Fang Hao’s opponent in this round was a burly man at the ninth level of Qi Refining named Lei Bo. He wielded a pair of bronze hammers and possessed immense strength; one look was enough to tell he followed a path of brute force.

"You’re Fang Hao, right? I’ve heard your movement techniques are quite good." Lei Bo’s voice was like a resonant bell. "But in front of my bronze hammers, no matter how fast your movement is, it’s useless!"

Fang Hao smiled slightly. "Please advise me, Senior Brother Lei."

The match began, and Lei Bo was indeed fierce. He swung his dual hammers, kicking up gusts of wild wind as his offensive surged like an endless tide.

Fang Hao used Divine Spirit Steps to kite and fight, finding him truly difficult to deal with. Lei Bo’s attack range was large and his power was fierce; clashing head-on would definitely result in a loss. Moreover, his defense was tight, rarely revealing any openings.

The two exchanged dozens of moves, making it hard to distinguish a winner. The audience below the stage watched with great interest.

"This Lei Bo is truly formidable; those dual hammers are swung so tightly not even a drop of water could get through!"

"Fang Hao’s movement technique is even more impressive, being able to dodge such a fierce offensive."

"Who do you guys think will win?"

While kiting, Fang Hao observed Lei Bo’s flaws. He noticed that although his attacks were ferocious, he was slightly sluggish when turning or changing moves.

"Now!" Catching the moment Lei Bo changed his move, Fang Hao suddenly executed ’Shifting Form and Changing Shadow,’ appearing behind Lei Bo.

Lei Bo reacted extremely quickly, swinging a hammer back as he turned. But Fang Hao had already anticipated this and shifted positions again, simultaneously pointing a finger of Geng Metal Sword Qi toward Lei Bo’s wrist.

Lei Bo hurriedly dodged, but Fang Hao’s Sword Qi followed him like a shadow, continuously striking at several of his vital points.

This was the power of Divine Spirit Steps—once the initiative was seized, the offensive would flow like an unending tide.

Lei Bo was forced to switch from offense to defense, his dual hammers swinging into an impenetrable barrier. However, a long defense must eventually fail, and Fang Hao finally found a flaw, striking a vital acupoint on his chest with a finger.

Lei Bo felt a surge of soft force penetrate his body, leaving him numb all over as the dual hammers nearly slipped from his hands.

Fang Hao took the Opportunity to close in and gave a light palm thrust. Lei Bo’s massive body involuntarily retreated several steps, eventually stepping into empty air and falling off the arena stage.

"C-Platform, Fang Hao wins!" the referee announced loudly.

The crowd below broke into an uproar. No one expected that Lei Bo, known for his brute strength, would be defeated by a method of overcoming hardness with softness.

Lei Bo climbed up, acting quite sportsmanship-like. "Impressive, impressive! Junior Brother Ning has great skill; I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."

Fang Hao cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Lei was generous. If Senior Brother hadn’t shown mercy, it would have been difficult for me to win."

These words gave Lei Bo plenty of Face, and Lei Bo laughed heartily, his favorable impression of Fang Hao increasing greatly.

Ultimately, Fang Hao successfully obtained the qualification for the Illusionary Realm Trial with an eighth-place finish on the C-Platform.

After the five hundred slots were determined, the Sect announced the trial rules: There were nine levels in the illusionary realm, each containing tests and opportunities. Disciples could explore freely but were not allowed to intentionally take lives. Final rewards would be assessed based on performance and gains within the illusionary realm.

Three days later, the Illusionary Realm Trial officially began.

Five hundred Disciples gathered at the Sect square, waiting for the entrance to the illusionary realm to open. Fang Hao saw several acquaintances: Li Xuan and Zhu Pang had also advanced, Chen Feng was among them, as well as Yi Bing and Lei Bo, whom he had fought before.

When Chen Feng saw Fang Hao, he gave a cold snort, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Fang Hao didn’t bother with him, focusing on adjusting his state.

At the stroke of noon, several Elders joined forces to cast a spell, and a massive light gate appeared in the center of the square.

"The Illusionary Realm Trial officially begins! Disciples, enter and seek your destiny!" the presiding Elder shouted with a wave of his sleeve.

The Disciples scrambled to pour into the light gate. Fang Hao entered with the crowd, feeling a blur before his eyes; the next moment, he was already standing in a strange world.

