Chapter 1177: Nine Levels of Dream Illusion

After allowing the group to rest in the hall for half an hour, the Illusion Heart Queen returned the Nightmare Heart Technique scroll to Ling Feng.

Only after that did the Queen instruct Xiang'er to take the four individuals who passed the first assessment to the location of the second assessment.

Of those four, only one would be allowed to use the Illusion Heart Queen's Hourglass of Time.

Naturally, whoever used the Hourglass of Time could remain only inside the Heaven's Illusion Palace and was forbidden from taking it outside the palace.

Under Xiang'er's guidance, the group skirted around the side of the main hall and entered a cave built not far to the west of the palace.

Inside the cave, colors shimmered brilliantly. Stepping in felt like entering a starry sky.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Everyone paused, marveling and clicking their tongues in wonder.

Ling Feng squinted slightly. The entire cave, reflected by the trickling water, shimmered. The scattered light spots, projected onto the rock walls, gave off a dreamy feeling.

"Miss Xiang'er, those stone steps seem to hold another mystery! They give one the sensation of a fleeting dream, like an illusory bubble."

Ling Feng was not distracted by the light spots. He simply looked at the nine stone steps above the river and asked plainly.

Xiang'er, who had been leading the way in silence, looked back in surprise. She sized up Ling Feng with astonishment and commented, "Mr. Ling is truly extraordinary. You can sense the aura of the Nine Levels of Dream Illusion before even entering the Dream Pool! Heehee, in ten years, you are the first person to possess such keen spiritual perception!"

Ling Feng smiled faintly. Given that his soul essence source far surpassed that of ordinary people, sensing this was effortless.

Murong Huang frowned and scoffed, "Hmph, he just happened to glance at those stone steps. He is just spouting nonsense, a blind cat meeting a dead mouse!"

Xiang'er glanced back at Murong Huang and said coolly, "Young Master Murong is a genius from Tianhuang City, so naturally, he is not comparable to ordinary people either."

"You lowly maid! How dare you speak to me like that!"

Murong Huang was furious. Although Xiang'er's words were complimentary, her expression and attitude were completely different from how she treated Ling Feng, showing obvious contempt. This severely wounded his pitiful pride.

"This is Heaven's Illusion Island. If Young Master Murong wants to throw his weight around[1], he'd better find somewhere else to do it!"

Xiang'er showed no fear whatsoever. She casually revealed the aura of a half-step human emperor, instantly shocking Murong Huang speechless.

An insignificant maid actually possessed the cultivation of a half-step human emperor!

Moreover, judging by her age, she seemed younger than he was, yet her power exceeded his own!

Murong Huang felt greatly defeated. He was supposedly the top genius of Tianhuang City, yet he couldn't even compare to an insignificant maid?

Yang Huanzhi chuckled secretly to himself. Although Xiang'er was nominally a maid, she and the Queen were practically sisters. Treasured valuable items like the Hourglass of Time required others to pass a test to use, but Xiang'er could use it whenever she pleased!

Ling Feng was amused. If the Illusion Heart Queen was so generous to a maid, it was no wonder she was willing to hand over a secret art like the

Nightmare Heart Technique

to him.

Most Human Emperor experts Ling Feng had encountered in the past carried themselves with pride and disdain, always acting superior because of their age and rank. The Illusion Heart Queen, though, was different.

Her generous gift of the

Nightmare Heart Technique

was a simple gesture for her, but Ling Feng resolved to never forget the favor.

If the opportunity arose in the future, he should certainly offer the Illusion Heart Queen a little assistance.

Murong Huang failed to gain any satisfaction, snorted, and said nothing further.

Xiang'er gave a gentle laugh, ignoring Murong Huang. She continued to guide Ling Feng and the others forward until they stopped in front of the river.

"This small river is called the Dream Pool. The water is saturated with the power of the Dream Illusion Rule. Once someone falls in, nightmares will cling to them, and they will struggle to wake up unless the Lord herself personally intervenes."

Pointing at the stone steps, Xiang'er continued, "These nine stone steps are named The Nine Levels of Dream Illusion. With each step forward, the power of the Dream Illusion Rule intensifies. Generally speaking, anyone who can pass the sixth level of the Dream Illusion is already considered a spiritual refinement genius, rarely seen in a century."

"This second round of testing requires you to step into the Dream Pool. Whoever can achieve a breakthrough in the most illusions within two hours will be declared the winner."

"Heehee, Sister Xiang'er, I'm not going to compete. I give up!"

Yang Huanzhi looked at Xiang'er with a cheeky grin. "I definitely can't breakthrough the fifth level. Brother Ling has a chance to breakthrough the sixth level. As for the others..."

Yang Huanzhi glanced at Murong Huang, sensed his anger, and quickly raised his hands, laughing, "I take it back!"

"You snob!" Murong Huang scoffed and stepped out of the group. He declared coldly, "Hmph, I'll go first!"

Xiang'er smiled gracefully and made a 'please' gesture to Murong Huang. "Young Master, please proceed!"

"

Hmph!

" Murong Huang held his head high and strode onto the first stone step.

Immediately, his vision blurred, and he instantly fell into a dreamy illusion.

Murong Huang sneered. An illusion of this level? As if it could confuse me.

In almost an instant, Murong Huang achieved a breakthrough in the first level of the dream and stepped onto the second level.

Then, within ten breaths, he stepped onto the third.

"What Nine Levels of Dream Illusion? It's completely overrated—"

Before he could finish speaking, Murong Huang realized something was wrong. Sweat poured down his forehead as he froze on the third tier.

He discovered that he was actually starting to lose the distinction between reality and illusion.

"He's stuck at the third level already! If you can achieve a breakthrough on the sixth level of the Nine Levels of Dream Illusion, I'll call it my loss!" Yang Huanzhi shook his head and said to Xiang'er, "Sister Xiang'er, this is what they call overestimating oneself, isn't it?"

Xiang'er rolled her eyes at Yang Huanzhi. Although she didn't reply, it was clear they were very familiar with each other and shared a certain cohesion.

Ling Feng touched his nose. It seemed that Yang Huanzhi had an intimate relationship with Heaven's Illusion Palace, and he was likely a disciple or junior of the Illusion Heart Queen.

It was a shame Ling Feng had no chance to check the Illusion Heart Queen's pulse. Otherwise, with his medical skills, he would have easily discovered that her age was likely similar to Murong Zining's. For a Human Emperor with a life essence of over five hundred years, she was still in her prime youth!

1. idiom for acting arrogant or showing off power ☜