Chapter 340: Alternate Identity — Xuan Bing
Swish swish swish!
Watching the swarm of figures flood toward the Illusory Soul Trial like locusts in flight, Xuan Kongzi on the high platform nodded slightly, hands tucked in his sleeves as he said calmly,
"This Pill Gathering is proving to be quite interesting. Even some old veterans have shown up."
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame is no ordinary Heavenly Flame. For those old folks, it's a rare opportunity worth showing up for," Tian Lei Zi added. His sharp gaze swept over the figures entering the trial.
"Still, the younger generation today isn't weak. Even if those old-timers make a move, they'll likely end up humiliated," said Xuan Yi with a gentle smile.
She was well aware of Xiao Yan's strength. In her eyes, this year's champion was already decided.
Xuan Kongzi chuckled and nodded. Stroking his beard, he said, "Indeed, there are some remarkable individuals in this generation. But what I'm more curious about is how far Xiao Yan can go."
"Mm. I wonder how much of Yao Chen's legacy he's truly inherited," Tian Lei Zi mused, glancing at Xuan Yi.
"Surpassed his master, I'd say," Xuan Yi replied proudly.
In recent years, she had remained in seclusion, only appearing for major matters like sealing the Three Thousand Burning Flame. She was the most low-profile among the Three Giants. In fact, some newer Pill Tower members weren't even aware of her existence—leading many to believe there had never been a female Giant. But those truly knowledgeable knew that she had held that title long before Cao Ying's name ever rose.
So, for her to have a brilliant disciple like Xiao Yuan didn't surprise the elder generation.
"Senior Xuan Yi, Elders," Xiao Yuan stepped up and gave a respectful bow. "I'm curious about the Pill Realm and would like to take a look inside."
"Don't worry—everyone will still believe I'm here on the platform."
Worried they might refuse, Xiao Yuan added a quick explanation.
"Oh? You can do that?" Xuan Kongzi raised an eyebrow in interest.
"Just a little trick," Xiao Yuan replied modestly.
"Do as you like—just be careful," Xuan Yi said with a smile.
"I'd like to see this trick too," Tian Lei Zi added with rare interest.
"Then I'll give it a try." Xiao Yuan's Spirit Realm soul power quietly expanded and distorted the surrounding space for an instant.
"It's done," he said, eyes gleaming with playful brilliance.
The three elders were surprised. It had happened so fast. All they sensed was a ripple of soul energy and a flicker in the air behind Xiao Yuan's figure.
"That robe… it's not the same one he was wearing," Xuan Yi said with interest.
Looking closer, the other two realized it too.
Pill Tower robes weren't ordinary clothes—they were specialized garments with alchemy-enhancing properties. The one on Xiao Yuan now wasn't made of the same material. Instead, it was an imitation formed from Dou Qi.
"Impressive," Xuan Yi praised. "You managed all this on short notice. It's not perfect, but enough to fool nearly everyone—unless someone stronger than us is observing you directly."
"Indeed. To simulate even the uniform is no small feat. Only someone with deep mastery over the Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body could do this," Tian Lei Zi noted. "But even then, I've seen that technique—it's easy for us to see through. You've taken it much further than even Lei Zun Zhe ever could."
Xiao Yuan chuckled, "Senior Tian Lei is right. But the rest is a secret—I hope you'll forgive me for keeping it."
"No matter. It's a fine life-saving technique. We'll rest easy knowing our future Giant can protect himself," Tian Lei Zi said sincerely.
Meanwhile, in a remote corner of the square, a white-robed woman wearing a veil emerged from torn space and blended into the crowd entering the gray mists.
When the figure touched the warped mist, the high-grade seventh-tier alchemist badge on her chest emitted a unique fluctuation—provided directly by Xuan Yi. A suction force instantly pulled her in.
As the vortex swallowed him, Xiao Yuan—disguised as a veiled woman—felt the world distort. The gray mists reduced his visibility to less than half a meter, and some areas of space shimmered unnaturally.
This was clearly the Illusory Soul Trial.
Rather than rush ahead, he stood still, closed his eyes, and released his vast soul force.
The gray mist suppressed soul perception, just as Xuan Yi had said. But with his current level, the interference was minimal—his perception range shrank but remained effective.
He could already sense other participants arriving, their movements disrupting the mist.
This realm had been specially constructed by the Three Giants and Pill Tower elders. Layers of twisted space made it easy to get lost.
But not Xiao Yuan.
With his mastery over spatial power rivaling a Dou Zun, he quickly identified the distortions and navigated through the warped corridors.
To most, this was a terrifying maze. But to Xiao Yuan, it was a puzzle he could solve blindfolded.
Swish swish!
Hearing the panicked movements of others, Xiao Yuan smiled. His soul power showed him several alchemists flailing helplessly in dead-end pockets of twisted space—completely trapped.
These contenders were weak—some worse than Gu He had been.
Xiao Yuan stepped into one of the warped spaces—and vanished.
A kilometer away, a white-cloaked figure emerged from the mists.
Tap.
His foot landed softly on a patch of swirling mist. He paused. Something strange stirred nearby.
Ahead, the mist rippled unnaturally. A shadowy old man slowly approached—and Xiao Yuan's eyes widened.
"Master?"
The old figure looked exactly like Yao Lao, even smiling like him and gesturing invitingly.
"Bold imposter!" Xiao Yuan's expression turned cold. He struck with a palm, scattering the illusion and revealing a warped pocket of space laced with eerie black mist.
"So this was the trap?"
He scoffed and stepped into another distortion.
Unfortunately, that comment seemed to provoke the realm.
Next, he was greeted by illusions so absurd they defied description:
Yafei in a slitted qipao with lace accents, Xiao Yu in a miniskirt and black stockings, Yun Yun with a regal demeanor in a grand dress, Cai Lin as a serpent-tailed exotic beauty, Xiao Yi Xiang in a midriff-revealing outfit, Tang Huo Er in a red battle suit, Han Yue in academy uniform, and Han Xue with twin ponytails in a lolita dress…
And in front of them all stood…
Xiao Yuan—in drag. His alter ego: Xuan Bing.
One by one, the fantasies appeared, and Xuan Bing blasted them all away with ruthless precision—but not before enjoying the view.
Still, it slowed his progress.
After nearly thirty minutes, the mists ahead began to clear, revealing a massive black vortex.
The portal to the Pill Realm!
Before the portal was a wide clearing—a makeshift waiting zone created by warping space. The sheer power required to maintain it was staggering, beyond the means of even a faction like Ice River Valley.
Several powerful figures had already arrived, seated or standing around warily.
They kept their distance from each other, few daring to group up. This place had no friends—only competitors.
Xiao Yuan's sudden arrival drew stares. Covered by a veil and cloaked in soul force, no one could see his face.
But his deliberately adjusted figure—based on Yun Yun and Cai Lin—along with the high-tier alchemist badge on his chest, made many take notice.
This woman was a threat.
That's what they thought.
Xiao Yuan's gaze swept the field—and spotted Xiao Yan, who looked frustrated, currently talking to a grinning Cao Ying.
Nearby, a man frowned while watching them.
Possibly… one of her suitors?
(END CHAPTER)
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