Chapter 187: Illusory Reality

Although no one dies within the Xianle Secret Realm, getting schemed against can still result in being forcibly ejected, permanently losing the qualification to become an official disciple—or even the chance to remain in the Tianqing Sacred Land!

This is the most brutal aspect of cultivation. No one shows mercy to the weak. As long as one can obtain treasures and become an official disciple, who cares about revenge after leaving the realm?

Would those who failed even dare to seek revenge?

Precisely because of this, the competition for treasures within the Xianle Secret Realm is far fiercer than one might imagine!

Chen Fei glanced at Dong Feng, then put on a surprised expression. “I didn’t expect Senior Brother Dong to possess such a treasure! Many thanks, Senior Brother!”

“Heh, meeting is fate! Forming a good relationship with Junior Brother Chen today is my honor as well,” Dong Feng replied with a more serious expression. “Junior Brother Chen, this Jitan Swamp is filled with numerous demonic beasts. A single misstep and you could be dragged down—very dangerous.”

“As for this Thousand-Layered Pagoda, while it’s quite good, once activated, it severely limits mobility! Which means there’s only so much I can do. I’ll be counting on your help,” Dong Feng said sincerely.

Chen Fei nodded.

He had already known about this flaw. Since Dong Feng was so upfront, Chen Fei didn’t hesitate. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother Dong. With the help of the Thousand-Layered Pagoda, we’ll definitely be able to reach the depths of the Jitan Swamp!”

Without further words, Dong Feng leaped onto a nearby Jitan stone.

Chen Fei followed closely. As his feet landed, the Jitan gave off an odd sensation—smooth, yet not entirely so. The texture was strange.

Dong Feng chuckled. “Junior Brother Chen, these Jitan stones are also valuable. They’re one of the raw materials for forging Honing Stones.”

“Oh? I hadn’t heard that before!” Chen Fei said, a bit surprised.

A trace of pride flashed across Dong Feng’s face. “I learned that from the senior who gave me the Thousand-Layered Pagoda! If I can gain some fortuitous encounter this time and improve my strength further, I can finally enter the Forging Academy!”

“The Forging Academy…” Chen Fei looked at Dong Feng thoughtfully.

That would be a place worth paying attention to in the future. Hopefully, he’d have the chance to interact with it more.

Dong Feng wasn’t aware of Chen Fei’s silent resentment toward the Forging Academy. He looked down at the Jitan stone with a tinge of regret.

“Too bad my storage space is too small to carry one back. If I could, I’d get quite a bit of credit at the Forging Academy.” Dong Feng sighed.

Understandably so—most outer disciples had already exhausted their resources for cultivation, let alone afford larger storage pouches.

Even if formal disciples hired helpers this time, it was unlikely they’d provide large storage bags. Not to mention, the rule of only bringing three treasures killed that hope altogether.

After all, the Jitan stones, while useful, were essentially just chicken ribs—tasteless, but wasteful to throw away.

As the two continued to hop forward, the riverbank behind them disappeared from view.

Suddenly, Chen Fei halted. “Something’s not right!”

“What is it, Junior Brother Chen?” Dong Feng turned back, confused.

Chen Fei narrowed his eyes and looked behind them. “Senior Brother Dong, don’t you notice?”

“Notice what?” Dong Feng’s lips curled into a strange smile that made Chen Fei frown. His face grew cold.

“Don’t you realize we just set off not long ago, and yet the riverbank is already gone?” Chen Fei said sternly.

“Hahaha! So you finally figured it out! I’m surprised it took you this long,” Dong Feng laughed. He raised his hand, and the Thousand-Layered Pagoda instantly enveloped him. At the same time, a flaming red sword appeared in his hand.

With a light shake, the sword flickered with dancing flames—clearly not ordinary.

Chen Fei squinted. “What’s the meaning of this, Senior Brother Dong?”

“The meaning? Chen Yang, you’re so naïve. Still want to continue? Leave your treasures and you may walk away!” Dong Feng declared, launching a fiery sword Qi straight at Chen Fei’s chest.

But Chen Fei, unfazed and well-prepared, calmly raised a hand. With a slight pinch of his fingers, the flame was instantly extinguished—the sword Qi had no effect on him whatsoever.

With a flicker, Chen Fei appeared directly in front of the Thousand-Layered Pagoda.

“Very well. Let’s see how strong the Thousand-Layered Pagoda’s defense really is,” Chen Fei sneered and pressed his hand against it.

When activated, the Thousand-Layered Pagoda produced an invisible barrier one zhang (3.3 meters) in front of the user—its strongest defense. If this shield wasn’t broken, Dong Feng wouldn’t be harmed.

But Chen Fei was extremely confident. With fifteen times his usual strength, such a barrier was nothing to him!

Yet just as he attacked, the dormant Void Heaven Cauldron within his body suddenly began violently trembling.

Chen Fei’s heart filled with dread. A moment later, a piercing pain shot through his mind.

The pain snapped him out of it—and he realized something was wrong.

He was indeed standing in front of the Thousand-Layered Pagoda, but the sinister expression Dong Feng wore moments ago was gone. In its place was a face full of horror.

“Junior Brother Chen, watch out!” Dong Feng shouted.

Though the Void Heaven Cauldron had jolted him awake in time, Chen Fei had already unleashed his attack. He had to forcibly retract his strength.

The backlash wasn’t pleasant.

And they were too close—his punch still struck the barrier.

The Thousand-Layered Pagoda’s shield began trembling violently, as if about to shatter.

Dong Feng, who had activated the pagoda, turned pale as he stared at Chen Fei.

He had already suspected Chen Fei wasn’t normal back on the riverbank. But only now did he realize just how terrifying Chen Fei truly was. That single punch felt as if it would shatter the pagoda itself, even producing cracking sounds!

His heart nearly stopped.

Luckily, Chen Fei had awakened at the last moment, preventing the shield from breaking.

Chen Fei suddenly turned his gaze toward the water.

The calm water surface had become like a boiling cauldron, bubbling violently as wisps of heat rose from beneath.

“Senior Brother Dong, are you alright?” Chen Fei asked, turning back.

Dong Feng was still shaken by Chen Fei’s strength. Hearing the question, he immediately shook his head and stammered, “Junior Brother Chen, y-you were terrifying just now!”

Chen Fei shook his head. “I was accidentally tricked by an illusion.”

He made a casual excuse, but his face turned slightly red.

He had let his guard down—caught by an illusion! If not for the Void Heaven Cauldron and its Dao Embryo forcibly jolting him awake, that monster might have succeeded!

He couldn’t afford to underestimate the beasts of the Xianle Secret Realm. At first, they might have been weak, but with so many batches of disciples over time, they must have absorbed enormous energy. Their strength must be truly terrifying by now!