Xin Jing, Han Ting, Shen Junan and Zhi Mu looked down at both Long Bolin and Ren, who closed their eyes, having entered the duelling formation.

Xin Jing's face was carefully void of emotion, but she did not hide the infliction of her voice. "What were you thinking, sending Ren in there? He won't have a chance against Long Bolin, that man gives me the chills from just looking at him, and Brother Junan also warned us of him." She hissed at Zhi Mu.

"I must concur with Sister Jing, this action was ill-advised, Brother Mu." Han Ting nodded along with her, crossing his arms, and making Zhi Mu frown at both of them.

Finally, Shen Junan gave his opinion, fixing Zhi Mu with his eyes, expression serious. "I also do not believe that Brother Ren should have joined in on this game, but before you say anything, Brother Mu, the reason is not that I don't believe in his ability to sense the illusion, or even that he could escape a normal illusion cast by an Adept. With his perception, that you must have also noted by now, he could surely even sense more subtle arts used by a Master.

And as you know, when it comes to breaking illusions, it is of paramount importance that one can identify it and subsequently break out. Brother Ren, like I said, could surely break out of an illusion cast by Long Bolin.

Unfortunately for him, you did not specify if Long Bolin was allowed to consciously maintain the illusion. I fear that Brother Ren will be very aware of what is happening, yet unable to expunge Long Bolin's spirit out of his system."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The darkness parted before his eyes, and what greeted him instead was a confusing imagery of overlapping pictures. A weave of white and grey-green threads, interposed with a shadowy rendition of a land bathed in flames.

At first, he could not make out what was even happening. Where was he? What did any of this mean? But after the initial disorientation wore off, Ren remembered that he joined the Adept, Long Bolin, in a duel, to see if he could break out of one of the man's illusions.

What he did not understand was the two different scenes that he could make out. The land of flames felt like nothing more than a weak attempt at shrouding his senses, like when one tries to see underwater, yet he could still make out the other scene with clarity.

Ren could still feel his own spirit, and that was when it became obvious to him that the other scene was simply his perception of his self, or more specifically, his cultivation, meridians, and everything in between.

There was only one problem, where before there was only a milky, white stream of spirit housing his body now a sickly looking grey-green spirit was clinging to his own, trying to restrict it, encasing it.

Looking more closely, his normal circulation was constantly chipping away at the foreign spirit, but there was always more coming in replacing previously severed threads in a constant struggle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before Zhi Mu could counter the argument, as he was looking to do, Shen Junan cut him off, and continued. Both Xin Jing and Han Ting silently observing, as they had not as much experience with illusions and the duels that are conducted with the competitive formations even less.

"In a normal duel or a fight to the death it would be idiotic to try and maintain a strong illusion against a single enemy, as the one who did so would have to maintain constant impeccable focus on it and should the enemy easily break out, it is over. Instead, should it come to a fight, illusions would only be cast to give small advantages that could be crucial for the outcome. That is what you thought, isn't it so, Brother Mu?" Shen Junan sounded dismayed and almost resigned, after he clarified the circumstances of the competition between the two, sitting only a few metres apart.

"You don't have to let your speech become so heated, Brother Junan."

Zhi Mu still looked confident, stick casually thrown over his shoulder, observing both Ren and Long Bolin.

"I admit that I had not known that the illusion would be maintained by that clown, but even so, there is nothing to be worried about. Look at them, and try to sense how it is going."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeing this gave Ren pause. 'If I don't interfere this illusion can't really do anything against me, Long Bolin's spirit is not truly hindering me too much, but the formation probably won't recognize me as having broken free if I don't get rid of his spirit completely.'

He focussed his attention onto the 'eye of the sword', even reciting it.

Let your senses transcend and become as the unblemished edge of a sword.

Cleave through the red dust of the mortal world with abandon.

Break through all illusions of your heart and become impervious to any who would dare ensnare you.

None shall escape you.

None shall escape your sight.

Immediately, there were massive changes happening to his condition. The land of flames was only something that he could observe out of the corner of his eye if he so wished, the clash between his and Long Bolin's spirit was even clearer, his spirit flowing with more vigour, shredding the intruder.

The battle soon turned into what Ren would describe as a dance. He would take a step forward, sever a chunk of grey-green spirit, take a step back as more spirit tried to enter, only to advance once again.

The minutes dragged on, Ren having completely forgotten why he even competed in the first place, smiling in euphoria as he became ever more aware of how to utilize the 'eye of the sword' and his spirit in general.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zhi Mu showed a shark like expression, while it looked like Shen Junan couldn't believe his senses.

"Ren is grinning like a lunatic!" Was Xin Jing's exclamation.

Zhi Mu's thoughts were a bit more complicated, hiding behind his own grin. 'He certainly is, with an Intent focussed on the sword, and no grounding whatsoever, is it even strange for him to revel in the struggle of a duel? I only wonder if this is not exclusive to this kind of competition...'

"Look at long Bolin! He is starting to sweat, I don't think he can hold on for much longer." Han Ting observed, also not able to remain calm as he pointed at the man in his green robe.

And sweating he was, first only a few drops, but soon there were veritable buckets running down his body, drenching him. He started to shake, not able to repress his body's reactions.

What Shen Junan observed though was even more incredible to the boy. Long Bolin had almost no spirit remaining in his body any more.

"I guess Ren won't have any problems facing illusions in the foreseeable future." He said, almost talking to himself, a wry smile replacing his shocked expression.

"Haha, go Brother Ren!" Xin Jing cried out, startling Nes, the waitress who still stood a bit removed from the four of them, observing the struggle below, her own hands shaking.

Zhi Mu had previously made sure that no sound would leave their area, but now that it was over, and they would start taking a few more challenges, and with Xin Jing rushing down to congratulate the youngest of their group, there was no need for it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Multiple hours later, deep in the bowels of the illusion division.

"Haaa, haaa, haaa."

Moans of exertion rang out while a woman was whimpering. Aggressive slaps rang through the dim room, only illuminated by a few weak candles that lined the walls.

"Have you had quite enough yet, Brother Long, or do I have to endure watching this sad display of impotent rage for much longer?" A bored voice came from the door, immediately stopping Long Bolin cold in his tracks. Throwing the woman to the far side of the bed and hastily putting his robes back on, he turned to face the intruder.

"What do you want, Brother Zhang?" He replied, as soon as he recognized the one standing before him, venom in his voice. The man was completely shrouded in the darkness of the room, hiding his unremarkable appearance and forgettable face.

"Oh, nothing much, I was only curious how you could lose a simple challenge against an Initiate that has joined the sect not even a year ago. I do of course know that the boy is regarded as one of the new golden generation, so to speak, but it seems that the others in the organization, me included, do not put as much trust in you any more." His voice was smooth and there was a sadistic leer in it, mocking Long Bolin.

"Get. To. The. Point." The humiliated Adept bit out, having to restrain himself from attacking the one called Zhang.

"You are no fun, Brother Long, but if you insist." Zhang's voice lost all playfulness, making the woman behind Long Bolin shiver, her red hair showing.

"Effective immediately, you will no longer be leading the organization. You weren't even the strongest among us, but you always had the most glib tongue, just use it to regain a bit of your lost grace." The man said.

Immediately after, Long Bolin could no longer sense the other Adept, his nails biting into the palms of his hands in frustration.