Chapter 43 – Lost In The Illusion? (1/2)

An hour of time pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye. After everyone finished resting, Elder Qian that stood on the platform opened his eyes, and he glanced at the 1,000 youths that stood ramrod straight below the platform. When he saw Yang Ye, his gaze stopped for a moment before he nodded slightly, and then he said in a clear voice, “The second stage will test your wills towards the Sword Dao. Come with me!” As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and walked towards the back.

All the youths hurriedly followed him when they heard this. Moreover, it wasn’t just those 1,000 youths, and even the others that were eliminated had followed along as well. Even though they’d been eliminated, they Sword Sect still allowed them to stay behind and watch.

“An Illusion Formation?” The young man with a black mole grinned as he followed along as well, and all the other disciples behind hurriedly follow him.

In next to no time, all of them arrived before an enormous camouflage colored ring of light under Elder Qian’s lead. The camouflage colored ring of light was extremely large, and it wasn’t a problem for it to accommodate a few thousands of people. All sorts of symbols flickered within the ring of light, and these symbols moved according to a certain pathway.

“So, this is an Illusion Formation!” Yang Ye spoke in a light voice as he gazed at the ring of light before him.

He’d heard of Illusion Formations in the past. Supposedly, it was set-up by a Formation Master of the Sword Sect in the past, and it even possessed numerous symbols with strange functions that were inscribed by Talisman Masters. Because of these symbols, one would enter into an illusion upon standing in the ring of light. Thus, it was called an Illusion Formation.

However, the illusion created by this Illusion Formation was different from the illusion created by the bracelets he gave Su Qings.h.i.+. Because this Illusion Formation merely tested one’s will, and the injuries one experienced within the illusion wouldn’t be carried forward into reality. On the other hand, the bracelets he gave Su Qings.h.i.+ would cause one to suffer a heavy injury in reality as well!

Elder Qian turned around and looked at everyone as he said, “This formation is called an Illusion Formation. From the moment the formation is activated, those that are unable to wake up after the time for three incense sticks to burn will be eliminated. Head in right now!”

When they heard this, the 1,000 youths hurriedly entered the ring, and then they awaited the arrival of the illusion.

After he saw all of them had entered the ring, Elder Qian said in a low voice, “Remember, everything is an illusion!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his right hand, and a talisman flew into the sky above the ring. In the next moment, the symbols in the blue ring started to circulate at high speeds.

The heavens and the earth around him spun while the scene before Yang Ye’s eyes changed, and when he saw the scene that appeared before his eyes, Yang Ye’s eyes instantly turned red.

It was that familiar city, that familiar street, that familiar stone house. It was everything familiar to him. This was Southpeace City, and this stone house before him was the home that he’d known since he was young.

He was extremely familiar with all of this, and he wouldn’t even get lost while walking with his eyes closed.

Yang Ye slowly walked towards the long wooden bench before the stone house. As he gazed at it, his gaze gradually moistened. In the past, Yang Ye, his mother, and his younger sister would frequently sit here. His mother would sit at the center doing needlework while allowing him and his younger sister to ma.s.sage her legs.

After a short while, his gaze moved up, and on the wall was a mural drawn with charcoal. When he saw this drawing, there was warmth in Yang Ye’s heart, and his eyes moistened further. The drawing was of a young girl with pigtails that was holding the hand of a young boy. The young girl was exactly his younger sister, Little Yao, and the young boy was naturally him. However, someone had drawn two pigtails on the young boy’s head, causing the young boy to become a young girl.

This drawing had been drawn by none other than Yang Ye himself, whereas, the pigtails on the young boy’s head was a prank that Little Yao had played.

Creak!

Right at this moment, the wooden door of the stone hour was suddenly opened, and then a young girl around the age of 15 and a woman around the age of 30 walked out from within the house.

The young girl’s hair was tied into pigtails, and she wore an extremely old yet very clean dress. She had willow leaf shaped brows, lively eyes, and a fine nose. Even though her clothes were old, they were unable to conceal her pretty appearance.

The woman was similarly wearing an old dress, yet it was extremely clean as well. The woman was around 30 years of age, had willow shaped brows, slanted eyes, an oval shaped face, and an ample and delicate figure. However, her face and hands already carried the traces of age and hards.h.i.+ps. Especially her hands, the thick layer of calluses on her hands could be seen from extremely far away.

When the young girl saw Yang Ye, her eyes lit up, and then they turned red. She immediately ran over to Yang Ye and hugged him tightly as she said, “Big Brother, why have you only returned now? Why have you….” As she spoke, she was already choking with sobs.

Yang Ye’s hand remained stiff in midair for a long time, and his hand finally descended onto the young girl’s back when he felt the tears on his chest. After that, Yang Ye said unconsciously. “Hasn’t Big Brother returned now? Don’t cry. Little Yao’s face will puff up and become ugly if you continue crying.”

“I don’t care, I don’t care. It’s your fault for not returning for two years! It’s all your fault! I’ll cry and fill you with guilt!!” The young girl's head went closer into Yang Ye’s embrace as she sobbed and spoke.

Meanwhile, the beautiful woman walked over to Yang Ye, and then she stretched out her hand to rub his head. After that, she touched his face while revealing an affectionate expression, and she said in a gentle voice, “You must have suffered in the Sword Sect during these years. It’s good that you’re back now, I’ll go make your favorite sweet and sour pork later.”

“Mother!” Yang Ye felt like there was a lump in his throat, and his eyes moistened once more. He said, “You’ve really suffered during these years. Don’t worry, from today onwards, I won’t allow you and Little Yao to suffer any more hards.h.i.+ps. I promise!”