Well, this hot potato had finally been tossed away, and from this day forward, no one should trouble Lu Tong anymore.

It is said that the Illusory Realm is a very special spatial barrier, and as for its origin, no one can clearly recount it now. However, the Illusory Realm is arguably the oldest and most mysterious special existence on the continent, and even today, no one knows exactly what lies within it. The only known fact is that the Illusory Realm seems to possess ten layers.

On the tenth layer lies an extremely peculiar space: the Sanctuary. As for what the first to the tenth layers actually look like, no one knows, because many who reach the third layer are ambushed by the terrifying Woma Patriarch.

The guardian stationed at the entrance to the third layer of the Illusory Realm is none other than the Woma Patriarch from the Woma Temple.

Yet, no one can explain why the fearsome Woma Patriarch manifests on the third layer of the Illusions. However, inscribed on the giant stone tablet at the entrance to the Illusory Realm is this verse:

A single flower, a world; A single tree, a world; Three thousand great worlds, Three thousand small worlds. All things in existence, Manifest a myriad of illusions; All phenomena shift and change, Through ten layers of labyrinthine heaven.

No one can explain what this poem truly signifies. Nevertheless, any terrifying demon beast that ranks highly in the Magic World can be found within the Illusory Realm. Consequently, the Illusory Realm is also known as the Origin of Ten Thousand Demons. Some say that perhaps all the demonic creatures on the continent originate from this realm; perhaps only this explanation can account for the appearance of so many top-tier terrifying monsters from the Mafa Continent.

Back then, to breach the Woma Patriarch’s guard on the third layer of the Illusory Realm, the Dragon Shadow Manor employed a strategy of 'luring the tiger away from the mountain' just to break through. Even so, the Dragon Shadow Manor paid an excruciatingly heavy price; many disciples of the younger generation were killed or wounded. It took the combined efforts of several generations to finally reach the fifth layer of the Illusory Realm.

Lu Tong and the Artisan Gate disciples spent nearly two years utilizing the methods painstakingly explored by the Dragon Shadow Manor to break through the fifth layer and enter the sixth. However, the losses sustained were so catastrophic that they were forced to withdraw from further exploration.

By this point, the general nature of the monsters on layers one through six of the Illusory Realm had been roughly mapped out.

The guardian on the first layer is the Corpse King. Although its strength is formidable, it cannot withstand the attrition of sheer numbers, so breaking through the first layer isn't difficult.

Next is the second layer! The White Wild Boar of the Pig Cave, which also succumbs to a war of attrition against overwhelming numbers.

The third layer belongs to the Woma Patriarch and his Woma Legion. Direct confrontation offers little chance of victory, but if the major guilds of the continent united, there would be a decent chance. After all, the successful slaying of the Yellow Springs Patriarch previously served as a successful precedent, one that should provide a valuable case study for this coordinated assault force.

The fourth layer harbors the Evil Centipede from the Centipede Cave, an absolutely terrifying behemoth.

The fifth layer is guarded by the Yellow Springs Patriarch in the Bone Demon Cave. If it were my original contingent alongside Feng Qingtian, I would be confident in slaying it once more.

The sixth layer is inhabited by the Zuma creatures from the Zuma Temple. Perhaps the guardian of the exit is the Zuma Patriarch himself.

As for what lies below the sixth layer, that is beyond what we can currently ascertain.

Just the first six layers are fraught with peril; reaching the Sanctuary within the Illusory Realm smoothly is certainly no simple feat. The difficulty is immeasurably greater than when the Vermilion Bird Alliance eliminated the Yellow Springs Patriarch. Of course, this might be beyond the comprehension of this current group. It was only now that I finally understood why Yun Chang and Lu Yu had chosen the Sanctuary as the venue for their duel. One must admit they possessed remarkable foresight.

The sheer number of demonic guardians along the path is enough to make anyone recoil. This, in turn, ensures that the Blood Red Demon Sword cannot reappear on the continent for a very long time.

I am actually very curious: since Lu Tong and the others knew the Blood Red Demon Sword was located in the Sanctuary, and ordinary individuals would find it impossible to reach the Sanctuary to retrieve it, why did they risk so much to enter the Sanctuary to destroy it?

When I asked Lu Tong this question, he told me that the Blood Red Demon Sword is unlike ordinary swords because it has already developed a Sword Spirit. In other words, the Blood Red Demon Sword is no longer just a simple blade but a spiritual entity possessing consciousness and life. Weapons imbued with sentience—such as the Dragon Slayer, the Fury Slash, or the Sovereign Blade—share a common trait: continuous self-evolution, with their power constantly increasing until one day they might break through their inherent limits.

