Chapter 8: The Warm Current

The Realm of Illusory Spirits was akin to a hidden paradise—this was Liang Xi’s first impression upon arriving. Built within a mirage, Liang Xi had only ever heard of such illusions, never seen them. Now, having witnessed one, he found everything curious; the boundary between illusion and reality seemed blurred. “This river was conjured through illusion, modeled after the grandeur of the Yunjiang. This boat too, is something only possible in the mirage realm within Mirror Flowers. You are the first man to enter here.” Three years ago, when Ji Anran first saw these sights, her expression matched Liang Xi’s now, for never had anyone mastered illusion to the point where falsehoods became indistinguishable from reality.

“Little girl, weren’t you just as amazed three years ago? Now you seem to know everything.” Hua Lian smiled, full of pride as she introduced her creation. “Brother Liang Xi, this river is called the Phantom River. Its end marks the true location of the Realm of Illusory Spirits.” Even after countless visits, Hua Lian’s heart brimmed with pride—across the world, no one but herself could conjure such wonders.

“What are those two statues across the Phantom River?” Liang Xi’s sharp gaze immediately caught sight of the lifelike stone figures nearby. If one looked closely, they seemed to move slightly, but upon further inspection, they appeared still.

“You’ve got good eyes, brat. You must have thought those statues were real, right? Actually, they’re the Heaven Formation—one of the three great arrays of the Realm of Illusory Spirits. Did you notice the lightning and gale swirling above them? The Heaven Formation uses celestial power to repel intruders. But among the three, it’s not the strongest. Watch carefully; the other two are even more formidable!” Ji Anran laughed, appearing now as a cheerful junior sister rather than her former resolute self.

As they drew closer to the statues, Liang Xi looked up and met their gaze. Instantly, he felt an uncanny force seize him, his emotions oscillating between joy and sorrow, nearly ensnared by the illusion. Hua Lian quickly called out, “Steady your mind!” She injected a surge of her own power into Liang Xi. With a bang, Liang Xi woke as if from a dream, drenched in cold sweat.

“Thank you, elder. If not for your help, I might have perished here.” The memory of meteors, thunder, and roaring winds left him stunned. The natural forces were overwhelming—if a practitioner was careless, years of hard work could vanish in an instant.

“I apologize; I forgot you’re not versed in illusion arts, so you didn’t know how to resist. When you boasted of your colleague Linglong, I already knew—she’s truly remarkable, having invented her Sevenfold Illusion. Yet, her Sevenfold Illusion still can’t compare to mine! For your safety, we’ll take the second path, which also reveals the Earth and Heart Formations.”

The small boat veered left onto another stream. Far ahead, two more statues stood, but Liang Xi was too far to discern their details. “Those two in the middle are the Earth Formation, drawing strength from stone, earth, and trees. The final two are the Heart Formation. Though the power of heaven and earth is mighty, it pales beside the heart. The heart is fickle—thus, the Heart Formation is the most formidable.”

“These three—the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Formations—are the defensive arrays of the Realm of Illusory Spirits and represent the pinnacle of my illusion arts. I once aspired to make this realm the foremost in Xuanzhou, but after the events surrounding Shui Linglong, I lost interest in titles. Now, I only hope my efforts can protect my disciples.” As Hua Lian spoke, a faint sadness appeared on her face—the incident with Shui Linglong had changed her deeply.

“Master, junior sister, you’re back!” A clear voice rang out from nearby, and a figure in blue rushed to the boat with a few agile leaps. This woman, older than Ji Anran and full of innocence, greeted them with a bright, worry-free smile.

“Liang Xi, this is my fourth senior sister, Mei Lengning. Her name may sound cold, but she’s truly innocent. Senior sister, this is the Liang Xi I mentioned in my letters. Our return home was fraught with danger—if not for his courage, neither master nor I would have made it safely.”

Hua Lian had five disciples, each exceptionally talented and dearly loved. Only the matter of Shui Linglong had brought her sorrow; the other four never disappointed and spread the realm’s fame.

Mei Lengning, fourth in rank, had cultivated Mirror Flowers to the third level—Mirage—making her, after Shui Linglong, the most advanced practitioner among the disciples, which delighted Hua Lian immensely.

