I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Several hundred outer disciples had signed up for the Illusionary Heart Path Trial. The allure of the Cloud Sea Secret Realm was simply too great; even knowing the fierce competition and fraught with danger, no one was willing to give up this rare opportunity. Lu Zhao spotted many familiar faces in the crowd: Liu Feng, Shi Yong, and Hou San were among them, as were Wang Tie and Huang Ling'er, and even some disciples he had met a few times during missions in Qingfeng Town and the sect competition. Upon seeing Lu Zhao, everyone nodded in greeting, their eyes filled with complex emotions—admiration, awe, and a hint of subtle rivalry.

Lu Zhao calmly handed over his identity token and completed the registration. The disciple in charge of registration became noticeably more polite to him. Lu Zhao was now a veritable "prominent figure" in the outer sect. Although he kept a low profile, his "deeds" and the vague backing he had (the rumors of being "summoned" by Elder Yun and even the Supreme Elder) made him someone no one dared to underestimate.

The following morning, all the registered disciples, led by several inner sect deacons and a stern-faced elder in black, arrived at a valley shrouded in thick fog deep within the Qingyun Mountains. At the entrance of the valley stood an ancient, ten-zhang-high blue stone archway, inscribed with three large, flamboyant characters that seemed to exude a certain spiritual pressure—"Path of Illusion."

"Silence!" The black-robed elder's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable authority. "The Path of Illusion tests one's character, will, and combat adaptability. There are three trials along the way: the illusion of inner demons, the illusion of combat power, and the comprehensive maze. Each trial is dangerous; at best, it damages one's mind and spirit; at worst, one becomes lost within it, or even loses their life. It's not too late to withdraw now."

The arena was completely silent; no one had given up. Those who had made it this far were all people of unwavering resolve.

"Very good. Your performance on the Path of Illusion will be recorded by the formation. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of your time and performance, the top fifty will be selected to qualify for the secret realm. Now, enter in turn. Remember, act according to your ability and do not force yourself."

At the command of the black-robed elder, the disciples at the front of the line took a deep breath and stepped into the fog-shrouded archway. Their figures were instantly swallowed up by the fog and disappeared.

Lu Zhao was in the middle of the line. When it was his turn, he didn't hesitate and stepped into the thick fog.

The scene before them instantly transformed. It was no longer the entrance to the valley, but a winding, seemingly endless staircase of bluestone steps, with swirling, iridescent mists swirling on either side. From within the mist, various sounds could be faintly heard: seductive whispers, painful wails, angry roars, triumphant laughter... Just hearing these sounds was enough to unsettle one's mind and make one's blood boil.

"The first level, the illusion of inner demons," Lu Zhao understood. He activated the Refining Spirit Technique, and the "Mirror of Clarity" hung high in his sea of ​​consciousness, clear and pure, easily shielding and filtering out the noises that disturbed his mind. At the same time, the Return to Emptiness Concealing Breath Technique quietly activated, not only concealing his aura but also minimizing his emotional fluctuations, making him like a cold stone, unmoved by external demons.

He stepped onto the stairs. With each step he took, the surrounding mist churned more violently, and illusions began to appear.

The tragedy of Aoki Town was reenacted: flames soared into the sky, loved ones perished, and countless familiar faces cried out for help from pools of blood...

The scene depicts the horrific plague mother of Huai Mountain Village: a rotting, plague-ridden corpse, twisted tentacles, and the desperate eyes of the villagers...

The terrifying blood sacrifice at the Cliff of Broken Souls was palpable; the blood pool churned, the evil god whispered, and Lin Qingfeng, Su Qingqian, and others perished tragically before his eyes...

Zhao Wuji's ferocious face appeared, laughing maniacally, and his palm struck down again...

Even the disappointed look in Elder Yun's eyes, the indifferent gaze of the Supreme Elder, and the envious and mocking faces of fellow disciples...

Scenes of his deepest fears, regrets, anger, and resentment were magnified and distorted by the illusion, presented before his eyes and assaulting his mind. An ordinary person would have already lost their composure, either falling into madness or becoming addicted to the illusion, unable to extricate themselves.

