Only at the Mahayana Stage Does the Reversal System Appear - Chapter 31

Chapter 31 Beauty, Treasure, and Power

. Even if the eighth or ninth level of Qi training were considered legendary, then those in the Foundation Establishment stage would be treated like gods descending

to earth. For those at the bottom of the Jiuzhou realm, this secret world was as beautiful as a dream.

Numerous beauties clung to him, even the so-called Grandmasters wouldn’t last a single blow. With a vast trove of rare treasures to help him ascend to the Nascent Soul stage, he could establish a nation and enjoy the majesty of the emperor.

Honestly, he couldn’t even dream of such a thing.

None of this truly appealed to Jiang Li, but he had a rough idea of the secret realm’s test, and out of respect for his elders, he followed its wishes.

Surrounded by beautiful women, Jiang Li resolved to dominate the world.

He maintained his power at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and within three days, he defeated the eighteen vassal states. Five days later, he established a nation with a system for selecting officials, an event known as the “Founding of a Nation on the Fifth Three Days.”

Other nations, upon hearing of Jiang Li’s immortality, flocked to pay homage.

All nations paid him homage, the ruler of the world!

No one, past or present, could surpass Jiang Li at this moment!

Seven days after Jiang Li arrived in the secret realm, a vibrant new nation was rising. He sat in the vast palace, his face expressionless.

Chun’er, who had stood by Jiang Li during his campaigns, was now the empress and remained by his side.

Numerous ministers gathered beautiful women for Jiang Li’s harem. These women, adoring him, served him voluntarily, without coercion.

Some alchemists, convinced that Jiang Li was a celestial being, collected all sorts of natural treasures, spiritual stones, and fine wines for him. These items filled the treasury to such an extent that even a Divine Transformation cultivator would envy them.

“This place won’t be a place for long. I’m leaving,” Jiang Li said calmly, whether to himself or to Chun’er.

Chun’er sobbed, tears streaming down her face, soon soaking her priceless dress.

“I know my benefactor isn’t from this world, but don’t we have anything that would make him cherish our memory?”

Jiang Li said honestly, “No.”

“With three thousand beauties in the harem, wouldn’t you be tempted?”

“I’ve seen prettier ones.”

“I don’t believe it!” Chun’er shook her head firmly. She was confident in her looks. She became empress not just because she’d spent the most time with Jiang Li, a full seven days, but also because her beauty was so exceptional, surpassing all the others.

“I’ve seen the Red Dust Fairy.”

“…”

Chun’er fell silent for a moment, wondering where she’d heard of the title.

Undeterred, she continued, “Don’t the celestial treasures in the national treasury attract my benefactor? I’ve read about them. They have the Divine Fruit of Vertical Light, one fruit equivalent to thirty years of cultivation for an immortal. There’s also the Sea-Splitting Art, which, when mastered, can sever rivers with a single sword strike. And…”

Jiang Li didn’t answer, silently taking out a Nine-Transformation Creation Pill.

If the ladder to immortality hadn’t been shattered, this pill alone would have allowed him to ascend instantly! Its value is inestimable!

Chun’er, clearly knowing what she was talking about, fell silent.

She was actually thinking, “Give me the elixir, and I’ll go back to Kyushu with you, okay?

” Chun’er, not giving up, continued, “Soon, my benefactor will unify the world and become its true master. This is a feat that has driven emperors throughout history mad with envy. Won’t you cherish it?”

Jiang Li sighed, “As the current Human Emperor, revered by all of Kyushu, it’s definitely better than being the master of a secret realm, right?”

Chun’er froze, unable to react for a moment.

Jiang Li continued, “Actually, the reasons above were just a perfunctory excuse. The real reason is, why am I staying in this illusion?”

“Isn’t that right, Senior Meng Chun?”

With that, Chun’er dropped her disguise and changed back into her former attire. It was dignified and elegant, slightly different from her current attire, with a hint of history.

“I thought my illusion skills were so advanced that I could deceive you, fellow Daoist, but I never imagined I was overestimating myself.”

The information provided by the Tianji Tower mentioned that Dameng Jushi, whose real name was Meng Chun, was a female cultivator who reigned supreme in beauty eight hundred years ago.

As for the illusion, Jiang Li knew it was a dream the moment he entered it. Everything was illusory.

Dameng Jushi was a female cultivator versed in the art of illusion. It was said that when one reaches the pinnacle of illusion, reality can be reversed, a single thought can be true and a single thought false, a terrifying feat.

With a snap,

the illusion cracked like a mirror, shattering. Countless fragments fell, melting into the earth like water droplets and vanishing.

The illusion vanished completely, revealing the true nature of the secret realm: a primeval jungle. Jiang Li used his spiritual sense to survey the area, revealing its vastness, roughly a quarter the size of Tianqing Prefecture.

Jiang Li was in an open space, surrounded by eight hundred disciples lying on the ground, their expressions varying: some conflicted, some joyful, some filled with murderous intent. It was unclear what choices they would make within this illusion.

Meng Chun stood before Jiang Li and said apologetically, “I didn’t know the current Human Emperor was here. My apologies.”

The Tianji Tower’s intelligence was correct; Meng Chun had indeed perished under the Heavenly Tribulation. The thing now before Jiang Li was merely a backup plan she’d left behind before the tribulation, a regrettable reminder.

“No, no, it’s my fault for recklessly venturing into the secret realm and causing trouble for Senior Meng.”

Seeing Meng Chun’s hesitation, Jiang Li smiled and said, “Senior Meng, if you have anything to say, please speak frankly.”

Meng Chun said, “I also met the Human Emperor of my time. He was a true hero, but unlike you, he looked like a banished immortal. Could it be that the Nine Provinces have already found the Ladder to Immortality?”

“Not at all. I was just lucky enough to break through to the Mahayana stage.”

Meng Chun’s pupils shrank slightly, as if the news of Jiang Li’s breakthrough was even more astonishing than the appearance of the Ladder to Immortality.

“I thought the Mahayana stage was just a legend, but it turns out there are people who can actually break through to the Mahayana stage.”

“Lucky, lucky.” Jiang Li didn’t say much on this topic. “Senior Meng set up this illusion to test the little guys’ resistance to beauty, treasures, and power?”

“Yes. As long as they can resist one of them, I’ll pass and can enter the second level.”

This wasn’t hard to guess: first, beauties were given away for free, then

there were as many natural treasures as free gifts, and finally, even at the Foundation Establishment stage, one could dominate the world. In fact, upon closer examination, one would find many inconsistencies within the illusion: where had the people who entered the secret realm gone? The sheer number of beauties? The other nations surrendered too quickly.

The magical power of the illusion lies in its ability to cause the cultivator to automatically ignore these inconsistencies, becoming increasingly drawn into the illusion, ultimately unable to extricate themselves.

“Hmm…”

Qin Luan, lying on the ground, made an unidentified sound, a sign that the illusion was about to be broken.

Time in the illusion differed from reality, meaning Qin Luan had already been there for a month.

To be able to break through the illusion in just one month was, in Meng Chun’s opinion, a remarkable level of concentration.

Seeing someone about to awaken, Meng Chun smiled faintly, “Fellow Daoist, let’s discuss the Dao after this secret realm is over.”

She gave a mysterious smile, leaving only one word before disappearing.

“The next test might be very suitable for you, fellow Daoist.”

Although Jiang Li’s intentions were unknown, his Mahayana cultivation was enough for him to manipulate his secret realm at will, but he didn’t.

Since he gave her face, she would not delve into his intentions.

(End of this chapter)