Chapter 457: The Blue Pills

Chu Liang moved forward with determination.

...

With the defeat of the Blood Crow Commander, the greatest obstacle vanished, leaving only a pitch-black, void-like portal before them.

Tang Shi gazed at the darkness ahead, still feeling a hint of apprehension. In contrast, Chu Liang didn't bother at all.

"Even if we hesitate, this will still be the only way forward. So, we might as well go in sooner," he said plainly. "But let me catch my breath first."

"Okay," Tang Shi said with a nod.

Whenever Tang Shi was done with fighting, she would immediately revert to being timid and obedient. It was hard to imagine that she could transform into the glowering Blood Vajra Warrior at any moment.

In truth, the Myriad Talismanic Sword, despite its immense power, hadn't drained much of Chu Liang's energy. With the two Golden Cores and the Ren-Water foundational qi, his endurance was nearly limitless. Even if his Sea of Qi was depleted, it would refill in mere moments.

However, before stepping into the unknown, he decided to claim his reward. If he could obtain something useful, it would give him an extra trump card.

He appeared to be meditating, but his divine sense had arrived in the White Pagoda.

No matter their form, the Nightmare Beasts all dissolved into a mass of crimson smoke upon being slain. It seemed that life in this dream world differed from that of the outside world; there were no distinctions in strength. Even the powerful imprint of the Blood Crow Commander was indistinguishable from that of the lesser blood crows.

Perhaps it was because, at their core, they were nothing more than illusions born from the dream itself.

Chu Liang stepped forward and casually pressed the "Refine" character.

Boom—

A familiar radiance flashed, and a shimmering blue light floated out.

[Illusion Dispelling Pill: A pill that keeps the mind clear, stabilizing the soul. Upon ingestion, it grants immunity to any illusionary disturbances for a quarter of an hour.]

"This... is a key item."

Chu Liang held the small blue pill between his fingers, feeling it was worth every bit of effort. It was kind of the White Pagoda to grant him such a reward of such level just for wiping out a swarm of blood crows.

For a moment, he even considered going back for another round.

But, with the death of the Blood Crow Commander, all the other blood crows had vanished.

The effect of this pill was similar to that of the sacred item given by the Noble One in the Kingdom of the Dream Immortal, which ensured mental clarity.

Though the pill's effect only lasted for half an hour, the sacred jade pendant was also a consumable. Half an hour might not seem long, but it would suffice if he took a few pills.

He had no way of knowing how many Nightmare Specter imprints had accumulated in the prison, but there were certainly more than enough for him to use freely within this dream. Even if he faced illusions again after leaving this dreamland, these pills would prove invaluable.

Of course, the true extent of its power remained uncertain.

It might counter ordinary illusory techniques, but would it be effective against illusions created by immortal arts, such as the Shadow of Radiance? That was yet to be tested.

Upon breaking through to the fifth realm, every aspect of his vitality, qi, and spirit surged. His soul felt perfected, his qi and blood brimmed with vigor, and his Sea of Qi overflowed with energy.

Although he already possessed the Geng Metal, Jia Wood, and Ren Water foundational qi of the fifth realm, this latest enhancement wasn’t particularly significant.

However, the Geng Metal foundational qi that he himself generated combined with the Geng Metal foundational qi provided by the Colorful Doll greatly amplified the strength of both sources of Geng Metal foundational qi.

Chu Liang had never felt so powerful before.

After he had collected all the rewards, he suddenly stood up and turned to Tang Shi. "Miss Tang, have you finished regulating your breathing? Let's move."

This question stunned Tang Shi.

Regulating my breathing for what? I didn’t even get a chance to do anything this whole journey. Wasn’t it all you fighting solo?

Tang Shi thought. She had never met anyone quite like Chu Liang.

In the past, when members of different sects joined forces to slay monsters and obliterate devils, they often held back, preserving their strength and leaving others to take action. Even when some took the lead, it was usually just for show.

The people of the Great Astral Sect frequently suffered losses in such situations.

But Chu Liang was different; he truly loved the business of monster slaying.

Not only did he insist on fighting alone each time, but he would also panic if someone else tried to take his turn. After putting in great effort to slay the demons, he would show a genuine, joyful smile of satisfaction.

He carried a noble radiance of his own.

This certainly broadened the young lady's perspective.

...

Whoosh—

After diving into the black portal, there was a flash of light. As the surroundings settled, an ominous and eerie aura immediately swept over them.

"This is... an ancient battlefield?"

Chu Liang scanned his surroundings. The ground beneath his feet was pitch-black, barren, and rugged. When he peered into the distance, there wasn't a single plant in sight—only colossal bones, towering like mountains, under the eerie glow of a massive blood-red moon.

A desolate silence hung in the air.

Eerie whispers filled their ears once more. Thankfully, the sacred item against his chest emitted a faint warmth, pushing back the strangeness. Yet, both of them could clearly feel the jade pendant’s energy draining faster than before.

The Nightmare Demon King's dream was far more bizarre than the world outside, though this was to be expected.

"Let's quickly search for an exit on this level," Chu Liang urged.

In this unfamiliar world, they didn’t dare fly recklessly, fearing they might attract unwanted attention. Instead, they sprinted across the ground, their eyes scanning their surroundings.

With bodies brimming with qi and blood, like fierce beasts, they ran almost as fast as if they were flying, leaving two blurred afterimages in their wake.

As they approached a rocky hill, the dense sound of footsteps suddenly echoed ahead.

"Wait."

Chu Liang quickly signaled for Tang Shi to stop, then crouched behind the rocks to observe.

In front of them, a group of soldiers clad in armor from the previous dynasty marched forward, halberds in hand, exuding a formidable, murderous aura.

Amidst the formation was a carriage, and seated within it was the chancellor of the former dynasty—someone Chu Liang had seen many times and could not possibly mistake.

If it weren't for this old man, they wouldn't have been swallowed by the Deep Pool of Dreams.

How could soldiers from the previous dynasty appear here? Have they been swallowed up as well?

Chu Liang pondered.

From the look of things, they seem fully recovered. They don't seem to be in a daze anymore like how they were outside.

In fact, the aura of these soldiers was now much stronger, resembling that of an elite force.

What is going on?

Chu Liang muttered inwardly.

Since the chancellor had regained his true form as a powerful seventh-realm cultivator, Chu Liang didn’t dare to probe further with his divine sense. He chose to observe cautiously with just his eyes.

As he retracted his divine sense, he didn't notice a figure sneaking up on them.

Someone had discovered them!

"Huh?" A surprised voice broke the silence. "Young Hero Chu, Tang Shi, what are you doing here?"

The two of them turned around in shock, only to see someone standing nearby—fair-skinned, sharp-eyed, and undeniably beautiful. It was Ji Lingyu.

Swoosh.

Without saying a word, Chu Liang appeared behind her with the use of Dimension Compression and smacked down with a brick.

Bam!