Mortals: Take Mo Juren at the start

Just as Mo Juren had expected, the surrounding 'cold mirage winds' became increasingly violent as they ventured deeper into the swamp.

The cold wind was like a knife, sweeping across the sky, and the chilling aura it contained was especially terrifying, attacking him relentlessly at all times.

No wonder even Void Refinement Realm experts could perish if they ventured deep into this place; now it seems there's no exaggeration whatsoever.

The environment of this Yin Wind Swamp is too harsh. If it weren't for the control and shielding provided by the 'Earth Guarding Wind Control Bead', I probably wouldn't have been able to stay in this swirling Yin Wind for long with my own strength alone.

Of course, he could also use edicts, but these could only be used temporarily and could not last long.

In addition, as they went deeper, their divine sense was completely suppressed to its limit, only able to extend about ten feet around their bodies.

For a cultivator, this was no different from being blind, and it made him, who was used to monitoring everything around him with his divine sense, extremely uncomfortable.

Even the patriarch Chi Yun was greatly suppressed.

According to the other party, it can detect an area of ​​more than a thousand miles in radius, but this is only limited to the surface. Under the swamp, it is different, and it can only reach about two hundred miles.

Fortunately, this range was already quite good, enough to detect any danger in time; otherwise, faced with such a terrible illusion, Mo Juren would not have entered at all.

With the route map as a guide, the journey was quite smooth, and there was no need to worry about getting lost. However, some special situations still arose.

Just then, Mo Juren, who was walking forward, suddenly stopped and looked around. Instantly, the scene of howling wind and flying sand disappeared and was replaced by blue sky, white clouds, birdsong and fragrant flowers.

"Here we go again!" Mo Juren sighed, but his expression remained calm. The reason was simple: this was the first time he had experienced this situation since entering the swamp.

As recorded in the records, various illusions will randomly form inside the Yin Wind Swamp, with varying degrees of power. The simpler ones can be seen through at a glance by even a Core Formation stage cultivator, but powerful illusions can trap even a Void Refinement stage cultivator.

In short, what kind of illusion you encounter depends on your luck.

"There is some extremely strange energy inside this Yin Wind Swamp, which can suppress and interfere with divine sense, so it is not surprising that it can form various illusions." The voice of Ancestor Chi Yun rang in his ears, and it was faintly solemn.

"Senior, have you discovered something?" Mo Juren's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked.

"I only thought about the origin of this 'cold mirage wind' and thus made some guesses, but I don't know if they are accurate."

"The origin of the Cold Mirage Wind?" Mo Juren immediately became interested.

"I have also consulted some materials before. According to the records, this cold mirage wind seems to be related to the true spirit of a mirage dragon with some kind of cold attribute. I wonder if this is true or not?"

"A cold-attribute mirage dragon?" Ancestor Chi Yun chuckled.
"It seems that many things have changed over the endless years. For example, the origin of this 'cold mirage wind' was not recorded like this in ancient times when I was active."

"If it's not a mirage dragon, then what is it?" Mo Juren pressed again.

"Are you aware of the Ten Great Yin Winds in the world?" Ancestor Chi Yun did not explain immediately, but instead asked a question.

"I do know a little about it," Mo Juren nodded slightly, then continued,
"Like the legendary Netherworld Wind, the Yellow Springs Cold Wind, the Moon-Eroding Wind... and of course, this Cold Mirage Wind, etc."

"There have been quite a few changes in this area as well!" Upon hearing Mo Juren's answer, Ancestor Chi Yun was slightly surprised again, but he didn't beat around the bush any longer and began to explain.
"In ancient times, or even more distant ancient times, the ten great yin winds of the world were not recorded in this way. For example, the legendary winds of eternal night, the winds of returning to the void, and the winds of annihilation are not recorded now. As for the other seven, they are no different."

"So much difference!" Mo Juren was immediately surprised. The Wind of Eternal Night, the Wind of Return to Nothingness, and the Wind of Annihilation—just from their names, one could tell they were extraordinary. He wondered why they had been replaced, and he had never even heard of them before.

After thinking for a moment, he continued,

"It's possible that due to the passage of time, the changing world, and the loss of some traditions, it's not surprising that some changes have occurred."

"Perhaps." Ancestor Chi Yun didn't dwell on this, but instead changed the subject.

"Among the ten ancient yin winds, the power of the Cold Mirage Yin Wind ranks last, but it is the most special one. Do you know why?"

"Most special?" Mo Juren paused for a moment, then suddenly a thought struck him.
"Senior just mentioned the origin of the Cold Mirage Wind. Could this be the reason?"

"You're not stupid, kid; you figured it out so quickly." Ancestor Chi Yun chuckled and continued to explain.
"The yin winds I mentioned, although each has its own power, all have one thing in common: they are born naturally from heaven and earth."

This chilling mirage wind is different; it wasn't born from nature, but has a far more incredible origin. It is also a true spirit, but not a mirage dragon; rather, it is some kind of 'primordial true spirit.'

"Ancient True Spirit?" Mo Juren was even more surprised. If it involved the ancient era, then this true spirit must be extraordinary.
"what is that?"

"According to legend, it is an ancient true spirit called the 'Nine Void Devouring Crocodile,' which feeds on the laws of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars, and whose strength surpasses that of true dragons and phoenixes. However, this is just a legend; after all, the ability to devour the laws of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars is too exaggerated and likely contains a lot of exaggeration."

