It was a magnificent and luxurious grand palace, with exquisite beams and pillars carved with various mythical beasts. The floor was polished, and the dark red walls exuded an overwhelming pressure, making it hard to breathe.
Suddenly, a golden light descended from the sky, accompanied by auspicious clouds and rain, creating a grand spectacle.
In the golden light, a woman in white held a beautifully crafted bow and arrow, her expression one of astonishment.
“Is it really a Heavenly Artifact?” she murmured. “The gods and the demons have been locked in endless battles, both perishing. The world has been wounded, and it has been a long time since a Heavenly Artifact has appeared.”
The woman in white whispered softly, her gentle voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. After a long while, she suddenly smiled, her pale fingers greedily brushing against the shimmering bow, “From now on, I shall call you Illusion God.”
At this point, the scene abruptly froze.
Tang Muxi felt a momentary flutter in her heart as she gazed at the woman in white bathed in golden light, ethereal and warm, a sense of inexplicable familiarity washing over her.
Is this… the memory of the Illusion God?
That woman must be its true master.
Though faint, Tang Muxi could vaguely sense the Illusion God’s joy and deep attachment.
She wanted to lean closer to observe the woman’s face, but perhaps due to the passage of time, the memory of the Illusion God had also become blurred. No matter how intently she looked, she could only see a delicate silhouette.
Suddenly, the scene shifted again, still within the grand palace, but this time there were others present.
The woman in white sat on the only throne, her smile gone, replaced by a look of desolation and determination. Though her features were indistinct, her emotions were clearly conveyed.
“I wish to disperse the Nine Divine Artifacts.”
Kneeling below the throne were several subordinates, each handsome and radiant. Some had dragon horns on their foreheads, shining with golden light, while others had nine tails, alluring and enchanting… In an instant, Tang Muxi realized that these individuals were indeed the legendary mythical beasts, genuine and true.
Upon hearing the woman’s words, the subordinates all looked pained: “Your Majesty, no!” “Without the artifacts, we fear we cannot resist the ‘demons’!” The woman in white shook her head: “After the gods and demons perished, the ‘Heavens’ fell into weakness and could not respond to the artifacts. Now that the ‘demons’ have returned, they have already invaded the world. If they were to gather the artifacts again…” The woman paused for a moment, slowly uttering two words: “It would be perilous.”
Everyone fell silent.
The Illusion God hung silently on the stone pillar beside the throne.
The woman in white dismissed her subordinates and approached the stone pillar, gently caressing the bow, smiling as she said, “Now, I only have you, Illusion God.”
Though she was smiling, there was an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
At this point, the scene froze once more.
Tang Muxi’s eyelids fluttered, and she vaguely sensed the woman’s fate, her heart slowly tightening.
However, as if in response to her thoughts, the scene changed again.
It was still the palace, but it was now difficult to describe it with grand and majestic words. Everywhere she looked, there were only broken walls and ruins. Crimson blood stained the shattered stones, and scorching flames consumed the beams.
The throne had toppled, and the woman knelt on the ground. Her white clothing was no longer pure, stained with blood and dust. Some of it was hers, some belonged to others, and she was in a state of utter disarray.
She had lost, and her desperate struggle had led to this outcome. Yet, she was not surprised; she had anticipated this ending ever since she dispersed the artifacts. It was just a pity to have let down the hopes of the world.
Even more so, she had let down the expectations of the “Heavens.”
Her subordinates had perished, the gates had been destroyed; she was the last true god of the ancient realm, and also the final emperor.
On the brink of death, she felt surprisingly relieved.
The heavy burden that had once weighed on her shoulders could finally be lifted.
The woman let out a loud laugh, but due to her internal injuries, she coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood.
“By the way, Illusion God…” She picked up the artifact that had followed her for so long and caressed the bowstring one last time.
“Weren’t you always wanting my blood? Now it’s all yours. Drink well, and then set off to find your next master…” The light on the bow flickered violently, as if it were refuting and protesting against the woman’s words, not taking a single drop of the blood she offered. Unfortunately, that person could no longer be seen; after saying her final words, she exhausted her last bit of strength.
Tang Muxi saw the Illusion God radiating a dazzling light, and profound magical patterns appeared in the sky, flowing with brilliance, ultimately imprinting themselves at the center of the bow.
Then, a massive beam of golden light, as thick as a pillar, pierced through the dark clouds, landing directly on it and the woman.
The scene abruptly halted.
When she came to her senses, the ruins had vanished, leaving only numerous islands filled with immortal energy floating around.
Floating Immortal Island, she had returned…
Tang Muxi felt restless; the Illusion God’s emotions surged violently, gradually influencing her through their master-servant contract.
Unwillingness, sorrow, anger, desire… A tangle of complex feelings intertwined, like chaotic threads binding her limbs and bones.
“Do you… wish to recognize me as your master?” Tang Muxi asked in disbelief. An artifact that had served the Heavenly Emperor was so proud; what merit did she have to make it willingly submit?
The Illusion God thought she didn’t want it and became a bit anxious, transforming into a colorful rope and tying itself around her waist.
