88 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 88: Illusory Realm (I) Though unaware of the source of Xiang Shi Yan's map, Huai Ye was confident in it due to her master's unwavering trust. To avoid drawing attention, she had memorized the entire map, particularly the internal layout and instructions for the treasure site at Ling Guan Manor. However, regardless of the depth of her memory, unforeseen obstacles frequently emerged in reality. The path in the original story, where the two protagonists discovered the treasure, was more convoluted. Xiang Shi Yan had simplified the route for her, allowing them to avoid many unnecessary detours. As a result, the group found quite a number of useful items during their journey. Huai Ye handed all the low-tier pills found along the way to He He, even going so far as to insist she take a Rejuvenation Pill right in front of her. He He struggled fiercely against this. While the Rejuvenation Pill was known for its mild properties and posed no threat to even healthy individuals when treated as candy, Huai Ye meant well. However, the supposedly gentle nature of the pill was not suitable for the beast-like attributes He He possessed. Being a serpentine being, He He differed significantly from ordinary snakes or serpent demons. However, like them, as long as she lived long enough, she could grow indefinitely. After joining the Jade Green Mountain Sect, she had been suppressing her true form's growth to avoid exposure. Her human guise was essentially a half-body, growing at a normal human pace. If her form were forced to expand, she wouldn't know how to fix it. Zheng Yi Wen's medicine had misled her body into believing it was time to grow, madly absorbing nutrients to catch up to the past life's level, partly causing her recent lethargy. The more predominant reason lay in the intense pain from suppressing her growth, leaving her drained. Besides, the Rejuvenation Pill held a slight toxicity for her; having tasted pills rich in vital energy, He He dared not consume any more, fearing she could suddenly burst from her human shell and turn into an unsightly monster. "You... don't go randomly giving me things to eat. It might say 'Rejuvenation Pill,' but who knows what's really inside!" Seeing He He's spirited resistance and acknowledging her reasoning, Huai Ye had no choice but to relent. Indeed, testing any found pills before use was wise. "You should worry more about yourself than me... being oblivious even when being targeted," He He thought to herself bitterly. Once again, that strange sensation washed over her. He He paled as a fierce slicing pain coursed through her unwounded, uninjured chest and abdomen, as if someone were cutting from her chin all the way to her tail. She stumbled while trailing after the group but quickly steadied herself, though couldn't avoid doubling over with a dry heave. This sensation, akin to having her skin flayed, was not just an illusion but originated from the depths of her shattered memories, a hardship she had endured in her previous life. Finding it harder to breathe in, He He coughed weakly, inadvertently drawing the attention of the other two. "What is happening?" Huai Ye exclaimed, alarmed that He He suffered another issue the moment she looked away. She supported the girl who nearly collapsed, watching her slowly recover their breath after a bout of coughing. With weak energy, He He pulled away, exhaustedly pointing to the path ahead, "There's something there." Without needing her words, Huai Ye had already noted some traces of habitation as they neared the room hiding the mechanism indicated on the map. From the empty doorway ahead, a sharp beak poked out, long and blade-like. The bird demon’s small head emerged, adorned with gold and crimson feathers, and its piercing eyes exuded an intimidating presence. It made no sound but held its head out, watching them with a strangely human-like and unsettling expression. After a moment, the bird leisurely strutted out. Its neck was long, its feathers gold and crimson, gleaming stunningly and strikingly. The long tail feathers trailed the ground, exuding an aura of luxury. Yet beneath the regal plumage lay a malevolent beast in human eyes. The Fire Glue Bird, though not exceptionally powerful, was considerably cunning. It typically distracted the mother, then attacked the young, often consuming even the hatchlings of its kind. Preferring nutrient-rich foods like eggs, it would pierce shells with its sharp beak to savor the contents, much like it relished devouring the brains of its prey. Apparently, it discarded prey remains elsewhere, which explained the absence of abnormalities until now. Luxurious in nature, the Fire Glue Bird discarded the prey after consuming its preferred parts. Hence, its nesting places often bore scattered skull fragments while the rest of the carcass remained untouched—not even scavengers dared approach its territory. Beautiful yet ruthless creatures fascinated He He, much like her intense curiosity towards fox spirits which fed on others’ emotions as part of their cultivation. Most avian beasts were small, and this one measured just over half a meter. It confidently strutted to the center of the courtyard, using its beak to preen its feathers, attempting to intimidate intruders this way. Yet Huai Ye felt no fear. The bird had nested in the mechanism