Chapter 254: The Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions! 【Please Vote with Monthly Tickets】
“Really not?”
The Ice-Fire Elder stared at the vertical eye between Ji Yuan's brows and asked.
…This old man had guarded this Strange Pond for decades, perhaps even over a century. He had most likely discovered something.
If that was the case, should Ji Yuan just tell him the truth?
That would also let him ask whether seeing that purple vertical eye would bring about any side effects.
What if everyone who saw it met with misfortune?
Just as Ji Yuan was considering asking, he saw the Ice-Fire Elder take out a bright mirror from his Storage Pouch.
The mirror was aimed directly at Ji Yuan.
Only then did he discover that a third eye had grown between his brows.
It was unmistakably the very same purple vertical eye he had seen within the cold pool!
“No... what the hell?!”
‘How did this thing end up on me?!’
The first sentence escaped Ji Yuan's mouth instinctively.
The second remained in his heart.
After saying those two lines, he subconsciously took a step back before hurriedly reaching toward his forehead.
Yet before his hand could even touch it, he felt as though something was threatening it, causing him to instinctively blink...
The vertical eye between his brows blinked.
It felt exactly like someone suddenly stabbing toward his two normal eyes. The blink was nothing more than instinctive.
But damn it—
How the hell did this eye end up on him?!
While stunned, Ji Yuan desperately tried to gain control over the vertical eye between his brows.
He wanted to see whether he could remove this strange eye from his body.
Even if he couldn't remove it, perhaps he could at least refine it and obtain some kind of special ability!
He first swept it with his Divine Sense.
There was no abnormality whatsoever.
Ji Yuan then mobilized the spiritual energy within his dantian and attempted to refine it.
The purple vertical eye still showed no reaction.
He was out of options.
He could only turn toward the smiling Ice-Fire Elder and hurriedly ask,
“Senior, what exactly is going on? You have a solution, don't you?”
“What exactly is this vertical eye? Why did it appear on my body? Can it be removed?”
The Ice-Fire Elder chuckled.
“Didn't you say you never fell into the cold pool?”
“Why are you asking this old man? I don't know either.”
Shaking his head, the Ice-Fire Elder made as though to leave.
Ji Yuan immediately grabbed the old man's sleeve with his left hand while pointing at the eye between his brows with his right.
“Senior, I'll tell the truth. I did fall in. After refining my flying sword, I suddenly heard a voice calling me. Then an identical purple vertical eye appeared beneath the water, and somehow... I walked right into it... After that... it ended up like this.”
“I remembered your warning that I absolutely must not enter the water... but... I was afraid you'd blame me, so I didn't dare tell the truth.”
“How did you climb back out?”
The Ice-Fire Elder finally responded.
“I... I don't know either. I don't know how much time passed. I suddenly regained consciousness and hurriedly climbed out of the cold pool. I nearly froze to death inside.”
“How deep did you go?”
The Ice-Fire Elder asked again.
Ji Yuan bent down, glanced at his legs, then gestured around knee height.
“About this deep.”
“Did both feet go in?”
“Yes.”
Although Ji Yuan usually liked keeping a trump card hidden, he did not dare conceal anything now.
Hua Yaoyue wasn't here.
The only person he could seek help from was the Ice-Fire Elder before him, especially since the old man had also entered the Ice-Fire Pool before.
The Ice-Fire Elder raised a brow.
“Release your Divine Sense and let me have a look... all of it.”
The moment those words were spoken, Ji Yuan vaguely understood.
The purple vertical eye inside the cold pool was most likely related to the Divine Soul.
Others had failed to trigger it because their Divine Souls weren't strong enough—or rather, because their Divine Souls hadn't surpassed the limits of their current cultivation realms.
He was different.
His Divine Soul was exceptionally powerful, which was why it had attracted the appearance of the purple vertical eye.
As for why he had managed to awaken from the illusion afterward, it was because his Divine Soul far surpassed cultivators of the same cultivation realm, and he had also cultivated a Divine Soul Method.
If that reasoning was correct...
Then the purple vertical eye sought cultivators whose Divine Souls were only slightly stronger than those of ordinary cultivators.
The only question was whether it intended to possess them or do something else.
“Yes.”
Ji Yuan answered before slowly releasing his Divine Sense.
At the same time, he wondered—
Should he truly release everything?
If he did, it would rival an Early Golden Core Stage cultivator.
Yet the cultivation he displayed externally was only Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment.
The Ice-Fire Elder shouldn't be able to see through Hua Yaoyue's 《Breath Concealment Art》.
A Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator possessing Golden Core-level Divine Sense would simply be too outrageous.
As the thought flashed through his mind, Ji Yuan made his decision.
He should still keep one trump card hidden.
