Chapter 122: Creating an Illusory Stage for Him
“Brother Ye! Congratulations, it’s actually Two Spiritual Roots. With your talent, you’ll most likely be exempt from miscellaneous duties and enter the sect directly as an Outer Sect Disciple.”
“That’s right, Brother Ye. Earlier you even said you were at most Five Spiritual Roots. Weren’t you being a bit too modest?”
“Sigh… If I’m lucky enough to enter the sect this ti, I’ll have to rely on Brother Ye to look after in the future.”
Suppressing the surging anger and unwillingness in his heart, Ye Jingchen bowed to the elder, then silently returned to the small group he had been standing with.
Facing the crowd’s sincere congratulations and flattery, he had no choice but to put on a look of delight and respond to each of them in turn.
After all, in the eyes of others, for an unaffiliated cultivator with no background to enter the Nine-Xia Heavenly Sect on the strength of Two Spiritual Roots was already a trendous stroke of fortune.
If he revealed even the slightest dissatisfaction at this mont, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
He forced out a faint smile and cupped his hands.
“You all flatter . I was rely a bit luckier than most.” Yet the smile never reached his eyes.
Hidden within his sleeves, his hands had already clenched tightly into fists.
……
On the Cloudship at the other side of the mountain gate, Nan Yuchen gazed at Long Tao with a face full of admiration.
In his eyes, Senior Brother Long was just like those all-knowing strategists in stories, calculating every step of his opponent with flawless precision.
“Senior Brother Long! You’re incredible. You really… really predicted everything exactly! Even the step where he arranged for his underlings to co out and mock people—it was exactly as you said!”
Just now, through the spell cast by True Lord Luohong, everyone on the Cloudship had taken in everything happening in the plaza at a glance.
Not only Nan Yuchen, even the three great powers had secretly praised Long Tao’s “flawless calculations.”
However, seeing that her junior brother’s favorable impression of Long Tao had grown even further, Zhu Huaisu imdiately curled her lips and said in dissatisfaction, “Of course he could predict it. I’d say he’s probably wanted to do the sa thing himself all along. Am I wrong?”
Having his thoughts exposed in a single sentence, Long Tao could only laugh awkwardly and vaguely defend himself.
“Well… male disciples with average talent like us all have similar fantasies from ti to ti…”
Seeing this, Sect Master Zhuge smiled and stepped in to ease the situation.
“In any case, you did well this ti. You successfully disrupted this person’s plan to make a na for himself in the sect. However, to prevent him from being frightened off or giving up altogether, we still need to find a way to keep him within the sect. Since his target is Yuchen, then when the ti cos… I’m afraid we’ll still have to agree to let him enter Moon-Washing Peak.”
At these words, True Person Mingzhu frowned slightly, and Zhu Huaisu puffed up her cheeks in anger.
“That man is disgusting. I really don’t want him coming to our peak. Hey! Aren’t you the one with the most tricks? Hurry and think of sothing!”
Long Tao revealed a troubled expression.
If they wanted to keep this person in the sect for continued investigation while also forcing him to reveal his flaws as soon as possible, the best thod would naturally be to deliberately expose a weakness and lure him into action.
From that perspective, allowing him to enter Moon-Washing Peak and giving him the opportunity to approach Nan Yuchen was indeed the fastest and most effective solution.
But the risks were equally high.
If Nan Yuchen’s destiny luck were truly stolen in large amounts, not only would it be disgusting, but the system’s side mission would also fail.
Although Zhu Huaisu’s demand was sowhat unreasonable, it was indeed Long Tao’s current objective as well.
Yet how could such a thing be easy? Unless it were like 《The Truman Show》—constructing a vast and flawless stage, arranging nurous actors, and having everyone accompany that Man in Black nad Ye Jingchen in putting on a grand performance.
“Senior Sister, don’t make things difficult for Senior Brother Long.” Nan Yuchen gently persuaded her.
“Let’s wait a bit. The Illusion Trial for testing one’s character is about to begin. Perhaps we’ll be able to gather more intelligence then.”
Wait! An illusion? Nan Yuchen’s words were like a flash of inspiration, illuminating Long Tao’s thoughts.
That’s right! An illusion! If they made use of an illusion created by a Nascent Soul True Lord, they might truly be able to recreate conditions like those in 《The Truman Show》—construct a completely virtual Moon-Washing Peak and then arrange nurous “NPCs” to cooperate in the performance.
He imdiately turned toward True Lord Luohong and bowed.
