Since all the cultivators who had come this far were clearly unwilling to take such risks for nothing, it didn’t take long after the man finished speaking for someone to stride wordlessly into one of the bluestone passages. Moments later, the figure vanished silently into the passageway.
With someone taking the lead, the others quickly followed suit.
After watching Wan Tianming and the others each choose a passage and enter, the demonic path veterans like Ji Yin coldly observed without rushing in. Patriarch Ji Yin cast a cold glance at the two white-robed elders who remained seated motionless, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly pulled off a sparkling, luminous bracelet from his wrist. The bracelet was strung with four thumb-sized oval beads emitting a faint blue glow.
“These are *Brahman Beads*, possessing the miraculous effect of calming the spirit and soothing the soul. With these four beads on your person, even if the dangers of the *Extreme Mirage* suddenly multiply several times over, they should still be able to keep your mind clear,” Patriarch Ji Yin said solemnly before handing the bracelet to Han Li.
Han Li’s heart leaped with joy. Without declining, he accepted it and repeatedly expressed his thanks.
He had long heard of the reputation of the *Brahman Beads*. It was said that carrying just one of these beads could significantly reduce the interference of inner demons during cultivation, making them extremely rare treasures. It was astonishing that Patriarch Ji Yin had so extravagantly strung four together into a bracelet and was now giving it to him to ensure he could pass the final trial. This was truly beyond Han Li’s expectations!
Judging by the pained and reluctant look on Patriarch Ji Yin’s face, Han Li guessed that even if the Patriarch felt too embarrassed to ask for it back immediately after clearing the trial, he would certainly reclaim it once Han Li had served his purpose in retrieving the treasure.
However, within the *Void Palace*, everyone harbored their own ulterior motives. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator like Patriarch Ji Yin was being secretly plotted against by Xuan Gu. Han Li highly doubted whether this nominal master of his would even make it out of the Void Palace alive.
Han Li put on the bracelet in front of Ji Yin and took a closer look at it.
The *Brahman Beads* were neither like wood nor metal, and they emitted a sandalwood-like fragrance that drifted gently from them. Just a whiff made one’s mind feel clear and invigorated—truly extraordinary!
“Logically, these *Brahman Beads* should be sufficient, but to be safe, take this as well, Little Friend Han. This is the *Azure Ming Needle Talisman Treasure* I cultivated. In terms of power, it far surpasses ordinary magical treasures. Keep it on you for protection,” the scholarly-robed elder said with a smile, taking out a blue talisman and handing it to Han Li.
“The *Azure Ming Needle Talisman Treasure*?” Han Li was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, but then excitement surged within him. This was a Talisman Treasure from a Nascent Soul cultivator—nothing like those inferior imitations.
Although the “Evil-Warding Divine Lightning” of his *Green Bamboo Cloud-Swarm Sword* was powerful, he couldn’t use it recklessly. With this talisman, his safety would be further assured.
Han Li unceremoniously accepted it as well and respectfully expressed his thanks.
At that moment, Barbarian Beard wordlessly tossed over a jet-black inner armor adorned with silvery-white scales, giving it a hefty appearance.
“Brother Barbarian is truly generous, gifting such a rare treasure, the *Imperial Scale Armor*, to my disciple for protection. I thank you on his behalf!” Ji Yin exclaimed, a flicker of greed flashing across his face as he hurriedly spoke.
“This armor was somewhat useful to me a century ago, but now that my *Tuo Tian Demon Art* has long been mastered, I’ll lend it to this kid for protection. I hope he doesn’t disappoint me when the time comes. Otherwise, heh heh…” Barbarian Beard said with a cold, menacing glance at Han Li.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.
When Ji Yin learned that the armor was only on loan, a trace of disappointment flashed across his face before vanishing without a trace. He smiled and said, “Excellent! With these treasures protecting him, my disciple should be able to escape unscathed from any unforeseen danger. Let us proceed to retrieve the treasures. The opening of these passages is time-limited.”
Hearing this, Barbarian Beard and the elder showed no objection but made no move to leave. Instead, they glanced meaningfully at Han Li.
Han Li was puzzled for a moment before offering a wry smile. It seemed these men were still afraid he might back out at the last moment and insisted on watching him enter first.
Thus, with a faint smile, Han Li casually chose a passage and entered. Only then did Ji Yin, the elder, and the others exchange smiles before selecting the other three passages and stepping in.
