Chapter 358: Look at my Eyes (1)
Tang Yin offered a grateful smile to the two disciples standing guard at the Core Compound gate. They reciprocated the gesture with a nod, well aware of Li Rong’s frequent visits to his father within the compound.
Tang Yin replicated the actions that Li Rong would normally take. This scene of requesting entry into the Core Compound was one that had occurred numerous times before.
Having gained access to the Core Compound, Tang Yin quickly made his way to Li Caoheng’s residence.
During his journey, he encountered very few Senior Disciples. This was not only due to their scarcity but also because many were currently absent from the Core Compound, tending to their own affairs.
Li Caoheng followed the same pattern. As such, Tang Yin chose his timing wisely, knowing that Li Caoheng would undoubtedly be present in his residence during this period.
During his journey to Li Caoheng’s residence, Tang Yin encountered two Senior Disciples. One paid him no attention after a cursory glance, while the other peered at him with disdain, mockery, and even a speck of hatred.
Tang Yin remained unfazed by their reactions. He was aware that Senior Disciples generally held cultivation levels ranging from the Late-stage of the Spirit Ascension Realm to the Mid-stage of the Principle Comprehension Realm.
Despite being an Early-stage Principle Comprehension Realm cultivator, Li Caoheng held a prominent position as one of the top ten most formidable Senior Disciples within the Core Compound.
However, the Core Compound wasn’t the largest part of the Thousand Blossom Pavilion.
The Holy Compound was another significant area within the Pavilion.
The Holy Compound was a specialized division within the Thousand Blossom Pavilion. The Holy Compound’s primary responsibility was to nurture the most exceptional and promising disciples who exhibited the potential to ascend to prominent leadership positions within the sect.
These outstanding disciples, referred to as Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, typically possessed cultivation levels at the Late-stage and Peak-stage of the Principle Comprehension Realm.
Their status designated them as potential candidates for future roles such as the Orchid Blossom Saint or Saintess. The Holy Compound was dedicated to providing them with the finest resources, comprehensive guidance, and extensive opportunities to advance their cultivation and leadership skills.
In essence, the Holy Compound represented a more refined and advanced iteration of the Core Compound.
However, there was still a considerable amount of time left before Wan Mei relinquished her position as the Orchid Blossom Saintess and passed it on to the most qualified candidate from the Holy Compound.
Xu Yun and Qiu Yinzi resided in the Holy Compound, but they didn’t harbour a strong desire to assume the role of the Orchid Blossom Saintess. Their cultivation levels were not up to the standard required for that position, and what’s more, they didn’t possess a deep passion for cultivation itself, despite having talents that rivalled or even exceeded Wan Mei’s.
This was why Xu Yun and Qiu Yinzi gained significant infamy within the Thousand Blossom Pavilion.
If they had chosen to concentrate on their cultivation and spent extended periods in seclusion, they might have gradually faded from the public eye and been forgotten. However, as they continued to remain in the spotlight without any intention of stepping away, their fame only continued to grow.
Especially with their ethereal beauty, they were the ideal Dao Pair in the eyes of many cultivators.
Xu Yun had the protection of Elder Liang, a Peak-stage Principle Manipulation Realm cultivator, as well as the Orchid Blossom Saintess herself. On the other hand, Qiu Yinzi was the Pavilion Master’s daughter. Both of their prestigious backgrounds made anyone with inappropriate intentions think twice before approaching them, except for Tang Yin.
Whilst thinking of this, Tang Yin promptly arrived at Li Caoheng’s residence.
Li Caoheng’s residence was a magnificent palace, adorned with luxurious decorations and intricate architecture. A few maids could be seen moving about, adding to the air of opulence that surrounded the place. Any cultivator would undoubtedly envy the lavishness of such a dwelling.
"Rong’er... Why are you here?" A powerful surge of divine sense emanated from the palace, directed towards Tang Yin. Following the intense mental presence, a deep voice resounded within his mind.
"Father, I..." Tang Yin’s expression shifted into one of embarrassment, and he struggled to find the right words, his voice trailing off.
Seeing his son’s demeanour, Li Caoheng let out a sigh, his thoughts running along the lines of, ’This kid must have gotten himself into trouble again.’
Despite his concerns, Li Caoheng maintained a gentle tone as he addressed his son, "Come inside first and tell me what happened."
