Chapter 1095: Holding Hands, Running Toward the Direction of the Grim Reaper

The moonlight was faintly cold, and a slight chill permeated the air. As time passed and the world shifted, it all felt unremarkable.

The silver moon, an anomaly on Void Island, vanished from Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual world, reappearing in the illusory realm on the other side.

A horrifying and shrill shriek echoed far into the heavens, drifting through more than ten streets in this giant nation. But alas, the land was desolate; who would hear the desperate cry?

Old Xie and Old Po remained inseparable, not daring to move an inch. They were afraid to even turn their backs or let their gazes misalign. At all times, they kept each other within their peripheral vision, ensuring they wouldn't mistake someone else for their companion.

Upon realizing that the individual who had trapped them with the Illusion Sword Art was the Senior Disciple of Canyue Immortal City, they were instantly filled with dread.

Yet, even trapped in this situation, both were experienced assassins, usually capable of finding ways to counter illusions.

If a single person falls under an illusion, by holding onto their true self and discerning the core of the illusion, they can escape the illusory realm.

However, if multiple individuals are ensnared in an illusion, and they fail to locate and dismantle its core immediately, the most terrifying aspect ceases to be their helplessness and instead becomes the illusion itself.

With just a slight misalignment of gaze, no one could tell if their companion had been replaced under the illusion master's influence.

If two people turned their backs on each other, no one could know if the person who should be their companion behind them might transform into a hideous monster.

Or perhaps their companion had already died, and what remained by their side was merely an illusion created by the realm.

Such horrifying and terrifying aspects are the true purpose of high-level illusions.

By tearing open defenses from a person's inner mind and spiritual level, once their mental fortitude wavers, victory or defeat will be decided in an instant, even among peers of the same rank.

Moreover, Old Xie and Old Po certainly didn't believe that even together, they could contend with the Senior Disciple of Canyue Immortal City, who single-handedly commanded the entire Eastern Moon Realm!

It was impossible, absolutely impossible, Old Xie exclaimed, because he had tried so many methods, yet he was still on the same street.

After a horrifying shriek, Old Xie's eyes, like those of a dead fish, stared blankly at Old Po. He shook his head in alarm. He stated that since Xiao Kongtong was the core of the illusion, they could neither defeat him nor break the illusion's core.

If that's the case, he continued, there were only two remaining methods to combat the illusion: first, influencing the environment by finding subtle flaws to return to reality; and second, steadfastly holding onto one's true self, ensuring the spiritual body didn't succumb to the illusion, thereby finding the boundary between reality and falsehood to return. He asked if he was correct about these two methods.

Old Xie cradled his head, pressing his hands against his temples. His face was ashen, as if he had been submerged in water for days. Though only a fleeting moment had passed in the illusory world, he felt as if days were years, on the verge of collapse.

You're right, Old Po replied, her pupils darting left and right, her voice a sharp whisper, but don't forget, Xiao Kongtong isn't using simple 'Illusion Arts,' but 'Illusion Sword Art!' As she spoke, she scratched at the skin on her face and body.

This was not a symptom of poisoning; it was her unique trait: when nervous, her entire body would itch, and she had to scratch to alleviate her inner turmoil.

Old Xie's upper eyelids still drooped halfway as he watched, wide-eyed, Old Po scratch her ugly face until it was a mottled red and white, in places even broken and bleeding. She even tore through her recently changed clothes, revealing skin beneath that was covered in wrinkles and dotted with dark spots.

This sight was even more horrifying than the illusion itself!

Had he not partnered with Old Po as an assassin for many years, Old Xie might have even believed this was a fabricated monster created by Xiao Kongtong to breach his inner defenses.

Yet, it was precisely these details that assured him: the illusion itself was safe, and at least, his companion was still Old Po, not replaced.

He couldn't take it anymore, Old Xie exclaimed.

Old Xie cradled his head, his hands pressing so hard against his temples it seemed he might pierce his brain. He said in a deep voice, he had tried at least ten methods, and none had worked. He believed everything was a flaw Xiao Kongtong intentionally exposed, as if he were merely toying with them.

But, he added, they mustn't panic.

As Old Xie considered this, he calmed down somewhat. Shaking his head, he continued, it was foreseeable that Xiao Kongtong's delay meant he lacked confidence in dealing with both of them simultaneously.

This was obvious, wasn't it? He explained that they were both Grand Void cultivators, and Xiao Kongtong was, at most, at the peak of Grand Void. Together, even if they fought to the death, they could take his life, leaving no one better off.

Since that was the case, Xiao Kongtong must be waiting for his companion to arrive. It was definitely not Xu Xiaoshou.

