Chapter 1119: Infiltrating the Underground Palace

A deep rumbling echoed. The ground cracked in layers, but the profound seal array remained unshaken. However, the powerful individuals assaulting the profound seal array must have felt it weakening, as they continued their combined efforts without giving up after such a long struggle.

Everyone's attention was focused on the profound seal array. Combined with Yun Che's exceptional stealth abilities, no one noticed his approach.

Yun Che stood motionless, his gaze repeatedly sweeping over the surrounding crowd and environment, pondering his next move. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on one individual.

From behind, this young man appeared to be roughly Yun Che's age. Yun Che noticed him because his profound strength cultivation was remarkably low, only at the mid-stage of the Sovereign Profound Realm, not yet having entered the Divine Path. To be eligible to enter this Illusory Sea Ancient Realm, one had to be a top-tier expert from any generation within the Three Star Realms. This individual was the only one who hadn't reached the Divine Path, making him noticeably weaker than the others, and thus, particularly conspicuous.

Furthermore, his attire differed from the rest; he wore a purple robe with unusual patterns, exuding elegance and nobility. Due to his low profound strength, he naturally couldn't get too close and remained on the outer fringes of the crowd. In front of him, over a dozen powerful individuals jointly maintained a protective barrier, periodically checking on his condition, fearing inadequate protection.

Clearly, despite his relatively low cultivation, this person's identity was anything but ordinary. Forces outside the three major sovereign sects rarely had the opportunity to bring their disciples to explore the Illusory Sea Ancient Realm. Those who were brought were always top-tier talents destined for full cultivation. A Sovereign Profound Realm practitioner coming here wouldn't even be able to ensure basic self-preservation, let alone explore for opportunities.

The most likely explanation was that this person was merely there to observe! After receiving news, he had specifically come to witness the opening of the underground palace.

To be qualified and daring enough to do so, he had to be an important figure from one of the three major Star Realm sovereign sects, perhaps an elder, or even a direct descendant of a Great Realm King.

Crack!! Like the sky tearing open, a massive breaking sound echoed, and the pervasive profound light above the array instantly changed. Joy appeared on everyone's faces above the profound array, but no one spoke. Their profound energy erupted even more violently, churning into an even fiercer vortex storm.

Once the cracks appeared, they rapidly expanded and spread. After a brief pause, the shattering sounds resumed, becoming more frequent. The profound seal array ceased rotating completely, quickly shattering, then shattering further.

Pooling the power of all top experts from the Three Star Realms, the seal was finally destroyed piece by piece, as desired. Everyone's eyes widened, ready to witness the moment. Yun Che's brows also gradually furrowed, as he still hadn't decided what he should do next. The Realm Kings of the Three Star Realms were personally present, and everyone else was a top figure from these realms. This was the Three Star Realms' territory, and the Emperor Immortal Grass was something the three Realm Kings absolutely intended to acquire.

How could he possibly snatch food from these sharks, even with the slightest chance?

As the profound seal array shattered, the earth's tremors intensified. On the outskirts of the crowd, the purple-robed man, who was only in the Sovereign Profound Realm, also visibly grew excited. He flew directly upwards, wanting to witness the spectacle from a higher vantage point, but as soon as he ascended, he was quickly stopped by the people in front of him.

"Young Master! Don't move rashly, it's too dangerous." The person protecting him urgently said as he restrained him, "The seal is about to break. The Island Master said that when the seal breaks, it's very likely to cause profound energy turbulence. For your safety, we should move further away."

Island Master? These two words made Yun Che's brows twitch... Mu Baimei, the Island Master of Muyang Island in the Azure Haze Realm?

Could he be Mu Baimei's son?

The purple-robed youth, however, let out a loud laugh. "Haha, what a joke! With Father King here, how could I be in any danger? If I were to retreat, wouldn't people mock me for being as timid as a mouse?"

Knowing he couldn't dissuade him, the man could only shout, "Everyone, focus your attention and ensure the Young Master's safety!"

With the three Realm Kings present, everyone was drenched in sweat. After dozens more breaths, finally, with a thundering roar like a mountain collapse and a tsunami, the profound seal array completely disintegrated. However, the array fragments didn't vanish instantly after collapsing; instead, they scattered violently with residual power amidst the profound energy storm.

