Illusion Space, a wager

Tang Qingye spent his morning under his beloved master's lash. With his first experience behind him, he was gradually starting to enjoy it.

Meanwhile, Leng Nu Jiao received higher education in "Mecha maintenance" in Han Tianyi's stern classroom. This was worth six credits!!

Afternoon.

Vision Domain-Illusion Space.

This was an illusory world Han Tianyi had constructed with Spiritual Power.

The Spirit Pagoda's foremost expert in Spiritual Power-at the pinnacle of the Spirit Domain Realm. He truly deserved to be called the greatest mind alive. It was difficult to imagine what splendor the Divine Origin Realm might hold.

Ahead, misty mountains floated among clouds. An ancient pine leaned over a sheer cliff, and a clear pool lay quietly below. Fish swam through its waters, amid swirling mist.

Yet everything here bore a hazy halo. The mountains' outlines sometimes sharpened, sometimes slowly dissolved like an ink painting, as though a single stirring thought could transform the entire landscape.

A world apart, beyond the mortal realm.

How could the word "elegant" possibly do it justice?

But what's with that fishing rod? Old Han has rather refined tastes. I just wonder whether he'll come back empty-handed.

Tang Qingye grumbled inwardly.

At that moment, Tang Qingye stood beneath the ancient pine atop the cliff; Leng Nu Jiao stood on a blue stone beside the pool below. At different heights but facing the same direction, they gazed through the mist toward the path ahead in the illusion.

"Welcome to my world. Within my mental domain, everything you see is illusion."

Han Tianyi's voice came from every direction.

Spiritual light surged through the void, and a luminous white screen slowly unfurled, displaying several shadowy figures.

An indifferent thought echoed through the space: "Please choose your opponents."

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and a measure of wordless helplessness rippled through both their gazes. Old Han really was an overgrown child...

Option 1: perfectly synchronized triplets-Thousand-Year Qian Jun Ant Emperors.

Option 2: two loving brothers-a Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape and a Thousand-Year Sky Azure Bull Python.

Option 3: god slayer-a Ten-Thousand-Year Wind Baboon.

Option 4: carried freeloader-a Thousand-Year Pureblood Evil-Eyed Tyrant Ruler.

"Young master, which should we choose?"

Leng Nu Jiao looked at Tang Qingye, her expression saying she would follow whatever he chose.

"Old Han, we'll take number two."

Tang Qingye spoke calmly.

An indifferent voice sounded from the void: "Enemy forces will reach the battlefield in five seconds. Please prepare."

"Jiaojiao, let's make a wager and see who finishes first. The loser has to grant the winner one request."

Tang Qingye's eyes narrowed slightly. Soul Power circulated inside him, and a Gourd Mark slowly appeared at the center of his forehead, spreading a faint seven-colored halo.

A magnificent purple Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

"All right."

Inky light burst forth. Dozens of lustrous, jade-like stalks of Ink Jade Spirit Bamboo stretched upright beside Leng Nu Jiao. Their stems gleamed with warm jade luster, their leaves swayed gently, and several Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath her feet to circle her body.

"Roar!"

A roar that shook the illusion came from the mountains, making the rocks tremble faintly.

A mountain-like Titan Giant Ape strode out from the overlapping mountain shadows. Long black fur covered its body, its knotted muscles held endless strength, and its yellow slit pupils locked onto the figures ahead.

"Moo!"

The pool's surface churned violently, sending an enormous splash skyward.

The bull-headed Sky Azure Bull Python broke through the water. Faint light flowed over its blue-green scales, and its long serpentine body stretched across the pool. Two powerful auras of beasts converged from afar and swept over the pair.

Willing claws of the Sea God, traitors who turned their backs on the star beasts.

The twin stars of utter wickedness made their entrance!

"Young master, I'll go first."

The battle between the jailhouse warrior and the beautiful mage began!

The Titan Giant Ape growled and abruptly accelerated, charging like a moving mountain. Its enormous right fist bore crushing wind pressure as it smashed down toward Leng Nu Jiao's head.

