Chapter Eighteen: The Origins and Consequences

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Early morning, sunlight poured down in brilliance, dew still resting on the leaves, sparkling wherever the rays touched. The soft rustle of footsteps echoed, and the figures of Ye Zihan and his two companions appeared on a narrow path skirting the ancient woods.

"The Temple of Illusive Gods was founded more than two millennia ago, when the first cultivation techniques emerged. Aside from three successors, the temple houses nine men, nine demons, and nine beasts; each of the three realms sends three members, forming the Elder’s Seat, the Guardian Hall, and the Tribunal. The Elder’s Seat tends to or, perhaps more accurately, supervises the three successors; the Guardian Hall oversees the temple’s protection and the Illusive Arts; the Tribunal specializes in uncovering and purging those who seek to misuse the Illusive Arts. All those holding these posts are the most formidable beings on the continent, their cultivation unfathomable, with immense prestige and sway across the realms. Yet among them lurk those with hidden ambitions, scheming to claim the ‘Five Illusive Arts’ for themselves."

After yesterday’s events, Hong Yan had sensed a shift in the situation and decided to disclose these secrets to Ye Zihan ahead of time. Lan Yu, meanwhile, cautiously released her aura, probing for any fluctuations in the surroundings—such secrets, if leaked, would plunge the world into chaos.

"And the ‘Five Illusive Arts’—what a heaven-defying treasure it is! From the moment it appeared, it possessed consciousness and intelligence, choosing its inheritor autonomously. Those who fail to meet its requirements, if they touch it, suffer dire consequences: the mildest result is the shattering of their Qi crystal, rendering them unable to cultivate, doomed to a wasted life; the worst is a rampaging breath, Qi flowing against its course, ultimately leading to death by bodily rupture. Thus, the name of the ‘Five Illusive Arts’ spread far and wide, infamous for its lethality."

Hong Yan’s expression grew complex as he continued, "Back then, the three realms ceased their warring and sealed the Illusive Arts within the temple. Yet the powerful of each realm protested, declaring that such a thing, born of heaven, should be shared by all. Unable to resolve the dispute, the first generation of three successors transcribed copies of the Illusive Arts, distributing them across the realms for all to study. Alas, though the copies resembled the original, they lacked its divine essence, and despite years of research, no one could truly comprehend or master them."

"So, the clamor rose again; many powerful figures flocked to the Temple of Illusive Gods, seeking to cultivate the original Arts. The temple's members could not stop them and allowed them to attempt it. Their ends were as I described: the mild lost their powers, the unfortunate perished. Even so, countless others still vied to try, adding heap upon heap of corpses to the temple’s legacy."

Ye Zihan was shocked and puzzled by this, turning to Hong Yan to ask, "Why, knowing the danger, did those people still risk everything to cultivate the ‘Five Illusive Arts’?"

Hong Yan sighed softly, "Such is human nature: insatiable, never satisfied. When profit flickers before their eyes, they become moths, heedlessly rushing towards the flame, until their wings are utterly destroyed."

"Finally, after so many lost their powers and lives, the powerful of the three realms regained some sense, ceasing to risk their cultivation or their lives for the Illusive Arts. The continent grew peaceful again, and as the years passed and the temple secluded itself from the world, the matter of the ‘Five Illusive Arts’ faded from memory."

"Time flowed, dynasties changed, and the ‘Five Illusive Arts’ passed through several generations, as did the Elder’s Seat. Yet this generation of elders harbors unknown intentions, seemingly conspiring in secret. One day, by chance, I witnessed the Third Elder battling a demon, using the techniques of the Water Illusive Art. Then I realized those old men were plotting something regarding the ‘Five Illusive Arts.’"

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Hong Yan’s gaze hardened as he continued, "Though I don’t know how the Third Elder learned the Illusive Arts’ techniques, their ambitions seem to reach beyond merely coveting the ‘Five Illusive Arts.’ My secret investigations show that they have violated centuries-old temple laws—venturing into the three realms on their own, causing disturbances everywhere, apparently preparing for something."

"And the Illusive God Ceremony three hundred years ago was even more bizarre and unsettling. By custom, the ceremony is held every fifty years, with the three successors conducting it in a hidden location within the temple. Yet that time, nine vast and overwhelming auras were concealed within the secret place. At first, I noticed nothing, but when we invoked the Illusive Arts, one person’s aura subtly fluctuated. I was immediately alarmed, seized all three Arts, and fled the Temple of Illusive Gods."