"Everyone, be careful!!"

The closest experts to the profound array were the first to react, instantly retracting their power and easily fending off the fragments. The scattered profound array fragments also flew rapidly towards the distant onlookers, like a torrential downpour swept by a gale.

"Full defense!"

Dozens of shouts erupted from the crowd. Those powerful individuals soared into the air, unleashing palms that shattered all incoming profound array fragments, while younger disciples swiftly activated their profound energy defenses.

After all, these were merely disintegrating profound array fragments, with little residual power left. They posed no significant threat to these Divine Path profound practitioners; at most, a direct hit would cause minor injuries.

However, there was one exception among them.

"Young Master, look out! Wah!"

Above the purple-robed man, dozens of profound array fragments simultaneously plummeted. Those in front of him resisted with all their might, but with a sudden explosion, their defensive barrier shattered, and they were all thrown far back. One unresisted profound array fragment, like a falling meteor, struck directly at the purple-robed man.

The aura of death descended from above. Although the residual power of the array fragment was weak, for him, with only Sovereign Profound Realm cultivation, it was an absolutely irresistible, annihilating force. The mere pressure of that Divine Path power froze his blood, pinning him down as if by countless mountains, unable to move, only able to let out desperate screams.

"Young Master!!"

"Chun'er!"

All the profound practitioners from Muyang Island, the sovereign sect of the Azure Haze Realm, cried out in horror, but they were too late to intervene. Mu Baimei was dozens of miles away, and even with his immense power, he couldn't reach him instantly.

Yun Che's pupils flickered. In an instant, a dozen thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he suddenly darted out, a Phoenix Arrow shooting forth instantly.

Bang!! The Phoenix Arrow collided with the profound array fragment mid-air, exploding. Although the purple-robed man wasn't directly hit, the lingering shockwave from the explosion was still more than he could bear. He was violently thrown backward, collapsing to the ground with wails of agony.

"Young Master!"

After a brief moment of stunned surprise, all the Muyang Island members rushed forward, shielding the purple-robed man. Several of them scrambled to check his injuries.

A gust of wind surged forward, and a middle-aged man in green robes descended from the sky, landing beside the purple-robed man. It was none other than the Great Realm King of the Azure Haze Realm, Mu Baimei, the Island Master of Muyang Island! He swiftly placed his hand on the purple-robed man's chest, then his expression relaxed slightly.

"Father King..." Seeing Mu Baimei, the purple-robed man, still trembling with fear, cried out in pain, "Ugh! It hurts so much... My leg... Is it crippled...?"

"Island Master, rest assured, the Young Master only has injuries to his left arm and left leg. His internal injuries are not severe, and there's absolutely no danger to his life. He'll recover in half a month at most," said a Muyang Island deacon who was stabilizing the purple-robed man's injuries. He glanced at Yun Che, adding, "Thankfully, this person intervened, otherwise... the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"What do you mean 'not severe'? I was almost dead!" the purple-robed man wailed.

Glancing sideways at the purple-robed man, Yun Che inwardly snorted: "Looks like I saved a good-for-nothing. No wonder, despite being the son of a Great Realm King and having access to the best environment and resources, his cultivation is so ordinary."

"Don't worry, if I say you're fine, you're fine." Mu Baimei seemed quite doting towards his son, offering a gentle reassurance. He then stood up, but instead of scolding the trembling disciples who had failed to protect the youth, he turned to Yun Che, a grateful smile on his face. "Young brother, thank you for your timely assistance. Otherwise, my son's life might have ended here today."

With that, he actually cupped his hands and bowed slightly, offering a solemn salute to Yun Che.

This gesture made Yun Che's eyebrows jump. The man before him was not only his elder in age but also a Great Realm King, the revered sovereign of a realm. While Yun Che had indeed saved his son's life, for someone of Mu Baimei's power, status, and standing to act this way was enough to startle anyone.

Yun Che quickly returned the bow, his face flushed with feigned humility. "Island Master Mu, please don't say that. This junior has long admired your esteemed reputation. It was this junior's good fortune to be able to save your son, and I absolutely cannot accept such a grand gesture from you."

