Chapter 142: Phantom Body

Chapter 142: Phantom Body

Li Wei returned to his room and found a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes inside.

Instinctively, he swept his spiritual sense over the figure—

and found him unfathomable.

Li Wei closed the door and cautiously asked, “Teacher?”

The man set down the purple rose in his hand and said, “Your mastery of Illusion Form has progressed swiftly.”

Torasta turned to face Li Wei.

Hearing that voice, even though it sounded different, Li Wei instantly knew—it was Torasta before him.

He had taken on yet another form.

Understanding the essence of illusionary transformation, Li Wei realized Torasta could assume any appearance he wished.

“Everything is thanks to your teaching,” Li Wei said.

Torasta smiled. “No need for humility. I’ve taught you little; all this is your own insight.”

“I was originally pondering how best to conceal your identity—but now it seems I need not intervene at all.”

Li Wei’s expression shifted slightly. “Do you have a method?”

Torasta replied, “Given your current grasp of illusionary forms, you may now attempt to cultivate a phantom body.”

“A phantom body?” Li Wei asked, puzzled.

“It’s much like the illusory objects you create,” Torasta explained. “A phantom body is also an illusion—but one that moves, a living apparition.”

“To forge a phantom capable of combat would still be beyond your strength. But to create a simple, ordinary phantom—you are already ready.”

“Split a thread of your spirit, merge it into the phantom, and you shall control it.”

With a flip of his palm, Torasta produced a cultivation manual and handed it to Li Wei.

Li Wei took it, his expression shifting subtly.

“This… is an illusion?”

He spoke in astonishment.

The object Torasta created felt utterly real.

Had it not been for the faint ripple of magical energy upon it, he wouldn’t have sensed its falseness at all.

Within moments, even that fluctuation faded, making it nearly indistinguishable from reality.

Torasta nodded. “When your Illusion Form reaches my level, you too will achieve this.”

“Thank you, Teacher,” Li Wei said sincerely.

“Train hard. Strive to inherit my legacy.”

His voice trailed off into silence—Torasta had vanished without a trace.

Li Wei blinked, unable to discern how or when he had disappeared.

“Coming without a sound, leaving without a trace—like a celestial dragon, seen only by its head, never its tail.”

“What a show-off!”

Torasta truly understood the art of grandeur.

Li Wei grumbled under his breath, yet inwardly, he envied it deeply.

If he could do the same, wouldn’t it be magnificent?

He opened the manual on phantom cultivation that Torasta had given him.

After reading for a while, he set it aside.

He would begin cultivating the phantom body tonight.

[Crystal Meditation Art (First Tier)] 5860/10000

For now, he focused on cultivating magical energy through the Crystal Meditation Art.

That afternoon, Li Wei remained in his room, refining his power.

At night, within the dream realm, he practiced the Phantom Body chapter of Illusion Form.

[Illusion Form (First Tier)] 687/10000

After a night of effort, Li Wei finally created his very own phantom body.

Modeled after himself, it bore his exact likeness.

The key lay in the sliver of spiritual force embedded within—

allowing Li Wei to remotely control its actions.

The phantom was exceedingly weak, possessing no strength.

Unlike Torasta’s phantoms, which could wield formidable power.

But as his Illusion Form improved, so too would the phantom grow stronger.

For now, fooling Guze and Rota was enough.

There was no need for it to fight.

“Try not to make physical contact with Teacher Guze—otherwise, exposure becomes likely.”

Li Wei mused as he observed the phantom.

That wouldn’t be difficult.

After all, he and Guze weren’t lovers.

He programmed the phantom with a few simple responses,

so it could react autonomously in common situations—

no need for Li Wei to monitor it constantly.

Its reactions were somewhat mechanical, but sufficient for everyday use.

Li Wei figured: survive tomorrow, then claim he must enter seclusion.

That way, he’d reduce contact with others and lower the risk of exposure.

“Hmm, good enough.”

“Better go out first, greet Teacher Guze—test whether the disguise holds.”

He guided the phantom to step out of the room.

“Good morning, Teacher Guze.”

Guze glanced at Li Wei and replied, “Morning.”

No suspicion arose.

Back in the room, Li Wei’s lips curled upward in quiet triumph.

“Excellent. The plan works.”

Li Wei controlled his illusionary body to return to the room, then stepped forward with his true self.

Following Gu Ze and Luo Ta into the Hall of Magic, he switched places with his phantom under the pretense of using the restroom.

Li Wei himself transformed into armor, entering the competition arena.

Everything went smoothly—

until he encountered Weeks.

Weeks blocked Li Wei’s path, saying, “Name your price. Sell me your spell construct. I’ll pay any amount.”

Li Wei looked at him, frowning.

Why was this guy still fixated on his telekinesis technique?

“Ten thousand gold coins,” Li Wei said casually.

Weeks’ expression darkened. “You’re not serious.”

“Exactly. Can’t you tell I don’t want to sell?” Li Wei replied.

Weeks narrowed his eyes. “One more chance. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless in the match.”

“Bring it on.”

Li Wei stood firm, utterly unyielding.

What was there to fear? He was already wearing a disguise.

He could go all out—no holding back.

Who feared whom?

Outwardly masked, inwardly unveiled—

that was precisely Li Wei’s state of mind now.

With no need to conceal his strength, he had no reason to swallow insults.

He’d seen Weeks’ power before.

Not weak—certainly a high-tier first-rank wind mage.

But still, not enough to stand against him.

Seeing others gathering around curiously, Weeks didn’t say more.

“Hmph. Just wait. You’ll regret this.”

He turned and strode away.

Li Wei: “Heh.”

Xiong Er walked over, laughing as he slapped Li Wei’s shoulder.

“Hah! That was brilliant!”

He liked straightforward people.

Li Wei glanced back, silent.

“The competition is about to begin. All participants, prepare to enter the secret realm.”

Everyone lined up, waiting to step through the portal.

In the stands, spectators leaned forward with eager, theatrical grins.

At that moment, the mist shrouding the island dissipated, revealing the forest within.

Contestants began appearing one by one across the woodland.

From above, the audience could only look down upon the island—the dense foliage obscuring much of what unfolded below.

Should battles erupt, referees would magnify certain areas, allowing all to watch.

Li Wei materialized in the forest, surveyed his surroundings, summoned his Shadow Acolyte, and moved deeper into the trees.

His chosen magical gear: a cloak of invisibility.

In a complex environment like this forest, its value was unmatched.

The Shadow Acolyte led the way, scouting ahead. Li Wei followed, cloaked and unseen.

The ten percent mana reduction enchantment proved crucial now.

For the next seven days, survival was the goal.

First priority: find food, water, and a secure campsite.

Li Wei had barely begun when an explosion echoed nearby—a plume of thick smoke rising skyward.

He looked up. *What happened?*

(End of Chapter)