Chapter 33: Illusions

This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation

“Roar!”

Dry leaves rustled in the violent gust caused by the beast’s roar.

A monstrous creature, covered in hideous black scales, burst out from the forest with a fierce growl. Its bloodthirsty eyes glinted as it bared its enormous, stinking maw. Drool dripped down its fangs, leaving a slimy trail on the ground.

Ahead of its charging path stood a frail-looking woman.

She appeared rooted to the spot, seemingly petrified by the sudden threat.

Not far away, Zhang Jun, who was in hiding, felt his scalp prickle with fear. Sword in hand, he prepared to rush forward, but Zhou Jin Yue grabbed him firmly.

“Senior Sister, Junior Sister Yu Zhao is in danger!” Zhang Jun was beside himself with worry.

The sect had sent its disciples to Dragon Roar Valley to hone their skills through trials. Zhang Jun and Zhou Jin Yue, as seasoned seniors, understood the importance of real combat for cultivators. Thus, they had planned for Yu Zhao to face the demonic beast alone while they stood by to assist if needed.

However, Zhang Jun had not anticipated that Yu Zhao would freeze in fear at the very first encounter.

The beast’s tough scales made it highly resilient; a single swipe or bite from it could cause serious harm to any cultivator. Zhang Jun couldn’t bear to watch his junior sister suffer and was eager to step in and rescue her.

Zhou Jin Yue whispered, “Yu Zhao has a plan. Don’t mess things up.”

When someone is startled or relaxed, their reactions vary.

Yu Zhao’s sharp, focused gaze and composed demeanor showed she was far from panicked—she was utterly confident.

Zhang Jun steadied himself, scrutinizing the situation more carefully, and indeed, he saw the difference. He sighed with relief and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

In just a moment’s time, the beast was less than a yard away from Yu Zhao.

With a guttural roar of excitement, the creature tensed its limbs and leaped. Its massive body soared into the air, blocking out the sun.

“Hiss—”

Zhang Jun couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.

He turned his head and complained, “Senior Sister, you’re hurting me.”

Zhou Jin Yue, realizing she had been gripping Zhang Jun’s arm too tightly, quickly let go and apologized, though her eyes never left the scene.

Zhang Jun let it slide, keeping his gaze fixed on the beast, his sword ready.

What happened next left them both dumbfounded.

The beast, instead of attacking Yu Zhao, leaped over her and clashed violently with a cluster of towering trees.

The sound of crashing echoed through the forest as the beast howled and collided with the trunks.

Splinters of wood and shards of scales flew through the air.

Dust swirled.

Amid the chaos, Yu Zhao stood apart, her snow-white features cold and serene.

Before long, the beast collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Its body was riddled with gory, jagged wounds, its thick lips curling into a strange smile.

“It… it killed itself?” Zhang Jun stammered in disbelief.

Even though the scene had unfolded right before his eyes, it was difficult to accept. Had the beast gone mad?

Otherwise, why would it suddenly fly into a frenzy and self-destruct?

Zhou Jin Yue snapped out of her shock and hurried to Yu Zhao, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Junior Sister Yu Zhao, how did you do it?”

Compared to the arduous battles they usually endured to defeat such creatures, Yu Zhao’s method was practically bloodless.

Zhou Jin Yue had never seen such a peculiar tactic before, and her curiosity was piqued.

Yu Zhao smiled faintly and revealed a Lotus Incense Burner in her palm.

“Illusion techniques, aided by special incense.”

Yu Zhao practiced the Illusory Tides Technique, rooted in illusion magic. Her mentor, Bright Moon Hermit, achieved enlightenment through a detached heart, observing the voids in others’ minds, and ensnaring them with illusions.

Once mastered, the technique could trap opponents in a vivid illusion with just a glance.

Though Yu Zhao had only reached the second level of the Illusory Tides Technique, requiring tools like enchanted artifacts, formations, or alchemical aids to craft illusions, she excelled at using them creatively.

Before setting out, Yu Zhao had prepared a calming incense and placed it in the burner. As the soothing aroma spread, her illusion silently took hold.

Even intelligent cultivators would struggle to notice, let alone a simple-minded beast.

Zhou Jin Yue’s eyes sparkled. “An illusion! How ingenious! Why didn’t I think of that?”

Time apart had brought startling changes to Yu Zhao—not just in her appearance but in her demeanor and skill.

Zhou Jin Yue marveled at how the talents of someone like Yu Zhao had gone unnoticed for so long, buried by the obscurity of Lone Moon Peak.

“Junior Sister, I’ve never fallen for an illusion before. Could you let me experience it?” Zhang Jun asked with an eager, slightly mischievous grin.

Yu Zhao glanced at him. “Sure.”

She snapped her fingers.

Zhang Jun waited expectantly for the illusion to take effect.

One breath, two breaths…

After a while, his smile faded. “Junior Sister Yu Zhao, I don’t feel anything.”

“Be patient, Senior Brother.”

“Alright.”

He waited some more.

Still nothing.

He frowned and muttered, “Why’s it taking so long?”

This time, Yu Zhao gave no explanation, simply watching him with a calm expression.

Zhang Jun grew irritated under her gaze and raised his voice. “Junior Sister, why aren’t you answering me?!”

Meanwhile, Zhou Jin Yue stood frozen, staring at Zhang Jun in utter disbelief. He was rambling at thin air.

Zhou Jin Yue was astounded. Yu Zhao’s cultivation was at Foundation Establishment, while Zhang Jun had reached the Golden Core stage—an entire realm higher.

Could Yu Zhao really challenge someone at such a level?

As if sensing Zhou Jin Yue’s thoughts, Yu Zhao said softly, “It’s not that simple. Zhang Senior Brother is caught because he trusts us and knows I mean no harm. A stranger at the Golden Core stage would sense something amiss within three breaths.”

A cultivator with a strong, stable mind was less likely to succumb to illusions, making distractions essential for creating vulnerabilities.

Rustle, rustle—

As Yu Zhao and Zhou Jin Yue discussed, soft footsteps echoed from deep within the forest.

Zhang Jun blinked, his mind clearing.

He glanced around but saw no sign of Yu Zhao. Meeting Zhou Jin Yue’s amused gaze, he forced a bitter smile. This illusion technique, capable of trapping someone so seamlessly, was terrifying and impossible to guard against.

A natural caution toward Yu Zhao stirred within him.

“May I ask if you three are disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect?” a voice interrupted.

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