Following the tremendous roar, everything around seemed to begin to crumble. The structure, which otherwise resembled a typical airport terminal, slowly disintegrated, and those standing inside felt a dizzying sensation wash over them. When they next opened their eyes, they found themselves standing right outside the aircraft again, surrounded by streams of passengers disembarking.

They exchanged glances and noticed that Wang Zhao’s shoulder injury was still present, though concealed by the group clustering around him, thus escaping outside attention.

“What is this…”

Ye Wen had been intently observing every change from the very beginning, yet even he couldn't entirely escape a feeling of disorientation. When he snapped back to awareness, they were already in this current situation.

Turning his head and seeing the wound on Wang Zhao’s shoulder, Ye Wen’s gaze sharpened, his pupils contracting violently.

“Could it be that this illusion attacks more than just our minds?” He had initially assumed they were merely pulled mentally into an illusory world, where death would only mean mental annihilation, resulting in a vegetative state back in their physical bodies.

But judging by the present circumstances—they seemed to have had their physical forms dragged into the illusion as well—this opponent was far more troublesome than he had anticipated!

His gaze flickered across the others for a moment, and Ye Wen suddenly noticed an anomaly: Master Bei He remained completely motionless, standing there like a statue, not speaking a word, his eyes vacant, and not even exhibiting a hint of life.

“Bei He…”

Ye Wen’s call made everyone else notice the abnormality. They turned to look and saw Master Bei He standing silently, hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes glazed over.

“This is bad! Did Master Bei He suffer a sneak attack within the illusion?” However, a detailed inspection was impossible right then; the area was crowded, the enemy might still be lurking, and the most critical matter was not checking on Bei He, but getting out immediately—finding a secure location to settle before examining things closely.

“Let’s go, quickly!” The group huddled together. First, they were inexplicably dragged into an illusion, then ambushed, Wang Zhao injured, and Master Bei He’s condition unknown.

Even though Ye Wen had deployed the Myriad Sword Art to break the illusion with formidable force, the current predicament offered little room for celebration.

The group hurried away from the airport. Wang Zhao’s shoulder wound and Master Bei He’s strange state did catch the notice of a few onlookers, but because Ye Wen’s party was in such a rush, they couldn't gather for a closer look. Even if they attracted airport security, it wouldn't impede them.

With a simple stealth spell, they could vanish from the airport without anyone noticing.

Just as Ye Wen and his companions disappeared from the sight of ordinary people and left the airport, several inconspicuous figures gathered, watching Ye Wen’s group depart.

One tall Asian woman held her hands over her eyes, blood trickling between her fingers, curling up and groaning through gritted teeth. Several people stood around her. One of them glanced down at the woman and asked, “How are you holding up, Xiao Wu?”

The woman called Xiao Wu gritted her teeth. “My illusion was forcibly shattered. I probably won't be able to use that technique again for quite some time! That man’s strength is terrifying. It’s the first time I’ve met someone capable of breaking my illusion with such brute force!” The man who had spoken earlier said, “That person is reportedly the master of a reclusive sect, rumored to have cultivated for several hundred years—perhaps even over a thousand. Among Chinese cultivators, he must be considered quite high-tier. I’m not surprised he could break your illusion, but I didn’t expect it to be done in this manner…”

Ye Wen’s method of breaking the formation had deeply shocked this man, especially the scene where the sky filled with sword light smashed down, utterly annihilating the illusion—it was horrifying. Worse, he noticed that Ye Wen’s expression remained unchanged after deploying the move, and his every action seemed entirely normal, indicating that this technique carried little burden for him, meaning he could use it at will.

“An enemy like that is too terrifying…” Thinking of such a move raining down on himself, even if he had several more lives, it wouldn't be enough. He would certainly be utterly destroyed. His own subordinate was annihilated by a single flying sword; facing hundreds or thousands, was there any suspense left?

Besides him, several Caucasians stood nearby. One was dismantling his highly conspicuous anti-materiel sniper rifle, packing each part into a case. He said nothing during the process, but his occasionally trembling fingers, struggling to hold the tiny components, betrayed that his inner state was far less calm than his outward demeanor suggested.

The man who had spoken earlier glanced at this person, cursed inwardly, “Cowardly trash!” before turning to a figure completely shrouded in a wide, dark cloak and saying, “Sir, you have witnessed today’s events. This matter is infinitely more complicated than you suggested. The agreement between us may need revision…” The cloaked figure slightly raised his head, finally revealing a face almost entirely hidden in shadow. The eerie, jade-green pupils startled everyone. If Ye Wen were present, he would surely recognize this unsavory figure as the Old Ancestor of the Emerald Blood, Qiu Yuanlong.