For instance, the Dragon Slayer is housed by the Cangyue Royal Family. Under normal circumstances, the Dragon Slayer is enshrined within a special anti-magic formation specifically to suppress its growth; it is only drawn by the most powerful Heaven Demon Warriors of the Royal Family during moments of life and death.

The Fury Slash and the Sovereign Blade are similarly collected by the Biqi Royal Family and the Demon Dragon Royal Family, respectively. The situation is akin to the Dragon Slayer; they are never drawn lightly unless absolutely necessary. This is because after every battle, these divine weapons grow stronger by absorbing killing intent and resentment.

This might initially seem positive, but once a divine weapon becomes too powerful, it becomes difficult to control and can begin to affect the wielder’s sanity, driving them into madness. This is the concept of "too much is as bad as too little"—when things reach an extreme, they reverse.

When pushed to its utmost limit, it becomes detrimental. This is the fundamental reason for Lu Tong’s worry regarding the Blood Red Demon Sword.

Like the Dragon Slayer, Fury Slash, and Sovereign Blade, the Blood Red Demon Sword possesses a Sword Spirit. However, unlike those divine weapons, the manifestation of the Blood Red Demon Sword is one of extreme slaughter and destruction, absorbing the darkest negative energies of the human spirit: hatred, ruin, and carnage. When it burst forth from the forge, it chose the Blood Red Demon Army, whose obsession was the strongest among those present. This implies that the Blood Red Demon Army had the most profound influence on the later character of the Blood Red Demon Sword.

The situation is analogous to a child being born and being heavily influenced by their parents; the child’s nature is entirely dependent on the parents’ upbringing. Unfortunately, the first master of the Blood Red Demon Sword was a killer steeped in the strongest vengeance. Influenced by his spirit, the Blood Red Demon Sword became a thorough agent of slaughter and even turned against its own master.

In comparison, the malevolent aspect of the Blood Red Demon Sword is even more extreme than that of the Dragon Slayer, Fury Slash, or Sovereign Blade. Furthermore, the slaughter committed by generations of subsequent masters greatly fueled its demonic nature and power, creating a terrifying vicious cycle.

The Blood Red Demon Sword will become stronger and more terrifying; this is Lu Tong’s dread.

Perhaps one day the Blood Red Demon Sword will break free from the confinement of the Sanctuary and reappear on the continent. If that moment arrives, no one can fathom how powerful the Blood Red Demon Sword will have become. If that time comes, it will be too late for everything.

This is precisely why Lu Tong was willing to risk immense danger to completely destroy the Blood Red Demon Sword. It was also the follow-up stage of the plan devised by Yun Chang and Lu Yu: trap the sword's wielder in the Sanctuary, and let future generations find a way into the Sanctuary later to destroy the masterless Blood Red Demon Sword.

Thinking of this, I looked again at the jubilant, surging crowd before me, and felt a strange mix of emotions. Nearly all the elites from the entire Ranger World of the Demon Dragon Continent were assembled here. Logically, they should be incredibly strong.

Yet, the mutual suspicion between the three major guilds remains the biggest vulnerability of this entire operation. Furthermore, should any of them succeed in obtaining the Blood Red Demon Sword, they might simply follow the same path as its previous masters.

I cannot determine whether I wish them success or failure.

Forget it—we leave it to fate. What happens next is not something we can predict.

However, one thing is certain and clear to everyone: relying solely on individual strength, opening the path to the Illusory Realm will be nearly impossible. Therefore, joint operations by the major guilds have become an unavoidable necessity. The question of who will command this endeavor, however, is not something that can be decided in a moment.

Naturally, Lu Tong, Lu Zhao, and I had no inclination to stay and watch the excitement. After Lu Tong publicly announced the whereabouts of the Blood Red Demon Sword, we departed. Even if these people learned the sword was in the Sanctuary, it would likely take them considerable time to navigate to the lowest levels of the Illusory Realm. During this period, we could proceed with our other preparations. This was the plan secretly agreed upon between the Yun Family elders, Lu Tong, and myself acting as the intermediary over the past two days.

Everything that needed to be done has been done; all that remains is waiting for Master Jian Li and the others to arrive on the Demon Dragon Continent.

....................................................................................................... Returning to the Yun Family courtyard in Demon Dragon City, Lu Tong finally met with several elders of the Yun Family. It must be said that the ancestors of the Yun and Lu Families shared a bond stronger than life and death. Upon meeting, the elder gentlemen could say nothing, only clinging to one another in a tight embrace.

Perhaps at this moment, all words were superfluous.

After a long while, Yun Peng and the others finally sighed, "Brother Lu, this time you have suffered greatly!"

"Haha, this is nothing," Lu Tong replied. "To think I would see descendants of the Yun Family again—Heaven has not forsaken me."

