Jiang Chen knew that no matter what vision appeared, any powerhouse capable of defying the heavens could manufacture it artificially.
Sometimes, a single formation array, a simple illusion, or a minor Divine Ability was all it took.
In the world of martial cultivation, what the naked eye perceived was never necessarily the truth. Especially under circumstances like these, Jiang Chen felt that the scene before him was utterly unreliable.
If this place were truly such a pure and blessed land, why had the various factions of the Phoenix Cry Lower Domain repeatedly sent expeditions to explore it — only for not a single survivor to return?
That defied all logic!
Though the vision before them was one of auspicious radiance, deep in Jiang Chen's heart a nameless sense of irritation stirred. The chain seal within his sea of consciousness had been in a state of heightened alertness this entire time.
As Jiang Chen's strength continued to rise and his spiritual realm grew ever more formidable, he had become increasingly familiar with that chain seal — increasingly intimate with it. It was no longer the vague, chaotic presence it had once been.
He understood that this chain seal likely held some profound secret related to the cycle of his past and present lives. Though he still lacked the power to unravel its mystery.
But without question, the seal would protect him at critical moments and warn him of danger.
Like now — the chain seal was clearly in a state of high vigilance. Under these circumstances, even though Jiang Chen could not pierce through the deeper mysteries of this place, he knew that it was far from the peaceful sanctuary it appeared to be. Instead, lethal danger lurked beneath the surface.
At that moment, above the seven colossal pillars of light, curtain after curtain of luminous radiance cascaded downward like waterfalls, tumbling from on high in great surging waves.
The curtains shimmered with every color imaginable, like slabs of translucent glass, or walls of transparent crystal, rippling with dazzling patterns.
Within those undulating ripples, various dappled images flickered in and out of view.
One after another, within those translucent veils of light, all manner of apparitions materialized — celestial gods and demons, divine weapons and legendary blades, ancient ferocious beasts, wondrous herbs, jeweled palaces and heavenly pavilions, stars and boundless seas…
The curtains shifted ceaselessly. The symphony of light and shadow left every cultivator in the crowd stunned, their eyes wide, staring at the luminous display without blinking.
In that moment, save for Jiang Chen alone, virtually every soul present was trembling with intense emotion. They had been utterly conquered by the spectacle before them.
Ambition spread through them like creeping vines, growing with terrifying speed.
They were already itching to enter this secret realm and discover just how many ancient secrets it concealed.
"Look! Look! What is that in there?"
Suddenly someone cried out.
Every gaze snapped inward, and there — faintly visible within the luminous curtains — loomed an enormous palace, resplendent in gold and jade, radiating a blinding brilliance.
And those seven titanic pillars of light appeared to emanate from the perimeter of that very palace, forming a constellation-like formation as they shot upward into the heavens.
"It must be an ancient sacred site! It must be!"
"We've struck gold! This secret realm is an opportunity that comes along maybe once in ten thousand years across all the human territories!"
"Tsk, tsk — look at the sheer grandeur and solemnity of that palace. It's undoubtedly a first-rate sacred ground from the ancient era."
"There must be ancient legacies inside! Ancient treasures!"
More and more people caught sight of the palace materializing dimly behind the luminous curtains. Like the tip of an iceberg emerging from the ocean, it fired the imagination to boundless heights.
This time, Emperor Yunlan did not wait for anyone to ask his opinion. He spoke up of his own accord: "Let's all go take a closer look."
The Dan Fire City contingent moved fastest, but the
All the major factions had already begun flying forward. The remaining lesser factions jockeyed eagerly for advantageous positions, hurtling toward the front in a mad dash.
They could not hope to compete with Dan Fire City or those first-rate sects, but among themselves, there was still ground to be won.
"Come — let's go have a look as well." Jiang Chen transmitted his voice to the Grand Ancestor of the Purple Smoke Sect.
Ever since Jiang Chen's warning, the Grand Ancestor of the Purple Smoke Sect had not dared to act rashly. Hearing Jiang Chen's instruction, he nodded: "Everyone, follow closely."
Jiang Chen trailed along with the Phoenix Cry Lower Domain contingent and quickly caught up to the forefront.
Ahead, a void restriction stretched across their path like a heavenly chasm. It stood before them as a vast gulf, reminiscent of the celestial river separating the Weaver Girl from the Cowherd.
Emperor Yunlan regarded the restriction with cold, piercing eyes.
The barrier resembled a great river blocking their advance, but beneath its surface there was no vast expanse of water — only boiling magma, as though the very earth itself had been set ablaze. Wild surges of molten rock erupted upward without warning, leaping hundreds of meters into the air with terrifying force.
This restriction appeared to be the final gateway into the secret realm.
And it was genuinely fearsome. The spewing magma and churning molten flow seemed capable of melting the entire world, their momentum utterly horrifying.
Even Emperor Yunlan and the other Emperors standing before the restriction felt wave after wave of scorching heat beating against them.
"Fly across?" someone asked Emperor Yunlan with a note of doubt in his voice.