The moment Lu Wuming entered the illusion, he realized he had underestimated it.
It must have been because he had been living too happily recently, forgetting the past suffering that he had become so complacent.
Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, he saw Liu Buli standing not far from him.
He had initially thought that even if he saw him, he would only see Liu Buli in his near-death state after his battle with Duan Liuyun.
But that was in the past, and it was something he had already resolved. So even if he saw it, he shouldn't have been too afraid.
But that was not the case.
The Liu Buli he saw was covered in blood, his long sword now a dark, dull red. As if sensing his presence, Liu Buli glanced back at him and then revealed a very strange smile.
With just this simple expression, Lu Wuming's heart immediately confirmed that this person was not his master.
Absolutely not.
Although he knew very well that at many times, Liu Buli would indeed have moments of madness similar to his own. However, even at that point, Liu Buli's eyes held light when he looked at him.
It was a gentle emotion, unique to him.
Lu Wuming had always cherished that light, but in the eyes of the current Liu Buli, he could no longer see it.
His heart tightened, and Lu Wuming narrowed his eyes.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, and he asked, "Who are you?"
"Me? I am Liu Buli," the person smiled at him and said, "I am your master, you unfilial disciple, surely you don't even remember this?"
Lu Wuming shook his head.
He might indeed be Liu Buli, but he was definitely not his master.
Seeing the person walk towards him, Lu Wuming raised his long sword, pointing its tip at him. The light in his eyes dimmed slightly, and he said word by word, "You are not Master, who exactly are you!?"
The expression on the person's face did not change.
Perhaps wary of Lu Wuming's long sword, he remained in place and did not approach further.
Brushing off non-existent dust from his clothes, he said, "I'm not lying, I am Liu Buli. As for where that little brat who occupied my body went? How would I know? Perhaps he's already scattered into ashes."
He said it very casually.
As if it were the truth.
Lu Wuming's expression immediately turned ferocious upon hearing this. The hand holding the sword trembled uncontrollably, and he took a step forward, slashing fiercely at the man.
However, he hit nothing.
The other party was like a phantom in the void, his figure flickering slightly before disappearing from his original spot.
"Why are you so angry? I am the real Liu Buli. I am your nightmare, the one you've been chasing. Haven't you always wanted to kill me? Now that I've finally appeared before you, you can kill me too, shouldn't you be happy?"
The person's voice echoed from behind him once more.
Lu Wuming turned to look.
He saw the man standing there with a smiling face, his eyes curved in a way that was exactly like his master's.
But it wasn't.
Absolutely not.
Anger churned in his eyes, and Lu Wuming gritted his teeth. The words Liu Buli had told him before pushing open the door suddenly flashed in his mind, and a clarity appeared in his eyes. Lu Wuming took a deep breath and said word by word, "You are just an illusion, stop pretending to be real."
"No," the person smiled, "I am not an illusion, I am the past, and I am also the future."