Chapter 76: Seclusion for the Art of Subduing Evil

Soon, the few illusionists who had thrown Leo into the Tianqing River came to claim the sacred phantom beasts that Shen Duo had promised them. Since it had been a group effort, after some discussion, the distribution was settled as follows: the ten illusionists who had led the charge would each receive a sacred phantom beast from Shen Duo. However, as they were still on the ship and unable to capture beasts that fit their requirements, they would have to wait a while longer. Most of them were unaffiliated illusionists; being able to contract and tame a single sacred phantom beast in their entire lives was already considered a stroke of immense luck. Since Shen Duo had given her word, they didn’t mind waiting.

With all the commotion, time passed swiftly, and before long, evening had arrived. In the west, billowing clouds burned like fire, as if about to set half the continent ablaze. Brilliant afterglow shone through the clouds, illuminating the “Raising Sails” as the surging waves of the Tianqing River roared in their ears. The beautiful clouds on the horizon were uncannily still, their calm only heightening the splendor of the sunset over the river, a spectacle of motion and serenity entwined.

It was Shen Duo’s first time witnessing the sunset from the river. She and Feng Jun sat on the deck by the mast, letting the cool evening breeze brush their cheeks. For a brief moment, the tranquility seemed to veil the continent’s cruel laws, rendering everything beautiful.

“I never expected to see such a breathtaking scene on the Tianqing River,” Shen Duo said, gazing at the sinking sun.

Feng Jun, rare for him, let out a chuckle. “My grandfather once told me that the true beauty of the Tianqing River lies at the border between the Hilrey Empire and the Xingluo Empire.”

“Oh? Truly?” There was expectation and wonder in Shen Duo’s voice.

“I haven’t been there myself, but my grandfather said that there, the river roars and surges, vast and majestic, surrounded by steep mountains—a true natural barrier. Since ancient times, no cultivator has witnessed such scenery without feeling humbled and awestruck.”

As Feng Jun spoke, a note of longing crept into his voice.

“The destination of the ‘Raising Sails’ this voyage is the easternmost Aub Empire. If the two of you don’t disembark before the Tianfeng Empire, you’ll surely witness the Three Perils of the Tianqing River for yourselves,” said a masked middle-aged man, the same one who had been standing by the spiral stairway earlier, a massive longsword strapped to his back.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun turned to look at him. The man was tall and powerfully built, a fierce scar slashing across his forehead, his entire being radiating a cold, lethal aura.

He was a swordsman! And not just any swordsman—a Sword Spirit!

Compared to the ancient continent, on this plane, a Sword Spirit was even rarer than an illusionist. If illusionists were one in a thousand, Sword Spirits were perhaps one in ten thousand or more. It was no wonder that Shen Duo felt such shock upon realizing the man’s strength.

“May I ask how I should address you?” Shen Duo had never seen this man before, but out of respect for a fellow practitioner, she asked politely.

The man’s cheek muscles twitched, perhaps in an attempt to force a smile, but evidently he was unaccustomed to such expressions. The effect was rather unsettling.

“Wei Dong. If you don’t mind, you may call me Brother Wei.” His voice was deep and gruff.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun introduced themselves in turn; naturally, Feng Jun still used his alias, Shen Jun. Though their personalities differed, all three were forthright and direct, and their conversation soon became lively.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun were both direct descendants of the four great families, but as the Shen family had been illusionists for generations, Wei Dong, no matter how shrewd and experienced, could never have guessed that a swordsman among them hailed from one of the great families. Precisely for this reason, after leaving Luo City, Shen Duo had not bothered to conceal her identity.

As they chatted, Wei Dong brought up the oath Shen Duo had made before the assembled crowd, a note of concern in his words.

Feng Jun arched his brow. “If Xiao Duo dares to say it, it’s no great trouble for her. Brother Wei, you’ll see for yourself in time.”

Shen Duo glanced at them with a faint smile, offering no further explanation.

Leaving Wei Dong hanging only piqued his curiosity further. He was dying to know how a swordsman could possibly tame beasts—a notion that upended everything illusionists on the Sacred Radiance Continent believed. Yet since neither Shen Duo nor Feng Jun would say more, he couldn’t press the matter, and could only wait to witness it himself. In fact, he was already toying with the idea of catching a sacred phantom beast just to see Shen Duo try her hand at it.

Unnoticed, night had fallen. The sky was moonless, dotted only with faint stars. The three exchanged goodnights and withdrew to their cabins to rest.

No sooner had Shen Duo lain down than Yusha suddenly leaped from the phantom beast space onto her chest.

With silver wings and the form of a white tiger, Yusha radiated a soft, silvery glow. His eyes sparkled like the night sky as he fixed his gaze on Shen Duo.

Sensing that he was different tonight, his eyes filled with both worry and reluctance, yet tinged with anticipation and excitement, Shen Duo asked, “Yusha, what’s wrong?”

Like a well-behaved pet, Yusha nestled into her arms, rubbing his furry tiger head against her shoulder, and said in a plaintive voice, “Xiao Duo, I feel that I’m about to advance.”

Shen Duo stared at him in surprise. “Really?”

“Mm!” Yusha nodded his tiger head. “But once I begin, I’ll need to go into seclusion.”

Shen Duo understood—Yusha was worried about her. Even he didn’t know how long his advancement would take. Though Shen Duo was now quite powerful, compared to those at the pinnacle of the Sacred Radiance Continent, she still had far to go. No matter what happened before, Yusha had always been her final pillar of support. With such a powerful phantom beast backing her, she could forge ahead without fear. But once he went into seclusion, if she encountered trouble, he would be unable to help her...

Having guessed his thoughts, Shen Duo smiled calmly. “Yusha, do you not trust me?”

Yusha drooped his head, shaking it. Shen Duo was sharp, wise, and strong—his best and most trusted companion. How could he not trust her? But so many things were unpredictable. What if she faced mortal danger while he was away?

“I’ll take good care of myself. Life is precious, and there are many things I have yet to accomplish. I won’t recklessly risk myself. Besides, I still have Benyi with me. Go and focus on your advancement without worry!”

Yusha, a noble magical beast, had never felt so conflicted before—especially over something as joyous as advancing. Feelings truly were strange...

This time, he would be advancing from a juvenile form to an adolescent one. If all went well, the inherited lore of his species said he could take on the form of a youth, never again needing to wear the furry tiger’s head. That thought cheered him up a little. When he succeeded, he would surely give Xiao Duo a big surprise!

With a hint of sadness, Yusha nodded and curled up beside Shen Duo. Man and beast spoke no more, drifting into sleep together beneath the deep night.

By the time Shen Duo awoke the next morning, Yusha was already gone—no doubt, he had entered the phantom beast space to begin his seclusion as soon as she fell asleep.