Trapped! Mind Illusion

Jing River, the Yellow River's largest tributary.

Compared to other rivers infested with demons, the Jing River appeared much quieter, so quiet it felt dead.

Dark clouds pressed low in the sky, and the continuous, drizzling rain seeped into one's bones. It was supposed to be the hot month of September, yet it was unusually cold here.

The river water was still, and raindrops hitting it were like white sugar sprinkled on thick porridge, swirling stickily on the surface before slowly sinking into the unseen abyss.

There were no Dragon Kings who broke heavenly laws and were punished in the Jing River, no Yuan Shoucheng who calculated heavenly secrets, and certainly no Wei Zheng who slew dragons in dreams. There were only Yin Soldiers.

The ancient capital's city walls stood on open ground three kilometers from the river, and behind the walls was the new recruit camp.

"Starting today, you'll be living in this dormitory."

The company clerk responsible for Xu Fang said.

Just like Gudu No. 2 Middle School, which was assigned to the Lintong Military Region, Gaoling Military Region also had students undergoing military training. A single row could easily accommodate Xu Fang with a bed.

"Work hard. Yin Soldiers are more dangerous than ordinary undead, and the rewards are correspondingly generous. Whether you can get them depends on yourself."

Because Xu Fang arrived by military vehicle, the clerk subconsciously assumed he was some kind of second-generation rich kid and couldn't help but give him a few extra words of advice.

"Thank you, comrade."

After seeing off the clerk, Xu Fang quickly made his bed.

He didn't take out the expensive bedding Sun Rui Zhi had given him, which was said to be worth over a hundred thousand. He figured he wouldn't be staying here long anyway, and if he left after just two nights, wouldn't it all have been for nothing?

"New guy, which school are you from?" A head poked out from the upper bunk.

"Gudu No. 2 Middle School."

"Didn't your Gudu No. 2 Middle School get assigned to fight the Terracotta Army? Why are you... Oh, I get it. You must have gotten into some trouble and got kicked out, right?"

Thinking his joke was hilarious, the person cackled like a duck for a while, only to find Xu Fang completely unfazed.

The laughter awkwardly stopped. The person was about to say something to save face.

"Heh!" Xu Fang chuckled.

The person felt provoked. He had the distinct feeling that in Xu Fang's eyes, he had become an unreasonable brat, not worth refuting.

"What are you laughing at?" The person sat up abruptly. "Let me tell you, I'm the vice-squad leader of this class, Intermediate level two..."

CLANG!

The dormitory door was pushed open, and the veteran squad leader stood at the entrance. The vice-squad leader's words got stuck in his throat, his face turning red from the effort.

RUMBLE!

The heavy clouds churned, colliding with muffled thunder.

On the city walls, two three-meter-tall "streetlights" were placed at intervals of a hundred paces, emitting a crimson glow. The drizzling rain vanished upon contact with the light.

"Light Element magic array and Fire Element magic array. The power is so strong, and the patterns must be very complex," Xu Fang observed, thinking from the perspective of a blacksmith.

He concluded that he couldn't forge them himself.

But if he could dismantle them and examine the core magic arrays within, it would surely be very beneficial.

WHOOSH----!

A radiance flashed across the sky, and the city wall's alarm sounded.

An eerie wind blew, fiercer than before. Large raindrops pounded the ground, and the cold, damp air seeped into one's bones.

SPLASH!

Along the banks of the thick Jing River, pale hands gripped the shore, and one by one, "people" climbed out.

Their eyes were vacant, their faces pale and weary, like wax figures completely soaked by the rain, yet they were dressed in complete ancient military uniforms.

"Enemy attack----!"

On the city walls, streaks of Star Track flashed, and intense magic attacks surged towards the Yin Soldiers like a flood.

Xu Fang stood discreetly in a corner, using Radiance to eliminate a Yin Soldier like everyone else, then summoned the Cloud Slaying Sword.

Demonic Energy Infusion!

