The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1169: The Swindler

A full day passed in the blink of an eye.

Ling Feng opened his eyes from meditation, and a sharp, overwhelming aura spread outward from his body like a wave. After a day of focused cultivation, he had gained new insight into the Soul Splitting Art.

"It's time to see what kind of test the Illusion Heart Queen has prepared."

He rubbed his nose, choosing not to disturb Tuoba Yan, and headed alone toward Heaven's Illusion Palace, the core region of Heaven's Illusion Island.

Since Tuoba Yan had formed a master-servant pact with the Azure Jade Scale Serpent, her cultivation had already shown signs of breakthrough. Ling Feng decided to let her remain in the inn to continue meditating.

When she woke, her strength would likely rise even further.

Before long, Ling Feng arrived before a towering and majestic structure, the Heaven's Illusion Palace, residence of the Illusion Heart Queen.

The palace stood atop a staircase of nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, symbolizing her supreme authority on Heaven's Illusion Island.

All who came to pay respect were forced to look up in awe.

These steps held another meaning as well. Only those who could climb all nine hundred and ninety-nine steps within the set time limit would earn the right to participate in the Illusion Heart Queen's test. Of those who succeeded, only one would be granted the chance to borrow the Hourglass of Time.

The test was held once a year, and each year it produced one extraordinary genius who far outshone their peers.

When Ling Feng arrived, more than a hundred people had already gathered at the foot of the steps. Around them stood countless spectators watching with admiration. Those who could step onto the staircase were considered exceptional, since most lacked the strength of spirit or cultivation to endure its pressure. Many who tried would immediately collapse in humiliation.

Just like the Soul-Locking Bridge, the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps were inscribed with a terrifying array. Each year, fewer than five people managed to reach the top and enter Heaven's Illusion Palace to meet the Illusion Heart Queen.

"Ninety percent of them are early King-tier," Ling Feng murmured, narrowing his eyes.

The cultivation level in the Tianlan Sea Region was far above that of the Tianbai Empire. Reaching King-tier in one's early thirties was already proof of outstanding talent, not far from Yan Cangtian's level.

However, advancing to Emperor-tier before the age of fifty depended entirely on personal opportunity and comprehension.

The path of cultivation was like a million soldiers crossing a single bridge plank. Out of ten thousand King-tier experts, only one or two might eventually become Human Emperors.

"These faces... most of them never showed up at the Hall of Heroes," Ling Feng noted with a faint smile. "It seems those with true strength prefer to keep a low profile, while the ones who flaunted themselves earlier were just lame show offs."

Ling Feng's gaze swept the crowd, and soon he recognized a few familiar faces.

One was the black-robed man beside Murong Zining, named Murong Huang. Ling Feng had promised Murong Zining not to take his life. As long as Murong Huang behaved, he would keep his word. But Ling Feng would not hesitate if the man caused trouble again.

Another familiar face was the purple-robed cultivator he had met at the city gates, the same man who had sold him the Hall of Heroes tickets at a ridiculous price.

"Hehe..."

The purple-robed cultivator caught Ling Feng's eye and, instead of looking ashamed, cheerfully walked over with a wide grin. "Hey, brother, it's you again!"

Ling Feng rolled his eyes. "You really are a swindler!"

"Come on now, you didn't lose anything at the Hall of Heroes. I heard the Illusion Heart Queen rewarded you with a Heaven's Illusory Fruit worth a million elemental crystals. You should be thanking me. You're rich now. How about sharing a few tens of thousands of crystals with me?"

The man's eyes gleamed with mischief as he spoke.

"Your face is thicker than that black donkey I know," Ling Feng muttered, too exasperated to continue the conversation. He turned away toward the staircase.

"Hey, my name's Yang Huanzhi. What's yours?"

When Ling Feng ignored him, Yang Huanzhi elbowed him and leaned in with a grin.

"Why should I tell you my name?" Ling Feng shot back. "You're far too familiar for someone I barely know."

"You don't get it," Yang Huanzhi whispered conspiratorially. "Ever since you stirred up trouble at the Hall of Heroes and killed the Second Elder's grandson Jian Chen, half the city's been trying to learn your name. There's a bounty of ten thousand elemental crystals for whoever reveals it first. Tell me, and I'll give you a cut."

Ling Feng stared at him, speechless. This man's greed truly knew no limits!

"Fine, you can take twenty percent. No? Thirty? Forty? Come on, brother, let's both profit. Fifty-fifty, deal?"

"Take the money and get lost."

Ling Feng tossed him a pouch of elemental crystals. Yang Huanzhi caught it in midair with his movement art, laughing loudly. "I'm gone, I'm gone! See you later, brother!" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Ling Feng shook his head, unable to suppress a bitter smile. The man was far too greedy. Yet his awareness of everything that happened on Heaven's Illusion Island suggested that his background was not simple. Judging by his movement art, his cultivation surpassed even those so-called Inner Sea geniuses from the Hall of Heroes.

"He's probably one of those who hides his strength behind a fool's mask, and a very greedy one at that!"

Ling Feng made a mental note of him before turning his attention back to the crowd.

Not far behind Murong Huang stood another figure shrouded entirely in a black cloak. The person's face and body were completely hidden, giving no clue whether they were male or female, tall or short, strong or frail. No aura leaked from the figure at all. It felt as if they were a drifting ghost.

"That one is suspicious."

Ling Feng memorized the cloaked figure's presence. Aside from Yang Huanzhi, this mysterious person was likely another formidable competitor for the Hourglass of Time.

Just then, a voice rang from above.

The Grand Elder of Heaven's Illusion Island, Tian Yi, descended from the sky and landed on the staircase of Heaven's Illusion Palace. His voice carried across the gathered crowd.

"The Illusion Heart Queen's test begins now."

"Rule one: you have twenty four hours. Anyone who fails to reach the top within that time is disqualified!"

"Rule two: you may only move forward. A single step back will end your test!"

"Rule three: only martial practitioners under the age of thirty-five may participate. Anyone older may leave now!"