"Hahahaha, a life-saving grace is certainly worth receiving." Mu Baimei laughed, his face showing only peace, devoid of the overwhelming presence and pressure of a Realm King. He turned his head. "Chun'er, hurry and thank your rescuer."

"Ah, ah..." The purple-robed man continued wailing. He glared fiercely at Yun Che and hissed, "Why should I thank him? He almost killed me just now! If it weren't for him, and Father King had acted, I wouldn't have... wah, it hurts so much..."

Yun Che: "..."

"Sigh." Mu Baimei shook his head and said to Yun Che, "Young brother, please don't take offense. My son has been spoiled by his mother since childhood and lacks proper manners. I, Mu, will thank you on behalf of my son, Mu Tangchun, for now. Once today's matter is concluded, there will certainly be a generous reward."

"Oh no, I wouldn't dare," Yun Che replied, still feigning modesty.

Mu Tangchun? That name sounds oddly pleasant.

"Hehehehe," a sarcastic voice suddenly chimed in. "Old man Mu, since your son is half-dead, what are you still doing here? Why don't you hurry and send him home to heal? If there's any delay and he actually dies, that wouldn't be good. After all, a tiny Emperor Immortal Grass can't compare to your precious son, wouldn't you agree, Sect Master Han?"

As he spoke, a figure slowly descended from above. His golden robes, bright enough to dazzle anyone, instantly revealed his identity: the Great Realm King of the Southern Vast Limitless Realm—Emperor Nan Lie!

The stout man beside him, Han Kuan, the Great Realm King of the Wanghai Realm, snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Island Master Mu should go back and look after his son."

"Hehehe," Mu Baimei wasn't offended in the slightest. He smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint both of you. My son only suffered minor injuries, far from life-threatening. How could that possibly delay such an important matter as the Emperor Immortal Grass?"

"Hahahaha!" Emperor Nan Lie burst out laughing. "Old man Mu truly understands! After all, if this son dies, you can always have ten or eight more. But if the Emperor Immortal Grass is lost, you probably won't ever lay hands on it again in this lifetime."

"However..." Emperor Nan Lie suddenly looked at Yun Che. "This young man's life aura indicates he's only in his early twenties at most, yet he possesses cultivation at the Divine Soul Realm. Such talent would certainly be highly renowned in our Three Realms, but I don't recall ever seeing him. Furthermore, practitioners of fire-element profound arts are quite rare in our Three Realms, aren't they?"

In the coastal Three Realms, water elemental energy is extremely active, making it highly suitable for cultivating water-element profound arts and less so for fire-element profound arts. Among the three major Star Realms, none of the upper-tier forces primarily cultivate fire-element profound arts, and even among the mid-tier, they are very few.

And Yun Che, at merely twenty years old, already possessed profound energy at the Divine Soul Realm. This was top-tier talent even among the three sovereign sect masters.

Emperor Nan Lie was clearly displeased that Yun Che had saved Mu Baimei's son, and his tone was naturally unfriendly. His words immediately drew everyone's attention. Han Kuan frowned deeply and asked in a low voice, "Young man, which Star Realm and which sect are you from?"

Under everyone's gaze, Yun Che showed a terrified expression, his hands trembling slightly from extreme nervousness, and he spoke with a stutter. "To... to answer, seniors, this junior is Ling Yun, I... I am from the Dark Abyss Realm. Yesterday, I was traveling in the Wanghai Realm and happened to hear about a major event here. Out of curiosity, I... so..."

"What?" Yun Che's words astonished everyone.

"Someone from the Dark Abyss Realm? Impudent!" Han Kuan's face darkened further. "How did you sneak in? What are your intentions here?"

"That's easy enough," Emperor Nan Lie chuckled. "This time, we broadly invited various sects from the Three Star Realms and opened this Illusory Sea Ancient Realm. The matter was rushed, and there was no time to prepare defenses, so it wouldn't be hard to slip in. I just didn't expect anyone to actually have such nerve, tsk tsk."