room ahead—a significant obstacle for Huai Ye's quest for the treasure, and the Fire Glue Bird wouldn’t easily relinquish its domicile. Seeing these humans not flee as expected, it began a soft call, wrapping itself in a slow-falling, honey-like flame. Although Huai Ye's Thunder Root was derived from a mutation of the Fire Root, she struggled against flames. During an earlier encounter in Xinyang City, her hands suffered burns from High Lord Gao Yang's black flames—scars remained as testament. Glancing back at the frail He He and the obviously unhelpful Qin Miao, Huai Ye gestured for them to withdraw to a safer distance. The flames adhered to its plumage like solid glue, splashing to the sides with each wing beat. This glue-like substance was a type of oil on its feathers that enhanced shine, swelling into a flaming barrier under spiritual influence, cloaking the entire bird. The Fire Glue Bird unleashed its spiritual power, and a wave of heat surged through the air. From its spiritual aura alone, it was evident this bird demon had achieved Golden Core cultivation. For the first time, He He witnessed Huai Ye in combat, intently observing alongside Qin Miao. Huai Ye was weak against fire, her greatest flaw. Though the Thunder Root allowed for effective attacks, it lacked the defensive qualities of Wood, Earth, or even Ice. As a physical cultivator, her fists were a disadvantage here; against intangible foes, she felt impaired. During the previous gamble in Xinyang City, she managed to down Gao Yang by sheer chance. However, a Fire Glue Bird’s protective flames wouldn't dissipate even if its owner fell. With its Golden Core flames, a certain strike might cost her both hands. Standing firm, Huai Ye maintained a careful distance from the Fire Glue Bird. Oddly, the bird didn’t expand its flames into a broad territory, confining its presence to the small courtyard. Its eyes, unassuming yet purely colored, betrayed a heightened awareness, as if guarding against an unknown threat. After quietly assessing, Huai Ye unsheathed her spiritual sword. Her swordsmanship was modest at best but preferable to bare-handed fighting. A golden arc of electricity flashed through her eyes as she muttered incantations, pointing her sword skyward. A bolt of golden lightning plummeted in a testing strike. The Fire Glue Bird twirled its wings, deftly dodging the attack. Lightning techniques typically launched slowly, granting the bird insight into the ominous nature of this human opponent. It twirled, flapping its wings to conjure a whirlwind of red flames within the confined courtyard. Huai Ye’s dual sword energies severed the forming whirlwind, yet the Fire Glue Bird deftly turned its wings toward He He and Qin Miao, propelling two fire streams at them. Determining the other two humans posed less of a threat, it employed its cunning tactics—it favored attacking young-bearing beasts for this very reason. Creatures lacking human intelligence often succumbed, sacrificing themselves for their young. Yet Huai Ye’s response was swifter. She deflected the two fire streams, created by her sword’s wind force, away from their intended path. The fireballs exploded against the wall beside her two companions, engulfing it in flames until only ashes remained. He He and Qin Miao hastily retreated to a more distant safety zone, wary of the beast’s cunning trickery that constantly sought to divert Huai Ye’s attention. As Huai Ye shifted focus to the fireballs, the Fire Glue Bird swiftly closed the gap, its gold-crimson wings bearing down upon her. The girl’s form flickered, vanishing just as the bird’s wing struck, scattering golden arcs of lingering electricity. Alarmed, the bird demon hurriedly drew back, only to find the girl hadn’t attempted an assault but instead wielded a bolt of thunder-infused sword energy aimed at the small ramshackle shack behind it. The seemingly errant sword strike found its mark on the Fire Glue Bird perfectly. The startled demon barrelled into the golden half-moon sword energy as rapidly as it could. The Fire Glue Bird's chest was ripped open, the slash extending to its neck, nearly severing its head. With a harrowing screech, the bird beast collapsed, body convulsing and emitting pathetic whimpers until it finally perished. Without the sustaining spiritual power, its fiery coating quickly extinguished, lacking fuel to continue burning. Huai Ye deftly sliced open the bird's body with her sword and extracted its inner core with her bloodied hands. She looked down at the bird's corpse, closed her eyes for a moment's silent tribute, then swiftly handled and stored it inside her Sumeru bag. Qin Miao refrained from asking why the bird demon had inexplicably dashed into Huai Ye's attack, as he already knew from his past life. A part of him hoped He He might ask so he could enlighten her. The Fire Glue Bird had claimed this place as its nest only recently, and it was known for maintaining a clean environment. It typically carried leftover prey (still quite intact) far away to discard, explaining why the room was not overly messy, merely smelling of dried wood. Within the nest, crafted from sticks, leaves, stems, and various materials, lay two eggs resembling white jade, veined with fiery cracks. He He understood the situation immediately when she saw the bird. Lacking a crest, it was clearly a female; despite its