The sky here was pale purple, glowing plants grew on the ground, and in the distance were towering mountain ranges and ancient ruins.

Fang Hao sensed the surroundings and found that the Spiritual Qi here was several times denser than in the outside world! As expected of an illusionary realm, it was truly extraordinary. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Other Disciples also sensed this and began to sit down one after another to Cultivate.

But Fang Hao was in no hurry to Cultivate. He carefully observed the environment and found that the terrain and distribution of Spiritual Qi here were very regular, seemingly conforming to some kind of Formation.

"Could this illusionary realm itself be a giant Formation?" Fang Hao had a moment of realization.

He tried to circulate the Myriad Manifestations Heaven Swallowing Art and indeed felt Spiritual Qi of different attributes surging from different directions.

"Interesting..." A flash of excitement crossed Fang Hao’s eyes. This illusionary realm was practically a Holy Land for Cultivation tailored specifically for someone like him with Seven Spiritual Roots!

However, the immediate priority was to explore the illusionary realm and find opportunities. Fang Hao selected a direction and used Divine Spirit Steps to speed forward.

The Illusionary Realm Trial had officially begun! What awaited him would be infinite opportunities and challenges!

As Fang Hao stepped into the illusionary realm, he felt the surrounding Spiritual Qi was so dense it almost turned into substance. Under the pale purple sky, the glowing plants emitted a soft light, reflecting the entire space like a dream.

The other Disciples couldn’t wait to start sitting and Cultivating as soon as they entered, fearing they would waste this rare Opportunity. But Fang Hao remained vigilant—since it was a trial, it certainly wouldn’t be that simple.

He carefully observed his surroundings and found the distribution of Spiritual Qi was very orderly, seemingly aligning with some kind of Formation. In the distance, several ruined buildings were faintly visible, looking like some kind of ancient ruins.

"I’ll scout the path first." Fang Hao used Divine Spirit Steps to silently glide toward the ruins.

The deeper he went, the denser the Spiritual Qi became, but he also felt an invisible pressure. After traveling for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a dilapidated stone hall appeared ahead, with a stone tablet standing before it carved with ancient characters.

Fang Hao identified them carefully and barely recognized the three words: "Heart Testing Hall." The hall doors were wide open, and the inside was pitch black, exuding a mysterious aura.

Just as Fang Hao was hesitating whether to enter, an old voice suddenly rang in his mind:

"Trial-taker, welcome to the first level of the illusionary realm. To enter the second level, you must pass the test of the Heart Testing Hall. There are three stages in the hall; those who pass will receive rewards."

After the voice vanished, a light screen appeared before Fang Hao, displaying the current number of people who had passed the first level: zero.

"It seems I’m the first one here." Fang Hao took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.

As soon as he entered the hall door, the scene before him suddenly changed. He found himself back in Nine Slopes Village, transplanting rice seedlings in the fields, with his parents working beside him.

"Haoer, what are you dazing for? Hurry up and work!" his father urged.

His mother wiped her sweat and said lovingly, "Rest for a while if you’re tired; Mother brought you some water."

Fang Hao was dazed for a moment. This feeling was too real—the scorching heat of the sun, the scent of the soil, his parents’ voices and expressions...

But he quickly sobered up. "This is an illusionary realm test!"

Sure enough, the scene changed again in the next moment. He was standing at the Azure Cloud Sect’s Outer Sect assessment area, testing his Spiritual Roots. The crystal ball erupted with seven-colored light, and the deacon shook his head with a sigh: "Wasted Spiritual Root, Menial Labor Department."

Then came the hard years in the Menial Labor Department, the exhaustion of the mines, Chen Feng’s harassment... scene after scene reappeared, incredibly real.

Fang Hao’s heart surged with emotions, but he held his mind steady. "Those are all things of the past; I am already different now!"

The scene changed once more. This time he saw his future self—successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, being respected by others, and his parents being proud of him...

"A test of desires?" Fang Hao sneered. "These are indeed things I want, but I will obtain them through my own strength; I don’t need the charity of an illusion!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the illusions instantly shattered. He was back in the Heart Testing Hall, and a light gate appeared before him.

"First stage, Breaking Delusion, passed," the old voice rang out.

Fang Hao stepped through the light gate and arrived in a second room. This place was empty, with only a jade box placed in the center.