Ling Xiang brought Shi Yan to the island and chuckled, "I have been cultivating intensely here for many years, devoting myself to the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers. I was almost forgetting the true meaning of power."

Xize, Luolin, and Laina all secretly observed Shi Yan, waiting to see how he would respond.

"The profound mysteries of heaven and earth permeate every inch of existence. Those with a discerning heart can perceive the truth, while the dull-witted may stand in a treasure mountain and still not know where the treasure lies." Shi Yan took a deep breath amidst the bamboo houses, a wondrous color spreading across his face. He praised, "This place is the soul of the Illusory Star. The most exquisite aspect of this star resides right here; it is truly miraculous."

"What is miraculous about it?" Ling Xiang tested him.

"Everything is miraculous." Shi Yan looked around. "This scenery of mountains, lakes, the bamboo houses and pavilions, the swimming fish and spirit beasts—I cannot discern their reality or illusion."

Ling Xiang, Xize, and Luolin exchanged a glance, nodding secretly.

This place was indeed the heart of the Illusory Star's soul. The 'Illusory' in Illusory Star was connected to this location, and perhaps even the peculiar formation of the Illusory Domain was related to it.

This scenery—the mountains, the lakes, the fish, the spirit beasts—all existed tangibly, yet they could shift and change at any moment, which was immensely strange.

"This scenery and these spirit beasts must have been moved here from your Sect Master's Primordial Realm. Their survival and manifestation depend solely on your will. Because this space is layered, it is not your Primordial Realm, but it connects to it. Is your Primordial Realm situated within one of these layers?" Shi Yan suddenly jolted, reacting sharply, and looked at Ling Xiang in astonishment.

At these words, the three—Ling Xiang, Xize, and Luolin—were deeply shaken and secretly amazed.

For Shi Yan to discern that this was the star's soul and that the scenery was illusory was already extraordinary.

Unexpectedly, after a moment of focused contemplation, he deduced that the scenery originated from Ling Xiang's Primordial Realm and that his realm was one of the overlapping spaces. This was not something an ordinary person could perceive.

Even when Laina and Xing Ming first arrived here, they could only discern the first layer, failing to articulate the second layer of profound meaning as Shi Yan had done.

"As expected of the new Venerable Lord. To be able to see through things so thoroughly with a cultivation at the Primal God realm is truly remarkable," Xize conceded with genuine admiration.

"Indeed, his insight is extraordinary. It seems the Divine Race is in for real trouble this time," Luolin remarked with a faint smile.

Ouyang Luoshuang, who had followed Shi Yan silently all along, now moved her bright eyes. Moonlight poured from her pupils like water, spilling onto the ground at her feet.

A marvelous change instantly occurred...

The moonlight flowing from her eyes acted like a potent corrosive, similar to sulfuric acid, dissolving the tranquil landscape. It rapidly began to alter the world.

In the reality illuminated by the true moonlight she perceived in her eyes, the world constructed of myriad illusions shattered. Before long, a real world reappeared before heaven and earth.

Towering mountains and ancient forests surrounded them; they stood amidst magnificent palaces built of massive stones, sturdy and plain, exuding an awe-inspiring majesty.

This was the reality!

The moonlight from her eyes had torn the illusion apart, manifesting the truth.

Ling Xiang, Xize, Luolin, and the others all wore strange expressions, gazing deeply at Ouyang Luoshuang as if they had just discovered something miraculous.

"Young lady, who is your master?" Luolin suddenly recalled what Ouyang Luoshuang had said earlier about her master helping her exact revenge—a statement Luolin hadn't taken seriously then. Now, however, a faint unease settled upon her.

The marvelous moonlight Ouyang Luoshuang displayed gave her a sense of familiarity, as if she had heard it from someone else long ago, someone ancient enough that the memory was now hazy. If her intuition was correct, Ouyang Luoshuang's master might be an extremely formidable figure, possibly from the same era as her own master.

Ling Xiang and Xize were also momentarily stunned, their gazes fixed thoughtfully on Ouyang Luoshuang.

From the subtle shifts in Ouyang Luoshuang's power, they too sensed something magical. The pure, untainted aura emanating from her also felt strangely familiar to them.

But for a moment, they simply could not place it.

"You two have encountered quite a few vexations on your journey. For today, rest well. We can discuss serious matters tomorrow," Ling Xiang decided, as he hadn't confirmed Ouyang Luoshuang's identity or origins. He preferred to pause, giving him and Xize and Luolin time to talk further and treat this situation with gravity following their interaction with Shi Yan.

Shi Yan, for his part, was unconcerned. "That works for me."

"Little Ling'er, please attend to our esteemed guests," Ling Xiang called out with a faint smile.

From the dense forest behind them, an Ancient Spirit suddenly flew out. Her eyes were unusually bright, but when she arrived, her expression was stern, seemingly displeased. "Follow me."

"Ling'er is my adopted daughter. Her father was a sworn brother to me, but alas, he passed away too young," Ling Xiang explained, a touch of melancholy coloring his eyes.

Shi Yan nodded slightly.

The Ancient Spirit's small face hardened. With a 'hmph,' she took the lead, guiding them directly toward a majestic palace.

Shi Yan glanced at Ouyang Luoshuang.

Ouyang Luoshuang appeared composed and naturally moved closer to him, walking toward the direction the Ancient Spirit was leading.

"What do you think of him?" Once Shi Yan and Ouyang Luoshuang had departed, Ling Xiang turned back and asked, his gaze distant.