But Lu Zhao's will had already been tempered to the point of rock-solid strength through countless brushes with death. Furthermore, he was protected by the "Refining Spirit Technique" and the "Returning to the Void and Concealing Breath Technique." As he looked at these illusions, although there were ripples in his heart, it was as if he were watching a drama that had nothing to do with him. His emotions were firmly locked in his heart, without causing a ripple.

"What's fake is fake. My path lies ahead, not in these illusory pasts and fears," Lu Zhao murmured, his steps unwavering as he climbed the steps. Before his resolute will and powerful spirit, those illusions melted and dissipated like snow under the sun.

He even had the leisure to "observe" the principles behind these illusions, vaguely sensing that the array of this illusory path seemed to have the ability to arouse and amplify the inner obsessions and demons of the trial participants, which was quite mysterious.

After walking for an unknown amount of time—perhaps an incense stick's time, perhaps an hour—the mist suddenly cleared, and the stairs came to an end. A spacious stone platform appeared ahead. Opposite the platform was another set of stairs leading upwards, but before the stairs stood three indistinct stone golems, each wielding a weapon and emanating an aura of five or six layers of spiritual energy.

"Second level, battle power illusion." Lu Zhao stopped and examined the three stone golems. Their auras were solid, and their movements seemed somewhat agile, clearly not inanimate objects.

The moment he stepped onto the platform, a red light flashed in the eyes of the three stone golems, and they immediately moved! They moved with incredible speed, forming a triangular formation, and surrounded Lu Zhao! Knives, spears, and swords, carrying sharp gusts of wind, blocked his space to dodge.

"Perfect timing to try out this new method." Lu Zhao's eyes narrowed. Instead of retreating, he advanced, using the [Flowing Cloud Step] to move like smoke, weaving through the flashing blades. At the same time, he flicked his left hand, sending three talismans flying out in a triangular formation—not "talisman swords," but improved versions of the [Exploding Flame Sun Talisman], [Gentle Water Ice Talisman], and [Life-Giving Vine Entangling Talisman].

"Boom! Swoosh! Whoosh!"

Fireballs exploded, ice spikes slowed their movements, and vines entangled them! Three different elemental attacks instantly engulfed the three stone golems! The golems faltered, stone fragments flying everywhere. Lu Zhao seized the opportunity, his figure flashing as he appeared beside the leftmost stone golem wielding a sword. The [Azure Edge Sword] in his hand gleamed with a pale golden light, and he thrust it towards its joint!

"Crack!" The stone golem was struck in the knee by a sword, its movements instantly stiffening. Lu Zhao didn't linger in the fight. He turned again, dodging the attacks of the other two stone golems, and several more talismans flew out to interfere and slow them down. He wasn't aiming for a quick kill, but rather to test the strength and weaknesses of these stone golems with minimal expenditure, while honing his movement techniques, talisman coordination, and close combat skills.

He discovered that while these stone golems possessed strong defenses, their agility and adaptability were far inferior to those of true cultivators, and their attack patterns were relatively fixed. After figuring out their patterns, Lu Zhao quickly found his rhythm. He moved like a butterfly flitting among flowers, weaving through the gaps in the stone golems' attacks, alternating between talismans and swordsmanship, precisely striking their weak points such as joints and energy cores.

Half an incense stick later, the three stone golems collapsed to the ground with a crash, turning into a pile of rubble. Lu Zhao's breathing was steady, and he had not expended much energy.

"Their combat strength is acceptable, but they lack flexibility. Real enemies wouldn't be so rigid," Lu Zhao commented, stepping towards the next set of steps.

On the way forward, they encountered several more waves of illusionary combat power, some in the form of demonic beasts, others as phantoms of cultivators. Their strength gradually increased from the fifth level of Qi Refining to the peak of the sixth level, and even an "elite" illusion comparable to the seventh level of Qi Refining appeared. Lu Zhao dealt with each one, employing all his methods. He used talisman arrays, Thunder Flash, and the Profound Yin Soul-Slaying Needle (using them cautiously, not at full strength), and even attempted to draw upon a wisp of sealed Annihilation Qi to attack, all with considerable success. His control over his own strength became increasingly refined in actual combat.

