Chapter Thirteen: The Fragment of the Ascension Stone

“Manman, let go!” Gu Liuyun grabbed her firmly. Only then did Ye Manman realize she was enveloped in a thick mist, everything around her appearing unreal and illusory.

“This is... an illusion?” Ye Manman’s eyes gradually cleared as she looked at the cultivators desperately snatching at the so-called “treasures” around them, a chill running down her spine.

Some were clutching golden-glowing “gems” with vacant smiles, others were wielding “spiritual weapons” to attack each other, and some even began stripping off their clothes...

The scene was downright unbearable to witness.

The cultivation manual she had been clutching like a precious treasure was nothing more than a tattered, ordinary ancient book—far from a heavenly-grade technique.

If Gu Liuyun hadn’t pulled her back in time, the consequences would have been disastrous.

A wave of fear swept through Ye Manman’s heart.

“Could it be that there’s no real opportunity in this secret realm?” Ye Manman asked, disappointed.

“Of course not,” Gu Liuyun said, casually picking up an inconspicuous silver double-ring from a corner and handing it to her. “Sometimes, the eyes can deceive you.”

“This is a protective artifact—keep it safe. It could save your life at a critical moment.”

Ye Manman took the double-ring; it was cold to the touch and emitted a faint spiritual aura. She knew it was something valuable and hurriedly expressed her thanks. “Thank you, Brother Liuyun!”

Behind them, Chen Jiaojiao and Zhou Hanqing’s eyes were growing vacant under the lure of various treasures.

Gu Liuyun grabbed Chen Jiaojiao firmly. “Guard your mind; don’t be deceived.”

Hearing this, Chen Jiaojiao quickly cultivated her inner calm.

Seeing she was fine, Gu Liuyun immediately went to help Zhou Hanqing.

Zhou Hanqing had already sensed something amiss and bit her own tongue lightly, using the pain to break free from the illusion’s influence.

“This place... is truly strange,” Zhou Hanqing said calmly.

“As long as you’re not misled by your own desires, you’ll be fine,” Gu Liuyun replied.

“Now, touch the flashes on the cabinet to receive your opportunity.”

The three women nodded and stepped forward to accept their fates.

The moment their fingers brushed the light, a strange sensation passed through them. Ye Manman instinctively clutched the object in her hands.

When the light faded, a finely crafted book appeared in her grasp.

A heavenly-grade cultivation manual—the Heavenly Star Seal!

By forming hand seals to harness the power of celestial stars, once perfected, its might can destroy heaven and earth!

Ye Manman’s hands trembled with excitement.

This was her first time truly beholding a heavenly-grade technique.

She glanced at Chen Jiaojiao and Zhou Hanqing, who had both received only earth-grade manuals.

Both women wore expressions of joyful surprise. Had it not been for Gu Liuyun, their own abilities would have likely seen them lost in this illusion.

“Brother Liuyun, thank you!” Ye Manman cried, throwing her arms around Gu Liuyun’s neck and planting a fierce kiss on his cheek.

“It’s just a mere heavenly-grade manual. You’ll see—these things are everywhere; they’re hardly worth mentioning,” Gu Liuyun said with a smile.

His eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings.

This spot was the secret realm’s core; logically, the item he sought should be here.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, focusing deep within the palace...

A familiar figure was greedily snatching “treasures” amid the crowd.

“Ye Qingqing?”

Gu Liuyun’s eyes locked onto her. She was like a famished tiger, wildly grabbing at the illusory “treasures.”

She snatched “magical devices” one moment and “cultivation manuals” the next, her face full of greed, like a mouse trapped in a grain bin.

“What worthless junk!”

With a curse, a gray stone was kicked aside, rolling to Gu Liuyun’s feet.

This stone was utterly unremarkable among the golden opportunities scattered around—like dirt among grains.

Yet Gu Liuyun’s heart suddenly leapt—was this not the fragment of the Ascension Stone he had long sought?

He bent down to pick it up, but before his hand touched it, the fragment transformed into a faint glow and shot into his brow.

Gu Liuyun stepped back, a stabbing pain in his forehead.

A surge of pure energy flooded his body; his once dormant meridians seemed to awaken, roaring with power.

Almost simultaneously, the surrounding illusion began to collapse.

The magnificent palace shattered like broken mirrors, the false opportunities dissolving into stardust, revealing the original dilapidated tomb beneath.

“Ah! My treasure!”

“What’s going on? Where’s my spiritual weapon?”

“The elixir I grabbed—where did it go?”

The crowd awoke from the illusion, watching helplessly as their treasures turned to dust.

“How could this happen?”

Ye Qingqing stared at the yellow sand in her arms, her face turning ashen.

She had fought so hard to snatch those treasures, only to gain nothing.

She turned to see Ye Manman a short distance away, holding the faintly glowing double-ring.

Clearly a high-quality protective artifact!

Why did all the good fortune always fall to that little wretch?

Jealousy threatened to consume her.

Noticing Gu Liuyun empty-handed beside her, she sneered coldly for some reason and spoke with biting sarcasm: “I thought Young Master Gu was so impressive, but in the end, he came out of the secret realm empty-handed just like me!”

A playful smile tugged at Gu Liuyun’s lips. “Oh, so after all that grabbing, you only got a handful of sand? Want me to help you find a spot to open a beach resort?”

Ye Qingqing’s face turned pale with fury. She spat and stormed off.

At that moment, Zhou Xiao approached Gu Liuyun gratefully.

“Mr. Gu, thanks to you taking care of my little sister and helping her gain an opportunity, I feel ashamed to say that Liu and Lin were both deceived by the illusion and came away with nothing. Without you, I would have left empty-handed today as well.”

Gu Liuyun waved his hand dismissively. “It was nothing.”

Zhou Xiao bowed respectfully. “Such kindness needs no thanks. If you have time in the future, please do visit the Zhou family in Shanyang City.”

“Brother Zhou, you’re too kind. I’ll definitely come by if I get the chance,” Gu Liuyun responded readily.

Zhou Xiao beamed and left with Zhou Hanqing.

“Let’s head home, Brother Liuyun,” Ye Manman coaxed, wrapping her arm around his.

Gu Liuyun nodded. They were about to leave when Chen Jiaojiao’s voice called from behind.

“Brother Gu!”

He turned around.

Chen Jiaojiao’s eyes glistened with tears, her gaze filled with reluctance. “I have to return home first. This is where we must part for now. After I handle my family matters, I will definitely come find you.”

Gu Liuyun’s heart stirred with mixed emotions; he nodded silently.

Chen Jiaojiao then left the Misty Cloud Mountain, escorted by several Chen family attendants.

“Brother Liuyun, do you like that woman?” Ye Manman suddenly asked, still holding onto his arm.