Peak Foundation Establishment Divine Sense should be about right.
If he only displayed Late Foundation Establishment Divine Sense...
That probably wouldn't explain how he had escaped from the cold pool.
But displaying Early Golden Core Divine Sense was simply too absurd.
After weighing everything, Peak Foundation Establishment was the most appropriate.
Ji Yuan released his Divine Sense.
The Ice-Fire Elder likewise released his own Divine Sense.
He watched with his own eyes as Ji Yuan's Divine Sense gradually reached the limit of Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment before naturally advancing into the range of Late Foundation Establishment.
'Just as expected.'
The old man thought to himself without saying anything, continuing to observe.
However, when he discovered that Ji Yuan's Divine Sense had already reached the very limit of Late Foundation Establishment and still showed no sign of stopping, he was finally moved.
Then came...
Peak Foundation Establishment!
Only then did Ji Yuan stop releasing his Divine Sense.
His face flushed red as he said with great effort,
“S-Senior... this is my limit.”
“Good. Very good. Put it away.”
The Ice-Fire Elder stroked his beard beneath his chin and nodded repeatedly.
Only then did Ji Yuan withdraw his Divine Sense before looking nervously at the old man.
Yet the Ice-Fire Elder no longer looked at him.
Instead, with his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly paced before Ji Yuan.
“You didn't produce another version of yourself inside your body, did you?”
Upon hearing that, Ji Yuan genuinely examined his Divine Soul before shaking his head.
“No.”
“Then I understand.”
The Ice-Fire Elder let out a long sigh.
His voice carried relief born from finally letting something go...
And perhaps even a trace of liberation.
“May I ask what you've understood, Senior?”
Ji Yuan stepped forward and cupped his hands.
The Ice-Fire Elder turned around and pointed at his own head.
“Like you, I was born with a Divine Soul different from ordinary people. However, your Divine Soul exceeds your cultivation by two minor cultivation realms, whereas mine only exceeds it by one. In other words, although I'm currently at the Late Golden Core Stage, my Divine Sense is already no weaker than that of some Peak Golden Core cultivators.”
Before Ji Yuan could praise him, the old man continued.
“The two of us both managed to summon that purple vertical eye and were drawn into the cold pool because our Divine Souls differ from ordinary people.”
“But my Divine Soul was ultimately one step weaker, so it was torn in half by that force, giving birth to me.”
“Your Divine Soul is even stronger than mine, allowing you to withstand the erosion of that purple vertical eye and emerge completely unharmed.”
This had been a mystery that had troubled the Ice-Fire Elder for countless years.
He had never understood why he alone had seen that vertical eye or why he had fallen into the cold pool.
Over the years, it wasn't as though he had never tried having others enter.
Quite the opposite.
Nearly every female cultivator currently living within the valley had once been taken by him to the Ice-Fire Pool.
Yet not a single one had managed to summon that purple vertical eye again.
Until he met this "Li Changshou."
Not only had he seen the purple vertical eye—
He had also climbed back out of the pool alive.
He had even solved the mystery that had long troubled the Ice-Fire Elder.
For Ji Yuan, however, only one thought occupied his mind.
So that's really what happened.
Ji Yuan immediately asked,
“Senior, what exactly is this purple vertical eye? Can it be removed?”
The Ice-Fire Elder did not answer.
Instead, he blinked.
Immediately afterward, an identical purple vertical eye appeared on his own forehead.
The purple eyeball within slowly rotated before fixing its gaze upon Ji Yuan.
The two purple vertical eyes stared directly at each other.
Nothing unusual happened.
Yet this action alone already answered Ji Yuan's question.
The thing could not be removed.
If there truly were a way, the Ice-Fire Elder would never still have one on his own forehead.
“It can't be removed.”
“As for where it came from... this old man doesn't know either.”
“I can only speculate that it originated from another continent.”
“It definitely isn't something our Cangluo Continent could possess.”
The Ice-Fire Elder finally gave his answer.
The very first thought that surfaced in Ji Yuan's mind was—
Go back and ask Hua Yaoyue!
Anything involving another continent could only be answered by her.
It was just like the Taiyi Azure Light Talisman.
Had he not asked her before, Ji Yuan wouldn't have known what to do.
“Then does this purple vertical eye possess any special abilities?”
Since it couldn't be removed, Ji Yuan naturally wanted to obtain some benefits from it.
The purple vertical eye between the Ice-Fire Elder's brows stared fixedly at Ji Yuan before he said,
“You're actually quite handsome. Li Gang certainly isn't. You probably inherited your looks from your mother. No wonder you could become the Li Family's illegitimate son.”
Ji Yuan: “???”
He naturally ignored the teasing.
What he heard instead was the key point.