Qiu Yuanlong’s expression was also grave. He hadn't anticipated that the so-called Ye Maiden of the Shu Mountain Chang Sect would be so formidable, capable of unleashing over a hundred flying swords in one go, shattering the illusion purely through overwhelming power.

Qiu Yuanlong himself had witnessed the ingenuity and strength of this illusion. While he didn't believe it could take his life, he knew it was immensely powerful and breaking it would be no easy feat. Moreover, this ability, conceived from inspiration gleaned from comics, was extremely difficult to counter; a mere glance was enough to send someone into the illusion without their knowledge.

And after improvements by a group of Onmyoji and monks, it had integrated many bizarre elements. What astonished the Old Ancestor of the Emerald Blood most was that this power could genuinely grow by devouring the spirit of the person trapped within the illusion. If he hadn't known this creation also harbored many flaws, he might have wanted a pair of such eyes for himself. He glanced dismissively at the woman who was still trembling in pain. “Revise? How do you propose to revise it? You must understand, Ye Wen possesses something you desire, and his very journey is intended to thwart what you are about to do. Do you truly believe there is room for negotiation?”

The Old Ancestor of the Emerald Blood sneered, not believing these people retained any standing to bargain with him. “Either kill him, or be killed by him. These are your only two options!” With that, regardless of their response, he began to retreat strangely, slowly dissolving into the void, his presence gone. The man who had been conversing with the Old Ancestor cursed venomously, then exchanged a look with the Caucasian man beside him.

The Caucasian man shrugged. “Don’t look at me. We believe the risk is too high and the potential reward too low. We’ve decided to temporarily withdraw from your operation.”

Without acknowledging the man’s curses, he led his people away! At this point, it became clear that not all Caucasians were retreating; several Europeans remained behind.

One of them was peeling off his ritual robe, replacing it with a very ordinary jacket. “We lost five mages. This incident absolutely cannot end here! However, the enemy’s strength is far greater than I anticipated. I need to return and find more support.”

The person next to him continuously toyed with two butterfly knives. These small blades flipped endlessly in his hands, conjuring shimmering silver light. “Before that, I will stay here to assist you!”

The first man nodded grimly. Although these people pledged continued cooperation, their words made it clear that they would receive no immediate aid.

“Damn it, these people are all thinking about preserving their strength, trying to make us cannon fodder? Not so easily!” This man was Nakamurashinju, the commander of this operation. He usually prided himself on his sharp mind, but he had suffered a major setback from Ye Wen right at the start of this mission.

However, smart people know how to analyze pros and cons. After a moment’s thought, he realized he had been tricked from the beginning. If not for the constant instigation of the so-called Old Ancestor of the Emerald Blood, he wouldn't have so rashly led his men to ambush Ye Wen’s group at the airport.

“This attack was completely unnecessary. It would have been much better to wait until they dispersed or actually started making moves before striking; the effect would have been better!” Realizing this, he seethed with resentment: “I was manipulated!”

After much deliberation, Nakamurashinju felt he couldn't let this go. He had to do something to regain face. Otherwise, returning with his tail between his legs wouldn’t earn him commendation, but likely a punishment that filled him with dread.

“Xiao Wu!” At the hotel, Nakamurashinju summoned his most capable assistant, gave her quiet instructions, and watched the woman known as Xiao Wu leave his room.

“It’s a pity; perhaps that fellow will get lucky this time!” He had long harbored designs on Xiao Wu, but he understood who he could touch and who he couldn't. As a specially trained, powerful female ninja, her body, besides her abilities, was an important asset that might be needed at any time. Thus, even though Nakamurashinju was greedy, he had to restrain himself.

“However, if we can forge a connection with that powerful outsider through this… then for us…”

What he truly intended, perhaps only he knew. Meanwhile, Ye Wen’s group, having finally settled down, was at a complete loss regarding Master Bei He’s condition.

“Master Bei He’s condition is as if his soul has departed his body!” Zheng Ying worked for a special department. Although his strength was among the lowest in the group, his knowledge was the broadest. When everyone else was baffled, only he could offer a somewhat reliable answer.

“What caused this?” Jiang Ning was most concerned for Master Bei He, so her voice was rushed as she grabbed Zheng Ying’s arm. If Zheng Ying hadn’t cultivated the Absolute Domain, that grip might have snapped his arm. Although cultivators aren't known for physical strength, those who cross the threshold of cultivation possess physical fitness far beyond ordinary people; their strength is naturally much greater.

Zheng Ying frowned but remained silent. He understood Jiang Ning’s anxiety over Master Bei He’s state, but he couldn't explain the cause clearly right now; his previous statement was merely an inference based on past experiences.

