A heavy silence once again swallowed the corridor.There was no trace left of that aged voice. There was no more rhythmic pulse radiating from the four stone pillars. Even the purple electric sparks that had previously danced wildly on the hall walls went out instantly, leaving a silence that grew increasingly stifling to the chest.The blue-robed man swept his gaze, looking alternately toward the darkened corridor and the figure of the youth before him. "Has he left?"Qin Zilong shook his head slightly without lowering his guard. "Not yet.""Then why is he quiet?""Who knows."Just as those words slipped from his lips—"Heh..."The hoarse chuckle sounded once more from within the darkness. However, this time its intonation sounded different; no longer broken and raspy as before, but much clearer and sharper."Having no master..." the voice murmured, "...how very interesting."The blue-robed man furrowed his brow, finding the direction of the conversation increasingly absurd. "What pa

BOOOM...That heavy sound echoed once more from the depths of the corridor. No longer sounding like an altar's pulse or a formation's vibration, but rather an echo originating from far deeper within the belly of the earth.Qin Zilong raised his gaze. The corridor before him was now much brighter than before. A silvery-white streak of light stretched straight across the stone floor, guiding his steps toward the darkness at the end of the tunnel.Behind him, the blue-robed man still stood stiffly right outside the boundary of the light line. He took a long breath before finally asking, "So... I really can't go in?"Zilong glanced back briefly without stopping his stride. "You can."The man's eyes lit up instantly. "But when?""Not now.""Then?""If you forced your way in now," Zilong glanced at the silvery light line blocking his path, "this defense formation would tear your body to shreds."The blue-robed man immediately fell silent, his tongue suddenly tied. He had indeed experienced

Up above, the black clouds that had previously spun slowly now transformed into a giant storm vortex. And right at the center point of that vortex pointing straight toward the heart of the Lightning Valley.The leader clenched his fists tightly. "That is clearly not an ordinary natural phenomenon. Someone or something is moving the laws of the sky. We must report this immediately."At nearly the same moment, a lavishly carved spirit carriage stopped smoothly at the foot of the mountain. The carriage door opened slowly, followed by the figure of an elderly man with a white beard stepping down gracefully. A long bluish-white robe fluttered gently in the storm winds.Several independent cultivators who happened to see him immediately bowed respectfully. "Deepest respects to Elder Mu!"Mu Yanshan gave a brief nod. His gaze was not indifferent to the people around him at all, but instead pierced straight across the horizon toward the storm above the Lightning Valley. He stood frozen for a

A dense silence enveloped the corridor.Qin Zilong still stood frozen before the stone palm protruding from the pillar. Its surface was pitch-black, yet the indentation at its center emitted a dim glow, as though waiting for something promised thousands of years ago.Behind the line of light, the blue-robed man held his breath, his chest rumbling. "Don't do it if you're not sure," he whispered softly.For the first time since they had met, there was no trace of cynicism or mockery in his voice. All that remained was pure vigilance.Zilong did not respond immediately. His gaze swept over the stone palm once more in detail. The wear marks around the indentation were still clearly visible. The stone was not cracked from age. On the contrary, the traces of its fine friction indicated one thing. This object had been used repeatedly."This is not a trap," he muttered flatly.The blue-robed man furrowed his brow deeply. "How can you be so sure?""If the creator of this place intended to kill

Zilong observed him for a moment. This fragment of consciousness was much more intact and stable compared to the voice that had spoken through the corridor earlier. The figure was even able to maintain physical form, expression, and basic emotions."Your consciousness was intentionally separated?""Not separated," the old man smiled again, "but divided."Zilong nodded slightly. Makes sense. The consciousness guarding the outer gate only served to filter heirs, while the part before him served to test those who successfully passed. Such a division of consciousness load would drastically save energy consumption so it could survive for thousands of years."You understand it in just a single look.""Because there is only one possibility."The old man looked at Zilong for quite a long time. His gaze was calm, yet grew increasingly probing. "I am growing more curious.""About what?""Who on earth you are.""I already answered.""You said you have no master.""Correct.""Then where did all t