After he defeated a battle formation consisting of five illusory figures of cultivators at the sixth level of Qi Refining, the scene before him changed again. The stairs disappeared, and he found himself in a boundless, misty, and disorienting primeval forest. Ancient trees towered, vines entwined, the light was dim, and the air was filled with a damp, rotten smell, and... a sense of oppressive unease.

"The third level, a comprehensive illusion." Lu Zhao knew that this was the most difficult part of the Path of Illusion. Not only were there arrays that confused one's direction, but there were also likely interference from inner demons, sneak attacks from illusions, and even real dangers.

He tried to use the [Refining Spirit Technique] to sense his surroundings, only to find that his perception range was severely compressed, extending only about ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) beyond which everything became a blur. Looking up, he saw no sunlight and could not discern directions. The ground beneath his feet was soft, slippery, and covered with moss and decaying leaves.

"Don't wander off." Lu Zhao stopped in his tracks and observed carefully. He noticed that the surrounding trees and vines seemed to be moving and changing extremely slowly, as if they were alive. The oppressive feeling in the air grew stronger, and faint, malicious whispers began to echo in his ears, trying to guide him in a certain direction.

"Hmph, a mere trick." Lu Zhao sneered, activating the [Return to Nothingness Concealment Technique] at full power to minimize his presence while simultaneously guarding his mind. He didn't act rashly, but instead took out a specially made positioning compass (exchanged with contribution points) from his robes and infused it with spiritual power. However, the compass needle spun wildly, unable to point steadily at all.

"The array's interference is very strong..." Lu Zhao put away the compass and pondered for a moment. He tried to communicate with the fragment of the Nine Nether Token in his pocket using his spiritual power. This item had a mysterious origin and was related to "annihilation" and "Nine Netherworlds." Perhaps it had a special sensitivity to this chaotic and hallucinatory environment?

Sure enough, when he probed the fragment with a wisp of his spiritual energy, it trembled slightly. A faint yet exceptionally clear, directional coolness emanated from a certain part of the fragment, pointing in a certain direction of the forest. That direction was completely opposite to the oppressive feeling and whispered guidance he felt from the surrounding environment!

"I'll trust you this once!" Lu Zhao said without hesitation, carefully moving forward in the direction indicated by the fragment. He no longer relied on vision or conventional positioning, but instead focused most of his attention on the perception of the [Refining Spirit Technique] and the guidance of the fragment.

The forest was fraught with danger. Venomous snakes disguised as vines, hallucinogenic flowers emitting pollen, and swamp traps hidden beneath fallen leaves would suddenly appear and strike. Furthermore, various twisted and terrifying illusions would leap from the mist, some howling mournfully, others tearing and biting ferociously—it was difficult to distinguish reality from illusion. Lu Zhao, relying on his powerful mental strength, keen senses, and cautious nature, repeatedly escaped danger. His use of talismans, movement techniques, swordsmanship, and even the occasional application of a trace of the corrosive properties of annihilation energy allowed him to advance steadily and with difficulty through this perilous labyrinth.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the fog ahead seemed to thin out, and the oppressive feeling lessened. The coolness emanating from the fragment of the Nine Nether Order also pointed directly ahead.

Lu Zhao quickened his pace, passed through a dense thicket of bushes, and suddenly the view opened up before him.

He emerged from the forest and stood on the edge of a cliff. Below, a rolling sea of ​​clouds stretched out. And within that sea of ​​clouds opposite, the faint outline of a floating island, shrouded in iridescent rainbow light, could be seen! That must be the end of the Path of Illusion, or perhaps the entrance to the Cloud Sea Secret Realm?

However, between the cliff and the floating island lies a bottomless abyss, buffeted by howling winds, with no bridges or roads connecting them. Only at the edge of the cliff stand nine thick, ancient stone pillars, inscribed with wind-attribute runes. Between these pillars, extremely faint, almost invisible threads of air connect them, forming an invisible "air bridge," barely a foot wide, suspended above the abyss, swaying slightly in the wind!

"The final hurdle is this 'Shadowless Wind Bridge'?" Lu Zhao frowned. He could sense that the bridge was extremely unstable, and the gale below was incredibly fierce, enough to tear apart a Qi Refining cultivator. Moreover, the bridge itself seemed to contain some kind of array power that tested one's mental fortitude and the stability of one's movements.

