Chapter 705: Breaking the Ban and the Scroll

Volume Five: Renowned Far and Wide

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Han Li formed a hand seal, and a dozen array flags, positioned before the crystal wall, began to float and move. A moment later, these flags arranged themselves into a peculiar formation, appearing chaotic yet subtly profound. Just then, Han Li chanted a low, obscure incantation, and then cast over a dozen magic seals from his hands, each striking an array flag with precision. The flags immediately vibrated, emitting a vibrant spectrum of colors. Simultaneously, streams of light shot forth from the flags, linking them together to form an unusual array.

Wang Tiangu, Marquis Nanlong, and other cultivators skilled in array formations frowned upon seeing this. They found the array somewhat familiar, yet they had never truly encountered it before, leading them to ponder its intricacies and try to decipher its meaning. However, Han Li seemed unwilling to let others delve too deeply into the array's mysteries. With a low shout, his body suddenly erupted with a dazzling white light. Those who were intently observing the array were caught off guard and forced to close their eyes. Yet, these veteran cultivators were simultaneously startled and quickly infused spiritual power into their eyes, instantly reopening them. The result was a collective expression of astonishment. They saw that the array flags on the crystal wall had, at some point, seamlessly embedded themselves within the wall, as if they had always been part of it. At this sight, Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder revealed expressions of great joy, their confidence in Han Li significantly boosted. Wang Tiangu's face subtly changed, but he quickly regained his composure. Behind him, Wang Chan's masked eyes showed a complex look of surprise, and he stood somewhat dazed. Yan Ruyan, however, furrowed her delicate brows, glanced at the array in the crystal wall, blinked her beautiful eyes, and a hint of confusion appeared on her jade-like face.

Han Li then took a few steps towards the crystal wall. He placed his hands on its surface, and a faint green light emanated from his fingertips. Simultaneously, the array within the crystal wall seemed to respond, bursting forth with five-colored light from its center. This light grew increasingly dazzling, gradually suffusing the entire crystal wall, creating a spectacular display. Just as everyone present was engrossed in the sight, Han Li withdrew his hands from the crystal wall. With a swift movement, he appeared before another crystal wall. He gazed at it for a moment, then produced another set of array flags and arranged them into a formation identical to the first. After another flash of white light from his body, this array was also instantly embedded within the crystal wall. Because they were prepared this time, even amidst the intense glow, Marquis Nanlong and the others, protected by their spiritual power, clearly witnessed Han Li's actions of embedding the array flags into the crystal wall. They marveled at how easily he was able to penetrate the crystal walls. Han Li spent a considerable amount of time, a full half hour, setting up arrays on all four walls using the same method. The other cultivators, however, showed no signs of impatience. Everyone understood that breaking such wondrous ancient restrictions would naturally take time. Of course, Han Li's unhurried actions also contributed to their confidence. Otherwise, Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder would not have genuinely allowed Han Li to "waste" so much time.

After completing all the arrangements, Han Li walked to the center of the hall. With a flip of his hand, he revealed a jade-green array plate. He then unhesitatingly cast several complex magic seals into it. Simultaneously, the array plate and the lights from the four crystal walls began to pulse, expanding and contracting. The rhythm, initially chaotic and disordered, gradually synchronized until all the colorful lights expanded and contracted as one.

"Break!"

Without looking at the surrounding lights, Han Li lowered his head slightly and uttered a low, guttural "Break." As the word left his lips, the lights surged upwards and emitted a piercing hum. The sound grew louder, resembling the collective chirping of ten thousand birds. With a deafening roar, the lights dissipated, and the entire hall instantly dimmed. It was then that Marquis Nanlong and the others discovered that the crystal walls had, at some point, vanished without a trace, replaced by ordinary bluestone walls. Embedded in one of these stone walls was a stone door, approximately seven to eight zhang tall and three to four zhang wide.