"Let it go, it's just a minor, irrelevant matter," Mu Baimei said, waving his hand. Then he turned to Yun Che. "Although your talent and cultivation are extraordinary, you are not from our Three Star Realms, and intruding into this Illusory Sea Ancient Realm is truly improper. However, considering that you harbored no malicious intent or ill purpose, and even saved my son's life, we will not pursue this matter. You may explore this place on your own, along with the other sects. If you discover any opportunities, you are welcome to take them."

Yun Che's look of apprehension immediately vanished, replaced by immense delight. "Thank you, Island Master Mu! Your great kindness, this junior will never forget."

"You may go," Mu Baimei said with a benevolent smile, then glanced at Emperor Nan Lie and Han Kuan. "Old rogue Nan Lie, Sect Master Han, it's time to attend to serious matters."

With the profound seal array shattered, a ten-foot-wide entrance appeared below. A flight of dark gray stone steps descended from the entrance, leading into complete darkness as far as the eye could see, indicating an unknown depth underground.

"This underground palace is indeed very deep. No wonder the Emperor Immortal Grass's aura was so faint."

The three Realm Kings stood before the entrance. Behind them were the various elder-level figures from the three sects, while those from other sects who had participated in assaulting the profound seal array had already moved far away, none approaching.

Han Kuan stepped forward, extending his spiritual perception towards the underground palace entrance, and suddenly his expression changed. "Such heavy turbid energy!"

"This level of turbid energy will greatly suppress profound energy and spiritual perception," Mu Baimei also frowned deeply.

"This underground palace has never been discovered before, so it must have been sealed for at least a million years. It would be strange if there wasn't any turbid energy," Emperor Nan Lie said. "Besides the turbid energy, there are likely other dangerous things. Old Man Mu, Sect Master Han, you both have sons and daughters and established families. It's not worth risking your lives for a small Emperor Immortal Grass. How about I go in first to explore?"

"Old rogue Nan Lie, it seems you'll never get rid of your daydreaming habit, even to your death," Mu Baimei scoffed.

"Don't forget the agreement," Han Kuan said solemnly. "The three of us are evenly matched in strength. If we were to fight to the death, there would be no benefit, only mutual destruction. You two should understand this principle."

"Sect Master Han, rest assured," Mu Baimei said. "After entering the underground palace, whoever obtains the Emperor Immortal Grass first shall claim it; there shall be absolutely no forceful snatching. Since the Emperor Immortal Grass can grow beneath this palace, there will undoubtedly be other exotic items. Whoever obtains the Emperor Immortal Grass shall not covet any other treasures within the palace. All elders from our three sects bear witness to this agreement, so none of us would dare to be a perfidious scoundrel."

"Haha, very well then," Emperor Nan Lie laughed, taking the lead and stepping into the underground palace passage.

"Guard the passage entrance! No one is to approach!" Mu Baimei instructed, then he and Han Kuan also entered the passage.

The turbid energy within the passage was extremely dense, and it naturally grew heavier the deeper one went. In just a few breaths, their footsteps, and even their auras, completely vanished from everyone's spiritual perception.

Yun Che hadn't gone far; he had heard every word they spoke. As the three Realm Kings entered the underground palace passage, he casually walked away. After evading all gazes, he entered his stealth state and quietly doubled back, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the underground palace.

From a distance, the underground palace entrance appeared veiled in a thick layer of mist.

The next step, naturally, was to enter the underground palace.

However, to ensure absolute security, the individuals guarding the underground palace entrance were elder-level figures from the three major Star Realms, all supreme experts of the Divine Spirit Realm. Two individuals guarded each of the four directions, making a total of eight Divine Spirit Realm practitioners!

Moreover, they were standing very close to the underground palace entrance. If Yun Che wanted to sneak in, even choosing the best position, he would have to pass within six feet of them.

These were Divine Spirit Realm experts. At such close range, even if he employed his Moon Slaughtering Devil Shadow and Lightning Flash to their utmost, there was still a high probability they would detect him.

And once detected, there would be no second chance. Let alone infiltrating the underground palace, even escaping would be incredibly difficult.

Yun Che approached slowly, stopping when he was about a hundred feet away. After several hesitations, he did not proceed further.

