Chapter 175: Reincarnation Illusion

Chapter 175: Reincarnation Illusion

"If even Ling Xiaobai can't get past the restrictions here, how did the Soul-Fixating Pearls and the incomplete Divine Refinement Art end up outside? Especially that Soul-Fixating Pearl I later bought on Thousand Illusions Island, it most likely came from this place. And even if the restrictions on the outskirts of the ancient cave aren't that strong, how did the Song family get in here without Xiaobai's help?"

With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning quickly took out Song Ye's storage bag.

Based on what Song Ye had said upon entering the inner hall, Chu Ning had already guessed that the other party should have a more complete layout map.

After a quick look, Chu Ning indeed found several ancient maps made from demon beast hides.

Two of them seemed to belong with the small half-piece he had, likely indicating the location of the Reincarnation Ancient Cave.

The third one was the same as the layout map of the Reincarnation Ancient Cave that Chu Ning had obtained from Song Feng, but it was more detailed and included some areas beyond the inner hall.

"Reincarnation Ancient Hall," Chu Ning muttered, looking at the indicated location on the map and guessing where he was.

"But how do I get out of here?"

Chu Ning held the ancient map and studied it again, and when he sensed it with his spiritual sense, he immediately made a surprising discovery.

Every marked location on the map had a method for breaking the restrictions, which could be viewed by sensing it with spiritual sense.

"So that's how Song Ye got in here, he learned the restriction-breaking method from inside. Then he unlocked the restriction on the stone table in the inner hall, and when he triggered the restriction on the jade bottle, he teleported everyone here."

Chu Ning muttered to himself, carefully sensing each restriction-breaking method recorded on the ancient map with his spiritual sense.

"Hmm, these restrictions seem to be progressive. If you want to learn the method for breaking the later restrictions, you have to learn the earlier ones first."

Chu Ning was astonished when he saw this.

Since he couldn't find a way out anyway, he might as well start learning these restriction-breaking methods.

"This is the restriction-breaking method for the outermost part of the cave, it's not that complicated. You just need to condense your spiritual power using a specific technique... Hmm, why are there several techniques here?"

Chu Ning looked at the first marked location on the Reincarnation Ancient Cave map, which had five different restriction-breaking techniques recorded.

Moreover, each technique was completely different from the others.

He was a little puzzled.

"Could it be that the restrictions on the outskirts of the cave change randomly?"

With this thought, Chu Ning learned all the restriction-breaking techniques.

He repeated this process, and after confirming that he had mastered several restriction-breaking techniques, he turned to the next marked location—the outer hall he had passed through after the long passage.

To his surprise, each stone chamber in this area had a different type of restriction and a corresponding unique method to unlock it.

Moreover, they were significantly more complex and profound than the outer ones.

"These restrictions are not weak, the ones in the inner hall must be even stronger. It's amazing that Xiaobai can still bring me in, his innate divine ability is truly overpowered."

Chu Ning's expression turned serious as he realized the difficulty of the restrictions they had faced.

Now that he was learning these restriction-breaking methods, he truly understood that any restriction that could stump Ling Xiaobai must be extraordinary.

"Each of these restriction-breaking techniques corresponds to a different type of restriction. Even if I don't end up using them all, learning these techniques will definitely be beneficial in the future."

Chu Ning was well aware of this point.

After all, it wasn't always convenient to have Ling Xiaobai help him break restrictions.

Moreover, Xiaobai's innate divine ability had its limitations, both in terms of usage frequency and the types of restrictions it could unlock.

Understanding this, Chu Ning decided to focus on studying these restriction-breaking methods.

While these techniques were profound, they weren't too difficult to learn.

Initially, Chu Ning grasped them quickly because he didn't need to research the restrictions themselves; he only needed to learn how to use the techniques.

However, as he learned more techniques, he couldn't help but start thinking about the differences between the restrictions and the subtle nuances in spiritual power usage between the different restriction-breaking methods.

As a result, his rate of comprehension slowed down unconsciously.

Unable to see the outside world from within the hall, Chu Ning could only vaguely estimate the passage of time based on his feelings.

