Underground Palace

Underground Palace . . .

Xiao Lengyue's gaze remained fixed on Xuan Xing, her face an epitome of unwavering composure. In this realm, not only was Xuan Xing a master of divine inscriptions, but there were also several other prodigious individuals who had achieved remarkable heights in the same art. Nevertheless, none of them could rival Xuan Xing's exceptional prowess.

Xuan Yang and Xuan Xing's father, the renowned Xuan Emperor, was a figure of great renown in the realm of immortal emperors. His expertise in divine inscriptions reached such a pinnacle that he could seemingly defy the very laws of the universe. Unlike Xuan Yang, who focused solely on enhancing his personal power, Xuan Xing inherited his father's talent in the art of divine inscriptions, surpassing even some of the elder generation's experts.

However, Qin Wentian appeared to pay no heed to Xuan Xing's words. His unwavering gaze remained fixed on the enigmatic ancient pathway leading to the mist-shrouded emperor palace. The runic network diagram before him was a masterpiece of mystical complexity, residing at the zenith of divine inscriptions. While Qin Wentian could decipher a portion of it, doing so would unleash a catastrophic surge of destructive energy. The consequences were unpredictable, and he wasn't willing to take that risk.

The diagram comprised various images, each seemingly concealing countless hands poised to ensnare anyone who dared to unravel them, pulling the unfortunate soul into a web of runes upon failure. For those with lower proficiency in the art of divine inscriptions, their fate would be grim if they attempted and failed.

"I can't solve this," Qin Wentian declared suddenly, prompting a freeze in Xiao Lengyue's expression. She turned to him, her gaze penetrating his with solemnity. "Examine it even more closely," she urged.

"No one in the City of Ancient Emperors can decipher this," Qin Wentian asserted resolutely. His response left Xiao Lengyue wearing a peculiar expression. It seemed that Qin Wentian's self-assuredness matched Xuan Xing's arrogance.

However, Xuan Xing couldn't tolerate Qin Wentian's confidence. The fellow's demeanor and tone irritated him. With a cold sneer, he retorted, "Cease your boasting. Just because you can't solve it doesn't mean no one else can."

Qin Wentian seized the opportunity to turn the tables. "Impressive! Why don't you demonstrate your exceptional skill and solve it for us to witness?"

Xuan Xing's face stiffened, contemplating Qin Wentian before disdainfully smiling. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"

"Or better yet, do you believe that Xiao Lengyue's invitation grants you the right to speak to me in such a manner?"

"I couldn't care less who you are. The way you speak to me is the same way I'll respond to you," Qin Wentian replied, his countenance unwavering.

"Marvelous," Xuan Xing exclaimed as he stepped forward. A diagram composed of runic inscriptions materialized beneath his feet. Xiao Lengyue, her brows furrowed, moved swiftly to stand before Qin Wentian, her eyes fixed on Xuan Xing as she inquired, "Xuan Xing, what are you planning?"

Xuan Xing couldn't resist taunting Qin Wentian as he mocked, "Hiding behind a woman? Useless trash." His laughter dripped with disdain as he cast a derisive glance at Qin Wentian before refocusing on the intricate runic network diagram of the ancient passageway.

Xiao Lengyue's expression grew even more troubled than before. She furrowed her brow, deep in thought. Yet, amid her contemplation, she heard Qin Wentian's low voice beside her, offering a potential solution, "Since there's a passageway, there must be a way in for sure. However, I'm also certain that there's no one in the City of Ancient Emperors who can unravel that diagram. If we want to enter, we can only try it out, moving on the passageway step by step, allowing the runic diagram to pull us in, thereby causing a transformation to occur. As to how the runic inscriptions would transform, I can't be certain. But if we want to enter the palace, this is the only method left."

Xiao Lengyue turned to face Qin Wentian, her captivating eyes locked onto his as she inquired, "Are you sure?"

