“This is…” Looking at the translucent, rainbow-colored flower that resembled foam, Yun Qingxue was about to ask if this was her true form.
But before she could finish her question, she saw the flower emit a dazzling array of colors. In the next moment, the flower within the barrier transformed into a little boy about five or six years old.
The boy’s form lingered for a few seconds before shifting into a young maiden in the bloom of youth.
The maiden had barely appeared in Yun Qingxue’s barrier for five seconds when the scene changed again—she turned into a burly man.
Then, the man transformed into a refined and handsome scholar, who then became a woman in her thirties or forties. The woman aged into an elderly man, and the elderly man morphed into an old woman.
And then…
Yun Qingxue and the others watched as A’dai suddenly appeared inside the barrier. They turned to look behind them, only to find A’dai still lying on the grass, burping from fullness.
A’dai vanished, and Liuli appeared. Liuli blinked away, and Daise took her place. Daise disappeared, and Yun Qingxue emerged in the barrier…
The Yun Qingxue outside the barrier exchanged bewildered glances. Just what kind of thing was trapped inside that barrier?
The Yun Qingxue inside the barrier vanished, replaced by a vast forest.
Like the rapid transformations of the figures before, the forest soon disappeared, replaced by the image of a lake, then a mountain peak…
“Flower of the Illusory Sea!” Yun Qingxue murmured the name softly, even as the scenery inside the barrier continued to shift.
As soon as the name was spoken, the ever-changing scenery inside the barrier vanished in an instant, leaving only a single radiant, multicolored flower floating at the center.
“You… you actually recognize me?” The flower’s voice was filled with shock.
It seemed the flower hadn’t expected to be identified before even introducing itself!
“Master, what the heck is the Flower of the Illusory Sea?” Liuli asked, her round eyes wide with curiosity.
Even A’dai and Daise turned to look at Yun Qingxue.
The giant flower inside the barrier also seemed to focus entirely on Yun Qingxue, as if waiting for an explanation.
After all, the illustrious Flower of the Illusory Sea had roamed the Yunhuan Illusion for thousands of years, deceiving countless people without ever being caught—let alone recognized!
Yun Qingxue smiled faintly. “I happened to read about it in my master’s library—that dilapidated thatched hut.
The Flower of the Illusory Sea, like sword spirits and artifact spirits, is born from the essence of heaven and earth.
They have no physical form, exist beyond the five elements, and transcend the three realms.
Sword spirits are born from swords, artifact spirits from magical instruments.
But the Flower of the Illusory Sea is born from illusions—what we call mirages!
Because it originates from illusions, the Flower of the Illusory Sea excels at creating lifelike mirages to deceive people and steal their life force and cultivation.”
“If it’s no good, then let A’dai eat it!” Liuli said innocently.
“You promised not to eat me! Waaah—” The flower burst into tears.
“Besides, I wasn’t born evil—circumstances forced me!
And… and there’s one crucial thing you didn’t mention, Master.”
Master?
This Flower of the Illusory Sea had a master?
Instantly, Yun Qingxue and the others were on high alert.
“Speak! Who is your master?” Liuli bared her tiny white teeth, looking ready to bite if the answer displeased her.
The calmest among them was A’dai.
Though he was already stuffed from absorbing so much poison earlier…
Well, he wouldn’t mind eating another master if one showed up.
After all, if he couldn’t finish, he could always take some to go.
“Burp!” Too full, A’dai let out another belch.
The Flower of the Illusory Sea turned fully toward Yun Qingxue and giggled. “My master is you, pretty sister!
There’s a rule here—whoever guesses my name becomes my master! Didn’t you just say you had questions for me?
Let me tell you, there’s nothing about the Yunhuan Illusion that I don’t know!”
Yun Qingxue: “…”
Who came up with this rule about guessing names and claiming ownership? It felt like some kind of prize quiz.
Besides, this thing had nearly been eaten by A’dai—wasn’t it basically defective now?
Could she refuse this “prize”?
“Tell me, do you know where the Black Python Clan’s lair is now?” Yun Qingxue asked.
“I do, I do!” The Flower of the Illusory Sea trembled excitedly. “Master, there’s nothing in the Yunhuan Illusion I don’t know!”
“Enough nonsense, just answer the question!” Liuli glared at the flower. Given its past misdeeds, there was no way it was earning any goodwill now.
“Little one, no need to be so harsh—” the flower whined.
Liuli bristled even more. “Who are you calling ‘little one’? You and your whole family are little ones!
One more word, and I’ll have A’dai eat you right now!”
The Flower of the Illusory Sea shrank back in fear and hurriedly said, “Th-that mountain has shifted with spatial movement to the far northwest, in the desolate wastelands!”
“Is that the truth?” Yun Qingxue scrutinized it.
“Of course! I’d never lie to you, Master,” the flower assured her.
“The Peony Clan is indeed in the Yunhuan Illusion, correct?” Yun Qingxue pressed.
Having been scolded by Liuli earlier, the flower didn’t dare ramble this time and nodded quickly. “Yes! Yes! Anything I can mimic must have existed at some point!”
“Wonderful, Master! Your kin might truly be here in the Yunhuan Illusion!
If we can find them and regain their support, your strength will surely reach new heights!” Daise said with a smile.
“How far is this northwestern wasteland from here?” Yun Qingxue asked the flower.
“Traveling by wind, about ten days or so,” the flower replied obsequiously.
“Ten days? If we go there, will the space here shift again?” Yun Qingxue asked.
“It won’t!” the flower answered confidently. “Though the Yunhuan Illusion’s scenery shifts constantly, there’s still a pattern.
Generally, the intervals between shifts are three months, nine months, twelve months, and three years, repeating in that cycle.
The last shift here was two months ago, following a three-month interval from the one before.
So the next shift won’t happen for another nine months.”
“We have plenty of time,” Yun Qingxue murmured. Then she asked the flower, “Since you can perfectly mimic the Peony Clan, you must know where they are, right?”
“W-well… about that…” The flower hesitated. “I really don’t know this one.”
“Hey! Didn’t you just say there’s nothing in the Yunhuan Illusion you don’t know? How come you don’t know now?” Liuli demanded.
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