“So you’re Liang Xi! You look fine; I like you. Since you’re the first man to enter the Realm of Illusory Spirits, both second and third sisters want to see what you’re capable of—how you won the favor of our little sister. Ji Anran has never been close to any man, but you broke that rule today. We sisters had to come see for ourselves. I’m quite satisfied.” Mei Lengning’s frank scrutiny embarrassed Liang Xi, his face flushing.

“Hahaha, junior sister, Liang Xi is amusing—he blushed!”

“Xiao Mei, don’t tease our guest.” Hua Lian cherished her disciples so much that she seldom scolded their bold behavior, letting them grow into fearless characters. “Master, I’ve never met such an interesting man before—don’t be angry.”

Seeing her lovable disciple, any discontent dissolved. Soon, the boat docked, revealing a plum blossom grove accompanied by ethereal music. Suddenly, a fierce sword aura swept toward Liang Xi. He reacted swiftly, drawing his sword in a contest of skill. Both were masters of swift swordplay; plum petals danced as sword qi interwove.

“Dream, stop! If you truly injure him, our junior sister will cry. Look at her face!” Cheng Zhumen, the second senior sister, had sharp eyes. Though skilled in illusion, she preferred to express her mastery through swordplay. Her attack just now was the Dream Soul technique of the Dream Realm.

“Well, since you can withstand my strike, I believe what junior sister said. I heard you even fought with eldest sister—she was the strongest among us. I always wanted to compete with her but never had the chance. Now, dueling you fulfills my wish. Over the years, I’ve often visited eldest sister—she was so proud back then. Now, seeing her like this, I regret my inability to help her.”

“A few days ago, eldest sister told me she met two remarkable young men who could resist her Sevenfold Illusion. That’s rare. Most importantly, these two are willing to help me.”

“Just for that, you are now a friend of the Realm of Illusory Spirits. No one here will harm you. I know what you’ve been through. As your second senior sister, I must thank you. Master, do you resent me for secretly visiting eldest sister?”

“Silly child, how could I resent you? You did well. My greatest regret is regarding your senior sister. Now, you’re atoning for me. I always wanted to see her, but she refused. It pains me, but knowing she’s well, I’m relieved. I’m a useless master, but now, all is past.”

“Come, now we’re all friends. Whatever happens can be resolved. This time, I nearly didn’t return—all because of Jiang Xuehan! Dream, your swordplay has grown sharper; have you completed the Dream Soul Six Swords?”

Among Hua Lian’s five disciples, Shui Linglong truly mastered illusion, while Cheng Zhumen took a different path. She cultivated Mirror Flowers to the second level—Dream—and stopped advancing. The Dream Realm has three techniques: Entering the Dream, Dream Soul, and Southern Branch. The essence is to harm the enemy within a dream, but if one’s strength is insufficient, self-harm may result. Cheng Zhumen specialized in Dream Soul, later developing the Dream Soul Six Swords.

Her swift strike was called Severing Intestines, a fierce sword qi that attacks the meridians. Liang Xi’s rapid counter made their duel brief but dazzling.

Cheng Zhumen, a lifelong swordswoman, possessed a striking presence and favored purple robes, earning her the title “Violet Sword Deity” in Xuanzhou, though she didn’t care for it. “I have indeed mastered the Dream Soul Six Swords, but still couldn’t gain the upper hand against Liang Xi, nor could I match eldest sister. That’s my greatest regret.” She turned to Ji Anran, “Junior sister, I’m glad you returned safely.” Cheng Zhumen, though stern, wasn’t inflexible. “Liang Xi, was your swordplay just now the Draw Sword for Merit from Sword Qi as One?”

“I’ve long heard of Sword Qi as One—four moves, yet the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Once you’ve recovered, I wish to duel you.” Without waiting for a reply, Cheng Zhumen vanished. “My second disciple is obsessed with swordplay. She has extraordinary talent and will become a great master in time!”

“Still, Liang Xi, you’re remarkable—matching speed for speed. Dream always longed for a worthy opponent; after Linglong left, that became a distant wish. Now that you’re here, she must be pleased. Are you alright? Severing Intestines is a powerful strike.”

