The shopkeeper didn’t know how to respond to him. In the end, he mustered a smile, said a few auspicious words, and then bowed politely as he left.

Yao Yao and Chong Yan finally walked out.

Yao Yao was also well-rested, her small face fair and rosy, her deer-like eyes bright and her dress changed to a beautiful one.

However, when Ji Rong saw Chong Yan come out of Yao Yao’s room, his gaze suddenly became intense.

He immediately scrutinized Yao Yao from head to toe, making sure there were no signs of her being bullied, before feeling slightly relieved.

Of course, under Ji Rong’s gaze, Yao Yao quietly curled up her finger, the one with the tooth marks.

That… that was the circle Chong Yan drew for her.

Wen Yu, however, couldn’t understand the significance of the two of them coming out of the same room, but he also wanted to visit, so he approached with enthusiasm, swaying his tail. He took a step forward, intending to enter.

“Little Pearl, I want to come to your room too.”

Before he could finish speaking, he was immediately thrown out, snake and all.

Chong Yan had an expressionless face, but his hostile intentions were clear, as if someone had violated his territory.

The snake wriggled on the ground and cried, “Little Pearl, look at him.”

“Mm-hmm,” Yao Yao quickly appeased him, then turned to Chong Yan and whispered, “Don’t be like that.”

They were all good friends.

The big black snake stood up, looking pitiful. “It’s alright, Little Pearl. Although my butt hurts from the fall, I’m fine.”

Beside him, Ji Rong couldn’t help but want to kick him. But considering the future cooperation between the North and the Eastern Sea, Ji Rong held back.

Yao Yao comforted everyone’s emotions and shook her money bag. “Let’s go, let’s go downstairs and eat something.”

The little mischief-maker will treat everyone to a meal. She said to herself with satisfaction.

The big black snake immediately became very happy and scuttled out, his butt no longer hurting.

Ji Rong, on the other hand, listened to the sword spirit’s chatter and followed along downstairs.

Yao Yao turned around and pulled Chong Yan’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Although she wanted to maintain the friendship between everyone, she would still hold Chong Yan’s hand.

Chong Yan pursed his lips, following behind.

Once upon a time, all he needed was to hold her hand, and it was enough.

But now, he wanted more.

She was like a little sun filled with love.

That light would unconsciously shine on others.

Recalling their past, it was always her who gave more.

Besides spiritual stones and minerals, Chong Yan could give her very little.

So she didn’t need him the way he needed her.

Chong Yan pursed his lips, lowered his eyes, and couldn’t help but think.

No wonder some people indulge in dreams.

Because they want too much.

Always greedy.

Chong Yan pinched the bone on his side and held her hand as they went downstairs.

The whole mountain-side building was still bustling with many people using the spiritual spring for healing, gathering on the first floor to discuss the latest news of the Spiritual Continent.

Everything seemed normal.

However, as they turned a corner, they suddenly bumped into a few staggering, ghostly-looking people.

These people had vacant eyes, swollen faces, and looked like they were depleted of vitality, appearing excessively indulgent.

Chong Yan frowned and used his back to shield Yao Yao.

Yao Yao waved her hand in front of her nose and said, “They’re wandering around outside with such a strong smell of alcohol, like sleepwalking.”

Chong Yan raised his hand and used the wind to disperse the smell she detected, but suddenly heard the drunken mutterings of those few individuals.

“North, north.”

“Qian Dui.”

“Zhen Xun.”

Downstairs, the shopkeeper warmly greeted the penniless Ji Rong and the noble Black Snake.

But Chong Yan suddenly turned around.

Those few people, staggering and about to fall, had stopped in fixed positions.

Directly in front of a certain formation.

A thick mist wafted through with a breeze.

Instantly filling the entire building.

__________

“In the bewildering illusion, everything is turned upside down.”

Not everyone needed to be driven by the demon’s charm.

Only those who had three desires triggered would fall into the illusion.

And here, people would experience a life completely opposite to their own past.

For example, those who had suffered abuse and bullying since childhood would receive happiness and warmth, acceptance and praise.

