Chapter 1794: Wound-Up Doll

In stark contrast, when the soul-summoning horn blared, the original expressions on the townspeople's faces vanished, replaced by a dazed confusion. They seemed unaware of what had happened or what they were supposed to do. Within a mere two breaths, their expressions turned blank, their eyes glazed over, and every movement resembled that of a marionette. They were perfectly fine people, yet suddenly, all their spirit and vitality drained away.

Adults who had been holding their children's hands, taking them to see grasshoppers, now simply let go and walked out of town without a backward glance. Once outside the town, they picked up pace, walking faster and faster.

Several of He Lingchuan’s more curious subordinates noticed them all entering tree hollows. They jogged over to investigate: one moment, they were Tree Heart townspeople in coarse cloth shirts; the next, they emerged from the other side of the tree hollow transformed into heavily armed soldiers, complete with grim, menacing masks! Not just one or two, but hundreds of them. Even women who walked in emerged looking like identical, templated soldiers. As they exited the tree hollows, they began to sprint, moving faster than galloping horses, and swiftly vanished into the foliage. With their armor and weapons weighing at least dozens of pounds, how could they possibly run so fast with such a heavy load if they were ordinary humans?

The peddler, who had always worn a kind smile, also stood up and walked past Wanqilian. With a thud, his rattle drum fell to the ground, almost getting stepped on. The children, who had previously cherished these small toys, now stood dazed, not even bothering to bend down and pick them up, simply staring blankly towards the town entrance. Perhaps they were too weak to be conscripted.

Wanqilian tried to grab the peddler’s arm. "Hey! Where are you going?"

The peddler struggled violently, his strength shockingly immense. Wanqilian felt as if he were trying to restrain a startled horse and was nearly dragged off his feet. Fortunately, he braced his core and pushed down with his feet, managing to avoid embarrassment in front of his companions. Was this the strength an ordinary person should possess?

When the peddler couldn't break free immediately, he suddenly turned his head to look at Wanqilian. His pupils were fully dilated, his eyes entirely black and unfocused. Yet, the person he fixed his gaze upon knew he was glaring ferociously at them. Even Wanqilian, despite his experience with killing, felt a chill run down his spine under that stare. Just then, He Lingchuan patted his shoulder and said, "Let go," and Wanqilian released the peddler.

The thin man didn't even glance at him, turning instead to sprint towards the town entrance. As he burst out of the tree hollow, he was already clad in a layer of armor. He was not only sturdier but also a head taller than before, and wore an antique bronze mask shaped like a pig’s face with tusks. Who could possibly tell that this was the man who once earned his living by peddling goods door-to-door? A diligent small merchant, who worked hard selling his wares, had suddenly, upon hearing the soul-summoning horn, transformed into a mere marionette, a spear-wielding warrior!

A disciple of the Illusion Sect murmured, "They're heading towards Kidney Lake." Everyone seemed to understand what was happening: these townspeople had transformed into armored warriors to intercept the pursuers from behind. No wonder Elder Liu had previously instructed everyone to wear demon masks. When the Heavenly Palace forces arrived and saw that every living person here was masked, how could they distinguish the Illusion Sect team? This was truly a case of "hiding wood in the forest."

Elder Liu quickly glanced around, then commanded everyone, "Stop looking, hurry up! We're almost there!"

A nearby cultivator couldn't help but ask, "Uncle-Master Liu, who exactly are these people... and who blew that horn?"

Another person touched their own face, asking in horror, "We won’t turn out like them, will we..." Surely we won't end up like this? They, too, were residents of the Upside-Down Sea; while the soul-summoning horn might not affect them, perhaps something else could seize their souls, causing them to lose their minds and become mindless puppets like these townspeople, acting only on command.

Elder Liu pointed at him ominously and snapped, "Say another word of nonsense, and you, Ye Zhao, will be the next one to enter the tree hollow!" Ye Zhao immediately fell silent.

Only then did Elder Liu say, "Don’t be so alarmed. You are disciples of the Illusion Sect; how can you not discern that these are not real people?"

Everyone’s surprise and uncertainty were clearly written on their faces. "Then what exactly are they?" The bewildered young children before them did indeed resemble wind-up dolls.

"The souls of deceased residents from Silver Pearl Island have a brief projection here before they fully dissipate," Elder Liu stated solemnly. "The Immortal Venerable, using his supreme immortal power, placed them here so they could continue their lives as before, thus dissipating without resentment. This is the most gentle form of transcendence!"

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in He Lingchuan's arms chuckled, "What eloquence. No wonder the Illusion Sect sent him to greet you as soon as you arrived at Stone Dragon Peak." He Lingchuan, however, did not smile.

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, and a cultivator blurted out, "This is a ghost town?!" Projections of deceased souls... aren’t they just ghosts?

"They all look like living people; they don’t seem ghostly at all! At least, they didn’t before the horn blew." A flurry of murmurs broke out.

From the rear, a cultivator, looking at the dazed child in the town, suddenly threw a javelin that grazed the child’s forehead. The child didn't even blink, but blood began to trickle from his forehead, a vivid red.

Others exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

"Uncle-Master said they aren’t living people, so I thought I’d test it." He looked again. "Hmph, it’s so realistic, you can’t tell at all! The Immortal Venerable truly possesses incredible power."

Everyone quickened their pace, simultaneously processing this astonishing information.

Elder Liu’s disciple leaned in close and whispered, "Master, is this, is this really the mortal realm?" In the mortal realm, under the vast, clear sky, how could spectral beings roam in broad daylight? Seeing these spectral residents earnestly farming, trading, eating, and sleeping, just as they had in life, everyone was initially surprised and amused. Yet, upon deeper reflection, a touch of melancholy crept in. What about themselves, their own family and old friends? How much better off were they than these spectral residents? Were it not for the Heavenly Palace invasion, they would never have set foot in Kidney Lake in their entire lives, nor would they have discovered this other side to the world they had lived in for decades.

Elder Liu stated gravely, "The place where the Immortal Venerable resides *is* the mortal realm! What immense power he wields; this entire realm is under his control. If he says it is real, then it is real; if he says it is an illusion, then an illusion it is."

He Lingchuan’s steps slowed by half a beat; these words were truly worth pondering repeatedly. His disciple, also pondering, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "The Immortal... The Immortal Venerable has emerged from seclusion?!"

"That’s right." Reaching this point, Elder Liu finally gave everyone a definitive answer, his voice remarkably loud: "The Immortal Venerable has emerged from seclusion, and the Heavenly Palace will no longer run rampant!"

The Illusion Sect team behind, who had been feeling somber and reflective due to the scene, froze for a few breaths upon hearing this, then suddenly erupted into a clamor. The Immortal Venerable has emerged from seclusion! The Immortal Venerable, master of the Upside-Down Sea, mighty and boundless in power, has finally awakened! Could there be any better news? They had their pillar of strength; no longer would they suffer the tyranny of the Heavenly Demons, nor be chased and harried by them! The faint sadness and absurdity in their hearts were instantly chased away without a trace by this exhilarating news.

(End of chapter)