Not long after, a stone stairway leading upwards suddenly appeared ahead.
This stone stairway seemed to be constructed from a very special white jade, emitting a faint white glow that looked smooth and pleasant.
"There is a scent of Mental Force energy here," Ye Yunfei said, his gaze fixed on the stone steps.
"There is also a very high level of Illusion Dao Energy here," Hu Miao said at this moment, also sensing what lay ahead.
"Master, let's climb it," Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei, pointing at the stone steps ahead.
"Could there be treasures above?" Ye Yunfei asked, hearing Hu Miao's words.
"Master, these stone steps are meant to be a trial. If one can pass the trial, they might obtain relatively precious treasures," Hu Miao explained to Ye Yunfei.
"Meant as a trial?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised as he examined the stone steps before him.
"If that's the case, let's climb up and see," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking.
Ordinary trials usually emphasized the firmness of one's will. Ye Yunfei was very confident in his own will, so he wasn't worried about so-called trials.
"Alright. Master, let's climb up and see now," Hu Miao nodded.
Thus, Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao came before the stone steps and directly lifted their feet to walk up.
Just as he took the first step, Ye Yunfei felt an incredibly rich and potent energy surge towards him, instantly enveloping him.
Ye Yunfei was surprised to discover that this energy contained not only Illusion Dao Energy but also Mental Force energy.
"Master, there is a very profound level of Illusion Dao Energy on these stone steps. We must be careful and proceed with caution," Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei, her expression also slightly changing at this moment.
"Hu Miao, you don't sense the Mental Force energy?" Ye Yunfei immediately asked upon hearing her words.
"Master, I don't seem to sense any Mental Force energy. I only sense the Illusion Dao Energy," Hu Miao promptly replied.
"Could it be that the Mental Force energy here is specifically targeting me?" Ye Yunfei was a little surprised.
"It's possible this stele has detected that you've cultivated Mental Force energy and also once cultivated Illusion Dao Energy. Therefore, it simultaneously releases both types of energy to test you. Since Hu Miao hasn't cultivated Mental Force energy and has only cultivated Illusion Dao Energy, the stele uses Illusion Dao Energy to test her," Hun Lao interjected.
"That's plausible," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement after hearing Hun Lao's words.
"Let's not worry about that for now. Let's go up and see," Ye Yunfei said as he lifted his foot to continue climbing, stepping onto the second step.
With a boom, Ye Yunfei felt two even stronger energies simultaneously assail him—one was Illusion Dao Energy, and the other was Mental Force energy.
Indeed, this stone stairway is releasing both energies to test me," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but reveal a wry smile.
At this moment, Hu Miao also stepped onto the second step, but she appeared very relaxed.
Ever since she obtained the Primordial True Fox Stele, her overall strength had increased significantly. The Illusion Dao Energy on this second step was nothing much to her.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao continued to climb upwards together. Each time they reached a higher step, the suppressive energy they encountered grew stronger.
After stepping onto the tenth step, Ye Yunfei found himself suddenly transported to an unfamiliar world, and he seemed to be a member of this strange world.
In this unfamiliar world, Ye Yunfei was an ordinary elder of a minor sect. His strength was mediocre, and his status was average.
Although he commanded awe and respect from the ordinary disciples within the sect, within the entire sect, he only held a middle-level position. Outside the sect, his status was even more unremarkable.
"This must be an illusionary realm!" Ye Yunfei understood that he had likely fallen into an illusion.
Yet, even though he knew this was likely an illusion, Ye Yunfei didn't know how to break free from it.
And so, living as an ordinary elder of an ordinary sect, Ye Yunfei survived in this world, experiencing all sorts of events.
Later, the sect Ye Yunfei belonged to clashed with several other forces and was jointly attacked by them, who broke into its headquarters.
The high-ranking members of the sect, led by Ye Yunfei, suffered heavy casualties. In the end, the surviving leadership led the remaining disciples away in a panic via an ancient teleportation altar within the headquarters.
After leaving the sect's headquarters, Ye Yunfei and the other surviving high-ranking members led the remnant forces of the sect into a life of hiding and evasion.
Those other forces continuously sent people to hunt them down, so Ye Yunfei and his fellow sect members lived a life of survival on the fringes, living in constant fear.
"How can I break out of this illusion?Even as he led the sect's remnants in constant flight alongside the other elders, struggling to develop during their escape, Ye Yunfei constantly pondered how he could shatter this illusion and return to reality.