"Quite remarkable, with unique insight. Although his current realm is lower, given the peculiar nature of the Bloodthirsty Venerable Lord's profound arts, his progress might be swift," Luolin replied.

"It's not that simple. We don't need to worry about the Bloodthirsty Venerable Lord's terrifying profound arts lacking power, but enlightenment of the realm requires step-by-step accumulation," Laina shook her head. "I am at the Great Perfection of the Third Heaven of the Primal God realm, just one step away from Immortality, yet this single step has trapped me for two thousand years. My comprehension of the realm is insufficient, and the purity of my power isn't enough for a breakthrough."

"Xize, what is your view?" Ling Xiang asked.

"His ability to defeat Hasen and Heg was enough to prove that his cultivation talent is equal to or higher than theirs. Combined with the unique profound arts of the Bloodthirsty lineage, I believe his future will be immensely broad," Xize stated.

"I agree with Xize's assessment. If this young man survives, he will absolutely become a formidable figure in the future," Ling Xiang nodded.

"Do you find the aura flowing from the woman beside him familiar in any way?" Luolin suddenly interjected.

"That is also what puzzles me," Ling Xiang's expression sharpened. "I feel like I've seen it on someone before, but I can't recall who at this moment. That’s why I arranged for them to rest first; we need to sort things out."

"Yes, I also feel a slight familiarity, as if I've heard it from someone," Xize murmured.

The group frowned in deep thought, secretly marveling at their shared confusion.

Meanwhile, the Ancient Spirit maintained an icy demeanor, leading Shi Yan and Ouyang Luoshuang into a palace. With a cold little face, she instructed, "This is where our Thousand Illusions Sect entertains honored guests. Go inside. If you need anything, summon someone yourself."

With that, the Ancient Spirit showed clear distaste, muttering inwardly that no man was ever good, and with a slight huff, she retreated and left.

She was close friends with Cecilia. Since Cecilia was temporarily restrained by Laina and unable to escape due to Shi Yan's presence, the Ancient Spirit felt bitter that Shi Yan had brought another woman from the Illusory Domain and claimed her as his own. She naturally harbored ill feelings toward him.

"Wait a moment. Last time I saw you, you were with Cecilia. Is she not with her master, Laina, this time?" Shi Yan called out lightly, inquiring.

"Why are you asking about Cecilia? Found a new love, and now you're still thinking about the old one? Men are so unreliable!" The Ancient Spirit's gaze flickered between him and Ouyang Luoshuang, clearly mocking him.

"Is Cecilia here or not?" Shi Yan frowned.

"I don't know!" The Ancient Spirit let out a cold snort, her small face freezing, and she turned to leave.

"After so many years, you remain such a rake. Wherever you are, you are never without beauties at your side. Truly, nature is hard to change," Ouyang Luoshuang's voice was cool and clear. After the Ancient Spirit walked away, she suddenly interjected.

With a subtle shift of her divine consciousness, she confirmed they were alone and no longer intentionally pressed close to Shi Yan, deliberately creating some distance between them with a slightly cold expression.

Shi Yan stood at the doorway, looking at the ancient, layered structure inside the hall. Hearing her words, he turned back, his eyes sweeping over her delicate form before suddenly saying, "Then do you count among the beauties at my side? We've held each other, kissed even. You must count, right?"

He was displeased with Ouyang Luoshuang's attitude and shot back a retort.

A moving blush suddenly bloomed across Ouyang Luoshuang's fair, jade-like face, and she bit her silver teeth together. "Shameless!"

"Say what you will, but some facts cannot be changed. Furthermore, here on the Illusory Star, you must acknowledge you are my woman," Shi Yan shrugged casually.

"Once my master arrives, all that is between us will be settled, and that little girl won't look at you with such disapproval either," Ouyang Luoshuang took a breath and regained her composure. Her cultivation in temperament and composure was far more profound than that of many others.

"I am very curious. Who exactly is your master?" Shi Yan narrowed his eyes.

The aura emanating from Ouyang Luoshuang was very similar to the Divine Race powerhouses he knew. He had been suspicious before, and upon hearing she had a master, he had desperately wanted to know who it was. Now that Ouyang Luoshuang brought it up, he naturally followed the lead.

"Who is he?" Ouyang Luoshuang showed a trace of confusion, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I don't know his identity or origins. But his cultivation realm must be extremely profound. He came to the Illusory Star on urgent business and told me to wait for him in the outer area. While waiting, I clashed with Xing Shang and Wei Yun and was captured by accident..."

Pausing, Ouyang Luoshuang's bright eyes softened, and she whispered, "Thank you, still. I never expected someone as cold as you would intervene to save me."

Shi Yan rubbed his nose. "I didn't intend to save you initially, but remembering you from back then, I felt that allowing someone like Xing Ming to ruin you would truly defy the natural order."

"Me, back then?" Ouyang Luoshuang looked surprised.

Shi Yan nodded, his gaze peculiar as he reminisced, "Back then, my realm was extremely low. In Tianyun City, you broke out from the extra-terrestrial meteorite, descending like the Moon Goddess, unparalleled in beauty. At that time, I thought a woman like you perhaps should only exist in a man's dream, not in reality..."

That year, he was as weak as an ant, while Ouyang Luoshuang was a Moon Goddess with the cultivation of the Heavenly Position realm—a gulf between them that seemed impassable, a world of difference.

...(To be continued)