As for this chilling, eerie wind, it's rumored to be nothing more than a wisp of breath casually exhaled by the Nine Void Devouring Crocodile.

"It feeds on the laws of heaven, the sun, moon and stars!" After hearing the explanation, Mo Juren was also somewhat shocked. Moreover, it was hard to believe that this cold mirage wind was just a breath exhaled by the 'Nine Void Devouring Crocodile'.

Bringing his thoughts back, he suddenly changed the subject.
"Senior just mentioned that there is some kind of strange energy inside this Yin Wind Swamp. What exactly is it? Also, what is your guess?"

"I may disappoint you, but I am not aware of this matter either. The reason I gave you this warning earlier was for another reason." Ancestor Chi Yun paused, his tone becoming unusually solemn.
"You little rascal, you don't know this, but ever since we entered the swamp, for some reason, I've been feeling uneasy."

"Disturbed?" Mo Juren's expression immediately turned serious. Who was this person? What could possibly make him feel uneasy?

This is certainly no small matter. Perhaps there really is some unknown danger inside the swamp that made even someone as powerful as the other party feel uncomfortable.

Faced with this situation, he almost instantly felt the urge to retreat.

He is indeed here to complete a mission, but he wouldn't knowingly plunge into danger.

The only regret is the Bewitching Lotus. He really coveted that rare spiritual herb, but now that the situation is different, he naturally needs to make a change.

"Senior, do you think we should continue exploring?" Mo Juren wasn't in a hurry to make a decision, but instead sought the advice of his ancestor, Chi Yun. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this question, the latter chuckled and said...

"I must say, your personality is quite rare. You change your mind immediately at the slightest sign of trouble. You're being a bit too cautious! Of course, caution isn't a bad thing, but there's no need to be so sensitive."

Moreover, while I am indeed somewhat unsettled, it doesn't mean there's any insurmountable danger. At least for now, the situation is relatively stable, and we can continue. Of course, if things go wrong, I will promptly remind you.

"I see." Hearing the other party's explanation, Mo Juren immediately felt relieved. Since the other party had said so, it must really be a minor problem, so there was no need to rush to leave.

Putting his thoughts aside, he stopped worrying about those things and turned to examine the surrounding 'blue sky and white clouds' that were completely indistinguishable from reality. After a long while, he suddenly changed the subject and said...

“In that case, let’s continue. However, the illusion before us is quite powerful, and my divine sense is being severely suppressed. I’ll have to trouble you for help, senior.”

"The illusions here are all created by the mind. Don't you have a 'Azure Sea Clear Mind Talisman'? Once you activate it, breaking through this illusion will be a piece of cake. Why not use it?" Ancestor Chi Yun suddenly asked.

“That talisman is indeed good, but it’s a consumable item. There’s really no need to waste it here. Besides, I also want to experience these illusions with my own abilities, which will benefit my growth,” Mo Juren replied seriously, though his tone was noticeably unnatural.

As expected, upon hearing this, Patriarch Chi Yun immediately understood everything, and then, with a speechless expression, he began to berate him.
"Experiencing illusions can indeed serve as training, but I guess what you care about most is the first reason, right? Relying on me as your free laborer, you don't want to waste that talisman?"

"How could that be? This junior truly wants to train myself," Mo Juren retorted, but unfortunately, Ancestor Chi Yun simply didn't believe him.

"When did you become so hypocritical? If you want me to help you, just say so. I won't refuse. Why are you being so secretive?"
As for this illusion, it is indeed quite complex, and breaking through it in your current state would be rather troublesome. Fortunately, I happen to have a spell here called the "Houtu Tranquility Method," which I will teach you. Once you master it, breaking through this illusion will be quite easy.

"The Houtu Tranquility Method! Thank you very much, senior!" Mo Juren was pleasantly surprised that it was a spell. He immediately calmed his mind and began to learn from the other party.

As for this incantation, it sounds like a secret technique of the witch clan. It seems simple, but it requires a very high level of talent, and it is not easy to comprehend it easily.

However, Mo Juren seemed to have a good talent in this area, and he mastered it completely in less than half an hour. Even Ancestor Chi Yun was somewhat surprised by such speed.

Once you've mastered the "Hou Tu Jing Xin Fa" (a method for calming the mind), things become simple. As ancient and obscure incantations are chanted, the surrounding blue sky, white clouds, birdsong, and fragrant flowers gradually begin to change until they disappear completely, replaced by the original howling wind.

"Senior's incantation is indeed powerful; I admire it greatly," Mo Juren praised without reservation. However, Ancestor Chi Yun was unimpressed and immediately rebuked him irritably.

"Don't flatter me, kid. Hurry up and get the medicinal herb as soon as possible so we can leave quickly. Otherwise, if we drag this out, there's no guarantee that something unexpected might happen."

"Senior, what you said is absolutely right!"

Mo Juren stopped smiling and, without further hesitation, immediately continued to move forward quickly according to the route map.

Unbeknownst to the two, deep beneath the Yin Wind Swamp, in an area spanning over 100,000 zhang, lay a murky body of water, pitch black and devoid of any light.

However, at that moment, two blinding beams of light suddenly appeared in a certain part of the water.

The ball of light was quite large, circular in shape, with a diameter of about ten zhang (approximately 33 meters). At its center were two menacing vertical pupils, gleaming with an eerie, ghostly light. (End of Chapter)