Chapter 482: A Reversal

As Dong Jiao walked toward Yuan Yao, she noticed that the boy's expression suddenly became vacant and numb, his whole body lying motionless on the ground.

He looked dead, but he wasn't.

"What did you do to him?"

Yuan Yao half-squatted, looking at the boy lying on the ground, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting: "His consciousness has fallen into an illusion, so I want to help him wake up."

Dong Jiao also squatted down, curiously asking: "Did you use a mental control technique on him?"

Yuan Yao nodded.

Dong Jiao asked, bewildered: "Why not just knock him out? Why waste so much effort on him? Besides, he's a disciple of the Seventh Province, not yours from the Ninth Province."

Yuan Yao casually replied: "Maybe I'm just kinder."

Hearing that, Dong Jiao's expression froze, revealing an unusually complex look.

She couldn't refute it, yet felt something was odd.

Seeing her like that, Yuan Yao thought she was adorably clueless.

At that moment, Yuan Yao heard the system's announcement, which proved that the boy's Awakening Value had exceeded 50.

She then stood up and said to Dong Jiao: "Let's go."

Dong Jiao stood up; her height only reached Yuan Yao's shoulders, looking extremely petite and delicate, yet she had two kitchen knives slung at her waist, creating a stark contrast.

Dong Jiao was about to ask something when she saw the boy lying on the ground suddenly jolt awake, breaking out in a cold sweat.

The boy's face slightly pale, he stared blankly upon seeing Yuan Yao and Dong Jiao, unsure of the situation, hastily rose and stepped back, putting distance between himself and the two.

Immediately after, he glanced around and then hurriedly ran away.

"You saved him for nothing." Dong Jiao frowned.

Yuan Yao smiled: "Do a good deed daily."

The two headed forward along the street, seeing many young disciples who had become somewhat manic from falling into illusion, clearly deep in the phantom realm and unable to extricate themselves.

Along the way, they also encountered some young disciples with clear consciousness and resolute gazes.

Some sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed, practicing embracing the One; others leaned against walls, wary, silently observing their surroundings.

They clearly relied on their steadfast Dao-heart to resist the temptation and disturbance of the illusions, not losing themselves.

Yet, although they held to their original hearts and were not deluded, a shared question lingered in their minds: What is the true test of this 'Illusion Realm Heart Trial'? If it were merely a contest of who can resist demonic influence, then for those with firm Dao-hearts it would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

But the key is, how should they act to earn more points for the province or island they represent?

The criteria for judging these points have always been a mystery.

At the same time——

Above the Floating Capital Martial Arena, the atmosphere was also unusually heated, as representatives of various factions and cultivators watching the match debated loudly, voices rising and falling.

"In my opinion, isn't this Illusion Realm Heart Trial a bit too simple?" someone frowned slightly.

"Simple? This fellow cultivator must be talking without aching waist!" Someone immediately retorted, tone tinged with indignation: "Just look inside the arena—almost half of the young disciples have already been deluded by those false images, fallen into illusion; how can that still be considered simple?"

"That said," another person remarked, voice full of bewilderment, "but why do those young disciples who can hold fast to their Dao-heart and remain unlost gain only five points each? Compared to those far ahead, these five points are merely a drop in the bucket!"

"Exactly!"

Around them, a chorus of agreement immediately rose.

"Look at Yuan Yao—her points have already reached 366! And Dong Jiao also has 331! Compared to that, the others' measly five points are utterly insignificant!"

At that moment, everyone seemed to have seen something, and they all rushed over.

All that could be seen was a white figure having already arrived at the city's center atop the Water Mirror Spirit Crystal, right before that ancient stone tablet.

The white-clad maiden gripped the Azure Dragon Sword, raised it, and suddenly slashed down toward the stone tablet.

Boom——

The stone tablet violently trembled, and at the same time, the entire illusion realm shook fiercely.

Many clear-minded young disciples seemed to realize something, all rushing toward the city's center.

Yuan Yao and Dong Jiao were no exception.

As Yuan Yao darted forward, she keenly sensed that the surrounding youths trapped in illusion seemed to have a tendency to break free from the phantoms.

This let her clearly realize something.

Someone had already found the source causing everyone's illusions and was now destroying it.

If truly destroyed, that person would surely obtain the highest score in this Illusion Realm Heart Trial!

Whoever could locate the key so quickly must either be extremely clever and capable, or… extremely familiar with every aspect of the illusion realm!

If the latter, then this person is very likely——

The female lead, Lu Xiangxiang!

Yuan Yao's heart sank sharply.

She quickened her pace.

Seeing Yuan Yao swoosh past, Dong Jiao felt a whoosh from her side as she surged to the front, disappearing from sight in an instant.

She was instantly startled.

"Wow, how can she be so fast?!" Dong Jiao exclaimed.

After reacting, Dong Jiao hurriedly chased after her.

At the same time, the crowd on the Floating Capital Martial Arena seeing this scene erupted in an uproar.

"This Lu Xiang is no disappointment as a disciple specially accepted by the Formless Immortal Venerable! Having entered the illusion realm for less than half an hour, he already found the source causing the disciples' illusions!"

"It is said that Lu Xiang possesses extraordinary talent; under the Formless Immortal Venerable's guidance, in just one year he broke through from late Foundation Establishment Realm to mid Nascent Soul Realm!"

"Wow, that's really impressive!"

Many people were shocked.

Meanwhile, the people of the Ninth Province all recognized Lu Xiangxiang; their faces showed disbelief, they wanted to say something, but were drowned out by the surrounding clamor.

On the high platform, Immortal Patriarch Fan Quan's expression grew slightly complex; he couldn't help but look toward the Formless Immortal Patriarch seated at the front, puzzled in his heart.

If he were to expose Lu Xiangxiang's identity now, he would certainly become an enemy of the Formless Immortal Patriarch.

Sigh…

A certain Immortal Patriarch beside him spoke, "Huh, Lu Xiangxiang and Yuan Yao look quite similar at first glance."

Another Immortal Patriarch laughed, "I just thought the two were a pair of close sisters."

At that moment, a certain Immortal Patriarch, with a teasing tone, said, "Formless Immortal Patriarch, your disciple is truly impressive, finding the source so quickly—wait for her…"

Before the words finished, the next moment—

The whole venue erupted in a deafening roar.

"I'm going!"

In an instant, everyone stared at the water realm spirit crystal; Lu Xiangxiang, brandishing the Azure Dragon Sword, was about to thrust it violently into the stone tablet, when, just as the blade tip was about to touch the tablet, a fierce sword slash from nearby surged toward Lu Xiangxiang.

Lu Xiangxiang was startled, failed to dodge, and was violently thrown to the ground, a sour‑sweet breath bubbling in her throat.

When she rose after rolling over, she saw two familiar azure figures already standing atop the stone tablet.

The two exchanged a tacit glance and, without hesitation, drew their swords to cleave the stone tablet!

An earth‑shattering explosion!

"No—"

Lu Xiangxiang's eyes widened, trying to stop it, but it was already too late!