6 Treachery (1/2)

Techniques could roughly be categorized into Spiritual Energy, Soul Power, and Mental Energy.

All Arts that used True Elements and Rare Energies could be categorized as the first, all that used the Soul as a medium fell into the second, and every type of mystic art that required a powerful mind belonged to the third.

Among them, Mental Arts were ranked the last in power, but the first in deceitfulness and strategy.

Even though Cultivators lived for much longer than a common person, their greediness and arrogance could turn them into prime targets for an astute Mental Power user.

Lustful young masters with a wavering Dao Heart could be tempted.

Ancient Cultivators that lived for thousands of years could be afraid of death.

The sight of a treasure could turn all into frenzied thieves, willing to go too far for achieving one step closer to true immortality.

An overprotective father with a good moral compass could ignore everything for the sake of his daughter.

Mental Energy preyed on their weaknesses, and therefore all cultivators either despised them or feared their shrewdness.

However, this power was a double-edged blade. It could cut the enemy but also the user himself. The stronger the target mind was, the highest the chance the tables could turn and the technique could either fail or take unexpected turns. Entering someone's mind meant your own mind was also wide open.

Yun Lin Xue used the [Mind Breaking Purple Cloud Art], a middle-grade human tier technique. Both the user and the victim were carried over to a Mental Illusory Plane where the weaker mind would face all kinds of scenarios until his mind broke down.

Although unsuitable to fast battles since it needed several hand-seals and also had a high consumption of energy, it was perfect for torture and interrogation. If the target had a strong mind he would've been able to resist the attempt, but in general, someone at the 4th layer and without a lot of experience would never resist a talent in Mental Techniques like Yun Lin Xue.

But of course, Ming Ren never thought about resisting in the first place.

”You… are you crazy? Don't you fell pain?” Even though there was no physical pain, it was still real.

”Hahahaha... it's just so funny… I thought I wouldn't have any chance to escape,” Ming Ren had a bloody smile with it also dropping from his eyes.

”What the hell are you talking about?!” Yun Lin Xue prepared to continue his assault. This time he would make a thousand spirit bugs craw inside Ming Ren's skin until he begged for mercy.

He raised his hand, but suddenly he felt something digging through his own skin. He scratched it quickly and then realized something was very wrong, ”No… this...it can't be…?”

Out of nowhere, a thousand spirit bugs started digging inside his flesh, but no matter how much he scratched the itch never went away. He could only scream in pain.

”BREAK!” He tried to end his own illusion but it was too late.

Ming Ren appeared in front of his eyes in a white majestic robe, the same as in the dream he had earlier. He had his hand across the chest and floated like an immortal. With a flick of his hand, the bugs went away.

”You...you... how?” There was no mistake. This trash in front of him was in control of the Mind Breaking Purple Cloud Art, which meant he had the stronger mind.

A trash at the 4th layer of the Body Tempering Realm!

”You will tell me everything I want to know or… well, you know this technique better than anyone,” Ming Ren calmy smiled.

”Snort, you think I'm afraid?! It doesn't matter if you're in control, all I need is to break the Art. You don't even have any mental energy or know the technique!” Yun Lin Xue roared.

”You're right, I can't use the Mind Breaking Purple Cloud Art. But you already activated it for me, why would I need to do it again?”

Yun Lin Xue trembled, ”But… you can't possibly control it… unless...”

His eyes opened wide and he started at grin in Ming Ren's face.

Yun Lin Xue instantly felt despair, 'Sister, you have wronged me!'

No wonder his father was hellbent on killing this boy. His sister was so deep in love with him that she even divulged the arts of the clan to an outsider.

Ming Ren knew what he was thinking, but he didn't care enough to correct his misinterpretation. Yes, Shufen showed him several of Cloud Clan's arts, but it was a mutual exchange between them, including Bai Xun. They swore an oath of secrecy and their friendship was also beyond questioning.

In reality, Ming Ren could not use the Mind Breaking Purple Cloud Art. It required either Mental Energy or the Cloud Clan's bloodline. Shufen could use it without entering the Spirit Realm because she had an innate connection to Mental Energy due to her bloodline being exceptionally rich and powerful.

Even before entering the Bright Sculpture he already had the means to counter this attack. After his time there, he experienced innumerable Mind Arts and mysteries, enough that the Mind Breaking Purple Cloud Art, a middle-tier human grade Art, was child's play for him to understand.

In fact, Yun Jie should have been made aware that Shufen divulged secrets to Ming Ren and Bai Xun since she was always being followed in the shadows, but those protectors dared not tell the Patriarch this important piece of news as they were afraid of being punished or silenced completely. Anything related to the young mistress was always a minefield.