Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The thick, gray-white fog surged and rolled, and as the group ventured deeper, the miasma enveloping the Qingwu Ancient Plain grew thinner and thinner.

The cold, oppressive, and mind-altering death aura between heaven and earth slowly dissipated, replaced by a vast, ancient, and solemn imperial aura that emanated from the endless depths ahead, causing everyone to unconsciously slow their breathing.

Lin Yan moved forward steadily, each step precisely avoiding the remaining array patterns. The Emperor's Heart Jade Wall was burning hot in his sleeve, resonating more and more strongly with the source of the altar in front of him.

The Dingyuan Pearl and the inkstone, one on each side, swirled with spiritual light around him, instantly purifying and obliterating the ancient miasma and lingering thoughts of souls before they could even get close.

As they walked, the ground was covered with increasingly dense ancient bones, broken sacrificial artifacts, and rusted weapons.

The broken giant stone pillar lay on the ground, the mottled stone platform covered with traces of the erosion of time and engraved with ancient runes that no one could recognize. Despite the vicissitudes of millions of years, it still faintly exuded a powerful aura that could awe the gods and souls.

This is the place where Emperor Shaohao perished, the root of all paths in the entire Imperial Ruins.

The closer they got to the altar, the deeper their sense of awe became.

Chen Dagang suppressed his fierce aura, his expression becoming solemn, no longer acting recklessly. The immense pressure from the ancient ruins far exceeded his expectations; even the lingering aura made his body tense, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.

Yunxi withdrew her sword intent, her usually cold and aloof expression now filled with solemnity.

She could clearly sense that the Daoist aura here was ancient and pure, belonging to no cultivation method in the world. It was the unique imperial aura of the ancient gods, vast and unfathomable.

Qingyao focused her mind and held her breath, gently restraining the water-based spiritual energy around her, afraid of disturbing this ancient sacred land that had been sleeping for countless ages.

The disciples of Laoshan, Shuiyue Pavilion, and Qingyun Sect all remained solemn, with no one making a fuss or stirring up trouble.

Having just been surrounded in the fog, everyone had already grasped the situation.

With immense opportunities ahead and formidable enemies still at large behind, the Wang and Hao clans remained hidden at the edge of the mist, following closely from a distance, their eyes fixed on the altar, patiently waiting for their chance to strike.

They were intimidated by Lin Yan's terrifying power in controlling the formation and dared not confront him directly, yet they still refused to give up.

Everyone knew that the moment Lin Yan was distracted by comprehending the altar's creation and his mind was immersed in the origin, it would be the perfect opportunity for them to launch a sneak attack and seize the treasure.

The undercurrents of the foggy sea have never subsided, and deadly intent still lurks in all directions.

hum-

A dazzling golden light suddenly pierced through the mist.

The ancient altar, sealed for millennia, was finally revealed in its entirety to the public.

It was a colossal platform carved entirely from white jade, layer upon layer, majestic and imposing, piercing the misty sky. The platform was covered with ancient imperial patterns, golden light flowing endlessly, and imperial radiance descended from the heavens, illuminating the entire ancient plain.

The wind stopped and the fog dissipated, and all was silent.

The eternal legacy of Emperor Shaohao suppressed the fortune of the land, and the profound Daoist essence accumulated over ten thousand years swept across the four directions, causing all cultivators to tremble in their souls and unable to help but feel reverence.

At the very center of the altar, a perfectly round and dazzling sphere of imperial essence floated in mid-air, radiating countless rays of light and auspicious energy.

That is the most core and supreme creation of the entire Imperial Ruins Secret Realm, the Imperial Dao Essence that Shao Hao condensed throughout his life of cultivation. Obtaining it can cleanse one's Dao foundation, purify one's spiritual power, and transform one from mortal to saint, making the cultivation path of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection completely complete and paving the way for the supreme Dao of Alchemy.

In addition, countless ancient elixirs, lost cultivation techniques, and fragments of ancient divine weapons are scattered around the altar. Each of these items, if placed in the outside world, would be a rare treasure capable of igniting a major war between sects.

Witnessing such an incredible opportunity, everyone's breathing quickened and their eyes burned with barely suppressed fervor.

