northernbook Chapter 136 Breaking the Forbidden Gate and Leaving the Palace: The Final Chapter of the Immortal Pa
Chapter 136 Breaking the Forbidden Gate and Leaving the Palace: The Final Chapter of the Immortal Pa
At the exit of the celestial palace, an invisible wall, its eerie light flashing, loomed before them. The light was so dazzling that it seemed insurmountable. The power emanating from the barrier distorted the surrounding space, and a suffocating sense of oppression washed over them, as if an invisible hand were tightly gripping their throat. This oppression wasn't just psychological; one could also feel the air thicken, making it difficult to breathe—a direct, tactile sensation.
Dai Yao tentatively reached out, her fingertips barely touching the edge of the barrier before being bounced back by a powerful force. A tingling numbness shot through her arm, like countless tiny ants crawling along it, spreading up her arm to her shoulder. "Hiss—this thing's got something!" She rubbed her numb arm, her brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing slightly in pain.
Xiao Meng nervously clutched Dai Yao's sleeve, her face pale. Xiao Meng's hand was so tight that Dai Yao could feel the sleeve being pulled out of shape. Xiao Meng's body was still trembling slightly, and her voice was tinged with a sob: "Sister Yao, what do we do now? Are we going to be trapped here and die?"
Dai Yao forced a smile and patted Xiao Meng's hand, trying to appear calm. When her hand touched Xiao Meng's, she could feel that Xiao Meng's hand was ice cold, as if it had just been taken out of ice water. "Don't be afraid, Xiao Meng, there's always a way out... Ouch!" Before she could finish speaking, she tried to use her spiritual power to probe the restriction again, but was once again shaken back a few steps, almost falling on her bottom. She heard a buzzing sound in her ears, like a swarm of bees flying around her, her vision went black, and her head spun.
The mysterious figure swiftly caught her, his eyes filled with worry. His hands steadily supported Dai Yao, preventing her from falling. "Yao'er, don't be reckless. This restriction is no ordinary thing."
Dai Yao bit her lip, a surge of irritation rising within her. Her teeth ached slightly from biting her lip, and she could taste a hint of blood on her tongue. This Zi You, even in death, had to leave them with such a huge "surprise"!
The celestial palace was fraught with danger; the longer they lingered, the greater the peril. But the restrictions were so powerful that forcibly breaking through would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock. Were they truly destined to be trapped here and die? No, she would never give up!
Just as Dai Yao was about to lose her temper, she suddenly sensed a faint fluctuation of energy emanating from a corner of the barrier. This fluctuation was extremely subtle; if she hadn't been exceptionally perceptive of luck, she would never have noticed it. It felt like tiny ripples gently spreading across the surface of a still lake.
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat. Could it be...? She abruptly turned to look at the mysterious figure, a glint of light flashing in her eyes, as if two stars were twinkling within them. "Do you believe me?"
The mysterious figure nodded without hesitation: "I have always believed in you."
Dai Yao took a deep breath, her gaze returning to the barrier. A confident smile played on her lips, her eyes narrowing slightly, revealing a resolute determination. "Alright, let's take a gamble!" She reached out, slowly probing towards the corner of the barrier that emitted a faint ripple of energy…
"Wait!" A voice suddenly rang out, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet environment, like a sharp bolt of lightning ripping through the peaceful night sky.
Dai Yao's finger was only an inch away from the faint ripple when the sudden shout made her stop abruptly. A million curses raced through her mind: Who is it?! What are they doing causing trouble at this crucial moment?!
Turning her head, Dai Yao nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. What a small world! It was that persistent Immortal Palace Guard Captain, leading a squad of menacing guards, blocking their path once again!
"Oh, isn't this little thief Dai Yao? What, trying to sneak out again?" The captain of the guard said with a sarcastic laugh, his eyes full of mockery and contempt. His laughter echoed in the open space, sounding rather grating.
Dai Yao remained calm, arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with disdain: "Captain, you're wrong about that. We've faced life and death in this Immortal Palace, finally making it here, how could we be petty thieves? Are you trying to cover up some unspeakable secrets within the Immortal Palace by slandering us like this?"
The captain of the guard's expression changed, turning red with embarrassment and rage. His eyes widened as if they were about to spit fire: "You little brat, stop talking nonsense! Surrender obediently, and you might suffer less physical pain!"
Dai Yao burst into laughter, her laughter hearty and confident, standing out in the tense atmosphere: "Captain, do you really think you can capture us? Look at these guards around you, each one pale as a ghost. They must have suffered a lot in the Immortal Palace. You still want them to risk their lives for you? That's just wishful thinking."
The captain of the guards was trembling with rage. "Attack!" he commanded. The guards immediately drew their weapons, the sound of weapons being drawn swiftly and rapidly, as they rushed towards Dai Yao and the others. Their footsteps were chaotic and hurried, like an impending storm.
