The thunderous roar drew the gazes of all the awakened martial artists present. The golden vortex continued to slowly rotate, its energies intermingling, while streaks of blue lightning dashed about within, seemingly chaotic but following some underlying pattern.
Connected, they resembled an ancient formation exuding immense pressure. With each circuit completed by the blue lightning, the golden vortex would grow brighter, its energy surging.
As the door to the secret treasure slowly opened, the old man’s face grew increasingly troubled. He sighed, looking at the dazed martial artists, his eyes flickering. After a moment, as if making a resolute decision, he waved his sleeve, and all the kneeling, dazed martial artists vanished.
“My life’s accumulation is of no use to me. I hope it brings you some rewards, and this endeavor will not be in vain!”
The old man sighed deeply. He had served the Imperial Dynasty, amassing vast wealth and possessing his own inner world. Seeing the martial artists disqualified from entering the Imperial Dynasty's secret treasure, he couldn't help but lament. With the seal about to break, he could only let his residual power dissipate one last time, the only thing he could do now.
After the palace fulfilled its mission, it, along with him, would turn to nothingness. His spirit was entrusted to the palace, sealed beneath the great river for a hundred thousand years, awaiting this very moment of reactivation.
“Hum~~”
It was unclear how many circuits the blue lightning had completed, but the energy within the golden vortex gradually stabilized, and the lightning began to weaken.
“Inner World!”
Elder Xue exclaimed with excitement, observing the scene. It bore a striking resemblance to the phenomenon of inner worlds discovered by the Ten Elders, as recorded in ancient texts.
Elder Xue’s words immediately stirred a commotion. The awakened martial artists, who hadn’t even noticed the disappearance of their companions, now glared with crimson eyes at the stabilizing golden vortex, their gazes alight with fire as they began to advance.
After the old man had taken away half of the martial artists, the already dispersed valley became crowded once more. Martial artists from all directions converged toward the center, a dark mass of people surging like waves, their eyes glaring, desperately seeking openings to squeeze through.
“It’s finally starting!”
Xu Chu, his bare arms like those of a qilin, exuded powerful surges of blood energy that reached the heavens.
“The Imperial Dynasty’s million-year accumulation, don’t disappoint me!”
Wang Yue held his three-foot green peak, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. Li Bai, observing the direction of the Ten Elders, frowned slightly and said softly, "Once we enter, we must pay close attention to these Imperial Dynasties, especially Ying Yu. My Great Han has ceased hostilities with them and ceded dozens of cities. Ying Yu may not be content with this!"
"What are you afraid of!"
Xu Chu brandished his Fire Cloud Saber, glaring fiercely in Ying Yu's direction. "If it weren't for these anomalies, His Majesty would have long ago destroyed Sheng Yuan. How could he be showing off here!"
"Haha, General Xu Chu, I'm not afraid of him. It's just that this person might instigate the Ten Elders and the foundations of the other Imperial Dynasties. They have numbers, so it's best to be cautious!"
Li Bai chuckled and shook his head. The Ten Elders, along with the six great Imperial Dynasties, comprised a larger group. While not afraid of a fight, it would delay them and potentially cause them to miss out on immense resources.
"Lord Li speaks wisely!"
"We should still proceed with caution and not forget that we are here by His Majesty's command to compete for precious cultivation resources. We must not delay state affairs!"
Wang Yue’s tone was grave, causing Xu Chu to shrink back slightly. He had almost forgotten the important mission. Having not led troops for many days and stationed in the barracks without strong companions, he had been cooped up.
“Hum~~”
As the blue lightning gradually dissipated, the golden vortex suddenly erupted with golden light, a stable vortex finally formed, emitting a faint shimmer within.
“The Imperial Dynasty’s Secret Treasure Palace is open. Sons of the Southwest Region, the future of the Southwest Region is entrusted to all of you!”
“Go!”
The old man smiled, his gaze filled with the tender affection of a parent looking at their child. Tears welled in his eyes as he softly murmured, “Your Majesty, I can now report back to you on the task you assigned me!”
……
“Charge!”
As soon as the old man finished speaking, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Some hadn't even reacted before the people behind them pushed them forward.
“Charge!”
“Charge!”
“Hahaha!”
“Mine, mine!”
Countless martial artists rejoiced inwardly, their faces contorted in greedy smiles.
“Elder Xue!”
Elder Yue nodded slightly to Elder Xue, and the two, along with six attendants, shot forward.
“Let’s go too!”
Ying Yu looked at his attendants and waved his hand. Although the six great Imperial Dynasties had all submitted to the Ten Elders, they still desired as many resources as possible. After all, no one was willing to be subordinate to another, especially these six Imperial Dynasties who had not submitted willingly. Facing the pressure of top-tier Fusion Heaven Realm experts and the shattering of seals, and confronting the terrifying ancient desolate lands, submitting to the Ten Elders was merely a means of survival.
“Go!”
Yue Kong, Yan Hai, Yuan Rong, and the other Imperial Dynasty factions, unwilling to be outdone, led their retinues and rushed forward, fearing they would be a step too late!
“Hah!”
On the Weiyang side, a thousand iron cavalry knelt on one knee, respectfully seeing off their commander, General Fan Zichen, clad in blood-red armor. Fan Zichen, accompanied by two deputy generals, stepped onto the ground, their figures instantly blurring like lightning, bypassing the Sky-Gazing Beast and disappearing into the throng in the blink of an eye.
Observing the actions of the top factions, some martial artists who had been in doubt finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had traveled the world and explored numerous ancient tombs and ruins, encountering many secret treasures that were fake openings designed to slaughter martial artists.
Most greedy martial artists were killed by hidden dangers the moment these secret treasures and ancient tombs were opened!
They had been watching the Ten Elders and the top experts of the various Imperial Dynasties. Seeing them confidently charging towards the golden vortex, they could no longer hold back and rushed madly towards it.
“Hum~~”
The moment figures touched the golden vortex, they were instantly absorbed, and the crowd began to dwindle!
“Let’s go!”
Li Bai said to Wang Yue and Xu Chu, looking at the gradually emptying valley. Entering early didn't necessarily mean greater gains, but the trials outside the palace had already eliminated more than half. This palace's secret treasures and immense resources would likely not be easily obtained.
“En!”
Wang Yue nodded, and the three of them transformed into streaks of light, following the crowd and shooting directly into the golden vortex.