After about ten days, he finally mastered all the restriction-breaking techniques for the inner hall and turned his attention to comprehending the restriction on the stone table and jade bottle.

"It seemed to take Song Ye quite some time to unlock this restriction," Chu Ning recalled the scene he had witnessed in the inner hall.

And when he sensed the restriction-breaking method recorded for this location, he was indeed surprised.

No wonder the difficulty increased so much."

Although he thought so, Chu Ning was surprised to find that the actual learning process wasn't as challenging as he had expected.

When it came to the method of combining spiritual sense and spiritual power to break the restrictions, Chu Ning grasped it extremely quickly.

"Could this be related to my cultivation of the Refine God Technique?"

At this point, Chu Ning didn't have time to ponder further and continued to focus on cultivating this restriction-breaking technique.

As he progressed through the stages of cultivation, he felt like he was clearing levels in a game from his past life.

After spending another two full days, Chu Ning finally comprehended this technique entirely.

At this moment, Chu Ning turned his attention to the last two parts of the layout map.

"Song Ye should also know that the place most likely to contain treasures in the Reincarnation Ancient Cave is the second floor of the inner hall.

And also this hidden main hall, so the replicated layout map didn't include these two places."

Chu Ning's gaze swept across these two distinct locations, and in the end, his spiritual sense landed on the mark of the main hall.

A moment later, Chu Ning withdrew his spiritual sense and looked at the two restrictions that had originally covered the jade box on the jade table.

"According to the restriction-breaking method recorded here, the restriction in this main hall...

Will only appear after all the restrictions on the jade table are broken.

No wonder even Xiaobai couldn't sense the presence of the restriction."

Although the ancient map clearly stated that the restriction in the main hall would be triggered by breaking the restrictions on the jade table, it didn't provide any methods to break those restrictions.

Chu Ning walked up to one of the restrictions and carefully sensed it.

The next moment, a smile appeared on his face.

"So it's testing whether the person has mastered and understood the previous restriction-breaking methods."

With that in mind, Chu Ning quickly performed a series of incantations with his hands, directing them at the restriction.

Although this restriction wasn't strong enough to stop Ling Xiaobai, it was a combination of several restrictions.

If Chu Ning hadn't studied them carefully beforehand, he might not have been able to break it so quickly.

Thinking about it, the primary purpose of this restriction was most likely what Chu Ning had suspected.

Rather than preventing others from taking something away, it served a different purpose.

"But how did the restriction around the jade box where the round disc was located disappear?

Could it be that the restriction failed due to the passage of time, or was the power of that treasure too strong, breaking through the restriction?

Or perhaps there was never any restriction on it at all?

I wonder if the absence of this restriction will affect the manifestation of the main hall's restriction later on."

As Chu Ning performed the incantations, his gaze intentionally swept to the side.

After a while, when Chu Ning had tried three different restriction-breaking methods and was about to perform the final incantation, the restrictive shield finally crumbled.

Then, Chu Ning walked over to the other restriction nearby.

He examined it briefly and, having already figured it out, began to perform the necessary incantations once more.

This time, Chu Ning took even longer.

It took him two full hours before he was able to break the restriction.

"Boom!"

Along with the collapse of this restriction, Chu Ning suddenly heard a loud rumbling sound.

The next moment, intense restriction fluctuations appeared around the main hall.

At the same time, the originally bright main hall suddenly plunged into darkness.

Chu Ning was slightly startled, and his heart immediately became vigilant.

He reached for the artifacts and treasures in his storage bag.

But at that moment, he suddenly realized that he couldn't move at all.

Immediately afterward, gusts of sinister wind and black mist enveloped him.

Accompanying this was a gigantic ghostly face.

"Chu Ning, do you think you can escape? Do you think you can get away with killing someone from the Yin Demon Sect?

You have the aura of spiritual connection on you, so come back with me quickly!"

"Yin Demon Sect?"

Chu Ning's expression changed upon hearing this, and he was about to take out the Soul Fixing Pearl from his storage bag.