It has to be said this illusion was truly terrifying. Ye Yunfei knew it was an illusion, yet he simply couldn't find a way to return to reality.
And so, Ye Yunfei endured a difficult existence in this world, growing stubbornly.
However, those other hostile forces never gave up pursuing the remnant forces of Ye Yunfei's sect.
Under their combined efforts, the survival of Ye Yunfei's sect's remnants became increasingly arduous. More and more people died tragically during the pursuits, until finally only a small fraction remained alive.
"It's over. It seems our sect is completely finished," the remaining elders fell into despair one by one. Some even began to leave secretly, choosing to change their names and flee to distant lands.
"I truly never imagined... Our sect, which has passed down through such long ages, would ultimately perish in our generation. We have no face to see our ancestors!" One elder couldn't help but cry out to the heavens with a deep sigh. The other remaining elders also fell into silence.
"Hahaha... You're right. Your sect indeed deserves to perish. There's no need for its continued existence." Right at this moment, a large group of people suddenly descended from the sky and swarmed forward, surrounding the remnant forces of Ye Yunfei's sect.
"It's over. This time, we're truly finished!" Looking at the wolf-like, tiger-like armies of several major forces, the remnants of Ye Yunfei's faction all wore expressions of utter despair.
Just then, Ye Yunfei suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back, and his body was involuntarily sent flying forward.
"Elder Lu, what are you doing?!" Ye Yunfei turned to discover that it was an elder who had been standing behind him who had attacked. This elder was usually on quite good terms with Ye Yunfei and was known for being very loyal to the sect. Ye Yunfei couldn't understand why he would suddenly attack him now.
"Hahaha... Well done! Rest assured, since you led us here and accurately helped us surround these scoundrels, you have rendered great service. As they say, 'a wise man recognizes the situation.' Your choice to surrender was a very correct one," one of the experts from the hostile forces laughed wildly, speaking to Elder Lu.
"What? Elder Lu, you've already surrendered? So, our being surrounded now is entirely due to your betrayal?" Ye Yunfei turned and questioned Elder Lu with a furious gaze.
"That's right, I have indeed surrendered. You surnamed Ye, haven't you heard the saying, 'a wise bird chooses its perch'? I've merely made the correct choice," Elder Lu replied with a cold laugh.
"Damn you! You entered the sect as a child and grew up within it. It can be said everything you have was given by the sect. Yet, you've actually become a traitor. Have you no shame before the masters who nurtured you? Have you no shame before the ancestors of our lineage?" Ye Yunfei questioned him repeatedly.
"Hahaha... Why so many questions when death is at hand? Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost. I've never considered who I should be worthy of!" Elder Lu roared with laughter.
"Lu, you bastard! I never imagined you were this kind of person. I truly misjudged you. From now on, our ties of grace and fellowship are severed!" Hearing Elder Lu's words, Ye Yunfei trembled with rage, pointed at Elder Lu, and reprimanded him loudly.
"Ye! Enough nonsense. Since you are so lacking in judgment, prepare to die!" Elder Lu's face darkened. His figure flashed as he charged towards Ye Yunfei.
Originally, Ye Yunfei and this Elder Lu were evenly matched in strength. Having been severely wounded by his sneak attack earlier, Ye Yunfei was now struggling to hold his ground against Elder Lu's frenzied assault.
Soon, Ye Yunfei was forced to retreat step by step.
"No... This is all fake. This is an illusion." Ye Yunfei had been continuously pondering how to escape the illusion before him, and now, in the midst of this crisis, he began thinking about this issue again.
"No. Since I clearly know everything before me is false, why should I be constrained by these people and events?" Standing there watching Elder Lu launch his frenzied attacks at him, a flash of enlightenment arose in Ye Yunfei's heart.
Even though I know all of this is an illusion, I've been trying to deal with the illusion itself, even negotiating and maneuvering with these people and events within it. But that's actually completely unnecessary because it's all fake, unreal.
Ye Yunfei ceased all movement, standing there watching Elder Lu with cold eyes.
"Surnamed Ye, can't move anymore? Weren't you so eloquent just now? Are you scared now? But it's too late to be scared now. Today, I will definitely kill you," Elder Lu sneered coldly.
Ye Yunfei stood motionless, watching Elder Lu without answering his words. Since everything before him was fake, there was no need to pay attention.
Rumble...
Elder Lu raised a long saber in his hand and fiercely swung it down at Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei did not dodge or avoid it.