“True Lord, this disciple has suddenly had an idea. Allowing that person to directly enter Moon-Washing Peak is indeed too risky and may endanger Junior Brother Nan. So I was thinking… would it be possible to create a simulated illusion of Moon-Washing Peak specifically for him?”
Upon hearing this, a trace of amusent flashed through True Lord Luohong’s eyes.
“Interesting. Go on.”
Seeing that the True Lord did not object, Long Tao continued explaining his concept.
“After he formally enters the sect, True Person Mingzhu can pretend to accept him into Moon-Washing Peak. Then, you or another True Lord could create an illusion with Moon-Washing Peak as the background, allowing him to act as he pleases within it. Most likely, this would lure him into exposing many secrets, while at the sa ti preventing any harm to the other disciples.”
“Mm… This thod is indeed feasible.” True Lord Luohong nodded.
“Simply creating an illusion of Moon-Washing Peak is not difficult for . The key lies in the people within the illusion. To maintain a sufficiently realistic illusion before that person will require careful consideration.”
True Person Mingzhu had not expected Long Tao to truly co up with such a win-win solution.
Not only would she not have to genuinely accept that nauseating fellow, but the plan could also proceed smoothly.
Since that was the case, as the Peak Master and Nan Yuchen’s master, she could no longer remain aloof and said,
“True Lord, I can personally continue to play the role of Peak Master within the illusion. I would only need to appear occasionally and would not have much contact with him. However, ordinary disciples should not interact with him frequently. I fear they might be influenced by his strange Charm Technique.”
“Indeed.” True Lord Luohong turned his gaze to Long Tao.
“Long Tao, what are your thoughts on this?”
Long Tao felt that with the insight and wisdom of True Lord Luohong and the Sect Master, they likely already had several counterasures in mind.
Asking him now was probably a test—or perhaps… they were simply amused and wanted to squeeze ideas out of him alone?
“Well…” Long Tao pondered briefly.
“Most of the ordinary disciples in the illusion need not be overly complex. They can simply function like puppets, following a fixed routine of daily activities. However, several key roles must be arranged around him. These roles must be vivid and lifelike, centering around him, so that he feels like the protagonist of a storybook.” He paused before continuing his analysis.
“Judging from how he converts destiny luck into the effects of a Charm Technique, this person is most likely both insecure and narcissistic. Such an arrangent would better lower his guard.”
“A good idea.” True Lord Luohong encouraged him.
“That way, effort can be concentrated on a few characters. Since you already understand this person so well, how do you think these roles should be shaped?”
“Uh… First,” Long Tao said thoughtfully, “arrange a lackey for him. This lackey must be fat and about half a head shorter than him. His talent should be worse than his, but not too poor. Most importantly, he must be absolutely loyal and able to handle various trivial matters for him.”
“Hey! Why design such a character?” Zhu Huaisu, who had been listening from the side, finally could not help asking.
She had thought Long Tao would propose so honey trap, yet he first ca up with a fat lackey.
“People who are insecure yet arrogant usually hope to have soone inferior to them in every aspect by their side, to highlight their own excellence,” Long Tao explained.
“So this lackey must be short and fat. But if his talent is too poor, he’ll think the person has no value for use, so he must also have so ability.”
“What fussy and boring requirents.” Zhu Huaisu curled her lips.
“Most people like that are the sa.” Long Tao continued indifferently.
“Next would be a beautiful and gentle senior sister, and a lively and clingy junior sister. There’s no need to elaborate on these two roles—it’s purely a honey trap.”
“Pervert.” Zhu Huaisu snorted softly.
“Yes, yes, I’m lustful, fine?” Long Tao spread his hands helplessly.
“But that person is definitely even more lustful, so the senior sister and junior sister are necessary.”
“But he’s just entered the sect. Where would he get a junior sister from?”
“Here, junior sister doesn’t refer to generation. It ans the type who is younger and likes to act coquettish. Or we could make the junior sister soone who entered the sect alongside him but is younger in age.”
At this point, Sect Master Zhuge also beca interested and urged, “Three roles aren’t enough. At least add one more.”
“Mm…” Long Tao pondered for a mont.
“There also needs to be an elder. This elder need not be very powerful, but should be experienced, always able to provide him with useful advice, and often passively give him certain benefits, allowing him to take small advantages—like a grandfather doting on a spoiled grandson.”
Upon hearing this, True Lord Luohong once again gave an approving look.
“Not bad. An elder who appears to consider everything for him may lower his guard even more than the beautiful senior sister and junior sister.”
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