Nangua had been very straightforward about it: "Let's just absorb the energy already available"

He then proceeded to show Jin how to use this technique to absorb the spiritual energy contained in one being. He did it on a tree that had no spiritual energy only to show the mechanics behind it. Jin grasped it in no time thanks to his sight technique and his now natural understanding of the elements used for it.

As for the target, Nangua casually asked him: "Why would we need to find humans when we have something even better in such close proximity?"

Jin understood only after Nangua pointed towards the ground. It was the tree. Nangua grinned as he stated: "Did you seriously believe that a tree of this size could grow just like that? This is a spiritual entity. And it contains an incredible amount of energy. More than enough for you to grow"

From there, Jin proceeded to meditate using the tree as a pill. Vines extended from Jin's seated body and bore into the ground made of the gigantic tree branch. Spiritual energy was extracted through the vines and directed straight to his soul sea.

It was neither faster or slower than consuming pill as Jin was still slowed by his own speed at arranging the core links and directing the spiritual blobs to his core while in his soul sea. However, it was free and continuous. If he had been poor, this would have been a game changer.

On the other hand, since Nangua was unable to cultivate due to the restrictions of the continent, he took this time to study other crafts. Making the most of Jin's money, he bought knowledge. Array formations, Alchemy, Forging... Nothing was going to be spared. Even if it would only be the basics, it would create a solid base of knowledge for the future. Once he went back to a higher continent, and he did not doubt that he would, then he could start pursuing one of those many paths depending on the opportunities he might encounter there. He would need to be prepared accordingly in order to grasp them and this knowledge would serve such a purpose.

Since he could not grow his strength, then he would grow his views.

And time went by...

Master Fang, the illusionist, finally finished what Jin instructed him to do. Ame and Nangua were there with him as they discussed how to activate it.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"So, I only need to send my will and energy into the token to activate it?" asked Jin.

Master Fang nodded. This was what he explained previously.

Jin gave the token to Ame and told her: "Activate it, I will go in to take a look"

Ame frowned. She was slightly worried about it. After all, this was an illusion and Jin had been affected a lot by the fake realities he was shown during his breakthrough. She wanted to stop him from taking a risk like that but did not. She knew that he needed it to move forward. She could only do as he asked and be there for him afterwards.

Nangua stood next to her. His eyes had a strange glint. After having read so much on arrays, he was able to distinguish much more than before about them.

Ame activated the array.

Nothing seemed to have changed to everyone but her. She could see a vague fluctuating veil surrounding the house. Her surprise must have shown on her face as Master Fang explained: "Only the one with the token will see the veil, the proof of it being an illusion"

Jin could not help chuckling and stating: "What if there is an illusion of a veil?"

Master Fang stumbled and stuttered as this question brought him a brand-new understanding of illusions. Nangua added: "Doubting reality as if a fake is easy. Doubting the fake as if it was reality is harder. Trying to make the target think that the illusion is the reality...That would be quite frightening indeed"

Master Fang sat down right away to meditate on those words. To him, they might prove to grant him another breakthrough in his profession. Such moments were hard to come by and those opportunities had to be cherished.

The three smirked at his figure and then, Jin entered the illusion.

He first wandered around the gardens, observing the flora and fauna. He was unable to point out anything out of the ordinary. Every blade of grass seemed to be at its rightful place. The illusion was set that way that parts of the reality would be copied into it.

Jin walked closer to the windows and looked within. He could see the elaborate decorations that were displayed there. However, he noticed that a few were different from the real ones.

Then, Jin entered the Manor. As he explored, he realized that it was exactly as he asked. Everything was different than how it truly was. There were discrepancies.

Once he was done with this, he left the illusion. Since it was not a killing one and Ame did not plan to trap him, leaving it was easy. Just like when he entered, he went through the front door.

As soon as he exited, he could not help but have this doubt: "Am I still inside an illusion?"

Ame used the token to end the illusion and hurriedly ran to hug him. By now, their relationship had changed to that of a loving couple. As he hugged her, he heard her whisper into his ears: "This is real"

He chuckled.

He did not believe her words though as they could be part of the illusion. Instead, he tried to invoke the fire element. He failed and heaved a breath of relief.

This was the way he found to make sure of his reality. The fire element was something he used back in the fake lives. Only in the one reality was he unable to use it. Because his knowledge could not completely replicate an element.

He vanquished his Fear.

He smiled.