After leaving the illusion realm, Shen Tanqi still couldn’t believe he had actually broken through to the Nascent Soul stage.
The elder looked at him in astonishment and asked, “How did you break through?”
Normally, people make breakthroughs in their own illusions, but breaking through in someone else’s illusion was something she had never seen before.
The trial in the illusion realm was a test of one’s mental state. If a cultivator only made progress in cultivation but didn’t advance in their mental state, it would be detrimental rather than beneficial.
Therefore, the illusion trial was specifically designed to refine the disciples’ mental states.
The elder became even more curious. What exactly had happened in Yu Ce’s illusion?
However, despite her probing questions, both Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce looked evasive and didn’t explain anything.
“It just happened accidentally.”
“Yeah, we don’t know what happened either.”
The two of them tacitly looked up at the sky, pretending to be oblivious.
But the disciples around them were amazed when they heard about it.
The younger disciples who had delivered Shen Tanqi’s trial results the other day were especially incredulous.
“I heard Senior Brother Shen broke through to the Nascent Soul stage in the illusion trial?”
The Nascent Soul stage was rare among the disciples of Rongyun Sect. Normally, it took decades of cultivation. Even outside, it was something that would make others jealous.
“Yeah, what’s even stranger is that Senior Brother Shen broke through in Senior Brother Yu’s illusion!”
“Strange, weren’t Senior Brother Shen and Senior Brother Yu at odds?”
“I… I don’t know either.”
Everyone crowded around them, scrutinizing them closely. Only Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce, who knew the truth, avoided the gazes and exchanged uneasy glances.
Shen Tanqi urged, “Let’s get out of here…”
Yu Ce agreed, “Yeah, if we don’t leave now, we’ll be stuck here for research…”
They fled from Fu Feng Peak and returned to the Yaoting Pavilion. Suddenly, Shen Tanqi remembered he had forgotten to pick up the children from Fang Wenxun’s place.
As he put on his coat and was about to leave, Yu Ce called out to him.
“Where are you going, Senior Brother?”
Shen Tanqi replied casually, “Going to get Goldfish and Taro Ball from Senior Brother Fang’s place. They’ve been there long enough; it’s time to bring them back.”
Hearing this, Yu Ce offered softly, “I’ll go get them.”
Ever since he woke up this morning, he had been feeling a vague sense of unease, like a shadow over his heart.
This premonition seemed to be shared by Goldfish, who sometimes sensed danger in advance.
Shen Tanqi shook his head, “No need. It’s not far, I’ll be back soon.”
Without waiting for Yu Ce’s response, he opened the door and left.
Yu Ce opened his mouth to speak but said nothing as he watched the door close. With the sect leader and the mountain protection array in place, there should be no danger.
At the disciples’ dormitory, Shen Tanqi picked up Goldfish and Taro Ball. He thanked Fang Wenxun, who stood reluctantly at the door, “Thank you, Senior Brother, for taking care of Goldfish and Taro Ball these past few days.”
Fang Wenxun waved his hand, his eyes unexpectedly moist, “It’s nothing. Both kids are delightful. No need to be so formal with me, Junior Brother.”
These past few days with Goldfish and Taro Ball around, Fang Wenxun finally got a break from his constant sword practice and found much joy in their company.
Now, as he watched Shen Tanqi take them back, he felt a twinge of reluctance.
The two kids waved to Fang Wenxun and said with smiles, “Uncle Fang, we’ll come play with you tomorrow!”
Fang Wenxun quickly agreed, “Sure, come back tomorrow for sure!”
Shen Tanqi chuckled and patted the kids’ backs, leading them back to the Yaoting Water Pavilion.
“What did Uncle Fang play with you guys today?” Shen Tanqi asked Goldfish with a smile.
With excitement, Goldfish started talking about Fang Wenshen’s collection of storybooks, tales of celestial maidens shedding tears, and the war god’s demon-slaying adventures—stories of folklore and legends.
When he got to the climax, Goldfish angrily exclaimed, “That celestial being was so mean! He tricked the goddess into being with him, then abandoned her, causing her to fall to the mortal realm!”
Taro Ball chimed in happily, “Daddy, there’s another story even better. The ancient war god was so amazing, just like Father! He stood in the middle of the hall with a giant iron sword, slaying gods and demons alike. Any bad guy would be punished by him!”
