Green Monster Epic

Chapter 587 Illusion

Standing on Figglas's broad back, Allen was carried upwards. After passing through layers of clouds tens of miles thick, they could finally see the top of the solitary peak before them.

On the flattened summit, the ruins of a temple complex covering an area of over ten square miles appeared before Allen and Figglas. Compared to the maze Allen had explored before, the complex at least allowed Allen and his companion to get a glimpse of its entirety.

"This was the core area of the 'Illusion Veil' sect back then. If it weren't for me leading you, you wouldn't have been able to reach this place so easily."

The petite figure of the Illusion Flower Fairy danced in the void. Her right arm, thinner than Allen's finger, pointed at the complex, and she spoke with a somewhat profound tone.

"There are quite a few good things inside, but most are hidden very deep. Whether you can find them depends on your luck."

"…"

It seemed that the flower fairy had a deep understanding of the ruins before them. Allen looked at the pure white and mysterious Illusion Flower Fairy, his heart filled with even more doubts.

Figglas's eyes revealed a strong greed. Green light flickered on his body, and he transformed into the appearance of a Gnoll, rushing out without even greeting Allen.

Allen was not in a hurry. He first flew into the air and searched for any traces of Arielle and the others. It was a pity that the scene of him killing them in the dream was fake. Otherwise, if there really was such an opportunity, Allen would not have hesitated.

As for the subsequent pursuit by the Saint Da Vinci, now that Allen thought about it, the possibility was actually not that great. First, Kozmo's status in the Pale Night tribe might not be as alarming as in the dream, let alone to the point where Da Vinci would personally deal with him; second, the Mansa Alliance was not just for show. As leaders, they wouldn't act so rashly on issues between the two races.

Moreover, the Saint in the dream was too powerful, almost completely overwhelming Allen, who was fighting desperately. The fact that he didn't suffer any damage himself had many problems in itself, but Allen didn't think deeply about this at the time.

However, Allen did gain a lot in terms of mental experience in the dream. After waking up, Allen felt that his entire mind had become clearer, and his perspective on people and problems had become more detached. However, Allen was not sure whether these changes were real, or just his own illusion. He would have to think about it carefully after the exploration was over and he returned.

"What are you looking for? Are you looking for those three adventurers?"

Relying on her immortality, the Illusion Flower Fairy approached Allen and looked at him curiously.

"I took you on a shortcut. They haven't climbed to the top of the mountain yet. But if you don't hurry up and search for spoils, they will soon catch up and compete with you."

"Why are you helping us?"

Allen looked up and asked the Illusion in front of him seriously.

"Because you are very special!!"

The flower fairy's expression also became serious, and she said sincerely: "Among the five people who entered the demiplane this time, the two Kobolds and one Troll who were traveling together are too old, and the time for their souls to return to the River Styx is not far away; while you and that simple Dragon are very young, and have a great future ahead of you. So, I used the power of the plane to drag you into a dream for examination."

"Your wisdom, temperament, and strength are all excellent. It can be said that you are the most outstanding genius I have ever seen. I am very optimistic about your future. So, I hope you can take me to the outside world for a walk. I've been here for tens of thousands of years and I'm really tired of it."

The flower fairy looked at Allen expectantly, waiting for his answer.

Allen was not a novice who had just entered the world, and would definitely not be deceived by the other party's rhetoric, so he retorted the flaws in it: "Over the years, it's not just our group who has come to explore the ruins. If you really wanted to go out, you would have been able to go out long ago, right?"

"Because I am just a remnant soul. If there is no container to accommodate my remnant soul, I will soon disappear. And this container is too important to me, but for any adventurer, it is just a treasure with extremely high value. If I easily tell these adventurers the location of the container, then once they get it, my life will be in their hands."

"You also know the character of those adventurers outside. Items that cannot improve their strength will eventually be sold by them at any time. I don't want to become a commodity that is exchanged at will."

"Then why do you trust me? Aren't you afraid that after I obtain the container you are parasitizing, I will turn around and sell you?"

"Do you think the dream I weaved is that simple? In the dream, your actions are actually my test of your temperament. Now my understanding of you is perhaps clearer than your own."

"Although your style of doing things is decisive and ruthless, and you never show mercy, as long as it does not harm the interests of you and your tribe, and does not show malice, you can abide by the promises you make."

The Illusion proudly raised her head, with an expression that she had already planned everything out.

"You…"

Allen frowned. The dream seemed to have little impact on him, but the thought of being manipulated by the other party in the dream was something that any strong person would resent.

"Hey, don't be angry yet. You've made a profit this time, okay?"

The Illusion noticed the displeasure on Allen's face and quickly explained.

"The dream I weaved is actually equivalent to your second life: by providing you with various convenient conditions, allowing you to experience a smooth stage, so as to amplify your inner desires and see the beast hidden in your heart."

"If you can face your own desires and transcend your ego, then you will have a higher possibility of being promoted to Saint than others."

"You should thank me. Without this dream, it would not be easy for you to achieve self-transcendence and understanding in the future."

"Especially since your self-discipline and rational thinking are too strong. Is it possible for you to release your own desires in reality?"

"Look at that little lizard over there. He has only entered a few scenes of the dream, and I have released his desires and pursuits. If you hadn't woken him up, I'm afraid he would still be immersed in the dream now!!"

"You should also feel that your thinking speed has accelerated since waking up, and your perception has also been enhanced, right? This is the benefit of the dream I weaved."

Allen's frown slowly relaxed, but with his clear mind, he always felt that the Illusion in front of him had other purposes hidden in her words, and things were not as simple as she said.

"I've given you such a big gift, how about it, are you willing to have a knowledgeable partner?"