"I never imagined Fellow Daoist Han possessed such a profound mastery of array formations, truly succeeding in breaking this restriction! Haha! Excellent, Fellow Daoist Yun and I naturally stand by our word. After the two of us have each chosen one item, you will have priority in selecting a treasure," Marquis Nanlong said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The white-robed elder, upon seeing the stone door, also wore a wide smile, his gaze filled with fervent anticipation. "Brother Nanlong, let's go see what treasures are truly inside! There won't be any more restrictions, will there?" the cultivator surnamed You asked, a mix of eagerness and concern in his voice. "Don't worry, there won't be. According to the late Master Cang Kun's final words, this cave mansion only had two layers of restrictions in total," Marquis Nanlong stated confidently. He then strode forward without further words, gently sweeping his long sleeve across the stone door, which easily swung open inwards. Witnessing this, the last trace of concern in the cultivators' hearts vanished without a trace, and they all followed Marquis Nanlong through the opened door.

"What is this?" the old woman exclaimed in astonishment the moment she saw what lay beyond the stone door. Not only her, but Han Li and the others also revealed expressions of surprise. Beyond the door was another hall, several times larger than the previous one, but in its center stood a small, exquisitely crafted pavilion. This pavilion, carved entirely from sparkling white jade, was over ten zhang tall and had only two floors, yet it was exceptionally delicate. On its several-zhang-tall door, three large silver characters spelled out "Jade Jishi Pavilion." However, building a pavilion inside a hall seemed truly peculiar. In front of the "Jade Jishi Pavilion" was an old, dark, and yellowed offering table. On it rested a silver-white scroll, several feet long, shimmering with silver light, clearly not an ordinary object. As for the rest of the hall, it was completely empty, with no other items or doorways visible. "Could the treasures be hidden inside the pavilion?" everyone couldn't help but wonder.

Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder exchanged glances. Marquis Nanlong remained still, but the elder cautiously stepped forward to the offering table. The old woman and Wang Tiangu felt a stir of curiosity, but no one intervened; they merely watched the elder's actions with cool detachment. The elder surnamed Yun did not reach directly for the scroll. After a moment of hesitation, he opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of white mist. This mist directly enveloped the scroll, lifting it into the air. After a brief tumble, it unfurled with a "swish," revealing a scholarly figure with a long sword on his back, gazing upwards.

"Is this Master Cang Kun?" the cold-faced cultivator asked, a hint of surprise in his voice as he looked at the embroidered image.

"Perhaps. But for this painting to be enshrined here, there must be some purpose, though it's likely not a valuable item," Wang Tiangu said, his gaze flickering towards the Jade Pavilion, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

"Let this old one give it a try first!" the elder surnamed Yun said slowly after some thought. He then formed hand seals, flicked his fingers, and several red magic seals struck the painting. The surface of the embroidered image glowed brilliantly with silver light for a moment, but after a short while, it returned to its original appearance, showing no anomalies.

"It's a bit strange! But it could also just be an ordinary embroidered image," the elder surnamed Yun said, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he witnessed this.

"In that case, let's temporarily put this item aside. We can decide its ownership once we find the other treasures. Do any of you fellow daoists have any objections?" Marquis Nanlong suggested after a moment of silence.

"This old woman has no objection; we shall do as Fellow Daoist says!" the old woman agreed with a chuckle, casting a glance at the scroll. The others, having not yet seen the other treasures, naturally expressed no opinion. Consequently, the elder surnamed Yun carefully retrieved the scroll and placed it into his storage pouch.

"Let's go! I'll take a look inside the pavilion!" Marquis Nanlong exclaimed, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes as he gazed at the structure. As a result, the group bypassed the offering table and approached the small pavilion with its tightly closed door. This time, Marquis Nanlong, unable to wait, pushed the pavilion door open. With a soft creak, the door swung inward. Before Han Li and the others could step inside, dazzling spiritual light burst forth, striking them head-on and momentarily disorienting them.

Inside the first floor of the pavilion, they saw three slender ebony shelves, all laden with items that emitted a captivating and awe-inspiring brilliance. At this sight, both Marquis Nanlong's group and cultivators like Wang Tiangu were overjoyed. However, being cunning and experienced, none of them made any reckless or taboo moves that might provoke danger. Everyone suppressed the fervor in their hearts, slowly entered the pavilion, and then began to examine the treasures displayed on the wooden shelves.