Ye Zihan listened intently, his expression tense, worried about what would happen next.

"I stole the Arts and escaped; naturally, those people would not let me go. Your teacher Lan Yu chased me for thousands of miles, and in the end, atop the Crimson Sword Peak, my explanations failed and we fought. Our strengths were equal; we battled to the death, both suffering grave wounds, our bodies destroyed."

Hong Yan let out a bitter laugh as he spoke.

Lan Yu, listening nearby, shook her head gently but said nothing.

"But you can’t blame your teacher Lan Yu—she too was kept in the dark." Hong Yan suddenly laughed, "Our souls remained, drifting in the world, seeking opportunities to enter the bodies of newborn infants and thereby be reborn. For three hundred years we failed countless times, but by chance, on the night you were born, we succeeded in entering your body, only to be ensnared by the Eight Seals, not awakening until you fell from the cliff two years ago, at which point we broke free."

"In these three hundred years, temple members have been active, seemingly preparing for something. Whether the third successor, Zidian, can stabilize the situation is uncertain. If the temple becomes embroiled in the three realms’ conflicts, peace will be lost from the continent."

Hong Yan spoke all this in a single breath, his tone filled with helplessness and worry.

After digesting the entire story, Ye Zihan finally regained his composure and asked, "Shouldn’t you return to the Temple of Illusive Gods to check on things, teachers?"

Hong Yan smiled wryly, "What’s the use in returning now? Lan Yu and I are only souls; even with Zidian, we may not match the strength of those nine. And after centuries, the Guardian Hall and Tribunal members have likely been drawn in as well. If we return, we’d be walking into a trap."

"But…" Seeing his two teachers troubled and helpless, Ye Zihan grew anxious.

"We are not worried, but you seem more nervous than us," Hong Yan laughed, seeing Ye Zihan’s expression.

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"Han’er," Lan Yu, by his side, looked at Ye Zihan with a solemn, meaningful gaze. "Now, you are our only hope. You must grow quickly—at the very least, reach the ** realm. Only then can our strength be restored, and we may qualify to return to the Temple of Illusive Gods. Otherwise, all else is empty talk."

Hong Yan’s face was grave, and he gently patted Ye Zihan’s shoulder. "We know this is no easy task, but some burdens must be borne. As the next successor, your destiny was set from the start: you must defy fate and shoulder the mission of this era."

Looking into their earnest faces, Ye Zihan understood that his teachers had entrusted everything to him.

"You now carry a heavy responsibility. We hope you can devote yourself to cultivation, achieve greatness soon, and when the matter of the temple is resolved, we can roam the three realms freely, watching the continent’s tides with laughter."

Clenching his fists tightly, Ye Zihan’s blood surged, his thoughts racing. The five elements had been sealed since birth, along with ridicule and cold indifference. If not for Hong Yan and Lan Yu’s appearance, who knows how long this would have lasted. Now, not only had his teachers broken his seals and imparted all their knowledge, they treated him as family—something Ye Zihan had never felt in his memory, not even in his twelve years living with the Ye family.

"Without my two teachers, I would be nothing but a useless wretch. Now that you need me, I will never let you down. I’ll give everything, risk my life to cultivate, rise to **, help my teachers recover their strength, and then rush back to the Temple of Illusive Gods!" Ye Zihan’s voice rang clear and strong, his eyes filled with resolve. For now, he would set aside talk of fate or mission; but the kindness shown by Hong Yan and Lan Yu must be repaid—a debt remembered for a thousand years.

"Haha, good boy! You have spirit; I did not misjudge you!" Hong Yan laughed heartily, clapping his hands.

Lan Yu, too, smiled with satisfaction, drawing Ye Zihan close. "With such resolve, we are content. But to become truly strong, you must not only cultivate, but also broaden your knowledge. Next, I’ll tell you some of the continent’s wonders—listen carefully, for these will aid you greatly when you venture through the three realms."

Ye Zihan focused all his attention, fearful of missing a single detail.

"On the continent, aside from those famous sects and families, there are many hidden masters, such as the Elder of South Mountain in the Mortal Realm’s south..."

Sunlight poured down as ever, bright and gentle. On the path beside the ancient woods, the three figures gradually faded from sight, leaving only the determined words of the youth echoing among the trees, awaiting the day when they would fulfill the prophecy that would shock the continent.