The Illusion Warrior Path

After creating the rudiments of the Black Stone Prison, Qin Zhao was delighted, but he also clearly recognized its greatest weakness: it lacked an effective means of Soul Attack.

The Black Stone Prison was exceptionally good at trapping and weakening enemies. But if Qin Zhao couldn't quickly finish off those trapped inside—especially opponents with powerful Soul Will or special life-saving methods—he might end up in a stalemate, or even give them a chance to find a flaw and escape. The reason Linley's Black Stone Prison was so terrifying was that it was combined with the Soul Stone and contained a powerful Soul Attack that could dismantle enemies from within.

However, Qin Zhao was a warrior, not a Spirit Reader. Although the system's rewards had given him decent resistance to soul attacks, he was practically a blank slate when it came to launching them himself. He couldn't use subtle Soul Attacks directly like an Illusionist.

After racking his brains to no avail, Qin Zhao decided to seek advice from his teacher, King Lanchen.

At the heart of the Thick Earth Continent stood King Lanchen's palace. It seemed modest, but its inner space was vast beyond measure.

Qin Zhao stood respectfully below the dais and reported in detail how he had created the rudiments of the Black Stone Prison and the difficulties he was facing.

"...Teacher, my Black Stone Prison is only a shell at present. It can trap enemies, but it lacks the power to deliver a decisive Soul Annihilation. I'm a warrior, a complete layman when it comes to Soul Attacks. I don't know how to make up for this weakness, so I ask for your guidance." Qin Zhao spoke sincerely.

King Lanchen sat above him, his aura merging with the palace and even the Thick Earth Continent beyond. After hearing Qin Zhao's account, a hint of approval flashed in his warm, jade-like eyes.

"To create a binding secret technique with such potential while still at Star Level is already a remarkable achievement. As for Soul Attacks..." King Lanchen paused in thought, then said slowly, "The path of a warrior isn't incompatible with Soul Attacks. Have you ever heard of the Illusion Warrior path?"

"The Illusion Warrior path?" Qin Zhao's heart stirred. If he remembered correctly, in the original Swallowed Star, Hong, one of the Earth Trio, seemed to follow this path. They said that when he fired a single spear, it carried an Illusion Attack alongside it, striking with both physical and spiritual force!

"Indeed." King Lanchen nodded slightly. "A Spirit Reader can control Telepathic Weapons and attack the soul directly with spiritual techniques. Warriors may lack the advantage of Telepathic Weapons, but they can incorporate their own will and understanding of the Laws—especially Illusion techniques that affect the mind and create phantoms—into their saber, sword, or spear techniques."

"A single strike can contain not only a physical attack, but also the Laws that follow the blade's path. It can even stir an enemy's deepest fears and weave an endless illusion! That is the Illusion Warrior." King Lanchen explained, "Your Black Stone Prison already contains the Earth Pulse Profound Mystery, which can directly shake and affect an opponent's soul. That gives you an excellent foundation. If you master the techniques of the Illusion Warrior and blend Illusion Attacks into the prison's vibrations—or imbue your saber techniques with illusions when you enter the prison to fight—then combining attacks from within and without will greatly multiply your power."

Qin Zhao's eyes lit up! This was undoubtedly a broad path laid out before him. Combining Soul Attacks and illusions with a warrior's techniques was a perfect fit for his circumstances.

"Teacher, I'm willing to learn the Illusion Warrior path! Where should I begin?" Qin Zhao asked eagerly.

King Lanchen looked at Qin Zhao's hopeful expression and smiled calmly. "The core of the Illusion Warrior path lies in 'will' and 'illusion construction.' A powerful will is the foundation for creating illusions and resisting their backlash. As for constructing illusions, you'll need to study secret techniques that lean toward spiritual methods. That won't be difficult for you."

"You've already earned the recognition of the Law of Earth. Earth is the foundation of all things and bears both memory and history. You can try to explore the part of the Law of Earth Origin that concerns vitality. The Law of Space is also inscrutable, and can be used to affect perception and create illusions."

