Chapter 22: Whispers of the Mirage Vault

The desert wind howled like a beast mourning its prey.

Jin Zhen stood atop a crimson-scaled spirit lizard, its tail coiled as it crawled steadily across the endless sands. Beside him, Fang Mu and Lan Yuer rode spirit camels enchanted with sand-repelling seals. Behind them marched twenty elite disciples of the Crimson Sect, each equipped with rations, enchanted tents, and combat formations.

In the distance, glimmering heat distorted the skyline. But Jin Zhen could see through it. With [Eye of the Ember Veil] activated, he pierced through illusion.

"There," he said. "The vault's anchor point—it's stable for now."

[System Notification]

[Event Triggered: Mirage Vault (Variant Type – Temporal Illusion)]

[Vault Duration: 5 Days Real-Time | Entry Limit: 30 Individuals]

[Objective: Discover the Vault Core, Retrieve Legacy Fragments, Survive Mental Trials]

Lan Yuer squinted. "Temporal illusion? Meaning…?"

"Time bends within," Jin Zhen said. "And nothing we see is guaranteed to be real."

"Fantastic," Fang Mu muttered. "If I see myself as handsome and rich, I'm staying."

---

Upon reaching the vault, the ground shimmered. An ancient staircase of glowing sandstone descended into the dunes. Symbols hovered midair—runic letters flickering like mirages.

Jin Zhen stepped forward.

[System Alert]

[User Jin Zhen – Sanity Monitoring Activated]

[Spiritual Resistance Buffs Applied – Ember Veins, Crimson Pulse, Flame Cloak Aura]

He chuckled. "Even the system knows this place is a threat."

Descending the vault was like falling into a dream. The walls pulsed with memory echoes—visions of forgotten cultivators, lost sects, and blazing wars. One disciple nearly fell to his knees weeping at the sound of phantom laughter.

"Maintain focus!" Jin Zhen's voice boomed through the chamber.

---

At the first trial chamber, a glowing statue blocked their path. Its eyes opened, and its voice boomed:

"To pass, you must face the truth of your desires."

The room spun.

---

Jin Zhen found himself in a grand palace. Gold banners fluttered. Thousands knelt, chanting his name. Power radiated from his body. A woman's voice whispered, "You could have this… forever."

He narrowed his eyes.

"No."

He clenched his fist. Fire erupted, burning the illusion away.

[Mental Trial Passed – Jin Zhen: Resistance High]

[SP +1 | Temporary Buff: Fire Will – Illusion Attacks Weakened for 6 Hours]

He opened his eyes to find Lan Yuer gasping beside him.

"I… I was a queen… and you were my cook."

He smirked. "In what world?"

She flushed. "Forget I said anything."

Fang Mu stumbled out, laughing. "I had my own flying treasure ship… powered by chickens."

---

They advanced further, battling sand specters, time-echo doppelgangers, and mirage beasts. Jin Zhen's upgraded [Crimson Pulse] burned through illusions like paper. He led the charge into the heart of the vault: a sunken amphitheater built of glowing glass.

Floating at its center was an orb pulsing with temporal fire.

[Item Identified: Fragment of the Sandfire Monarch's Legacy]

[Type: Legacy Core]

[Effect: Unleashes the user's suppressed flame attributes. Grants one fire-based skill at random.]

Jin Zhen reached out.

The orb shattered.

[You have gained: Sandfire Spear Manifestation – Level 1]

[Description: Summon a spear of sandfire to strike distant targets. Pierces both spirit and illusion.]

Suddenly, the chamber trembled. From the walls emerged a serpentine creature of living glass and flame.

[Boss Encounter: Mirage Serpent – Rank: Early Nascent Soul]

"Formation!" Jin Zhen shouted.

Lan Yuer raised barrier seals. Fang Mu triggered a sandtrap bomb. Jin Zhen summoned the new Sandfire Spear and hurled it with full force.

It pierced the beast's eye.

The serpent writhed, its illusions breaking apart.

Jin Zhen leapt, using [Crimson Ember Dash] midair. With a shout, he plunged both hands into the serpent's fiery heart.

[Boss Defeated]

[Loot: Mirage Core, SP +1, Gold-grade Fire Crystal, Flame Lotus Seed]

[Hidden Bonus Unlocked: Mirage Sovereign's Whisper – ???]

---

As the vault collapsed behind them, the group emerged from the dunes, exhausted but triumphant. The disciples erupted into cheers. Fang Mu collapsed, face-first into the sand.

"I hate this place," he groaned.

Jin Zhen looked toward the horizon. The Mirage Vault was gone—but something lingered in his thoughts. A presence. A promise.

[System Warning]

[Whisper Imprint Detected – Source Unknown. Monitoring initiated.]

He narrowed his eyes.

"Something followed us back."