While tracking Tang San's every move, Su Ming joined Xiao Wu and the waiting Ning Rongrong and others. He shook his head without saying anything.
He had no concrete proof yet. Even if he voiced his suspicions, Xiao Wu and the others would believe him, but explaining it would be difficult without disclosing his "omniscient perspective." Su Ming decided to wait until Tang San's Blue Silver Grass exhibited more visible lightning resistance, especially since Thunderclap Academy wouldn't be facing Tianshui or Blazing Academy for another day or two.
Back at the academy, Su Ming noticed through the drone feed that the number of people around Tang San was gradually dwindling—an odd and suspicious situation. Soon, Tang San was entirely alone, except for a single person sitting on a nearby bench, who accidentally dropped a water cup on the ground. Tang San didn't seem to notice anything unusual, but Su Ming remembered clearly: this was the same setup Shi Nian had used in the original storyline. It was clear that Shi Nian was making his move.
Realizing this, Su Ming was both excited and amused. He quickly found a secluded place, activated his Kamui, and vanished.
"On my way, Tang San!"
Su Ming quickly reached a spot where he could observe Tang San from a distance, using his Fire Eyes Golden Pupils to see that Shi Nian was now standing directly in front of Tang San, who seemed to be walking in place, unable to move forward.
In Tang San's vision, the world began repeating itself in an endless loop. Realizing he was caught in an illusion, he became alert and activated his Purple Demon Eye. While Shi Nian's illusion was simple, Tang San could still break it with his current level of the Purple Demon Eye, though not fully at its zenith.
"Who's there?" Tang San's voice dripped with caution. He knew his opponent was powerful—powerful enough to set up an illusion without him even noticing.
Su Ming observed from afar and shook his head. As in the original story, Shi Nian was too overconfident, treating his prey like a cat playing with a mouse. But in reality, the situation was more like a mantis stalking a cicada, with the yellow sparrow—Tang Hao—waiting in the background.
Su Ming took out a snack from his spirit tool and settled in to watch. Without his Purple Extreme Divine Dew upgrade, Tang San would have to rely on his beginner-level Purple Demon Eye to escape Shi Nian's illusion.
Meanwhile, Su Ming split a part of his consciousness and entered his spiritual space, where he spoke calmly to Ah Yin, "Ah Yin, you still believe Tang San might be your son, right? You're about to see the truth with your own eyes, so brace yourself."
He sighed and added, "I hope you don't start crying again. I really can't bear seeing beautiful women cry."
With that, Su Ming exited the spiritual space. Ah Yin, linked to Su Ming's heart, sensed his intentions and felt herself trembling in anticipation. Though she had been unwilling to believe the truth before, Su Ming was now determined to show her the harsh reality.
As Su Ming's spirit ring, Ah Yin had access to Su Ming's abilities with his permission. So she could see, just as clearly as Su Ming, the confrontation between Tang San and Shi Nian unfolding within the illusion.
In the Illusion
Shi Nian's sinister laughter echoed in Tang San's ears. "I wonder if you've heard of me? The name is Shi Nian."
Shi Nian!
Tang San's eyes narrowed. He remembered hearing this name from his teacher, who spoke of Shi Nian with great caution, saying he had already reached the Spirit Saint level. What made Shi Nian truly terrifying was his insidious martial spirit, Nightmare. With this spirit, he had earned a reputation in the spirit master world. Even Spirit Douluo who specialized in mental attacks hesitated to confront him directly, as it was too easy to fall victim to his traps.
Tang San recalled his teacher's warnings and narrowed his eyes, "You're Shi Nian from Canghui Academy? Why are you targeting me? I haven't done anything to provoke you, have I?"
While speaking, Tang San subtly reached for his spirit tool. Knowing Shi Nian's power far exceeded his own, he knew his chances of winning were slim. He could only hope to find the right moment to use his hidden weapon.
Shi Nian noticed Tang San's small movements but dismissed them. What could a mere Spirit Elder possibly do to a Spirit Saint like him?
Shi Nian laughed darkly. "You may not have provoked me directly, but you and your friends stirred up trouble for my students a year ago at a tavern, didn't you? I believe that was when Zhao Wuji was leading your group. After I deal with you, I'll make sure the others who offended Canghui Academy join you in the grave."
Tang San suddenly remembered the tavern incident from a year ago. So Shi Nian was here to settle that score?
But it had been nothing more than a minor conflict—hardly something worth killing over!
Knowing he was outmatched, Tang San tried to defuse the situation, lowering his voice respectfully, "Elder Shi Nian, that incident was entirely my fault. I apologize for my actions. Could you perhaps let me go this once, for the sake of Thunderclap Academy and my teacher?"
As he spoke, he carefully sought an opening. If he could land a fatal blow with his hidden weapon Hell's Post, it would be ideal. If not, he'd live to fight another day when he was stronger.
But Shi Nian, shrewd and experienced, saw through Tang San's thoughts. "Little brat, do you think I'd let you go only to have you return seeking revenge later? I'm not that foolish. I don't know how you broke out of my Nightmare seventh spirit skill illusion just now, but this time, you're not getting away!"