"Sister Yao!" Xiao Meng was so frightened that she hid behind Dai Yao, trembling and pressing her body tightly against Dai Yao's back, feeling her rapid heartbeat.
"Hmph, courting death!" The mysterious figure snorted coldly, his figure flashed, and he stood in front of Dai Yao and Xiao Meng, engaging in a fierce battle with the Immortal Palace guards.
Yingfeng also joined the battle. He moved with graceful movements and sharp sword light, weaving through the guards like a ghost. Every move he made left a trail of blood. The friction between the sword and the air made a hissing sound, and a pungent smell of blood could be smelled when the blood splattered.
"Wow, is this guy really that powerful?" Dai Yao exclaimed inwardly, never expecting that the usually taciturn Ying Feng was actually a hidden master!
The Celestial Palace guards' attacks grew increasingly fierce, and although Shadow Wind was powerful, he was gradually finding it difficult to defend himself. He skillfully dodged each fatal attack while simultaneously counterattacking the guards, but the enemy outnumbered him, and as the battle dragged on, his wounds multiplied. The dull thuds of weapons clashing against his body could be heard, and his breathing became increasingly heavy.
Xiao Meng clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh. Her knuckles were pale from the force, and her lips were also bitten until they turned white.
Watching the fierce battle unfold before her, Dai Yao was filled with anxiety. Her eyes were glued to the battlefield, and her heart pounded involuntarily. She knew she couldn't delay any longer!
Just then, Dai Yao's gaze returned to the faint fluctuation point on the barrier. She took a deep breath, a resolute glint in her eyes...
"Cover me!" Dai Yao suddenly said to the mysterious figure, her voice firm and powerful.
Dai Yao's cry of "Cover me!" was like a battle cry, and the mysterious figure instantly understood her intention. His body swelled up, and his aura suddenly became fierce. A jet-black dagger appeared in his hand, and his moves were ruthless and sharp. Every swing of the dagger made a "whoosh" sound as it sliced through the air, carving a bloody path through the encirclement.
Dai Yao held her breath, concentrating all her spiritual power at her fingertips, aiming at the faint fluctuation point, and thrusting hard. Her hand trembled slightly, her heart filled with conflict. On one hand, she knew this was their only way out; if they failed, they would truly be trapped here to die. She feared that feeling of despair, the image of being trapped here and slowly waiting to die constantly flashing through her mind. On the other hand, she was unwilling to be trapped by Zi You's restriction like this. She was an adventurer, with a strong desire to explore the unknown.
Just as her fingertips were about to touch the fluctuation point, the restriction suddenly released a powerful suction force, which was like a greedy demon, frantically devouring her spiritual power.
Dai Yao felt her spiritual energy being drained away like water from a burst dam, her body swaying precariously, as if caught in a giant whirlpool. The air around her felt like countless hands were pulling at her, and a whistling sound filled her ears, like a raging storm. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, the fear of defeat engulfing her. But then she remembered the hardships she had endured, Xiao Meng's trusting eyes, and the mysterious figure's support. She gritted her teeth, roaring inwardly, "I will never give up!"
She summoned the power hidden deep within her body—a yearning for freedom, a relentless pursuit of victory. She forcefully steadied herself, channeling even more spiritual energy into her fingertips, ignoring the pulling force, and shouted, "Break!"
A sharp shout, like a thunderclap, echoed throughout the space, making everyone's ears ring. A small crack appeared on the barrier, spreading rapidly like a spider web, accompanied by soft "crackling" sounds, like ice breaking.
Without pausing, Dai Yao pressed her advantage, sending streams of spiritual energy hurtling towards the crack like arrows released from a bow, each burst emitting a soft "whoosh" sound. "Crack!" With a crisp sound, the barrier finally collapsed, revealing an exit taller than a person, accompanied by a cloud of dust and a faint smell of dirt.
At the same time, Yingfeng also forced back the persistent Immortal Palace guards with a single sword strike.
Seeing this, the captain of the Celestial Palace Guard's expression changed drastically. Knowing that the situation was hopeless, he hurriedly led his remaining troops and fled with their tails between their legs. "Retreat! Retreat now!" he shouted as he ran, not forgetting to utter a threat, "Dai Yao, you just wait!"
Dai Yao thought to herself: Fine, I'll wait then. Who's afraid of who!
"Hurry up!" Dai Yao called out and rushed into the exit first, her footsteps making a "thump-thump" sound on the ground.
The mysterious figure and Xiao Meng followed closely behind, while Ying Feng brought up the rear to ensure everyone's safe evacuation.
Just as they stepped out of the celestial palace, a deafening roar came from behind them, as if the celestial palace was roaring in resentment. The sound shook the earth, and their ears rang as if they were being struck by countless drumsticks at the same time.
