Eternal Heavenly Emperor-Chapter 362 - 352 The Negative Effects of Thousand Illusion Fruit
"Delusional!"
"Don’t even think about getting away!"
The three War Generals quickly gave chase. The Zhou Family was determined to avenge their descendants and redeem their family’s honor, and naturally, they had to kill Chu Hao. The other two War Generals also couldn’t let Chu Hao escape, for how would they explain themselves if a War King-level powerhouse came demanding Red Flowing Gold in the future?
It would be a joke to say that three War Generals let a single Warrior get away.
Chu Hao executed the Wind and Cloud Step, moving with incredible speed. The area was surrounded by mountains and forests, and as long as he could put a certain distance between them, he wouldn’t have to worry about being caught.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, the three formidable War Generals made their moves simultaneously, slapping out one Star Force Giant Hand after another, chasing Chu Hao and attacking. Even if they couldn’t kill Chu Hao, they aimed to force him to turn back and defend, enabling them to catch up in the blink of an eye and leaving him with no chance to escape.
As the Star Force Giant Hands struck down, Chu Hao paid them no mind, continuing to sprint madly. The Silver Dragon Armor demonstrated its might, dissolving the incoming attacks, causing only a slight stumble in Chu Hao’s steps.
Ahead, the forest was visible. Whoosh, Chu Hao accelerated and disappeared into the trees.
The three War Generals were almost driven mad with frustration, their hands waving continuously, unleashing destructive forces that shattered the surrounding trees one by one.
"The Junior is over there!" shouted a Zhou Family War General upon spotting Chu Hao, gesturing urgently.
"Chase!" exclaimed the other two War Generals with stern faces.
The trio continued their mad pursuit, leveling everything in their path, leaving no place for Chu Hao to hide.
The speed of a Warrior and War General was incredibly fast, and within just a few minutes, they had traveled far from the original location of the Thousand Illusion Tree, the primal desolation increasingly intense.
"Roar!" Just then, a roar echoed as a massive golden ape suddenly leaped out, swinging a massive paw at a Zhang Family War General. It had been sound asleep, only to be rudely attacked, and in a burst of fury, it immediately retaliated.
After all, this beast was the Tyrant of the region—who would dare to disturb its domain?
"Tiger Strength Ape?" The Zhang Family War General furrowed his brow and thrust out a palm to meet the golden monkey, then said, "You two, leave the Junior to you. I’ll kill this monkey first and then rejoin you."
The Zhou and Liu Family War Generals nodded. The Tiger Strength Ape’s power wasn’t much weaker than that of the Zhang Family War General; even if the latter could defeat it, it would take a long time and possibly come at a cost.
Without stopping, they continued the pursuit of Chu Hao.
Ahead, there were more roars of beasts and birds.
"Brother Zhou, this isn’t a good idea," said the Liu Family War General. "There’s more than one Tiger Strength Ape here. On our way here, we’ve already passed at least three ferocious beasts as powerful as the Tiger Strength Ape. If we summon them all, that Junior might really get away."
"Brother Liu, what’s your plan?" asked the Zhou Family War General.
"One of us keeps up the chase, while the other guards the exit to ensure the Junior has no chance to escape. Additionally, we should send word back to our clan to send more people. And even if the Junior manages to slip away, we can still search the mountain with a large search party," suggested the Liu Family War General.
The Zhou Family War General was silent for a moment. They already had three War Generals in place, and now to call for reinforcements would be embarrassing. However, both the Red Flowing Gold and the Silver Dragon Armor were incredibly important and could not be compromised.
So, what did pride matter? Securing those artifacts was the top priority. That’s why the Liu Family War General made such a suggestion, because it was also a loss of face for them—such a desperate measure wouldn’t be considered unless necessary.
"Fine then, it’s up to you, Brother Liu, to guard the exit, while I will continue the chase," said the Zhou Family War General.
The Liu Family War General nodded. Given the personal vendetta between the Zhou Family War General and Chu Hao, he naturally preferred to personally slay Chu Hao. Thus, he didn’t argue, knowing full well the Zhou Family War General, even if he emerged victorious, wouldn’t dare claim the Silver Dragon Armor for himself, lest the Zhou Family faced the combined wrath of the Liu and Zhang families.
The two split up to carry out their tasks, one guarding the exit and the other continuing the pursuit.
Unfortunately, as there were indeed several War General-level ferocious beasts in the vicinity, the Zhou Family War General carelessly attracted the attention of one and was immediately ensnared in a tough battle, unable to continue the chase after Chu Hao.
After running for a while, Chu Hao stopped, and soon Fat Cat’s figure materialized. With its ability to Teleport, it was undoubtedly the best escape artist Chu Hao had ever seen—err, the best escape cat.
"Kid, you’re in trouble now," Fat Cat said with schadenfreude.
Chu Hao smiled, though his expression was somewhat grave.
He’d seen the Zhou Family War General and Liu Family War General splitting up and, with his smarts, had immediately guessed that one was guarding the exit, attempting to trap him within, ensuring that even if he escaped for a moment, he wouldn’t escape for a lifetime.
However, he had no regrets. Even if he could do it all over again, he would still, without hesitation, choose to slay Zhou Xin, avenging Madam Yun.
