The first light of dawn slowly broke through the horizon…
But the atmosphere in the arena was anything but calm.
A cold breeze swept across the vast grounds, carrying with it a strange tension that lingered in the air. Hundreds of disciples had already gathered, their expressions different—but their focus the same.
Some stood silently, fists clenched in determination.
Some whispered nervously, unable to hide their unease.
Some… had already failed once before—and this was their second chance.
Today…
Was the day of the Illusion Realm Trial.
At the very front—
A separate group stood apart from the rest.
The Top Ten disciples.
They didn't speak. They didn't move.
Yet the moment they stood there… even the surrounding noise seemed to fade.
Their presence alone was enough.
Calm. Heavy. Unshakable.
Like rulers standing above a crowd of challengers.
Most of them came from powerful families. Their confidence wasn't forced—it was natural.
Among the crowd—
Nilan stood quietly.
Compared to them, he looked ordinary.
No powerful aura.
No overwhelming presence.
But his eyes—
Sharp. Observant.
"So these are the top disciples…"
Even without releasing their full strength, the difference was clear.
Suddenly—
A pressure descended from above.
The entire arena fell silent.
An elder appeared in the sky.
His long robes fluttered gently as his gaze swept across the crowd.
Calm… yet absolute.
"Today…"
"You will enter the Illusion Realm."
His voice echoed across the entire arena.
No one dared to speak.
"No one will truly die inside."
"You may fight… without hesitation."
Those words changed everything.
Fear didn't disappear—
It transformed.
Into tension.
Into excitement.
Into ambition.
"Your objective is simple."
"Survive."
"Adapt."
"And prove your worth."
The elder slowly raised his hand.
Spiritual energy gathered.
The air trembled.
The space in front of the arena began to distort.
Like a mirror cracking open—
Revealing something beyond.
A massive portal formed.
Dark.
Deep.
Unfathomable.
"Enter."
The Top Ten moved first.
Without hesitation—
They stepped forward and disappeared into the portal.
The rest followed quickly.
Nilan took a slow breath.
"This is it…"
Then—
He stepped forward.
And entered.
The world twisted.
Light disappeared.
Sound vanished.
For a moment—
There was nothing.
Then—
Everything returned at once.
Nilan opened his eyes.
A dense forest surrounded him.
Tall trees stretched endlessly into the sky.
The ground was uneven, covered with roots and fallen leaves.
The air felt heavier—
Filled with spiritual energy.
He didn't move immediately.
Instead—
He observed.
The forest wasn't silent.
Leaves rustled softly.
Distant sounds echoed faintly.
It felt alive.
"So… this is the Illusion Realm."
Not far away—
Two disciples were fighting.
Clang!
Their weapons collided, sparks flashing in the air.
One attacked aggressively—
The other countered with precise movements.
Nilan watched for a moment.
Then turned away.
"Not my fight."
He moved deeper into the forest.
Slow.
Careful.
As he walked—
He noticed something.
Small spiritual herbs.
Low-grade…
But useful.
He crouched down and picked one.
"These can help recovery…"
He stored it without hesitation.
Further ahead—
More disciples appeared.
Some injured.
Some hiding.
Some hunting others.
The deeper he went—
The more chaotic it became.
This wasn't just a trial.
It was survival.
Step by step—
Nilan continued forward.
Then—
He stopped.
Far away—
A faint red glow flickered in the darkness.
It was distant…
So far that no one could clearly notice it.
Hidden behind layers of trees and shadows—
A figure stood still.
In his hand—
A blood-red pill.
The glow was subtle.
Not bright.
Not overwhelming.
But… unsettling.
Like something that didn't belong in this place.
The figure stared at it silently.
No words.
No expression.
Only a quiet, dangerous intent.
Then—
He slowly closed his hand.
The red glow disappeared instantly.
As if it had never existed.
And in the next moment—
The figure vanished into the darkness.
Back to Nilan—
He continued walking.
Everything seemed calm.
Too calm.
Then—
Ssshh—!
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Nilan's body reacted instantly—
He turned—
Slash!
A blade grazed past his shoulder.
A thin line of blood appeared across his skin.
The sting spread instantly—
But Nilan didn't even flinch.
"Thought you could walk freely after what you did?"
One figure stepped out.
Then another.
Then—
A third.
Three opponents.
Nilan's eyes narrowed.
"All three of them… Qi Gathering cultivators."
"Do you know who you defeated yesterday?"
One of them sneered.
"Our cousin."
The atmosphere turned cold.
Without warning—
They attacked.
Boom!
Nilan ducked instantly.
The first strike passed above him.
But—
Thud!
A kick slammed into his back.
"—Ugh!"
He stumbled forward.
"Surround him!"
Nilan's mind sharpened.
"Not a fight… a hunt."
He ran.
But they were fast.
A rock shot toward him—
He twisted—
Barely dodging it—
Only to see one of them already blocking his path.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Nilan didn't stop.
He charged forward—
Bang!
Their bodies collided.
The opponent staggered slightly.
A gap.
Nilan slipped through instantly.
But—
Slash!
Another strike cut across his arm.
Blood spilled.
Pain surged—
His fingers trembled slightly—
But he forced them steady.
Another attack came—
From the front—
He raised his arm—
Bang!
The impact sent a shock through his entire body.
Before he could recover—
Another strike came from behind—
Nilan dropped low—
Rolled forward—
The attack missed by inches.
He got up—
And ran again.
His breathing grew heavier.
Uneven.
Blood dripped from his arm—
Leaving faint marks behind him.
"I can't fight them head-on…"
"I need to break their formation…"
One of them lunged again—
This time—
Nilan stepped forward instead of retreating.
Bang!
He deflected the strike—
And countered—
A sharp hit to the opponent's abdomen.
Not strong—
But enough.
The opponent staggered.
A moment.
Just one.
Nilan used it.
He turned—
And dashed deeper into the forest.
"Don't let him escape!"
They chased.
Branches snapped.
Leaves scattered.
Nilan ran.
Faster.
Further.
But his body was slowing.
Another attack grazed his side—
A shallow cut—
But enough to burn.
Pain.
Fatigue.
Pressure.
Everything was stacking up.
The forest grew darker.
Denser.
More dangerous.
Behind him—
Three hunters closing in.
Ahead—
Endless unknown.
Nilan didn't stop.
But one thought echoed in his mind—
"How long… can I keep running?"
The distance between them slowly began to close.
And the forest ahead—
Seemed ready to swallow everything.