Leng Nu Jiao lightly waved her delicate hand, and her First Soul Ring lit up.

"First Soul Skill, Forest of Earth-Heaven's Prison!"

A natural star chart unfolded beneath her feet, and green seeds left her hand and fell toward the ground.

The earth split open with a crash. Twisted trees and thick demonic vines burst from the soil in wild growth, countless branches intertwining to rapidly form an enclosed forest cage.

A tremendous crash rang out!

The Titan Giant Ape's heavy fist slammed into the vine barrier, making countless branches shudder violently.

It roared and exerted its strength, tearing at the cage's vines with alternating claws.

Yet whenever its claws sliced through a vine, new shoots sprang rapidly from the severed ends. The branches spread and entwined again, tightening layer upon layer of vegetation around the giant ape's massive body.

The more it struggled, the tighter they wound.

Playing dirty with me, huh!

Trapped in the vines, the Titan Giant Ape seethed with rage. Its innate power spread, quietly laying out a weak gravitational field.

The air abruptly grew heavy. Leng Nu Jiao felt her body sink slightly, her agility considerably restricted.

Within the void, Han Tianyi cast a casual glance and secretly stirred the illusion's power, slightly expanding the range of the gravitational pull.

Seizing the opening, the Titan Giant Ape twisted with all its strength, its thick arms tearing fiercely. Several sturdy vines snapped as it tried to break free of the forest prison.

Before the giant ape could fully escape, Leng Nu Jiao's Second Soul Ring shone brilliantly.

"Second Soul Skill, Extreme Wind-Falling Slaughter!"

Azure wind-aspected ink bamboo rotated behind her. Endless wind elements gathered wildly, and a skyful of thin, sharp, thousand-leaf wind blades formed from nothing.

A rain of azure blades screamed through the air and bombarded the Titan Giant Ape from every direction.

The giant ape's black fur offered formidable protection. The wind blades could only leave fine bloody cuts, unable to seriously injure its flesh.

Savage blood energy had barely surged out before the raging wind elements shredded it into a skyful of bloody mist.

Driven by the intense pain, the Titan Giant Ape battered wildly against the prison. Vines snapped in succession throughout it, and it seemed about to break free.

Leng Nu Jiao held nothing back. Her third Soul Ring erupted with dazzling rays of icy blue light.

"Third Soul Skill, Extreme Ice-Explosion!"

Cold gathered in the sky. A gigantic, crystal-clear ice coffin slowly took shape and thundered down toward the beast.

Thick ice instantly sealed the Titan Giant Ape inside. Bone-piercing cold seeped through its flesh and froze the flow of its blood. Its limbs gradually stiffened, and its circulating Soul Power grew increasingly sluggish.

Inside the ice coffin, the Titan Giant Ape roared and rammed incessantly. The ice shuddered continuously, covered in spiderweb cracks, as it struggled to hold on with its powerful body.

This was a battle of endurance. The imprisoned ape was locked down far too tightly, its brute strength useless as it was crowd-controlled to the heavens.

Leng Nu Jiao continuously supplied Soul Power to maintain the Ice Seal, her breathing fluctuating slightly.

A moment later, she channeled icy power through her fingertips, detonating the extreme cold hidden inside the coffin.

Looks like Jiaojiao really wants to win, but I have a reason I can't lose!

The Thousand-Year Soul Ring blazed purple. First Soul Skill, Azure Sky Marrow!

Azure-gold liquid light condensed from the void, like flowing essence of the heavens.

"Jiu'er, take the field."

A clear luan cry rang through the illusion's cloud-wreathed mountains!

Faint azure light drifted from the youth's body and unfolded into shape high above.

An enormous azure luan with a wingspan of dozens of yards circled among the clouds. Heavenly light bathed its feathers, and its wings stirred billowing gales.

At a thought from the youth, the Azure Sky Marrow became a streak of light and plunged straight into the Nine Heavens Azure Luan.