The Illusion Flower Fairy looked at Allen expectantly.

"No, I refuse!"

Allen shook his head and answered very simply.

A gut feeling told Allen that the flower demon before him was not trustworthy, and furthermore, she didn't have any bargaining chips that moved him. His cautious nature led Allen to quickly decide that it was better to avoid trouble.

"Don't be like that! I actually know many secrets that can help you, like the 'Phantom Silk' Sect's layout and plans, where the best places are to build treasure vaults, where the inheritance halls used to be..."

"As long as you agree to take me out of here and promise not to abandon me, I'll tell you all these secrets!"

Allen's reply surprised the flower demon, especially the fact that he barely hesitated. It was clear how determined he was, so she had to increase her offer to tempt him.

Allen didn't say anything, but stomped his foot and headed straight for the vast ruins, beginning his treasure hunt.

"Hey, kid..."

The flower demon was slightly stunned, then quickly chased after him, chattering persuasively by Allen's side.

This cluster of buildings, which the illusion called the main hall of the Phantom Silk Sect, was relatively well-preserved. Although countless millennia had passed, most of the buildings still retained their original appearance. Only a few of the timber structures had decayed.

The marble buildings still faintly conveyed the power of the 'Phantom Silk' Sect at its peak, with clearly defined divisions across the vast area. The area where Allen was now was probably where the sect's combat members did their daily training. Countless weapon remnants were scattered around the empty training ground, along with rows of drill grounds and martial arts halls. Various rusted weapons were neatly displayed on weapon racks.

Allen carefully searched the area, but most of the weapons on the racks were unusable, and the corroded equipment offered almost no protection. The illusion flower demon was silent, watching Allen rummage around, clearly knowing that these places wouldn't yield much.

"There is indeed an armory in this area. Although most of the equipment stored inside is damaged, there are still quite a few magical items made of good materials that can be used. Do you want me to tell you where they are?"

Seeing Allen finish his search and prepare to leave the training area, the flower demon finally spoke, her tone tempting.

"As long as you agree to my previous request, I'll point them out to you immediately!"

Allen glanced at the flower demon, then lowered his head and continued on his way, completely unaffected by the temptation.

Equipment that could survive for so many years, even if well-preserved, would have greatly diminished in quality. And an armory in an ordinary training area like this wouldn't have anything too valuable. Therefore, it wasn't very appealing to Allen, especially since the illusion was using it as a bargaining chip. Allen didn't care.

"...Haha!!"

In the distance, the treasure-hoarding Figgles was much more diligent than Allen, and much less restrained. He didn't care about preserving the ancient buildings, and the sounds of smashing and crashing were incessant.

Soon, the two of them were searching areas close to the core region. The closer they got to the core region, the more signs there were of previous searches. It seemed that the adventurers who had entered these ruins before had already scoured this place more than once or twice.

"...Hmph!"

Figgles, who had spotted Arelle and the others from afar, snorted dismissively, a puff of black smoke coming from his nostrils.

"Allen, you're here too. Find anything?"

Arelle and Zolf seemed very friendly, taking the initiative to greet Allen. Along the way, they had encountered more than a dozen magical beasts of varying strengths, and had gained something from each encounter. Although they hadn't found anything in the ruined buildings yet, the materials from those magical beasts made the trip worthwhile.

Of course, everyone would definitely not be satisfied with these unexpected gains. The more precious treasures were hidden within these ruins, and that was everyone's ultimate goal.

"Probably not as much as you guys."

Allen and Figgles were being led by the illusion, so they avoided the trouble of being entangled by magical beasts and arrived here first. However, they also missed out on the profits from those battles.

"Hey, not me! I found several good things over there just now!!"

Figgles wouldn't be as low-key as Allen, and showed off his gains.

The five people seemed peaceful on the surface, but in reality, their eyes concealed ill intentions. If they were to discover something extraordinary next, then they might end up fighting for their own interests.

"What about these ruins?"

However, the difference in strength between the two sides wasn't too great. If they really fell out, it seemed like nothing would come of it except wasting time and energy. They were all calm and mature fellows, and they looked at the church ahead with tacit understanding. Zolf tentatively spoke.

"Let's each search our own way, and it all depends on our own luck."

Allen said frankly.

The others nodded, considering it an agreement, and then quickly took action. Allen and Figgles were left behind.

"Let's move together."

The three figures disappeared into the entrance of the church. Allen turned to Figgles, who was eager to try, and said.

At the same time, the illusion flower demon, who had concealed her presence when Arelle and the others appeared, also appeared, watching Allen leisurely: "Do you need me to remind you where the most hidden secret chamber of the Phantom Silk Church is? It used to have a demigod artifact, and several legendary-level equipment."

"Okay!!"

Figgles' face lit up with joy, his eyes glowing with desire.

However, it was clear that the illusion flower demon didn't care about Figgles, and kept her eyes on Allen, waiting for his reply.

"I think we should try our luck first!"

Allen's eyes were calm, and he still didn't seem to be moved.

"Allen..."

Before the flower demon could speak, Figgles, in his earth bear form, became anxious and was about to persuade Allen, but was stopped by Allen's gaze.

In fact, Allen was also tempted. After all, this was news about a demigod artifact, and so far Allen himself had never even touched one. However, the more tempting she was, the more Allen felt that her scheme was deep, and the greater his vigilance against her became.

Of course, with Allen's confidence in his own strength, he believed that even if she was really plotting against him, he should be able to protect himself. Deep down, Allen hoped to learn more from the flower demon, to see how many bargaining chips she really had.

And his real goal was not just the so-called demigod artifacts and other external objects, but he hoped to obtain a method and inheritance to break through to demigod.