However, to his astonishment, he found that he couldn't channel his spiritual power at all in this moment.

Watching the giant ghostly face approaching, Chu Ning's heart was filled with dread. At the same time, he was incredibly perplexed.

Logically, he was just a small fry from the Green Creek Sect, and the Yin Demon Sect had never paid any attention to him before.

Even if someone were to look for him after his disappearance, it should be the Green Creek Sect, not the Yin Demon Sect.

As Chu Ning was deep in thought, the surroundings suddenly brightened.

At the same time, a voice echoed.

"Chu Ning, where did you go? You're making it hard for me to find you!"

Along with this voice, a graceful figure appeared.

Xin Wuyao stood there with a smile on his face.

Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat when he saw this.

Although he had many tricks up his sleeve, he didn't consider himself a match for a Golden Core cultivator, especially one at the later stage of the Golden Core realm.

"I've already chased away that person from the Yin Demon Sect for you."

Xin Wuyao's face was filled with a smile, but his tone carried an unquestionable authority as he said:

"Come back. I won't pursue the matter of your escape.

"No! That's not right!" Chu Ning suddenly shook his head.

"There's no way outsiders could know about my Spirit Body talent.

This... this is an illusion!"

With this realization, Chu Ning quickly closed his eyes, attempting to activate the Refine God Technique.

To his surprise, he found that he couldn't activate it.

However, in that moment with his eyes closed, the figure of Xin Wuyao vanished, replaced by a graceful figure.

Cen Zikin, her face veiled, called out to him softly, "Chu Ning, I'm being hunted down by cultivators from the Cen and Chen families. How could you hide and cultivate while I'm all alone in Yaochi Palace?"

Having realized he was in an illusion, Chu Ning naturally didn't trust what he was seeing.

He kept his eyes tightly shut, unable to cultivate the Refine God Technique directly, but reciting the cultivation mantra in his mind, calming his spirit and gathering his qi.

The scenes before Chu Ning changed constantly, reflecting the various incidents during his cultivation journey—the happy, the frightening, and the bitter—all assaulting his mind.

Qiu Shuny, due to Chu Ning's departure, was investigated by the sect and brutally killed by the enforcement team.

Gu Xiaoqing blamed Chu Ning for being heartless, saying that those associated with him in the sect had been implicated.

Chu Ning's talent was discovered by the Green Creek Sect, and the elders and deacons supported him to become the sect master, causing Xin Wuyao to be abandoned by everyone and cursed by a thousand tongues.

...

Despite Chu Ning's firm will, his mind was becoming increasingly muddled.

Just then, a voice called out, "Chu Ning, let's go, let's go play basketball!"

Was that Su Yuan, his university roommate?

"Play basketball?"

Was he back in university? Could it be that his entire cultivation journey was just a dream?

"No, I'm definitely in the cultivation world."

Chu Ning shook his head, his once hazy gaze now clearing a little.

At that moment, the scene before him changed again, and not far away, a pair of kind faces appeared.

"Little Ning, are you coming home for the New Year? No matter how busy you are, you should still come home. Everyone else's children are back."

Hearing these familiar voices and feeling their earnest gazes, Chu Ning's eyes finally showed a hint of emotion.

"Dad, Mom..."

He whispered these words as he slowly walked towards them.

At that moment, he felt an urgent desire to embrace them.

However, when he was just half a step away, Chu Ning suddenly stopped.

"No, this can't be real. I'm already in the cultivation world, right?

Or is the cultivation world the dream?"

As Chu Ning hesitated, his parents suddenly took a step forward, reaching out to embrace him.

Instinctively, he took a step back and raised his hands to stop them.

To his astonishment, he found that he had grabbed their necks.

The next moment, the kind faces twisted in pain.

"Little Ning, what are you doing? We're your parents. Why are you hurting us?"

As Chu Ning hesitated, the kind faces suddenly transformed into hideous ghostly visages, lunging at him.

"Illusion, it's all an illusion!"

Chu Ning roared, his eyes squeezed shut, and his hands clenched tightly.