Dai Yao and the others looked back and saw the entrance to the Immortal Palace slowly closing and finally disappearing, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Wow, that was a huge commotion! Anyone who didn't know better would think we blew up the Celestial Palace!" Dai Yao patted her chest, still shaken, and said, making a "bang bang" sound as she slapped her chest.
"Luckily we ran fast, otherwise we would have really become cannon fodder." Xiao Meng also looked scared.
The mysterious figure affectionately ruffled Dai Yao's hair. "It's alright, it's all over now." His gentle gaze fell on a brocade box in Dai Yao's hand. "Look, this is what we got this time."
Dai Yao opened the brocade box and saw a bead lying quietly inside, radiating a soft light. It was the legendary treasure of the celestial palace—the "Condensing Essence Bead"! The bead's light was soft and warm, like the warm sun shining on your face in winter.
She smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling, "Hehe, I've made a fortune this time!"
"Congratulations, Sister Yao!" Xiao Meng exclaimed happily.
Yingfeng stood silently to the side, watching Dai Yao's happy expression, and the corners of his mouth also turned up slightly.
Dai Yao put away the Condensing Essence Pearl, stretched, and said, "Alright, all done! Let's go back and rest for a bit, and then..."
Before she could finish speaking, the mysterious figure suddenly turned serious and pulled her behind him.
"What's wrong?" Dai Yao asked, puzzled.
The mysterious figure did not answer, but stared intently ahead, his eyes filled with vigilance.
A gust of cold wind blew by, filling the air with an eerie atmosphere... The wind brushed against my cheek, cool and carrying a stench that made me want to cover my nose.
Just as Dai Yao was about to say, "Let's go back to the inn and have a big meal to celebrate," she was suddenly pulled behind her by the mysterious figure.
"What's going on? Is this a robbery?" Dai Yao poked her head out, still clutching the brocade box containing the Condensing Yuan Pearl tightly in her hand, looking like she was saying, "No money, no sex."
The mysterious figure remained silent, his brow furrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the distance.
Xiao Meng also sensed that something was wrong. She hid behind Ying Feng, her face pale and her body curled up in a ball. You could hear her teeth chattering.
Even Yingfeng, who was usually calm and collected, narrowed his eyes slightly at this moment. His spiritual energy surged around him as he adopted a defensive posture. He could feel the spiritual energy around him flowing in the air like electricity, and he felt a slight stinging sensation.
The air suddenly became still, with only the whistling wind carrying a barely perceptible...smell of blood.
Dai Yao also sensed something unusual. This wasn't just any ordinary mountain scent; it was a magical energy fluctuation filled with both allure and danger, like a magnet drawing all her attention. The magical energy fluctuation felt like an invisible hand gently caressing her sensory nerves, giving her a tingling, numbing sensation.
"Wow, this feels... kind of exciting!" Far from being afraid, she excitedly licked her lips, her adventurer DNA kicking in.
The magical energy surged closer and closer, growing stronger and stronger, as if something was awakening.
Dai Yao's cheat ability—the ability to sense the direction of qi flow—also began to issue frantic warnings, as if screaming: "High energy ahead! Non-combat personnel, please evacuate immediately!"
The mysterious figure suddenly spoke, his voice low and solemn: "Demonic energy."
Yingfeng nodded, adding, "And it's extremely pure demonic energy, I'm afraid..."
Before he could finish speaking, a deafening roar suddenly echoed from afar, causing the earth to tremble as if some primordial beast was about to break free of its cage. The roar seemed to come from the depths of hell, making one's ears ache and one's heart pound violently.
Dai Yao couldn't help but swallow hard. This commotion was even more terrifying than the collapse of the Immortal Palace just now!
"Go!" The mysterious figure made a decisive move, grabbing Dai Yao and running away. His hand gripped Dai Yao's wrist tightly, with such force that Dai Yao could clearly feel her wrist being squeezed painfully.
"Hey, hey, where are we going? We finally got out, shouldn't we have a big meal first?" Dai Yao was being dragged along, but she still couldn't forget about her victory celebration.
"Demon Valley," the mysterious figure uttered succinctly.
Dai Yao paused. Demon Valley? That's the legendary birthplace of demonic artifacts, and one of the most dangerous places in the entire Ether Realm!
She suddenly realized that this adventure had only just begun...
"Wait for me!" Xiaomeng quickly followed.
Yingfeng was the last to arrive, taking a deep look in the direction from which the demonic energy was coming, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
He murmured to himself, "It seems the gears of fate have begun to turn..." With that, he vanished into the night.
Dai Yao was pulled along by the mysterious figure and ran wildly towards the direction of the Demon Valley. The wind howled in her ears, like countless wild beasts roaring in her ears. The wind stung her face, but she felt no fear at all. Instead, she felt a strange excitement.
She turned to look at the mysterious figure, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation: "Hey, I said..."