Illusory God Phantom Shadow

On Qingyou Peak, in the small courtyard where Lingyun resided.

"Tian'er, you're back. Where are the rabbits you caught?" When Ling Tian returned, Lingyun was chatting with Humei in the courtyard. Seeing Ling Tian's disheveled state, Lingyun knew he had been bested and chuckled.

Ling Tian's face flushed, and he said sheepishly, "Father, I didn't catch any rabbits."

Ling Tian's voice was as light as a mosquito's hum, so faint that even Lingyun had to concentrate to hear it. It seemed Ling Tian was truly embarrassed and ashamed.

"Haha!" Lingyun couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I told you to go out with your mother, why did she come back alone? I thought after your mother taught you the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique, you'd be able to catch rabbits!"

"What? What Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique? Mother didn't teach me." Ling Tian looked at Humei with utter confusion.

"Squeak!" Humei chirped innocently.

"Your mother said you insisted on her returning, and she didn't have time to teach you," Lingyun said leisurely, a hidden smile playing on his lips.

Recalling Humei's hesitant look before she left, Ling Tian could only offer a wry smile. He thought his mother treated him well, but it turned out Humei was just like his father, deliberately teasing him. With this thought, Ling Tian's gaze towards Humei became even more resentful.

Humei's expression grew more innocent as she nudged her chin towards Lingyun. Ling Tian understood perfectly that Lingyun was the mastermind behind this. The thought made Ling Tian smile wryly again.

"Where is the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique? Mother, when will you teach me?" Ling Tian smacked his forehead, finally remembering the movement technique his father mentioned. He looked at Humei, his expression filled with anxiety.

"It's getting late today. Eat your meal and get some rest. Your mother will teach you tomorrow," Lingyun interjected before Humei could respond.

"Oh." Ling Tian replied with a heavy sigh of disappointment.

"Hehe, hurry up and eat," Lingyun said with a gentle smile.

"Okay, I understand, Father." Ling Tian said helplessly. He knew his father's words were final, so he went to eat.

The meal passed with Lingyun secretly chuckling, Humei looking innocently bewildered, and Ling Tian alternating between wry smiles and eager anticipation.

"Father, Mother, I'm going back," Ling Tian said after bowing to Lingyun and Humei, preparing to leave.

"Tian'er, wait a moment." Lingyun quickly called out to him as he was about to leave for bed after bowing.

"What is it, Father?" Ling Tian asked, full of confusion.

"Here." Without another word, Lingyun tossed a book to Ling Tian.

Ling Tian caught the book and looked closely. It was the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique. His confusion deepened, and he stared blankly at Lingyun, as if waiting for an explanation. The book had clearly been copied long ago.

"Well, I knew you wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, so I'm giving you the book to read first. Consider it a preview. Besides, your mother's movement technique is very profound and complex. I'm afraid you won't be able to learn it immediately. You can preview it tonight, and it will be easier for your mother to teach you tomorrow once you have some foundation," Lingyun said calmly and leisurely.

"Okay, thank you, Father, and Mother. I'm going back." Ling Tian's confusion vanished, replaced by unconcealed excitement. He was eager to leave, likely wanting to study the movement technique immediately.

"Oh, right, Father. I picked a few Snake Spirit Fruits today. Here, for you." As if remembering something, Ling Tian took out a few Snake Spirit Fruits and tossed them to Lingyun.

"Snake Spirit Fruits!" Lingyun's eyes lit up. "How did you get them?"

"I went out looking for food today and unexpectedly found Snake Spirit Fruits," Ling Tian said casually. He didn't want his parents to know he had been in danger.

"Hehe, it's rare to see your filial piety. However, with our cultivation level, Snake Spirit Fruits are useless to us, but very beneficial to you." Lingyun said, tossing the Snake Spirit Fruits back.

"Hehe, I have plenty more. Please, Father and Mother, just try them for a change, like eating fruit." Ling Tian smiled slightly and threw the Spiritual Fruits back to Lingyun. Without waiting for Lingyun's reply, he quickly ran off.

"This child, haha." After Ling Tian left, Lingyun's smile deepened. "There must be a Chi Yan Python guarding the Snake Spirit Fruits. I wonder what dangers this child encountered today. He probably didn't want us to worry."