The next moment, when Chu Ning opened his eyes again, the figures of his parents had indeed vanished.

And with the dissipation of the illusions, the once muddled Chu Ning's eyes gradually cleared.

He kept whispering to himself, "I, Chu Ning, am in the cultivation world now. There's no going back.

The path to longevity is my true goal!"

As he thought this, Chu Ning once again began to recite the cultivation method for the Refine God Technique from the beginning.

To his slight surprise, the Refine God Technique, which he had been unable to cultivate before, could now be cultivated.

Without hesitation, Chu Ning began to cultivate this technique.

As he cultivated, he felt his mind becoming increasingly clear.

His surroundings also gradually reappeared within his spiritual sense's range.

A hint of joy appeared on Chu Ning's face, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Indeed, he was back in the stone hall he had been in before.

Everything in the hall was as it had been, except that on the jade table, where the jade box and restrictions had been, there was now a black-robed old man.

The old man had white hair, a black robe, and a face that seemed blurred and indistinct to Chu Ning.

"Excellent, not only have you cultivated the Refine God Technique successfully, but your will is also exceptionally firm.

Chu Ning let out a cold laugh. "You're nothing but an illusion too!"

As he spoke, Chu Ning waved his hand, sending a spell towards the figure.

In that instant, the black-robed, white-haired figure vanished.

The great hall returned to its previous quiet state.

Chu Ning closed his eyes and then opened them again, scanning his surroundings. His gaze eventually landed on Ling Xiaobai, who was curiously staring at him.

Chu Ning let out a soft sigh. "Little White, did you sense anything strange just now?"

Ling Xiaobai nodded and transmitted his voice directly into Chu Ning's mind. "Just now, there were fluctuations in the restrictions of this hall, and a layer of restriction appeared. At the same time, a black light shrouded you. I wanted to save you, but I dared not go near that black light. Then I heard you shouting all sorts of strange things..."

Chu Ning listened quietly, a chill running down his spine. "If it weren't for you, I might have truly been lost in that illusion."

"Because of me?" Ling Xiaobai tilted his head, looking perplexed.

Chu Ning recounted his experience, "In that illusion, various characters and scenes from my past lives appeared. However, what puzzled me was that even though you and I have interacted the most, you never showed up."

As he spoke, Chu Ning's gaze fell on Ling Xiaobai, a strange glint in his eyes. "That illusion couldn't seem to manifest you, which is why I eventually noticed the anomaly."

Ling Xiaobai looked at Chu Ning, still not fully understanding.

Chu Ning didn't elaborate further on what had transpired in the illusion, as some things were not convenient to share, even with Ling Xiaobai.

However, the old man's manifestation had been so lifelike that Chu Ning had almost believed he had returned to reality.

If it weren't for the fact that he hadn't seen Ling Xiaobai's figure at the end, Chu Ning might not have suspected anything.

After all, the scenery he had seen in the illusion was identical to the hall he was currently in, and he had been able to use his spiritual power and divine sense.

Feeling relieved that he had narrowly escaped a trap, Chu Ning's curiosity about Ling Xiaobai's origins deepened.

After all, the illusion had been able to manifest even his past life, yet it couldn't manifest Ling Xiaobai.

However, Chu Ning had witnessed Ling Xiaobai's peculiarities before, so he took it in stride.

Without further ado, he began to examine the stone hall again and soon spotted a door-like restriction not far away.

From the fluctuations it emitted, the restriction seemed to be quite powerful.

"Little White, keep your abilities in reserve for now. Let me try breaking this restriction first."

As he spoke, Chu Ning released his spiritual sense to probe the restriction.

"Hmm?"

As soon as he activated his spiritual sense, Chu Ning felt something unusual. "My spiritual sense feels significantly stronger, not in terms of range expansion but..."

Chu Ning focused on this sensation.

Since his spiritual sense couldn't expand beyond the hall, he couldn't perceive an increase in range.

However, he felt that his spiritual sense seemed more acute than before.

Intrigued, Chu Ning examined the spiritual liquid in his Niwan Palace.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end