chapter 181 - A Convincing Illusion
This time, the little rat laughed particularly maniacally, to the point where it tears were about to come out.
But it wasn’t laughing at something else; it was laughing at its own pitiful and helpless self.
It knew in its heart that the appearance of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect in front of it must be an illusion.
Because, at present, it was impossible for it to encounter that detestable guy.
When it was betrayed by the Buddhist Sect, forcibly subjected to the baptism of Buddhist teachings, a spell was also cast upon it.
[Dependent Origination].
This was an extremely powerful spell that even involved the laws of heaven and earth.
From that moment onward, its karmic connection with the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect was completely severed.
This meant that it could no longer have any relationship with the other, not even a meeting.
This was the only insurance the Buddhist Sect had placed on it.
‘Heh, that Holy Saint of the Demon Sect probably still doesn’t know what kind of existence is targeting him now, right?’
‘Unfortunately, he is too weak. If he had enough strength, maybe he would have the qualifications to make the Buddhist Sect pay a price. It would be best if he died and the Buddhist Sect suffered some injuries— That way, I could settle both grudges on both sides.’
‘However, I must admit, his illusion appears quite faster than the previous one.’
The little rat’s mad laughter gradually subsided, revealing a trace of sorrow in its eyes.
Its experience of having illusions was not the first time.
Since the failure of its Tail Severance Survival Technique against the other consciousness, whenever its self-awareness started to deteriorate, it would begin to experience some illusions.
This indicated that it was gradually losing the ability to distinguish between reality and illusion.
When it evolved into being unable to distinguish its own self, it had to cut its tail again to quench its thirst for poison.
And the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect was a frequent visitor in its illusions.
After all, it indirectly led to its current predicament. Moreover, it learned some true secrets about itself. Multiple factors combined, making that guy a kind of inner demon for it.
However, after going through multiple illusions, what it feared the least now was the illusion of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect.
In the beginning, it might feel uneasy, but as each illusion of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect, almost identical to the real person, dissipated before its eyes, it finally understood the special nature of the Dependent Origination technique imposed on it by the Buddhist Sect.
It might have a chance to see that Holy Saint of the Demon Sect again, but that possibility was almost smaller than the chance of someone successfully breaking through the Land Immortal Realm.
It then turned its head again towards the direction of the broken temple.
‘Hehe, as expected, just like the previous one, they look no different than the real one.’
A sneer appeared at the corner of the little rat’s mouth.
The illusion of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect in the broken temple seemed to have noticed its approach. Holding the woman in his arms, he stood up from the ground, looking at its location with a vigilant face.
In his hand, the familiar square-shaped artifact slowly rotated, emitting a terrifying aura.
‘But still, who is that woman? Why does she appear in my illusion?’
The little rat was puzzled for a moment, lost in thought, and was again taken over by the other consciousness.
“Amitabha, all conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew, like lightning…”
“Are you sick?!”
Suppressing the second consciousness firmly, it spat out.
But then, it rubbed its eyes…
The illusory woman in the arms of the illusory Holy Saint of the Demon Sect disappeared?
Ha, it was indeed just the beginning of the illusion, coming suddenly and dissipating just as suddenly.
Looking at the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect who had already walked out of the broken temple, the square artifact in his hand had gradually transformed, just like the day at the Demon Artifact Pavilion, into a familiar Heaven-reaching Long Blade…
‘Sure enough, it’s just an initial illusion. How could the artifact of that Holy Saint of the Demon Sect have such weak power?’
The little rat sneered in its mind.
It was constantly giving itself psychological suggestions, minimizing the effect of the illusions on it.
If it directly believed in the existence of the illusion, the process of being unable to distinguish between reality and illusion would accelerate immediately.
And the illusion it saw now was really too crude.
As a rat that had personally experienced the terrifying power of that Holy Saint of the Demon Sect, it knew too well the overwhelming might of that one strike.
A strike reaching the heavens; it was not an exaggerated description.
But what about the strike it saw now?
Although it had the appearance of a Heaven-reaching Long Blade, it seemed to have shrunk significantly. The power it emanated was barely half the level of a Nascent Soul strike. Was this the best it could achieve?
Thinking this way, the little rat felt a sense of relief.
It seemed that despite its deteriorating condition, it hadn’t reached an entirely unacceptable point yet.
At least, the current illusions couldn’t affect it.
So, instead of slowing down its flight, the little rat accelerated a bit more.
As expected, the illusionary Holy Saint of the Demon Sect showed a hesitant expression on his face, and the illusory blade only descended slightly, not completing the strike.
“Hmph, it’s just an illusion!”
The little rat landed in front of the broken temple, tilting its head towards the illusory Holy Saint of the Demon Sect.
But standing in front, it felt that this illusion was not as bad as it initially thought. Although the replication of the strike’s power was weaker, some details seemed even better than before.
For example, the illusion of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect now showed a guarded yet puzzled expression, murmuring to himself softly, “Illusion?”
As if not quite understanding the situation.
If the real Holy Saint of the Demon Sect were here, maybe he would also display such a reaction?
“But it’s still too weak, mere illusions can’t fool this great rat!”
Hmm, recognizing the illusion could help maintain its awareness of reality.
Thinking this way, it didn’t rush to do something else. Instead, it carefully observed the illusion of the Holy Saint of the Demon Sect in front of it.
‘Hiss—this illusion does seem quite realistic…’
No, it couldn’t continue watching; otherwise, it might have the opposite effect!
With this thought in mind, it stopped looking at the illusion and turned its head to walk into the temple.
What came into view was the beheaded Buddha statue.
The next moment, a compassionate expression appeared on its face.
“May the Buddha be merciful!”
Its claws joined together in prayer.
…
Watching this scene happening right in front of him, Luo Wusheng’s face displayed a strange expression.
Was this guy in front of him really the same Rat Netherkin he had seen before?
From the outward appearance, it was definitely the same. Perhaps it was impossible to find another rat that ugly in the entire world.
But the actions of the other party were a bit too strange.
Watching the little rat kneeling on the ground, reciting Buddhist scriptures, showing a painful expression, rolling on the ground, cursing something with helplessness, Luo Wusheng, who held his [Phantomless] Artifact, which is in it’s sword form, fell into contemplation.
He was a bit hesitant just now about whether to directly give a strike to this Rat Netherkin.
But in the end, he didn’t do it.
Firstly, because he couldn’t sense any hostility from the Rat Netherkin. Even though the other party had noticed him, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ there was no trace of spiritual energy fluctuations, which felt strange to him.
Secondly, because in the current location, with hardly any onlookers, he couldn’t unleash the true power of [Phantomless]. It would be challenging to achieve a one-strike victory.
Well, since the other party hadn’t shown hostility for the time being, it might be better to first understand the specific situation.
So, watching the scene in front of him, Luo Wusheng stroked his chin.
‘I always feel something is off…’