Chapter 104: The Illusory Realm of Yang Deficiency

That thunder formation must have been destroyed by her. I was still planning to find more thunder dragons—gone just like that?

“What did you do, senior?” Zhou Qi asked.

“I saw that hammer looked good, so I took it to use as my own weapon,” Huang Qianqian said, then spat out a small, exquisite hammer from her mouth. It shimmered with faint electric sparks, and inscribed upon it were a few characters that Zhou Qi didn’t recognize.

“What is this?”

“This is called the Thunder God Hammer, a superior spiritual weapon. It’s the core of that blasted Heavenly Thunder Formation. Using it against enemies not only delivers great power but also carries the might of thunder. I have nothing now, so this hammer barely meets my standards,” Huang Qianqian said disdainfully.

Thunder God Hammer? The name sounded impressively domineering.

“Senior, there’s an old saying: share everything equally when you meet,” Zhou Qi said eagerly.

“What old saying? I’ve never heard that. There’s only one hammer—how can I share it with you? Besides, I took it down myself. If I put it back up, can you take it down again?” Huang Qianqian was taken aback.

“If I hadn’t brought you in here, how would you have gotten the hammer? Besides, using this hammer would ruin your elegant and refined image. A noble phoenix wielding a big iron hammer doesn’t suit your identity at all,” Zhou Qi coaxed gently.

“That’s true. But this is a superior spiritual weapon. You wouldn’t be able to use it anyway. Let me play with it first. Once I get bored, if you perform well, I’ll reward it to you.”

“Alright! Then it’s settled. When I can use it, the hammer will be mine,” Zhou Qi said after some thought. Since he couldn’t use it now and probably hadn’t even awakened its thunder power, he might just turn to ashes otherwise.

“Why do you only have eyes for that hammer? Such a beautiful and graceful phoenix, and you ignore her,” Huang Qianqian complained.

Well, Zhou Qi thought the little bird-like phoenix was indeed beautiful, but being a different species, he simply couldn’t appreciate it as she wished.

Next was the final trial: the Yang Deficiency Illusion. The method to pass the illusion was not explained by the dragons, only these four words were given: “Hold fast to your true heart.”

After walking another four or five miles, a transparent wall appeared ahead, like a massive sheet of glass. Inside, colors swirled and different scenes materialized—resplendent golden palaces and blood-soaked battlefields alike.

Above the wall were four large characters: Yang Deficiency Illusion.

Illusions typically come in two types: those that kill or trap, and those that temper the heart. From the previous arrangements by the dragons, this trial should not be for killing, but to temper the heart.

The killing or trapping illusions need no explanation. The heart-tempering illusions are equally perilous. Some are relatively simple, requiring the participant to watch events unfold as a bystander—witnessing one’s own birth, aging, sickness, death, joy, or sorrow. The trial-taker observes their life as a detached spectator, thereby strengthening their mind.

Others immerse the trial-taker fully, as if experiencing events firsthand. Generally, the earlier one awakens, the stronger their mind. Getting too lost means being unable to return, causing damage to the soul and blurring the line between reality and illusion, akin to schizophrenia.

Advanced illusions require repeated cycles inside. The more cycles endured, the stronger the mental refinement. Each cycle ends with a brief awakening; those seeking stronger trials or unwilling to wake enter the next cycle. Failure to exit leads to complete submersion within the illusion. Forced awakening causes severe damage, and many who are forcibly pulled out become essentially ruined, with no further hope in this life.

Zhou Qi recalled his earlier readings about illusions and wondered whether this one would be difficult. Having survived such a ridiculous crossing before, he doubted any illusion could trap him.

He kept encouraging himself and without hesitation stepped straight into the transparent wall.

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At Yuansong City First People's Hospital, Zhou Qi awoke from a deep sleep. Where was this? Curious, he looked at the white sheets and the tubes inserted into his body. He saw the hospital’s name and wondered, “Wasn’t I in the Burial Dragon Valley experiencing an illusion? How did I wake up in a hospital?”

“You're awake? Good, I was so scared. Even bungee jumping could make you faint? Your psychological resilience is really weak,” said the beautiful and sharp-tongued client standing by the bed, peeling an apple.

“I…” Zhou Qi stared dumbfounded at the person before him, feeling momentarily disoriented.

“True Lord, are you still there?” There was no voice of the Celestial Profound True Lord in his mind.

“Senior, senior…” Huang Qianqian was also absent. What was going on? Zhou Qi pinched himself hard—it hurt. He tried to circulate spiritual energy, but nothing happened.

The woman by the bed noticed his unusual state and quickly called out, “Doctor, come here! Zhou Qi is awake, but his emotions seem off.”

---

A group of doctors hurried in. “Heart monitor normal, EEG normal, no external injuries. Nothing seems wrong!” The lead doctor pressed Zhou Qi’s philtrum and asked, “Zhou Qi, do you feel anything?”

“Pain.”

“That’s normal, isn’t it?” The doctor looked suspiciously at the woman.

“But just now I heard him calling ‘True Lord,’ shouting ‘senior,’ and his hands were gesturing wildly,” the woman explained.

“He must have been psychologically stimulated and might be experiencing some mental irregularity or hallucinations. It should clear up after some time; no need to panic,” the doctor said, then left with the medical staff.

“Zhou Qi, do you still remember me?” The woman cautiously leaned closer.

“Yes, your name is Ren Shanshan. You insisted I go bungee jumping before signing the consent form,” Zhou Qi said. How could he forget her? Without her, he wouldn’t have woken up in another world.

“Well, that was my fault. I didn’t expect your psychological resilience to be so poor. Don’t worry, I’ll sign the form, and I’ll cover all your hospital expenses,” Ren Shanshan said sheepishly.

“You don’t need to apologize. You’re fake. Everything around here is fake. This is just an illusion. It’s not so easy to fool me. As long as I don’t believe it, it can’t trap me,” Zhou Qi laughed.

“What?” Ren Shanshan was shocked. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m real! Feel me and see if I’m real!” She extended her hand.

Zhou Qi held her small hand—white, smooth, soft. He thought, this illusion was quite advanced; the touch felt just like the real thing. Sitting up, he pinched Ren Shanshan’s gradually reddening face. Not bad—the expression was realistic too.

Her delicate face flushed from pale to red. Ren Shanshan’s brows furrowed and she slapped Zhou Qi’s face sharply, “You’re crazy! How dare you take liberties with me.”