Mortal: I am the young sect master of the Thousand Illusions Sect

Chapter 3 Illusory Mist Heavenly Pool

Su Mixin, dressed in a white brocade robe with gold thread patterns, opened the door of the quiet room and strode out of the palace gate.

Now that he has broken through his cultivation level and ended his seclusion, he wants to go see his parents in this world.

Looking up at the higher peaks of this mountain, where clouds and mist swirl and the glow of dawn appears, lies the "Mi Lian Palace" where my parents lived.

Su Mixin took out a high-grade flying magic artifact disc from her storage bag, and transformed into a faint shadow as she soared into the sky.

Before long, he arrived at the palace gate of the Mi Lian Palace, a magnificent and splendid palace.

Su Mixin put away her magical artifact, stepped into the palace, passed through many palace buildings, and arrived at the rear garden.

The garden is planted with uniquely shaped pines and rocks, as well as various rare, precious, and beautiful flowers and plants.

In the center of the garden, there is a small lake where several colorful spirit fish swim, breathing in the essence of heaven and earth.

In the center of the lake stands a hexagonal stone pavilion, connected to it by a white marble bridge from the lake shore.

Inside the pavilion was a jade chessboard with black and white pieces arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. Two figures sat facing each other—Su Mixin's parents.

The man was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with dark gold flowing cloud patterns. He had a handsome and refined face, and his brows carried an air of authority that was not angry but dignified. He was none other than Su Yunluo, the Grand Elder of the Thousand Illusions Sect and a peak Nascent Soul cultivator.

He held a black chess piece between his fingers, his gaze focused intently on the chessboard, his spiritual energy contained yet subtly exuding an unfathomable pressure.

The woman opposite was wearing a pink silk dress with blooming white lotuses embroidered on the hem. Her face was beautiful and gentle, and her temperament was as elegant and refined as a lotus. She was Lady Lianyue, Ye Xinlian.

Although her cultivation level was at the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage, she possessed a gentle aura. At this moment, she was smiling as she looked at the chessboard, her fingertips lightly tapping as a white piece slowly fell.

"Father, Mother." Su Mixin strode into the pavilion, her voice clear and strong, carrying the unique cheerfulness of a young man.

Su Yunluo looked up, her previously focused gaze instantly softening with warmth. She put down the black chess piece in her hand and laughed heartily, "Mi Xin is here? You just broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining and rushed over to share the good news?"

Ye Xinlian also got up and stepped forward, taking Su Mixin's wrist, her eyes full of satisfaction: "Good child, you really didn't disappoint us, breaking through to the late stage of Qi Refining in just a few days of seclusion."

"Many rogue cultivators with poor spiritual roots have been stuck at their bottlenecks for years without being able to break through. It seems that your hard work over the years has been ingrained in your bones, which is why you have been able to improve your cultivation so quickly."

Su Mixin smiled shyly and sat down on a stone bench nearby.

Then he said, "Of course we can't compare with those rogue cultivators. With the resources provided by the sect, my son's cultivation has naturally improved rapidly."

"Your own talent and perseverance are the foundation."

Su Yunluo waved his hand and then advised, "The late stage of Qi Refining is just a small step on the path of cultivation. If you can break through steadily, you have taken a solid step."

"But the path to immortality is long and arduous, like rowing against the current; one must not slacken because of this."

Ye Xinlian nodded in agreement, then changed the subject: "Now that you have broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, it's time to make some preparations for Foundation Establishment. Your father and I have discussed it and plan to send you to the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool in the coming days."

"The Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool?" A hint of curiosity and excitement flashed in Su Mi's eyes. He had long heard of the great name of this secret place.

"Exactly."

Su Yunluo patiently explained, "The Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool is located in the center of the sect's core secret realm, making it a unique and precious cultivation ground for our sect."

"Cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage have only one chance in their lifetime to soak in the pool."

"The spiritual water in the pool contains abundant and pure spiritual energy, which can not only cleanse the marrow and remove impurities from the body, but also greatly accumulate cultivation foundation."

"But it also harbors hidden dangers. The spiritual water will constantly stir up the deepest obsessions and illusions in the cultivator's heart, thus testing their mental fortitude and resolve."

Ye Xinlian added, "Once you are misled by the illusion and remain trapped in it for more than ten breaths without breaking free, you will be automatically teleported out by the secret realm's formation."

"The longer you persist, the greater the reward."

"According to the sect's records, there was once a person of extraordinary talent who persisted in the pool for more than a year. Not only did his cultivation level increase dramatically, but he also unexpectedly awakened a certain kind of spiritual body. It was named the 'Acquired Thousand Illusion Spiritual Body,' which is of great benefit to the cultivation of our sect's treasured technique, the 'Great Luo Thousand Illusion Technique.' In the future, his cultivation will not only be more compatible with the technique, but the transformation abilities he masters will also far surpass those of ordinary ones."

