Chapter 472: Illusory Black Hall

Han Li merely cast a sidelong glance before continuing on his way without a second thought.

But as he progressed further down the corridor, the celestial music grew increasingly resonant. The previously dancing white cranes flew to either side of the walkway, spreading their wings and crying out melodiously.

Moments later, amidst the enchanting music, all the cranes suddenly twisted and transformed into young maidens dressed in various palace garments.

Each of these women appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet all were exceptionally beautiful, brimming with youthful vitality. They swayed their slender, supple waists and giggled softly at Han Li, their bright eyes filled with tender affection, as if he were their deeply adored lover.

Then the music shifted, becoming intimate and gentle, evoking the joy of lovers beneath the moonlight, stirring emotions buried deep within one’s heart.

Han Li’s expression flickered briefly upon hearing it, but his heart remained as hard as iron, unmoved by the soft whispers of the maidens on either side, his face impassive.

After walking several dozen feet, the sounds in Han Li’s ears abruptly changed again, now carrying a tone of sorrowful lament.

The expressions in the maidens’ eyes shifted accordingly. They ceased their swaying dances, each face now painted with grief, transforming into endless melancholy. They gazed at Han Li with extreme sadness, as if he had suddenly become the heartbreaker who had abandoned them, evoking a powerful sense of pity and heartache in any who saw them.

“Quite interesting!” Han Li laughed, actually growing intrigued as he walked, admiring the sorrowful expressions of the maidens as if watching a good show.

Han Li was well aware that since the Illusory Realm of Extremities was placed after the Ghost Mist and the Path of Ice and Fire, it couldn’t possibly rely solely on these petty tricks. There were certainly other methods in store.

Sure enough, seeing that this hadn’t given Han Li even a moment’s pause, the celestial music began to emit some seductive and decadent sounds that made one’s heart race. Simultaneously, the maidens outside shimmered with a radiant light, instantly aging seven or eight years, transforming into stunningly beautiful and voluptuous young women.

These peerless beauties each had flushed cheeks and fiery eyes, continuously making provocative gestures. Step by step, they shed their light gauze palace robes, revealing naked, fair, and exquisite bodies—each with full breasts and rounded hips, exuding temptations that could drive men mad. The passionate pants and moans escaping their crimson lips were even harder to resist than the demonic music, incessantly stirring the hidden desires within a man’s heart.

Han Li was taken aback for a moment, but after a slight circulation of the Great Development Art in his mind, his expression quickly returned to normal.

Even if a real person were to specifically target him with seductive techniques, he wouldn’t care, let alone such a crude illusion.

The actions of the voluptuous young women on either side of the corridor grew even more brazen. Some pressed their hands against their ample bosoms, throwing flirty glances at Han Li; others swayed their slender waists while caressing their bodies; and some even embraced each other, beginning to simulate intimate acts in public…

Han Li watched, dazzled and clicking his tongue in amazement. But protected by the Great Development Art, he simply treated it as a rare encounter to be thoroughly appreciated.

Next, the young women’s appearances changed again, transforming into various types of beauties: dignified and elegant noblewomen, passionate and fiery seductresses, innocent and adorable young girls, cold and aloof chaste women—each with their own unique charm and diverse temperaments, as if every peerless beauty from the mortal world was being paraded before him one by one.

A faint smile hung on Han Li’s face, but his gaze was icy cold, devoid of any trace of infatuation.

After an hour of strolling, Han Li finally reached the end of the corridor, having feasted his eyes to the fullest.

Ahead appeared a flat-roofed black hall, constructed entirely from black bricks from the gate to the walls.

Peering through the wide-open door over thirty feet high, the interior was pitch black, devoid of any light, giving off an extremely eerie feeling.

Just as Han Li laid eyes on the black hall, the decadent music and the enchanting women outside the corridor vanished abruptly. Outside, the vast expanse of white clouds returned, everything reverting to its initial state when he first entered the corridor.

Han Li showed no surprise. Instead, he gazed at the black hall with a trace of solemnity, unconsciously slowing his pace.

Before even approaching the black hall, a thick scent of blood assailed his nostrils.

Han Li frowned, taking a closer look.

