The plainly robed Fujun stared blankly at the beautiful woman in red robes walking out of the tavern, still unable to believe it. “How could this happen? How…”
“This is a massive failure!” The red-robed beauty walked away, her heart filled with frustration. She had always been cautious—even when subtly seducing the young master of the Xinghuo Clan, she had only dropped the faintest hints at first, leaving no trace of evidence. It wasn’t until she was certain, after a full thousand years, that the young master was truly hooked that she finally discarded Fujun.
She had even deliberately prolonged the process, pretending to spare Fujun’s feelings.
“Who would have thought the young master of Xinghuo was just pretending—better than me, even.” The red-robed beauty, Ni Yan, mused bitterly. She was an expert in such matters, yet she hadn’t seen through him at all. Rumor had it that the young master had never taken a Dao companion, focusing solely on cultivation. Who knew he could be even more deceptive in matters of the heart?
“Hmph, no matter. If I fail here, I’ll just change identities.” Ni Yan was decisive—for her, seduction was merely a means to secure cultivation resources.
—
Inside the tavern, Fujun was utterly devastated. He had thought his Dao companion had merely fallen out of love—only to realize the entire relationship had been a lie, a carefully crafted deception.
“Brother Fujun, she deceived you deliberately. Why linger in the past?” A golden-robed youth poured wine with a smile. “Come, let’s drink.”
“Now I know it was all an act. But knowing doesn’t make it easier to move on.” Fujun gave a bitter laugh. “Brother Xunyi, I know you mean well, and you’ve saved me from greater suffering. But… part of me wishes you had never revealed the truth.”
The golden-robed youth paused.
“If only it had been real,” Fujun murmured before walking away.
Left alone, the golden-robed youth poured himself cup after cup in silence. His gaze grew distant as he whispered, “If only it had been real…”
After finishing his wine, he paid and left.
—
In a corner, Dongbo Xueying observed everything. As one of the five mentors of the Star Conference, he had access to the participants’ profiles—including these three.
**Fujun**: A rogue cultivator for 320 billion years, he met Ni Yan shortly after reaching Unity realm and took her as his Dao companion.
**Ni Yan**: A rogue cultivator for 1.1 trillion years, she was now revealed as a cunning seductress who preyed on powerful cultivators for resources. The cultivation world had all kinds of demons—deceivers like her were no rarity.
**Xinghuo Xunyi**: At 530 billion years of cultivation, his background was far grander. Unlike the other two, he was the youngest son of the infamous **Xinghuo Divine Emperor**. Blessed by his father’s bloodline, he had reached Unity realm in a mere 1.8 billion years—faster even than Dongbo Xueying. But his progress had since stagnated, as bloodline cultivation could only take one so far.
Records showed he had never taken a Dao companion, devoting himself solely to secluded cultivation in the Xinghuo Divine Palace. His strength was considered unremarkable.
“Fascinating,” Dongbo Xueying mused, watching the golden-robed youth depart. “A man who supposedly knew nothing of romance outplayed a seasoned seductress. There’s clearly more to him than meets the eye.”
He found himself intrigued by this young master of Xinghuo.
Of course, no one recognized Dongbo Xueying—he had altered his appearance and suppressed his aura while moving through the city.
—
In one of the exclusive guest residences of the Bladelord’s City:
“Father.”
Xinghuo Xunyi returned to his quarters, where a towering, black-curled man sat alone in the courtyard. His mere presence warped the laws of the Sacred Realm around him—such was the oppressive aura of the **Xinghuo Divine Emperor**, a figure known for his ruthlessness. Yet before his youngest son, his usual severity softened.
“Xunyi,” the emperor spoke. “You are my son. I sent you to the Star Conference so you wouldn’t disgrace our name. Your elder brother has already cleared the fifth level of the Star Tower. I ask little of you—just pass the third.”
“I can’t,” Xunyi replied flatly.
“Can’t? With all the resources I’ve given you?” The emperor’s voice sharpened. “Or is it because you still cling to that phantom wife of yours?”
“How could I forget? **How?**”
Xunyi’s gaze locked onto his father. “If you think I’ll shame you, I’ll withdraw now.”
The emperor stiffened.
He had forced his son to attend precisely because he hoped the gathering of elites might reignite his ambition.
“Go,” the emperor finally said, offering no further argument.
Xunyi turned and left.
Alone, the Xinghuo Divine Emperor sat in silence, consumed by regret.
His youngest son had once shown unparalleled talent—cultivating both the bloodline system and the ancient path. His mastery of illusions in the latter was exceptional, reaching Void God realm in just 300 million years. Overjoyed, the emperor had spared no expense, acquiring a priceless treasure for illusion cultivation: the **Worldstone**, worth over 10,000 Sourceworld Stones.
The Worldstone generated ever-changing, hyper-realistic illusionary worlds—each with its own intricate laws, rivaling miniature universes. Immersed in these illusions, Xunyi honed his skills, ascending to Unity realm in a mere 2.6 billion years.
But then came the tragedy.
The illusions were too real. The lives within them—their emotions, conflicts, bonds—felt genuine. And in one such world, Xunyi fell in love.
At first, he treated it as a game. He had experienced countless illusions, countless fleeting emotions—this was why he was so adept at deception. But this time, despite knowing it was fake, he couldn’t help but lose himself.
Because it felt real enough to touch his soul.
He stayed. He married her. He even extended her lifespan within the illusion.
But all illusions must end. When the Worldstone reset, the world collapsed—and with it, everything and everyone within, including his wife.
He had told her the truth. She had accepted it, knowing she was but a fragment of the illusion.
But Xunyi couldn’t accept it.
As the world crumbled, as she vanished before his eyes—
**”NO—!”**
He had shattered that day.
And he had never been whole since.
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