“Rest assured, elder, I’m fine. Second sister’s sword is formidable; if I hadn’t learned swordsmanship, I’d surely have lost.” Ji Anran felt sweet hearing Liang Xi address Cheng Zhumen as second sister. “Alright, everyone, let’s not stand in the plum grove. Liang Xi, I think you’ll like it here. You’ve seen the three formations and the Phantom River. Do you know what this grove is called? I planted it myself for Linglong—she loved plum blossoms and trained here.”

“The plum grove remains, but Linglong has departed.” Mei Lengning had never met eldest sister; all stories came from second sister. “Master, don’t be sad. If Liang Xi recuperates, he’ll soon settle matters with Wan Ruyu. Didn’t you say only eldest sister could kill Wan Ruyu herself?”

“Yes, yes, master, don’t say any more—I miss third sister dearly.” When Ji Anran first arrived at the Realm of Illusory Spirits, she was exhausted, silent, lifeless. Third sister Fei Xingye, renowned for beauty and unparalleled skillful hands, understood that comforting food could heal sadness. She cooked daily, and her culinary prowess was unmatched, having traveled far and wide to taste the world’s delicacies.

Fei Xingye knew every dish was a story. When others were helpless, Ji Anran loved hearing her tales and eating her food—not out of greed, but because third sister’s cooking was unforgettable!

Fei Xingye, like second sister, had reached the second level of Mirror Flowers, mastering Dream Soul. The difference: second sister used Dream Soul to harm, Fei Xingye to heal. Not all dreams are sorrowful; some are beautiful, and Fei Xingye’s hands worked wonders. Hua Lian once said, if Dream and Xingye fought, both would suffer—one wielded the unmatched Dream Soul Six Swords, the other could defeat ten thousand foes with graceful hands.

Despite her immense power, third sister cared little for fighting—her passion was cooking. “Little girl, are you speaking up just to see me or to taste my food?” Hua Lian teased.

“Master, third sister’s cooking is what I truly crave!” Ji Anran replied, making everyone laugh. Fei Xingye, dressed in white, possessed an elegant beauty. “Junior sister, you have a conscience—I worked hard for you back then.”

“Third sister, I really miss you—and your cooking. The food on Cold River Island was terrible, and besides, I was locked in a water prison!”

“You little rascal, could a mere water prison hold you? You’ve achieved a great feat—Mirror Flowers has been lost for years, but you found it. Tell me, what do you want to eat? No, your accomplishment is too great; anything you wish, I’ll make for you!”

“Really, third sister? Anything I want?” Ji Anran was surprised; third sister never promised lightly, but once she did, she always delivered. “When have I ever lied to you? Since I said so, I’ll do it. You’ve worked hard; rest now. Your room is ready.”

The Realm of Illusory Spirits was unlike Cold River Island. Here, Ji Anran could open her heart. Beyond the plum grove stood five rooms for the disciples; farther in, the realm’s atmosphere changed. Liang Xi thought he heard something, but couldn’t be sure.

Soon, a towering figure rushed toward Liang Xi—he recognized a tall man attacking. Xie Chang’an, his eyes shining, leapt and struck with fingers as swords. Sword Qi as One always grew stronger against strength; a single move, Sword Qi Rainbow, could devastate an opponent.

Before they could clash, the tall figure vanished instantly. “Sorry, Liang Xi, I forgot to tell you—this path from the shore is called the Spirit Road. Each step requires you to inject your own strength into the ground, or you’ll trigger my traps. The man you saw was an illusion I conjured. You didn’t use the proper technique, so you triggered the mechanism.”

Hua Lian apologized, but Liang Xi was awed by the power of illusion. “Elder, I feel my visit here is most worthwhile. No one ever told me illusions could be so powerful. With such strength, why haven’t you captured Wan Ruyu?”

“Wan Ruyu is contemptible, but in martial arts, he is extraordinary. After obtaining Mirror Flowers, he feared I’d send someone to seize it again. Do you know how he protected it?”

