Chapter 229: Chapter 229: The Bewildering Illusion Realm

Before Shen Haoran was the Shen Family, a place he knew like the back of his hand. But the home that had birthed and raised him was now engulfed in flames. The bodies of countless Shen Clan Members hung from the ancient tree at the main gate, their blood soaking the ground below as cries of anguish filled the air.

Shen Haoran’s most beloved grandfather, Old Sir Shen, was among them. The tree swarmed with crows, which greedily pecked at the bodies of the Shen Clan Members. The sight of stark white bone was jarring in the pitch-black space!

"Grandpa!"

Shen Haoran’s eyes turned bloodshot as a brutal rage surged through him. He sprinted to the base of the ancient tree and struck out with his palm. The ferocious gust of wind sent the entire flock of crows scattering into the sky.

"CAW... CAW..."

Hundreds of crows cawed hoarsely, circling high above Shen Haoran. Their eyes were filled with greed as they stared at the bodies hanging from the tree, but sensing the thick, malevolent aura radiating from him, not one dared to cross the line.

"Grandpa!"

Shen Haoran cradled the mangled body of Old Sir Shen, his scream heart-wrenching.

"Who? Who did this!" Two trails of bloody tears streamed from Shen Haoran’s eyes. ’This was my most beloved grandfather. When I was at my most helpless and weak, he was the one who always protected me! When everyone else treated me like trash, only Old Sir Shen always believed I could make something of myself! And now, before I even had a chance to repay his kindness, Old Sir Shen is...’ At that thought, a tangible killing intent erupted from his body. Under this terrifying pressure, the crows in the sky were instantly shredded to pieces.

"Haha, the Shen Family is gone. You’re next!" Suddenly, a chilling voice whispered in Shen Haoran’s ear.

At those words, Shen Haoran snapped his head up. Before him stood a figure cloaked entirely in black, holding a longsword with its tip aimed right at the bridge of his nose. Scarlet blood dripped continuously from the blade, each drop fraying his nerves.

"You!" Shen Haoran’s bloodshot eyes locked onto the black-robed figure. His voice was so cold it seemed to echo up from the Nine Netherworld, making the very air around them seem to freeze.

"Hmph!" The black-robed figure grunted in acknowledgment.

"I’m... going to kill you!"

"BOOM!"

A world-shaking aura erupted from Shen Haoran, far stronger than when he had fought Ouyang Chen! In that instant, Shen Haoran activated his Heaven-Dominating Tribulation. The rage in his heart had long since overwhelmed his sanity. All he wanted was to do one thing: tear the black-robed figure before him to shreds and avenge the Shen Clan Members!

"BAM..."

Fire Spirit Black Obsidian instantly enveloped his fists. Like an Ancient Fierce Beast, Shen Haoran charged straight for the black-robed figure.

"BOOM!"

The next moment, his fist crashed against the sword. A terrifying shockwave blasted outward, snapping the surrounding ancient trees in half. The buildings of the Shen Family disintegrated into ash from the force of the blow.

"Die!"

Shen Haoran roared, and the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian flared on his fist. The sheer force of his punch shattered the longsword. His fist, carrying terrifying power, slammed directly into the black-robed figure’s chest. In the next instant, the figure’s body crumbled away and vanished before his eyes.

"Ah!"

The moment the black-robed figure vanished, a sharp pain lanced through Shen Haoran’s mind, forcing him to cry out.

"Xuan’Er, Xuan’Er..."

Suddenly, the scene around him shifted. A beautiful woman in elegant robes appeared before him. Her loving gaze fell upon his pained face with heartache, and she reached out to gently caress his cheek.

At her touch, Shen Haoran felt an unprecedented sense of peace wash over him, and the throbbing pain in his mind slowly began to fade. He opened his eyes and looked at the beautiful woman before him, his Heart Spirit trembling.

"Mom... is that you, Mom?" Shen Haoran asked, his voice trembling.

