I cultivate the Chaos Technique

Zhang Yifan traversed the shadowy bamboo forest, the dense bamboo grove and eerie mist making him uneasy. Suddenly, a thick fog surged in from all directions, instantly enveloping the entire bamboo forest. The fog rapidly thickened, spreading like a tidal wave, even limiting Zhang Yifan's speed while flying on his sword. He felt an unusual chill creep over him, as if the surrounding temperature had plummeted, and a chilling demonic aura permeated the fog.

Zhang Yifan stopped in his tracks, his expression turning serious. Mist permeated the air, moving through the bamboo forest as if alive. A faint rustling sound drifted from within the thick fog, like bamboo leaves being blown by a gentle breeze, but the sound carried an eerie aura that made him uneasy. Zhang Yifan knew all too well that the monsters in the Shadow Bamboo Sea were mysterious and unpredictable, especially this mist; it was likely a trap set by some kind of monster.

“This fog… is indeed strange.” Zhang Yifan frowned, gripping his longsword, his true energy already circulating throughout his body, ready to deal with any unexpected situation. However, despite his scattered divine sense, he was unable to penetrate the thick fog, as if no matter which direction he probed, it was all nothingness.

Suddenly, the surrounding mist surged as if it were alive. Zhang Yifan felt an immense sense of oppression wash over him, and the scene before him began to distort and blur; the bamboo forest gradually became unfamiliar. What was once a familiar environment now felt like a strange world. The road before him was no longer the bamboo forest of the Shadowy Bamboo Sea, but a familiar city street.

"What's going on? Wasn't I in the Shadow Bamboo Sea?" Zhang Yifan frowned, realizing he was sitting on an electric scooter, gripping the handlebars as it slowly moved forward. Everything around him seemed incredibly real—pedestrians, vehicles, streets—as if he had never stepped into the world of cultivation and was still an ordinary person.

"How did I get here?" Zhang Yifan was completely bewildered, utterly unable to comprehend the scene before him. He glanced down at his phone in the car; the screen displayed an order notification: "You have an order that is about to expire. Please deliver it as soon as possible."

"Delivery?" Zhang Yifan was taken aback for a moment, then muttered, "Wasn't I looking for my second senior sister in the Shadow Bamboo Sea?"

His heart tightened, and he vaguely sensed that something was amiss. Just as he was feeling puzzled, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Yifan, wake up! Don't be fooled by the illusions in the fog!"

"This is... Master's voice?" Zhang Yifan was shocked and immediately realized that this was not reality, but rather that he had fallen into some kind of illusion.

"This is the **Nether Bamboo Serpent's** method!" Li Taixu's voice echoed in his mind again. "It excels at creating illusions and confusing people's senses. Although it's only an eighth-level demon beast, the danger of its illusions is no less than that of a ninth-level demon beast. You must stay alert!"

Zhang Yifan instantly snapped back to reality, his mind on high alert. He quickly circulated his inner energy, attempting to dispel the illusion before him, but found it extremely powerful. Although he realized it was an illusion, he still couldn't easily escape. The power within the mist seemed to possess a mysterious suppressive force, firmly locking his consciousness in place.

"Damn Bamboo Serpent, how dare you bewitch me!" Zhang Yifan's eyes turned cold. He gripped the handlebars tightly and circulated his inner energy rapidly, trying to break through the illusion.

Just then, a loud engine roar came from behind. Zhang Yifan turned his head and saw a huge truck speeding towards him from behind, about to hit him.

Zhang Yifan was startled, but quickly realized that this wasn't a real truck, but an illusion created by the Ghost Bamboo Serpent. The real danger must be lurking behind this illusion.

"Hmph, you think you can fool me with such a simple trick?" Zhang Yifan sneered, waving his hand and quickly forming a hand seal in the void, instantly condensing sword energy into a shield in front of him. However, he did not focus all his attention on the illusion, but instead quietly circulated his divine sense to sense the fluctuations of demonic energy around him.

Just as the truck was about to hit him, a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Yifan's eyes. He suddenly stretched out his hand and swiftly grabbed at the air.

"Swoosh—!" A sharp tearing sound came from the air. Zhang Yifan felt the touch in his hand, and his five fingers touched something slippery and cold. He looked closely and sure enough, he had grabbed a dark green monster that was more than ten zhang long.