Old Xie seemed to be trying to reassure himself. The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became, his voice growing stronger and his tone more certain. He was waiting for that old man, that fellow, his companion. Once he arrived, everyone would die!

Old Po violently scratched her chest with both hands. Listening to his incoherent words, her eyes darted back and forth with noticeably increased frequency. She asked indistinctly, 'Do you know that old man?'

Who the hell knows him?! Old Xie roared like a madman, pointing at Old Po and beginning to curse. He raged that with her own 'Face Soul Banner,' she couldn't even recognize Xiao Kongtong, yet she was asking him. 'You're truly sick!'

I am indeed sick, Old Po mumbled, momentarily stunned by the scolding, before reacting with a burst of anger. So you recognize him? she retorted. The Senior Disciple of Canyue Immortal City has hundreds, even thousands of circulating portraits. How many times have you been to the Eastern Region? Have you seen his real face? In this situation, if it were you, would you recognize him?

Calm down, Old Xie said, suppressing his anger and becoming much calmer. This is precisely the effect he wants to see right now. We cannot lose our composure, can we?

You're absolutely right! Old Po nodded heavily, also calming down. Yet, as she looked around, her feet felt as if they were filled with lead, and she dared not move a single step erratically.

So, after running all this way, we're back where we started, Old Po said, turning her head. Now, do you have any good ideas? She urged him to use his 'evil art,' stating that she could no longer bear to break formations under normal circumstances. Xiao Kongtong's illusion formation, she insisted, was the 'illusion' of the Illusion Sword Art!

Old Po was clearly terrified.

The terror of the Eastern Region's ancient sword cultivators lay in the fact that Middle Region spirit refiners rarely encountered them in their lifetime.

After all, ancient sword cultivators were few in number, and each was a top-tier expert. Normal spirit refiners, let alone interacting with them, didn't even qualify to challenge them to a fight. How could they possibly accumulate experience beforehand in dealing with 'Illusion Sword Art'? Any so-called experience was likely nothing more than fabricated theories from a frog in a well!

There's still a way, he mumbled to himself, there must be. After a moment of thought, with a flash of determination in his eyes, Old Xie said, this old man has one last method. In the Wicked Gate Evil Arts, there's a final move: opening the 'Evil Yin Eye' within myself. This is the most insane move!

The Evil Yin Eye will see through all illusions, he explained, for it is the embodiment of wickedness itself. At that time, I will temporarily borrow the power of a Heretical God. This is... this is power of that magnitude!

Heretical God? Old Po stopped scratching her body, her eyes widening in astonishment.

Yes, but I, I will... Old Xie panted heavily. He had kept this trump card hidden for too long, and now he had no choice but to reveal it. I will go mad! he declared, the kind of madness where I completely lose my sanity! But I will definitely see through the illusions and bring you back to the real world. I'm genuinely good to you, and what you need to do is...

He stopped speaking, suddenly raised his hand, and gripped Old Po's shoulders with immense force. You must knock me out and take me out! he urged. You must take me with you, understand?!

Blood vessels even burst in Old Xie's eyes from the intense exertion.

Trust among assassins was inherently ill-advised.

But he had no other choice; at this moment, he could only completely entrust his life to this old partner of several decades.

If Old Po eventually became afraid and abandoned him, then everything would be lost.

He would be completely devoured by the will of the Heretical God, utterly buried in the great tomb of Void Island.

Don't worry, this old woman will not abandon you, Old Po said, prying open Old Xie's hand and promising solemnly. Without you on Void Island, I can't move an inch either.

That's good, that's good... Old Xie said. Remember what you said! Remember you saved my life in the Blood Realm! Remember I still owe you; my survival is of immense benefit to you!

Old Xie gave her a deep look, no longer hesitated, and took out a glistening golden pill from his bosom. He closed his eyes and placed it in his mouth.

The name 'Divine Blessing' seemed to perfectly reflect his devout intention at that moment. As soon as the pill's power dissolved in his mouth, Old Xie quickly began to form hand seals, and spiritual power surged.

He closed his eyes. The next second, they snapped open.

Evil Yin Eye: Heretical God Possession! he declared.

As his deep voice fell, a bang erupted, and endless sinister black-purple evil energy surged from Old Xie's body.

That eerie black-purple evil energy, guided by his will, instantly found direction and wildly pierced into Old Xie's glabella.

A tortured shriek erupted from him. A scream resounded as Old Xie's entire body convulsed, cracked, and bled, enduring unspeakable suffering.

Before long, a purple mark split open in the center of his forehead, and amidst flowing blood, a black-purple eyeball eerily opened from the middle.

In an instant, the very colors of heaven and earth shifted.