It was a truly formless entity, capable of transforming into all kinds of worldly artifacts. However, the bow was its primary reliance when its master forged it, so only the bow shape could unleash its full power.
Tang Muxi’s eyes widened in surprise, staring at the brilliant rope around her waist, unsure of what to say.
After a long while, she sighed, “Alright, I won’t chase you away. If one day you want to find your true master, just let me know, and I won’t hold you back.”
The figure of that woman in white lingered in her heart; Tang Muxi felt inferior, not foolish enough to compete with a Heavenly Emperor for an artifact.
Now that the Illusion God was willing to follow her, it was likely drawn to the unique power contained in her blood.
When the true master appeared in the future, it would probably leave.
Though there was no basis for it, Tang Muxi always felt that the woman in white had not died.
Behind the abruptly halted scene, there must have been other events occurring.
The Illusion God scoffed at this.
It was a proud bow that would never betray its master recklessly in this lifetime.
Ever since that day when the Illusion God recognized her as its master, Tang Muxi finally understood what a heavenly-tier artifact truly meant.
The Illusion God could transform into all things in the world; if it absorbed her blood, it could even mimic her appearance, perfectly and vividly.
The only pity was that, despite having a spirit, the Illusion God had been restricted for many years and could not speak.
Tang Muxi had a sudden inspiration and crafted a sound-mimicking jade stone, allowing the Illusion God to take on her appearance, then she wore the jade around her neck.
As long as the sounds captured by the sound-mimicking jade were present, the jade could imitate them.
Tang Muxi looked at the person who looked exactly like her, smiled, and reached out to pinch the other’s face.
So soft.
“What’s your name?” she asked excitedly.
The Illusion God looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, recalling her master’s earlier instructions, and read in a dry tone mimicking her master’s voice, “My name is Tang Muxi.”
Tang Muxi instantly broke into a bright smile, enjoying the moment alone for a while before clearing her throat and saying seriously, “No, that lacks emotion! Do it again, do it again.”
The Illusion God wore a blank expression, imitating her master’s usual tone and intonation, and repeated, “My name is Tang Muxi.”
This time, aside from her somewhat unnatural expression, even she could hardly tell the difference.
Tang Muxi was filled with excitement: “Don’t look so blank!” She then directly adjusted the expression, saying, “Lift the corners of your mouth a little, curve your eyebrows, and make your eyes more lively—don’t look like a stranded dead fish!”
After several rounds of adjustments… no, after several rounds of tweaking, both her demeanor and voice were perfectly imitated, and Tang Muxi was very satisfied, pushing her toward her master’s door.
“Quick, quick, go in.” Tang Muxi hid at the door, constantly waving her hands, while also activating a treasure to conceal her presence, preparing to sneakily follow.
The Illusion God wore a cold expression, inexplicably recalling a saying she had once heard: memories are always beautified.
The ancients did not deceive me.
Who would have thought that after tens of thousands of years, when she finally found this person again, the other party would have turned into this form? If it weren’t for the pride and principles of being a heavenly artifact restraining her, she would have really wanted to rebel and give it a try.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go in!” Tang Muxi, ready to go, noticed she was still motionless and became a bit anxious.
The Illusion God pursed her lips, her face full of reluctance. A dignified heavenly artifact was actually being used for… this kind of twisted amusement! But she was the servant, and the other was the master; she could not resist.
The Illusion God slowly stepped forward to knock on the door, her expression almost unwilling to the extreme.
Tang Muxi quickly hid, not forgetting to remind her, “Don’t forget your expression!” Moments later, the door opened, and Wen Fei leaned out from inside.
Despite her reluctance, the Illusion God still put on the previously rehearsed demeanor.
“Master, your disciple has come to call you for dinner.”
Every movement was incredibly natural.
Wen Fei was surprised and said, “I have already entered fasting and do not need food.” She had thought her little disciple had come to discuss something, but it turned out to be just for a meal.
The Illusion God smiled lightly and said, “Today is cold, and snow is beginning to fall in the mountains. Sister Mingyu is coming to visit later, and Muxi has specially prepared warm food to invite Master to warm up and wait for Mingyu.”
Wen Fei was taken aback and joyfully said, “Mingyu is coming? I thought she would come later.”
A few days ago, she had heard her disciple say that her niece was coming to visit her, but there had been no news for a long time.
Wen Fei knew that the other party had probably been delayed by something, and she did not expect a sudden visit today, which made her look forward to it.
She wondered what that girl had become after so many years.
“Quick, take me to…” Just as she started to speak, Wen Fei stopped, “Wait, I’ll go change my clothes.”
Saying this, she hurriedly ran into the house. After a rustling sound, Wen Fei emerged, her usual unadorned face now sporting a touch of rouge, the color elegant, paired with exquisite clothing, looking dignified and graceful.
Even the Illusion God was taken aback.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed from being stared at, Wen Fei lightly coughed, her tone returning to its usual steadiness: “Lead me there.”
The Illusion God nodded, just about to turn and lead the way when she suddenly heard a voice in her heart.
—Hug Master’s arm! The Illusion God paused, her smile freezing on her face.