Tang Yin smiled gratefully and hurried into the palace, prompting another sigh from Li Caoheng. This child had been quite a handful lately, and Li Caoheng couldn’t help but wonder what kind of trouble he had managed to get himself into this time.
Familiar with Li Caoheng’s palace due to Li Rong’s frequent visits, Tang Yin, with Li Rong’s memories guiding him, swiftly navigated his way to Li Caoheng’s cultivation chamber located deep within the palace.
Brimming with excitement, Tang Yin didn’t bother knocking on the doors of Li Caoheng’s cultivation chamber. He entered directly, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Naturally, he was imitating Li Rong’s usual behaviour perfectly. Every action he took, down to the smallest details, matched Li Rong’s usual mannerisms, leaving no room for suspicion from Li Caoheng.
"Father! Guess what happened." Tang Yin exclaimed with excitement, addressing the perpetually sighing Li Caoheng.
"What?" Li Caoheng asked in an amused tone. Normally, it was some trivial issue that could be resolved with a single word from him. So, he wasn’t overly concerned, which was reflected in his nonchalant demeanour.
"Look at my eyes." Tang Yin said with the same excited tone.
"Hm, your eyes? What’s wrong with your ey—" As Li Caoheng’s gaze met Tang Yin’s eyes, which shone with a mesmerizing blue and golden glimmer reminiscent of the sun and the moon, his own eyes glazed over, and he fell into an eternal illusion.
That’s right, Tang Yin had utilised the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art!
Li Caoheng’s soul, being in the Early-stage of the Principle Comprehension Realm, was no match for Tang Yin’s Mid-stage Principle Manipulation Realm soul. Thus, he found himself utterly defenceless, entrapped within an illusion crafted by Tang Yin.
Caught in this illusion, Li Caoheng remained oblivious to his true predicament. He carried on with his usual routine as if nothing were amiss, completely unaware of the alternate reality that now enveloped him.
With a smirk, Tang Yin approached Li Caoheng’s static body and touched his forehead, initiating Soul Plunder. In an instant, Li Caoheng’s memories and experiences flowed into Tang Yin’s mind, revealing the intricate details of his life.
"Ah, now I understand." Tang Yin murmured to himself with a hint of amusement. He had learned from Li Caoheng’s memories that Li Rong was the result of a secret affair between Li Caoheng and a Holy Daughter from the Holy Compound.
Tang Yin couldn’t help but be surprised by the unconventional methods that Li Caoheng had employed to court a Holy Daughter from the Holy Compound. He found the details intriguing and made a mental note of them, just in case he ever found himself in a similar situation in the future.
Tang Yin discovered a few other intriguing details in Li Caoheng’s memories, but he selectively noted down only the relevant information and set aside the rest of Li Caoheng’s memories.
After completing the process of Soul Plunder, Tang Yin focused on his main objective.
Using the Heaven Deceiving Art, he skilfully altered his own soul to replicate Li Caoheng’s soul in its entirety. Despite this being his first attempt at mimicking the soul of a Principle Step cultivator, the process took around a minute and was ultimately successful.
Having successfully mimicked Li Caoheng’s soul, Tang Yin proceeded to transform his own body to perfectly replicate Li Caoheng’s appearance.
He then retrieved Li Caoheng’s storage ring and transferred its contents to his own. Lastly, he disrobed Li Caoheng and attired himself in his clothes.
With Li Caoheng’s identity successfully assumed, Tang Yin carefully placed Li Caoheng’s unconscious body into the Abyss Firmament. He recognized the potential value of Li Caoheng’s talents and Tier 3 Martial Spirit, foreseeing their utility for his future plans inside the Abyss Firmament.
Leaving the cultivation chamber behind, Tang Yin skilfully concealed his true intentions from the prying eyes of the maids. To them, Li Caoheng and his son, Li Rong, were engaged in a seemingly heartfelt conversation, completely unaware of the intricate scheme that had unfolded.
With his new identity as Li Caoheng, Tang Yin embarked on a new objective. His initial intention of meeting Xu Yun was still intact, but now he had added an additional goal, to encounter Li Rong’s mother. The layers of his plan were evolving, and he proceeded with careful steps towards the Holy Compound.
Tang Yin understood the protocols of the Holy Compound and knew he couldn’t simply enter it freely. Instead, he planned to deliver his message indirectly through attendants assigned to the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters.
This way, he could ensure that his intentions reached Xu Yun and Li Rong’s mother without arousing suspicion.