Upon hearing this, Su Mixin immediately exclaimed, "So, this Illusory Mist Heavenly Pool is truly an immense opportunity! I certainly won't miss it!"

"Good lad, it's good that you have this spirit."

Looking at the confidence in his son's eyes, Su Yunluo said with great satisfaction, "Take good care of yourself these next two days to adjust your state of mind and cultivation. Don't be impatient for quick results just because you've just broken through."

"Tomorrow, ask your Senior Brother Linghuan to go to the sect's warehouse to get a few Foundation Establishment Pills. The time spent cultivating in the pool is unpredictable. Although the chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment there are slim, we still need to prepare in advance."

"I will take you to the secret realm in three days."

"Remember, once you enter the pool, no matter what illusions you encounter, whether it be old regrets, immense wealth, alluring beauty, or life-or-death crises, you must guard your true self, keep your mind clear, and never become immersed in it."

"Your son understands!" Su Mixin nodded solemnly, rose, and bowed respectfully, her eyes filled with determination. "I will certainly live up to your expectations and gain the greatest reward in the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool!"

Afterwards, the three chatted idly in the pavilion. Their words echoed gently in the fairy garden, adding a touch of warmth between parent and child.

An hour later, Su Mixin left, and the pavilion returned to tranquility.

Ye Xinlian gazed in the direction her son had gone, her joy gradually replaced by worry, and she hesitated to place the white chess piece in her hand.

Seeing this, Su Yunluo put the black piece back into the chess box with a soft "click," breaking the silence.

He looked at his wife, his gaze gentle: "Still thinking about Mi Xin?"

Ye Xinlian nodded and said, "How long do you think Mi Xin can last in the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool? Long enough that we really need to prepare Foundation Establishment Pills in advance?"

Su Yunluo slowly shook her head and said calmly, "It's just better to be prepared."

"The Misty Heavenly Pool is the most mysterious place."

"It does not consider the level of natural talent or the quality of one's physical constitution, but only whether one's Daoist heart is firm and whether one's spiritual mind is clear."

"How long they can stay in the pool is unpredictable, even for Nascent Soul cultivators. Who can say for sure?"

These words did not alleviate Ye Xinlian's worries; instead, they made her face darken even more.

Her voice was filled with anxiety as she said, "Ke Mixin grew up by our side since she was little, living a life of luxury and being carefully protected. She has never experienced any major storms."

"Although I cultivate diligently, is my Dao heart truly strong enough to withstand the erosion of illusions?"

Su Yunluo looked up at his wife, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, which then softened, and he said in a teasing tone, "You, now you're worried about this."

"When Mi Xin first discovered his spiritual root, we planned his future cultivation path, and we already anticipated that he would enter the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool today."

He recalled the past, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Back then, I suggested that while he was still young, we send him out of the mountain gate to experience some hardship, and then secretly arrange a life-or-death crisis to temper his Dao heart. But what about you?"

Su Yunluo looked at Ye Xinlian's slightly flushed cheeks and continued, "You can't bear to part with him, saying that the child is still young and cannot be separated from his parents' protection. You insist on raising him by your side, saying that this way you can preserve his childlike heart, and the nourishment of his Dao heart may not be as good as letting him venture out into the world."

"Now you're worried that his resolve in the path is wavering?"

Ye Xinlian was speechless. She glared at Su Yunluo, a hint of embarrassment and reproach in her eyes, and gently slapped him: "I'm only doing this for the child's good. Are you really willing to let him go out and suffer?"

Although he refused to admit defeat verbally, his tone softened, and he eventually fell silent. He simply picked up the chess piece again, but his gaze remained somewhat unfocused, clearly still worried.

Seeing this, Su Yunluo said nothing more and silently placed her pieces on the chessboard.

At this moment, Su Mixin, who was flying on a disc-shaped magical artifact, was not worried at all. Putting aside his experience of life and death in his previous life and his desire to cultivate immortality in this world during the torment of cancer, his Dao heart had already been tempered to be extremely resilient.

Moreover, he was not prepared to confront the illusions in a conventional way.

In less than half an incense stick's time, Su Mixin arrived at her destination—the "Linghuan Palace" where Sect Master Qi Danyan resided.

Linghuan Palace is located atop a neighboring peak. Unlike the gentle and elegant Milian Palace, this palace is more solemn and majestic, exuding the authority of a sect leader's residence.

Su Mixin put away the disc-shaped magic artifact, landed in front of the palace gate, and took out a bright white communication talisman from her storage bag.

He infused a wisp of spiritual energy into his fingertip, and a few breaths later, the communication talisman transformed into a beam of white light, flying straight into the gate of the Illusionary Mystic Palace and disappearing from sight.

