You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

This grouping plan took into account everyone's abilities, experience, and relationships. After a brief moment of thought, everyone nodded in agreement.

Jiang He said cheerfully.

"it is good!

"Let's do as Chen Yang says! Uncle Li and I will be in the same group. Qiu Niu, the three of you be careful, don't be reckless."

Qiuniu patted his chest and guaranteed it.

"Minister Jiang, don't worry! With me here, I guarantee I'll lead them to the best treasure!"

Xing San and Su Meng nodded vigorously.

Liu Piaopiao glanced at Chen Yang and naturally had no objection.

Thus, the seven-person group temporarily split up. Jiang He and Uncle Li chose the northwest direction, the Qiu Niu trio headed southwest, while Chen Yang, with Liu Piaopiao, continued eastward.

After separating from their companions, Chen Yang and Liu Piaopiao sped up considerably.

The two wandered through the mountains and forests, where exotic flowers and rare herbs were everywhere and strange birds and beasts occasionally appeared. They felt the rich spiritual energy and tranquil atmosphere that was completely different from the outside world, and their moods were much more relaxed.

But soon, they discovered some unusual signs. Along the way, they began to encounter other trial participants sporadically, and most of them were heading in the same direction, heading towards a certain location in the east, with expressions of excitement, curiosity, or nervousness on their faces.

"Brother Chen, look, there are more and more people, and they're all heading in one direction."

Liu Piaopiao said in a low voice.

"Something must have been discovered ahead; it's very likely an important immortal abode ruin or the entrance to a secret realm."

Chen Yang's eyes flickered slightly; this was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for!

He said to Liu Piaopiao in a calm and collected manner.

"Since we've run into this, let's go check it out. Maybe there'll be some unexpected opportunity, or even if there isn't, it'll be good to find out what's going on."

Liu Piaopiao nodded.

"it is good."

The two quickened their pace and followed the flow of people.

After walking for about half an hour, they heard a commotion of voices ahead. Parting a dense bamboo forest, the view suddenly opened up before them.

In the open valley ahead, a magnificent ancient immortal abode ruin stood out!
Although it bears the marks of time, with mottled walls and dilapidated palaces, the solemnity and grandeur of the past still emanate from it.

Ancient inscriptions and reliefs are still faintly discernible on the towering stone pillars of the mountain gate, emanating a faint spiritual pressure.

What is most striking is that the entire Immortal Mansion ruins are shrouded in a layer of pale silver light shield with flowing complex runes, which is obviously an extremely powerful and intact protective barrier!
At this moment, no fewer than two or three hundred cultivators had gathered in the valley. They were all surrounding the pale silver light shield, pointing and discussing, their faces filled with longing and frustration.

Many people are trying various methods to attack or break the barrier, but whether they slash with swords or bombard with spells, they only cause a ripple on the light barrier before disappearing without a trace, unable to shake it in the slightest.

Some even tried to find weaknesses or loopholes in the restrictions, but all their efforts were in vain.

Looking at the solid protective barrier and then at the anxious but helpless crowd around her, Liu Piaopiao said to Chen Yang.

"Brother Chen, look at the restrictions here... they seem a bit like the ancient formations you studied before? Can you enter with your 'Dao rune' comprehension?"

Chen Yang had already observed in secret that this restriction was indeed similar to the protective formations of the Black Tower and the family ruins, and might even have originated from the same source, but it was more complex and complete.

With his current mastery of formations and his comprehension of the fusion of "Dao patterns" and "water patterns," it's not impossible for him to find a way to enter after spending some time.

But he was thinking about something else entirely.

The two or three hundred cultivators gathered before him were the perfect target for his plan to "recruit" people. This ready-made, well-defended immortal abode ruin was the best cover.
He deliberately feigned reluctance and whispered to Liu Piaopiao.

"It feels somewhat similar; perhaps we can find a solution."

But there are too many people here. If I go in alone, I'm afraid I'll become the target of everyone's attention.

These people can't get in. If they see I've gone in, they might get angry and try to stop me outside, or even take their anger out on you.

Liu Piaopiao said worriedly.

"Then what can we do? Are we just going to stand by and watch? If they find a way or weaken their own restrictions, then when more people get in, the competition will be even fiercer."

Chen Yang pondered for a moment.

"You're right, opportunities are fleeting."