“Don’t you find the actions of the demonic path cultivators rather peculiar?” asked the expressionless, cold-faced elder, his eyes closed, as the stone hall emptied save for the two white-robed elders. His voice carried a chilling tone.
“Although those old monsters used methods to interfere with our eavesdropping, their expressions showed genuine concern for that early Core Formation junior. They even gave him several protective items,” the kindly-faced white-robed elder replied, frowning in agreement.
After exchanging a few words, the two fell silent once more.
“What do you think?” the cold-faced elder asked again, his tone grave.
“If even the demonic path old monsters value him so highly, it must be for the sake of benefits. The only thing here that could tempt them is the *Void Heaven Cauldron* in the inner palace. That Core Formation junior might be of great help to them in retrieving the treasure,” the other replied hesitantly.
Had Han Li been present to hear this, he would have been speechless. These two were truly old foxes—with just a few words of analysis, they had almost entirely deduced the truth of the matter. He would have no choice but to admire their cunning.
“Retrieve the Void Heaven Cauldron? Are they truly daydreaming? Unless they possess one of those spirit beasts long thought extinct in the *Chaotic Star Sea*, it’s nothing but a futile fantasy. Otherwise, the past generations of Holy Masters would have already taken it—how could it be their turn?” one voice remarked disdainfully.
“It’s hard to say! Perhaps they really have obtained some ancient remnant species. If someone is willing to invest vast amounts of time and effort, there might still be a sliver of hope. After all, it happened before—a cultivator nearly succeeded in retrieving the Void Heaven Cauldron. Though in the end, he only managed to open the lid slightly, retrieve a single *Heaven Mending Pill*, and was forced to flee after being ambushed. This time, with Wan Tianming’s *Golden Thread Silkworms*, I think it’s not entirely impossible.”
“In that case, to be safe, we should follow them secretly. It would be best if they fail to retrieve it, but if they truly manage to obtain the treasure, we cannot allow another *Heaven Mending Pill* to fall into outsiders’ hands.”
“It seems we have no other choice.”
Unaware that he had attracted the attention of the two Star Palace Law Enforcement Elders, Han Li was currently making his way up a spiraling bluestone staircase, his face filled with astonishment.
Not long after entering the randomly chosen passage, he encountered an endless series of bluestone steps. After walking for what felt like the time it takes to finish a meal, there was still no sign of an end.
Han Li’s curiosity was piqued. Could this pavilion really be built at such a height?
Puzzled, Han Li calmed his mind and continued ascending the steps unhurriedly.
After climbing another hundred zhang or so, Han Li finally spotted a glimmer of light. His spirits lifted, and he quickened his pace. Sure enough, after rounding a corner, an ordinary square exit came into view.
Peering out through the exit, Han Li’s expression shifted at the sight outside, and he hurried forward.
The sky was a dull yellow, shrouded in gray mist. There was no blue sky or red sun—everything was cast in gloomy, indistinct hues. This was an immeasurably deep, cylindrical space that, at first glance, appeared quite narrow. Thick fog surrounded everything, making it impossible to see through.
The area, nearly a thousand zhang in circumference, allowed Han Li to take in the entire scene at a glance.
He found himself standing at what seemed like a window opened in the mist wall. Before him stretched a white jade bridge, about several dozen zhang long, floating mid-air without visible support. Exquisitely crafted with carvings of dragons and phoenixes, the bridge connected the square exit on one end to a floating, four-cornered pavilion at the center of the space.
The pavilion stood over thirty zhang tall, with two stories entirely constructed from beautifully carved jade. It shimmered in the void like a celestial palace. Above the entrance hung a golden plaque about a zhang wide, inscribed with three large ancient characters: “Treasure Light Pavilion.”
Han Li did not rush onto the bridge but instead carefully examined the pavilion.
Though not large, the pavilion emitted an unfathomably powerful spiritual energy, enveloped in a faint white glow. It was clear that formidable restrictions and formations protected the place.
Finally, Han Li moved. He stepped slowly onto the jade bridge and began making his way toward the Treasure Light Pavilion.
When he reached the center of the bridge, he couldn’t help but tilt his head and glance downward. It was like peering into a bottomless abyss—only vague, indistinct darkness could be seen below, sending a chill down his spine.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage