Chapter 56
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Chapter 56: First Level of the Tower of Illusions
As a branch tower, the Anping Taoist Palace’s Tower of Illusions had only eleven levels. Divided into realms every three levels, it could trap and manifest beings of High Mastery of Transformation, making it more than sufficient as a trial tower for Mu Lin and his companions.
The tower walls bore countless names. Wherever Mu Lin’s group passed through a level, their names would be carved there.
Mu Lin only briefly glanced at this information before ignoring it.
Entering the Tower of Illusions with Chu Lingluo, Mu Lin first saw a massive mirror. The mirror flashed, causing his mind to blur before he completely lost consciousness.
Chu Lingluo also fainted beside him. Their bodies turned into white light and were sucked into the mirror, vanishing without a trace.
…
Their entry stirred excitement among spectators. Some prayed for Mu Lin’s failure at the first level. Yan Yunyu too watched intently.
The unconscious Mu Lin knew nothing of this.
When he awoke, he found himself on a dirt road leading to a small village instead of inside the tower. As he spotted the settlement, wind-blown dust formed words before him:
"Strange events plague Shishan Village, suspected to involve monsters and evil spirits. As a Taoist Child of the Demon Suppression Division, you’re tasked with resolving this."
The message lingered briefly before scattering. Now understanding his mission, Mu Lin muttered, "Quell the chaos…"
Rather than rushing in, he closed his eyes to assess himself and surroundings. To test the illusion’s reality, he scooped soil for examination and even stabbed himself.
After these attempts, Mu Lin conceded defeat – the Tower of Illusions’ magic surpassed his perception. Everything felt utterly real. "No wonder it’s called a Taoist Treasure," he marveled.
Chu Lingluo awoke nearby, her usual innocence replaced by wariness. "Brother Mu, should we enter?"
"We will, but preparations first…"
…
After brief preparations, Mu Lin approached the village with Chu Lingluo and four Yellow Turban Might guardians. From afar, they spotted villagers gathered at the entrance, anxiously scanning the horizon.
Upon spotting Mu Lin’s group, the villagers hurried over with mixed excitement and wariness.
"Are you the honorable Demon Suppression Division members?"
"Correct."
After exchanging words and verifying identities, Mu Lin learned these were Shishan Village’s clan elders and guards who’d assist them.
Mu Lin also discovered the village’s supernatural occurrences mainly happened at midnight, appearing and vanishing without trace. Raising an eyebrow, he planned to release paper cranes at dusk to search – but froze when Chu Lingluo suddenly Whispered she’d detected an anomaly through natural perception.
"Certain?"
"My Heavenly Human Perception Sutra – Qing Di section detects environmental disturbances. This spot’s wrong."
Convinced, Mu Lin led the group to a crumbling house. As they surrounded it, a piercing yowl erupted from the rafters. A shadowy streak shot outward – but escape proved impossible.
The Yellow Turban Might paper figures instantly gave chase while vengeful guards charged. These men had endured the creature’s deadly games for days. Yet as they advanced, several guards froze mid-step.
"MEOWWW!!!"
The black cat shrieked, revealing its nightmare face – human features grafted onto feline form. The uncanny sight sparked primal fear, worse than any midnight horror.
While guards faltered, the Yellow Turban Might closed in. Though impervious and strong, they couldn’t match the cat-demon’s speed. Unfazed, Mu Lin drew a paper sword and blew. The sheet expanded into a blood-crusted long sword radiating Ominous Energy.
With a thought, he launched the flying sword. Though paper-folders’ blades lacked sword cultivators’ essence, Mu Lin’s early-stage speed surpassed theirs. Heaven’s Funeral power saturated this weapon – it streaked like comet-fire.
The cat-demon tried dodging, but the blade slashed its paw. Contact sparked rapid decay – the wound spread corruption, rotting fur and flesh with putrid stench. Paper met claw… and paper won.
