C1646 A Familiar Aura

Yu Yuan's consciousness briefly wavered, slipping into a momentary trance.

His ephemeral spirited body transformed in an instant into the Lunar Spirit that belonged on the Dragon Slaying Stage. He felt as though he had been granted clemency, exceptionally allowed passage by the Mirage of the Mind.

The connection between the Lunar Spirit and his real body was temporarily severed from the Solar Spirit and the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Gazing into the distance with his Lunar Spirit, he saw nearby soul consciousnesses equally bewildered, as if they too had been unable to react before finding themselves abruptly transported here.

President Lyi and Grec were a great distance away. These two perilous individuals appeared unable to detect him or sense his aura.

Leo, Beru, and the esteemed General Gheirat had become indistinct souls.

These three kindred warriors were gradually converging.

Beyond them, Yu Yuan observed an increasing number of mighty soul spirits or fragments of their consciousness brought into the Mindscape by the Mirage of the Mind.

The Abyssal Leviathan fell silent, its Azure Fish form seemingly contemplating the enigmas of this realm.

Yu Yuan was quietly tuning in.

He focused on the consciousness of the Otherkin, Duskjaw, Stormwraith, and the Three-legged Golden Crow, quickly realizing that those brought into the Mindscape by the Mirage of the Mind might not represent the entirety of their souls.

He was merely a Lunar Spirit; his Solar Spirit and dominant soul had not made the journey.

As for the formidable Demon God Grec, he was but a portion of the devil soul, feeling incomplete and significantly less potent.

President Lyi was not even a soul fragment, merely a cluster of consciousness.

The other Otherkin and alien beasts, far removed from him, were also incomplete. It seemed as though they had detected some hidden fissure, some reaching out with a tendril of spiritual sense, others dividing a part of their soul.

The entities that entered the Mindscape would manifest accordingly. If partial souls were released, then partial souls would appear. If it was a cluster of spiritual sense that probed, then what would emerge in the Mindscape would be a cluster of Soul Power.

The Mirage of the Mind likely lacked the power to draw in all the surrounding souls entirely. Instead, she must be employing a subtle inducement, revealing a sliver of wonder to entice these beings to investigate willingly.

However, as long as a portion of their souls and consciousness are released, they become bound by her presence once they truly enter.

"The Mindscape sounds intriguing; it's not an actual ocean."

The Abyssal Leviathan, transformed into an Azure Fish, swished its tail in this enigmatic world, gradually morphing into the form of a gaunt elderly human.

Yet, it was merely an ethereal spirited body.

"Do you understand now? I'm not like my ancestors. I don't need you, the sovereign of the seas, to offer me sanctuary. Having spent so much time in the Ashlands, I have no desire to entangle myself in your conflicts with the other giant beasts. I'm aware that the Secular Bird Queen has stealthily infiltrated this place. I..."

The Mirage of the Mind's voice, alternating between male and female tones, echoed throughout the realm, audible only to Yu Yuan and the Abyssal Leviathan.

As she spoke, Yu Yuan sensed her scrutinizing gaze upon him from the shadows.

The enigmatic Mirage of the Mind initially enticed a cluster of Yu Yuan's soul into this space. Upon detecting a unique essence, she actively used her power to transport it.

Consequently, Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit was drawn in.

Upon the arrival of Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit in the Mindscape, the Mirage of the Mind felt an even deeper connection. She conversed with the Abyssal Leviathan while simultaneously probing for information.

"Are you practicing Wraithbinding?"

Abruptly, a voice seeking confirmation reached out, audible solely to Yu Yuan, ethereal and elusive.

With the emergence of this voice, Yu Yuan beheld a mystical phantom materialize before him.

The phantom resided within a shell, shimmering with stardust.

The shell appeared to be an extension of her being. Her phantom form, composed of iridescent light, possessed a human silhouette and exuded an otherworldly dreamlike allure.

She seemed to be a woman, endowed with wings resembling shells.

When the wings were closed, they formed a celestial shell adorned with numerous stars; when opened, they transformed into wings at her back.