Hum!

Azure light abruptly swelled around the Azure Luan, its feathers blazing brilliantly. The power deep in its bloodline that connected with the veins of heaven and earth fully awakened. Heavenly power flowed between its wings as its speed, strength, and defense rose together.

Above the pool, the Sky Azure Bull Python raised its enormous bull's head. Its lantern-like slit pupils fixed on the Azure Luan high above, and blue-white vapor streamed from its nostrils.

Its huge serpentine body shifted slightly, churning the pool without cease. A pale azure halo slowly spread, releasing its innate slowing power in an attempt to hinder its airborne opponent.

The Sky Azure Bull Python struck first!

Its enormous tail lashed the lake's surface. Towering waves rose and condensed into several water pythons, sweeping upward with a howl to drag the Nine Heavens Azure Luan down into the water.

The Nine Heavens Azure Luan lightly beat its wings, tracing graceful arcs through the air and easily avoiding the surging water.

Azure light streamed from its mouth. Unbroken waves of wind blades tore downward, repeatedly striking the Sky Azure Bull Python's scales. Water sprayed everywhere, and shallow white marks appeared across its hard armor.

With the Azure Sky Marrow's enhancement, the Azure Luan drew on the surrounding Power of Heaven and Earth, making its wind blades far more destructive than usual.

Pained, the Sky Azure Bull Python let out a low bellow that echoed in every direction. Its massive body suddenly leaped from the pool, attempting an airborne pounce.

But it had long dwelled in water and could not remain airborne for long. Once its body reached midair, its momentum began steadily diminishing.

Seizing that fleeting opening, the Nine Heavens Azure Luan folded its wings and became an azure rainbow, diving from the sky. Its sharp talons carried rushing heavenly winds straight toward the Sky Azure Bull Python's head!

Haki bull, I'll bull you to death!

At the critical instant!

The Sky Azure Bull Python's pupils abruptly contracted above the pool. Its massive body suddenly sank half an inch into the water, and its enormous bull's head tilted slightly.

At the same time, its thick tail stirred the lake. Layers of water rose before it, forming a heavy shield in front of its head.

Bang!

The luan's talons tore savagely through the water curtain and slammed into the scales on the Sky Azure Bull Python's shoulder.

A piercing collision erupted. Azure scales shattered and scattered, and pale azure blood flowed down its body into the pool.

As intense pain struck, the Sky Azure Bull Python released a long bellow that shook the illusion.

It did not retreat in defeat. Opening its huge mouth, it sent several thick water pythons surging skyward with immense water pressure, sealing off the Nine Heavens Azure Luan's routes upward and away.

Just then, a faint azure ripple passed through the void.

"Useless bull-head."

A sigh came from the void.

The illusion's master, Han Tianyi, secretly intervened. Invisible power strengthened the Sky Azure Bull Python, and its Slow Domain unfolded!

Viscous power filled the entire airspace. The air seemed to solidify into heavy mercury, abruptly slowing the Nine Heavens Azure Luan's dive and making its body briefly falter in midair.

Seizing this opening, the Sky Azure Bull Python's massive body rose into the air once more. It twisted, attempting to coil its thick body around the Nine Heavens Azure Luan and forcibly drag the bird down into the pool.

High above, the Nine Heavens Azure Luan released a long, clear cry.

The Azure Sky Marrow's power continued flowing inside it, its bloodline drawing fully on the Power of Heaven and Earth in every direction.

Faint azure light gathered continuously from the void, winding around its wings.

It no longer insisted on fighting at close quarters. Rapidly beating its wings, it widened the distance and circled beneath the clouds.

The free-floating Power of Heaven and Earth converged before the Azure Luan from every direction, azure-gold light accumulating layer upon layer.

The Azure Sky Marrow's innate power acted like a furnace, continuously refining the surging worldly energy and slowly shaping it.

Azure light condensed and compressed. A magnificent Greatsword dozens of yards long formed among the clouds. The heavens' primal luster flowed over its blade, and its sword intent suppressed the winds and clouds in every direction.

