The willow branch glowed a gentle green, hovering three feet above Shi Hou's head.
Shi Hou put down his bowl of soup. With a flicker of intent-
Hum.
A black Heavenly Cave quietly appeared.
The motes of light from the willow leaves stopped drifting downward and were sucked into the vortex.
The surrounding light and the chirping of insects vanished the instant they touched the vortex, like clay oxen sinking into the sea.
Shi Hou disappeared from where he stood.
Shi Shoushan took two steps forward, sweeping his big hands through the air, only to grab a handful of nothing.
"Invisible again? Where's that little brat hiding?"
"Skinny Monkey, why are you crowding me?"
Shi Hao shifted half a step to the right and grumbled at the empty air beside him.
"Little One, you can really see him?" Ermeng rubbed his eyes hard.
"Sure can."
Shi Hao nodded vigorously. "He's a pitch-black blob, rolling his eyes at you right now."
Ermeng drew his neck in.
The gentle voice continued to echo in everyone's minds.
"Curious."
"Were you not standing within three feet of my true body, causing faint ripples in space, even I would be unable to detect your presence."
Shi Yunfeng slammed his walking stick against the bluestone slab. "Lord Willow Deity, even you can't detect him?"
The willow branch swayed slightly. "Once he retreats more than a hundred feet away, no trace of his aura remains in this world. All means of perception become utterly ineffective against him."
Space rippled faintly, and the black vortex silently dissolved.
Shi Hou reappeared and rubbed his chin.
That settles it.
Personally certified by the Willow Deity.
Next time I run into a tough opponent, turn invisible, sneak up behind their head, and bring the Black Pot down.
*Plain and unadorned. Simple