Listen to me, Piaopiao. I'll try to go in later, but I need you to pretend you don't know me and observe from a distance.

If I manage to get in, attracting everyone's attention, they'll inevitably focus their anger on me. You can then take advantage of the chaos, or wait until their attention shifts, to find an opportunity. It's safer for us to split up.”

"This won't do!"

Liu Piaopiao immediately objected.

"It's too dangerous! How can I let you go on this risk alone?"

"Piaopiao, listen to me."

Chen Yang pressed down on her shoulder, his gaze earnest and resolute.

"Two people would be too conspicuous, and once we're targeted, it would be difficult to escape. I'm alone, mobile and flexible, and even if we're cornered, I'll find a way to maneuver or even escape. You stay outside; firstly, you can provide backup, and secondly, if there's real danger inside, you can try to find a solution from outside."

This is the safest arrangement.

Seeing Chen Yang's resolute attitude and the logic in his analysis, Liu Piaopiao bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry, but she finally nodded.

"Then... you must be careful! If things don't go well, get out immediately!"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Chen Yang gave her a comforting look.

With the plan set, Chen Yang no longer hesitated.

He parted the crowd and walked straight to the pale silver protective barrier, immediately attracting the attention of many people around him.

"Another one who's not afraid of death."

"Let's see what he can do."

"Hey kid, don't waste your energy, this restriction is really tough!"

Amidst the gazes and whispers of the crowd, Chen Yang extended his right hand and gently pressed it against the light shield.

He didn't exert his strength immediately, but closed his eyes, as if he was sensing something carefully.

A moment later, amidst the disdainful or curious gazes of the crowd, Chen Yang slowly opened his eyes. His internal magical power circulated at a peculiar frequency, and a faint golden halo, as soft as flowing water yet bearing strange patterns, appeared on his palm.

Based on his understanding of the fusion of "Dao patterns" and "water patterns," he adjusted his own fluctuations to subtly match a certain weak "node" in the flow of restricted energy.

Then, to everyone's disbelief, his palm, as if merging into water, slowly and effortlessly "pressed" into the solid, pale silver light shield! Next, his entire arm, then his body…

In just a few breaths, Chen Yang had passed through the restriction and was standing inside the Immortal Mansion Ruins!

The protective barrier only caused a slight ripple where he passed through before returning to normal, as if nothing had happened.

"He...he went in?!"

"How is this possible?!"

"Who is this kid? How did he do that?!"

"quick!

"Make him lift the restrictions! Let us in!"

After a brief silence, the valley erupted in deafening shouts and clamor!
Everyone went crazy, crowding in front of the barrier, shouting, threatening, and even pleading at Chen Yang inside.

Chen Yang stood inside the barrier, turned around, and faced the faces outside, some filled with jealousy, some with anger, and some with greed. A mocking smile appeared on his lips as he spoke loudly.

"Fellow Daoists, this restriction is profound and mysterious; it all depends on your own abilities."

It was fate that Chen was able to get in.

As for breaking the seal? Sorry, I have neither the obligation nor the interest. If any of you are capable, you may find a way in.

If you lack the ability, then please continue to observe from the outside!

These words were like adding fuel to the fire, instantly igniting everyone's anger!

"Arrogant brat! You're asking for death!"

"Once we get in, we'll tear you to pieces!"

"Let's all work together to break this barrier! Go in and seize his opportunity!"

"Yes! We can't let him keep it all to himself!"

Curses, threats, and clamor filled the air.

Many people became enraged and began to attack the barrier relentlessly, regardless of the cost. Although it was still futile, the scale of their attack was terrifying.

Chen Yang seemed not to hear him. He blinked almost imperceptibly at the outside, especially at Liu Piaopiao, who was hiding behind the crowd with a complicated and worried expression. Then he turned around and walked leisurely into the depths of the Immortal Mansion Ruins, deliberately muttering to himself as he walked.

"Tsk tsk, this immortal abode looks quite large. I wonder how many treasures are hidden inside. First come, first served!"

His smug and self-satisfied demeanor infuriated those outside, who attacked the barrier even more vigorously. Many began searching along the edge of the barrier for other possible entrances or weak points.

At the back of the crowd, Liu Piaopiao watched Chen Yang's figure disappear into the depths of the ruins, and then looked at the excited crowd, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

On one hand, she was worried about Chen Yang's safety, and on the other hand, she vaguely felt that Chen Yang's actions seemed too high-profile and...deliberate? But at this moment, she could only follow the agreement, hide herself, and nervously watch the situation develop.

