Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 928 The Calamity Star Enters the Painting
The reason why villains are often more "efficient" at achieving their goals than heroes is that this undisguised, soul-searching threat is often more effective than any reasoning.

The young monk, who had been lost in thought and secretly praying that his master would come to his rescue, suddenly felt a chill run from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

My mind went completely blank; all distracting thoughts were cleared away.

He stared intently, almost greedily scanning every detail of the mural, desperately trying to find his master's figure, his attitude more devout and focused than when facing Buddha.

The outside world is terrifying!

These intellectuals are simply devils!

Master, please grant your blessing!

The little monk's eyes welled up with tears, and he was about to cry.

Perhaps the mural truly sensed his incredibly strong desire to "survive," for the light on the mural shifted slightly, and a corner that originally depicted ancient tree branches gradually blurred, before the image of an old monk in a kasaya with kind eyes slowly and clearly emerged.

"Master!" The little monk was overjoyed and almost instinctively rushed towards the portrait.

With a soft "whoosh," the person was transformed into a faint stream of light and instantly sucked into the mural!

From then on, a lifelike portrait of a young novice monk with a terrified expression appeared on the wall.

In the painting, he is clinging tightly to the leg of an old monk, sobbing and crying as he pours out his heart. His expression is agitated, and his finger keeps pointing out of the painting, presumably denouncing the evil deeds of those "bandit scholars" outside, which are certainly not anything good.

The remaining group exchanged bewildered glances, then all turned their attention to Ji Rui, their eyes conveying a clear message: Is this all we need to do? Can we just go in like this?
Ji Rui nodded, looking experienced: "That's right, this is how you enter the mural. You can merge into it by focusing your mind on it. But remember, it's easy to get in but hard to get out."

His expression turned serious as he explained, "We forced our way in as intruders, unlike those destined to be guided by the mural."

"Once we fall into the painting, in order to find Lord Fu, we must first break through the illusion created by our own thoughts on the painting wall to gain the ability to move freely in the painting before we can reunite."

"Finally," Ji Rui weighed the chilling "Self-Discipline" knife in his hand, a confident and even somewhat nostalgic smile playing on his lips.

"Break through the wall with this blade! That's what Master Xu did back then, and now it's my turn!"

Of course, they didn't just blindly rush in without a Plan B.

Even without relying on 'self-discipline' specifically designed to counter such illusionary artifacts, it's possible to force it out through sheer willpower.

Once the power sealed within his heart is released, and with the sharpness of the divine weapon 'Zhanlu' in his hand... this mural will likely appear somewhat fragile.

The prestige of top-tier divine weapons is no joke.

Ultimately, the trio are, to some extent, "pay-to-win" players who rely on overwhelming equipment and skill.

The plan is set, there's no more hesitation.

The three of them, along with Fu Qingfeng, exchanged glances and nodded, then gazed intently at the enormous, bizarre mural that contained endless danger.

The battle begins!

Upon closer inspection, one discovers that the murals on the wall are far more exquisite than they appear from a distance.

The figures and scenery depicted are not inanimate objects, but are incredibly lifelike, as if they would breathe and move at any moment, exuding a strange vitality.

Fu Qingfeng was extremely anxious, his gaze sweeping eagerly over the intricate scenes painted on the wall.

Suddenly her pupils contracted, and she instantly locked onto the person she most wanted to find: her elderly father!
In the painting, in a secluded courtyard, Fu Tianchou is sitting opposite an old monk with a kind face and wearing a kasaya. The two seem to be having a heated debate.

Right at the old monk's feet was none other than the timid little monk Xinsheng, who had just been terrified!

At this moment, he is in the painting with a "saved" expression, hugging his master's leg, and not forgetting to secretly point and whisper at Fu Tianchou.

Fu Qingfeng immediately became anxious, his anger rising.

This little thing is definitely hanging out with the old man; he can't possibly be up to anything good!
Driven by an urgent desire to save his father, he could no longer contain himself and instinctively drew the sword from his waist, his mind completely focused on the image of his father in the painting.

In an instant, I felt a dizzying sensation, as if the world was spinning around me, and the surrounding scenery rippled outwards like waves on water.

When I regained my senses, I was surprised to find that I was no longer in the backyard of the dilapidated Buddhist temple, but in the courtyard I had seen in the painting!

Beneath my feet lay soft earth and green grass, the air was filled with the fresh scent of plants and faint floral fragrance, and I could even hear the rustling of leaves in the breeze…

All these sensory experiences are incredibly real; how could it possibly feel like an illusion?

"This...this is the Illusionary Realm of the Painted Wall? It's truly terrifying..." Fu Qingfeng felt a chill in his heart, but at this moment he couldn't care less about anything else.

"Qingfeng?!"

Fu Tianchou, who was debating with Master Longtan, was taken aback when he suddenly saw his daughter appear. He was then furious.

He suddenly turned to Master Longtan, his hair and beard bristling: "Don't punish family members! You...you've gone too far! You even kidnapped my daughter, it's utterly despicable and shameless!"

Fu Qingfeng quickly regained her senses, took a step forward, held her long sword horizontally, and resolutely stood in front of her father: "Father! It has nothing to do with them, I barged in myself!"

