Chapter 60
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 60: Third Level of the Tower of Illusions
The moment the words "take him as a disciple" were spoken, everyone froze.
In this world, the bond between master and disciple held immense weight, nearly equal to that of father and son.
By saying this, Dongfang Ya clearly aimed to shield Mu Lin, signaling her open support.
This made Teacher Ma’s lips twitch slightly, though he ultimately stayed silent.
…
Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo’s swift clearing of the levels didn’t just catch the teachers’ attention—Yan Yunyu also noticed.
Like the other Taoist Palace students, she suspected Mu Lin’s crucial role in their rapid progress.
For the first time, regret gnawed at her.
“Was I wrong to push him away? Would keeping him on my team have helped me win first place?”
“No… they probably just got lucky. The third level will stop them!”
Too proud to admit her mistake, Yan Yunyu joined the others in silently hoping for Mu Lin’s failure.
Jing Yeming’s grim expression stood out among the crowd.
He’d been confident earlier, certain Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo would barely scrape through the second level.
His own stellar performance, he’d believed, would impress Chu Lingluo. But their smooth progress now rattled him.
“I won’t lose!”
“Move out—we’re tackling the third level now!”
Panicked, Jing Yeming rushed his team into the Tower of Illusions.
Mu Lin neither knew nor cared. After berating the onlookers, he focused on steadying his breath.
Chu Lingluo, meanwhile, initially gazed at him with awe.
“Your paper figure mimicked me perfectly! With you alone, we could’ve cleared the tower. I barely helped.”
“You noticed the underground pangolin yourself. You didn’t need me.”
But her face shifted when Mu Lin began mocking the crowd.
His biting sarcasm surprised her.
Normally, Mu Lin wouldn’t justify himself to anyone. Yet seeing Chu Lingluo’s confusion, he leaned closer and whispered through magic:
_‘Teacher Dongfang Ya’s orders…’_
Chu Lingluo blinked, then flushed with admiration once she understood. Her irritation, however, settled squarely on their classmates.
“Mu Lin, they mocked you so much, yet you still want to help them. You… you’re too nice. People will take advantage of you.”
“…”
Being called a good person by the saintly Chu Lingluo left Mu Lin speechless.
This felt particularly awkward after he’d just finished angrily berating his classmates to “motivate” them.
He coughed abruptly, changing the subject.
“Let’s go tackle the third level.”
“Right.”
“Buzz…”
The white light flashed again, and both Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo collapsed into unconsciousness.
When they awoke, they found themselves in another illusion—this time not a mountain village, but a town.
Two tavern attendants bowed respectfully as they guided the pair forward. One explained, “The pig-headed creature appears at night. You may rest at our tavern until—”
Mu Lin cut him off.
“Wait. I need to relieve myself.”
Chu Lingluo added, “Me too!”
The attendants blinked, then gestured. “This way, honored guests.”
After attending to their needs, the pair followed the attendants to Tavern Owner Fuyi’s Tavern. The plump owner greeted them eagerly.
“Everything’s prepared! Fine food, good wine, and your tribute.” He snapped his fingers. Servants brought platters of roasted meats, dancers twirled between tables, and a tray of Spirit Stones clinked before Mu Lin.
The owner himself tasted each dish first. Reassured, Mu Lin ate while questioning him.
“The monster hunts night wanderers,” the owner lamented. “Three of my staff died last week! You must stop it!”
The feast lasted an hour of meditation. As Mu Lin pushed back his empty plate, ready to investigate—
*Thunk!*
A dancer plunged a dagger into his chest.
Blood bubbled at Mu Lin’s lips as he choked, “We came to help… why?!”
Tavern Owner Fuyi’s kindly face twisted into a grin. “Help? Jijiji! What if we’re the monsters?”
The tavern erupted in jagged laughter. Fuyi’s neck bulged—then split into a bull’s head and a ram’s head. Waiters sprouted pig snouts and tusks. Two-headed horrors loomed over the table.
“You betrayed humanity?!” Mu Lin gasped.
“Power!” Fuyi’s bull head bellowed. “Sacrificing you will make me stronger!”
They dragged the wounded pair to a bloodstained basement. There, a pig-headed vendor stirred a pot of human organs—hearts bobbing beside half-cooked brains.
Mu Lin gagged. Before he could react, Fuyi’s cleaver flashed.
The world spun as Mu Lin’s head thudded to the floor.