"Squeak!" Humei's fox eyes were filled with affection.

"Hehe, this child is good," Lingyun said with deep satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Ling Tian, eager to begin, returned to his residence, opened the book, and began to read diligently.

The Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique is a unique movement technique of the "Nine-Tailed Fox" clan. It can greatly enhance the practitioner's speed and physical agility. When mastered to its peak, it can create illusions and bewitch all beings. Furthermore, its speed is like a flying swallow, ethereal and divine, hence its name, the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique.

Reading this, Ling Tian was extremely excited. He had been thoroughly embarrassed by the Swift Shadow Rabbits during the day and was worried about how to regain his "face." If he could learn this movement technique, all his problems would likely be solved. With this thought, he studied even more intently.

The Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique described various movement techniques, encompassing a wide range of skills. It included techniques for evasion, shifting, leaping, dodging, and jumping, all incredibly complex. It was particularly suitable for use in confined spaces, being small, agile, and versatile. This movement technique had many peculiar and difficult-to-understand footwork patterns. Each footwork pattern had multiple variations, and each variation had its own unique subtleties.

Ling Tian studied for a long time, only managing to remember a few points. As time passed, he forgot most of the variations, retaining only a vague essence. Ling Tian felt helpless and had to start from the beginning. This time, he practiced the movements described in the book as he read, occasionally jumping and leaping. His small bedroom was filled with Ling Tian's busy movements. Ling Tian didn't care about forgetting the techniques; he just jumped and leaped as he pleased. He managed to go through the entire set of movements, albeit imperfectly, with a sense of "almost but not quite." By the end of the night, he was exhausted, even forgetting to test his cultivation of spiritual energy.

The next morning, Ling Tian, as expected, emerged with dark circles under his eyes. This time, Lingyun actually accompanied him, claiming "behind his back" that he wanted to see Ling Tian make a fool of himself, which made Ling Tian smile wryly.

The three of them—two humans and one fox—soon arrived at the place from the previous day. Over ten Swift Shadow Rabbits were already there, as if they were afraid Ling Tian wouldn't show up.

"Tian'er, you must have read the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique book by now, right? How was it? Did you try practicing it? I bet you did. How did it go?" Lingyun's eyes clearly hid a mischievous glint, as he likely knew the "peculiar" nature of this movement technique.

"Father, I didn't practice it very well. I'd forget it shortly after reading it, and now I've basically forgotten most of it, only remembering a little," Ling Tian said with a look of shame.

"Oh? Is that really so?" Lingyun expected to tease Ling Tian, but instead, his face was filled with curiosity and excitement.

"Yes, but it's just a vague recollection, always feeling somewhat incomplete." Although Ling Tian found his father's reaction strange, he answered truthfully. He then began to imitate the evasive and leaping movements he had practiced. Although his movements were a bit clumsy, they were indeed much more agile and faster.

"Hmm, could it be that Tian'er has truly grasped the essence of the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique?" Lingyun asked Humei with great curiosity, his expression uncertain.

Humei chirped a few times, her fox eyes gleaming with joy. This further solidified Lingyun's belief.

"It seems so. This movement technique emphasizes 'change' and requires the user to act according to their will to unleash its magical effects. Forcefully imitating it will only be counterproductive. I didn't expect Tian'er to grasp the essence of this movement technique in just one night. All he lacks now is familiarity," Lingyun murmured, clearly delighted. Humei also looked surprised.

"Alright, Tian'er, come here." Seeing Ling Tian engrossed in his practice, Lingyun interrupted him.

"Yes, Father. I didn't practice well. Please guide me, Father." Ling Tian said with a blush, thinking that the movements he performed were just random actions and likely had many flaws.

"Hehe, you've already done very well. This movement technique emphasizes 'change' and 'acting according to one's will.' You're just not familiar with it yet. It will improve after some practice," Lingyun said with a smile.

"Is that really true, Father?" Ling Tian seemed incredulous. He had stumbled upon this magical movement technique by chance with his random movements?

"Mhm, yes." Seeing Ling Tian's disbelief, Ling Yun's expression turned serious as he solemnly stated.

"That works too!?" Ling Tian was overjoyed.

