a small shadow huddled under a table, trembling.
The vital point of the illusion.
"It's over," Yu Tianxing said calmly.
The shadow remained still.
"Don't come out, it's up to you."
Yu Tianxing's eyes were calm as he raised his long, slender fingers, pointing at the small shadow.
Sensing the impending danger, the shadow flinched, then darted out like a cornered rabbit.
Trying to escape?
Yu Tianxing neither dodged nor avoided it, calmly watching it rush straight towards him.
A faint light gathers from his fingertips; with just a slight bend, anything he points at will vanish in terror.
The shadow moved extremely fast, but it could never escape the range locked by his fingertips.
Just then, the shadow looked up, and its dark eyes, filled with a sense of desolation and death, came into view.
The familiar is unbelievable.
The index finger that had been clenched suddenly lifted, and Yu Tianxing's pupils contracted slightly. He said in a hoarse voice, "Mingran?"
******
Who is calling her?
Ji Mingran suspected she was hallucinating; she felt as if she heard someone calling her name.
But that's normal. Ji Mingran casually patted his ear. Who wouldn't get a little sick here?
The sense of familiarity is just like the dry, sweltering air here; it hits you as soon as you open your eyes.
Oh dear, the final illusion actually originated from her memory.
Memories of the apocalypse.
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