The purple vertical eye could see through his Shapeshifting Talisman!
Discernment?
Or perception beyond appearances?
...I knew this purple vertical eye couldn't possibly be useless.
“Senior, how do I refine it?”
Ji Yuan asked whenever he didn't understand something.
The Ice-Fire Elder didn't hide anything either.
“There's also a purple vertical eye on the forehead of your Divine Soul. Try communicating with it, and you'll naturally refine it.”
“The eye possesses a trace of the ability to discern the truth.”
“It is especially effective against illusions and crooked, sinister techniques.”
“As for exactly how powerful it is, you'll have to test it yourself later.”
“Besides that, it also possesses a trace of x-ray vision.”
“However, it can only see through ordinary worldly objects.”
“Anything related to spiritual energy cannot be seen through.”
X-ray vision...
Wasn't that every man's dream ability?!
Even if it could only see through mundane objects, it was still incredibly powerful.
However, after thinking about it carefully, Ji Yuan found it somewhat regrettable.
Even Qi Refining cultivators generally wore magical robes.
And once they were magical robes, they contained spiritual energy.
They naturally couldn't be seen through.
“This junior will give it a try.”
After speaking, Ji Yuan closed his eyes and examined his Divine Soul internally.
His Divine Soul was currently protected so tightly by the faintly golden-glowing Soul-Suppressing Bell that there wasn't the slightest gap.
But...
There was no vertical eye at all, just as the Ice-Fire Elder had described.
Ji Yuan inspected it repeatedly.
The Divine Soul seated within his Sea of Consciousness was perfectly clean.
Not to mention a purple vertical eye—
There wasn't even the slightest trace of any other color.
It was simply a pure gray-black silhouette sitting cross-legged within endless emptiness, without any visible facial features.
What was going on?
Just as Ji Yuan was about to ask, he suddenly noticed a streak of purple light flash outside the Soul-Suppressing Bell.
“Hm?”
He looked over.
Sure enough, outside the Soul-Suppressing Bell was a purple vertical eye.
It clearly wanted to enter but was blocked by the Soul-Suppressing Bell.
Unable to get inside, it darted around frantically, seemingly searching for even the tiniest crack through which it could squeeze.
...You bastard.
You don't look like anything good.
Ji Yuan immediately swept out with his Divine Sense.
At the same time, the Soul-Suppressing Bell trembled slightly, releasing waves of golden radiance.
Wherever the soul-suppressing light passed—
The purple vertical eye immediately behaved itself.
Ji Yuan's Divine Sense seized the opportunity and caught it.
He grabbed it.
Then refined it instantly.
His Divine Sense imprint was immediately branded upon the purple vertical eye.
In that instant—
Ji Yuan discovered a connection between himself and the purple vertical eye.
Or rather...
He had finally gained control over it!
Immediately afterward, he noticed an additional layer of vision.
It was the sight perceived through the purple vertical eye between his brows.
Ji Yuan looked around.
Everything appeared gray and hazy.
Only the Ice-Fire Elder emitted white light, indicating he was a cultivator.
The brighter the light on a person—
The stronger that person's cultivation.
That information naturally appeared in Ji Yuan's mind.
At the same time, he learned the eye's true name.
“The Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions!”
So this purple vertical eye was actually called the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions!
Damn.
What an incredibly domineering name.
Ji Yuan blinked the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions before walking over to the mountainside and looking downward.
Another layer of golden light appeared in his vision.
The light screen wasn't particularly bright.
Only a faint glow could be seen.
Countless patterns continuously flowed across it.
Vaguely, Ji Yuan could even make out the weakest points within that light screen.
This light screen was naturally the formation protecting the place.
Ji Yuan already knew that.
What shocked him was that the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions could actually discover the weak points of a Third-Tier Formation?!
Wouldn't breaking formations become...
Ridiculously easy from now on?
Damn!
Was the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions really this powerful?!
For a moment, Ji Yuan's heartbeat quickened.
The Ice-Fire Elder also walked over and stood beside him, explaining cheerfully,
“Don't be impatient. Once you reach the Core Formation Stage yourself, you'll also be able to use the purple eye to see the formation I've laid here.”
Core Formation Stage...
Only then could one see the formation?
Then what did it mean that he could already see it—
And even identify its weak points?
Was it because his eyesight was simply that good?
Ji Yuan's heart shook violently.
He didn't know whether it was because his Divine Soul was exceptionally powerful...
Or because he had refined the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions while it was still outside the Soul-Suppressing Bell.
Either way—
His level of control over this purple eye definitely surpassed that of the Ice-Fire Elder!
Not only could he already see through this Third-Tier Formation...
He had even learned the eye's true name.
That absolutely had to remain a secret.
