CHAPTER 65

Breaking Illusions

'Illusions.'

Su Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, her thin lips pressed tightly together. Her long, slender eyelashes lowered, concealing a trace of unease in her eyes.

If Xumi's greatest skill was setting up illusion arrays, then the Zouyu, born with the innate ability to see through all illusions and shatter all arrays, was undoubtedly its natural nemesis, provided it was conscious.

Unfortunately, the drugged Cookie had temporarily lost its ability to assist its master.

The situation on the field now was one against two.

For Tong Tong, the circumstances were somewhat precarious.

How would she handle it?

Well, at worst, she could just admit defeat. After all, no one expected her to stand out in this competition and awe the crowd.

In comparison, her safety was the most important.

The sudden appearance of white mist on the field not only confused Tong Tong's perception but also blocked the view of the surrounding spectators, making it difficult for them to observe the movements of those on the stage.

The long-bearded Daoist serving as the arbiter calmly retrieved a small bronze mirror from his Qiankun bag, using it to continue monitoring the actions of the two competitors on the field with rapt attention. Meanwhile, those without the ability to see through illusion arrays or spiritual artifacts began to murmur among themselves, and those who had placed bets grew increasingly anxious, the atmosphere grew restless.

Ye Zhiqiu smiled faintly, her long embroidered sleeves swaying gently, trailing behind her like an enchanting scene. Her unparalleled grace left a group of disciples staring in awe.

Where her sleeves passed, a water mirror materialized out of thin air on the field, thin and translucent, shimmering with scattered golden light under the sun's refraction, a truly beautiful sight.

Without any further effort on her part, the water mirror began to display hazy mist. First, it reflected Zhu Yingyi, who was sitting on the ground, her face pale as if casting a spell. The image then split in two, and on the other side, a young girl looking around in confusion appeared, it was Tong Tong.

Switching the focus to Tong Tong's perspective.

Amidst the vast, boundless mist, a small table slowly materialized, set with dishes, Longjing shrimp, Eight-Treasure Duck, Four-Joy Meatballs, Jadeite and White Jade Soup, and a bowl of Rose Almond Paste. The exquisite and tempting dishes were vibrant in color, enough to whet anyone's appetite just by looking at them. What's more, these dishes happened to be exactly what Tong Tong loved.

Under normal circumstances, she would have already pounced on the food, devouring it eagerly. Even without chopsticks or spoons, she wouldn't let the lack of utensils stop her from grabbing the food with her hands like a primitive human. However, after Cookie's painful lesson had taught her the meaning of "learning from past mistakes," even the most reckless foodie would think twice, where did this inexplicable feast come from?

It was likely another trap set by the enemy!

"Hah! Think I'd fall for it again? You're too naive! I am a youth of the 'Four Virtues,' civilized, cultivated, backed-up, and principled! I understand the principle of not eating 'charity food'! If you want to trick me into eating a poison apple, you'd better be as pretty as the Queen! Otherwise, forget about a door, there isn't even a window!" Tong Tong forced herself to swallow the saliva that kept welling up, putting on a disdainful expression as she turned her head away from the increasingly tempting dishes. She shouted into the depths of the white mist, "You old witch from the Qianyu Sect! Stop playing tricks and come out already, ahhh!"

"Pfft," On the water mirror, everyone could clearly see that after Tong Tong's furious roar, Zhu Yingyi on the other side suddenly spat out a mouthful of bl0od. Her rosy little face instantly turned as pale as gold paper, and her spirit beast also let out a few low, weak growls.

To think this little girl actually managed to break through the first layer of the Xumi Illusion Realm! I truly underestimated her!

Zhu Yingyi didn't even bother to wipe the splattered bl0odstains on her collar. She bit her lip lightly, as if making a firm decision, then cupped her hands over her dantian and began murmuring an incantation. As her chanting grew faster, her face grew paler and paler.

Soon, not a trace of color remained on her face!

At that moment, she suddenly stopped chanting, formed several hand seals with her hands, and pointed toward her spirit companion from a distance. It seemed as though an invisible light shot from her fingertip, striking the black back of Xumi. Both she and the beast slumped down simultaneously, and the misty illusion they had created began to change once again.

The Young Sect Master has been pushed to this point by this girl! Is she willing to exhaust her true essence just to unleash the second layer of the illusion against her?

If anything were to happen to the Young Sect Master, what use would gaining that spirit companion be...

Staring intently at the images reflected on the mirror, Xue'er clenched her fists, her heart filled with anxiety.

The illusion set up by Zhu Yingyi through her spirit companion Xumi was targeted solely at Tong Tong. Even though the water mirror conjured by Ye Zhiqiu could penetrate the mist and reveal the two hidden figures, it couldn't capture the content of the illusion. Thus, the spectators could see the Young Sect Master of Qianyu Sect exhausting her true essence and even spitting bl0od, and they could see Tong Tong of Chonghua Sect wide-eyed, panicked, and at a loss, but they had no idea what had actually happened.

If they could have seen what Tong Tong was seeing, they would surely have understood the shock she felt.

"S-S-S-Senior Brother?" Tong Tong raised a trembling hand, shaking like a Parkinson's patient, and pointed at the person leisurely walking toward her, stammering, "H-h-h-how did you get up on the stage?"

'This is against the rules, buddy!'

'I know you care deeply for me and can't bear to see me get hurt... but you can't just ignore the rules and boldly step onto the stage to cause trouble! If Master sees this, it'll look terrible! But since you're so sincere, I'll reluctantly let it slide this time!'

After the initial shock, joy surged uncontrollably. Tong Tong couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from curling upward, her tsundere demeanor sending shivers down people's spines.

'This idiot... what is she doing?!'