Just as he was observing, the mist churned behind him, and several more figures emerged from the forest, arriving at the edge of the cliff. It was Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and several other outer disciples whose auras were not weak, though Lu Zhao looked somewhat unfamiliar. They were all unsteady on their feet, injured, and their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and fear, clearly having suffered greatly in the illusion. Seeing that Lu Zhao had arrived first, with steady breathing and neat clothes, their eyes revealed surprise and admiration.

"Senior Brother Lu!" "Junior Brother Lu!" Liu Feng and the others stepped forward to greet him.

Lu Zhao nodded in response, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "It seems that not many people made it this far."

"Not just a few!" Hou San said, still shaken. "That illusion was too bizarre! The illusions were just like the real thing, and there were all sorts of traps! Several of the people who came in with me haven't come out yet..."

As they were speaking, the nine stone pillars on the cliff edge suddenly lit up with a bluish light! The wisps of air between the pillars abruptly became clear and solidified, forming a translucent, pale blue wind bridge, about two feet wide, composed of countless tiny whirlpools, spanning the abyss and connecting to the illusory island in the sky opposite. At the same time, a grand, neutral voice resounded above the cliff:

"Those who cross the Wind-Treading Bridge will gain access to the secret realm. Those who fall will be eliminated. Time limit: one incense stick's time."

As soon as he finished speaking, a stick of incense spontaneously combusted on a boulder at the edge of the cliff, sending wisps of smoke rising into the air.

"Go!" Immediately, an impatient disciple spotted the wind bridge and leaped onto it!

However, the moment the disciple stepped onto the wind bridge, the bridge began to shake violently, as if he were standing on surging waves! Even more terrifying, the gale below the bridge seemed to have found an outlet, howling and swirling onto the bridge surface, forming sharp wind blades that slashed towards the disciple! The disciple hurriedly activated his spiritual energy to protect himself and used his movement technique to dodge, but the wind bridge was swaying precariously, and the wind blades were everywhere. He managed to take a few steps before being struck by a sharp wind blade. His protective spiritual light shattered, and he screamed as he fell from the bridge, instantly swallowed by the endless sea of ​​clouds and gale below, his fate unknown.

Everyone gasped. This wind bridge was even more dangerous than it looked!

"The wind bridge is unstable, and the strong winds are attacking. We need to protect our bodies with spiritual power, keep our movements steady, and be determined not to be swayed by external things," Liu Feng said in a deep voice. His cultivation method was steady, and he had seen some of the tricks of the trade.

"I'll try first," Shi Yong roared, stepping onto the wind bridge. He cultivated earth-based techniques, making his lower body extremely stable. Although his steps were slow, they were very solid. The wind blades struck his protective aura and tower shield, making a "clanging" sound, which he managed to withstand. However, his progress was very slow. At this rate, he might not be able to reach the other side in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Lu Zhao observed for a moment and made a decision. He did not go onto the bridge immediately, but waited until several other people tried (some successfully crossed a section, while others failed and fell) before taking a deep breath and stepping onto the wind bridge.

The moment he stepped onto the bridge, he felt a powerful, chaotic wind surging in from all directions, frantically tearing at his body and trying to throw him off. At the same time, countless fine, sharp wind blades, as if alive, slashed at him from all sorts of tricky angles. Furthermore, a strange force, penetrating to the very core, causing dizziness, fear, and a desire to give up, constantly assaulted his consciousness.

"Flowing Cloud Step, freeze!" Lu Zhao shouted, unleashing the Flowing Cloud Step. But this time, it was no longer about pursuing ultimate agility and elusiveness, but about transforming movement into stillness, seeking that subtle "stability" amidst the turbulence! His figure seemed to resonate with the swaying wind bridge beneath his feet in some wondrous way, adjusting slightly with the rise and fall of the wind bridge, like a reef rooted in the waves, unmoved by the winds from all directions!

At the same time, a layer of pale golden protective aura (the effect of the Golden Light Talisman) emanated from his body, blocking most of the wind blades. Any that managed to slip through were evaded by his Azure Edge Sword or his nimble movements. As for the mental impact, it was like a gentle breeze in the face of the Refining Spirit Technique and the Returning to Nothingness Breath Concealment Technique, having no effect whatsoever.

