Chapter 1182: Eighth Level of the Spiritual Element Realm

Unbeknownst to Ling Feng, Xiang'er and the true culprit behind the earlier prank, Yang Huanzhi, were watching him through a glowing luminous barrier in a nearby hall.

Inside the luminous barrier, Ling Feng's bathing figure was clearly visible.

"Unbelievable. Brother Ling has such restraint," Yang Huanzhi muttered in disbelief. "He spent three years inside the Hourglass of Time, and after coming out, surrounded by so many beauties, he still doesn't react at all?"

The entire scene had been the result of a bet between him and Xiang'er. They had wagered on whether Ling Feng would lose control.

Neither had expected him to remain composed from beginning to end!

"Is he even a man?" Yang Huanzhi sighed. "If it were me, I wouldn't have lasted a heartbeat."

"That's because you're shameless," Xiang'er said coolly. "A true gentleman is not ruled by desire!"

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she glared at him. "You lost. Pay up. One hundred thousand elemental crystals."

"

Heehee,

Sister Xiang'er, can't I owe you this time?" Yang Huanzhi asked with a shameless grin. "Or maybe I can repay you with my body instead?"

"

Bah!

" Xiang'er turned away in disgust. Getting money out of him was harder than drawing blood.

Yang Huanzhi chuckled. "I knew Sister Xiang'er wouldn't stay mad at me. You're the kindest."

He sniffed and looked back at the image. Ling Feng's gaze remained calm, his movements unhurried. "Honestly, with Brother Ling's character and talent, he's the only kind of man worthy of you!"

Xiang'er actually nodded. "I agree. A man who can resist temptation is rarer than a three-legged toad!"

"

Hey,

why are you looking at me like that? I'm talking about your love life, not mine," Yang Huanzhi said quickly, feeling a twinge of guilt. He had been trying to keep his own hands clean lately.

Xiang'er rolled her eyes and withdrew the luminous barrier. "Enough fooling around. If the Queen finds out you set Mr. Ling up like this, you'll be punished for sure."

Yang Huanzhi smirked. "Sister may have a sharp tongue, but she's soft-hearted. She'd never punish her only brother."

A chill suddenly filled the air. A cold voice sounded behind him.

"

Oh?

Is that so?"

The voice belonged to none other than the Illusion Heart Queen.

"E-elder sister!" Yang Huanzhi jumped up, his face twisting with embarrassment. "I was just joking!"

"

Hmph.

Since you have so much energy to cause trouble, go challenge the Nine Levels of Dream Illusion. If you can't pass the sixth level, you'll remain confined for a year!"

Yang Huanzhi's face went pale. "That's cruel. If I'm locked away, how am I supposed to run my... business ventures?"

Xiang'er covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Now you know what it means to cross the Queen!"

Ignoring Yang Huanzhi's desperate expression, Xiang'er turned and headed toward the bath chamber with light steps.

...

Inside the bath, Ling Feng had just scrubbed away the last traces of grime. He ran a hand over the beard that had grown during his three years of cultivation.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

It made him look older and sterner, like a veteran of countless battles.

A gentle knock came at the door.

"Mr. Ling, are you finished?" Xiang'er called softly.

Ling Feng leapt from the pool, summoned a wisp of Devouring Flame, and dried the water from his skin in an instant. After putting on a clean robe, he snapped his fingers. The maids who had been trapped in illusion regained their senses one after another.

A few of them blushed red, their knees pressed together. Judging from their expressions, the dreams they had just experienced were far from innocent. That, however, was beyond Ling Feng's control.

"

Ah!

" one maid gasped, realizing he was no longer in the pool.

By then, Ling Feng had already stepped out of the bath chamber, his face still showing faint embarrassment.

Xiang'er noticed his awkward expression and nearly burst out laughing. This was the same man who had faced Murong Huang and the others without flinching, yet now he looked genuinely uneasy.

"Mr. Ling," she said with a teasing smile, "it was only a harmless joke. Please don't take it to heart."

Ling Feng gave a weary smile. "I'd appreciate it if you avoided such jokes in the future. That was... a bit much for me."

"I understand," Xiang'er said lightly. "The Queen is currently in seclusion, so she cannot meet you in person. I've been asked to see you off from the Heaven's Illusion Palace. From this day forward, you are considered an honored guest of our palace. Oh, just show this token whenever you wish to visit!"

She took out a golden token engraved with the characters "Illusion Heart" and handed it to him with both hands.

"Please thank Her Majesty on my behalf," Ling Feng said, giving a fist-and-palm salute and bowing slightly. "I'll take my leave now."

"Wait, Mr. Ling." Xiang'er stepped forward, smiling. "As an apology for earlier, let me help you shave. You look fine with a beard, but your original face suits you better."

"

Uh

..."

Ling Feng hesitated, touching his chin. The memory of Leng Jianfeng's cold face flashed through his mind, and a faint chill ran down his spine. He nodded quickly. "Then I'll trouble you, Miss Xiang'er."

...

Half an hour later, Ling Feng returned to the Snow Sea Inn, where he and Tuoba Yan had been staying.

He had been gone for four or five days. By now, Tuoba Yan should have completed her cultivation and likely advanced to the mid-stage of the Spiritual Element Realm.

Her progress had always been astonishing. Even though Ling Feng constantly encountered new trials and opportunities, Tuoba Yan never seemed to fall behind.

Yan Cangtian had once told Ling Feng that Tuoba Yan possessed the rare Profound Yin Physique. Her incredible speed in cultivation was clearly connected to her special physique.

"

Hehe,

Yan'er's talent is frightening, but this time, I think she'll be the one surprised!"

He had spent three full years inside the Hourglass of Time. During that period, not only had he brought the

Nightmare Heart Technique

to the novice stage of mastery, but his cultivation had also leapt from the third level straight to the eighth level of the Spiritual Element Realm!

He had only expected to reach the sixth level at best. The progress had far exceeded his expectations.

Of course, the reward he had originally earned from passing the Illusion Heart Queen's test had only been a single day's use of the Hourglass of Time.

With quiet anticipation, he climbed the stairs and pushed open the door.

The sight that greeted him made his pupils contract.

The room was in disarray, faint traces of battle still visible.

Tuoba Yan was gone!