Deep within the mist behind them, the pupils of the Wang and Hao families shrank, their greed almost impossible to conceal.

Wang Yashi's fingertips trembled slightly, filled with resentment and fervor.

She poured all of the Wang clan's resources into secretly planting people, circumventing rules to trespass into the secret realm, patiently following them all the way, gambling the hopes of her entire clan, all for this ancient altar. Now, the opportunity is within reach, yet Lin Yan firmly suppresses it, preventing her from even approaching.

Hao Lie clenched his fists, his muscles tensed, and a violent killing intent surged within him.

The ancient physical body and imperial aura, the legacy of countless battles—these are the treasures the Hao clan has always dreamed of. If they could obtain even a sliver of the altar's essence, the Hao clan could surpass all other sects and clans, dominating the region.

However, since the ancient formation recognizes its master, Lin Yan's words can decide life and death. Even though they coveted it, they dared not rush forward.

Just then, the imperial light at the top of the altar suddenly surged.

A powerful and vast pulling force swept across the entire area, and the fragment of the Imperial Heart Jade Disc suddenly flew out from Lin Yan's sleeve and rose into the air.

The broken jade disc shone brightly, facing the imperial heart's origin in the center of the altar, with wisps of golden imperial aura intertwining, blending, and echoing each other.

The fragments, isolated for millennia, have finally found their original home.

"The Emperor's Heart's Broken Jade... is echoing the altar!"

Some people gasped in shock, their faces filled with astonishment.

At this moment, everyone finally understood that Lin Yan had not stumbled into the secret realm by chance, but was born with a connection to the Shaohao Emperor Ruins. This ancient ruin was originally connected to him.

The altar runes slowly lit up, and ancient, obscure whispers echoed throughout the heavens and earth.

That was the sound of ancient ancestors' sacrifices, the eternal murmur of the Emperor, delicate yet solemn, flowing into everyone's consciousness along with their divine souls.

Lin Yan calmed his mind, and the original memories of the Imperial Ruins sealed deep within his soul sea were fully awakened.

Scenes from ancient times flashed through my mind:

Emperor Shaohao ruled the heavens and earth, established order in all directions, sealed away ancient demons, built altars to worship the heavens, and suppressed the fortune of the land. When the ancient calamity swept across the sky, all the heavens fell, and all living beings suffered, the Emperor used his body to suppress the earth's veins, sealed away the chaos, and sealed away his life's Dao essence here, sleeping for eternity.

It turns out that this misty ancient plain is not a natural secret realm. This is the ancient imperial mausoleum, the final resting place of Shao Hao. The bewitching miasma is the remnant of the emperor's divine soul, the Heaven-Sealing Array is the protective barrier of the mausoleum, and the lingering thoughts of the remnant souls are the obsessions of the martyred ancestors. All the dangers are the ancient guardians.

Outsiders who intrude will either have their souls captured or their bodies killed in battle; this is all ordained by Heaven.

Only those who bear the imprint of the Emperor's heart can safely enter the world and inherit the legacy of eternity.

Lin Yan slowly raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the void.

In an instant, the white jade altar shone brightly, and imperial light poured down from the sky, all converging around him.

The gentle and powerful pure energy of the Emperor's Dao surged into his meridians, cleansing his spiritual power and tempering his soul. He was already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, and there was no way to advance in mortal cultivation. Now, under the nourishment of the endless source of the Emperor's Dao, his physical body, spiritual power, soul, and Dao foundation began to undergo extreme purification and transformation simultaneously.

His sea of ​​consciousness became increasingly clear, and his divine sense far surpassed that of the past. The three treasures—the Dingyuan Pearl, the inkstone, and the remnant jade of the Emperor's Heart—resonated with each other, and the three spiritual lights intertwined into one, transforming into a perfect imperial radiance that enveloped his entire body.

Invulnerable to all evils, invincible to all formations, and unyielding to all spells.

All the surrounding miasma instantly dissipated, the underground remnants of the formation fell silent and peaceful, and the lingering thoughts of the wandering souls of ages slowly dissipated, transforming into peaceful spiritual light and merging into the altar.

Golden imperial light descended upon the altar, and the vast and ancient imperial aura permeated the entire ancient green plain.

