Chapter 172: True Illusion, True Intent

At first, the Subterranean Rock Dragon merely revealed its true form, but as it moved, its entire body blended into the surrounding terrain, constantly assimilating with the shifting landscape. Without close attention, its tracks would be nearly impossible to discern.

As it advanced, the Subterranean Rock Dragon seemed to merge into a single entity with the boundless earth. The ground was its matrix, and it was indistinguishable from the earth itself—fused as milk and water, forming a seamless whole.

The surrounding earth naturally parted in two as the Subterranean Rock Dragon passed through, as if a deep trench had been plowed by the beast.

Luo Tian clearly observed that the damaged earth behind them, resembling wounds upon the body of the land, healed rapidly after the Subterranean Rock Dragon passed, returning to its original state.

Not only that, but despite the Subterranean Rock Dragon's rapid advance, everyone on its back could not feel the slightest vibration, as if they were traveling on flat ground. Had it not been for the strange rocks and trees rapidly receding in the periphery, no one would have sensed that they were moving forward at all.

Luo Tian was secretly astonished in his heart.

This Subterranean Rock Dragon truly lived up to its reputation as a darling of the earth possessing a trace of dragon bloodline. This was undoubtedly the might achieved only by comprehending the true meaning of tremor within the laws of earth to the ultimate extreme.

The initial comprehension of the True Intent of Tremor could produce ten layers of undulations. Minor mastery yielded a hundred layers, profound understanding a thousand layers, and major mastery ten thousand layers.

When the True Intent of Tremor truly reached perfection, it culminated in the unity of ten thousand tremors—one thousand vibrations coalescing into one, erupting at a single point and concentrated in a single strike. Its power was astonishing yet utterly imperceptible.

Moreover, merely subduing the force of the tremors could not achieve such fluid grace. The Subterranean Rock Dragon must have also comprehended the True Intent of Burrowing to a great extent; whether it had reached perfection remained uncertain.

A long dragon composed seemingly of endless loess sand and stone, bearing over a dozen human cultivators, meandered forward across the boundless earth, its form flickering in and out of view among the woods. Such a sight was magnificent indeed.

"Why is there a forest here?"

"Right... Our Wind and Cloud Guard garrison is truly massive, with all sorts of environments. Who knows what this forest is even for..."

"This forest must be left for our usual training. After all, the enemies we face in the future might require us to fight in any number of places. If we aren't prepared, we might suffer losses!"

Hearing others whispering, Wu Hao offered a confident conjecture.

However, those remaining were either elite descendants of the Hua, Ling, and Han families or leading disciples of the five major sects, save for the Golden Light Pavilion, which had managed to add Zhao Zhiping to their ranks. Consequently, no one bothered to support Wu Hao's statement, and the atmosphere instantly turned somewhat awkward.

"That is merely one reason."

Hearing these words, Jiang Zihe let out a disdainful, light chuckle, inwardly holding this bumpkin in contempt for his lack of experience.

Having shaken off the shock brought by the Subterranean Rock Dragon, Jiang Zihe was already plotting how to impress Hua Beiqian. After all, Hua Beiqian alone might not mean much in the face of the City Lord, but with a Subterranean Rock Dragon added to the mix, things were entirely different.

"Then what other reasons are there?"

Feeling his face burn, Wu Hao immediately felt irritated, yet seeing that it was Jiang Zihe who spoke, he did not dare to act too tough. Among these newly appointed Wind and Cloud Guards, the first person he feared was Luo Tian, and the second was Jiang Zihe from the Jiang family.

"This forest also conceals a fourth-rank demonic beast!"

Jiang Zihe smiled proudly, feeling immensely pleased with himself for knowing this piece of information.

The few scions of noble families were not surprised; they had naturally heard of this matter long ago.

Luo Tian was also startled; the foundation of the Wind and Cloud Guard was truly substantial indeed.

"Alright, we have arrived!"

Ling Qinghe let out a low shout to remind the youths.

At that moment, the Subterranean Rock Dragon also slowly came to a halt. The entire process remained utterly silent, leaving no one with any sense of abnormality.