The entire world constructed by the Illusion Sword Art began to quake and crack, seemingly on the verge of collapsing under such terrifying power.

This is, 'Heretical God's power,' Old Po murmured.

Old Po stepped back in alarm; despite knowing it was forbidden, she glanced at the black-purple Evil Yin Eye. She felt a mental sting as wicked thoughts coursed through her body, nearly causing her to succumb to inner demons.

So eerie! she thought.

The Evil Yin Eye was enormous. It was as large as two infant fists, permeated with an aura of madness, distortion, and eeriness.

As soon as it appeared, it occupied two-thirds of Old Xie's forehead, even pushing his eyebrows and eyes downwards and to the sides.

Old Xie's entire face became grotesque and terrifying due to the appearance of the Evil Yin Eye.

Heh heh heh... A desolate, tragic laugh emanated from Old Xie's throat. Though the sound was very low, it resonated like rolling thunder.

Old Xie, hold on! Old Po called out softly, not daring to look at the Evil Yin Eye again.

This call seemed to give Old Xie direction amidst his mind full of madness. His original eyeballs, pushed to the sides and silently drooping, trembled slightly and found focus.

Evil Yin Eye: Illusion Breaker! he roared.

With another hand seal, Old Xie seized the opportunity, remembering his original intention for summoning the Heretical God's possession, and began to search for a path.

This way! he yelled.

Soon, he turned his gaze to the back and to the side, pointing in that direction. Go straight! he roared. Don't be swayed by those tall buildings; they're all fake! My time is running out; quickly leave this damned place using Blood Escape!

Old Xie had never even considered using the power of the Heretical God, summoned by the Evil Yin Eye, to fight Xiao Kongtong.

Not only did he have limited time to maintain his sanity, but Old Xie also didn't know if merely borrowing such power could match Xiao Kongtong; he had never tried it before and certainly didn't want to try it now.

Run! he urged.

Grabbing Old Po's hand, Old Xie felt his sanity slipping away. Using his last bit of strength, he intended for them both to burst out of the world constructed by the Illusion Sword Art.

As for how they would flee for their lives after breaking out, that would have nothing to do with his unconscious self; it would entirely depend on whether Old Po still intended to help him.

Yes, run, run with all your might, stake your life... Old Po echoed. Old Po echoed his words, pulled by Old Xie as they dashed toward the city tower. She spoke and laughed, 'Then let me see how far you can run.'

Old Xie, who had just rushed into the illusory city tower, suddenly froze. A sudden chill rose throughout his body, gushing forth from the Evil Yin Eye.

That voice...

That voice was a man's!

Still holding Old Po's hand, Old Xie felt as if he had been grabbed by the god of death. He swiftly turned his gaze, and with his illusion-breaking Evil Yin Eye, he immediately saw the person he had pulled along behind him...

He was refined and brimming with smiles. His right hand was being held by Old Xie, while his left held aloft an illusory spatial sword. His narrowed eyes gleamed with a profound sense of admiration and awe.

Quite impressive, he said, to be able to borrow such power. I knew that anyone who could reach Grand Void would be extraordinary.

Xiao, Kong, Tong! Old Xie roared.

Old Xie went mad, and his three eyes directly spewed forth black-purple demonic energy.

In that instant, countless images flashed through his mind.

Old Po and he clearly hadn't misaligned their gazes or turned their backs. When had she been replaced? Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!

This moment of utter collapse was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Already forcibly resisting the Heretical God's will, just before his sanity was almost completely washed away by the wicked thoughts from the Evil Yin Eye, Old Xie suddenly realized.

Yes, it was impossible after the Illusion Sword Art had started.

But what about before it started?

One must know that he and Old Po had been affected at some unknown time.

So, was it possible that Old Po had already run far away at some unknown point, leading another 'Old Xie' to kill Xu Xiaoshou?

I...

Before his final words could even escape his lips, Xiao Kongtong's spatial sword, accompanied by a cyan silent sword, had already savagely pierced into Old Xie's Evil Yin Eye.

In that instant, black-purple evil energy and red blood surged forth simultaneously.

Truly messy, Xiao Kongtong remarked.

After a single stab, Xiao Kongtong clapped his hands and flashed back, not daring to look at the Evil Yin Eye's grotesque mutation again, and leaped back into the heavens.

In the illusory giant nation, beneath the false silver moon, only real black-purple tides remained at this moment. Centered around Old Xie's body, they wildly spread outwards, as if to transform into an ocean of evil energy.

And the screams filling this sinister black-purple ocean were utterly filled with distortion, madness, and utter collapse.

Ugh ahhh ahhh ahhh----

Old Po, you betrayed me! Old Xie screamed.