Ancient Emperor Yi

Ancient Emperor Yi . . .

Xuan Xing's every step resembled the graceful dance of dragons and serpents. A potent force surged forth, demanding no expenditure of his own energy. He was harnessing the runic diagrams in the underground palace to unleash these attacks.

With his refined mystic eyes, Xuan Xing possessed the ability to decipher all divine inscriptions. Given his advanced mastery, he could effectively employ the attack-oriented runic diagrams etched within the underground palace.

As Qin Wentian raced forward with urgency, he sensed a colossal force closing in from behind. Without hesitation, he moved onto a runic diagram on the ground and stomped down. In an instant, the diagram blazed with a brilliant light, forming an impregnable, radiant armor around him.

Turning around, he unleashed a powerful punch. His armor was adorned with formidable divine inscriptions, and each of his strikes resonated like the howls of demons, exuding an unimaginable power. The thunderous rumbles reverberated throughout the entire underground palace, causing all present to feel as though the structure might collapse at any moment.

"Divine inscription armor," Xuan Xing's expression turned extremely grim. So, the reason Qin Wentian had been racing ahead was because he had spotted this item from a distance. As the first to arrive, he had the privilege of activating this resplendent armor. Currently, Qin Wentian shone brilliantly, his radiance emanating in all directions, exuding an unparalleled aura.

Numerous figures swiftly approached, encircling Qin Wentian. Both the members of the Twin Stars Alliance and the other geniuses in attendance understood that this underground palace had a high likelihood of being the true passageway. Since Qin Wentian possessed the map, it was imperative to corner him.

"Hand it over," Xuan Xing advanced, and a terrifying flood dragon manifested, jaws wide open, ready to engulf Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian responded with a cold laugh. He waved his hand, pressing down on a runic diagram. A thunderous slash cleaved down from the heavens, targeting the flood dragon. The collision shattered both the dragon and the slash into pieces.

"What exceptional mastery of divine inscriptions. Even without mystic eyes, he can effortlessly activate any runic diagram in this place and wield their power," onlookers marveled at Qin Wentian. He appeared as though he had grown wings, completely at ease in the underground palace, and his strength had significantly increased.

"Xuan Xing, is it not rather inappropriate for you to act against a member of my Xiao Sect in such a manner?" Xiao Lengyue emerged. Her attire was a fiery, form-fitting red robe, yet an intense chill emanated from her. The atmosphere grew frigid, and those nearby couldn't help but shiver.

Xuan Xing wore a cold smile as he glanced at Qin Wentian. "The person you invited is quite audacious. Since he possesses the map, why not have him lead the way while we follow?"

"Agreed," Xiao Lengyue nodded, not rejecting the suggestion. If they could locate the access point and gain entry to the emperor's palace, the Xiao Sect's strength surpassed that of all the other groups present. She had no reason to fear. However, in this underground palace filled with runic diagrams, they were at a disadvantage.

"You lead the way, Qin Wentian," Xiao Lengyue said as she moved behind him and transmitted her voice, "Well done!"

Qin Wentian smiled and stepped forward. The underground palace stretched extensively, resembling the tomb of an emperor. It exuded an ancient atmosphere, imbued with a sense of mystery and foreboding.

Ahead of them, the path branched into several directions, each entrance exuding an enigmatic aura.

"Which way?" Xiao Lengyue inquired.

"This path," Qin Wentian pointed to a particular route and led the way. Everyone followed him, but as soon as they entered the entrance, an intense, bone-chilling wind swept over them, causing shivers to run down their spines.

The place resembled a colossal cavern, with stone walls and battlements surrounding them, as if they were inside a mountain. However, these stone walls were uneven and rough, and the path ahead meandered irregularly, extending endlessly.

Silence enveloped them as they moved cautiously. If this place truly led to the emperor's palace, danger could lurk around any corner. They couldn't help but remain vigilant.

Then, their steps came to an abrupt halt, and all eyes fixated ahead as they froze in place. Several corpses lay before them, some in pristine condition, appearing almost as if they were still alive.

"This..." Tremors coursed through their hearts. Just ahead, an ancient stone wall covered in intricate runic inscriptions came into view. It was exceedingly complex.

Xiao Lengyue's figure flickered, and she reached one of the perfectly preserved corpses. Its skin resembled jade, radiating a lustrous sheen. Such flawless skin was far from ordinary, but there was no denying that these bodies were lifeless. They were already dead, yet it was impossible to determine how long they had been deceased.

"At the very least, this person was an Immortal Foundation expert," Xiao Lengyue remarked, her gaze steady.

She stepped away and approached another corpse, whose robes were torn and tattered, revealing bones beneath. However, intricate runes were inscribed on these bones, carrying traces of the great dao. They exuded an immensely formidable power.

"Rune bone... it appears this corpse had reached the level of an Immortal King before death," Xiao Lengyue exclaimed in surprise. This individual had undoubtedly been an Immortal King prior to their demise. Even in death, their cultivation had condensed into runes inscribed on their bones, transforming them into treasures suffused with formidable law energy.

Within this eerie place, the lifeless remains of countless individuals, including Immortal Kings, bore silent witness to their shared fate – death in these shadowy depths.