Ji Yuan took a deep breath before smiling.
“It seems this really turned misfortune into a blessing. I just wonder where exactly this purple eye came from.”
“Who cares where it came from? As long as it's useful.”
The purple eye between the Ice-Fire Elder's brows blinked before instantly closing and disappearing into his forehead.
“It's definitely a blessing in disguise.”
“And your spiritual energy has most likely also absorbed a trace of ice attributes.”
“That's quite a rare benefit.”
“Since you're already a water cultivator, after you return, you can have Li Gang help you gather some ice cultivation techniques.”
“But remember this well.”
“The secret of the purple vertical eye is far too significant.”
“You absolutely must not tell anyone else.”
Ji Yuan immediately nodded.
“Please rest assured, Senior.”
“My mouth is tightly sealed.”
...At most, he'd tell Hua Yaoyue after returning.
She was his dearest master.
How could she count as "anyone else"?
“Very well. Since there's nothing else, let's return.”
Perhaps because they had shared similar experiences...
Or perhaps because Ji Yuan had finally resolved the mystery weighing upon the Ice-Fire Elder's heart.
In any case, the way he now looked at Ji Yuan had become much kinder.
“Yes.”
Ji Yuan originally thought the Ice-Fire Elder would take him to the imperial palace.
Unexpectedly, the two instead returned to the same courtyard they had visited earlier.
Ye Zhiqiu was still waiting there.
Hearing movement outside, she hurriedly ran out.
“Greetings, Senior. Greetings, Young Master.”
The Ice-Fire Elder simply grunted before walking toward his own room.
Ji Yuan looked at his departing back, hesitating.
He hadn't forgotten that one of the purposes of this trip was to trade for the Three-Eyed Dark Beast Spine Bone.
But judging from the temperament of this Ice-Fire Elder...
The transaction would most likely fail.
Forget it.
He would wait until the other Ice-Fire Elder emerged.
He just didn't know how often the two personalities alternated.
“Just wait.”
“He'll come out tomorrow.”
Seeing Ji Yuan hesitate, the Ice-Fire Elder guessed what he was thinking.
He waved a hand before walking into his room.
Ji Yuan bowed respectfully toward his back before returning to his own room.
Since Ye Zhiqiu was present, Ji Yuan couldn't conveniently study the Divine Eye That Breaks Illusions he had just obtained.
Instead, he continued comprehending the 《Sword Canon》.
For now, raising his cultivation remained his highest priority.
“Young Master Li, I...”
Ye Zhiqiu looked at Ji Yuan sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion, seemingly doing nothing except cultivating.
She hesitated.
“Go ahead.”
Ji Yuan opened his eyes.
“I want to leave as soon as possible.”
“What happened aboard the Whale Patrol Boat won't remain hidden for long.”
“Once the Luo Family learns of it, they'll definitely come to Ice-Fire Island to investigate.”
“If I wait until then, leaving will become nearly impossible.”
This was the conclusion Ye Zhiqiu had reached after careful consideration over the past two days.
Since "Li Changshou" was unwilling to take her in...
She could only rely on herself.
Escaping as soon as possible was the correct choice.
“You're planning to leave aboard an Ephemeral Bloom Boat?”
“Yes.”
Ye Zhiqiu nodded.
“Alright.”
“I'll go speak to Senior and have him let you leave.”
Ji Yuan didn't make things difficult for her.
After saying that, he stood up.
Ye Zhiqiu bowed deeply.
“I'll never forget your life-saving grace, Young Master Li.”
“If you ever require my help in the future, simply send word.”
“My life will always belong to you.”
“You're exaggerating.”
Ji Yuan smiled.
He neither fully believed nor doubted those words.
Walking to the doorway, he cupped his hands toward the Ice-Fire Elder's room.
“Senior, this fellow Daoist has matters requiring her to leave early. I ask that you grant her passage.”
Ye Zhiqiu also stepped forward and bowed.
“Go.”
The Ice-Fire Elder's voice came from inside the room.
Immediately afterward, a visible opening appeared in the sky above.
The Ice-Fire Elder had naturally long since realized that Ye Zhiqiu wasn't Ji Yuan's maid.
Ye Zhiqiu looked upward before cupping her hands toward Ji Yuan once more.
“Young Master Li, farewell.”
After speaking, she summoned a cyan flying sword, leapt onto it, and flew away on her sword.
Ji Yuan was just about to turn around and leave as well.
At that moment—
He heard a door open within the Ice-Fire Elder's courtyard.
Turning around, he saw that the Ice-Fire Real Person, dressed in a fiery crimson dragon robe, had already stepped out, laughing heartily.
“Congratulations, worthy nephew!”
“You've obtained a tremendous opportunity!”
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(End of Chapter)