Ahead of them suddenly appeared a hemispherical light barrier, inside which a dozen or so blue circular platforms of varying sizes floated above the ground, distributed in an orderly fashion. The centermost platform was the largest, with a diameter exceeding five meters.

Most peculiar of all was that upon this central platform hovered an object resembling a head ring, floating gently.

"Commander!"

At that instant, a ripple stirred among the trees off to the side, as if a layer of water screen had been pierced through, and a figure emerged.

It was a young maiden dressed in a long blue robe. Even beneath her garments, her graceful curves were faintly discernible. Her brows were like painted brushstrokes, her skin resembled pure snow, and her voice carried an ethereal quality. In particular, her pale blue eyes lent her a unique and captivating charm.

This...

Luo Tian felt a jolt in his heart, deeply astonished.

It was naturally not because of her beauty, but because this manner of appearance was far too bizarre.

"Hmph, ignorant!"

Jiang Zihe knew that someone must be stationed nearby, so although he was slightly taken aback by the woman's appearance and method of entry, he quickly recovered. "It is merely the superior true intent of the water element—the True Illusion Intent. You don't even know that?"

True Illusion?

Upon hearing these words, Luo Tian quickly collected his thoughts. This was indeed an extremely formidable true intent within the water element laws. Using it to blend one's form with the surrounding environment and conceal oneself was merely its most rudimentary application. Once it reached an extremely profound level, taking lives invisibly with a single thought, blending the illusory with the real, and uniting truth and illusion, it would be far from a mere delusion.

"Hua Shuiyue, today's training has been temporarily altered. Directly have the new members undergo the illusion trial."

Hua Beiqian did not waste time and directly issued the command.

"Understood!"

Even though they both belonged to the Hua family, Hua Shuiyue did not display excessive familiarity with Hua Beiqian, acting instead with utmost docility. She gently rolled up her sleeves, revealing arms like white lotus roots, and lightly pressed her slender fingers against the light barrier.

Instantly, a dense web of profound patterns surfaced across the surface of the barrier before scattering in all directions, flowing back into the nine nodes on the ground and vanishing.

A defensive array!

Luo Tian felt that today's trip was truly worthwhile, broadening his horizons immensely.

As the light barrier vanished, the scene within was fully revealed.

That head ring was pale blue throughout, constantly flashing with a mesmerizing luster, resembling a pool of rippling water that tempted one to plunge their gaze deep into it and seek the truth within.

"That is the origin artifact 'Floating Life and Dream Illusion,' capable of generating illusions. You may casually choose any circular platform to sit upon. Once you are all prepared, I will activate it."

Though somewhat puzzled as to why the rules were suddenly changed, Hua Shuiyue asked no further questions and simply provided a brief explanation.

Emerging from his initial shock, Jiang Zihe took the lead and stepped out. With a few agile leaps, carrying a dashing and high-spirited demeanor, he landed upon the circular platform closest to the Floating Life and Dream Illusion.

This idiot...

Why are you showing off right now? What is there to flaunt?

Ling Qinghe gritted his teeth, glanced at Luo Tian who was moving slightly, and said in a clear voice: "These circular platforms are all augmented by arrays. The closer you are to the Floating Life and Dream Illusion, the more authentic the illusions you will endure, and the greater their might. You would do best to choose your respective positions according to your strength."

Hua Beiqian and Hua Shuiyue glanced at Ling Qinghe and remained silent.

To the guardian Hua Shuiyue, it mattered little who passed and who failed.

As for Hua Beiqian, although he perceived that Ling Qinghe's suggestion harbored personal motives, he cared even less. Cultivators needed to press forward with courage, yet they must also act within their capabilities. To rashly choose a challenge ill-matched to one's strength only meant that losing was well-deserved.

Besides, if someone truly managed to perform beyond their limits, that would be a fine thing. When natural talent was comparable, the importance of one's temperament and state of mind would stand out.

"Many thanks for the reminder, Commander Ling!"

Jiang Zihe laughed aloud, his tone brimming with intense confidence. "Jiang Zihe considers his strength extraordinary, and I deserve this position without a shred of modesty. As for the other, less difficult spots, I leave them to my fellow junior brothers!" (To be continued.)