Unlike Shi Yong, who proceeded cautiously step by step, he seized the rhythm of the swaying wind bridge and the gaps in the wind blade attacks, moving with lightning speed, swiftly and steadily traversing the wind bridge! His speed was astonishing, yet it gave people a feeling of flowing water and effortless ease, as if he were not navigating a dangerous obstacle, but performing an elegant show.

"So fast!"

"So stable!"

"That movement technique...it's exquisite!"

Liu Feng, Hou San, and the others on the cliff edge were dumbfounded. They asked themselves if they could ever do something so effortless and swift.

Lu Zhao was completely focused, with only the finish line ahead in his eyes. He even had the leisure to feel the rhythm of the wind contained within the wind bridge, which subtly touched his understanding of the [Flowing Cloud Step].

They had already crossed most of the bridge, and were only a few dozen feet away from the illusory island on the other side. Suddenly, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, a massive, wave-like wall of wind erupted from the bridge ahead, slamming fiercely towards Lu Zhao! Within the wind wall, countless distorted faces, filled with pain and resentment, vaguely appeared, emitting silent roars that pierced straight to his soul! This was clearly not ordinary wind force, but a deadly strike condensed by an array, imbued with a mental attack!

"It's here!" Lu Zhao's eyes narrowed. He didn't flinch or dodge; he knew this was the final and strongest test. He flipped his left hand, and three pre-prepared "talisman swords" instantly activated—metal, water, and wood!

The [Sharp Golden Light Talisman] transformed into a condensed golden beam, piercing straight to the center of the wind wall! The [Gentle Water Ice Talisman] transformed into a cold mist, attempting to slow down and freeze the wind wall! The [Life-Giving Vine Talisman] transformed into resilient vines, wrapping around the wind wall, attempting to tear it apart and disperse it!

"Boom! Sizzle! Crack!"

The attack of the three rune swords exploded against the wind wall. Although it failed to completely destroy it, it successfully weakened and disrupted it. The momentum of the wind wall's impact was momentarily halted, and the mental shock within it was largely interfered with and neutralized by the power of the rune array.

Now! Lu Zhao stomped off the wind bridge with his feet, his figure shooting out like an arrow, passing through the weak point torn in the wind wall! At the same time, he pointed his right hand like a sword, a faint gray aura flashing from his fingertip, and touched the core of the remaining wind wall.

"Pop—"

With a soft sound, the remaining wind wall collapsed silently, like a bubble that had been punctured, and even the resentful faces within it vanished.

Without stopping, Lu Zhao landed steadily on the illusory island in the sky, which was shrouded in the glow of the sunset.

With his feet firmly planted on solid ground, the surrounding pressure vanished instantly. Looking back, he saw the wind bridge and cliff behind him rapidly blurring and receding into the distance, eventually disappearing completely. In their place, a portal shimmering with light appeared before him. Inside the portal, a misty, ethereal world was faintly visible.

"Path of Illusion, passed." The grand voice rang out again, devoid of any emotion.

Lu Zhao let out a long sigh of relief, glanced behind him, wondering if Liu Feng and the others could pass through. Without pausing, he stepped into the teleportation portal.

With a flash of light, he found himself in a vast plaza paved with white jade. Scattered across the plaza were a few disciples who had already passed the Illusionary Heart Path trial. There were inner and outer disciples, about thirty or forty people in total. Some were meditating, others conversing in hushed tones. Upon seeing Lu Zhao, many cast scrutinizing, curious, and even slightly hostile glances their way.

Lu Zhao glanced around but didn't see Liu Feng or the others. He found a secluded corner, sat down cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing and recover. The previous challenge seemed easy, but it had actually taken a toll, especially dealing with the final wind wall attack.

He closed his eyes, but his heart was far from at peace.

"The Path of Illusion is complete, and the qualification for the secret realm is secured. Next, it's time for the true Cloud Sea Secret Realm..."

"The Nine Netherworld Path inheritance clues... the Soul Devouring Demon Lord... and those hidden adversaries..."

"This time, it will definitely not be easy."