Golden Core status, it had been showboating due to recently laying eggs and not yet recovering its strength. Huai Ye picked up the eggs, hesitated, and turned to He He. "Are you alright? Do you want to rest a bit before we continue?" At the word "rest," alarm bells went off in He He's mind. She suspected that if she agreed, Huai Ye might immediately try to cook the eggs for her. Inner cores, powdered bones, and blood of beasts were excellent for promoting blood circulation and vitality. Eggs were highly nutritious, and such a high-tier fire-elemental beast's eggs like the Fire Glue Bird's were sought for their use as ingredients in love toxins. He He dared not consume a newly laid Golden Core beast egg; she realized Huai Ye intended to compensate for her perceived responsibility for He He's condition. Fed up with Huai Ye's attentiveness, which was becoming a bit too much, He He also knew wasting such rare eggs would be foolish. So, she firmly refused, "No need, I rested enough." "Oh, alright," said Huai Ye, looking at the egg-sized eggs in her hands with some regret, "I thought about cooking these for you..." He He quickly interjected, "Why eat them? Fire Glue Bird hatchlings are rare. Whether you keep or sell them, it's far better than eating!" "Without the mother’s constant spiritual supply, these eggs will soon die. Might as well eat them now," Huai Ye reasoned. "I can't perform such delicate work; I'd probably end up breaking the eggs." He He facepalmed, "Then it’s not too late to eat them when that happens." She mustered all her strength to display an 'I want to raise the little birds' expression at Huai Ye. "Maybe we can ask Master Yue Ming for help... Since Master can't help due to their opposing attributes," Huai Ye pondered. "But if the eggs die before we exit the secret realm, don’t get disappointed." He He nodded eagerly, deciding she’d trick Huai Ye into giving her the eggs later to hatch them with her own spiritual energy. Huai Ye dug through the clutter in search of anything useful but was actually looking for the mechanism indicated on the map. A copper bottle with traces of spiritual energy caught her attention, and she picked it up from the ground. Her movements were fluid, so quick that Qin Miao, who intended to stop her, was instantly drawn in as well. The ancient copper bottle clanged to the floor, leaving the room in silence; the three were nowhere to be found. Qin Miao had some preparation for this incident, having faced it in his past life. Nevertheless, Huai Ye and He He's conversation had distracted him, so he didn’t notice Huai Ye's actions until it was too late. The copper bottle contained a pre-set scene, possibly used by the original owner of this room several millennia ago for peace. Yet, for unknown reasons, it hid lurking dangers. After being pulled into the bottle, a mechanism triggered, sending individuals into an illusion. Even in his future endeavors as he achieved great cultivation prowess, Qin Miao remained haunted by that experience. He couldn't determine the illusion's source but knew it was terrifying beyond anything he’d ever seen, wholly out of place here. Perhaps someone had placed this as a safeguard for a secret treasure, but Qin Miao doubted if one could create such an array before age twenty. In his past life, the vision from the bottle presented the day the Qin family was attacked by unknown thieves. He found himself trapped in that blood-red sunset, unable to realize his mind was being slowly eroded by the illusion, until Huai Ye shattered it, pulling him out. Caught in past events with no escape, unable to avenge those who perished in the Qin household, his impotent rage kept him imprisoned. But the narrative had changed; now he had uncovered the truth, avenged his father by slaying his killer, Bai Jing Huan, and washed away the blood feud. This time, he aimed to shatter the illusion before Huai Ye, claiming the treasure first— Where am I? A buzzing filled his mind, and Qin Miao momentarily dazed, stumbled, losing his cane. A disheartened youth, as if waking from a long dream, gazed numbly at his leg, slowly registering that since injuring it in the Hunyuan Realm eight years prior, his left leg had been numb. Though he'd accepted the reality, why did an inexplicable sorrow tug at his heart, bringing tears to his eyes? "Brother? Why did you fall? Here, take my hand." The stunned youth felt shade above him and heard a young woman's amused voice as she offered her hand. On reflex, he took her hand and used it to pull himself upright, awkwardly stammering, "Th-thank you." Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, the twenty-six-year-old stood flustered, clutching his thumb, while the girl bent to retrieve his cane. The girl was neither too tall nor too short, and seemingly slim. Her downturned almond eyes and gentle smile lent an air of warmth. She wore the scarlet robes of an inner disciple of Jade Green Mountain. Qin Miao was absentminded for a moment before taking the cane from his junior sister’s hand. He realised that He He was eighteen now, and the timid little girl was gone, replaced by this vibrant young woman who nonetheless felt unfamiliar to him. "Are we at Tianji Gate?" he asked while peering off the flying ship. In the distance, mountains shrouded in clouds appeared, the greenish black striking against the mist. The ship was halted by the Tianji Gate’s imposed fog, wobbling as it descended. Looking at He He beside him, Qin Miao was puzzled, "You're here. Who’s flying the ship?" He He raised a brow, "Isn't it always Sister Huai Ye?" Qin Miao smacked his forehead, wondering why he was so befuddled today. They’d journeyed all this way with Sister Huai Ye at the helm. Eight years later, Huai Ye's appearance hadn’t changed much, only her aura was sharper. She approached, grumbling irritably, “Always such fanfare. Next time, not even if the Sect Master begs will I come here again.” She was miffed about the vexing Tianji Gate fog. Beautifully serene from afar, navigating it without sword flight or ship was infuriating. The mountains ensconcing the Tianji Gate lay still distant from the foothills. "Shh, don't let the Tianji Gate people hear you," He He teased, nudging Huai Ye behind her, unconstrained by formality as they would be back at the sect. Using his cane, Qin Miao hobbled down from the ship and saw Huai Ye had taken out the Sect Master's high-tier spiritual treasure for the journey. Given her cultivation level had broken through to Nascent Soul, she could control such a large vessel. Celestial Bodies... The flaw of Celestial Bodies had been inexplicably resolved years ago, courtesy of He He. Huai Ye's Nascent Soul breakthrough was kept under wraps since, at twenty-seven, it would shockingly break Sect Master’s record. Since that girl arrived at Jade Green Mountain, everything seemed to improve. Lives that Qin Miao foresaw ending in calamity were spared, everyone was unharmed, and even their master had recently achieved the Daoist Great Harmony stage. Xiang Shi Yan, the half-human, half-demon Jade Fox, would need to consume others' wholehearted emotions to advance. How she... Perhaps it wasn’t relevant now. This harmonious front was the fruit of He He’s efforts, having nothing to do with Qin Miao. Realizing he lagged behind, lost in thought, Huai Ye and He He called to him from ahead. Qin Miao forced a smile and hurried to catch up with them. The purpose of the trio's visit was to represent the sect master at the Tianji Gate, and as expected, they were treated as honored guests. The person sent to greet them was exactly whom Qin Miao had anticipated. Fairy Qing Wu, Fu Zhi. Fu Zhi, the most cherished disciple of the Tianji Gate's leader, was highly likely to succeed to the leadership position. Having her welcome them wasn’t considered beneath her status, but given Tianji Gate's typically proud and peculiar nature, such attention was indeed a surprise. As they approached, the long-forgotten image resurfaced in Qin Miao's mind with clarity. Fu Zhi, though blind from birth, held the power to perceive destiny and dispel illusions. Despite her cultivation level being merely at the Golden Core stage, her abilities exceeded common knowledge and speculation. The blind woman, clad in a simple green robe, sat quietly with her clouded eyes open, hands folded on her lap, on the moss-covered, dusty stone steps. She remained unaware even as the three approached. It was exactly the same as it had been in Qin Miao's previous life. The only difference being Fu Zhi wasn't waiting for him this time. He He bent down and waved a hand before the blind woman, "Excuse me, sister, are you—" but was cut off. Fu Zhi abruptly seized He He's hand, gripping so tightly she couldn't break free. Her seemingly frail form was deceptively strong. Those veiled eyes held He He's gaze unyieldingly. "What are you doing?" Huai Ye demanded coldly, intervening to pry Fu Zhi's hand away. Her forceful grip left red marks on the blind woman’s wrist, likely to bruise, yet Fu Zhi seemed oblivious. Only after several breaths did Fu Zhi release He He, smiling with relief. She spoke. Don't say it. "I've awaited you for some time." Please, don't. "The stars have foretold, and indeed today is extraordinary." Qin Miao, standing not too far beyond, desperately pleaded. "We follow the way of the heavens and welcome you." No... I’m supposed to be the one... I— "You, the one destined by the heavens." In the Author's Notes: Some of the illusions Qin Miao experiences stem from his past, others are his fabrications. The personalities and futures he imagines differ from those in this story, including aspects like character appearances. Check out my new work! "Blood Disease" One-liner: Helping a vampire acclimate to modernity—is that considered social work? Blurb: Bounty hunter Flora has a new job—escorting a wealthy heiress back home. With a rich mark practically begging to be fleeced, the hunter readily agrees, expecting some extra work during the slow season. However, the client turns out to be quite the oddball. As the hunter observes the girl licking the blood from a wound, recounting tales from the old royal era with a mix of ancient accent and fervor, Misty indeed resembled a millennium-old corpse fresh out of the coffin... As the first discoverer, Flora holds the legal right to all disposal regarding this "non-human-rights creature" and its estate. "Shh, be good, you wouldn't want more people to find out you're a vampire, would you?" 1V1, a mercenary bounty hunter with her eye on profits X a secretive vampiric heiress Standalone story, a journey narrative of two individuals harboring secrets No pop-up ads on our site, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)