Chapter Sixty-Four: Illusions of Water and Moon (Part Three)

Passing through the clouds and mist, the surroundings began to change again. The mist wrapped around my hair, blinding my eyes. Strange sounds filled my ears, like the rustling of wind through scattered pages, thin paper rustling fiercely in the wind, bending and deforming.

As the mist dissipated and the wild wind ceased, I found myself in a room made entirely of ice. The space was vast and empty, with nothing but blue and white ice walls surrounding me.

"Hey! Is anyone there? Qingwu, where did you go?" My voice echoed off the impenetrable ice walls, causing my heart to tremble. I had no idea where I was, and I pounded on the walls, realizing that not even a whisper could escape from here.

Yet, from beyond the walls, I heard faint sounds. If sounds could come in, this place couldn't be completely sealed. Even though my previous spells were useless, I could still use the Spirit Command Spell.

Reciting the incantation, I gathered my spiritual energy, summoning a vine from the ground to lift me into the air. Sure enough, I spotted a small window that seemed to be for ventilation.

Before I could peek out, I heard what sounded like an argument above me. Someone seemed to be… right above my head?

Quickly, I crouched down, gripping the slightly frosted vine to hide behind it.

"Having just vanquished those vengeful spirits, where are you off to now? Are you planning to provoke the entire Dragon Clan over one evil dragon?" a woman's voice said.

Qingwu's voice followed, "If that black dragon had behaved, it would have been fine. But it dared to flaunt its power in front of me. If I don't suppress them now, they might attack the Heavenly Realm in the future."

The woman responded, "You killed the black dragon and now march off to provoke the Dragon Clan. They surely see your intent and will set traps waiting for you. If something happens to you, she will be left alone in the Heavenly Realm. Do you intend to hand over the Heavenly Realm like that?"

Qingwu's tone was resolute, "There's no need to say more. A thousand years ago, they fed on the brains and marrow of the Phoenix Clan to cultivate. I'm merely ensuring they pay their blood debt."

The woman's voice trembled with emotion, "The Phoenix Clan's revenge could have been exacted long ago. Are you going today for the Phoenix Clan or for her? Do you think I don't know?"

Qingwu's voice turned cold, "Why didn't you warn me that Qingyue would face calamity descending to the mortal world? That black dragon has been eyeing her for a hundred years. This time, it finally found an excuse to strike."

The woman retorted, her voice unyielding, "She is an immortal born from the spiritual essence of the moon, inherently special. Even without the black dragon, other demons and monsters would seek to use her to enhance their cultivation. It's her nature. Can you imprison her in the Heavenly Realm with a wall of ice forever?"

"She was safe enough in the Heavenly Realm until you filled her head with tales of the mortal world's splendors. Would she have descended if not for you?"

Qingwu's voice was icy, accusatory.

"You jest," the woman said, "Doesn't the Heavenly Realm have libraries? Those books describe the three realms in words and pictures. Be glad she didn't take a fancy to the Demon Realm!"

Oddly, her voice suddenly became indistinct on certain words.

Qingwu continued, "It seems you've stayed in the Heavenly Realm too long and grown tired of its austerity."

"In your heart, am I truly such a person? Despite knowing each other for a thousand years, it seems my feelings for you are not reciprocated. I won't persist any longer," the woman said, her voice cold, then fell silent.

Such a free-spirited woman. I couldn't help but silently admire her. How many women in this world are unburdened by love, able to act as she does? No wonder she is friends with the gods of the Heavenly Realm.

But this illusion is too fake. When did I become friends with the immortals of the Heavenly Realm? I need to get out of here quickly.

The vine beneath my feet gradually turned transparent, but the sensation of standing on solid ground didn't fade. The scene shifted again, and I found myself in a demonic cave resembling the hellish landscape, with crimson and black rocks everywhere.

A cyan phoenix soared in the darkened sky, clutching a struggling gray dragon in its beak.

Suddenly, several unsightly-colored giant dragons emerged from the dark clouds, attacking the cyan phoenix. Although the phoenix fought them off with ease, its wing was unfortunately torn by a dragon's claw.

I walked to where they were fighting, but they seemed unable to see me, continuing their fierce battle in the sky.

At that moment, a feather suddenly drifted down. I reached out to catch it, feeling a sudden surge of emotion. The blood-stained cyan feather was both magnificent and sorrowful.

I couldn't help but worry about the cyan phoenix, but when I looked up again, the scene around me had changed once more. This time, I noticed my own body was becoming transparent. Could this mean I was about to wake up from the illusion?

The horrifying scene abruptly transformed into a bustling town. I was momentarily at a loss, unable to discern the purpose of this illusion.

In the lavish streets filled with bustling crowds, a dirty boy was hiding in a corner, muttering something while burying his disheveled head in his arms. He seemed terrified, trembling constantly.

I found his face somewhat familiar and approached him for a closer look. Suddenly, a few ragged boys appeared and began to punch and kick him, cursing him as they did so.

I tried to stop them but found I couldn't touch them at all—my hands passed right through them. Unable to bear the sight, I turned away, only to hear a cry of pain followed by the frightened shouts of the boys.

When I turned back, I saw the bullied boy holding a gleaming knife stained with fresh blood. One boy lay on the ground, eyes wide in disbelief, while the others fled in panic.

"Lies, lies! They told me the city was prosperous and beautiful, with candied fruits and osmanthus cakes… and many friends to make. Why, when I am kind to others, are they always so cruel to me, always bullying me..."

The boy's words shocked me. As he slowly lifted his head, I recognized his face—Huaihuo?!

No, this must be just an illusion. The people in illusions shouldn't be affected by me. Desperately, I shouted to the sky, "What do you want me to see?" But there was no response, and the scene remained unchanged.

"Master was right! These people only bully the weak. There's no such thing as upholding justice in this world. If you're not strong, you'll always be bullied. I won't let them get away with it. I'll make those who bullied me pay! I'll become strong, so no one in this world dares to bully the weak!"

In Huaihuo's eyes, a fire seemed to burn—a fire that spread within him, as if it would soon consume the world, terrifying and dreadful.

My body had become completely transparent, and the cyan feather passed through my hand, gently falling at Huaihuo's feet.