"Yes, Xuan’Er, it’s me," the beautiful woman said softly. "I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault you’ve had to suffer so much!" Tears welled in her eyes and fell onto Shen Haoran’s face.

Feeling the warm tears on his face, Shen Haoran could hardly believe what he was seeing was real. ’This is my mother, the one I’ve thought about day and night! The whole reason I’ve been pushing myself in my Cultivation, constantly trying to get stronger, was to save her and reunite our family! And now, the mother I’ve searched for so desperately is right here in front of me.’ Shen Haoran was too choked with emotion to speak.

"Come, let me see how much my Xuan’Er has changed over the years," the beautiful woman said, opening her arms to embrace him. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Shen Haoran subconsciously raised his arms and stepped into her embrace.

But just then, disaster struck! A massive cage suddenly fell from the sky, trapping the beautiful woman inside. Two figures slowly descended, landing on top of the cage.

"No... don’t! Let me look at my son! Let me see him!" The beautiful woman’s mournful cry rang out as the cage descended, jolting Shen Haoran from his dream-like state.

"Mom, what’s happening, Mom?" Shen Haoran stared at the cage in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock.

"Hmph, you disgrace of the Murong Family! You’re in no position to bargain with us!" a cold voice sneered from atop the cage. Shen Haoran looked up. The faces of the two figures were shrouded in darkness, making them impossible to identify. However, the word "Murong," embroidered with an elegant flourish on their chests, revealed their identity. ’They’re from the Murong Family!’

"Please, I’m begging you, just let me look at him one more time!" the beautiful woman pleaded, her face streaked with tears. In response, she received only a cold snort.

"Hmph. Take her away!"

With that, the two of them formed a Seal Technique, and the cage rose from the ground, flying off into the distance.

"Mom!" Watching his mother being carried away, Shen Haoran roared and charged after the cage.

"BOOM!"

However, the moment he rushed forward, a pair of giant hands materialized, bringing with them a terrifying pressure as they swatted down at him. He was smashed straight into the earth.

"Hmph. Know your place," a faint voice echoed in his ear. Then, the two figures and the cage vanished without a trace.

"Murong Family! MURONG FAMILY! I’LL MAKE EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU BOW YOUR HEADS AND REPENT TO MY MOTHER! I’LL MAKE YOU ALL DIE!" A wave of violent rage once again flooded Shen Haoran’s mind, and he descended into a state of frenzy.

"Brother Haoran, calm down, calm down!"

Just as Shen Haoran was about to lose control, a voice as warm and gentle as a spring breeze sounded in his ear, pulling him back to his senses.

Looking at the beautiful figure beside him, Shen Haoran was suddenly overcome with exhaustion. He murmured, "Ling Xuan, thank goodness for you. Whenever I’m at my lowest, you’re the only one left by my side."

Ji Lingxuan gently stroked Shen Haoran’s messy hair and whispered, "Brother Haoran, I’ll always be by your side! I promise, as long as..."

However, before Ji Lingxuan could finish, her words cut off abruptly. Startled, Shen Haoran looked up. The person standing before him was no longer Ji Lingxuan, but Feng Yin.

"Hmph. You don’t deserve Ling Xuan. Give up on her now. Her status is something you can only ever look up to," Feng Yin said dismissively, his words striking Shen Haoran’s heart like a hammer.

"You don’t deserve her!"

"You’re just a piece of trash, but Ling Xuan is one of heaven’s favored daughters. The two of you are from completely different worlds!"

"You can’t even protect your own grandfather or mother. What right do you have to protect Ling Xuan?"

The taunting voices echoed relentlessly in Shen Haoran’s mind. His eyes were hollow as he sat numbly on the ground, watching the scenes flash before him: his grandfather, murdered; his mother, imprisoned; Ling Xuan, walking away from him...

"I can’t do anything right... I can’t accomplish anything... I’m just a failure..." Shen Haoran hung his head, muttering brokenly.

"That’s right, you are a failure. A failure. A failure..." The words echoed endlessly in his ears, shredding his nerves.

Shen Haoran clutched at his hair, his face a mask of agony...