Chapter End
As Tang San's heart raced with alarm, he suddenly found himself once again ensnared in Shi Nian's illusion—his most powerful spell, the Heart Demon Illusion. This technique drags the victim into a reality where they confront their most haunting memories, amplifying their worst fears.
Shi Nian watched Tang San's contorted expression of distress and sneered, "I didn't expect a Heart Demon Illusion to be so hard on you. If I were stronger, I'd love to see exactly what you're experiencing… ha-ha-ha!"
Meanwhile, Su Ming, sensing the moment was ripe, entered his spiritual space. He turned to Ah Yin and said, "Ah Yin, I'll show you exactly what Tang San is seeing within the illusion. You heard Shi Nian: this illusion forces people to relive their most painful memories, amplifying them. It's absolutely real!"
Ah Yin felt her heart tighten, her brow creasing with worry.
Seeing her reaction, Su Ming shook his head slightly. "Better a short, sharp pain than endless deception," he thought, even though he knew Ah Yin might break down afterward. But it was time for the truth to come out, to finally sever her lingering attachment to Tang Hao and Tang San.
"System," Su Ming called mentally, "use the Illusion Extraction Card to project everything Tang San sees in the illusion into my spiritual space."
At once, a projection appeared in front of Su Ming and Ah Yin.
Ah Yin's gaze was immediately drawn to it, where a young man with blue hair stood, facing several masked elders. One of the elders spoke sternly, "Tang San! As an outsider to the Tang Sect, you dared enter the Forbidden Library to steal the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Mysterious Jade Hand. Do you know your crime?"
At the elder's words, the others joined in the rebuke.
Ah Yin was stunned. The young man caught stealing skills—was he Tang San? Could he really not be her son?
Standing beside her, Su Ming spoke calmly, "Believe me now, Ah Yin? The people denouncing him are the elders of his Tang Sect. Tang San is not from this world—at least, his soul isn't. The Mysterious Heaven Skill and those other techniques of his aren't spirit abilities he developed through talent; they're stolen arts from his past life."
"He is not your son."
Su Ming's words pierced Ah Yin's heart like a blade, making it hard for her to breathe.
Meanwhile, in the illusion, Tang San looked around in confusion, not realizing he was caught in Shi Nian's trap. Slowly, he recognized the setting: the cliff where he had once been denounced by the Tang Sect's elders. Panic seized him as he stammered in defense, "I admit I was wrong to sneak into the Forbidden Library, but I refuse to accept this fate!"
"I may have been an abandoned child taken in by the sect, but I have great talent and have risked my life on countless dangerous missions for the sect. So why am I still barred from entering the inner sect?"
The first elder retorted coldly, "That is the rule of the Tang Sect. You are not of the Tang lineage; you have no right to enter the inner sect! When we saved you, you were a mere orphan. Not only do you show no gratitude, but you even dared to steal from us! Do you know what that means?"
The second elder continued, "According to the rules of the Tang Sect, stealing our martial arts without permission warrants either the abolishment of all cultivation and banishment or the death penalty! You, Tang San, who stole our supreme techniques, the Mysterious Heaven Skill and the Mysterious Jade Hand, should be put to death!"
Desperate, Tang San argued, "I didn't steal them! An elder within the Forbidden Library permitted me to learn those techniques!"
The first elder hesitated but then barked, "Lies! The grand elder of the library rarely appears, let alone grants permission to someone like you! Even if he did, that would only be because he found you sneaking around. But it doesn't change the fact that you trespassed and stole. If every disciple behaved like you, the Tang Sect would fall to ruin! Now, hand over all the hidden weapons you made using the Mysterious Jade Hand. We will inform the sect leader and let him decide your punishment!"
As Ah Yin watched the scene, tears welled in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. Despite the slight differences in events due to Tang San's re-entry, his ultimate fate in the illusion remained the same: a fall from the cliff.
To Su Ming, the specific details hardly mattered. The key takeaway was that Tang San's soul came from another world. That alone was enough.
The scene shifted. Tang San's soul drifted into the world of Douluo Continent, where it floated near Tang Hao as he tried to "shield" Ah Yin from the Spirit Hall's attack.
Then, by sheer chance, Tang San's soul entered the body of the newborn who lay motionless in Tang Hao's arms.
"No!!! Get out of my child!" Ah Yin's anguished scream tore through the spiritual space.
Su Ming was taken aback by the vividness of the projection, surprised that Shi Nian's illusion could reveal even this moment. He silently noted that the Nightmare Martial Spirit was an exceptionally powerful one, though Shi Nian's unscrupulous methods and lack of alignment with Su Ming's principles meant he would not intervene if Tang Hao appeared to retaliate.
As Ah Yin's distress mounted, Su Ming's heart ached for her, but he knew it was best to let her process everything on her own.
Patting Ah Yin's shoulder, he murmured gently, "Now you know the truth. Tang San isn't really your son; he is a reincarnated soul who took over your child's body. Think it through. When your cultivation returns to one hundred thousand years, I'll let you confront Tang Hao and resolve this for yourself."
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