"Haha, well said," Yun Peng responded. "Our Yun and Lu Families can fight side-by-side once more."

"En. Any news from Biqi?" Lu Tong inquired.

"Calculating the time, the magical letters should have reached the Biqi Continent," Yun Peng said. "They should be ready with the reception arrangements."

"I only hope it's not too late," Lu Tong voiced some concern.

"Rest assured," Yun Ju stated. "Even if the Azure Dragon Gang, White Tiger Alliance, and Black Tortoise Alliance manage to unite, traversing the layers of resistance to reach the bottom of the Illusory Realm won't be easy. We have ample time."

"En," Lu Tong sighed slightly. "Let's hope everything goes smoothly."

......................................................................................... In the following days, we stayed at the Yun residence awaiting the arrival of Master Jian Li and the others.

Meanwhile, after learning that the Blood Red Demon Sword was left behind in the Sanctuary at the bottom of the Illusory Realm, the three major guilds, which had been preparing for a massive confrontation, along with various other smaller factions, ultimately avoided open conflict. Everyone understood clearly that obtaining the Blood Red Demon Sword required them to unite; only through unity could they reach the Sanctuary at the lowest level of the Illusory Realm.

As for the final outcome of their joint deliberations, it was no longer our concern.

However, after two days, the major guilds found a solution: the ancient patriarch of the Nalan family from the Black Tortoise Alliance, Nalan Qiushui, was appointed as the overall commander of the operation, with Hong Tian of the Azure Dragon Gang and Luo Xiao of the White Tiger Alliance serving as his deputies.

Of course, how effective this alliance would ultimately be, only Heaven knows.

Yet, Yun Peng and Lu Tong felt that this gathering was successful enough if it merely caused the three families to temporarily set aside their enmity and guarantee they wouldn't immediately descend into chaotic fighting upon entering the Illusory Realm.

Otherwise, if a free-for-all broke out, no one would gain any advantage, and in the end, nobody would obtain the Blood Red Demon Sword.

Once the united army was formed, they immediately set off for Dutian City, located at the southernmost tip of the Demon Dragon Continent—the entrance to the Illusory Realm.

Twenty days after the united army marched toward Dutian City, Master Jian Li finally arrived on the Demon Dragon Continent from Biqi.

Accompanying him were several middle-aged men exuding extraordinary bearing and white-haired elders. Although I did not know their names, their composed demeanor, comparable to Master Jian Li’s, and the imposing aura they projected with every glance told me they were no ordinary figures.

Later, I learned that these dozen or so individuals were all quite renowned: they were elders from the Vermilion Bird Alliance, the Flowing Cloud Manor, the Scarlet Moon Manor, and the Vermilion Bird Alliance again. They had come at the invitation of Master Jian Li to the Panglong Yun Family.

"Good boy, your skills are growing ever sharper," Master exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug, clearly delighted. He looked proudly toward the other elders. "My good disciple, greet your martial uncles and martial uncles."

"This junior, Xingchen, greets all martial uncles and martial uncles," I said quickly and respectfully.

"Hahaha, Jian Li, you old fellow, you kept us in the dark for far too long," remarked a burly, imposing man with blue hair and golden eyes—I didn't catch his name. "To think this young expert renowned across the Mafa Continent is your disciple."

"I suspect something is amiss here," commented an elder from the Scarlet Moon Manor. "This old man's ability to teach disciples is notoriously poor; how could he produce such an outstanding student?"

"Indeed," added an elder from the Flowing Cloud Manor, looking at me suspiciously. "Boy, how did your master teach you? Did he just imbue you with two Dragon Shadows and toss you into the Demon Dragon World to fend for yourself?"

"................" I was momentarily stunned. What were these old fellows up to? Yet, their words, while blunt, were not entirely inaccurate. Master had indeed only imbued my Dragon Shadow Sword with two Dragon Shadows and seemed to have taught me nothing else. "H-how did you know?"

"Just as I thought," the old fellows declared with expressions of certainty.

"What 'just as you thought'?" Jian Li’s old face flushed crimson, and he retorted irritably, "My teaching method is to adapt to the student’s potential and allow them to grow freely. My own grandfather taught me the same way back in the day!"

"Brilliant, truly brilliant methods," the old fellows exclaimed in admiration.

Lu Zhao, standing nearby, seemed to have foreseen this: "See? This is the demeanor of the Grandmaster-level experts revered by outsiders!"

"Hmph!" Lu Tong cleared his throat slightly, finally making the few undisciplined old men settle down a bit.

"A reunion of masters inevitably involves heartfelt exchanges, but now is not the time for chatting and reminiscing," Lu Tong stated. "It is time to discuss serious matters."