She too was a phantom spirited body, not of tangible flesh and blood, her visage veiled in a hazy illusion.

She appeared both cautious and exhilarated, "Are you his heir? I've seen the Dragon Slaying Stage. Millennia have passed, and I've heard he perished... Is that so?"

Indeed!

Yu Yuan felt a slight tremor in his heart, confirming his intuition was right. He had indeed encountered the enigmatic Mirage of the Mind in his first life.

"I practice Wraithbinding; I am its inheritor," Yu Yuan responded.

"The Origin Deity is searching for me. I'm aware that he's likely arrived, intending to exploit this Mindscape. If he manages to invade and take control of this Mindscape I created, he could draw in the souls of all beings."

The Mirage of the Mind's soul quivered with immense fear at the mention of the "Origin Deity."

"He's shown up in the Ashlands, so I've been evading him. Can you help me escape? I fear what might happen if he gains control of this Mindscape..."

The Mirage of the Mind was panic-stricken.

Yu Yuan, within the Mindscape, had a sudden shift in expression. "Is the Origin Deity here because of you?"

"I am undoubtedly one of his primary targets," the Mirage of the Mind hurriedly replied.

"Describe your abilities and the wonders of this Mindscape. Also, how can I assist you?" Yu Yuan pressed.

"The creation of this Mindscape is partly due to my innate talent, as well as the inspiration and assistance from Taiyin. The Mindscape serves as a bridge, attracting the nearby souls, spiritual senses, and partial consciousness of living beings."

"I have the power to make them battle within the Mindscape, erase the memories of the weaker ones, and even alter their life experiences. If parts of their souls, spiritual senses, or consciousness perish here, the Mindscape will expand, allowing more souls to enter."

"As long as there are souls present, and they haven't departed, I can locate their real bodies and pinpoint their whereabouts."

"No matter where they hide, I can find them. I can even attack them through their souls."

"..."

The Mirage of the Mind detailed the marvels of the Mindscape.

Yu Yuan listened, his mood growing somber. "Are you saying that if the Origin Deity captures this Mindscape and continues to expand it, countless beings across numerous worlds and the mightiest of beings could be lured here with fragments of their souls and consciousness to explore?"

"And then, they could all be ensnared within this Mindscape, each one traceable by him?"

Yu Yuan sensed an impending crisis.

"I don't understand him. I just have this feeling that he can control the Mindscape I created, doing things within it that are beyond my capabilities."

The Mirage of the Mind had just finished speaking when suddenly, the creature closed its shell.

"There's someone terrifying who has invaded!"

As the shell snapped shut, her phantom vanished inside, and a cascade of bright starlight and vibrant auroras spilled out from within.

She went into hiding once more, vanishing without a trace, leaving behind only the faintest echo of her voice.

Quietly, she channeled her power to reveal a small expanse of gray territory on the fringe of the Mindscape to Yu Yuan, allowing him to see it.

And there, Yu Yuan caught sight of a familiar presence.

More precisely, it was a familiar specter...

Youyu, the premier God of Ghosts from the Everlands, had intruded into the border of the Mindscape.

Assuming the form of a malevolent spirit, Youyu gathered the soul spirits and consciousnesses that had been drawn into this region by the Mirage of the Mind, along with clusters of wraiths, and began to assimilate them.

The spirits, consciousnesses, and wraiths were all absorbed into Youyu's being, transforming into his shadow energy and Soul Power.

In this realm crafted by the Mirage of the Mind, there was no cosmic energy, only clusters of consciousness and spirited bodies, each corresponding to the mighty beings of the outside world.

Youyu, considering himself a part of the Everlands, showed no mercy when confronting the spirits of alien beasts and otherkin.

"We have to stop him! If he keeps this up, he'll draw the Origin Deity here!"

The Mirage of the Mind's voice was fraught with urgency. She seemed eager to close the portal to the Mindscape, but Youyu's presence thwarted her attempts to seal it.

With the passage remaining open for too long, and Youyu's potent soul aura leaking out, she feared it would alert the Origin Deity.

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