“If I were Wan Ruyu, I’d memorize it completely. Even if the original was lost, it wouldn’t matter.” Hua Lian looked ahead, “Exactly. He has an eidetic memory—took just one day to memorize Mirror Flowers. He kept it secret, so no one on Cold River Island knows. Since I created Mirror Flowers, I sensed it, but by then, it was too late.”

For years, he studied Mirror Flowers, and eventually fused its supreme illusion with River-Gazing Palm. In terms of power, he’s the strongest on Cold River Island. Yet he’s patient—why, I have no clue. He respects Jiang Xuehan outwardly but secretly despises him. There must be some history between them.”

“But that’s just my guess. The truth is unclear. Wan Ruyu’s challenge to Jiang Xuehan won’t be easy; Jiang Xuehan’s River-Gazing Palm has reached the selfless realm, and his water manipulation is as gentle as water itself. If they fight, the outcome is unpredictable.”

Liang Xi was stunned—Wan Ruyu was formidable. To defeat him, Liang Xi would have to grow stronger, or how could he face Linglong? Thinking of her plight, a surge of determination arose. Wan Ruyu was nothing—did he think himself invincible? At that moment, Liang Xi’s aura transformed, not fierce but serene as a breeze or moonlight.

Liang Xi’s ethereal presence returned. “Everyone, I’ve gained some insight—excuse me!” With that, he vanished. Hua Lian sighed in admiration—his footwork was unmatched, with a hint of illusion within. How interesting.

“Anran, don’t disturb Liang Xi yet. You’ve survived danger—tell your sisters about your journey. After this battle, you’ve mastered Mirror Flowers even more. Once cast, it reveals true thoughts. As for Liang Xi, do you recall your senior brother infusing him with a trace of Xuansteel power before he left?”

“If I’m right, Liang Xi should now merge Xuansteel power with his Mooncold energy. Mooncold is the world’s ultimate yin; Xuansteel is fierce, but shares its origin. How much cold it can suppress depends on his fortune. If successful, he’ll forge a unique power!”

Extreme yin yields yang, extreme yang yields yin—easy to say, but few can achieve it. If one missteps, all prior cultivation goes to waste!

Liang Xi found a quiet spot, with bubbling springs and gentle breezes. The Mooncold energy, barely suppressed before, surged again, more forceful than ever. “Xuansteel power is my invention—not the strongest yang, but nearly so. I’ve honed external skills for years and recently understood the key on River-Gazing Platform. I passed it to you because, as a child, you were invaded by Mooncold energy. Master was present then, but now he’s gone. You still have your senior brother. Master always regretted teaching you Lingyun Atlas, thinking it brought harm. He wanted to destroy it, but couldn’t bear to in the end—he couldn’t let go of martial skills.”

As Liang Xi circulated Xuansteel power, he heard his senior brother’s words embedded in it. He had been invaded by Mooncold energy many times; for ten years, it was suppressed by his master and brother’s power. Now, their restraint was weakening, and the accumulated cold retaliated—hence his master’s changed expression upon learning he had mastered Sword Qi as One.

His master forbade use of Mooncold energy, but due to Yan Shiyu, he did so, and became obsessed with its strength. Was such power truly forbidden? He refused to believe it. If so, how did the creator of Lingyun Atlas achieve invincibility?

Liang Xi steeled himself—his will was unyielding, determined to do what others dared not. Xuansteel power surged through his meridians, while Mooncold energy sensed an external force and resisted.

Extreme yin and yang clashed; Liang Xi had never felt such turmoil, but his determination was unbreakable. “Does Mooncold energy think I’ll surrender? Impossible!” Xuansteel power rampaged like an army, while Mooncold felt like fine needles—inescapable.

The breeze grew into a storm, and the spring formed a vortex, threatening to devour all. “Master, help him—look at what’s become of him. Liang Xi’s skill is impressive; even if he spent his life here, it would be fine. Why must he suffer?”

“Doesn’t he know that clashing yin and yang could kill him?” Ji Anran never imagined she’d care so deeply for a man. When did it start? Likely on River-Gazing Platform, when he stood up for her. She knew then—Liang Xi was her fated debtor from a past life.