Lin Yan stood in the void in front of the altar, his entire body enveloped in clear golden spiritual light. The remnant jade of the Emperor's Heart floated above his head, resonating with the primordial essence of Emperor Shaohao floating in the center of the altar. Thousands of ancient runes lit up one after another from the white jade platform, flowing with timeless Daoist charm, continuously pouring into his limbs, bones, and soul.

The mixed mortal spiritual power of the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection is purified and transformed layer by layer under the purest Emperor Dao Origin.

He gently closed his eyes, his mind completely immersed in tracing the origins and comprehending the truth. Within his soul sea, the memories of the ancient imperial ruins, sealed for millennia, were all unlocked. Ancient rituals, the true understanding of array formations, the basic techniques of the imperial path, and countless lost treasures of the past years, like rivers flowing into the sea, frantically filled all the gaps in his cultivation path.

At this moment, he seemed completely unprepared, but in reality, his mind and body were completely immersed in creation, and his perception of the outside world was reduced to mere instinctive warnings.

For the heroes lurking in the shadows, this is the only and final chance to break the deadlock in the entire battle for the secret realm.

At the edge of the foggy sea, a deathly silence quietly spreads.

The Wang and Hao families held their breath, suppressing all fluctuations in their auras, not daring to reveal even the slightest movement of their spiritual power. The fear of being crushed by Lin Yan's array earlier still lingered in their hearts, but the Eternal Emperor's Fate right before their eyes was enough to make them completely abandon their fear and take the risk.

Fortune and honor are sought amidst danger, and the path to imperial power is even more worth risking one's life for.

Wang Yashi's hands, hanging limply at her sides, clenched tightly. The gentle warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by extreme ruthlessness and greed.

She could see it perfectly clearly: Lin Yan was deeply immersed in the enlightenment of the inheritance. His defenses appeared grand and imposing, but in reality, his focus was entirely on connecting with the source, leaving him no time to control the formation or defend against enemies. As long as this brief vacuum was broken and a trace of the Emperor's Heart Source was forcibly extracted, even if she couldn't monopolize the inheritance, it would still allow the Wang Clan to rise to the top in one step and crush all the sects and clans in Qilu.

"Everyone, get ready and heed my command."

She communicated in extremely low lip movements, her spiritual power concentrated within a small space, not leaking out in the slightest: "I do not seek to kill Lin Yan, but only to interrupt the inheritance and seize the source! If we miss this opportunity today, we will never have another chance to touch the Emperor's Path of Creation!"

The core disciples of the Wang clan beside him revealed a fierce glint in their eyes and secretly formed hand seals.

The previously restrained spiritual power of the array surged again, and countless fine silver-white spiritual threads, hidden at the bottom of the mist, were no longer a net to imprison and trap enemies, but transformed into sharp and deadly strangulation blades, quietly locking onto Lin Yan in the center of the altar.

On the other side, Hao Lie's murderous aura surged, his heavy breathing reached its limit, and his bones crackled and popped.

The Hao family specializes in physical combat and excels at fighting to the death in desperate situations and exchanging injury for kill.

"Everyone, burn your life essence and activate your Savage Battle Body!" Hao Lie roared in a low voice. "Charge! Seize the source! As long as we can obtain even a trace of Emperor's Aura, all the deaths and injuries we suffer today will be worthwhile!"

More than ten tall and strong elite members of the Hao family simultaneously bit their fingertips, splattering their blood all over their bodies.

A crimson aura instantly enveloped his body, his muscles bulged and bulged, and his entire being was filled with a ferocious, suicidal flame. The courage that had been shattered by the killing array was completely restored under the temptation of the supreme opportunity, leaving only madness and violence.

The few remaining lone cultivators lurking in the shadows were also completely overcome by greed.

They were originally desperate outlaws who had trespassed into the secret realm using the ancient jade, their life's pursuit being an opportunity against the heavens. Now, with the imperial light covering the world and their true nature revealed, they no longer cared about Lin Yan's terrifying foundation. They all took out their most treasured poisonous blades and secret treasures, hiding in the blind spots of the thick fog, ready to strike.

The deadly intent from all sides silently sealed off the altar.

The people from Laoshan, Shuiyue Pavilion, and Qingyun Sect immediately sensed the sudden change in atmosphere.