"It really is you!" Zhang Yifan whispered, and swung his long sword, the sword energy surging towards the demon like a tide.

The demonic creature was indeed the Dark Bamboo Serpent, its entire body covered in eerie green scales, its form segmented like bamboo joints, incredibly agile. Its eyes gleamed with cunning and malice, its sharp fangs flashing with a cold light, carrying deadly venom. Once captured by Zhang Yifan, the Dark Bamboo Serpent immediately struggled frantically, trying to break free of his grasp.

Zhang Yifan sensed that the power of the Dark Bamboo Serpent was far greater than that of ordinary demonic beasts; it seemed to contain some kind of mysterious power within its body. Although it was only an eighth-level demonic beast, the Dark Bamboo Serpent's aura far surpassed that of other demonic beasts of the same level, even giving him an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"As expected, this demonic beast has the bloodline of a divine beast." Zhang Yifan thought to himself, quickly realizing that this Youzhu Snake was no ordinary demonic beast. Its illusionary power was so strong that it could even affect his divine sense, and its physical strength far exceeded that of demonic beasts of the same level.

Zhang Yifan dared not let his guard down, knowing that if he relaxed his vigilance, the Bamboo Serpent might retaliate at any moment. A flash of light appeared beneath his feet, and he activated the power of his sword, instantly leaping into the air and avoiding the Bamboo Serpent's fang attack.

"This snake is indeed troublesome!" Zhang Yifan snorted coldly, his sword energy flashing like lightning as he swiftly slashed towards the head of the Bamboo Serpent. However, the Bamboo Serpent was extremely agile, its body twisting and turning in the air like a long whip, instantly dodging Zhang Yifan's sword energy.

Zhang Yifan's heart skipped a beat, realizing that this Youzhu Snake was extremely cunning and wouldn't let him succeed easily. He calmed down, his longsword trembling slightly, and spiritual energy circulated around him, preparing for an even stronger attack next time.

Just then, the Bamboo Serpent let out a sharp hiss, its eyes flashing with ferocity. Seemingly realizing it couldn't defeat Zhang Yifan head-on, it suddenly turned and darted into the depths of the bamboo forest, disappearing into the thick fog.

Seeing this, Zhang Yifan did not rush to pursue. He knew that the Bamboo Serpent had not truly left, but was hiding in the mist of the bamboo forest, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"This monster's methods are truly formidable." Zhang Yifan stood still, his gaze fixed on the distant bamboo forest, his heart filled with vigilance. He could sense that the aura of the Dark Bamboo Serpent had not completely dissipated, indicating that it might strike again at any moment.

Zhang Yifan did not relax easily, his divine sense still vigilantly scanning his surroundings to prevent a sneak attack from the Bamboo Serpent. He knew that he had temporarily repelled the Bamboo Serpent, but it had clearly not given up and would definitely reappear deep within the bamboo forest.

He slowly sheathed his longsword, and Li Taixu's voice echoed in his mind once more: "This Youzhu Snake is no ordinary creature. Although you have temporarily repelled it, its strength should not be underestimated. Be careful, this monster is extremely cunning. It will use illusions to attack you repeatedly until you are exhausted."

"I understand, Master." Zhang Yifan nodded, his gaze resolute. He had already sensed the true danger of this bamboo forest, not only the risk of losing his way, but also the lurking monsters deep within. The appearance of the Ghost Bamboo Serpent made him realize that the journey ahead would be even more difficult.

Zhang Yifan didn't move forward. Instead, he stood quietly in place, adjusting his breathing and composure. He knew that while the illusion created by the Ghost Bamboo Serpent was powerful, it wasn't invincible. As long as he remained clear-headed and vigilant, he had a chance to find a way to break it.

As the fog gradually dissipated, the bamboo forest returned to its former darkness and tranquility. However, Zhang Yifan knew that this peace was merely a facade; true danger still lurked deep within the bamboo grove.

"Bamboo Serpent, I will find you," Zhang Yifan said softly, his eyes gleaming with determination. He took a deep breath, stepped forward again, and continued deeper into the heart of the bamboo forest.