Only then did he realize that the palace wasn’t completely black but had a bizarre black mixed with red hue, as if the entire structure had been solidified from congealed hot blood, exuding an evil aura.

Han Li stood before the hall’s entrance, arms crossed, lost in thought.

Although he hadn’t sought detailed information about the Illusory Realm of Extremities, just the appearance of this hall suggested that it would test one’s fears and other negative emotions. This was something he couldn’t face as calmly as before.

After all, Han Li was well aware of his own mental weaknesses.

He wasn’t some fearless tough guy, nor a wise man who played dumb. At best, he was a mortal with a bit of cleverness and cunning. If he were to see something unbearable, his judgment could easily be clouded by impulse, which would spell trouble.

It seemed he would have to rely on the assistance of the Brahman Pearl to pass this trial.

With this thought, Han Li touched the bead on his wrist, feeling slightly reassured as he stepped into the hall.

Dark, extremely dark!

This was Han Li’s first, highly uncomfortable sensation upon entering the hall.

Whatever restrictions were placed here, even with his eyes wide open, he could only see about ten feet around him. His spiritual sense couldn’t extend beyond his body either.

But that alone would have been manageable. The surroundings were utterly silent, devoid of any sound, the stillness almost frightening.

Han Li unconsciously licked his lips and raised a hand, intending to summon a fireball.

But as soon as the flames flickered to life, they sputtered and died out on their own.

Han Li was taken aback. Unwilling to give up, he reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a Moonlight Stone.

However, as soon as the stone was taken out, its white glow flashed briefly before rapidly dimming, becoming utterly dull, as if it had turned into an ordinary rock.

Only then did he understand that the hall’s restrictions had the peculiar effect of absorbing all kinds of light.

Resigned, he abandoned the idea and leisurely walked forward.

But before he had taken more than a few steps, a faint, sobbing sound suddenly reached his ears, drifting intermittently from afar. It seemed to be the voice of a young woman.

Han Li snorted coldly, ignoring the sound, and continued walking in a fixed direction.

Yet the crying sound drifted around him, now near, now far, growing increasingly sorrowful and grief-stricken, as if determined to follow him.

“Tch!” Annoyed by the sound, Han Li couldn’t help but let out a loud shout, causing the ground nearby to tremble slightly.

The crying ceased immediately.

Quite satisfied, Han Li quickened his pace, wanting to pass through the hall as quickly as possible.

But before he had gone more than a few yards, the crying started again. This time, accompanied by the sound, a white figure materialized not far ahead of him. It was a young woman kneeling on the ground, dressed in mourning clothes!

The heart-wrenching sobs were coming from her.

Strangely, even though the woman was kneeling quite a distance away, Han Li could see her clearly. His face turned cold as he glared at the white-clad woman, continuing toward her without slowing.

He knew all too well that in such an environment, the more timid and cowardly one was, the more easily they would be deceived by the hall’s illusions. Avoiding or retreating wasn’t a solution; facing it calmly was the best strategy.

By the time he had this thought, Han Li was only about twenty-five feet away from the white-clad woman.

He was about to shout again to drive her away, regardless of the consequences, when he suddenly felt that the woman’s crying sounded somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it long ago.

A chill ran down Han Li’s spine. He urgently reminded himself that this was an illusion and he must not fall for its seduction.

But as he stared, the white-clad woman’s figure grew increasingly familiar. A name danced on the edge of his memory, struggling to emerge, yet he couldn’t quite recall who she resembled.

Unconsciously, Han Li’s footsteps halted. He frowned slightly, coldly watching the woman before him, silent.

“Fourth Brother!” A timid, soft voice came from the woman.

Upon hearing this, Han Li’s mind “exploded.” Blood rushed to his head, and he couldn’t help but blurt out, “Who are you? Could it be…”

“Fourth Brother, don’t you recognize me? I’m your little sister!” The white-clad woman, who had been bowing her head, gently lifted it, revealing an extremely delicate and sorrowful face. The familiar features, the small nose, and those expressive bright eyes were exactly the same as his little sister’s when he had stolen a glance before leaving home. Only now, dressed as a young woman, she seemed to carry a mature charm.