From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 146 Illusory Realm Makes It Hard to Control One's Mind

My hand was about to touch that illusory glory when a sudden chill ran through me, abruptly stopping me. No, this feeling is too unreal. Becoming a Celestial Venerable is my desired goal, but certainly not through such a false illusion. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to regain my senses. The high platform and the crowd before me gradually blurred, eventually disappearing without a trace.

Instead, a warm and peaceful scene unfolded before me. I returned to my childhood home; my parents' loving smiles and the familiar aroma of food stirred up the softest memories in my heart. My mother held my hand, her eyes reddening: "Yao'er, don't go on that adventure. Stay here. Our family will always be together, won't that be better?"

My nose stung, and I almost burst into tears. How long had it been since I'd dreamt of such a scene? Ever since I transmigrated to the world of cultivation, I'd lost the simple happiness of being with my loved ones. But I knew this was just an illusion, a trap tempting me to give up.

“Mom, I know you’re worried about me, but I have something I have to do.” I said, choking back tears. “I promised myself that I would become strong and protect the people I want to protect.”

My father came over and patted my shoulder: "Yao'er, we understand you, but the inheritance test is too dangerous. If you stay, we can live happily too."

Their words were like fine needles, piercing my heart. Staying meant having the family I craved, and staying away from danger and challenges. This temptation was almost irresistible.

At that moment, Reimu's voice rang in my ears: "Xiao Yao, don't be fooled by what you see before you, it's all an illusion! Only by passing the test can you gain true power to protect those you want to protect!"

Reimu's words were like a beacon, illuminating my confused heart. I bit my tongue hard; the pain made me even more clear-headed. Yes, I cannot indulge in false happiness. My goal is to become a true immortal, not to be trapped in this illusion.

I resolutely turned away from this warm home and headed towards the unknown road ahead. The illusion shifted again, and I arrived at a magnificent palace. An ancient immortal sat on his throne, his gaze piercing, as if he could see right through me.

“You still harbor obsessions,” the ancient immortal said in a deep voice.

“I know,” I answered firmly, “but I will overcome it.”

The ancient immortal nodded slightly: "Very good. Only by letting go of attachments can one truly comprehend the essence of inheritance."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice rang in my ear: "Yao'er, give up, this inheritance is not suitable for you..."

I turned around abruptly and saw... Wen Chen? He was standing behind me, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

“Wen Chen…” I murmured, a warm feeling welling up in my heart.

He stood there, dressed in pristine white, like a celestial being. His gentle gaze and caring words, like the warm spring sun, melted away all the ice in my heart. It was him, my Wen Chen. Since we met in the secret realm, we have supported each other through countless life-or-death trials. He has always been my strongest support, my driving force.

"Wen Chen, what are you doing here?" I asked, trembling. I wanted to get closer to him, but I didn't dare to take that step.

He sighed softly, walked up to me, and gently stroked my cheek: "Yao'er, I know you've tried very hard, but this path is too dangerous, it's not worth all this effort. Give it up, come back with me, and let's live a peaceful life together, okay?"

His words echoed in my ears like a curse. Give up? Go back? Yes, I'm tired, so very tired. For this elusive position of Immortal Venerable, I've given up so much, lost so much. If I could be with him, I would gladly give up everything.

My will began to waver, and my body grew weaker and weaker, as if I were about to be swallowed up by this gentle trap. I reached out, wanting to grab him, but my hand fell limply to my side.

"Wen Chen, I..." I began with difficulty, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as if trying to meld me into his body: "Yao'er, don't be afraid, I will always be with you."

His embrace was so warm, so familiar, that I was lost in it and didn't want to wake up. I closed my eyes, feeling his breath, his heartbeat, as if I had returned to the time when we first met.

"Yao'er, promise me, give up..." His gentle voice rang in my ears, like a lullaby, and I gradually lost consciousness.

My vision blurred, and the sounds around me grew increasingly chaotic, as if countless people were whispering in my ear, speaking in languages ​​I couldn't understand. My body grew heavier and heavier, as if I were about to fall into an endless abyss.

"No... I can't give up..." I struggled to regain my senses, but I was powerless to resist the powerful temptation.

"Give up... You can't hold on any longer..." The voice rang out again, tinged with mockery and smugness.

who is it? Who is speaking?

I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt as heavy as lead. My consciousness began to fade, and my memories became blurry. Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?

"Yao'er, you're tired, go to sleep..." That gentle voice rang out again, like the gentle call of death.

No! I can't sleep! I still have an unfinished mission! I still want to become an Immortal Venerable! I still want to…

"Hehehe... How pathetic. Do you think you can still become a Celestial Venerable? You're just a pitiful worm being toyed with by fate..." A cold voice suddenly rang in my ear, filled with malice.

That voice... it's the King of the Underworld!

I was startled, and my mind cleared a little instantly. How could he be here? Why was he stopping me?

"Netherworld King, you will not succeed!" I roared with all my might.

"Hehehe... Do you think you still have the ability to resist? You have been controlled by my illusion, and everything about you will be under my control!" The Netherworld Ghost King laughed wildly.

My body was growing weaker and weaker, and my consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred. I knew I was about to give up.

"Wen Chen..." I called his name weakly, as if grasping at the last straw.

The "Wen Chen" who appeared before me smiled gently and whispered in my ear, "Give up, Yao'er... Only in this way can you be free..."

His words were like sharp blades, piercing my heart.

"Give up? Relief?" I muttered to myself, a sudden surge of intense anger rising within me. Give up? How much effort I've put in, how many life-or-death trials I've faced to get to where I am today—why should I give up? I will never give up!