Having said that, she glared angrily, pointing the tip of her sword directly at the two monks, one old and one young, opposite her.

She shouted, "You wicked monks! Release us immediately! Otherwise, when my three friends come to subdue the demons, they will raze this place of filth to the ground and make all your years of cultivation vanish like water. By then, it will be too late for regrets!"

To increase her intimidation factor, she even held the jade bottle Ji Rui had given her in her hand, as if about to throw it. Her fierce demeanor, as if saying "If you don't release them, I'll fight you to the death," gave her a rather heroic air reminiscent of a female general on the battlefield.

Miss Fu is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. Having practiced martial arts for many years, she naturally possesses a much stronger fighting spirit than ordinary young ladies.

In addition, I was deeply "infected" by the "Three Wonders'" style of doing things: "If you can take action, don't talk" and "Fight first and ask questions later".

These mystical and cryptic people have long lost all reverence for these superstitious and pretentious people, leaving only impatience and suspicion.

If she hadn't realized she might be no match for this unfathomable old monk, she would have already chopped him down!
When the young monk saw the woman, he turned around and grabbed his master's thigh tightly.

If she comes, then those three scholar-looking bandits and tyrants must also be here.

Master, you must protect me!

Master Longtan first calmed down his disciple who had lost his composure, and then looked up at Fu Qingfeng, who was standing with his sword across his body, glaring at him angrily. A helpless bitter smile appeared on his face.

The female benefactor's strong hostility was such that she dared to insult a bald man in front of a monk.

Besides, I really had no intention of harming Lord Fu's life; one must not break the rules within the mural.

Before I could explain, a profound terror struck my heart.

The old monk's gaze sharpened, his seemingly cloudy old eyes appearing to pierce through the layers of space in the mural world.

In the far distance, three "stars" emanating distinct yet extremely powerful auras crashed into this illusory world!
The master's heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong.

The real "scourge" has only just begun to descend!

Meanwhile, outside the mural, in reality.

Ning Caichen stood alone in front of the huge mural, his gaze calm and his goal clear.

Since illusions arise from the mind, and circumstances change with one's thoughts...

So why not take this opportunity to confront your deepest weaknesses?
He slowly closed his eyes, completely letting go of all mental defenses, allowing the deepest memories in his heart to surge up.

His fingertips pressed lightly, as if plucking invisible strings, and a mournful and lingering melody flowed silently through his heart:
Frost covers the ten-mile-long calm lake, and every inch of my black hair is tinged with sorrow for my fleeting youth.

I gaze at the moon alone, longing for companionship; I envy not the immortals, but the mandarin ducks.

As this unforgettable melody resonated in his mind, the entire mural seemed to come alive!
Countless dazzling rays of light frantically shuttled and intertwined on the wall, and the image began to flicker and flow violently. The entire mural seemed to become a manifestation of his memories, passively responding to the strongest obsession in his heart.

"Come out, Xiaoqian..." he whispered, his voice filled with endless longing and a hint of determination.

The next moment, Ning Caichen's figure transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the mural.

He felt as if he were falling from the clouds, with the surrounding light and shadows shifting.

When I finally stood firm and saw the scene before me, even though I was prepared, my heart still skipped a beat and my breath caught in my throat.

There is no eerie Guobei County, no ghostly Lanruo Temple, no tree demons, no Black Mountain Demon... This is Lingyin Temple.

It was the most peaceful and happiest time during his brief encounter with Xiaoqian.

The tranquil courtyard of the Zen room is filled with ancient trees that reach for the sky, sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light. The air is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and the fresh aroma of herbs and plants.

And right there in the courtyard, under the sycamore tree, a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) sat quietly on a stone platform.

A woman dressed in white, with a face of unparalleled beauty, was dancing gracefully, her skirts fluttering, like a fairy untouched by worldly affairs.

It was Nie Xiaoqian.

Beside the zither sat another "Ning Caichen," his eyes filled with boundless tenderness and sorrow, his fingertips plucking the strings, playing the very tune "Envy the Mandarin Ducks."

This is their sanctuary, where they spent seven wonderful days undisturbed.

He played the piano, she danced, and the two poured out their hearts to each other, expressing the burning yet hopeless love in their hearts.

The Painted Wall Illusion perfectly recreated all of this, even more beautiful and moving than I remembered.

Ning Caichen stood quietly not far away, looking at the lifelike and charming Xiaoqian in the painting, and a very gentle and complex smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"Still so handsome..." he murmured softly, his eyes not filled with despair, but with deep longing and a hint of barely perceptible pain.

To be able to experience that unforgettable beauty once again in this illusion, even knowing it's fake, is still a precious yet cruel experience for him.
Ning Caichen slowly stepped forward, his figure gradually overlapping with the image of himself in the painting, playing the zither and immersed in sorrow and happiness, until they finally became one.

The music paused briefly.

He looked up at the smiling phantom before him, his gaze so tender it could melt water: "Xiaoqian, I've learned a few new pieces of music, would you like to hear them?"

In the painting, Xiaoqian smiles sweetly, her eyes crinkling, just as lively as I remember: "Well, Caichen, I never get tired of your music."

Ning Caichen smiled slightly and placed his hands on the strings again.

(End of this chapter)