Chapter 165: Yinghui Flower — She’s Always Been Carefree

Hundred Fragrance Hall.

The door was pushed open from outside, and a group of Venerable Elders entered, their expressions grim. Someone inside, hearing the commotion, turned and asked, “Have the children all been sent in?”

Shang Liu took the central seat and replied calmly, “Yes.”

The one who spoke was none other than the Sect Master of Crimson Sky Sect. He stood before a row of image-recording stones, sweeping a glance at the newcomers.

The elders from Returning Immortal Sect and the other three sects stood far apart, seemingly isolated.

Everything that had happened in front of the Armillary Sphere had been witnessed by the Sect Master of Crimson Sky Sect.

That earlier incident had truly severed the ties between Returning Immortal Sect and the other three sects. It began with Clear Thought Sect, then Azure Profound Sect, and now they had openly clashed with Crimson Sky Sect. Whatever cordiality remained—both overt and covert—had now crumbled.

The Sect Master of Crimson Sky Sect gave a faint smile and said, “Chengyu, it’s one thing to get drunk and act out within your own sect, but why go and toy with disciples from other sects? I know you have a taste for the unusual, but Returning Immortal Sect only produces one such talent every few centuries. If something were to happen to her, Crimson Sky Sect couldn’t possibly shoulder the blame.”

Though his words were directed at Mei Chengyu, his gaze drifted—subtly but unmistakably—toward the Returning Immortal Sect elders, laced with silent mockery.

Murong Yi said nothing. He simply took his seat, expressionless.

The Sect Master of Crimson Sky Sect shifted the topic. “From the start of this Immortal Sect Grand Competition, I’ve been looking forward to the Illusion Realm. This year’s especially lively—so many Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators from the noble families. The future of the Immortal Sects looks bright. But the greater the talent, the heavier the burden. The earlier rounds were just warm-ups. Only if these kids can pass this trial will they be worthy of the title ‘genius.’”

Cheng Ling shook her head. “It’ll be easy for the average ones. But for some in the chief team, I’m afraid it’ll be much harder.”

Ji Xiuyuan of Clear Thought Sect frowned. “At their age, a pure heart is especially precious. Forcing them to confront certain things—it’s too soon.”

Cheng Ling scoffed. “How heavy can the burdens of kids this age really be? At most, it’s just petty grievances. Instead of blaming the Illusion Realm, maybe you should reflect on your own actions.”

“You’re just worried Wen Yun won’t make it through the Heart Realm Trial, aren’t you? That’s not on anyone else. You’re the one who killed Wen Ya with your own hands, turned her into a corpse puppet, and used her to control the Wen family—all behind Wen Yun’s back. The one who left him with a heart demon is you. The Illusion Realm doesn’t fabricate anything.”

Ji Xiuyuan’s face changed, but he had no rebuttal. “…”

The moment the words fell, the Venerable Elders of Returning Immortal Sect all fell silent.

Truth be told, they were worried about Wen Yun too. Aside from Lian Mu, he was the strongest chief disciple in Returning Immortal Sect—on par with Ying You and Lu Feishuang. If he failed this trial, the chief body cultivator position would be left vacant.

And Returning Immortal Sect only had Wen Yun as a body cultivator. They didn’t even have a backup.

Murong Yi, however, showed no sign of panic. Instead, he spoke slowly, “The strongest chief disciples of the Four Great Sects are all about the same. No need to talk about Ying You’s background from Azure Profound Sect. Lu Feishuang is fiercely competitive but emotionally fragile—she’s easy to trap.”

The implication was clear: every sect stood to lose their top disciple.

For once, the Venerable Elders of Azure Profound Sect didn’t argue. From Shang Liu’s expression, it was obvious—their Sword Bone Genius wasn’t much better off than Wen Yun.

“What about Lian Mu?” Mei Chengyu asked.

Murong Yi didn’t really want to answer. “No idea.”

He had never worried about Lian Mu. Within their sect, the two people he was least concerned about were Lian Mu and Xu Xianxing.

Lian Mu had always been carefree, never seeming to carry any emotional baggage. Xu Xianxing was even more unlikely—he’d been pampered like a treasure since childhood, and after joining Returning Immortal Sect, he’d been all smiles every day, always laughing about who-knows-what, grinning at everyone he met.

“How long after entering will the Heart Realm be triggered?”

“Depends on luck. The Sorrow and Joy Heart Realm is born from the Yinghui Flower. On Yinghui Island, it’s just an ordinary flower. But once inside the Illusion Realm on Penglai Island, anyone who smells its fragrance will fall into a deep sleep,” said the Sect Master of Crimson Sky Sect. “As long as one person from a sect is affected, it will trigger the Heart Realm for all their teammates—even those not present.”

Murong Yi frowned. “That’s not fair. What if a sect never encounters the Yinghui Flower? Wouldn’t they just skip the Heart Realm Trial?”

“There’s no skipping it. To pick the Wind Core Flower, they must pass this trial,” the Sect Master replied. “Otherwise, they’ll never find out where the Wind Core Flower is.”

Everyone turned to look at the location of the Wind Core Flower—and finally understood why he was so certain.