However, the Demonic Energy wasn't poured into the Cloud Slaying Sword, but into the sleeve gun hidden on his left forearm.

The Stellar entered his hand, its small, dark barrel disappearing within Xu Fang's grip.

In his Spiritual World, the Golden Star Seed and the crimson Star Ring lit up simultaneously. Solar Flame surged into the Stellar, and the gun barrel grew even hotter.

Xu Fang raised both hands, aiming at a Yin Soldier in exquisite armor, clearly a commander.

"SWISH!!!"

With a whistling sound, the Yin Soldier commander fell to the ground. The area where it was hit spread outwards like a spiderweb, bursting with golden light from the inside out.

A single blow, a kill.

Not far away, some people noticed this astonishing scene and instinctively turned their heads, their eyes immediately drawn to the greatsword in Xu Fang's hand.

"...Tch, so he's a Magic Tool user."

He muttered a curse, sending his regards to the families of the rich, and didn't think much of it.

Xu Fang revealed a satisfied smile. The power of "Solar Flame Light Bullet" was no weaker than "Light Slash." The most crucial aspect was its excellent concealment.

If he used this in the future without honor, wouldn't it be a guaranteed hit every time?

Even the Golden Star Seed sensed Xu Fang's elated mood and spun even more energetically. The surging Demonic Energy transformed into star tracks, then struck the Yin Soldiers heavily.

One, two... Remnant Souls appeared one by one, but there was no Spirit Essence that Xu Fang desired.

Wuuuu~~~~~~~~!!!

On the battlefield, a horn sounded. Unlike the ancient solemnity of the Terracotta Army, the Yin Soldiers' horn sounded like the wailing of the dead, hoarse yet sharp.

Great banners were erected, dancing with gusts of Yin Wind. Raindrops were slapped by the banner fabric, turning into a curtain of black water.

Someone shouted sternly, "It's a mental attack! Mind-系的 Mage, step forward. Everyone else, fall back!"

Xu Fang couldn't figure out the Yin Soldiers' tactics and didn't want to prolong the fight. Without a word, he turned and fled.

The next second, he froze in place.

...Because he saw "himself," and from a bird's-eye view in the air.

The city walls, the Military Mages, the Yin Soldiers... everything he had seen before had vanished.

"Damn it, I fell for it."

Xu Fang cursed inwardly. Needless to say, it was likely because he had killed the Yin Soldier general and was being specifically targeted.

He pinched his thigh hard, but there was no pain. He tried to mobilize the Star Seeds in his Spiritual World, but these unfilial children were happily playing and completely ignored their father's call.

Fine, let's face whatever comes. I, Xu Fang, will see what this "mental attack" that's been so hyped up is all about.

High in the sky, Xu Fang looked down at "himself."

Unlike the him outside, the "Xu Fang" before him, apart from having the same face, was completely different.

In a vast training ground.

A fence enclosed the camp gate. Countless newly conscripted soldiers surged in, holding their identification tags and heading towards the military registry. The training ground echoed with bursts of melodious and lengthy roll calls.

"Xu Fang" wore rough armor and stood among the generals, looking up at the Great General on the high platform.

The Great General was full of spirit. Holding his long sword, he declared with passion, "In this battle, all soldiers shall bravely slay the enemy, display our military might, and not bring shame to the youths of our homeland. Drink this wine, and set off!"

"Yes!"

Everyone, including "Xu Fang," tilted their heads back and drained the wine from their bowls. They then knelt down, kowtowed to their parents and villagers in farewell, and turned to set off without hesitation.

The clash of metal and a powerful aura intertwined. Anyone would see this as an invincible army.

Soldiers brought forth fine horses, and "Xu Fang" mounted one.

A soldier beside the command tent blew a long and melodious bull horn. The sounds of countless footsteps, coming and going, stirred up the yellow dust and smoke of the training ground.

Grayish-yellow dust mingled with the rising neighs of horses and the clang of metal. An invisible, oppressive aura gradually filled the air.

"The army is departing!"