“Anran, it’s not that I won’t help, but we can’t intervene now. If you care for him, you must trust him. I never expected you, who always ignored men, to break your rule today. Fate is wonderful, love is hard to explain. Don’t worry, he’s not so easily beaten. Now you can truly understand him.”

“Junior sister, master is right. Whether Liang Xi can survive depends on himself—no one else can help him.”

“No! If you won’t help him, I will. If he dies, I won’t live!” Her stubbornness was absolute.

Ji Anran rushed to Liang Xi’s side, but with a crash, the collision of yin and yang knocked her to the ground, blood spilling from her mouth. She had witnessed her father’s coldness and her mother’s pain, so she vowed: if she cared for or loved someone, no matter the danger, she’d stay with them, regardless of the world’s judgement.

Who was crying softly beside him? It was Ji Anran. Why was she so sad? She had been unloved by her father, bullied on Cold River Island, and always retaliated fiercely. Liang Xi felt pity, but could not comprehend the depth of her pain, which far exceeded his own. If she could endure, why couldn’t he?

With that thought, Liang Xi’s fighting spirit reignited. The Mooncold energy, dominant in their tug-of-war, was overtaken by Xuansteel power—less forceful but relentless, gradually balancing the struggle.

His complexion improved; Mooncold energy and Xuansteel power reached equilibrium, though the effort exhausted him. Further progress was impossible for now, but achieving balance in such a short time satisfied him. He opened his eyes, aching but comfortable after the purification.

More surprising, Ji Anran had fallen asleep at his side, tears still on her lashes. “You’re lucky, boy. You managed to push through the purification of yin and yang by your own strength. But more importantly, you made my little disciple fall for you. Do you know what she said? She declared that if you died during this process, she would follow you, never living alone!”

“At first, I didn’t understand how her feelings for you could be so deep, given your brief acquaintance. Later, I realized—only she could do this. She’s suffered all her life; no one ever stood up for her. She trusted only herself. Returning to Cold River Island, she never expected to survive. She trained tirelessly to avenge her mother.”

“Then she met you—you defended her. No one on Cold River Island would stand up for her except you. Later, you fought the island master Jiang Xuehan for her. She knew you were different. She never had sunshine in her heart, but today, she does. That light is you.”

“So, she bravely confessed her feelings. It may seem sudden to you, and understandably hard to accept. Anyone would struggle with it. Just don’t avoid her—her heart is fragile. If you turn away, who knows what she might do?”

Liang Xi found himself unable to describe his feelings. He had never interacted with women so intimately, but now, knowing what had happened, he would not avoid her. He answered earnestly, “Rest assured, elder—I know what to do.”

“Good. I know I’ve made things awkward for you. Forgive me.”

“Elder, you needn’t apologize. My brother and I are hunted by Cold River Island. Wan Ruyu is dangerous—without a safe place to refine our skills, we’d have died long ago. Fortunately, I came here, and my brother went to the Plain Clothes Pavilion. We owe you thanks.”

“Enough—too much gratitude is insincere. You’ve just balanced your yin and yang; don’t move rashly. Rest well. In this realm, you may train freely—no one will hinder you. My little disciple is entrusted to you.”

Being liked by a woman felt strange—who would have thought his impulsive act of helping Ji Anran would have such an effect? Upon closer look, she was stunning; to win her favor was a blessing.

Who knows how much time passed before Ji Anran stirred, calling out loudly, “Liang Xi!” Her delicate brow was beaded with sweat, dampening her hair.

“No need to shout—I hear you. You’re still the same, quiet and gentle, but that’s not your true nature!”

Liang Xi acted as if nothing had happened; he would never treat her affection as a joke, nor mention it to her face. Girls are shy—if he spoke of it, she’d be mortified.

“Come now, what kind of dream did you have? You woke up looking for me—I must have bullied you in your dream, and you’re seeking revenge.”

Ji Anran’s heart settled seeing his handsome face, though he teased her again. She had expected him to avoid her or mock her, but he did neither. Her master’s temperament was well known; surely she had told Liang Xi everything.

She was prepared—if she woke and he was gone or made her a laughingstock, she would not forgive him. But he stayed, never made her uncomfortable, and continued to be delightfully mischievous, warming her heart with a gentle current.