"Who decreed that as an Illusionist, I can’t use a Hidden Weapon to increase my chances of winning? On the contrary, you used your strongest sword strike right from the start. Why? Are you inherently afraid of me in your heart? To think you still call yourself a humble gentleman, even claiming the title ’Gentleman’s Sword’!"
With that, the scented handkerchief in his hand flew out, transforming in an instant into a lifelike great beauty—Mei Ji!
Everyone who witnessed this was greatly shocked, murmuring in astonishment.
"What an incredible transformation art! A mere scented handkerchief actually turned into such a lifelike beauty!"
"Not only that, the beauty seems to possess her own thoughts. Look, aren’t her eyes and expressions incredibly vivid?" someone quickly shared his discovery.
"Vivid is an understatement! Didn’t you see that Third City Lord Song is completely smitten?"
The moment this voice sounded, everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell upon Third City Lord Song. A single glance was enough for the crowd to erupt in hearty laughter.
The people from Shengtian City, however, were mortified. This is utterly humiliating!
Their dignified Third City Lord was actually drooling! His eyes were glazed, his mouth was askew, and saliva streamed down. He was hugging the fake Mei Ji conjured by Ji Shang, showering her with kisses. After the fake Mei Ji’s delicate hand delivered a resounding slap, he even offered his other cheek for her to strike!
This scene prompted everyone to burst into uproarious laughter.
The people of Shengtian City, however, were so enraged their faces darkened. Great Elder Wu Fan, who had accompanied Song Yuzhong, was grinding his teeth in fury. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Venerable Heming.
"Venerable! Isn’t this far too disrespectful to my Shengtian City?"
Before Venerable Heming could speak, his eldest disciple, Mei Ji, began to giggle.
"Daoist Friend Wu, this contest was proposed by your Third City Lord Song! Everyone on the Tianxuan Continent knows that my Junior Brother achieved renown throughout the land precisely because of his mastery of Illusion Techniques."
"You... you world-bewitching demoness..."
"Daoist Friend Wu, watch your words! Are you trying to brand my Lingxiao Mountain as a Demon Sect?"
The moment Great Elder Wu Fan of Shengtian City started cursing Mei Ji, Venerable Heming’s expression turned grim, and he sharply rebuked him. The Great Elder of Shengtian City wanted to retort but was restrained by someone from Shengtian City tugging at his sleeve.
"Great Elder, attend to important matters first. What happened with our Third City Lord and Ji Shang was already unexpected. If we create further trouble, things will likely become difficult to manage."
Daoist Friend Wu, helpless, could only suppress the rage in his heart.
「On Xiaosuisui’s side」
She recounted everything about the situation within the Illusory Realm and all that transpired during the Second Level to Ji Youyuan.
After listening, Ji Youyuan frowned in thought. "Who taught you this method of pulling people into the Dream Realm?"
In the past, when Ji Youyuan learned of Xiaosuisui’s ability, he had indeed considered studying it himself. However, he could never grasp the method. He later thought he would ask her about it once Suisui was older and could express herself more clearly.
However, now that Xiaosuisui couldn’t pull her own grandfather into the Dream Realm and had come to ask him, he naturally had no solution either. Helpless, and never having believed his own father was truly deceased, he thus posed this question.
Xiaosuisui answered this question without a moment’s hesitation.
"It was Ah Ling!"
Ah Ling? Ji Youyuan recalled; she was the artifact spirit of the Soul-Calling Bell. An idea struck him, and he said, "Why don’t you ask Ah Ling? Why come running to your Eldest Uncle instead?"
Xiaosuisui blinked, her chubby little hand scratching her small head. "Ah Ling is in secluded cultivation, and I don’t want to disturb her. I came to Eldest Uncle because I think Eldest Uncle is very capable and will surely be able to teach me."
Xiaosuisui thought this way entirely because ever since she began her foundational learning, it had always been her Eldest Uncle teaching her various skills. Therefore, she believed her Eldest Uncle was the most capable person in the entire world!
However, at this moment, she had practically forgotten that in the Ji Family, her Eldest Uncle Ji Youyuan wasn’t the only one who taught her. In fact, the Daoist arts she had learned best and most extensively were actually taught by Huo Xing’Er!
"This little lass certainly has a sweet way with words!" Ji Youyuan chuckled, picking Xiaosuisui up and gently tapping her small nose.
"Ah Ling is the artifact spirit of the Soul-Calling Bell, and the Soul-Calling Bell has already acknowledged you as its master."