"Are you sure it's a map?" A cold, skeptical voice cut through the stillness. Xuan Xing's mystic eyes bore into Qin Wentian, radiating suspicion. Trusting a stranger like Qin Wentian was out of the question for him. Earlier, they had all sensed something extraordinary about the runic diagram on that particular stone wall; it seemed to move incessantly. That's why all the divine inscriptionists present had coveted it. However, whether the scroll Qin Wentian had obtained was indeed a map remained known only to him.

Ironically, it was Qin Wentian himself who had claimed it was a map.

Xiao Lengyue's gaze sharpened as it shifted to Qin Wentian. She, too, had begun to harbor doubts because of Xuan Xing's words. Only Qin Wentian possessed the truth. Was his acquisition truly a map of this labyrinthine place?

"Qin Wentian, tell me the truth. Is the item you acquired genuinely a map of this underground palace? Most importantly, where are we right now, and where does this path lead?" Xiao Lengyue sent her inquiry via voice transmission, her suspicion mounting.

"This path leads to a dead end, and what you obtained earlier clearly isn't a map," a voice chimed in at that moment. All eyes turned toward a fellow from their group, standing near an immobile figure in the distance – a long-deceased corpse.

An unknown emotion flickered in Xiao Lengyue's beautiful eyes. She swiftly moved toward the individual, prompting the others to follow suit. As they gazed in the direction he pointed, they noticed a line of engraved words on the stone wall in front of the corpse.

"Countless tens of thousands of years, pondering countless possible endings. Yet, I failed to foresee that I'd be ensnared here, meeting my demise as my lifespan reached its limit."

These words sent shivers down their spines, freezing every atom of their beings. For tens of thousands of years, this corpse had languished here?

Despite considering innumerable scenarios, he had not foreseen his eventual confinement and demise within this subterranean prison. What an unimaginable span of time this represented. There was a high likelihood that this individual had been an Immortal King in life, but his fate had sealed him within this underground palace, where he met his end as his lifespan expired.

Even Immortal Kings had met their demise within these depths. What did that portend for them?

Qin Wentian bore the brunt of their icy gazes as their murderous intent surged. Even members of the Xiao Sect directed their hostility toward him. Had it not been for Qin Wentian's decision to venture in, they would never have taken such a risk. He had led them all to their doom.

In light of this revelation, the scroll Qin Wentian had obtained likely wasn't a map at all – it was nothing but a falsehood.

Xiao Lengyue's face turned frigid. Qin Wentian had deceived her.

"Why don't you all finish reading the words?" Qin Wentian interjected. Everyone had indeed finished reading. Beneath the initial inscription, another line of text read, "Ancient Emperor Yi, how can I grasp the profound mysteries of this place?"

A palpable, bone-chilling killing intent hung heavy in the air. The glares directed at Qin Wentian were brimming with animosity. Even Immortal Kings had met their demise here, and it was he who had led them all to this treacherous place.

"You all wanted to enter the Emperor's palace, so I guided you here. This is indeed the passageway. Moreover, we can now confirm that this Emperor's palace was constructed by an ancient Emperor. It's ironic that you, the chosen ones of the Immortal Realms, made your own decisions to follow me willingly, only to shift your anger onto me when you realized we might be trapped here," Qin Wentian remarked, his tone filled with cold amusement. "I don't recall forcing any of you to come along, do I?"

Despite Qin Wentian's words, the murderous intent in the air remained unyielding. Xia Qianhan's expression was icy. "Lengyue, I warned you not to trust this man so easily. Now that he's led us into this forbidden territory, he should pay the price."

"But he's right. This is indeed the pathway to the Emperor's palace. If we can unravel the mystery here, we might gain access to an ancient inheritance," Xiao Lengyue interjected. "You've all heard of Ancient Emperor Yi, haven't you?"

The eyes of those present gleamed with curiosity. If they had seen the name 'Ancient Emperor Yi' before this, they would have rejoiced. Now, however, that joy was tainted by dread and fear, knowing that even Immortal Kings had met their end here.

"We've certainly heard of him. Ancient Emperor Yi once united the Immortal Realms in the past. Rumor has it that in this particular layer of the sky – there are 33 skies, with each representing an immortal realm – there were instances of complete unification. Ancient Emperor Yi is one of the few who achieved this feat, leaving a lasting legacy. Who would have thought his palace was hidden within the City of Ancient Emperors? If news of this gets out, it will surely cause a stir," someone replied.

"The City of Ancient Emperors exists as a distinct dimension, independent of any Immortal Realms. It's shrouded in mystery, and even Immortal Kings and Emperors would struggle to enter without permission. I've heard that traces of ancient Emperor inheritances were discovered here in the past. Now that I see the name of Ancient Emperor Yi here, it only adds to the enigma," Xiao Lengyue explained, her voice tinged with anxiety.

"If we can truly obtain the legendary heaven-shaking art left by Ancient Emperor Yi..." Xiao Lengyue's words hung in the air, sending tremors through the hearts of those who had heard tales of Ancient Emperor Yi before.

Legend had it that Ancient Emperor Yi's profound art had been lost to the world for countless eons. It was highly likely that this secret art had lured the Immortal Kings here. However, instead of inheriting it, they had met their demise in these depths.

So, now that they found themselves in this place, was it a blessing or a curse?