Chapter 255: Backlash

After raising his Wisdom Path attainment to Grandmaster, Lin Yan continued his deductions inside the Dream Realm and finally created a new killer move—Dream Brain Invasion. With Calculation Immortal Gu and Dream Revelation Immortal Gu as its cores, the move combined Thunder Path and Dream Path methods while displaying the profundities of Wisdom Path. It was designed specifically to counterattack anyone who attempted to deduce Lin Yan, invading the opponent’s mind from afar while they were still performing the deduction. The killer move brought together everything Lin Yan had learned in Wisdom Path, Dream Path, and Thunder Path.

Its true strength came from Dream Path. In the current era, Dream Path had barely begun to develop, and effective defenses against it were exceedingly rare. Wisdom Path Gu Immortals might possess powerful methods for protecting their thoughts, wills, and emotions, but those defenses would not necessarily stop a Dream Path attack. Moreover, the opponent would be concentrating on their deduction when Dream Brain Invasion struck. If caught unprepared, even a Wisdom Path Great Grandmaster could suffer a serious injury.

Lin Yan examined the completed killer move several times before shaking his head. "Unfortunately, Calculation Immortal Gu and Dream Revelation Immortal Gu are only Rank Six. If I could raise both to Rank Seven, Dream Brain Invasion might even threaten a Rank Eight Gu Immortal."

After completing Dream Brain Invasion, Lin Yan took out four Immortal Gu: Startling Divinity Immortal Gu, Longing Immortal Gu, Calculation Immortal Gu, and Dream Revelation Immortal Gu. Although they belonged to different paths, all four could display the profundities of Wisdom Path. Startling Divinity Immortal Gu manipulated emotions, Longing Immortal Gu produced thoughts that endured for long periods, Calculation Immortal Gu possessed tremendous calculation ability, and Dream Revelation Immortal Gu could provide sudden inspiration and reveal answers that normal deductions struggled to uncover. With these four Immortal Gu alone, Lin Yan’s methods were already comparable to those of many Rank Seven Wisdom Path Gu Immortals.

Lin Yan immediately strengthened his defenses. Startling Divinity Immortal Gu landed upon his shoulder as Flustered Mind activated, shielding him from deductions and preparing a backlash against anyone who attempted to investigate him. Calculation Immortal Gu floated above his head, its blue brain flashing with arcs of lightning as another defensive killer move protected his thoughts. The uncomfortable sensation that had followed Lin Yan for several days rapidly faded. The Mo Family’s repeated deductions had constantly left him with the vague feeling that someone was watching him, but now even that feeling disappeared.

Before long, another powerful deduction descended upon Lin Yan, only to collide with his newly established defenses. Flustered Mind Killer Move blocked the deduction and immediately caused a backlash, filling the minds of those responsible with sudden shock and throwing their thoughts into disorder. At the same time, Lin Yan activated Trace the Source Killer Move and used the deduction itself as a clue to locate those behind it. As for Dream Brain Invasion Killer Move, he had no intention of revealing it against these people. Flustered Mind was already enough to deal with them. Dream Brain Invasion could remain concealed until he faced an opponent truly worthy of it.

At the same time, elsewhere in Green Ghost Desert, three Rank Seven Wisdom Path Gu Immortals sat inside Myriad Earth Flying Sand Castle. They had been invited from different super forces at considerable expense and were once again working together to determine Lin Yan’s location. A mysterious compass floated between them while countless thoughts moved rapidly through their minds. Their deductions reinforced one another, gradually following the clues connected to Lin Yan and narrowing down the region where he might be hiding.

Just as the deduction began making progress, an unexpectedly powerful resistance blocked their path. Before the three could adjust their methods, the emotion of startle rushed backward through the connection and struck their minds. Their thoughts were immediately thrown into disorder, causing the joint deduction to collapse. The resulting backlash struck all three at once, forcing them to spit out blood.

"Not good!" One of the Wisdom Path Gu Immortals hurriedly stabilized his thoughts while the other two suppressed the backlash.

Seeing the sudden failure, Mo Chou frowned. "What happened?"

The Su Family’s Wisdom Path Gu Immortal wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Lin Yan’s defenses against deductions have become much stronger. He also has a method capable of counterattacking through the deduction itself. Judging from what we encountered just now, he should possess at least Grandmaster Wisdom Path attainment."

"What?" Mo Chou stared at him in disbelief. "It’s only been a dozen days. How could he suddenly become a Wisdom Path Grandmaster? Are you certain?"

Before the Su Family Gu Immortal could answer, another Wisdom Path Gu Immortal suddenly sensed something wrong. "Stop the deduction. He’s tracing the connection backward!"

The three immediately abandoned their killer moves and severed the connection. Lin Yan’s deduction lost its path almost at the same moment. After confirming that nothing remained linking the two sides, the three Wisdom Path Gu Immortals finally relaxed.

The Su Family Gu Immortal then turned toward Mo Chou. "Immortal Friend Mo, I will not continue this commission."

Mo Chou’s expression sank. "The Mo Family is willing to increase the payment."

The Su Family Gu Immortal shook his head. "It is not a matter of payment. Wisdom Path Gu Immortals are already difficult to deduce, and Lin Yan is hiding inside a blessed land while we are attempting to locate him from the outside. Now that he has Grandmaster Wisdom Path attainment and a method capable of counterattacking our deductions, continuing will accomplish little. If the Mo Family still wants to find him, you will need someone with a much higher Wisdom Path attainment."

"A Wisdom Path, Great Grandmaster at least."