Chen Xuan felt he should have poured even more strength into his previous attack.

Unfortunately, he had already realized that the Mu Xuanyin before him was not a real person, but a mere phantom devoid of consciousness or intelligence.

Like a pre-recorded message, it had been activated the moment he entered the cave. No matter what he did or how he acted, the image would play out the same.

Naturally, the phantom knew nothing of her disciple’s thoughts.

She continued patting "his shoulder" for a few moments as if trying to comfort her "sad" disciple, her eyes full of affection.

Only moments later did she reluctantly pull her hand away.

"You must have suffered a lot to reach this place. I left clues with that little girl, Qian Lingxue, asking her to give it to you when you were in danger or had reached the Nascent Soul Realm," she stated.

"Since you’re here, it must have been decades since I left the Jade Pure Sect."

Witnessing the unfathomable demeanor Mu Xuanyin displayed, as if she held the secrets of Heaven in her palm, Chen Xuan almost believed her.

Yet, he knew very well that her words were simply not true!

Even so, he continued staring at her, his ears perked up, and listening attentively to her every word.

"I have visited hundreds of Domains in my life. Originally, the Tianxuan Domain should have been just another stop," Mu Xuanyin continued.

"However, shortly after my arrival, I happened to meet you. Feeling that we were destined and having been taken advantage of by you, I reluctantly decided to accept you as my disciple."

A look of nostalgia crossed her face as she recounted this old story.

"I was originally going to stay until you grew powerful enough to defend yourself. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I sensed a sudden shift."

Her expression took on a rare trace of solemnity.

"I discovered that something related to me has been born. Though I know that departing now is dangerous and I may be hunted by my enemies, I cannot pass up this chance!"

Mu Xuanyin clenched her fists, her tone determined.

Gradually, her white-knuckled grip relaxed.

"The cave was left to assist you in times of peril. At the same time, I hope it helps you increase your cultivation speed."

"Sigh," she shook her head, "I’m only a lone, weak woman, after all. If I want to ensure my safety, I must wait for you to grow up and protect me."

"So," she said, looking toward the spot where she expected Chen Xuan to be kneeling, "You must get stronger as soon as possible. I will be waiting for you to save me."

Despite the weight of her words, her lips curved into a faint smile.

That smile seemed to carry a strange power. The Rainbow Stones in the chamber glowed more vibrantly, and the world itself seemed to grow brighter.

Even Chen Xuan, who looked ready to strike at the slightest opportunity, felt himself relax.

But before he could savor that tranquility, her next words sparked his fury.

"Of course, I will likely have to wait for a long time. Without me there to guide you, your cultivation speed is bound to slow down."

"Who knows? You might even fall into depression and abandon your path. This is why I left this cave. To give you a little hope and prevent you from going insane in my absence," she said, her expression turning unbearably smug.

Mu Xuanyin paused.

"I left three things in this cave. First..."

A blue, leather-bound book appeared mid-sentence. It floated in the air and moved towards Chen Xuan, stopping right before his eyes.

As he reached out to take it, she explained softly:

"This is the most precious item among the three treasures: the legendary Great Origin Dao. I believe you have heard of it before and assumed it was a myth."

"Hmph! Your Master is extraordinary," she said, puffing her chest proudly, "I shattered the gates to the Immortal Realm and stole this from a group of True Immortals."

"It’s the Great Star Origin Dao, ranked among the top one hundred Great Origin Daos. Well? Impressed?"

Since he was dealing with a phantom, Chen Xuan didn’t bother to hide his reaction. He was, in fact, genuinely shocked.

Not necessarily by the existence of a Great Origin Dao, but by the fact that Mu Xuanyin actually possessed one.

’Is this why she was hunted and forced to flee to the Tianxuan Domain?’

Chen Xuan didn’t feel guilty about assuming the worst of his Master’s actions.

In fact, he strongly suspected she was setting him up, using this item to bait him into provoking her enemies!

However, he didn’t have time to dwell on it.

Mu Xuanyin waved her hand, her smile deepening.

In addition, I have left you two magic weapons. One offensive and one auxiliary," she stated.

Two items appeared as she finished: a black saber and a miniature, fist-sized tower.

"Both of these are Holy Weapons. Be careful when using them. In the entire Tianxuan Domain, only the ancestors of major sects are qualified to possess such things," she reminded him in a rare moment of seriousness.

Chen Xuan caught both weapons. But just as he began to investigate them, Mu Xuanyin interrupted.

"That is enough. My phantom can last no longer. You must leave," she said, waving her hand and letting her sleeves flutter with grace.

Before Chen Xuan could react, an overwhelming power enveloped him and swept him out of the cave.

In his final glimpse, he saw her phantom turn translucent and quickly dissipate.

The stone gate slammed shut, and the entrance vanished. It was as if the cave had never existed.

Yet, unbeknownst to him, the cave remained.

Furthermore, the moment he was expelled, the flickering phantom regained its substance.

A faint, joyous smile appeared on her face as she stared at the spot where Chen Xuan had stood.

However, as she recalled something and glanced at the "kneeling spot" and the fist mark embedded in the wall behind her, Mu Xuanyin snorted coldly.

"Hmph! As shy as ever!"

"Do you think I don’t know your true feelings? Do you really have to act tough even in front of my phantom?" she whispered, lifting her chin upward, as if she had seen through his disguise.

She seemed ready to say more, but stopped abruptly.

A moment later, her body exploded—this time for real.

Chen Xuan had not been wrong about her being a phantom. However, he was mistaken in believing that she lacked consciousness or intelligence.