From their preferences, Shen Tanqi could tell that Goldfish like sweet romance novels, while Taro Ball preferred epic tales of battle and power.
The kids really reminded him of Yu Ce—half their minds filled with romantic fantasies and the other half obsessed with becoming stronger and fighting monsters.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he walked slowly with the two little ones, feeling like he was picking them up from kindergarten.
The kids were talking so much their mouths went dry. Taro Ball, not as talkative as Goldfish, tugged at Shen Tanqi’s sleeve and asked, “Daddy, I’m thirsty.”
Just then, they passed by the dining hall. Shen Tanqi stopped and peeked inside, asking softly, “Did you have lunch yet?”
The two kids looked at each other, then shook their heads.
Shen Tanqi smiled and said, “Alright, let’s rest in the dining hall. Daddy will buy porridge for you.”
Goldfish, already hungry, cheered and dragged his brother into the dining hall. Their movements were so skillful it seemed they had been tagging along with Fang Wenxun for food and drinks these past few days.
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but chuckle. Just as he was about to follow them, he heard someone call his name from behind.
“Junior Brother.”
It was Fang Wenxun’s voice.
Shen Tanqi paused for a moment, then turned to look at Fang Wenxun. “Senior Brother, what brings you here?”
They had just seen each other recently. Could it be that the kids had left something at Fang Wenxun’s place?
Before he could finish his thought, Shen Tanqi noticed Fang Wenxun’s slight smile, his lips forming words slowly, “Long time no see.”
In an instant, a chill crept from his feet to his head.
Shen Tanqi’s pupils contracted, instinctively turning to flee. But before he could move, a surge of black mist erupted from the ground, enveloping him tightly like a venomous snake.
It wasn’t Fang Wenxun—it was a demon.
The demon who had pushed him off the cliff years ago.
“The person is brought here.”
When Shen Tanqi regained consciousness, everything was pitch black. Realizing his eyes were blindfolded, his heart raced, afraid to make any sudden moves.
His hands were bound tightly with a rope he couldn’t identify, rendering him unable to use any spiritual power. It was clear the other party had come prepared.
The voice of ‘Fang Wenxun’ was leisurely and carried a hint of refined laziness, giving the impression to anyone listening that he was gentle and harmless, a rare elegant gentleman. But Shen Tanqi knew well that he was a terrifying demon through and through.
Shen Tanqi had speculated that this person might infiltrate the Rongyun Sect again, but he hadn’t expected this demon to be so audacious, daring to use Fang Wenxun’s face for a second time!
Was he not afraid of being discovered?
Lost in his thoughts, Shen Tanqi suddenly felt darkness enveloping him. He sensed a figure standing in front of him, silently observing.
After a moment, he heard a familiar soft laugh from in front of him.
A cold, icy hand slid across his face, and a voice said lightly, “Shen Tanqi.”
Shen Tanqi shuddered violently, instinctively wanting to step back, but he was firmly held in place by ‘Fang Wenxun’ behind him. He had to straighten up and face the person in front of him.
It was Xie Chi.
He had allied himself with the demons.
‘Fang Wenxun’ seemed somewhat surprised by Shen Tanqi’s reaction and whispered, “I didn’t expect you and my junior brother to be old acquaintances.”
Although these words were clearly addressed to Xie Chi, Shen Tanqi still felt nauseated.
Damn it, who the hell is your junior brother?
Xie Chi slowly withdrew his hand from Shen Tanqi’s face, gripped his chin coldly, and sneered, “Well, you could say that.”
He and Shen Tanqi had some history. Using his dragon ball to enter Rongyun Sect, only to turn around and fall into Yu Ce’s arms, bearing him three children.
Impressive—
Xie Chi pushed Shen Tanqi away and reclined on a deep soft couch, a blood-red glint flashing in his eyes. “What about the birth-inducing Gu?” he inquired casually.
Shen Tanqi’s eyelids twitched. Even if he wanted to play dumb or dead at this moment, he knew there was no time left. His voice was heavy as he asked, “What are you planning to do?”
Xie Chi enjoyed hearing Shen Tanqi’s anxious and impatient tone, finding it intriguing. Propping his chin, he carefully admired the body he would soon occupy, and explained softly, “Don’t worry, I just want to find a way to help your bastard child inside your belly to be born early and then strangle it.”