Chen Dagang stepped forward, his fists clenched, and his aura surged forth, his expression extremely grave: "Something's wrong! These scoundrels are going to launch a desperate sneak attack!"

The Yunxi Shuiyun Sword was instantly drawn, its clear, cold sound piercing the peaceful imperial aura. Layers of sword curtains spread out, protecting Lin Yan's surroundings. His sharp gaze swept across the surrounding sea of ​​mist: "They are betting that Junior Brother Lin is distracted by his enlightenment, and they want to forcibly break the deadlock and seize the opportunity."

Water rippled from Qingyao's fingertips, forming several layers of moist barriers that surrounded the altar. She whispered urgently, "Everyone, form a defensive array and defend to the death! We absolutely cannot let them interrupt the inheritance!"

The disciples from all three sides quickly surrounded the altar, forming a defensive formation with their backs to it. Everyone activated their spiritual power and remained vigilant in all directions.

However, the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves remains enormous.

The Wang family's array formations are unpredictable and can be used from a distance; the Hao family's physical combat is fierce and close-quarters; and the wild cultivators' sneak attacks are insidious and unsolvable. The three powerful enemies have been preparing for a long time and are all fighting desperately. Meanwhile, the spiritual energy of our own people has not yet fully recovered, and it is extremely difficult for them to withstand the desperate attack.

"Let's do it!"

Wang Yashi's cold shout suddenly exploded.

Om-!

The countless silver-white spiritual threads hidden beneath the mist instantly erupted, transforming into thousands of deadly light blades that pierced through the thin mist and swept towards Lin Yan's back!

At the same instant, Hao Lie led his elite troops in a fierce charge!

The crimson light surged like a tide, and the heavy stomping sound made the ancient plain tremble slightly. Several brute forces comparable to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, carrying a ferocious aura that could burn everything, rushed straight towards the altar!

The unseen cultivators launched their attack simultaneously!

Several jet-black, poisonous glints and sinister techniques pierced through the blind spots of light and shadow, cunning and unpredictable, directly targeting the flaws in Lin Yan's body!

A full-screen offensive, a desperate gamble!

There is only one purpose—to disrupt the inheritance and plunder the Emperor's heart and origin!

"Don't even think about hurting Brother Lin!"

Chen Dagang roared and charged alone into the Hao clan's monstrous tide, his fists clashing against the countless crimson battle blades.

Bang!Bang!Bang!

Several loud explosions rang out in succession, and the force surged skyward. Chen Dagang fought against many opponents, his physical body enduring the savage power that burned his life essence. His body trembled repeatedly, and his tiger's mouth split open and bled. He managed to block the frontal charge, but he was also shaken so badly that his blood and qi surged, and he was forced to retreat repeatedly.

Clouds and sword shadows danced, and the cold sword energy crisscrossed the sky, severing the countless silver-white spirit blades that attacked from the heavens.

The spiritual blades formed by the Wang family's array were densely packed and endless. Cutting off one layer only resulted in another growing back, making them unpredictable and entanglesome, and consuming a great deal of energy. In just a few breaths, she was sweating slightly at the temples, and her sword intent had already begun to falter.

Qingyao's water barrier was repeatedly bombarded by the poisoned blade technique, shattering layer by layer, splashing water everywhere, and could no longer withstand the attacks from all sides.

A few stray bursts of killing power slipped through layers of defense and approached Lin Yan, who was immersed in meditation at the center of the altar!

Everyone's heart leaped into their throats, their eyes filled with terror.

Once the offensive lands, the inheritance will be interrupted, and the Emperor's Heart Origin will be disturbed and backfire. At best, Lin Yan will suffer severe injuries and damage to his Dao foundation; at worst, his soul will crack and his cultivation will be completely destroyed!

Just as all the deadly attacks were about to land—

hum! ! !

The remnant jade of the Emperor's Heart, suspended above their heads, suddenly erupted with dazzling golden imperial radiance.

The gentle and peaceful imperial aura of eternity instantly transformed into an incomparably domineering and world-shaking sharpness!

Lin Yan, who was immersed in contemplation, suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes no longer held the usual tranquility and calmness, but were filled with the vastness of eternity and the indifferent majesty of an emperor looking down upon all living beings.