Immortal-path killing move-Sword of Heaven and Earth!

Sensing the destructive aura of the Greatsword, the Sky Azure Bull Python in the pool felt instinctive terror arise. It drove its water power to the limit, raising enormous circular waves across the lake and stacking wall after wall of water.

It was actually a mystic-grade battle technique-Azure Waves Ninefold Surge.

At the same time, it pushed its Slow Domain to full strength, trying to delay the Greatsword's descent.

But the heavenly Greatsword had formed from the primal essence of heaven and earth, and the slowing power could not restrain it much.

The Nine Heavens Azure Luan beat its wings fiercely. Bearing crushing force, the Greatsword thundered down from above!

Its edge tore through the successive walls of water, sending spray exploding wildly in every direction.

"Boom!"

The Greatsword struck the Sky Azure Bull Python's back heavily. Its hard scales shattered inch by inch, and the tremendous impact slammed its massive body back into the pool, raising raging waves dozens of yards high.

The enormous python thrashed violently in the water, then finally went off to enjoy its eternal rest with a splash.

Crack, crack!

Cracks covered the entire ice coffin.

The next instant, a thunderous explosion rang out as the ice coffin burst apart.

A violent shock wave swept outward with countless ice crystals, blasting an enormous crater into the ground.

The Titan Giant Ape's massive body fell heavily. Its limbs stopped struggling, and the ferocity in its beastly eyes slowly faded.

The imprisoned ape had fallen. Boo-hoo.

Among the mountains, Han Tianyi's indifferent voice echoed through the illusion once again: "The outcome is decided."

"Jiaojiao, your young master won."

"I know, you wicked young master!"

Hearing him, Leng Nu Jiao raised her eyes, their corners tilting gently upward as she cast a sidelong glance at the youth before her. Her gaze shimmered, all her myriad charms gathered into that single look.

The spiritual gaze suspended in the void fell upon the two figures below, and a low voice murmured, "With such monstrous temperaments and combat strength, hardly anyone at their level could compare. They must be carefully polished and nurtured."

Extra training!

Pile on the extra training!

"Break time is over!"

An ethereal voice rang out.

Tang Qingye: Do you want to hear what you're saying?

Pale golden numbers appeared in the void one after another: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

An enormous blue-gray figure came galloping as though its hooves trod on flying swallows. Over four meters tall, it had long azure-gray fur dancing wildly in the wind, knotted muscles in all four limbs, and arms hanging past its knees.

"Roar!"

The beast raised its head and released a long howl that shook the mountain forests. Its sound waves became fierce winds sweeping outward as its fists hammered its broad chest, the heavy thuds booming like heavenly drums.

Its azure-gold slit pupils fixed on the two figures below. Countless azure whirlwinds circled its body, and the pressure of a ten-thousand-year beast king bore down like a mountain. Every surrounding air current fell under its control.

A Ten-Thousand-Year Wind Baboon King!

It's the god slayer. We're doomed.

Tang Qingye slowly spread his arms, his voice steady and gentle. "Come here, Jiaojiao."

A faint blush quietly colored Leng Nu Jiao's ear tips. She pushed off with her toes, leaped lightly, and plunged straight into his open embrace.

The person in his arms tensed slightly, only slowly relaxing a moment later and leaning most of her weight against him.

Long, warm breaths fell on his shoulder, and slender fingers gently gripped the hem of his clothes.

Two heartbeats were clearly audible, intertwining.

Wind Baboon: Was this really okay, you two? Show me a little respect, hey!!

"Roar!!"

The roaring sound waves became cyan ripples visible to the naked eye, sweeping in every direction.

Its cyan-gold beast eyes locked firmly onto Tang Qingye and Leng Nu Jiao. As it opened its mouth, countless cyan wind blades tore through the air toward them, their edges slicing the air and sealing off every possible direction of evasion around the two.

Flaunt your love, die fast; left half-dead, get kicked.