As one of the outstanding demons, the Illusionary Enchantress knew too much.

Including the background of the Sword Saint of the Spiritual Continent and the origins of ancient demon.

So, when someone who had never experienced warmth in their life fell into happiness, how could they not become immersed in it?

And when the ancient demon wasn’t by her side, that girl could be killed so easily.

It was a shame that the Illusionary Enchantress had already heard about the unique bloodline of the Ji family.

Although she was a demon, if it were to be properly utilized, it would surely bring great benefits.

However, at this moment, that girl’s bloodline had become the means of redemption for the ancient demon, so it couldn’t be spared.

In the illusion, dying would leave no traces.

In her illusion, everything was flesh and blood, extremely real. Because everything was reversed and rational, it was extremely difficult for those who entered to realize they were in an illusion.

And all the desires they generated would be transformed into her cultivation, making the illusion more vast and real.

When life is turned upside down, how can people not have desires?

Wouldn’t a talented swordsman want recognition from others?

Wouldn’t a beautiful deity want others’ favor when it lost its beauty?

Wouldn’t a child surrounded by love and protection despair when she loses everything?

All desires would continuously weaken them.

Ultimately, they would completely sink into it.

At that time, she could reap as she pleased.

“Ha.”

“Hahaha.”

__________

Yao Yao opened her eyes and found herself lying on a sickbed.

Her head felt heavy, and she couldn’t remember why she was lying there.

Why am I the only one here?

There should be other people around her.

But soon, she remembered that her body seemed to be in poor health, and all the blood vessels in her body were in pain.

No one in her family cares about her, they left her here to die.

Yao Yao couldn’t describe how she felt, but she felt that something was wrong. A sense of grievance surged up strongly.

She struggled to turn over from the bed, but it drained all her strength. She could only struggle to prop herself up and move to the corner of the room, where there was an old broken water tank.

There was only a little water left inside.

Reflecting her face dimly.

So thin.

Eyes devoid of brightness.

So pitiful.

__________

Chong Yan opened his eyes.

The surroundings were resplendent and magnificent.

Auspicious signs filled the heavens and earth, purple Qi surged in the clouds, and a huge dragon body loomed, appearing and disappearing.

This was the divine realm. The place where he was born.

Chong Yan didn’t know why he was here, but he seemed to remember that he was the youngest son of the God King and the Goddess.

Today seemed to be his birthday.

Every member of his clan who passed by him held their hands together and congratulated him.

Everyone’s expression was full of appreciation and anticipation.

Chong Yan stood there, at a loss.

People offering their blessings surrounded him. In the distance, the majestic Azure Dragon God King and the Vermillion Phoenix Goddess arrived together, with a kind expression full of love for him.

Chong Yan felt a warm feeling spreading in his chest.

His heart was beating.

But when he reached out and touched his chest, it was still icy cold.

He looked up and saw the Goddess’s crimson eyes filled with laughter lines.

He instinctively wanted to learn how to smile.

But he didn’t know how.

He only smiled in front of one person.

Who was it?

Who was it?

Chong Yan pressed firmly against his cold chest.

It was frozen.

Only a thawed seam remained.

Melted by one person.

“Yan’er, what’s wrong with you?”

“But I feel unwell.”

“Yan’er, don’t scare the God King and the Goddess.”

Chong Yan lowered his hand, hung his head, but when he raised it again, a burst of ice flames surged out.

Everyone was instantly swallowed by the blue flames.

Chong Yan thought that even if he became half-human and half-beast one day, he would remember to protect the little rose in his chest.

He fell into the illusion.

But she would become the key.

Chong Yan turned his head, no longer looking at them, swiftly traversing through these illusions. The bone spurs behind him were filled with restlessness.

He thought he was strong enough, so even if someone spied on him in the darkness, they should be coming for him.

But he was wrong.

This time, this illusion was aimed at Yao Yao.

Why?

If it was because of her precious bloodline, they should keep her instead of killing her.

Frowning, Chong Yan raised his hand and dispelled the illusion in front of him.

Yao Yao’s blood must have had a reason to threaten them.

What is it?

Where is she right now?