After entering the Immortal Abode, Chen Yang did not rush to search for the real treasure.

He moved swiftly through the dilapidated palaces and courtyards, deliberately making noise, such as scratching marks on the walls with his sword energy, kicking over some decaying decorations, and even "carefully searching" some empty side halls, making a greedy appearance of "scraping the ground three feet deep".

His goal was to make outsiders believe that he was plundering inside and had made a fortune!

Sure enough, the commotion he deliberately made and his "busy" figure were vaguely seen by some sharp-eyed cultivators outside through some broken window frames or door cracks, which further aroused them to madness.

Chen Yang continued his "performance" and soon arrived at the back mountain area of ​​the Immortal Abode.

This place is relatively secluded, and the buildings are more ancient. There is a relatively well-preserved, solemnly styled hall with its doors tightly closed and covered with dust and cobwebs, indicating that it has not been opened for a long time.

"This is it."

A glint of light flashed in Chen Yang's eyes.

He walked to the front of the main hall, pretended to study the restrictions on the door, and then "laboriously" "broken" them and pushed open the heavy hall door.

The hall was empty, with only a few dusty statues and empty prayer cushions.

Chen Yang wanted this kind of spaciousness and inconspicuousness.

He walked to the deepest part of the main hall, his back to the entrance. With a thought, he connected with the source of his own blessed land.

Instead of opening a conspicuous entrance, he used his authority as the Lord of the Realm to conceal it extremely well within the spatial structure of the main hall.

A miniature, one-way spatial passage was "grafted" onto it.

The "exit" of this passage was cleverly disguised by him as an ordinary mural on the wall of the main hall, depicting a sea of ​​clouds and a fairy mountain. Once someone touches or gets close to the mural within a certain range, they will be silently sucked into his blessed land, and they will only feel that they have triggered some kind of teleportation array.

After doing all this, Chen Yang patted non-existent dust off his hands, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

He turned and walked out of the main hall, even deliberately leaving a shallow footprint at the door, and then quickly ran towards the highest point of the immortal mansion—a building that resembled a watchtower.

He reached the top of the tower, where he had an excellent view. He could see that, thanks to his series of provocative actions, the cultivators gathered outside had gone completely berserk!
Someone discovered that a certain restriction on the side of the immortal mansion seemed to have developed a very weak energy instability due to years of neglect. Although it was still difficult to break, it gave everyone hope.

A large number of cultivators were converging on that point, and various spells and magical artifacts were thrown at it like fireworks, with endless booming sounds.

Some of the more impatient and highly skilled individuals could no longer contain themselves and began attempting to climb the steep cliffs surrounding the Immortal Abode, trying to find other ways to enter.

"It's almost done."

Chen Yang estimated the time.

He stood at the top of the tower, in a conspicuous position, and deliberately waved his arm at the cultivators below who were frantically attacking the flank restrictions or had already climbed halfway up the mountain. In his hand was a broken jade ruyi that he had picked up on the road earlier, which emitted a faint spiritual light, and he shouted loudly.

Hey! Everyone down here!

There are quite a few treasures here!
Chen went ahead to explore the core area! Good luck to you guys! Hahaha!

After saying that, he vanished from the top of the tower in a flash and quickly sneaked back towards the main hall on the back mountain.

His actions were like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan!
Those cultivators who were already eager to get ahead could hardly contain themselves when they saw that Chen Yang not only had a "full harvest" but was also going to explore the "core area".

"Chase him! We can't let him get away!"

"He ran away from behind! Quick, go around him!"

"There must be something good in the core area! Stop him!"

Amidst the shouts, some of the cultivators who were originally attacking the flank barriers, as well as those who were climbing, all turned around and rushed towards the back of the Immortal Mansion!

Some lone travelers or small groups who were originally observing from the sidelines and had strong capabilities also sensed the dual allure of a "great opportunity" and "getting rid of that arrogant kid" and began to take action.

This is exactly the effect Chen Yang wanted!

He led everyone toward the main hall.

He rushed back to the main hall at the back of the mountain first, deliberately paused at the entrance, glanced back at the menacing figures closing in from all directions, and his face showed a mixture of panic and determination. Then, gritting his teeth, he darted into the main hall! (End of Chapter)