"Others must have attempted this method in the past," Qin Wentian replied confidently.

Xiao Lengyue continued to gaze at him, nodding in agreement, "Indeed, those who ventured onto the ancient passageway before were all absorbed within due to the transformations induced by the divine inscriptions. We don't even know if they are still alive or have already perished. Your conjecture seems plausible."

Xia Qianhan, however, interjected with caution, "Lengyue, don't trust this guy so readily. He's merely a seventh-level ascendant, and his life and death hold little significance. If you encounter danger, the consequences could be unimaginable." In his eyes, Qin Wentian's idea was far too risky.

"If you're not willing to take the risk, we might as well return. Why waste time discussing entry into the emperor palace? Do you think there won't be dangers inside?" Qin Wentian countered with a hint of sarcasm. Xia Qianhan's eyes narrowed in response, his tone growing stern, "Mind your words."

"If my presence isn't needed here, I shall take my leave." Qin Wentian turned to Xiao Lengyue, his gaze unwavering. Xia Qianhan had never shown him any respect from the beginning, and Qin Wentian had no interest in engaging with him. He was fully aware of his own standing. Xiao Lengyue, a supreme beauty and the sixth-ranked member of the Immortal Ascension Rankings, was the daughter of the Xiao Emperor. It was unrealistic to think that she would be interested in him. Her invitation to join the Xiao Sect had been solely based on his divine inscription skills.

But what about Xia Qianhan? He appeared to have an overinflated sense of self-worth. He believed that Qin Wentian was unworthy of being by Xiao Lengyue's side, yet most likely, in Xiao Lengyue's eyes, he was of little consequence. She hadn't even acknowledged the two sons of the Xuan Emperor, let alone Xia Qianhan.

"Enough bickering," Xiao Lengyue interjected, clearly displeased. "Let's wait a few more days to see if the others can decipher this."

Xia Qianhan held his tongue but cast a cold glance at Qin Wentian. Among the experts present, many were determined to unravel the diagram. Despite the passing days, their patience held, as they made repeated attempts.

Qin Wentian chose to sit alone in quiet meditation. He understood that he wouldn't be able to decipher the intricate divine inscription diagram. It wasn't worth his time and effort.

One mistake could lead to countless transformations in the inscriptions, possibly resulting in death. He could only discern the outcome by observing it firsthand.

"Qin Wentian," at that moment, Xiao Lengyue appeared beside him. Qin Wentian opened his eyes to see her standing there, and she said, "After so many days, these people have made no progress at all. It seems you were right. I'm willing to trust you. But are you willing to take the risk?"

"I believe that if the emperor palace exists, there must be a way to enter," Qin Wentian affirmed.

"Very well, then I shall follow your lead," Xiao Lengyue responded with a captivating smile. Even a subtle smile from her held an irresistible allure. Qin Wentian rose to his feet, his movements swift as he approached the passageway. Xia Qianhan turned to Xiao Lengyue, his expression filled with concern, "Lengyue, are you certain about taking this risk?"

"Since we've come this far, it's worth testing. Members of the Xiao Sect, if any of you wish to withdraw, feel free to do so. Join me only if you're willing to embrace the challenge." Xiao Lengyue stepped forward, her steps resolute. With a woman leading the way, how could the other Xiao Sect geniuses consider retreat? They exchanged glances, shared a lighthearted laugh, and then followed Xiao Lengyue.

Qin Wentian passed by Xuan Xing, who tilted his head and watched them. A moment later, Qin Wentian boldly stepped onto the ancient passageway.

"What?! Is he courting death?" Xuan Xing couldn't help but laugh. But as he uttered those words, Qin Wentian had already set foot on the runic diagram. Instantly, a buzzing resonance filled the air, and the ancient passageway began to twist and contort, as if on the brink of collapse.

Though Xiao Lengyue had mentally prepared herself, she was still taken aback by the sight. But in the next instant, she watched as Qin Wentian's body seemed to be "absorbed" into the passageway. Mustering her courage, she sprinted forward and stepped onto the passageway alongside him.