At this moment, Ye Wen activated his divine sense and meticulously examined Bei He’s body. However, his usually infallible divine sense offered no help this time. After inspecting him, he still couldn't discern any abnormality. On the surface, Master Bei He appeared fine, yet he was utterly lifeless, and his vital energy was slowly weakening. If this continued, Master Bei He might truly die.

The group labored for a long time but found no solution. They reluctantly decided to leave one person to look after Bei He while the others returned to rest. Tomorrow, Jiang Ning and Wang Zhao would contact the Kunlun Sect disciples in Europe, either to arrange for Bei He to be sent away or to see if any Kunlun elders were nearby to examine him.

Ye Wen offered no objections. This matter indeed exceeded the scope of his abilities. The various techniques he cultivated were primarily suited for direct confrontation. Matters concerning souls or spirits were not his forte; in fact, no one in the Shu Mountain Sect specialized in such arts.

As soon as he entered his room, Ye Wen’s body stiffened, and his gaze immediately turned razor-sharp, like a sword directed toward the window. He murmured softly, “Since you’re here, why hide your head and show your tail?”

As soon as the words fell, a woman’s figure materialized on the previously empty windowsill. This woman wore only a tight T-shirt, which accentuated her full chest, making it impossible to look away immediately. Her lower half was clad only in denim shorts, barely covering her pert, rounded hips.

Her long legs were completely exposed before Ye Wen’s eyes. Because she had one leg casually hanging down and the other curled up in front of her, Ye Wen’s line of sight could not ignore those two long stretches of white jade.

“Who are you?”

Moving his gaze slightly higher, a distinctly Eastern facial structure appeared before Ye Wen. Upon clearly seeing the woman’s appearance, Ye Wen was startled, though not by her beauty. It was because her face seemed so incredibly familiar.

Looking more closely, Ye Wen’s expression turned odd as he whispered a name: “Mai Shiranui?”

The woman seemed to hear his muttering. She smiled slightly, stood up, and bowed to Ye Wen. “Hello, Mr. Ye!” “…”

Ye Wen remained silent, confused about the purpose of this woman who had suddenly appeared, looking almost identical to Mai Shiranui. Although her demeanor toward him seemed polite and respectful, given the current precarious situation, acting carelessly might mean he wouldn't see the sunrise tomorrow.

The woman perhaps understood Ye Wen’s caution, so she began immediately: “I am here representing Mr. Nakamu to discuss a few matters with you, Mr. Ye. Please rest assured, I bear no ill will!”

“No ill will?” Ye Wen suddenly smiled. “Perhaps you should first remove the contact lenses you are wearing to show your sincerity!” He had felt something strange since the beginning, a subtle, peculiar energy influencing his judgment, especially one that persistently urged him to relax and not be tense! If Ye Wen’s divine sense hadn't issued a sudden warning, he might have fallen for it.

As expected, when he spoke, the woman’s expression shifted. Ye Wen expected her to immediately lash out, but surprisingly, she reached up and removed the contact lenses from her eyes… A pair of blood-red eyes, bearing three tadpole-like black dots, were revealed to Ye Wen. Upon seeing these pupils, Ye Wen’s hands unconsciously tightened. “The illusion at the airport today, was that your doing?” “Yes!” The woman did not deny it, instead admitting it frankly.

“Since your stance is clearly hostile, why are you here now? Are you intending to take my life?” This was what puzzled Ye Wen most. If her goal was to kill him, what was the point of her previous pretense?

The woman smiled and replied, “No, I already said, I am here representing Mr. Nakamu to discuss some things with you, Mr. Ye!”

“What things?” Ye Wen was curious. Why on earth would this group of Japanese suddenly approach him speaking civilly?

“Mr. Ye, do you know that you and your sect are currently facing a very grave crisis?”

Ye Wen’s eyelid twitched, but his expression became even more relaxed. He smiled. “Don’t try to alarm me with empty words. What crisis could I possibly face? Are you perhaps referring to yourselves?” The woman didn’t get angry, merely continuing with a gentle smile. “Mr. Ye, perhaps you are unaware, but you and your sect have unintentionally become entangled in a major problem! And recently, someone has been secretly spreading a rumor that has placed you directly in the public spotlight…”

“What rumor?” Ye Wen frowned, surprised to learn of such a thing.

The woman pursed her lips, then charmingly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, displaying an alluring gesture, before saying, “Currently, whether it’s the European vampires, werewolves, or the Church, or the various sects among the cultivators in your country, or the Onmyoji and monks here—everyone knows that Mr. Ye holds a rare, supreme treasure…”

Hearing this, Ye Wen knew instantly that something was amiss. Before he could ask, the woman delivered the words he had just anticipated: “The rumor claims that the legendary Nine Cauldrons are currently in Mr. Ye’s possession!”