No! Although they didn't appear to be on high alert, forcefully approaching at that distance was simply too dangerous.

He needed to find a way to temporarily distract them... or draw their attention away.

Should he assassinate a few of their disciples? But doing so would only heighten their vigilance.

Or...

Roar! As Yun Che furrowed his brow in deep thought, a heavy, long roar suddenly echoed from the south. Although distant, the roar was still earth-shattering and carried supreme majesty.

This distant roar startled all the experts. Even the elders guarding the underground palace entrance all turned south. "It's a dragon's roar!"

"Could it be the Iron-Scaled Flood Dragon that escaped fifty years ago?" an elder from the Wanghai Realm said in a deep voice.

"Xiyuan! I can handle things here alone. Quickly take people to encircle and kill it! Absolutely do not let it escape again!"

This dragon's roar severely agitated the nerves of the three sovereign sects. All the Divine Spirit Realm experts soared into the air, rushing directly towards the source of the roar. Of the eight individuals guarding the underground palace entrance, five quickly departed, leaving only three. These remaining three naturally fixed their gaze and hearing on the south.

For Yun Che, this was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity.

In his stealth state, he moved rapidly forward without hesitation, only slowing down when he was about ninety feet away. Then, holding his breath, he cautiously drew closer... closer... and closer...

The three Divine Spirit Realm elders guarding the underground palace entrance remained focused on the south, determining the source of the dragon's roar. Completely unaware, an invisible figure, almost devoid of aura, glided past them like a phantom and slowly disappeared into the turbid energy of the underground palace.

A pungent odor assaulted him, accompanied by an extremely heavy sense of oppression. But immediately, this oppressive feeling vanished without a trace, and even his stealth state remained unbroken. Only his spiritual perception was noticeably restricted.

Finally having successfully infiltrated the underground palace, Yun Che let out a long breath but did not deactivate his stealth state. It was dim ahead. He descended the cold stone steps slowly and silently, naturally not daring to ignite any light. His spiritual perception was extended to its maximum, sensing everything around him.

He hadn't forgotten that three Divine Kings had entered the underground palace with him!

Any one of them could reduce him to ashes with a mere wave of their hand.

He absolutely could not let these three Divine Kings discover his presence. Although the turbid energy here restricted his spiritual perception, it would also restrict theirs, thus providing him a layer of protection.

His next task was to fully avoid the three Divine Kings and then, relying on the Sky Poison Pearl's detection ability, find the Emperor Immortal Grass before them.

The prerequisite for this was that the underground palace had to be vast enough and its terrain complex enough. If there was only one path leading to the Emperor Immortal Grass, then avoiding them would be impossible.

After adapting to the turbid energy and darkness, Yun Che cautiously sensed his surroundings, gradually quickening his pace. However, after walking for a while, the path ahead remained a single, narrow passage. There were no forks, not even the slightest sign of an open area, and a growing unease began to settle in Yun Che's heart.

Just then, faint voices suddenly drifted from ahead.

"Old rogue Nan Lie, it seems my son was fortunate enough not to die, which must be quite disappointing for you."

This was Mu Baimei's voice.

"Of course," Emperor Nan Lie retorted sarcastically, "Every time I think of my beautiful little daughter having to marry your good-for-nothing son, I'm simply in agony."

"Beautiful? Hmph, indeed, the pigs one raises oneself are always considered treasures, no matter how fat or ugly," Mu Baimei scoffed.

The addresses and words between the two were sharp and antagonistic, filled with hostility, even venomous, yet neither showed actual anger, clearly accustomed to such exchanges.

Yun Che wasn't moving fast, yet he had caught up to them, indicating that they, too, were proceeding cautiously in the heavy turbid energy of the underground palace.

Yun Che stopped. Judging by the sounds and his spiritual perception, he was now less than a hundred feet away from the three Divine Kings.

Normally, at this distance, he would likely have been detected. However, the unusually dense turbid energy here prevented him from feeling any significant danger. Still, he dared not approach further. He slowed his steps, listening to their voices, maintaining a fixed distance, and silently trailed behind them.

He could only linger behind them like this, unable to advance or retreat.