Suddenly, familiar images flashed through my mind: the frail girl who suffered bullying in her family, the resilient figure struggling on the edge of life and death, the powerful warrior who constantly broke through his own limits in one challenge after another... These are all me, all proof of how I have come this far step by step!

I clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and shouted in my heart, "I can't be fooled! This is an illusion, it's all fake! Wen Chen won't let me give up, he has always supported and encouraged me!"

A powerful force surged from the depths of my heart, impacting the surrounding illusion. The illusory scene began to distort and shatter, and the gentle "Wen Chen" revealed its ferocious face.

"Damn it! You actually saw through my illusion!" The Netherworld Ghost King's furious voice echoed in the illusion, carrying a chilling aura.

The illusion began to collapse, and everything around me became blurry. I felt a sharp headache, as if something was tearing my soul apart.

"Trying to escape? Not so easy!" The voice of the Netherworld Ghost King was like a roar from hell. A huge ghost claw reached out from the void, carrying a strong yin energy, and grabbed at me fiercely.

I endured the excruciating pain and mobilized the remaining spiritual energy within my body to condense it into a shield, blocking the attack of the ghost claw.

"Netherworld Ghost King, do you think you can trap me with such a small trick? I, Xiao Yao, am not so easily defeated!" I gritted my teeth, my gaze fixed firmly on the Ghost King's figure that appeared and disappeared in the void.

I knew I had to find a way out of the illusion as soon as possible, or I would be trapped here to die. I tried my best to stay conscious, resisting the attacks of the Netherworld King while searching for a flaw in the illusion.

The illusion constantly shifted, presenting various terrifying scenes that tried to disturb my mind. One moment it was a battlefield with rivers of blood, the next a sinister and terrifying ghost realm, and then a seductive and gentle haven.

I kept my mind focused, refusing to be misled by these illusory visions. I knew that as long as I held firm to my beliefs, I would surely find a way out.

Suddenly, I noticed that the light in one place in the illusion seemed a little different. It emitted a faint golden light, like the dawn of hope.

A thought suddenly struck me: Could that be the exit from the illusion?

Without hesitation, I rushed toward the golden light, with the ghostly claws chasing closely behind me.

"Trying to escape? Dream on!" The voice of the Netherworld Ghost King grew closer and closer, and I felt the aura of death enveloping me.

At that critical moment, I finally reached the golden light. The golden light instantly enveloped me, and I felt a powerful force pull me in…

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in the real world. I looked around and found myself standing on an ancient altar, with a portal leading to the next level in the center.

I took a deep breath and was about to step into the portal when I suddenly heard a familiar voice: "It seems you're still a step behind me."

I turned around abruptly and saw Feiyu standing not far away, a meaningful smile on her face...

The golden light faded, and I staggered a few steps before regaining my balance. The nauseating illusion was gone, replaced by an ancient and solemn altar. I took a deep breath, feeling the surge of spiritual energy within me, relieved to have escaped the Netherworld King's trap. But before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, that chilling laughter rang out again: "Thought it was over? Little girl, you're too naive!"

The space at the center of the altar distorted, and the figure of the Netherworld King solidified once more. His face was ferocious, exuding a chilling aura, and his blood-red eyes stared intently at me, as if he wanted to devour me. "Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he transformed into a cloud of black mist and swept towards me. The black mist was filled with ghostly wails and howls, and a chilling wind blew, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression. I quickly summoned my Azure Lotus Sword, its blade emitting a clear hum, and streaks of sword energy danced like silver dragons, forcing the black mist back.

The Netherworld King constantly shifted his form, sometimes transforming into a gigantic skeleton, sometimes into a hideous demon, and sometimes into a beautiful woman, attempting to disturb my mind. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to remain calm. His attacks were swift and unpredictable, and I gradually felt powerless, sustaining several wounds that dripped blood down my arms.

Just when I was about to give up, I suddenly noticed that no matter how the Netherworld Ghost King changed, his attacks always carried a hint of hesitation, as if he was wary of something. I observed carefully and discovered that he avoided a certain area in the center of the altar with each attack. There, a faint golden light emanated, exactly the same light that had pulled me out of the illusion before.

Could it be... that's his weakness?

A surge of joy filled me, and I immediately changed my strategy. Instead of confronting him head-on, I used my movement techniques to lure him towards the center of the altar. The Netherworld Ghost King fell for my trick; enraged by my actions, he roared and lunged at me. Just as he was about to touch the golden light, I swiftly dodged, simultaneously channeling all the remaining spiritual power within me into the Azure Lotus Sword, and slashed fiercely at the golden light!

"what--"

A piercing scream echoed throughout the altar, and the figure of the Netherworld King instantly disintegrated, turning into specks of black light and disappearing without a trace. I collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, savoring the joy of surviving a calamity.

I struggled to my feet and looked towards the center of the altar. There, a portal slowly opened, radiating a soft light. I knew it was the entrance to the next level. I took a deep breath, preparing to step inside, when I heard a familiar voice: "Looks like you're still a step behind me."

I whirled around and saw Fei Yu standing not far away, a knowing smile on his face. My heart sank. Did he know what I'd been through? Had he been watching me all along? I suppressed my unease and coldly replied, "You think you can beat me like this? The outcome is still uncertain!"

Without hesitation, I stepped into the portal. The scenery shifted, and I found myself in a narrow passage. The walls on either side were covered in spikes, which gleamed with an eerie light… Fei Yu's figure appeared behind me. He chuckled softly and followed. He seemed unhurried, his steps calm and elegant, a stark contrast to my hurried footsteps. My gaze fell on his tall, slender figure, and a strange unease welled up within me. Where did this path lead…?