Zuan Dilong awoke from its slumber with confusion and panic lingering in its eyes.
Not long ago, it had discovered a spiritual herb growing underground and had fallen into a deep sleep after consuming it.
During this period, its body would digest the spiritual energy from the herb, and it would only regain consciousness upon complete absorption.
However, just moments ago, Zuan Dilong sensed an unprecedented pressure, forcing it to awaken prematurely from its slumber.
The soil, which had previously felt incredibly comfortable, was now squeezing its body with ferocity.
Even with its tough carapace, Zuan Dilong felt a pain it hadn't experienced in a long time under the immense force from all directions.
The confusion in Zuan Dilong's eyes completely vanished. It instinctively burrowed deeper into the earth.
Its unique racial talent allowed it to move unimpeded and swiftly through the soil. Thus, whenever it encountered danger, it would use this method to escape predators.
But this time, the situation was vastly different. As it burrowed downwards, the oppressive force it felt not only didn't weaken but grew stronger.
Zuan Dilong realized it couldn't go any deeper and decisively changed direction, heading upwards, its round pupils trembling uncontrollably.
It was naturally timid, and the bravest thing it had ever done was choose its lair near the Demon King's palace.
It believed that under the Demon King's protection, its chances of survival were far higher than anywhere else.
Indeed, it had lived there for nearly seven hundred years. Although it had encountered danger several times, it had always managed to turn misfortune into fortune. It attributed all of this to the Demon King's palace.
Even though it had to travel far for food each time, it had no intention of moving away and planned to live out its days there.
But everything that happened today had instantly disrupted its plans.
The sudden turn of events made it worry about its future.
Besides that, it began to wonder what had happened in its vicinity.
When it finally emerged from the dark earth, its first action was to look towards the palace. Then, it was horrified, prostrating itself on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, unable to speak.
What is this!
"What is this?"
At the same time, Xu Yi, startled by the colossal entity behind her, felt cold sweat break out on her back.
The golden monster was hurtling towards them with a speed that belied its appearance. The ground trembled violently, sand and stones danced wildly, and rumbling sounds echoed from the depths of the earth.
The Demon King's palace had come alive and was now pursuing her and Ji Buwang.
Xu Yi, after years of cultivation, had never witnessed such a bizarre event.
If not for the relentless pressure that seemed to shadow them, Xu Yi might have doubted if she had fallen into a demonic illusion.
Ji Buwang's astonishment was no less than Xu Yi's. He glanced back at the palace, feeling a slight sense of ease. Although the entity was fast, there was still a gap between its speed and his own.
Ji Buwang calculated that they could outrun the palace in another half-incense stick's worth of time.
However, at that moment, a sudden change occurred.
The magnificent golden palace, with a thunderous boom, vanished without a trace.
Before Xu Yi and Ji Buwang could react, a piercing beast roar echoed from afar.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang's attention was drawn to the source of the sound. They saw dozens of demonic beasts appearing from nowhere, now fleeing in all directions.
But they were quickly ensnared by golden stone tendrils erupting from the ground, and then dragged back into the earth.
The strength of these demonic beasts was not weak; there were even two great tribulation-crossing demons among them. Yet, in front of the golden stone tendrils, they were like lambs awaiting slaughter.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang's faces turned grim. They dared not linger any longer and instead accelerated their speed.
The demonic beasts ambushed in hidden locations were surely coming for them.
It was just that they had unexpectedly become prey for the palace.
This also confirmed the suspicion they both held: this palace was no benevolent entity.
However, if they were captured, they would likely face the same fate.
Under such intense pressure, Xu Yi and Ji Buwang cast aside all distractions, their minds focused as never before. The strong wind gusted past their sides, creating a whistling sound, yet it failed to draw even the slightest attention from them.
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
"Below them!"
Simultaneously with the sound of breaking wind came Ji Buwang's warning.
Two golden stone tendrils whipped through the air, coiling towards the two of them.
Xu Yi drew her chastisement ruler and, with a backhand sweep, unleashed a slash. Azure ruler light hissed and shot out, transforming into a long beam several feet in length, striking the stone tendrils.
Beside her, Ji Buwang gathered spiritual energy in his palm and pressed downwards.
The Sect Leader's Golden Seal instantly flew from his body.
Boom! Boom!
The two stone tendrils shattered with a roar, erupting into countless flying fragments of stone.
However, before they could breathe a sigh of relief, several more stone tendrils erupted from the ground, much like the vines of a tree demon, lashing out at them from all directions.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang could handle two stone tendrils, or four, but faced with a number more than ten times their previous encounter, they began to feel overwhelmed.
But to Xu Yi's surprise, the one whose limbs were first entangled by the stone tendrils was Ji Buwang.
She was supposed to be the easier one to deal with between the two of them.
Xu Yi's attack was merciless, her gaze on the stone tendrils deepening.
A stone tendril coiled around Ji Buwang's left wrist. His eyes turned cold, and with a violent shake of his left arm, fine cracking sounds echoed from the tendril.
The stone tendril turned into countless stone dust, cascading from his hand.
But soon, several more tendrils seized the opportunity, each entwining Ji Buwang's limbs.
As Ji Buwang was about to recall his Sect Leader's Golden Seal, he suddenly let out a muffled grunt. He stared in horror at the tendrils on his arm, realizing his spiritual energy was being fiercely drawn out of him.
Concurrently, a peculiar power was injected into his body. He felt his limbs stiffen, becoming as hard as stone.
The next moment, the tendrils yanked Ji Buwang downwards, pulling him directly into the ground.
"Ji Buwang!"
Xu Yi's mind jolted. Without hesitation, she chased in the direction Ji Buwang had disappeared, a nascent suspicion forming in her heart.
These stone tendrils seemed to be wary of her, not daring to harm her directly.
Could it be that she possessed something that could threaten the stone tendrils?
Xu Yi mused as she followed Ji Buwang's aura through the earth.
Layers of golden stone tendrils surrounded Xu Yi, but they did not attack her. Instead, they seemed to be deliberately guiding her in a certain direction.
Xu Yi's premonition grew stronger. She bit her lower lip lightly, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
Ten breaths later, Xu Yi felt the surrounding soil becoming increasingly soft, and the resistance ahead growing smaller.
Had she arrived?
Xu Yi wondered. The next moment, she felt herself penetrate an invisible membrane, and the scene before her changed drastically.
Her figure flickered, and she immediately stabilized herself, surveying her surroundings, thinking, "As expected."
The grand golden hall, the uniquely styled feather decorations, and the golden throne at the head of the hall all indicated where Xu Yi was.
The Demon King's palace.
Xu Yi had arrived inside the Demon King's palace.
However, Ji Buwang was nowhere to be seen.
Xu Yi had already returned her chastisement ruler to her storage ring and replaced it with another magical artifact.
"Since I have arrived at the Demon King's palace, I request that your presence be revealed swiftly."
Xu Yi raised the Soul-Unbinding Bell in her hand and spoke loudly.
Xu Yi suspected that the reason her captor brought her here was likely for the remnant soul of the Demon King sealed within the Soul-Unbinding Bell in her possession. She was unsure whether this entity was friend or foe.
However, regardless, Xu Yi had to inquire about its intentions to formulate a plan, especially since Ji Buwang was still in its custody.
Xu Yi's voice echoed repeatedly in the empty hall.
But until the sound faded, she heard no response.
Xu Yi frowned. After a moment's thought, she spoke again, "Why does your excellency still not reveal yourself? My companion and I have arrived here with no ill intent. We implore you to show yourself."