"Go try catching a rabbit," Ling Yun said with a meaningful smile, seeing Ling Tian getting a bit smug.

Ling Tian took a deep breath, his confidence soaring as he unleashed his movement technique to catch a rabbit. However, soon Ling Tian couldn't laugh anymore. Although he rarely bumped into trees now and his movement was much more agile and swift, he could still only catch the afterimages of the Swift Shadow Rabbit. The Swift Shadow Rabbit always managed to escape by a hair's breadth. After trying a few times, the result was still the same. Ling Tian had no choice but to stop, looking helplessly at Ling Yun and his wife for help.

"Heh heh, Tian'er, you're still a bit unpracticed. Also, your variations are too few and too slow. By the time you've finished your variation, the Swift Shadow Rabbit will have already seen your next move, so naturally, you won't catch them," Ling Yun explained patiently.

Ling Tian listened to his father's words, lost in thought. He stood there motionless, thinking earnestly.

His father is right, I still have too few variations. After every move, there should be many possible variations, encompassing a wide range. Then, no matter what the rabbit does next, these variations should be able to anticipate its movements. Ling Tian's eyes lit up, he thought to himself.

But it's easier said than done, how should I do it?

Ling Tian suddenly started moving. He looked at Humei, who was smiling beside him, and said, "Mother, can you catch a Swift Shadow Rabbit for me to see?"

Humei didn't say a word. Her figure flashed, and she pounced towards a Swift Shadow Rabbit. Her movements were ethereal and graceful, appearing and disappearing like phantoms, seeming like a dream. For every part of her movement that was revealed, nine parts remained hidden. Before Ling Tian could exclaim, Humei had already pinned the Swift Shadow Rabbit to the ground. The Swift Shadow Rabbit didn't even have time to react before it was caught, a testament to Humei's movement technique's speed.

"Ah, so fast! Her breathing and steps are synchronized, as if she's one with them," Ling Tian marveled.

Seeing Ling Tian's praise, Humei's fox eyes narrowed tightly. She was overjoyed. Seeing the Swift Shadow Rabbit struggling and filled with pleading, she loosened her fox paw, and the Swift Shadow Rabbit darted away, escaping into the distance.

"Heh heh, did you understand, Tian'er?" Ling Yun asked with a slight smile.

Ling Tian pondered for a moment, closed his eyes, recalled Humei's entire sequence of movements, nodded, then shook his head. He opened his eyes and said, "It seems like I understand, yet I'm even more confused."

"Is it about the variations?" Ling Yun, seeing Ling Tian's confusion, naturally knew what was most difficult about this movement technique and blurted out the reason for his confusion.

"Mhm!" Ling Tian nodded, pondered for a moment, and continued, "I saw that after each of Mother's movements, there were slight follow-up actions, but how are the subsequent moves chosen? Once you make one type of move, you can't make another, right?"

"I see. Your mother only reveals one part of each movement and keeps nine parts hidden. This way, there's ample time to choose the next move. The choice of the next move depends on the changes in the surrounding environment and your own needs at that moment. Clarify your objective, and then how to proceed becomes obvious," Ling Yun patiently chose his words, trying to be as simple as possible to help Ling Tian understand.

"Reveal one part and keep nine hidden?" Ling Tian murmured, as if a realization dawned upon him.

"Think it over carefully. Practice and familiarize yourself here for a while. Your mother and I will take our leave," Seeing Ling Tian deep in thought, Ling Yun didn't want to disturb him.

"Mhm, Father, is there anything else you need to teach me?" Ling Tian had learned his lesson this time and quickly asked.

"Haha, look at you being so cautious. No, there's really nothing else this time. Learn this movement technique first," Ling Yun laughed heartily. It seemed Ling Tian had been thoroughly teased by him.

"Then Father and Mother can go back first. I'll think about it carefully." Ling Tian, sure that his parents had nothing else to teach him, also knew they would be bored staying there, so he asked them to return.

After Ling Yun and his wife left, Ling Tian began practicing the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique in the forest. He wasn't in a hurry to catch rabbits. He knew very well that with his current "half-baked" movement technique, trying to catch Swift Shadow Rabbits would likely only result in him being toyed with by them again.