"Haoran, it’s been too long! Grandpa has missed you so much!" The "Old Sir Shen" walked over, his eyes filled with tears as he spoke in a trembling voice.

Looking at the "Old Sir Shen" before him, Shen Haoran’s eyes reddened as well. He had been away for two years now. He hadn’t returned to the Shen Family even once, nor had he sent a single letter home. He had no idea how his grandfather and the others were doing.

"My boy, come on. Come home with me. The whole family is waiting for you!" Seeing Shen Haoran’s reddened eyes, the "Old Sir Shen" continued affectionately.

The "Old Sir Shen"’s gaze was kind, and his words were full of tenderness. Had this been the old Shen Haoran, he would have surely been deceived by this Illusion Realm. But right now, Shen Haoran’s eyes were exceptionally clear.

The illusion here was certainly lifelike; Shen Haoran couldn’t find a single flaw. But, if he had to compare, the illusion the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian had shown him back when he was subduing the Fire Spirit Pearl in the Five Elements Sect—*that* was truly realistic. Back then, Shen Haoran had come dangerously close to being lost in it forever. This illusion was child’s play by comparison.

Thanks to that ordeal, Shen Haoran was more or less immune to such things. Still, even knowing this "Old Sir Shen" was merely an illusion, he gave the figure a deep bow. ’I’ve been out of touch for two years. Grandfather must have been worried sick. As soon as things in the Northern Domain are settled, I’ll go back to the Shen Family for a visit.’

After bowing to the illusion, Shen Haoran strode forward without hesitation. His body passed right through the form of "Old Sir Shen". As he continued on, familiar figures appeared one after another: Ji Lingxuan, Shen Ling’Er, Murong Wan’Er, and others.

Shen Haoran gazed at the incredibly lifelike illusions. Though his eyes held a hint of nostalgia, they remained clear, completely unswayed by the phantoms. He just kept walking. Whenever he encountered someone, Shen Haoran would simply smile and nod. ’These are my friends and family. It’s enough just to be able to see them here.’

He walked on like this for he knew not how long, until the mist before him suddenly dissipated and the scene ahead cleared completely.

’Did I make it through?’ Shen Haoran wondered, looking back. Behind him, there was still a vast, gray sea of fog, completely unchanged. In truth, he was a little reluctant to leave. After all, those illusions were of the very people he longed for day and night. He wished he could have looked at them for just a little longer.

SIGH... Shen Haoran let out a soft sigh. ’A person can’t live in illusions, after all. You have to keep moving forward.’

With that thought, Shen Haoran turned his gaze forward. Before him stood a stone wall so high its top was lost to sight. Set into the cliff face were dozens of Bronze Gates. The green patina of the bronze and the thick layer of moss covering them spoke of the great ages they had endured.

’What’s this now? Am I supposed to just pick one and go in?’ Shen Haoran walked closer, staring at the row of dozens of Bronze Gates, feeling at a loss.

The trials in the Divine Martial Realm were clearly not simple. Shen Haoran had realized that from the first trial in the Illusion Realm. The gray mist had been able to read the deepest images in a person’s heart and present them with lifelike clarity. If he hadn’t experienced an even more terrifying illusion before, he would have likely gotten lost in it, needing a long time to find his way out.

This, then, must be the second trial. By the looks of it, he had to choose one of these thirty Bronze Gates to enter. What lay behind them, however, was a complete mystery. But Shen Haoran knew one thing: it certainly wouldn’t be easy to pass.

After observing for a moment and finding no discernible difference between the thirty Bronze Gates, Shen Haoran thought to himself, ’Looks like I’ll need its help!’

"Hey, Changmao, get out here! Time to work!" Shen Haoran shouted in his mind.

"Huh? What is it? I was sleeping so soundly!" A moment later, a pitch-black shadow appeared on Shen Haoran’s shoulder. It rubbed its bleary eyes with its little paws and mumbled drowsily.

"Sleep, sleep, sleep, that’s all you know how to do! You’re a Taotie, one of the Ancient Fierce Beasts, not a pig!" Shen Haoran scoffed, rolling his eyes at Changmao.

At this, Changmao whined, "I was just conserving my strength to avoid unnecessary exertion!"

"Alright, alright, you have a point. Just help me with one thing first, and you can sleep all you want afterward!" Shen Haoran said, waving his hand dismissively at Changmao’s pitiful expression.

"Deal! What’s the job? Are we looking for treasure?" Changmao’s eyes lit up at the word. He loved looking for treasure with Shen Haoran, because it always meant he’d get something tasty to eat!

Seeing Changmao practically drooling, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but find it amusing. "We’re not looking for treasure this time," he said. "I need you to figure out which of these doors leads to an easier path."

"Huh?!" Hearing they *weren’t* looking for treasure, Changmao’s enthusiasm instantly deflated. "Boss, I can scout for treasure, but that doesn’t mean I can scout for paths! How am I supposed to know about this stuff!"

"You don’t know?" Shen Haoran grabbed Changmao by the ear and hoisted him into the air. His eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s expression, a chill suddenly ran down Changmao’s spine. He couldn’t help but flinch, and quickly changed his tune. "Well, I may not be able to scout paths, but... I can certainly give it a try!"

"Tch. Should’ve just said so from the start," Shen Haoran said. Seeing Changmao relent, he gave him a light boot toward the Bronze Gates and sat down to the side to wait.

"Damn it! I’m the leader of the Ancient Ten Fierce Beasts, for crying out loud! To think I’ve been reduced to being the servant of a little human brat... What a cruel twist of fate!" Changmao mumbled continuously, his face a mask of misery.

"What are you muttering about over there? Get to work!" Shen Haoran shouted when he heard Changmao’s low grumbling.

"Yes, sir! Right away!" Hearing Shen Haoran’s command, Changmao immediately got moving. ’No choice,’ he thought. ’When you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. The most important thing right now is keeping the master happy!’

Changmao then began to wander back and forth in front of the Bronze Gates, sniffing one for a moment, then tapping another. He looked surprisingly professional. After a good long while, he finally stopped and shouted, "Got it!"

At this, Shen Haoran’s eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

"Well? Which one is it?" Shen Haoran asked.

Changmao puffed out his chest. "Of course! When I’m on the job, I do the work of two men! A little thing like this is a piece of cake for me!"

"So which one should we take?" Shen Haoran had no time for Changmao’s boasting and cut straight to the point.

"This one, of course!" Changmao gestured dramatically at the other doors before finally planting his paw on the Bronze Gate right in the center...