Chapter Fifty-Eight: Helpless to Shatter Illusion (Part Two)

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
At that moment, a gentle wind began to stir, and the air around me was filled with an ethereal, elusive aura.

Raising my eyes, I saw before me a towering stairway, like a great mountain, known as the Steps of Shattering Delusion. “Delusion” means chaos; thus, shattering delusion is a breaking free—a release from the distracting thoughts of the heart, allowing one’s mind to become more tranquil and far-reaching, to maintain a state of equanimity. Of course, this was only my understanding at the time.

As if sensing my contemplation of the Steps of Shattering Delusion, Tu immediately spoke within my sea of consciousness: “Master, in fact, the Steps of Shattering Delusion and the Bridge of No Return we saw before were both supreme treasures of a once-great world. The Steps of Shattering Delusion were the ultimate treasure of the Realm of Laws. Within that realm, there was a sacred place called the Altar of Ten Thousand Laws. My memories of the Law Realm, I heard from the Elder of Yin and Yang long ago. Back then, I was a small overlord ruling my own domain. Later, during a great cosmic calamity, I refined my world into a colossal formation—the Bloodslaughter Array, as it came to be known.”

“As far as I recall, this treasure was the most terrifying existence in the Law Realm. However, what you see before you is likely but a shadow, a reflection created when a master from the Buddhist Realm once entered the Law Realm. The Buddhist Realm possesses a profound art known as the Great Formless Technique. It is said this magic can imprint what you see and later replicate it—not as powerful as the original artifact, but still inheriting some of its accumulated power.”

I nodded. Thinking back to the Bridge of No Return, I could sense this truth. When the bridge cast a shadow of myself, perhaps the portal I glimpsed was but an echo of a past life; yet all I saw was an ornamental lintel, nothing more—the bridge seemed unable to bear the weight. Now, before the Steps of Shattering Delusion, I felt a similar force. Though I did not yet understand what kind of power these steps could wield, I knew I was under their pressure.

Stepping forward, Tu flew out from my body as well.

Having absorbed countless streams of spiritual energy, Tu had grown much larger, his entire form now shimmering silver-white, translucent and pure. Sitting on my shoulder, I could distinctly sense the aura he emanated. Though he was but a soul, the scent of blood was unmistakable.

“Master, let’s go.”

I nodded.

The Steps of Shattering Delusion, each stair ascending higher, were unlike anything I had imagined. The steps beneath my feet shone silver, like crystal.

Yet the moment my foot touched the first step, I immediately felt the pressure—an oppressive weight upon my body, as though I carried a heavy burden of more than a hundred catties.

Step by step, I ascended, the thick white mists on both sides sealing off the surrounding space. With each stride, the crushing gravity grew more intense, each step a trial.

“Master, it seems the Steps of Shattering Delusion are truly as the Elder of Yin and Yang once described: only those of great willpower, strength, and spiritual power can climb them. You are nearing your physical limit. Should you rest for a while?”

I shook my head. This trial of endurance was still within my capabilities.

Moreover, I vaguely sensed that, thanks to this pressure, the great formations within my body were beginning to loosen, little by little.

With another step, my soul trembled; it felt as if an invisible hand gripped my spine, making me shudder violently. Tu, who had been perched on my shoulder, instantly retreated into the Bloodslaughter Array.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

I exhaled continuously, drawing more spiritual energy into my body to replenish my strength. At the same time, I distinctly felt the countless seals and formations within me begin to give way. With every breath, every surge of external force, as spiritual energy entered, my body was gradually being strengthened.

A mysterious and uncanny energy spread throughout my being. With a mere lift of my hand, I felt as though I could tear open the very space before me.

With a resonant hum, I suddenly felt the path beneath my feet begin to crack. The space around me trembled violently; with a thunderous crash, the entire realm seemed to fracture. The oppressive forces that had weighed on both my soul and body vanished completely and instantaneously, swept away as if they had never been.

Step by step, I climbed higher. As the winds and clouds churned before my eyes, the endless mists dispersed. The cracks spreading beneath my feet grew wider, forcing me to break into a run.

“Tu, what is happening?” I shouted as I ran upward.

I was practically yelling at the top of my voice.

Tu seemed to hear me and flew out, waving his hand. Instantly, I felt my body lifted away from the crystalline Steps of Shattering Delusion. In the next moment, I was soaring above the entire realm. Though mists still shrouded my vision, I immediately spotted a distant point of light.

“Master, that should be the exit—the light ahead. Let’s go!”

I nodded, already acclimated to the sensation of weightlessness.

Behind me, the Bloodslaughter Array had unfurled into a pair of wings, carrying me through the air.

Tu perched on my neck, gripping my ears, as we flew straight toward the light.

“Tu, what just happened? Why did the Steps of Shattering Delusion suddenly vanish and collapse?”

Indeed, the moment Tu transformed into wings and took to the sky, I felt an incomparable ease throughout my body. Looking back, the once-soaring Steps of Shattering Delusion had completely disappeared.

“Master, I am not entirely certain, but I believe it must be related to your body. At the very least, that is my opinion. The great formation within you had sealed your powers, but just now, the tremendous pressure of the steps forced your strength to emerge, causing those seals to loosen.”

I nodded, aware of this truth myself.

Beyond that point of light, the familiar great hall awaited me once more…