The question now was how to escape this predicament.
"Hao, I actually have an idea," chuckled Fat Cat, its eyes spinning mischievously.
Chu Hao instantly became wary and said, "Nothing about you suggests that you, a fat cat, harbor any good intentions."
"You’re going to be the death of me, Hao! Touch your heart and tell me, have I ever harmed you?" Fat Cat leapt about, beating its chest and stamping its feet.
It seems there really hasn’t been.
After thinking for a moment, Chu Hao realized that the Fat Cat had always been helping him up until now, indeed not having harmed him. It was just that this Fat Cat was too cheap, always making one unconsciously wary around it. He said, "So, what’s your brilliant idea then?"
"It’s simple," Fat Cat indicated with a paw towards his pocket.
Chu Hao felt around and found nothing but a single Thousand Illusion Fruit inside.
"Thousand Illusion Fruit?" He seemed to understand, "If I eat this fruit, can I change my form?" The previously encountered Thousand Illusion Tree had disguised itself as the World Mother Tree, reaching the sky and almost deceiving everyone.
The Fat Cat just smiled and didn’t answer.
Chu Hao took out the Thousand Illusion Fruit and said, "Fat Cat, you’re not taking half?"
"No need. I’ve already surpassed the limit of the Thousand Illusion Fruit. If it were the actual World Mother Tree, I wouldn’t mind refining a world seed into my body," Fat Cat denied with a shake of its paw.
Without any fuss, Chu Hao replied, "Then you’ll act as my protector while I immediately refine this Thousand Illusion Fruit."
With the Flame Furnace at hand, his speed at refining Spiritual Medicine was exceptionally fast.
Spitting out the fruit’s flesh with a single bite, he found it astringent, filled with a metallic taste that was far from delicious. He quickly swallowed the flesh in a few bites and then spat out a core the size of half a little finger.
He secured the core. Having promised the Thousand Illusion Tree to cultivate a sapling properly, he wouldn’t go back on his word—he decided to take it to Medicine Valley for Xiaocao, who had the Myriad Spirit Poison Body and could accelerate the growth of plants and herbs.
Afterwards, he sat down cross-legged and began refining the Thousand Illusion Fruit.
The buzzing and warmth proliferated within him, as Chu Hao witnessed countless illusions—birth of stars, destruction of worlds, events spanning billions, even tens of billions of years passing his mind’s eye in mere moments.
"The scenes created by the Thousand Illusion Tree are ones it has witnessed firsthand, along with generations of inheritance. So, everything you see has truly happened before. The changes of the universe are the derivations of dao. Remember them well, as they will become a tremendous asset for you in the future," Fat Cat’s voice echoed in Chu Hao’s ears.
Without opening his eyes, he simply nodded and continued refining.
The visions lasted for three days and three nights, followed by a strange force rushing toward Chu Hao’s mind, causing him to lose consciousness instantly.
He wasn’t sure how long had passed when he slowly regained consciousness.
"Hao, you’re finally awake!" Fat Cat’s face appeared above him.
Whether it was the proximity or not, he felt that Fat Cat’s body had grown much bigger. Pushing himself up, Chu Hao asked, "How long was I out?"
Huh?
To his shock, although he opened his mouth, he could only make babbling sounds, as if he had lost the ability to speak. Using Divine Sense to send his thoughts, he repeated the question, and this time it was transmitted.
He discovered more inconsistencies, such as how his clothes seemed too large and lengthy, sleeves like flowing clouds of a woman’s garment that his hands couldn’t reach the ends of. The trousers covered his feet snugly as well.
"Five days," Fat Cat’s voice reached his ears, yet it seemed as distant as the horizon.
Chu Hao’s complexion gradually changed as he crawled out from the heap of clothes, immediately discovering the root of the absurdity—his body had become that of an infant.
Not just like an infant; he was an infant.
Look at the tender skin, arms and legs that resemble lotus roots, and the tiny thing below, the epitome of delicate.
Moreover, his entire Star Force had vanished, and his pride, Body Technique, was gone too. Now, he was just an ordinary infant—if ordinary meant retaining a powerful soul capable of speaking through Divine Sense.
"Damn Cat, what the heck is going on?" he yelled at Fat Cat.
He finally understood why Fat Cat had that peculiar smile earlier; the thing must have known that the side effect of consuming the Thousand Illusion Fruit was "reverting to youth."
"Don’t worry, this is just the medicine remolding your body," Fat Cat said earnestly, "This is a fundamental change, starting from infancy. But there’s no need to worry. When the transformation is complete and the medicinal force fades, you will naturally return to your original form."
"Don’t you think that being like this, no one would be able to recognize you if you went out?"
At the end, Fat Cat couldn’t help but burst into laughter, the intensity of the laughter escalating until it lay down, hands held on its belly.
Chu Hao sighed, powerless; what use was there in getting angry now? But he had a point; in this state, nobody would be able to link him with the name "Chu Hao."
"How long before I can return to normal?" he asked.
"That, I don’t know. It could be ten days, or maybe a month, two months," Fat Cat said irresponsibly.
What, it could take that long? (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your recommendatory and monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
