Chapter 751

There are Delusional Cultivators in the World

The Heaven-Covering Society…

Liu Wenyu was filled with shock, murmuring softly. His eyes were fixed intently on the Sky-Shrouding Disk above his head, and he even involuntarily reached out his hands, wanting to touch it.

As a spy deeply embedded in the Council of Five Elders, and having been almost driven to a dead end by the Sky Profound Treasure Mirror, he was acutely aware of how valuable this object was.

“What is this?” Liu Wenyu couldn't help but ask.

“The Sky-Shrouding Disk,” Xu Bai said indifferently. With a thought, the Sky-Shrouding Disk instantly became illusory, causing Liu Wenyu to grasp at air.

Liu Wenyu suddenly snapped back to reality. Reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the Sky-Shrouding Disk, he clasped his hands respectfully with a solemn expression and said, “Fellow Daoist, since you’ve sought me out, I presume it’s for something important.”

Xu Bai snorted, “Indeed. I have come to demand an explanation!”

“Huh?” Liu Wenyu was momentarily stunned.

“Not long ago, a Dao Integration cultivator, whom our organization controlled using the True Allure Fruit, surprisingly showed signs of losing control. Fortunately, we discovered it in time and employed other methods before he could successfully betray us, thus stabilizing him. Otherwise, our Heaven-Covering Society would have suffered heavy losses this time,” Xu Bai said with an displeased tone.

“Didn’t you say that the True Allure Fruit was a creation of the Heavenly Venerate, guaranteed to be foolproof? How could such a flaw occur? All empty boasts! No wonder you’re suppressed by the Myriad Immortals Alliance to such an extent now,” Xu Bai remarked slowly, glancing at the other party.

“The True Allure Fruit failed?” Liu Wenyu’s face showed alarm, but he quickly shook his head repeatedly. “That’s utterly impossible. As long as the Heavenly Venerate still exists in the world, no Dao Integration cultivator can defy His power,” Liu Wenyu stated with great certainty.

Xu Bai said in a deep voice, “But that Dao Integration cultivator’s loss of control indeed happened. What’s going on then?”

“Fellow Daoist, please don’t rush. Explain the incident in detail.”

So Xu Bai concealed the names and specific details, fabricating an incident where a Dao Integration cultivator, upon realizing they were being controlled, attempted to rebel.

Liu Wenyu thought for a moment before replying, “Perhaps you’re not using the True Allure Fruit correctly.”

Xu Bai was furious. “Are you saying it’s our problem then? We strictly followed your original instructions.”

Liu Wenyu quickly explained, “The True Allure Fruit can distort a cultivator’s mind, making them believe even the most absurd things without question. However, cultivators are not puppets. They still possess their own thoughts. If the fabricated lies are too simplistic, when they notice a contradiction with their own cognition, while they won’t doubt it, they might try to re-verify it through various means.”

“For example, if you instill the idea in a Dao Integration cultivator that ‘he is actually a powerless mortal who can’t even tie a chicken,’ he will indeed live as a mortal. But if one day, he accidentally kills another Nascent Soul cultivator with ease, the conflict between fact and cognition will compel him to find the reason for the contradiction. He will have to find a rationale that can convince himself.”

“Otherwise, the discrepancy between cognition and reality could very likely drive the cultivator into a state of madness.”

“Another example: if you use the True Allure Fruit to instill the idea that a Dao Integration cultivator will be eternally loyal, but he later realizes that this idea might have originated from some external influence, he will still be loyal to you, but his methods might become…”

“…somewhat extreme.”

Liu Wenyu paused for a moment, glanced at Xu Bai, and then continued, “He might believe that the Xuanhuang World is fraught with danger. If one’s strength is insufficient yet exposed, it could very likely endanger one’s life. Therefore, he might decide to imprison you in a certain dungeon, allowing you to cultivate continuously until you achieve success in cultivation and reach the Dao Integration stage. Only after you possess sufficient means to travel the Xuanhuang World should you be released.”

“While to others, this might seem twisted and incomprehensible, in their perception, it is perfectly normal and a natural progression of events.”

“Within our Council of Five Elders, there was once a case where a loyal cultivator defected to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. He remained loyal to the Council of Five Elders, but he believed that the Dharma-Transmitting Heavenly Venerate’s power was unfathomable, and we could not contend against it. Over time, the only path would be defeat. Only by actively surrendering and facilitating a merger with the Myriad Immortals Alliance could there be a glimmer of hope.”

Liu Wenyu said with a hint of helplessness, “He was utterly convinced, even constantly trying to persuade our Council of Five Elders members in return.”

“Such people are actually quite numerous. We call them ‘Delusional Cultivators.’ This is the result of the Heavenly Venerate’s subversion of natural law being incomplete, leading to a conflict with the overall Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang World.”

“Of course, if all Heavenly Venerates could be like the Carefree Heavenly Venerate, with their divine power spread throughout the Xuanhuang World, such incidents wouldn’t occur.”

As Liu Wenyu explained, Xu Bai’s expression gradually relaxed.

“When we originally set up the deception, we made it as comprehensive as possible. Who would have thought such a thing would still happen…” Xu Bai snorted coldly.

Liu Wenyu also expressed some helplessness: “After all, they are Dao Integration cultivators; it’s inevitable. If they were truly that easy to control, wouldn’t our Council of Five Elders have unified the Xuanhuang World long ago? How would we have fallen to our current state?”

“So what should we do now? Such an important matter, yet you didn’t explain it beforehand during the transaction. Releasing him is impossible, and prolonged house arrest will arouse suspicion. Should we kill him and frame it on you?” Xu Bai asked.

Liu Wenyu was startled and quickly said, “Fellow Daoist, don’t be reckless. In my opinion, there’s still a way to salvage this.”

“First, use the True Allure Fruit on him again to fix the flaw.”

“Second…”

Liu Wenyu’s expression became somewhat peculiar: “Actively reveal the truth to him, and then persuade him to snap out of his delusion.”

“Could you be clearer?” Xu Bai’s expression was somewhat grim.

Liu Wenyu lowered his voice: “Let’s take the example of the cultivator who defected to the Myriad Immortals Alliance. He defected simply because he believed our Council of Five Elders was no match for the Myriad Immortals Alliance. If we can convince him with irrefutable proof that the Council of Five Elders’ strength is even superior to the Myriad Immortals Alliance, or at least capable of contending with it, he will return to our Council of Five Elders’ side.”

“After all, his conviction of loyalty to the Council of Five Elders in his mind has never changed.”

Xu Bai instantly understood what the other party meant.

“Of course, if this persuasion process is combined with the True Allure Fruit, the effect will be even greater,” Liu Wenyu added.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, I wonder if your Heaven-Covering Society still needs True Allure Fruits?” he asked.