Shen Tanqi froze in place. If his hands weren’t tied, he would have wished to strangle Xie Chi right then and there. Trembling, he said, “Aren’t you afraid Yu Ce will find out?”
The black cloth over his eyes was slowly unwound from behind by ‘Fang Wenxun’. With a smile that was gentle yet chilling to the bone, he leaned close to Shen Tanqi’s ear and whispered, “Afraid of what? By then, you will be my good junior brother…”
Xie Chi would replace Shen Tanqi.
And he would replace Fang Wenxun.
Xie Chi looked satisfied as he watched Shen Tanqi’s face gradually pale. He said calmly, “Yan Ning, go ahead. Be careful not to harm his body.”
“I understand.” Yan Ning responded lightly, wrapping his arm around Shen Tanqi’s shoulder, a deep, unsettling smile on his face. “Don’t worry, junior brother, didn’t you experience my Gu last time? It won’t hurt at all.”
“As soon as it gently pricks your neck, it will obediently enter your body,” his voice grew more excited, and the demonic mist around him surged more intensely, like boiling water spreading out, “and then your child will be catalyzed into a dragon egg and leave your body. Rest assured, we will let you see it one last time…”
Shen Tanqi raised his eyes coldly to look at him. Yan Ning was stung by his gaze, his voice faltering slightly. However, he remembered that before him was merely a weakling who had barely reached the Nascent Soul stage. He laughed, “Don’t worry. After you’ve seen it, I’ll smash it right in front of you.”
This method was one Xie Chi had discovered after raiding the Dragon Clan’s library in Hidden Dragon Valley. It was an extremely heinous technique that defied the heavens and disregarded ethics, requiring the use of demonic insects to force Shen Tanqi’s dragon fetus out of his body.
“Xie Chi,” Shen Tanqi knew exactly who was the mastermind behind all of this. He stared hard at Xie Chi and whispered, “If you really do this, I will kill you.”
He had never killed anyone before, nor had he ever had such thoughts.
This was the first time.
Xie Chi found it amusing. It had been a long time since anyone dared to speak such bold words in front of him.
But when he thought that this person was his brother’s man, Xie Chi suddenly lost interest. He looked indifferently at Shen Tanqi struggling in Yan Ning’s arms, his gaze falling on the reddened corners of his eyes, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
He slowly rotated the translucent blue jade ring between his fingers, his eyes dark and unclear, emitting waves of chilling dragon breath.
Recently… it seemed that his period of weakness was about to strike again.
Until Yan Ning pressed Shen Tanqi down and firmly implanted the birth-inducing Gu into the back of Shen Tanqi’s neck, Shen Tanqi let out a painful groan.
The snow-colored neck flashed before Xie Chi’s eyes, momentarily causing his breathing to falter. The burning heat inside him surged like wildfire, intensifying.
Shen Tanqi, you damn it.
Xie Chi cursed softly.
His gaze fell on Shen Tanqi’s abdomen, and Xie Chi’s eyes narrowed. A strange, impulsive thought suddenly floated in his mind.
—If his brother could do it, then why couldn’t he?
It was just a tool to alleviate his period of weakness…
“The birth-inducing Gu has been planted.”
After a long while, Yan Ning released Shen Tanqi coldly and looked up at Xie Chi, saying calmly, “Kill him and take over his body. Do it quickly, our illusion array can only delay Yu Ce for half an hour at most.”
With those words, the translucent blue ring suddenly ceased spinning. Xie Chi slowly rose and used a sharp sword aura to force Yan Ning back from Shen Tanqi’s side. He spoke leisurely, “Then you go and delay him again.”
Yan Ning looked at him in surprise, “What do you mean by this?”
The illusion array could barely be maintained by the two of them. With Yu Ce’s strength, sending only him to stop him would be like praying mantis trying to stop a chariot. Did Xie Chi want him to go to his death?
Xie Chi stepped down from the soft couch and stood before Yan Ning, gripping his throat tightly, “I don’t have the habit of repeating myself. I have my reasons for keeping him alive. What you need to do is…”
He suddenly let go of Yan Ning, his eyes icy and ruthless, “Go and stall Yu Ce. Otherwise, you’ll die before Shen Tanqi.”
Yan Ning stared at him in disbelief. After all these years of wandering, this was the first time he had encountered someone more deceitful and double-dealing than the demon race.
No, this cunning and treacherous demon!
But at this moment, what exactly did he still need Shen Tanqi for?
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