Below the stage, Su Yan stared expressionlessly at the bashful Tong Tong, a flicker of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Junior Sister? Aren't you happy to see me?" The "Su Yan" on stage raised an eyebrow and chuckled in response. "Your senior brother was really worried about you!"

'Holy crap! Why does this guy's voice sound so seductive?! It's like a hundred little claws scratching all over your body, unbearably itchy yet impossible to shake off. It's downright eerie!'

Tong Tong subtly retreated half a step, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms hidden within her wide sleeves. "W-worried about what? It's a piece of cake! I can handle it myself! N-no need for you to trouble yourself, Senior Brother..."

'Hey! Speak properly! D-don't come any closer!'

"Junior Sister, don't be willful... I can't bear to watch you get hurt. Let's forfeit this match, hmm?" The trailing tone, layered and undulating, was indescribably enchanting and captivating, enough to make one's bones go soft.

'Holy crap! Is this a blatant attempt at seduction? What happened to the promised icy demeanor, you jerk! Stop, stop smiling! If you keep smiling, someone's going to die!'

"Th-this... this isn't good, is it? Forfeiting... how will we explain it to Master?" Tong Tong tightened her grip on the Biling sword in her hand, her gaze sweeping over "Su Yan's" charming eyes and brows, his straight nose, finally settling on those devilishly curved thin lips, lips as sweet as honey, delicate as cherry petals, tempting one to lean in for a kiss.

Utterly captivating.

Her mind went blank, leaving only these four words.

"Junior Sister, don't worry. If Master blames us, I'll take full responsibility... Be good and forfeit, alright?" Seeing Tong Tong seemed somewhat swayed, "Su Yan" took a few steps forward, gently pulling her into his embrace, his smile growing even more tender. Those pitch-black eyes seemed to ripple with clear, sparkling waves, mesmerizing and hazy.

Beauty leads one astray.

Tong Tong sighed softly in her heart.

Squinting slightly, she obediently nestled into "Su Yan's" embrace, resting her head against his chest and rubbing it vigorously. Though the action was coquettish, it lacked the softness of a young maiden, listening to the steady heartbeat from his chest, Tong Tong suddenly gritted her teeth, and the Biling sword in her hand shot like lightning toward "Su Yan's" chest!

"Junior Sister, what is the meaning of this?" Staring in disbelief at the sword embedded in his chest, "Su Yan" said with shock.

His beautiful eyes welled with pitiful tears, like dewdrops on a fresh peach, truly evoking sympathy and melting one's heart, even if the other had committed a grave sin, one couldn't bear to blame them.

"First, my senior brother would never smile so l3wdly!" Tong Tong extended a finger, pressing it against the corner of "Su Yan's" lips, flattening the curve.

'What an ugly smile!'

"Second, my senior brother would never suddenly become so gentle!" Her finger slid along his lip line, tapping "Su Yan's" sturdy arm as she pouted in dissatisfaction.

'Thick-skinned and rough, neither fish nor fowl!'

"And the last point, the most crucial one!" Her fingertip jabbed hard at "Su Yan's" flat, unremarkable chest as she sighed disdainfully, "My senior brother has chest muscles!"

'Soft and incredibly elastic, not like you, this impostor! Not pleasant to touch at all! Hmph!'

"Puff," But it wasn't the sound of a sword piercing flesh, it was more like a bubble bursting. Under Tong Tong's sword strike, "Su Yan" transformed into a burst of emerald light points, gradually dissipating into the air.

At the same time, Zhu Yingyi spat out another mouthful of bl0od. If she hadn't been sitting cross-legged on the ground, she would have long since collapsed weakly.

Her spirit beast, Mojie, whimpered and curled into her embrace, like a child complaining to a parent about its grievances.

The second layer of the Illusory Realm already faintly reveals the shadow of the Inner Demon Tribulation. Yet this d@mned girl managed to see through it, truly remarkable!

Could it be that her innocent and lively appearance is merely a disguise?

Zhu Yingyi wiped the bl0od from the corner of her lips, letting out a bitter, desolate smile.

The white mist gradually dispersed, revealing Tong Tong standing with her sword and the disheveled figure of Zhu Yingyi.

A sudden breeze lifted her spotless sleeves, lending her an air of ethereal grace and carefree elegance.

Victory and defeat had been decided.

The arbiter was stunned for a moment before suddenly snapping back to reality and loudly announcing, "This match goes to Chonghua's Tong Tong!"

"What a joke!"

"Foul play!"

"I actually lost! Who are they kidding!"

"D@mn it..."

The arena erupted into chaos, filled mostly with grumbling complaints, who could have imagined that this unknown girl from Chonghua Sect would turn out to be a dark horse?

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, Senior Brother!" Tong Tong leaped over to Su Yan in a few bounds, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "I heard the odds were one to a hundred! I knew I would win, didn't I? Too bad I didn't place a bet! Sigh..."

Su Yan glanced at her indifferently, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. "It doesn't matter. I bet a hundred top-grade spirit stones on you."

"Waaah, I'm so touched! Senior Brother, you believed in me so much! You're truly far-sighted, mwah!" Tong Tong immediately beamed with joy.

Su Yan gave her a half-smiling, half-chiding look, shook her head, and turned to head toward the betting area.

That glance, both teasing and reproachful, was utterly captivating, breathtakingly beautiful, transcending gender!

Watching her retreating figure, Tong Tong stood rooted to the spot as if unaware, not following.

Her expression seemed pained, but even more so, confused, even though she knew it was fake, the moment the sword pierced through, her heart still felt as if pricked by needles.

A thought of Helen Keller's prayer suddenly flashed through her mind: "If I were given three days to see." But the "if" that appeared in the depths of her heart was: 'What if Senior Brother were a woman!'

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