His sea of ​​consciousness, nourished by the origin of the Emperor's Way, was completely perfected. Even though he was at the center of creation, his mind remained clear and he never truly lost his senses.

This group's desperate sneak attacks and hidden murderous intentions were all under his control from beginning to end.

"Stubborn to the end, consumed by greed."

Lin Yan's voice was low and indifferent, carrying the ancient majesty left behind by Emperor Shaohao, resounding throughout the entire ancient plain.

"Since they cherish their lives and do not know how to retreat, they will sacrifice themselves for the imperial tombs to end their greed and delusion."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and gently brushed it away.

Boom—!

The ancient sealing formation, which had been dormant for a long time, was completely revived across the entire region under the impetus of the imperial aura at the altar!

At the bottom of the entire Qingwu Ancient Plain, countless remaining array eyes simultaneously lit up with scarlet-gold light!

This time, the power of the formation is no longer a sporadic burst or localized killing, but a complete suppression of the entire Imperial Altar!

The originally gentle, descending imperial light instantly transformed into countless imperial sword patterns, crisscrossing and covering the heavens and earth.

The incoming Wang clan spirit blades instantly dissolved upon impacting the divine runes. All the Wang clan cultivators who set up the array suffered backlash, their meridians ruptured, blood spurted from their mouths, and their bodies were sent flying backward! The elite Hao clan warriors charging at the front unleashed their array power soaring into the sky!

The invisible and intangible ancient killing power penetrated their savage battle bodies, instantly dissipating their burning essence and blood. Their powerful bodies were as fragile as paper, bursting out in blood mist one after another!

Several Hao clan disciples who rushed the closest were crushed into ashes by the array's power before they could even scream, and their ashes dissipated into the imperial light.

Hao Lie was horrified. He desperately circulated all his spiritual power to defend himself, but the Emperor's killing power crushed him on a higher level. His protective aura crumbled inch by inch, and an Emperor's mark pierced through his chest, causing his flesh to rip open. He was severely injured and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, barely alive.

The wild cultivator who ambushed from the shadows fared even worse.

All insidious secret techniques and poisoned weapons were child's play in the face of absolute imperial might. Their bodies were instantly locked by the array of light, and their souls, bodies, and spiritual power were crushed and destroyed in an instant.

The desperate sneak attack, which used all the heroes' trump cards, was suppressed by Lin Yan with a single thought, and the entire operation collapsed.

On the ancient plain, there was no longer the slightest hint of a murderous intent against the tide.

All that remained was the clear imperial light filling the sky, the lingering power of the array that shook heaven and earth, and the clan cultivators lying on the ground in a sorry state, suffering heavy casualties.

Wang Yashi stood frozen in the fog, her body ice-cold, her pupils completely dilated.

Looking at the overwhelming imperial power before her, and at the elite troops under her command who were instantly wiped out, all her ambitions, schemes, and wishful thinking shattered completely.

Human strength can defy the will of Heaven; even an ant can shake Mount Tai.

At this moment, she finally understood completely. They had never lost because of scheming, timing, or combat strength. From the moment they stepped into the Imperial Ruins, they had no chance of winning this battle for opportunity.

Lin Yan stood in the center of the imperial light, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the remnants of the defeated soldiers scattered on the ground.

"He crossed the line into the imperial tomb, coveted the emperor's favor, and repeatedly instigated murderous plots."

"Today, the Imperial Ruins have been suppressing and killing you. To spare your lives is already an act of leniency beyond the law."

He didn't look again, slowly closed his eyes, and once again immersed himself in the primordial understanding.

The remnant jade of the Emperor's Heart was completely connected with the source of the altar, and the vast and boundless spiritual energy of the Emperor's Way once again washed over his body.

This time, there was no more disturbance, no more hidden dangers. The mist dissipated and the wind ceased on the ancient Qingwu Plain, and the ancient imperial altar returned to complete silence.

Only the youth stood amidst the glory, inheriting the unique blessings of Emperor Shaohao throughout the ages, polishing their flawless foundation and accumulating the essence of the Emperor's Way.

The heroes who lay dormant everywhere were filled with fear and endless regret, standing frozen in place, no longer daring to challenge them.