............................................................... Seeing so many masters gathered, the elders of the Yun Family were also deeply moved. Faced with the clansmen of the former Prayer Sword Immortal, Jian Li and the other rowdy elders displayed a rare touch of Grandmasterly grace, leaving the younger generations of the Yun Family utterly starry-eyed and captivated.

After introductions and brief pleasantries, everyone immediately got down to business.

It was only then that I learned the names of these dozen or so elders.

The two from the Dragon Shadow Manor were Jian Qiu and Jian Fei, appearing to be around sixty, though in reality, these old fellows were likely pushing eighty or ninety. In the Mafa Continent, centenarians are not uncommon; a martial artist who cultivates their spirit can easily live to be one hundred and sixty if they do not meet a violent end.

The Scarlet Moon Manor sent three elders: Gao Jing, Gao Yu, and Gao Tian.

The Flowing Cloud Manor sent three elders: Bi Yan, Bi Xian, and Bi Lan.

The Vermilion Bird Alliance sent three elders: Feng Yuanming, Han Zheng, and Xia Ning.

They represented a perfect blend of the Warrior, Mage, and Taoist classes.

............................................................................ "I won't waste time with pleasantries," Yun Peng began. "Now, I will lay out the entire plan."

"Although we were forced to reveal the secret of the Blood Red Demon Sword, we can leverage the power of heroes from across the world to blast open the path to the tenth layer of the Illusory Realm, saving us a great deal of effort!" Yun Peng continued. "The rest is figuring out how to seize and destroy the Blood Red Demon Sword before they do."

"I think that will be difficult," Bi Yan remarked. "There are only about a dozen of us; how can we compete with those fellows from the White Tiger Alliance and the Black Tortoise Alliance?"

"That’s why I called you all here to brainstorm solutions," Lu Tong said irritably. "Jian Li, you have a sharp mind; think of something quickly."

"Direct force is out of the question, so we must rely on cunning," Jian Li stated. "We must adapt as we go! For now, we blend in with the main force, and when the Blood Red Demon Sword finally appears, we make our move!"

"That’s like saying nothing," Gao Jing retorted crossly.

"Exactly!" Feng Yuanming, the elder from the Feng family, agreed. "It’s less effective than what my young chap Qingtian manages! And you call that a stratagem."

"Hmph," Jian Li looked quite embarrassed. "The situation is unclear, isn't it? We don't even know what lies below the sixth layer. Whether these people can even reach the tenth layer is uncertain. Talking about detailed strategies now is too soon."

"You have a point there," Bi Yan conceded.

"Furthermore, if we reach the Sanctuary and cannot secure the Blood Red Demon Sword, we must at least seize the Blade of Destiny. Then, we can fuse the Blade of Destiny with the Prayer Blade!" Jian Li concluded. "This way, even if someone later abuses the Blood Red Demon Sword for evil, we will have a means of deterrence."

"Let's proceed with that," Lu Tong agreed. "Judging by their progress, they should be at the third layer by now. I'd like to see how they manage to break through the Zuma Patriarch’s defenses."

"Heh heh," Feng Yuanming chuckled. "It’ll be a good opportunity for us to witness the combined combat capability of the three major guilds of the Demon Dragon Continent."

"You old man, stop gloating," Jian Li snapped back. "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking—you’re just proud that your younger generation managed to kill the Yellow Springs Patriarch using the Thunder Array. But don't forget! Without my precious disciple, your young lads wouldn't have been able to manage anything!"

"............." Feng Yuanming suddenly remembered that this was indeed the case, and his old face flushed slightly red.

"Hmph," Lu Tong coughed again. "Speaking of the Thunder Array, did you bring Feng Qingtian and the other younger generation along?"

"Uh, they are still on the ship coming here; they probably won't arrive for another four months," Feng Yuanming replied. "After all, one Thunder Eagle carrying the few of us old fellows was already pushing our limits."

"Four months," Lu Tong murmured. "Jian Li, with your cultivation, can you wield the Prayer Blade now?"

"I am ashamed," Jian Li’s aged face reddened slightly. "Since breaking through the Eye of Death Desire, I haven't made any further progress. I have no clue what kind of realm the Eye of Illusory Demons is, so it’s impossible for me to control the Prayer Blade."

The others also looked crestfallen.

Seven generations ago, Yun Chang managed to break through her own bottleneck by comprehending the Eye of Illusory Demons, achieving a further leap in power that allowed her to command the Prayer Blade and travel freely in and out of the Illusory Realm. Now, although we possess the Prayer Blade, we cannot command its strength.

Thinking of this, everyone wore expressions of gloom. If they could wield the Prayer Blade, Lu Tong and the Yun Family would not have needed to seek the help of others to force their way into the Illusory Realm.

Sometimes, powerlessness is itself a form of guilt!