"Let's go," she called out, and the members of the Xiao Sect followed suit, allowing the ancient passageway to draw them in.

"Have they all gone mad?" Xuan Xing's eyes glittered with fascination. Then, he made a command, "Members of the Twin Stars Alliance, follow me inside."

His personality drove him to avoid losing to others. Given his expertise in divine inscriptions, he had a faint inkling that Qin Wentian's words might hold some truth. There had to be a way in, and now that Xiao Lengyue was boldly taking the lead, how could he choose to retreat?

With someone taking the lead and facing the brunt of the danger, the courage of everyone else soared. Especially when they saw Xiao Lengyue, the supreme beauty, guiding the way. The various geniuses had no intention of retreating now. They all entered the twisting passageway, and within moments, they felt as though the world had turned upside down. It was as if they were being buried alive. However, just moments later, weak flickers of flames appeared along the walls, illuminating the underground palace they had entered.

"Qin Wentian, you were right," Xiao Lengyue declared with sharpness in her beautiful eyes as she surveyed their surroundings. The true path to the emperor's palace lay not in the open ancient passageway but beneath it. The walls of this underground palace were adorned with vast and intricate runic diagrams. Ahead of them lay darkness, seemingly endless corridors.

"Your luck is quite something," Xuan Xing muttered begrudgingly. He was unwilling to admit that Qin Wentian had discovered this ahead of him.

Yet at that moment, Xuan Xing's figure flickered, and he dashed toward a particular direction. Several other experts followed suit, including Qin Wentian.

"Out of the way!" Xuan Xing roared in fury. He stomped the ground, and divine inscriptions materialized into a diagram that emitted a dazzling light, summoning a fierce and malevolent beast that charged forward, tearing through its path.

Qin Wentian mirrored his movements, summoning a wind roc from the runic diagram he created. With a gust of wind, it ascended, hurtling toward the wall ahead.

Xiao Lengyue's brows furrowed as she observed the commotion. It was clear that these individuals were attempting to seize something. She quickly grasped the situation—these rushing geniuses were all well-versed in divine inscriptions.

"They're acting without consulting you," Xia Qianhan asserted. "Lengyue, this person can't be trusted."

Xiao Lengyue gazed ahead, her understanding deepening. She realized that the runic diagrams here were composed of exceptionally potent divine inscriptions. The genius inscriptionists among them were now summoning their own inscriptions to clash with these formidable diagrams.

Qin Wentian harnessed the speed of the wind roc he had conjured, dramatically accelerating his pace. However, Xuan Xin erupted in a furious roar, "YOU DARE?!"

In a swift reaction, he unleashed a palm imprint to strike at Qin Wentian.

Yet Qin Wentian had already reached the wall. He pressed his palms against it, causing a radiant light to burst forth, revealing a picture scroll. Information flooded into his consciousness. Meanwhile, the attacks of the other experts closed in, but Qin Wentian transformed once more into a wind roc and darted away, leaving the barrage of attacks to land upon nothing but his shadow.

"I've obtained a map of this place! Why is everyone just standing around?!" Qin Wentian bellowed to the members of the Xiao Sect. With tremendous speed, he surged forward. Hearing his words, Xiao Lengyue and her companions hurriedly followed in his direction. A chilling aura radiated from her, freezing the surrounding geniuses for a moment, making them shiver.

However, Xuan Xing continued his pursuit, racing toward Qin Wentian. His eyes gleamed with a dazzling astral light as he closed and reopened them. In that instant, the runic diagrams here could no longer conceal their secrets from his vision. He could see everything clearly now. Stepping forward, he unleashed an overwhelming force in the opposite direction, attempting to block Xiao Lengyue!

"Mystic Eyes!" Xiao Lengyue gasped. Qin Wentian was in grave danger!