A moment later, the palace gates opened, and a figure greeted Su Mixin.

The newcomer was dressed in a blue scholar's robe, and appeared to be a middle-aged man of about forty. Although his face was handsome and dignified, he also exuded a refined and composed demeanor.

This person is none other than Qi Danyan, the current sect leader of the Thousand Illusions Sect, Su Yunluo's eldest disciple, and known as the Spirit Illusion Old Demon. His cultivation has reached the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

"Junior brother, how have you been?"

Qi Danyan greeted him, his voice clear and mellow.

His gaze fell on Su Mixin, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "It seems you've just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. Congratulations."

Su Mixin quickly stepped forward, cupped her hands in greeting, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

"Junior brother has come here on Father's orders to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill from Senior Brother."

Qi Danyan nodded slightly, stepped aside to make way, and smiled, "As expected. Master had already sent me a message saying that after you broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining, you would be heading to the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool."

"I don't know how long we'll be staying at the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool, or how much our cultivation will improve. Foundation Establishment Pills are essential. Please come in with me."

After thanking him, Su Mixin followed Qi Danyan into the palace.

The palace reception hall was spacious and bright, with rows of rosewood bookshelves on both sides, filled with various ancient books and scrolls, exuding the fragrance of ink.

After the two sat down in their seats in the hall, a maid served them some spiritual tea, the aroma of which wafted through the air.

Qi Danyan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and asked, "Junior Brother, are you confident about making this trip to the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool?"

Su Mixin put down her teacup and solemnly said, "I will do my best, stay true to myself, and try to stay in the pool for as long as possible, so as not to disappoint everyone's expectations."

"Good, it's good that you have this spirit."

Qi Danyan nodded approvingly, "The Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool is fraught with danger and unpredictability, full of illusions, and is the ultimate test of one's Dao heart."

"You grew up by your master and mistress's side since you were a child. Although your heart is pure, you lack experience. Remember not to be careless on this trip."

"No matter what kind of illusion you encounter, you must keep your mind clear and never become immersed in it."

"Junior brother will keep in mind the teachings of senior brother," Su Mi replied.

Qi Danyan put down his teacup and stood up: "I have prepared the Foundation Establishment Pill for you. However, according to sect rules, the Foundation Establishment Pill is a strategic resource and you need to go to the Treasure Pavilion to register and collect it."

"Come with me, I'll take you there."

After saying that, Qi Danyan transformed into a beam of light, wrapped Su Mixin in it, and flew out of the palace toward the sect's treasure pavilion.

The Treasure Pavilion is located in the heart of the Thousand Illusions Sect. It is a seven-story tower, quite large in scale, and its interior space is even more expansive through the formation of Mustard Seed Sumeru.

The tower is covered with restrictive runes, and its defensive array is dense and heavily guarded.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, Qi Danyan presented the sect leader's token, and the steward immediately stepped forward to bow respectfully.

At Qi Danyan's instruction, the steward brought out an antique jade box and presented it with both hands.

Qi Danyan took the jade box and handed it to Su Mixin: "There are five Foundation Establishment Pills inside, all of which are top-grade pills carefully refined by the sect, with pure medicinal effects."

"If you can persevere for a long time on your journey to the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool and successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, with your Ice Spirit Root aptitude, you will definitely not be able to use up these five. Just remember to bring the extras back to the Treasure Pavilion to return them."

Su Mixin accepted the jade box with both hands, feeling its smooth, warm texture.

He opened the jade box and saw five round and plump pills lying quietly inside. The pills were white and had a faint halo on their surface. A rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, which was refreshing and delightful.

He quickly closed the jade box and solemnly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Qi Danyan smiled slightly: "You are Master's beloved son, and also the future hope of my Thousand Illusions Sect. Prepare well, and I hope that when you emerge from the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool, you will already be at the Foundation Establishment stage."

Su Mixin smiled faintly.

After receiving the Foundation Establishment Pill, Su Mixin bid farewell to Qi Danyan, then controlled the disc and flew towards her residence.

Just as he returned to his residence, Feng Hou's voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Master's body scan is complete. Based on the available information, a new cultivation plan has been suggested."

"However, considering that Master is going to the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool, according to the data, the cultivation effect here is excellent. It is recommended that Master cancel this cultivation plan and make new cultivation preparations for the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool."

Su Mixin nodded and said, "Of course, this cultivation plan is no longer useful. We can't even absorb enough pure spiritual energy at the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool, so we don't need your plan to take those pills anymore."

"Transfer all the information about the Illusionary Mist Heavenly Pool into a jade slip. I want to take a good look at it."

A voice rang out from behind the wind, "Yes, Master!"