"However, I'm more concerned about your Mental Will than your ability to construct illusions. If your Mental Will isn't strong enough, then the Illusion Warrior path won't mean as much to you. Fortunately, Mental Will can be strengthened through training. If you want to follow this path, you must start by training your Mental Will!"

"As for training your will..." King Lanchen paused briefly, then continued, "The Virtual Universe Company has the Illusion Sea, which is used to temper one's will and test the soul. Its effects are excellent. I can't fully replicate the Illusion Sea, but imitating its principles to create a separate Willpower Training Space for you won't be difficult."

As he spoke, King Lanchen flicked a finger, sending a speck of earth-yellow light into the void. At the same time, he sent Qin Zhao a new access link through the Virtual Universe Network.

"I've created the Thousand-Fold Illusion Heart Realm in your private Cultivation Plane in the Virtual Universe." King Lanchen's voice rang in Qin Zhao's mind. "This realm imitates some of the Illusion Sea's mysteries. It has a thousand levels, each one more difficult than the last. Within it are all kinds of illusions: inner demons, temptations, manifestations of fear, and recollections of the past... It will probe the weakest places in your heart and create the most convincing phantoms. You must hold fast to your true self, distinguish truth from falsehood, and shatter the illusions with your powerful will."

"The Thousand-Fold Illusion Heart Realm serves two main purposes. First, it tempers your will. The stronger your will, the more powerful your future Illusion Warrior techniques will be, and the better you'll be able to resist Soul Attacks. Second, you can experience how various illusions are constructed and operate, and learn how will and the Laws can be used to affect another's mind. This will greatly benefit your understanding of the Illusion Warrior path."

"Yes! Thank you, Teacher!" Qin Zhao stared at the access link, his eyes shining with anticipation. This was exactly what he needed most right now!

"Go." King Lanchen waved a hand. "First, temper yourself in the Thousand-Fold Illusion Heart Realm. Once your will has grown and you've gained some understanding of illusions, I'll teach you how to incorporate spiritual techniques and the Laws into your attacks, and help you take your first steps on the Illusion Warrior path. Remember, illusions are a double-edged sword. Learn to use them, but hold fast to your true self. Only then can you see things through to the end."

"I'll remember, Teacher!" Qin Zhao replied solemnly, then immediately connected to the Virtual Universe.

The Virtual Universe, Qin Zhao's private Cultivation Plane.

Above the vast plain, a hazy entrance to a strange space had appeared, twisting and shifting without end, as if it led to countless bizarre dreamscapes. Above the entrance, five characters appeared, their presence radiating the pressure of a powerful will: "Thousand-Fold Illusion Heart Realm."

Qin Zhao took a deep breath and stepped inside without hesitation.

"Bzz—"

The scene changed in an instant. He found himself in a familiar place: Earth, China, in the little rented room where he had lived before crossing over. Unfinished code still filled the computer screen, and the sound of traffic drifted in from outside the window. Everything felt terrifyingly real—even the faint smell of instant noodles in the air was exactly the same.

"So this is an illusion? It really is impressive..." Qin Zhao's heart tightened. If he hadn't already known this was the Virtual Universe, and a space King Lanchen had just created, he might truly have believed he was waking from a long dream—and that Swallowed Star and the Coiling Dragon System were the real illusions.

He tried to summon his power, but found his Origin Force and spiritual power sluggish, as if suppressed by the rules of the illusion. A voice kept echoing in his heart: "Come back. This is reality. That universe of fighting and killing, where stars are destroyed at every turn, is nothing but a fantasy born of your stress..."

Qin Zhao closed his eyes. Deep within his soul, he felt the stability that came from his Earth God Clone's Midgod realm and the recognition of the Law of Earth. His original body's understanding of the Law of Space was just as clear. He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade. "It's only an illusion. Break!"

His powerful will swept out like a sword, slashing at the seemingly cozy illusion that had him bound.

"Crack!"

The rented room shattered piece by piece like glass. He appeared in the second level of the illusion...