On the image-recording stone, the Wind Core Flower was shown growing on a rock deep beneath the sea. It was within the bounds of the Illusion Realm, but far from where the disciples currently were on Penglai Island. And the edges of Penglai Island were entirely surrounded by a ring of Yinghui Flowers.

Only aquatic beasts could survive in the sea, so only they had a chance of coming into contact with the aura of the Wind Core Flower. But since they couldn’t come ashore, the only way to find it was to pass through that ring of Yinghui Flowers.

Before entering this Illusion Realm, none of the disciples had known that the Heart Realm Trial would be triggered by the Yinghui Flowers.

“So that’s how it is.” A Venerable Elder of the Azure Profound Sect let out a sigh of relief and finally allowed a faint smile to surface. “Xiao You has always been cautious. If he really encountered the Yinghui Flowers, he would surely notice something. As for the Wind Core Flower in the sea… that’s even more fortuitous. Xiao You has a water Spiritual Root. Once he realizes there’s nothing on the island, a slight probe with his spiritual power will reveal the truth.”

“If there must be a Heart Realm Trial, it’s not too late to go through it after obtaining the Wind Core Flower.”

His tone brimmed with certainty, as if he had no doubt the Azure Profound Sect’s chief team would handle it with ease.

The other sects: “…”

Shang Liu chuckled. “I remember Lian Mu from the Returning Immortal Sect loves to run wild in the Illusion Realm. With her temperament, she’s probably the first one to fall into the trap.”

Ever since that unpleasant parting between Murong Yi and Shang Liu, Shang Liu had taken every opportunity to use the Azure Profound Sect’s genius disciples to verbally suppress the Returning Immortal Sect.

Everyone turned to look at the image of the Azure Profound Sect’s chief team. This time, their luck was quite good—they were far from the outer ring of Yinghui Flowers, had plenty of time to prepare, and were positioned on high ground with a wide, clear view.

Murong Yi: “…”

Though he wanted to speak up, he couldn’t refute the fact that Lian Mu had a habit of running around recklessly.

……

……

Wind Eagle Cliff.

After being teleported in, the Azure Profound Sect’s team landed on this cliffside. The wind was strong today, so fierce it was hard to keep one’s eyes open. Jiang Yuechen set up a barrier on the cliff to barely keep them standing.

Gu Qingyu said, “It seems we’re the only chief team in the area.”

With no threats nearby, the disciples unconsciously relaxed. The scenery atop Wind Eagle Cliff was beautiful, offering a clear view of the distant sea, which brought a sense of calm.

Ying You said, “Since no one else is around, let’s rest here for a bit and observe the situation.”

Naturally, the others agreed. Most of them were from Vermilion Bird South. After enduring the scorching desert, they had rushed nonstop to Azure Dragon East, barely rested for a few days before entering the Illusion Realm. It had been exhausting.

Moreover, they were unfamiliar with Penglai Island and had no idea when the so-called Heart Realm Trial would begin. Since they had secured the high ground, it was the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the area below.

The group temporarily settled on Wind Eagle Cliff. Ying You and Jiang Yuechen stood at the edge, surveying the surroundings.

Fengyun Yi hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.

“Team Leader, I…” Fengyun Yi paused, uncertain. “Lian Mu hasn’t come looking for me these past two days.”

Jiang Yuechen frowned. “Why are you bringing up Lian Mu again?”

It was the tenth time he’d mentioned her. Ever since that incident on the beach, he kept bringing her up, intentionally or not.

Fengyun Yi said, “I… I just have a bad feeling. She’s definitely going to come find me.”

Ying You replied, “The Illusion Realm isn’t that big. Running into her again wouldn’t be strange. In fact, I have something I want to ask her too.”

Fengyun Yi blinked. “What is it?”

“A personal matter.” Ying You smiled gently. “Stay by my side. Lian Mu won’t be able to take you away.”

Jiang Yuechen asked, “Team Leader, you’ve been investigating her for a long time now. Why?”

She had never understood.

Ying You’s gaze flickered. He reached into his spatial pouch and took out a small blue flower. Fengyun Yi immediately recognized it—it was the one Lian Mu had given him a few days ago.

The lower half of the stem had been removed, leaving only the flower and leaves, neatly trimmed and carefully preserved. It looked even more vibrant than before, exuding a rich fragrance.

He had kept it all this time.

The others turned to look, intrigued, as Ying You slowly said, “Because there’s an unfinished fate between us.”

Jiang Yuechen was about to ask more, but in the next moment, Ying You suddenly closed his eyes, and his body collapsed forward uncontrollably.

“Team Leader!”

With a cry of alarm, the others also felt a wave of dizziness. One by one, they staggered and fell, their consciousness fading.

Moments later, Wind Eagle Cliff was littered with the white-robed figures of Azure Profound Sect disciples.

At the same time, outside the Illusion Realm, the Azure Profound Sect’s Venerable Elder: “……”

This time, it was Murong Yi’s turn to laugh. “The Azure Profound Sect’s chief team really couldn’t wait, huh?”

Shang Liu was silent for a moment, then raised a hand to summon someone nearby. “…Go find out where that flower on Xiao You came from.”