Chapter 30: The Trial Tower (Part III)

As Hu Linger’s bloodline prowess ascended to that of the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox, the bloodline strength of the younger generation of the Fox clan rose by another tier. Liao Chen had not expected his unintentional act to trigger the resurgence of a once-waning demonic cultivation species. Satisfied with Hu Linger’s performance, he reminded her not to become overly fixated on bloodline ranks, urging her instead to focus on practicing the "Heavenly Dao Illusionary Arts" he had bestowed upon her.

Hu Linger nodded, watching Liao Chen depart before she began her study of the manual. Just then, the sounds of fervent discussion drifted from outside the Trial Tower. Listening in, she realized everyone was talking about her fellow disciples, Jiang Qian and Qin Tian. As their junior sister, she could not afford to fall behind, and so she resolved to test the tower herself.

With a flash, she arrived at the Trial Tower and stepped inside with ease. She had expected her own cultivation to allow her to shine, but she soon found herself struggling even within the Heavenly Spirit Realm stage of the tower. The demonic cultivators at this level were exceptionally powerful; despite her own Xuan King Realm cultivation, she could not dispatch them instantly.

"How can this be? How did my two senior disciples manage to clear this stage?"

Hu Linger began to doubt herself. If the beasts at the Heavenly Spirit Realm were this formidable, she dared not imagine the terror of those in the Divine Ability or Xuan King realms. Stubbornly, she steeled herself. If her seniors could do it, so could she; she would not bring shame upon her master.

Instead of rushing to clear the levels, Hu Linger calmed her mind to contemplate the "Heavenly Dao Illusionary Arts." This top-tier divine cultivation method was far more than a mere tool for deception; it was a profound system that synthesized illusions with formation arrays. Comprising twelve layers, it could lead even to godhood upon completion.

Having yet to master the basics, she began to practice according to the text. With her innate Phantom Spirit physique and the heritage of the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox, she quickly formed the first layer within her own body. At will, she could now transform into anyone—the "Thousand-Change Myriad Forms," the entry point of the art. However, this disguise was merely a tactical aid; a vigilant foe could still see through it.

She continued her practice, splitting her spirit body into two, creating an "other self." It was similar to an external avatar, yet distinct due to her phantom nature. As she increased the number of these phantom spirits, her power grew. Reaching one hundred phantoms marked initial success, while thousands signified great mastery. For Hu Linger, this was effortless, and she soon manifested ten thousand.

Even so, the third layer was insufficient to instantly slay Heavenly Spirit Realm beasts. Pressing on to the fourth layer—the Grandmaster level—her phantoms solidified. With over one hundred thousand phantoms now substantial, she could simulate any environment: the Phantom Spirit Domain. Within this domain, Hu Linger was invincible.

Within the domain, she could effortlessly pinpoint an enemy’s weakness and strike with lethal precision, making it possible to overcome opponents of higher realms. Every enemy, no matter how powerful, had a vulnerability, and one strike was all she needed.

System: "Ding! Congratulations to the host's disciple, Hu Linger, for reaching the Grandmaster level of illusionary arts. Reward: 50 million cultivation experience points, 100 top-tier Phantom Spirit Treasures, 1 million Grade-6 soul-replenishing pills, 1 million Grade-6 soul-stabilizing pills, 1 million top-tier spirit beast potential pills, and 100,000 divine beast pills. Rewards have been distributed; please check your inventory."

Liao Chen beamed at the news. Hu Linger had provided a bountiful return less than a day after joining, making this an excellent investment. He resolved to reward her and her clan handsomely; he would feel guilty otherwise.

Unaware of the benefits her progress brought to her master, Hu Linger’s respect for him grew immensely. The power to manifest a domain at will had made her fearless against peers and capable of battling those stronger than herself.

She returned to the challenge. Within her Phantom Spirit Domain, the Heavenly Spirit beasts were helpless, waiting like lambs to the slaughter. She cleared the stage swiftly and proceeded to the Divine Ability stage, with equally impressive results.

Outside the tower, the crowd was in an uproar. "Look! The other disciple from Peach Blossom Peak is showing his strength! It’s too fast—every floor cleared in under ten seconds! What kind of talent is this?"

"It’s terrifying! Is it the legendary Supreme Bone? If so, our Morning Light Sect will have three Great Emperors!"

"Even without the Supreme Bone, he has the potential of a Great Emperor! To think our sect might possess six Great Emperors in total—such a background is unheard of in the entire Heavenly Origin Sacred Domain!"

...

The three disciples continued their ascent, clearing the Xuan King Realm stages and stopping only at the first floor of the Imperial Realm tower. They met and exchanged knowing smiles.

"Junior brother, I never expected you to reach this floor with only Divine Ability cultivation. I am truly impressed!"

"Indeed, what kind of monster are you? Jiang Qian and I might not even be able to defeat you if we teamed up!"

Qin Tian looked embarrassed under their scrutiny. "I don't know why I'm so strong, perhaps it's my Sword Body. Master says the essence of the Sword Body is to move forward fearlessly! But of course, I would be no match for both of you combined."

Jiang Qian laughed, "Shall we spar, then?"

"I agree!" Hu Linger chimed in. Wanting to test her mettle, she and Jiang Qian readied themselves, urging Qin Tian to hold nothing back.