The next morning, heavy fog blanketed the mountain range surrounding the Dream Void Pagoda. This structure was ancient—rising like a spear through the clouds, its nine glowing floors infused with soul magic and heart illusions left behind by long-dead Immortal Ancestors.
Only the top 1000 contestants stood before it now, including Wu Tangge, Yun Ling'er, and elite heirs from the Bei, Yang, and Xu clans.
An elder with cloudy eyes stepped forward.
"The Illusion Heart Trial begins now. Each of you will be drawn into a personalized illusion world. Survive your heart demons. Defeat the false. Do not lose your mind—or you will never awaken."
Wu Tangge cracked his knuckles.
A battle of hearts? Tch. These kids have no idea what mine is like.
One by one, participants touched the obsidian gate and vanished into the pagoda.
When it was Wu Tangge's turn, he smirked, winked at Yun Ling'er, and stepped forward.
Time to play.
---
[Inside Wu Tangge's Illusion Realm]
He stood in a barren, blood-soaked wasteland.
Bodies of cultivators lay in every direction—some familiar. His hands were drenched in blood. His Evil God eyes glowed red.
A shadow appeared in front of him—his father.
"Why did you betray your clan?" the illusion asked.
Then another voice, soft and trembling.
Yun Ling'er. "You ruined me. You used me. You're no hero… you're a monster."
Dozens of phantom voices echoed.
"Villain!"
"Devil Spawn!"
"He should never have lived!"
Wu Tangge looked around—and started to laugh.
A dark, rippling laugh.
"Is that it? This is what you're using to break me?"
He raised his hands. Evil energy surged from his body like a tidal wave.
"You fools. I am the villain."
He crushed his father's illusion under his palm, then grabbed the projection of Yun Ling'er and smiled gently.
"Even your pain is just a stepping stone."
He kissed her phantom forehead—then burned the entire illusion realm with Sin Flame, destroying every illusion voice and image.
---
Ding! Illusion Trial Complete.
You have dominated your heart demons.
Unique Achievement: "Devil Who Accepts Himself."
Reward: Passive Skill – Heart of Corruption (Enemies in illusions suffer doubled confusion and fear).
---
Back outside, elders were watching through their ancient monitoring talismans.
One elder's brows furrowed. "That boy... he didn't resist the illusion. He embraced it."
Another muttered, "Such mental strength… but such darkness too."
Yun Ling'er emerged from her trial room pale but composed.
Her illusion was brutal—reliving the fall of her clan—but she held strong.
Then Wu Tangge stepped out, stretching like he had just taken a nap.
When he saw Yun Ling'er, he smiled.
"Missed me already?"
"You… passed?"
"I did more than pass," he whispered. "I broke their game."
---
End of Trial.
Wu Tangge ranked First Place.
His name echoed across the arena.
Many looked at him in admiration. Others in jealousy.
But none saw the swirling black mist dancing behind his eyes.
One step closer, he thought, to becoming the true ruler of this world.
The sky above Heaven-Breaking Valley split with light as a massive spirit gate opened, revealing a golden staircase descending from the clouds. At its end stood an enormous jade platform floating above the clouds—the outer gates of the Immortal Dao Academy.
Elder Mo Tian, one of the academy's principal gatekeepers, floated above the platform with his hands clasped behind his back. His voice echoed across the arena like thunder.
"Congratulations to the top 30 cultivators! You have survived the Spiritual Combat Arena, conquered the Beast Hunt, and withstood the Illusion Heart Trial. From this moment forward, you are all provisional students of the Immortal Dao Academy!"
Cheers rose from the Yun Clan, Wu Clan, and other spectators. The top 30 participants lined up on the jade platform as Elder Mo unfurled a scroll.
"Now, I shall announce the final rankings."
He began from the bottom:
30th: Xu Jinhai (Xu Clan)
...
10th: Yang Feiyu (Yang Clan)
9th: Bai Qing'er (White Lotus Sect)
8th: Bei Yu (Bei Clan)
7th: Lin Moxi (Heaven Burning Sect)
6th: Yun Ling'er (Yun Clan)
She stepped forward, composed and calm—but her eyes drifted toward Wu Tangge, unreadable.
"5th: Jian Wudi (Sword Spirit Pavilion)"
4th: Tang Xuan (Flame Cloud Sect)
3rd: Long Tianhe (Dragon Roar Clan)
2nd: Zhen Mei (Thousand Ice Valley)
Then the elder paused before the last name.
"1st Place… Wu Tangge of the Wu Clan!"
The arena shook with energy as his name resounded across the valley. The clans murmured in awe. A few elders nodded with approval.
Wu Tangge stepped forward with a confident smile, hands behind his back, eyes sharp.
He bowed lightly, showing perfect decorum—masking the villainous aura roiling beneath his skin.
"Many thanks to the academy for the opportunity," he said, charmingly.
Ding!
---
Mission Complete: Enter the Immortal Dao Academy
Placement: 1st Rank
Reward Unlocked: Supreme Divine Palm (Upgraded Skill)
Bonus Reward: Unknown Evil God Technique
---
New Technique Unlocked: Evil Illusion
When called by full name, target those weaker than the user see illusion.
---
Elder Mo Tian gestured toward the massive gates behind him.
"Come. From this day forward, the gates of the Immortal Dao Academy are open to you. Within its halls, you will forge your destinies—or be crushed by the pressure."
The gates opened with a hum of divine qi.
Wu Tangge walked at the front of the group. Yun Ling'er matched his pace.
"You hid your power well," she whispered.
He smiled. "I only showed what was necessary."
Her eyes narrowed. "You scare me."
"Good," he replied softly, "then you're smart."