Chapter 158: Bewildering Forest

The Bewildering Forest was indeed perilous. The illusions it conjured were drawn from the deepest desires within a cultivator’s mind. Anyone with less-than-steadfast will who lingered on these visions would soon become muddled and utterly immersed in them.

Initially aware that these were just illusions, one could quickly become addicted, losing control over their body. At that moment, the blood-colored vines would entwine around the victim, draining them dry. Moreover, these vines were extremely tough, not so easily dealt with.

However, Ye Chen, with his Heavy Pupils, was immune to these effects. He stood in place, watching the illusions unfold, only occasionally clearing away the encroaching vines.

After observing the illusion of his master, Ye Chen moved on and then encountered an illusion of Elder An Miaoli from the Divine Will Sect. Dressed in flowing white robes and seated atop a lotus flower, a red mole between her brows twinkled with light. She appeared ethereal, far surpassing An Yuyi in demeanor.

After critiquing this illusion for a while, Ye Chen changed locations again. This time, the illusion depicted Su Yuxuan, the little witch, her tiny feet twinkling with luminescence.

Following Su Yuxuan, the illusion didn’t switch to his senior sister Yao Xi but to the head of the External Affairs Hall, a mature and beautiful woman already bonded to a Dao companion…

Ye Chen immediately felt displeased. Was he this sort of person? Devoted to the path of cultivation, how could he possibly covet another’s Dao companion? He wasn’t inclined towards such desires at all. These illusions were truly unreliable.

After glaring at the scene for a while, Ye Chen, annoyed, chopped down the surrounding vines completely, venting his dissatisfaction. Then he moved to another spot…

…

The exit of the Bewildering Forest was a sight of relief and desperation.

Pei Ling emerged disheveled and wounded, a testament to the malevolent nature of the Boundless Demon Sect’s forest. Despite knowing the visions were illusions, a mere prolonged gaze could slow one’s brain response and stiffen their body, making escape challenging without prior preparation.

Pei Ling, spotting the unharmed An Yuyi who had exited early, praised her preparedness.

An Yuyi nodded, her brow furrowing slightly, “Brother Fang is the strongest among us; logically, he should have been the first to emerge. Why hasn’t he arrived yet?”

“It’s already been four hours,” she added. The forest was expansive, but four hours should have been more than sufficient.

Pei Ling, popping a healing pill, suggested with a chuckle, “Perhaps that Ye Chen is too weak, holding Brother Fang back.”

An Yuyi frowned, dissatisfied with Ye Chen’s capabilities. If it weren’t for the necessity of his skills later, she would have preferred not to wait at all.

Time passed, and two more hours slipped by. The forest quaked slightly.

Then, Fang Xi stumbled out, bloodier and more disheveled than Pei Ling, which widened their eyes in shock. Notably, Ye Chen was not behind him.

An Yuyi’s frown deepened, “Brother Fang, where is Ye Chen?”

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Fang Xi’s face was grim. He had initially left Ye Chen behind, thinking to scare him a bit before returning to coerce him into alchemy. But when he went back, Ye Chen was nowhere to be found.

Ye Chen’s importance was clear; they had to find him.

Wandering aimlessly in the Bewildering Forest was especially dangerous, and the longer one stayed, the more susceptible they were to its corrupting influence, which explained Fang Xi’s significant injuries.

“I told him to hold onto the rope, but not long after, I realized he had let go of it,” Fang Xi explained, his face darkening. “I tried to go back for him, but he was already lost.”

“People from lower sects really lack resolve,” he commented, somewhat dismissively. “But he is at least at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment; he should be able to find his way out on his own.”

An Miaoli was visibly upset, but what could be done? Ye Chen had let go of the rope himself; it wasn’t Fang Xi’s fault. They could only wait. But as another two hours passed without any sign of Ye Chen emerging, An Miaoli became restless.