A month flew by as Han Li cultivated with scarcely any sleep or rest. He mastered his newly acquired spells and controlled his three low-grade puppets as deftly as his own limbs. Though their power was limited, they might produce remarkable results under the right circumstances. He also prepared ample talismans and pills. Once he had brought himself into peak condition, he arrived as scheduled at a mist-shrouded valley in the rear mountains of the Seven Mysteries Sect-the site of the Illusory Wave Hall.
At the valley entrance, the sect master, Elder Li, Nangong Wan, and the other four disciples who had secured places in the forbidden land were already waiting. Zhang Tie remained composed, Chen Qiaoqian's bright eyes roamed, Wu Jiuzhi's gaze was sharp, and the remaining disciple, Qi Yunxiao, looked somewhat nervous. Their expressions varied when Han Li arrived. Zhang Tie gave a slight nod, Chen Qiaoqian studied him curiously, and a barely perceptible flicker of fighting spirit appeared in Wu Jiuzhi's eyes.
"Since everyone is here, let us enter the hall." The sect master swept his sleeve, dispersing the mist to reveal a magnificent hall built entirely of white jade and radiating a gentle glow. Above its doors, the ancient characters for "Illusory Wave Hall" danced like dragons and soaring phoenixes.
"The Illusory Wave Hall is a precious treasure of our sect, containing a world within. It can simulate all manner of illusory realms to temper your resolve, combat skills, and coordination," the sect master said solemnly. "It will remain open for three days this time. Time flows differently inside, so you will have more than a month to train. Remember, though the illusions are false, the injuries are real. They may even stir your inner demons. You must not be careless! If you feel you can no longer endure, crush this jade talisman, and you will be transported out."
Five smooth jade talismans landed in their hands. Han Li clasped his tightly, sensing the spatial fluctuations contained within.
"Go in," Nangong Wan said coolly. With a light touch of her delicate hand, the doors slowly opened, revealing a swirling radiance within.
The five exchanged glances, drew deep breaths, and stepped through the glowing doorway one after another. Han Li's vision blurred, and the space around him twisted. When he looked again, he stood in a boundless desert. A blazing sun hung overhead, yellow sands stretched for countless miles, and waves of heat rolled through the air. The other four were nowhere to be seen.
"Random transportation into separate illusory realms?" Han Li swept his spiritual sense outward. Within dozens of miles, there was nothing but dunes. Yet he could sense that the spiritual energy here was thin, and a strange suppressive force permeated the world, unsettling his mind.
Rather than act hastily, he circulated the Essence-Concealing Technique, suppressing his aura to its utmost and hiding like a grain of sand as he carefully sensed his surroundings. He activated the Profound Yin Spirit Eye. The scenery before him warped slightly, revealing faint currents of illusion energy drifting through the air.
"The first trial seems to test patience and resolve." Han Li sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing, resisting the agitation and loneliness welling up from deep within. Time crept past. Fierce winds would suddenly rise in the desert, sending sand and stones flying; then the temperature would plunge, bringing cold that pierced the marrow. Mirages even appeared, conjuring spiritual springs and immortal fruits to tempt him. His heart remained firm as a boulder. He guarded the clarity of his mind and refused to be swayed.
Three days later, measured within the illusion, the desert rippled like water and faded away. He appeared in a dark primeval jungle, surrounded by towering ancient trees, tangled vines, hissing poisonous insects, and the faint, intermittent auras of demonic beasts.
"The second trial: combat and survival." Han Li's gaze sharpened. Concealing himself, he moved through the forest like a seasoned hunter. When he encountered several demonic beasts equivalent to late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, he avoided fighting them head-on. He lured them with puppets, attacked from afar with talismans, or maneuvered around them with movement techniques. Bringing all his methods to bear, he dealt with them one by one and obtained several stalks of Spirit-Concentrating Grass unique to this illusory realm.
His most dangerous encounter came when he entered a demonic ape lair and was surrounded by dozens of frenzied apes. Han Li fought bathed in blood, alternating between Profound Yin Binding, Soul-Eroding Finger, and the Shadow Blade. He even expended a Yin Thunder Talisman before narrowly fighting his way out of the encirclement, sustaining a few minor injuries himself. The pain within the illusion was so real that it made him even more vigilant.
After ten days of training in the jungle, Han Li had grown increasingly adept at using his various methods, combining them with ever greater finesse. When he slew a Phantom Leopard equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator, the scene changed again.
This time, he appeared on an enormous white jade plaza. At its far end, Zhang Tie, Chen Qiaoqian, and the other two appeared simultaneously. All four were pale, their auras unsteady. Clearly, the first two trials had drained them heavily.
"The third trial: teamwork." A sonorous voice rang out above the plaza. "You must work together to defeat the guardians before you can pass."
Before the voice faded, light gathered at the center of the plaza and condensed into five figures! They wore different clothes and radiated powerful auras, yet they were exact copies of Han Li and his four companions! Even their expressions and magical artifacts were identical!
"A battle against mirror images?" Han Li's pupils contracted. These guardians had actually copied all five of them!
"Attack!" Across the plaza, "mirror-image Han Li" gave a cold shout and attacked first. Unleashing Shadow Step, he charged straight at them, his methods ruthless and decisive-exactly like Han Li's own!
Zhang Tie roared and met "mirror-image Zhang Tie," sword light flashing; Chen Qiaoqian hurriedly laid out a formation to trap "mirror-image Chen Qiaoqian"; Wu Jiuzhi darted about, hidden weapons flying as he engaged "mirror-image Wu Jiuzhi"; Qi Yunxiao, meanwhile, faced "mirror-image Qi Yunxiao" in a fluster.
The battle erupted in an instant! Spiritual power collided across the plaza, brilliant light shot in every direction, and thunderous crashes rang out without pause!
Han Li's battle against his own mirror image was particularly fierce. Their cultivation arts, spells, and even approaches to combat were exactly the same. It was like pitting his left hand against his right, and neither could gain the upper hand. Han Li was shaken. The Illusory Wave Hall could reproduce them to such an astonishing degree!
This cannot go on! Han Li's thoughts raced. His opponent was an illusion with boundless spiritual power, while they were flesh and blood. A prolonged battle would end in their defeat! He had to break the balance!
A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. He deliberately exposed an opening and took a Soul-Eroding Finger strike from his mirror image. As agonizing pain tore through his soul, his Shadow Blade thrust out at a bizarre angle-not toward a vital point, but toward the wrist controlling his opponent's Shadow Blade! At the same time, the Ironbone Wolf Puppet, which had been lurking nearby, suddenly lunged out to obstruct the opponent's sight!
The mirror image clearly had not expected Han Li to choose a tactic that would wound them both, and his movements faltered slightly. Han Li seized that fleeting opening with perfect precision! Enduring the agony, he instantly unleashed Profound Yin Binding to entangle his opponent's legs. At the same time, his true killing move-that faint wisp of pseudo core flame-shot from his fingertip straight toward the opponent's dantian!
The mirror image tried to dodge, but the wolf puppet and Profound Yin Binding held him back. The pseudo core flame plunged into his body in an instant!
Hiss! The mirror image twisted, let out a soundless shriek, then collapsed and vanished like bursting foam!
Han Li gave a muffled groan, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His soul had suffered considerable damage, but his eyes shone even brighter. Having dealt with the most troublesome opponent-"himself"-he immediately moved to support the others. First, he worked with Zhang Tie, restraining "mirror-image Zhang Tie" with Profound Yin Binding to help Zhang Tie win swiftly. Then he helped Chen Qiaoqian break her mirror image's formation. Finally, he joined forces with Wu Jiuzhi to eliminate the last two mirror images.
When the final mirror image vanished, peace returned to the plaza. All five were covered in wounds and panting for breath, but their eyes held a trace of understanding and relief. This battle had shown them their own strengths and weaknesses, and deepened their appreciation of the importance of cooperation.
"The third trial is complete." The sonorous voice rang out again, filled with approval. "You may rest here and regulate your breathing for three days, after which you will be transported out of the hall."
Light flashed, and the five appeared in a quiet chamber rich in spiritual energy. They exchanged glances without speaking, but now shared the unspoken understanding of those who had faced life and death together.
Three days later, the doors of the Illusory Wave Hall opened once more. The five emerged with somewhat weakened auras, but their eyes were firmer, and a faint baleful air lingered around them. Clearly, they had gained a great deal.
Seeing this, the sect master and the elders nodded slightly. Nangong Wan's gaze lingered on Han Li for a moment, a barely perceptible ripple seeming to pass through her cool eyes.
"How are your preparations?" the sect master asked.
Han Li cupped his hands, his voice calm yet filled with unquestionable resolve. "This disciple is ready."
He no longer feared the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land.
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